#yennefer of venegerberg

[sassaffrassa]

you know who makes a perfect reindeer?? jaskier. yennefer knows it.

so does @kuwdora, who deserves all the nice things, like a perfect reindeer boy

[kuwdora]

Istredd recs

Here are some Witcher recs of Istredd with Geralt and a few stories with Yen 'cause I love Istredd a whole lot!

Geralt/Istredd

Alright, let me tell you about @brighteyedjill 's series Collaborative Scholarship, because this is 100000% my jam.

Research Methods (5,302w. Explicit) features Istredd enlisting Geralt to retrieve some arachas eggs. Of course Istredd discovers Geralt’s unorthodox method of collecting the eggs via oviposition. What you need to know about this fic is that Geralt and Istredd are complete and utter NERDS. And adorable. The story is also incredibly sweet and endearing and god, the banter is so good.

Advanced Study (5,589w. Explicit) is where Istredd gets fisted by Geralt and it’s so fucking cute and dorky and nerdy and hot. The Istredd POV is just absolutely exquisite the entire way through. Denial, cute horny thirst, nerdy. Geralt is dry and funny, but also nerdy and sweet. This fic really does have everything for these two.

The Scholar in the Ruins by @bittylildragon. (9,944w. Explicit). Istredd enlists Geralt’s help with some wraiths at some elven ruins. THIS IS SO SOFT. Like!!! Geralt has such low self-esteem but he ends up having such a good fucking time with Istredd. They're so soft. I adore the way Geralt tries to understand Istredd’s motivations about the elves and how Istredd manages to surprise and disarm Geralt with his sincerity and charm. This fic is a joy to read. (Also it is incredibly hot!!)

The Giant Bumblebee (1661w. Teen) by C_hawk. Istredd saves Geralt from bleeding out and Geralt returns the favor by helping Istredd look for a monster of interest. This is a cute, banter-y fic that sends me in a happy tizzy because their dynamic is hilarious and lovely. I'm smitten with how Istredd doesn't really know what to do with Geralt.

The Thing You Loved (1057w. Teen) by @brighteyedjill. Istredd gets kidnapped! ISTREDD WHUMP. ISTREDD WHUUUUUUMP and Geralt. I adore thiiis fic, I ADORE THIS. This is more Istredd whump than just slash but it just sets off happy firecrackers in my brain because their dynamic!! Is so good!!

points of the same star (468w. Mature) by and_a_dash_of_Angst. This is a great smutty ficlet with some bondage and d/s vibes. The twist at the end is AMAZING!!

If You Go on Like This (4582w. Teen) by @brighteyedjill. Geralt rescues Istredd and they learn a little about each other along the way. I. ADORE. THIS. God… I could just eat up this pairing all day long forever. Jill manages to build up their dynamic so subtly, slowly, delightfully and I am in LOVE. This is more of a Geralt & Istredd situation instead of the slash but ooooh, so delicious.

as flies do by flirtygaybrit (7020w. Teen). Geralt shows up to the conclave of mages on Thanedd and finds an potential ally in Istredd. The ongoing metaphor in this is superb, and Geralt’s humor is just absolutely spectacularly hilarious and dry and witty. ALSO. Omg! Istredd’s first line in this fic: “I can’t say I’d be any richer for being accused of ogling a witcher’s backside.” It only gets better from there. Their dynamic!! is top fucking incredible! If you love delicious imagery and prose, please check out this fic. It’s mindblowingly good.

Yennefer/Istredd

One Last Thing, Before I Go (3283w. Mature) by @arse-blathanna. Alright, so this is a sad Istredd and Yen get back together and breakup again, so it’s painful and ache-y in the most exquisite way. I love this Yen POV and it’s so difficult to let go of that first love. They don’t really fit together in the same way anymore, but they’re trying...even though it’s not enough. So if you’re in the mood for some angst, this is a fic you want punching you in the heart. 😭❤️

A Little Chaos (1223w. Mature) by @brighteyedjill. Istredd and Yennefer. Whumpily sweet sex pollen that is so lovely and emotionally satisfying.

Come Back For You (2:52) by me, @kuwdoravids. This is my Yen/Istredd, Istredd/Geralt, Istredd/History fanvid. Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I say I would be the one to make you feel this way. The love and pain of caring for another person (and about history!). Moving through the shit to be there because that's just what you have to do. Even though people aren't really listening to you. Come for Istredd's gorgeous face, stay for the vibes and feelings!

[ladynearthelake]

Little spicer OT3 sketch. Used that photo from Victorious (?) that’s floating around Twitter as reference.

Tagging as mature, though I think it’s pretty tame. Just to be sure.

[inkamumbles]

The Rectoress gets hit in the face by a pillow, Yennefer snickers from behind an armchair

Scene taken from BaconAndOnion’s fic, Control, on AO3, read it it’s awesome (and kinky heheheee)

[spellwing777electricboogaloo]

Perfection. 10/10 no notes

the lovers

[nataliescatorccio]

#like mother, like daughter

[geralt-of-vengerberg]

Incorrect Witcher Quotes

Inspired by this

[emma-ofnormandy]

This blog supports strong, independent women and the men who love them.

[ti-please]

Makes me think of Ballerina AUs.

I can't move on.

[angelscometrue]

Happy beltane to the OTP of the witcher saga: yennefer and geralt.

they own this holiday, from the first book "something more" to the last book "the lady of the lake".

their relationship is passion, aganist, love, mistakes, misunderstandings but also comfort and happiness and destiny....

[steph930]

I will defend Kate and Yen till the end.

If you don’t relate to their personality, traits, or choices, they aren’t for you.

But I myself, and many others, do.

It’s refreshing to see women existing in media that aren’t sunshine and rainbows. 💁🏻‍♀️

[ahh-fxck]

This Day is for Me, This Day is for You

I was inspired by Yennefer and Ciri's birthday yesterday to write a new ficlet, I hope that you all enjoy it. Thank you especially to @dapandapod for the lovely prompt!

Rating: G (Fluff)

Today is a day for new beginnings. 

This is what she thinks as she watches her new daughter sleep, admiring the petal-pink softness of her lips and the sweet wisps of hair that drift out of her braid across her cheeks. Her hands are smaller than Yennefer’s but not by much. They still retain the softness of childhood even though they are large on her, as are her feet and ears, like a puppy that hasn’t quite hit its full growth. Yennefer finds herself smiling at the way Ciri has furled them under her chin, holding the hairy horse blanket close for warmth. 

They’d traveled far under the stars the night before, hurrying across scrubby hills and dales to reach their destination in time. By the time they had arrived at the gathering, Ciri had been tired to the point of being unreasonable. Yennefer smirks, remembering the growl she’d gotten at the mere suggestion that the child help her put up the tent for the night. By the time Yennefer had finished settling the horses, the girl had curled up in the hollow of some tree roots and fallen fast asleep. 

Yennefer leans back against the tree and contemplates letting the girl sleep a while longer, but the noise from the nearby camps is already causing her to stir. She looks over her one last time with a fond eye, allowing herself a last moment of sentimentality before rising to start the day. 

By the time Ciri has fully woken (having completed the glare-from-beneath-the-blanket stage to her satisfaction), Yennefer has their tea and sweet porridge made. She offers them without comment to her scowling ward, hiding a smile as the feral little thing snatches them without comment and retreats around the side of a tree to watch the camp, situating herself where she can see Yennefer from the corner of her eye. 

Yennefer takes the peace and quiet while she has it, eating her breakfast and sipping her tea serenely while she observes Ciri. The child is bright-eyed now, eyes darting to and fro as she watches the camp come alive. Drab traveling clothes are slowly being exchanged for bright festival colors, and there is the occasional tinkle of bells and shells as dancewear is donned. 

May Day is coming.

May Day is here.

As Ciri drinks in the surroundings, Yennefer quietly cleans the camp. Normally she’d chivvy the girl into action- Yennefer certainly isn’t there to be her servant- but today is special. It is their first birthday together. The girl had endured hell, and Yennefer has rarely enjoyed a kind birthday herself. So, she has decided to let the child in on a secret. 

By the time she is done, Ciri has climbed up to the lower branches of the tree and is laid out on her belly with her little chin tucked comfortably into a forked branch so that she can get a better view. Yennefer glances up and her eyes twinkle. In the distance there is a series of concerted shouts, and then the maypole, rising with the dawning sun. 

While Ciri is distracted Yennefer begins to lay out the gifts of the day. She’d seen the girl looking hungrily at her rich clothing, her jewelry, and the fine adornments in her hair. Now the child had a set of her own, just in time for the May Day dance. They were in the bright, joyous colors of the countryside, white and red, with lovely blue and yellow flowers. The jewelry was simple and difficult to break, well suited for a child, and the ribbons were edged in stiff thread-of-gold that she was sure would set the child’s eyes alight with joy.

It was joy she’d never been afforded in all her long years, a new set of finery gifted by a loved one, a blessing for the first day of summer. She’d always sworn to herself that her child would have it. It never occurred to her that the little wretch in the tree would have burrowed into her heart so, but she had, and she was proud to think of her as daughter.

Yennefer lays out her own finery as well, then turns her pointed chin up towards the tree to see what Ciri is up to. She is still wrapped around the tree branch like a little scruffy cat, body relaxed but deceptively alert. She is beginning to get restive though, stroking at the pliant stems of the tree’s leaves and absentmindedly twiddling them. Before long she stretches and drops down out of the tree, and, curious to see what the day has in store for her, makes to bound off into the campground. 

She whirls when Yennefer clears her throat, an almost comically imperious expression on her face. Yennefer laughs, a clear peal that brings a rare light to her face. The look drops off of Ciri’s face as she beholds the two outfits together side-by-side, the jewelry, the fine, fine ribbons. She freezes for a moment, all agog, then crows with delight.

“Come here, ugly one!” Yennefer beckons, the affectionate twist of her lips belying the teasing moniker. “Let’s get you cleaned up and remove the twigs from your hair child. Today is an important day.” She plucks a dried leaf out from behind Ciri’s ear with cool, soft fingers, flicks it aside, then tips her chin up. “Are you ready to be beautiful?”

The girl scowls on reflex. The time she’d spent with Geralt had been bad for the girl’s hygiene, in Yennefer’s wry estimation, but no real harm had been done. She eyes Yennefer balefully from under her brow, then slowly nods. Yennefer’s fond smile widens. 

“Then let’s get started,” she says, turning Ciri to sit on the ground in front of her facing the dresses. She pulls out a fine silver-handled brush and begins working the bristles through the girl’s tangled mane. She doesn’t realize she’s begun softly humming until Ciri’s voice breaks her train of thought.

“What is that?” she asks. “It’s pretty.”

“Something I heard when I was young,” Yennefer says, her brow furrowing. 

“Don’t stop,” Ciri says, and perhaps they’re both surprised by the note of pleading in her tone.

Yennefer falls silent for a moment, embarrassed, and Ciri hunches her shoulders. But slowly the magic of the silvery strands of the girl’s radiant (if snarled) hair descends on her again, and when the humming arises she allows it consciously this time. Ciri relaxes under her hands, and they fall together into the sacred rhythm that’s passed between mothers and daughters for time immemorial. When she is done, Ciri’s hair shines like corn silk in the warming light of the early day. 

Yennefer squeezes the girl’s shoulders, smiling against her cheek. “Let’s go get clean.” As if released from a shotput, Ciri springs into motion, rabbiting off down to the creek bed to play with the other children. Yennefer retreats to a more discreet spot further up the riverbank for her ablutions, cursing the chill of the water but unable to arse herself to magic a more elegant solution. She does indulge in a swirl of warm air afterward though, whisking the water away and warming herself with a whisper of Chaos. 

When they return to camp together, Ciri stands before her new clothing and eyes it uncertainly. Yennefer comes up beside her and gives her shoulder a warm squeeze.

“Happy birthday, Ciri. This is for you.” The girl looks over her shoulder at Yennefer, green eyes wide. Yennefer nods in answer to her unspoken question- she needed no Chaos to see what was going through the girl’s mind. “Yes, I know it’s your birthday.” She bends and begins to dress herself, smiling as the girl tentatively follows suit. 

“How?”

“I have my ways,” Yennefer replies archly. Ciri scoffs, and Yennefer chuckles. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“What?” she asks, giving her a skeptical eye. 

Yennefer leans close, inviting Ciri into her confidence. “It’s my birthday, too,” she murmurs, then pulls back with a smile as Ciri gasps in delight. 

Then the child’s face falls. “Oh! But I didn’t get you anything!” She hesitates mid-scramble into her clothing, but Yennefer gives another one of her rare laughs and helps her pull her dress the rest of the way down over her head. 

“You don’t need to worry about that,” she states matter-of-factly, sweeping Ciri’s hair back from her shoulders. “And I will tell you why. Now, hold still and none of your fidgeting. I’m going to do your hair now.” Ciri obeys, as much out of surprise as any actual desire to be tractable. Yennefer begins to comb her hair again, beginning the complicated process of the fine braids she’d always envisioned her daughter having. 

“Do you understand what Chaos is, Ciri?” Yennefer asks, her cool hands holding Ciri’s hair firm as she weaves it. The girl groans, kicking her heels.

“But today is a holiday! Can’t we skip lessons for one day?” 

“No,” Yennefer replies matter of factly, biting back a small chuckle. “Now tell me what you know.”

“I don’t know,” the girl replies mulishly, digging in. 

Yennefer smiles, giving her head a light tug for the cheek. Ciri grizzles and Yennefer hums, waiting until she settles back down. Then she explains, “Chaos is an expression of the life-force which binds us all. It is in the surge that drives the sap back into the trees in spring, and the motion of the sun through the sky. It’s in you, just like it’s within me.”

“But no it isn’t,” Ciri rebuts, frowning. “You’re a sorceress, I’m just-”

“Learning,” Yennefer breaks in firmly, her voice unexpectedly kind. “And you don’t need to be a sorceress to be a child of the life-force. All you have to do is be born, just like I was.” She strokes some hair off of Ciri’s cheek, gathering it into a ribbon tenderly. “And do you know what today is?”

“May Day?” Ciri hazards, giving Yennefer a guarded look.

“Yes. May Day is a celebration of the life force in all its forms. Now. Do you want to know a secret? I have never told anyone.”

Ciri’s eyes light up again, and she nods. 

Humming, Yennefer smiles and continues to braid Ciri’s hair, gathering herself. Then she says, “When I was a girl, someone explained that very same thing to me. I didn’t understand it then, but what I took away from it was something very special indeed.” She gestures out to the campground, to the gathering slowly growing in the clearing beyond. “May Day is a celebration of the life force, of Chaos, and all the gifts that the sweetness of summer brings. Including me.” She smiles, taking in the pennants fluttering in the wind. “And secretly, deep down, I decided that the sweets and the flowers were my gifts, and the finery, and the music. Every year… no matter where I go, there are voices raised in celebration of my existence, at least in some small way. And now you know the secret. They sing for you too.”

Ciri falls silent, contemplating that as Yennefer finishes her hair. Then she turns, allowing Yennefer to fuss the last of her finery into place. As Yennefer tucks fabric and plucks at her jewelry, Ciri says, “But I still haven’t gotten you a gift.”

Yennefer stops, stepping back and looking at Ciri resplendent in her finery. Then she smiles and steps forward, cupping Ciri’s chin in her cool hands. “I already have one, Cirilla. Because this year, Destiny gifted me with the thing that I’ve wanted since I was old enough to dream.”

“And what’s that?”

“You. My daughter.”

Ciri’s eyes widen, and for a moment they look as if they are about to run over with tears. Yennefer straightens, pulling her close and tucking Ciri’s head against her collarbone. She squeezes her tight. After a moment, the girl’s stiff arms relax, and then to Yennefer’s delight, creep up to wind around her.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Yennefer murmurs into Ciri’s hair, oddly overcome. The girl tightens her arms. Eventually, a muffled murmur arises from the region of Yennefer’s chest.

“Then you’re my mother?”

“Always. To me, you will always be Cirilla, daughter of Yennefer of Vengerberg.”

“I like that…” Ciri says shyly, squeezing her until her ribs creak and Yennefer releases a small wheeze of protest.

Embarrassed, Yennefer peels Ciri off of herself and straightens her dress. “Yes. Well. Shall we go dance, daughter?” 

“We shall… mother.” Ciri gives her a rare shy smile, fitting her little hand into Yennefer’s as they turn to the distant clearing. And together, they walk towards the sound of music. Their music. 

Tags: @thepassifloradiscord, @your-lordsherlockholmes-posts, @something-more

[kuwdora]

Learning Curve

Learning Curve. Explicit, Yennefer/Jaskier, 10k

The tightness in Yennefer’s chest was long gone and she could exhale without pain or worry. She looked over and saw Jaskier watching her with those goofy, heartfelt eyes. He seemed like he was getting too attached. She wanted to tease his oversensitive cock, or scoff to be contrary.

Yennefer sighed and looked away, too content to bother playing with him. Jaskier must not have come hard enough if he was recovering so quickly. She hadn’t either, really, but her pleasure had been unspooled so slowly, and for so long that her skin felt bright and warm, and the crisp air of the morning was now refreshing instead of biting.

She stretched and reclined on her back, and assumed Jaskier had fallen asleep because of the lack of babbling that usually accompanied their encounters. But Jaskier surprised her when he pushed himself onto an elbow and leaned over to smooth out the folds in her nightgown, oh-so-casually tracing the curves of her breasts, making sure she was exposing the perfect amount of cleavage to greet the morning. She watched him, carefully hiding her amusement.

Jaskier’s smile was hesitant when he traced the hollow of her throat beneath her obsidian necklace.

“It takes practice, you know.” Jaskier said it so unassumingly that Yennefer didn’t know what to expect when he didn’t continue.

“What?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her now because she was warm and comfortable.

The corner of Jaskier’s mouth pulled into a smile and he kissed Yennefer’s shoulder, his fingers sliding down between her breasts and arching on her ribcage. “Letting yourself be seen.”

She gave him a dubious look. “I am the most hunted sorceress on the Continent right now. The goal is not to be seen.”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it,” Jaskier said and propped his chin on her shoulder, giving her a rueful smile.

“It’s too early for feelings,” Yennefer said, but she didn’t shrug him off.

“It’s also too early for masks,” he said, and the observation made Yennefer frown.

“Jaskier,” she said, intending on distracting him with a kiss or a clever insult, but Jaskier resumed his gentle, affectionate touches beneath her breasts, and Yennefer would never admit to forgetting what she wanted to say because a damnable bard had distracted her with his fingers, over and over again.

“This is a good look on you. Fucked away some of the pain and frustration,” Jaskier said and tilted his head, like he was giving her a thoughtful assessment. “Simply glowing. No need to cover it up with a mask of control. Not right now,” he added, a little quieter, and his fingers slowed in their idle movements.

His eyes were pensive, lips drawn together like he was hoping he could convince her to keep her guard down a little longer if he held her gaze long enough.

It was working.

Read on AO3

[ladynearthelake]

@croxovergoddess ‘s draw the squad post was on my dash this morning, so some Witcher, Bard, and Sorceress action demanded to be sketched.

[inkamumbles]

Comic inspired by @clydethistles’ selkie fic, and @writersdilemma’s jester spirit

But then…

[theladyofspaceandtime]

Okay, but I love the theme of “found family” in the Witcher. In my essay I will explain why it is so important to me—