Okay, here is my new fanfic idea and for my own sanity it won't be as long as the last. I will clear a few things up. Firstly in the title if I am right a Vates (I think it's pronounces Vay-tez) is an old Irish term for a seer or prophet but why use those words when I can have alliteration! Secondly Norway is just Lukas in here and he is just a normal person, as are any other countries mentioned and they will be referred by human names. Now onward to le story. Maybe some rude language,but nothing too bad up ahead.
(Your POV)
For the, what it seems, millionth time in the past hour you throw four of your runes into the air praying for a different outcome. As they hit the deck of the ship you closely inspect the polished stones. You wrinkle you nose in distaste as the four symbols: Othila, Berkana, Inguz and Unruz all face upward and confirm something bad will happen shortly after you arrive in England. You snatch them up and try a few more times, yet still end up with the undesired result. You try one final time and as you bend down to look at them a broad shadow falls over them.
"(Name) will you stop that! You are soon to be a lady of such high standing. You should stop fooling around with those pebbles the day after tomorrow you will be marrying his highness Prince Arthur of the Britons and will cease to be a vates." You pick up the runes once more and look to face your step-father.
"Father said when I don't feel right about something I should consult the runes." You say glaring at him.
"Well your father is dead and you will listen to me and your mother and we think this marriage is for the best for you." He says gruffly while combing his hand through his black beard.
"You mean what is best for YOU. As far as I am aware you are making me up root my life in Ireland to marry some wimpy prince that can't deal with his own people let alone defend them from the Viking invaders while you get paid a huge sum of money and then go waltzing back to ruin the empire my father built along with the woman who is supposed to be my mother." You say scornfully and move past him to the bough of the ship. Your (H/L), (H/C) hair whips around your face as you look across the water and see England in the distance. I won't be there long you think to yourself as it starts to rain. It seems the others back home were right that it rains often across the sea. You lean on the edge of the boat and let the rhythm of the waves rock you and help you calm yourself, you stay like this blocking out the going ons of the ship until you hear the familiar sound of small wings fluttering above your head. You look up and spot two faeries looking down.
"You know (Name) I belief I have mentioned this before, but I hate boats and rain. I don't see why we even agreed to come with you." Kalen, the brother of the faery twins you saved complains then lands on your open palm. He is then joined by his sister Breena.
"We are here brother dear because she saved us from the spider's web we fell in because of your 'brilliant' plan. Remember? And we agreed to stay with her because they won't allow us to return home and (Name) was kind to us and fixed your wing." She says while pulling the hem of your sleeve up to cover herself. You can't blame her, it is the autumn before your eighteenth winter and by the looks of it the weather would only get more harsh. It seems the closer you get to the shoreline the faster the wind gets so you pull the thick red cloak around your small frame and lift the hood. Both of your faery friends take shelter under it in your hair.
"(Name). May I have a word please?" You turn to face your mother, or rather the woman who gave birth to you, yet ceased to show any interest in you and prefer money and elaborate jewellery.
"What do you want mother, I'm busy." She approaches you and places her hand on your shoulder, but you shrug it off.
"I came to give you this." She says and holds up a silver circlet with a stone the same colour as your eyes in the centre.
"I don't want anything from you or that man." You say quietly not showing any emotion." She pulls your arm gently and places it in your grip. "Silly girl. This is not from me or Dolan. Your father had this made as soon as you were born and had planned to give it to you to wear when you get married." Your eyes widen at the mention of your father. She never spoke of him, but I guess this shows she might still care about you and his legacy. You look down again at the head piece and feel your father's energy radiate from it.
"Here let me put it on you." She says removing your hood as Kalen and Breena move to your shoulder.
"Actually how about we go inside the cabin and I can do your hair." You nod and allow her to lead you to the small wooden shack on the deck. She hasn't done this in so long, not since she married Dolan and you can't help but relax as she gently takes the ends of your hair that frame your face and then intricately braids them together at the back. She has just finished positioning the circlet on your forehead when a voice outside announces the boat has been docked successfully. You walk onto deck with your mother and she stops you before you climb off the boat.
"(Name) I know I haven't been the best of mother's to you and I know you don't wish to hear excuses but you have your father's hair and his personality. You remind me of him and for a long time after his death I couldn't face you." She was right you didn't want excuses, but you hugged her anyway before you exited to the solid ground to meet the escorts the prince sent for you.
"This is (Name) my lords of the king's guard. The daughter of brave, tribe leader Cathal and beautiful Isolde. She will one day be your queen." Dolan announces as you do a slight curtsey to the eight men in front of you. You may not want to be here but manners cost nothing. One of the men dismounts his horse and pulls another Daple grey mare towards you.
"My lady, my prince is a very lucky man and you indeed prove the notion the maiden's of Ireland are truly stunning." You roll your eyes at the compliment and brush him off when he starts to help you mount the horse. Your father had initially wanted a son when you were born, but he changed his mind when he saw how much you enjoyed looking and learning how to use weapons from a young age so you can imagine the look on the guards faces when you mounted the horse without assistance. The leaving party are ready to go and follow the lead of a rather boisterous male called Alfred who has pledged that he, the hero, would protect you should you so ask. It appears English males aren't the brightest flowers in the field. Thankfully the rain has stopped and though the wind is crisp the first part of the journey to London goes without a hitch and is quite enjoyable. This country is quaintly beautiful, though not as pretty as home and when you come to a stop for the night you spot a few brownies in the woods around you. They spot you looking at them and hide behind a small bush.
"The human girl saw us she did." You hear one whisper and then groan in pain.
"Stupid Thigney, no she didn't. Humans are stupid they are and can't see us brownie folk." You hear the other whisper back. You approach cautiously and when you're close you bend down.
"Actually brownie folk this human girl can see you and hear you I can." They both gasp and look with frightened faces.
"Don't worry I mean you no harm, would you like some of my bread and honey?" You ask kindly.
"Oooh I loves honey I do." One says and reaches for it but is stopped by the other.
"Stupid Thigney, it is a trap. No we don't want your bribe human girl." The other one snaps at you and at this point Breena and Kalen appear. "If the stupid brownies don't want it can we have it (Name)?" Asks Kalen landing on the branch above the brownies, causing water to fall on them.
"Kalen that was rude and no you can't. I was giving it to them so they don't have to come into camp and steal it later which is more dangerous." Kalen 'hmpfs' and then flies off with Breena.
"See Adair. Human girl is nice she is." The shorter brownie timidly approaches and takes the food from your hands.
"Thank you Human girl." The other says grimly and they both disappear. You walk slowly back to the fire at the camp site and climb into the make shift tent, but before you sleep you make a simple yet powerful force field around the camp. Maybe England won't be so bad you think as you snuggle down into your blankets.
(Lukas POV)
I gaze into the dancing flames of the camp fire trying desperately to drown out the sound of Mathias's drunken singing, but I am finding it more and more difficult as he moves closer and tries to make Berwald and I join in.
"Come on you two, we had a major haul today from that wimpy village and it is our right given by Odin himself to drink to our success. Hey that reminds me did we make a sacrifice?" I look up at him, knowing he won't shut his loud Danish mouth until he gets an answer.
"No you fool we didn't you cooked the goat to eat before we could." I say bluntly and return to look at the fire. Berwald grunts in agreement and pokes the fires a few times.
"No problem, we can use one of the Britons we captured today for slaves." Mathias says cheerfully as he stands and picks up his oversized axe. He then proceeds to walk over where the dozen or so men are bound and picks one out at random.
"Don't do it in the camp you moron." I mumble to him as his raises his weapon to strike.
"Aw but Lukas, that means I have to move into the woods and we haven't got the slightest idea about what creatures lurk in the English woods at night." He moans and I smirk inwardly. I know what kind of things lurk in the dark and it isn't just pixies and brownies. There are trolls for a definite. I brought them here myself.
"Don't care, just do it fast and do it quietly." I say not looking at him.
"Fine, fine but I'm only doing this because I like you Lukas." He says as he pushes the slave into the woods and out of sight. After a minute of so there is a scream in the distance and Mathias come stumbling back through with blood on his face and clothing.
"Brothers it is done." He announces dramatically . I ignore him and lay down on the furs that will be my bed. It isn't long before the fire turns to embers and then fades completely. However through the trees I see a small dot of light, another camp. I frown, there are no other Vikings in the area. Must be Britons. I inform the others of it and tell them we will attack at dawn. Mathias is pumped for the morning and heads to sleep in preparation. I lay away for a while longer, but just before I drift I hear the near by bushes rustle. I snap my eyes open and turn in time to see two small brownies walk past.
"Adair look! Another Human camp and that human man, he is looking right at us he is!" One shrieks and receives a smack from the other. "Stupid Thigney, been spotted once already we have. Human man boy can't see us he can't. Just because the human girl could from the other camp doesn't mean all human brats can. See? human man boy looks he does but he cannot sees he can't." I watch them until they reach the trees. A human saw them earlier. A seer perhaps, but they are so rare, especially a woman. I think to myself. I murmur into the wind and call forth two of my trolls. The twelve feet creatures appear at my side.
" Uh you wanted us master." Olaf grunts and Thorben nods.
"To the west there is another camp go and check it out. See if there is a girl with the sight there." They both nod and clumsily proceed into the woods. I wait for their return and they come back pushing and shoving.
"Master, there is a girl. A very pretty girl, can we eat her?" Stupid trolls, their idiocy rivals Mathias's.
"Go back and bring her here. Don't eat her." I tell them but they don't move.
"We can't." Grunts Thorben. "There is a magic shield we can't get close enough to eat her, I mean bring her back." So not just a seer, but a user of spells. Interesting.
"Fine you may go." I say to the trolls and lay back down. I suppose I must wait until dawn to see her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hello, I'm a time skip and I love you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Your POV)
"(Naaaame), (Naaaame). Wakey wakey. The guards have started packing up and will wake you soon, but you want to look presentable so wake now." You groan in your semi-conscious form and turn over to face the other way.
"Breena move, you're being too nice about it." You hear the hum of wings but try to ignore it.
"Oi (Name)! Wake up!" Kalen shouts in your ear and then moves round to kick you in the nose. You wince a little and slowly open your eyes. You scream when the first things you see are the twins impossibly close to your face.
"My lady are you okay in there?" You hear one of the men ask from outside the tent.
"Um yes, I'm fine. I saw a er rather large bug on my leg." You lie while glaring at the faeries. You get dressed in the long, royal blue dress and red cloak you wore yesterday then proceed outside the tent. As soon as you vacate it, two guards are on it like vultures taking it down.
"Why are we up so early? It's not even dawn." You ask Alfred as you walk to the horses and stroke your mare.
"Because we are in a Viking area and Vikings usually attack at dawn. So if they saw our fire last night we should be gone before they reach us. But I wouldn't be too worried my lady. After all I'll protect you." You smile warmly at him, but can't help but think you could defend yourself okay. Your hand wanders to the silver dagger that used to be your father's. Sure you weren't physically strong, but as soon as your father knew of your abilities in magic he taught you offensive spells as well as healing. Before you go you remove the magic circle you cast for protection, however when it fades you almost gag from the stench that hits you. Urgh trolls! You think and move your horse before it gets upset. I didn't think trolls would be down so far south you wonder and you are thankful to leave the clearing when Alfred calls to you and the journey continues eastwards.
Through the trees patches of sunlight shine through and highlight the path that guides travellers out of the forest. Of what you have seen of England so far you can't help but marvel at it's nature's beauty. You listen to the men joke with one another and soon find yourself in the conversation laughing along with them. Most of the jokes seem to be at Alfred's expense but you notice he doesn't mind and laps up the attention. Suddenly your head starts to go all funny and you feel the beginning of a vision.
"We need to stop for a second!" You yell and hold your head. This is one area of magic you cannot control, which is the most annoying thing, but what makes them worst is since you have had visions they never have shown good fortune. You feel the men's eyes upon your face and you know by this point your eyes have probably started glowing.
"Arthur did say she was a Vates, but I thought he was kidding. She must be having a vision." You hear one of them say, but soon all other sounds apart from your breathing cease and the vision starts.
~ The group you're with find themselves at a crossroads in the woods and just off the path there is remains of a camp fire. Two men go off deeper into the woods and only one comes back, claiming to have found a body of a Briton. The other is not seen again. The group continues, a little while on something spooks the horses and they bolt, but you see yourself fall off and ~
The vision stops and you feel yourself return to reality. When your vision returns to normal you see the others concerned faces.
"That was amazing!" Alfred yells. "What did you see?" You tell them of the crossroads, the spooking of the horses and lastly how visions are uncontrollable and cut themselves off. The guards wait for you to recover a little and after a quick stop you mount your horse again and continue on your way.
You have now been riding for about an hour and it comes to your attention that the inhabitants of the forest are waking up. The air is filled with singing birds and to the observant eye also full of sprites. In one of the near by trees you spot a squirrel fighting with a wood nymph over an acorn and you can't help but feel happy. Nature is truly where you feel most at home and at peace. But peace is shattered when you hear Alfred yell from in front.
"Guys look a crossroads, maybe (Name)'s vision is right." Sure enough you look ahead and see the path split off. Alfred dismounts his horse and walks a little way into the wood.
"No way! There's a camp site here! and the fire is still glowing." Alfred shouts and you start to feel nervous. You know a man is about to die when Alfred tells two of his men to go and check the surroundings. And you are right when only one man returns, he then makes your vision come true when he describes the remains of a man that had been killed with an axe. You feel your heart beat faster as you start your journey once more. It isn't long before the remainder of the vision comes true and something makes the horses uneasy. You all travel onward each trying to soothe your horse, but then the scent of rot and decay attacks your nostrils and you now know that it was trolls that spooked the horses and it isn't long before they bolt. Everyone except you manages to keep seated and you land hard on the ground on your chest, the wind in your lungs knocked out of you. You hear Alfred shout your name as he is taken by his horse back the way you came. You watch him go, but turn quickly to face the other way when you hear a deep chuckle. You gasp when you see three blonde males blocking your way and quickly stand. Your eyes scan over the males and from appearance alone you know what they are. Vikings.
So another project for your enjoyment and for my entertainment. Thankies for reading and do you think I should continue, I think I will, but definitely will is someone wants me to. If I do there will be a chapter at least once a week and that is a promise! Not a lot else to say except my favourite character so far has to be Thigney and I think he's adorable!
Disclaimer- I don't own Hetalia, it's characters or Reader-chan