The Widow and The Witcher (Complete)

Chapter 12 (Edited)

Chapter 12

Julia and Ciri sat at the herb tables, she had been teaching Ciri how to string them up to help the herbs dry out. Every now and then Ciri would look up at Julia, smile, and then look back at her herbs. It was becoming a bit unnerving for Julia and eventually, she laughed and said "what do you keep smiling at Ciri?" another smile on her face Ciri looked at Julia and said with a soft voice "I'm just happy that's all.  In the last few months, I have made good friends with Nessie, Ruth, and Hannah. I feel like Renee and Tobias are my big sister and brother. I've spent more time with my Geralt than I have in the last year, and If I'm correct I hope I am, you are becoming the mother I always wish I had."

Julia looked amazed at the young girl sitting near her, her flaxen hair shimmering in the glow of the light streaming in from the Garden window. Her cheeks flushed pink with her excitement and her eyes sparkling with joy. Julia hoped that what she was saying was true, she did feel like Ciri was becoming her child. As Ciri went back to her work through, a sad throught went through Julia's mind. What if Geralt didn't want to be with her in the greatest commitment? They had never spoken of this, and she didn't even know if Witcher's married. He might stay for a long time but might never even consider the human act of marriage as important to him.

Ciri and Julia spent the rest of the afternoon out in the Gardens. After their shared dream Julia had a request of Ciri. "Can you teach me to fight to Ciri? Just enough to know how to stand alongside you and the rest of the men if we need to?" not knowing if Geralt had survived and if the war was closing in Julia had wanted to not feel so helpless. Ciri eyed Julia cautiously "I don't know if Geralt would like that Julia, you are a great healer and that's a special gift. But...." Julia interrupted Ciri "look I just need to know what to do if I find myself trapped and their is no one else to fight for me" Giving Julia a furrowed look Ciri relaxed slightly "Ok, ill grab the sticks and we can start".

Three days later they were both in the Garden again. After a day of clients, Julia excited to continue her lessons was out with Ciri. Tobias and Renee stood to the side looking on with pride and sometimes amusement as Julia continued to improve. Ciri talked Julia through some simple thrusts and counter defensive moves. Trying to think of a better way to explain the mindset Julia needed Ciri remembered a saying from Geralt's old mentor Vesimer who had also worked with her ,in a calm teachers vocie she said "Vesimer once told me that 'The ideal Swordsman is a flame that cannot be hurt and inflicts wounds each time it is touched'. Every time I come at you with the sword you need to block my blow then counter in the attack." A deep voice carried from behind them "that's good advice Ciri" turning to look at the voice both Ciri and Julia at first surprised, looked at each other, laughed, and then ran towards Geralt who was smothered in a three-way hug.

Laughing an open hearty laugh Geralt held his girls in his arms. This was defiantly the welcome he had dreamed about the last three nights on the road. He looked down at Julia and Ciri, both had their faces buried in his chest. Neither of them seemed to want to let him go. Laughing again he said "ok, ok, that's enough you too. I need to go freshen up" pulling back Julia looked up at him with a grimace and said, "yes you smell terrible, although I'm sure rose didn't mind Nessie might take offense to your aroma competing with hers." Chuckling the three of them walked arm in arm towards the house with Tobias and Renee walking behind both looking at each other with silent amusement.     

Geralt followed Julia into her bathroom, Hannah was standing by the bath having just finished preparing the steaming water for him. Julia looked at Hannah with a smile "Thank you, Hannah, you can go". Bringing a Chair over towards the tub, and some creams and oils Julia instructed Geralt to strip. "uh Julia do you think that's wise after our last time together" looking up at Geralt Julia smiled, then said, "as your healer, I need to assess your physical wounds and I can't do that with your clothes on can I?"