Chapter Text
It had been two long days of riding up the mountain path plagued by snow, hail, mud and all manner of other unfavorable conditions. By the time Kaer Morhen came into view Lambert was tired. Tired of riding, tired of walking and tired of Aiden asking whether or not they were there yet and if they were getting closer and how much longer until they reach the keep and on and on and on…
All he wanted was to eat a warm meal, drink some cold ale and fall asleep in a comfortable bed. He could already see the portcullis, open and inviting. He was already thinking of all the chores he was going to avoid in his first weeks home. Already going over the stories he was going to tell his brothers who were probably already waiting for him with a bottle of gull.
He was not looking forward to seeing Vesemir. He was sure that his old fencing instructor had a lecture in store for him. Vesemir had an affinity for lecturing and a strong dislike for the School of The Cat and unfortunately for Lambert, Aiden just happened to be from the School of The Cat. He had been smart enough to send a letter ahead, saying he had invited another witcher to winter with them this year and that said witcher would be a Cat. He had also been smart enough not to leave an address where he could be reached for a reply. This way there would be no way for him to get a strongly worded letter from Vesemir ahead of time. The downside being that now he had to listen to his complaints in full.
He was still not sure if Aiden would be allowed to enter the gates. Witchers from the School of The Cat were usually not welcome in Kaer Morhen. Lambert was counting on Vesemir's sense of common decency. He intentionally delayed their journey as much as he safely could so that it would be nearly impossible for Aiden to find somewhere to winter, were he turned away. Lamber was hoping that the cruelty with which vesemir sent young boys to die in the trials had mellowed somewhat in his old age.
They crossed the drawbridge accompanied by the sound of some bird calls and Aidens loud complaining. As they entered the lower courtyard, the complaining abruptly stopped. Lambert saw Vesemir waiting for them. It was not an unusual sight, usually one of the other Wolves would be around when he arrived, but Vesemir seemed to have stood in wait for them. Still, Lambert was not surprised. He was awaiting a lecture after all. What did surprise him was Aiden, greeting the grumpy bastard as if they were old friends. He was immediately thrown off guard because it seemed that Vesemir recognized Aiden as well, although he did not seem as pleased to see him. The rest passed in a blur. They unloaded what meager supplies they could afford and fit into their saddlebags, fed and watered the horses and freed them from their saddles and tack. Vesemir went up ahead with the supplies and so they were left alone.
“What the fuck was that all about? You didn’t tell me you knew the old bastard?” said Lambert, trying and failing to seem calm and unbothered.
“He never told me his name, although when you mentioned your fencing instructor I had my suspicions. I met him years before I met you. It’s a long story, I'll have all winter to tell it to you in detail. The short version is: he saved my life once. Now, is your horse sufficiently cared for? I’m fucking starving.”
As they headed for the great hall Lambert resolutely decided that he was not going to let this little surprise bother him. He was going to rest and relax because that’s what winters are for. His mood improved with every step he took because every step took him closer to that long awaited rest. As they finally entered the great hall he was glad to see that everything was as expected. The fires were burning, familiar smells greeted him and he saw three figures seated at the large table. Geralt and Eskel stood from the table in turn to embrace him and welcome him home. Introductions were made and a warm, hearty venison stew was served with tankards filled to the brim.
They ate, drank and talked, quickly overcoming the awkwardness that came with having a stranger at the table. Aiden managed to work his way into conversation quickly using his sharp ear and even sharper tongue that came in handy on the path. Lambert was glad to see his friend accepted without much difficulty. It seemed that even Vesemir didn’t have any disapproving words to say. At least not that night. After another round of drinks and some more casual conversation Lambert felt his bed calling to him. Eskel offered to show Aiden to the room that had been prepared for him and they both retired for the night.
As Lambert was getting ready to sleep he thought back to the evenings conversation. Something didn’t sit right with him. Vesemir hadn’t said a word about him bringing a Cat to Kaer Morhen. Lambert had never known him to be sparing with his criticism. Instead he had been quiet and reserved. Uncomfortable, even. Geralt and Eskel were acting normally, it didn’t seem like the issue was with them. And as he considered the events he thought that Aiden was acting a bit strangely too. He seemed very interested in the mostly uninteresting conversation. Smiling a lot, joking and quipping. Flirtily almost. But that was normal for Aiden, he was always a bit flirty. At the end of a short deliberation he decided that everything was fine and all he needed was a good nights sleep and to stop overthinking every little detail. Everything was fine. There hasn’t been a stranger in Kaer Morhen for a while, there’s bound to be some discomfort. He decided that that’s exactly what was happening and fell asleep quicker than usual, due to the exhaustion of travel.
Lambert awoke a little before dawn. It was cold in the room but so very warm in his comfortable bed. He was content to just lay around and wait for the smell of breakfast to reach him but his bladder had other plans. Reluctantly he tore himself from the embrace of warmth and comfort and got dressed. It was even colder in the halls, as it always was, and he cursed the whole way down the stairs as he made his way outside. He didn’t see the point in returning to his room so he made his way to the kitchen. He could hear the soft murmur of conversation from behind the closed door. He hoped that whoever was in there had already started on breakfast and that he could steal some bits of whatever was cooking.
As he opened the door he was dumbfounded. He saw the least expected combination of people in the room. Vesemir was measuring barley into a large pot for porridge and very pointedly ignoring Aiden, who was sitting on one of the tables in the middle of the room, telling a story in a low, almost sultry voice. Lambert felt like he should say something in greeting but the strangeness of the situation tied up his tongue. Aiden, on the other hand, had no such issue.
“You’re up early. You said you were planning to sleep for at least a week straight. Missed me already?”
“I was just…”
“Ah good morning Lambert. Since you’re here, you can start helping me prepare breakfast,” interrupted Vesemir in his usual tone that left no room for argument.
Lambert didn’t understand exactly what he would be helping with, making porridge was usually not a task that required two witchers to complete. He started to say as much but quickly decided against it. Something told him it would not have worked out in his favor.
Hearing no objections, Vesemir continued to give out orders, “And you, Cat, make yourself useful. Take those two buckets over there and fetch some water.”
“It was already dark when we arrived, not sure i spotted the well but i would be happy to stay and help you instead while Lambert…”
“No more of that. You’ll find it just fine, now get going!” Vesemir's tone was even more commanding than before.
“Yes, Sir!” Aiden responded with gusto and a mischievous smile on his face. Lambert was certain that there was no need to bend down that low to reach those buckets.
There were a few moments of very awkward silence. Lambert felt slightly nauseous but he didn’t have much time to process that feeling before Vesemir started to speak.
“Why, of all the damned Cats on the Continent, you had to bring that one?”
“I take it you two have already met?” He wanted to ask about the nature of their prior acquaintance more specifically but even the thought of asking Vesemir a personal question left a bad taste in his mouth.
“We have met. Once. Near Ard Carraigh. Found him in the ruins of an old mansion, terribly wounded. I tended to his wounds and gave him some of my potion stock. Now I see that it may have been a mistake.”
“So you… Never mind.”
What was he going to do? Ask papa Vesemir if he had fucked his best friend? Like hell that was ever going to happen. Just the mere thought of it was making him want to throw up that mornings breakfast before even eating it. He would rather swallow a red hot poker than discuss Vesemir's sex life with him.
He desperately hoped the situation would just resolve itself, that Aiden would stop whatever he was doing and everything would return to normal. But he had known Aiden for years. It did not seem like he would give up on whatever insane plan he had concocted in that chaotic head of his. If Aiden wanted something, unfortunately for Lambert in this case, he would do whatever it took to get it. He was not looking forward to the conversation he and Aiden needed to have about this. But he needed to say something, or else they would be in store for a very uncomfortable winter for everyone involved, no matter whether Aiden was successful in his machinations or not.
Vesemir pulled him out of his deep and worrying thoughts by handing him a large hunk of smoked pork and a knife. Lambert had no desire to start up conversation again so he immediately got to work. It seemed the old man did not have anything further to say either. They busied themselves with preparing the meal in an uncomfortable silence until Aiden returned with two buckets of water and a dazzling smile meant only for Vesemir.
“Now that that’s out of the way, is there anything else you need… Sir? Anything at all?”
Aiden was laying it on thick, almost purring, as he leaned over the table trying to get closer to Vesemir. Vesemir pulled back and stared at him with an annoyed expression. Lambert threw up in his mouth a little. He wished desperately to be anywhere else but here. He was quickly formulating an escape plan.
“That will be all, Lambert and I have everything taken care of. You may spend your time before breakfast as you see fit.”
“Now get out!” he added after a moment, when he saw that Aiden had no intention of leaving the kitchen.
After Aiden left the room with a pout and a final longing look over his shoulder, Lambert found himself absently clearing his throat. He felt like he should say something but what exactly. What in the world could he say to break the tension and make this situation less awkward? He finished cubing the pork in silence.
“Anything else you needed my help with?”
“No. Just try to keep an eye on your Cat. Since you brought him here I will hold you responsible for any trouble he might cause.”
“Mhmh. Yeah. Sure.”
He walked out of the kitchen as fast as possible without breaking into a run. He really needed some fresh air after all that.