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Milena knows a great deal about Lambert's friend Cöen, despite never having met the man in person.
He's a Griffin, and as such speaks in a manner much like herself.
“He's properly mannered and shit,” Lambert told her once. “You'll like him.”
He's funny, and enjoys Lambert's crass sense of humour.
“He's funny. You'll both cheerfully team up against me.” Lambert has told her cheerfully, more than once.
He's been Lambert's friend even longer than Aiden has, having met on the path even before Geralt united the clans.
“Stupid ass tried to steal my kill, and then had the audacity to save my life.”
“Ah, yes,” Aiden had replied deadpan while rolling his eyes where only Milena could see him. “The audacity.” Milena had only giggled delightedly in response.
Once, when Milena had shocked Aiden and Lambert both with a precisely timed curse word, Lambert had gasped out, “Oh fuck, Cöen's gonna fucking love you,” around his laughter.
Finally, a year and more after her arrival in Kaer Morhen, Lambert and Aiden's third is finally returning from a two-year long circuit of the continent.
Milena knows that there is no reason to be nervous about meeting Cöen. While technically one of Lambert's loves, he and Lambert, and he and Aiden for that matter, have a different sort of relationship from the one that Milena herself shares with Lambert, Aiden, and Lambert and Aiden both.
Lambert loves Cöen, that much is clear from how Lambert talks about the Griffin. He's kind, and funny, and clearly a dear friend to he and Aiden both.
“Cöen doesn't do sex,” Aiden had explained with a shrug, once. “He's more than a friend, but it's different.”
Milena hadn't really understood until she saw Lambert and a path-weary Cöen embracing in the courtyard. Lambert cradled Cöen's face in his hands, oh so gently, and pressed their foreheads together for a long tender moment. It was oddly intimate despite being entirely innocent.
Lambert leads Coen over to where Aiden and Milena are standing and waiting, staying consistently in physical contact with the Griffin.
Milena lets herself smile widely, watching her Wolf be so openly affectionate with someone other than Aiden and herself.
Cöen and Aiden cheerfully embrace, patting each other on the back and grinning widely at one another. Then Cöen turns to Milena, and Lambert flushes.
“Milena, this is Cöen. Cöen, this is Milena, uh…”
“I am so very delighted to finally meet you, Cöen,” Milena says with a deep curtsy. “Lambert and Aiden both have missed you terribly, and we are all happy to have you back safe and hale.”
Cöen looks her up and down and then meets her eyes with a wide, if tired, smile.
“I am most intrigued to learn how you came to know these two ruffians,” Cöen replies, bowing over Milena's hand and placing a chaste kiss on her fingers. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Milena.”
“The pleasure is entirely mine,” Milena says, keeping Cöen's hand in hers. With it, she draws him to her side, where she hooks her hand into his elbow and begins to guide him towards the Keep's doors.
“Let's get you fed and bathed, and then we can let Lambert cuddle you to his heart’s content,” Milena says cheerfully. “He has missed you ever so much.”
“Oh, I'm fucking doomed,” Milena hears Lambert say to Aiden.
Aiden laughs, openly and cheerfully. “You knew they'd get along!”
“I didn't expect her to fucking steal him!” Lambert sputters.
“Lambert, my love,” Milena says over her shoulder. “You should know by now that if you love someone, I will probably love them too.”
Cöen laugh is deep, and warm, and rich.
Milena smiles up at him and winks. “I'm so glad you're home.”
“I am happy to be home,” Cöen replies. “Now tell me, how did a noble Redanian woman come to live in Kaer Morhen, and fall in love with such trouble-makers such as these?”
