Eat You Alive
Hello all! My love for all things vikings and the most handsome brothers on tv inspired me to write this story. I hope you all enjoy and please review! love hearing ideas and constructive criticism.
I do not own Vikings.
Emme winced as one of her new slaves pulled and braided her very thick, wavy brown hair. She was in a sea of shimmering silver like hair, every once and awhile, bright blue eyes would dare to catch a glimpse of the future bride. If being in a new place wasn't hard enough, looking completely different made the transition even harder. Emme had dark hair, green eyes and olive skin while everyone else had beautiful light hair and shining blue eyes. Looking down, she fingered her gold bracelet, one of the only things she was allowed to keep from her former life. She had just arrived to Kattegat the day before when the ships returned from their raid to the Mediterranean, stopping to drop off Rollo and picking up herself.
Gisla was like a sister growing up, not just a cousin. They had experienced most things together, even though Gisla was a few years older than herself. Emme would watch Gisla walk around the garden with a suitor, seething with jealousy that she was still too young to have her own suitors. Now that the time had finally come, Emme wished more than anything that she could be that young girl once again, spying on her older cousin. Her dainty finger lightly grazed over the engraved cicada on the bracelet. Emmes mind had wondered off to the other day Gisla had come to tell her of the news. Before Rollo had left, they decided to offer her hand in marriage to prolong the peace between the Franks and the Norse people. She pleaded with Gisla as tears sprung from her eyes faster than they ever have before. Gisla was now crying as well, not wanting her only life companion to leave her for the unknown. It was well known around the castle how much Gisla did not approve of her husbands previous lifestyle. Another tug of Emme's hair had pulled her out of her thoughts and left her inhaling sharply.
"Faen!" Emme swore in Norse, surprising everyone around her. Rollo had taught her his foreign tongue, a request that Emme had made and wished she never did. Maybe she wouldn't be in this current situation if Gisla had known. The wide eyed girls around her all had up turned mouths, whispering to each other about how funny their language sounded with a thick frankish accent. Emme rolled her eyes, understanding everything that was being said. At this time, a very beautiful young slave had come forward holding a flower crown. Emme could not take her eyes off the young slave. She was much prettier than the others in the room, her eyes wide and the lightest blue she had ever seen. Her hair was so fair that it looked white. All of a sudden, Emme felt tiny and insignificant, until she saw her own reflection in a passing goblet of wine. Her hair surrounded her face in waves and braids, the beautiful red and orange flower crown was placed perfectly across her forehead. Her dark yellow dress was the perfect color for her olive skin and for the first time since she arrived, she felt like a bride.
Ubbe had been pacing the hall, waiting on his brothers so they could go to their spot in the woods where they trained. Learning of his new wife was a surprise. He had pushed through the crowd to reach the boats and greet his brothers back from their long journey. It was then that Bjorn had told him he brought him home a bride. Ubbe's heart sank. He had just helped Margrethe tie up her tunic before hearing the commotion of the boats arrival outside of the horse stables. He had planned to free Margrethe and ask for her to marry him. Ubbe felt a hand smack his shoulder.
"Today is the day, brother." Hvitserk's hand landed harder than he had expected, making Hvitserk's grin even larger knowing how nervous his older brother was. "She is very beautiful if that is what all the pacing is for." Ubbe smiled his charming smile, not allowing his younger brother see any weakness.
"Ah brother, maybe my pacing is from the thought of my brother dreaming of my future wife last night." Ubbe grabbed Hvitserk and wrapped his arm around his head, pulling him towards the entrance of the hall. The sky was full of clouds and the wind had picked up over night. Definitely not a day one would want to get married on. Sigurd had followed the brothers out shortly after so they were just waiting on Ivar. Ivar had always taken longer to get ready for the day, since his legs had to be bound for the long travel to the woods.
"Lets go boneless, at this rate, Ubbe will miss the wedding." Sigurd smirked as Ivar slowly made his way to his brothers. Ubbe frowned, he hated when his brothers egged each other on, especially Sigurd and Ivar. They were always at it. Sigurd would never admit to it, but he was clearly jealous of the attention that their mother, Aslaug, had given Ivar their entire lives. Sigurd would be able to do great things while Ivar was a cripple, he would never be able to live up to the Lothbrok name. Ubbe had grabbed the carriage and hurried over to Ivar before he could reply to Sigurd and hold them up even longer. Hvitserk grabbed Ivar by the shoulders and helped place him into the carriage so they could get there faster.
Ubbe had stood by Ivar, battling each other for the best placed arrow. Every time Ubbe had started to lower his bow and turn towards Ivar with a proud grin, Ivar was already shooting his own, knocking Ubbe's out of its place. He slowly drank from his horn, letting the warm mead give him courage for the wedding. Ivars grin was from ear to ear as he reached his gloved hands over to Ubbes horn. He let Ivar take it and frowned as Ivar finished it off in one gulp. Hvitserk and Sigurd had just finished battling with axes when Ola, one of Aslaugs slaves came out from the trees.
"Your mother has sent me to come get her sons. She said it is time" Hvitserk grabbed Ubbe's horn to fill it for the last time before heading back. He filled the rest of the brothers with whatever mead was left.
"I hallow this horn of mead, to Gods and Goddesses high and holy. Bless this wedding, Wassail!" Hvitserk raised his horn to meet his brothers and they all cheered before downing their mead.
The walk back had seemed faster than the walk there. Ubbe had calmed down a bit until he made his way to the crowd and spotted Margrethe starting to walk towards him. Hvitserk had spotted her as well, since he sped up past Ubbe to greet her with a long tender kiss and hug. She gazed towards Ubbe while wrapped up in his brothers arms. Her big blue eyes did not leave his own until he was pulled away towards the shore line. The men around him cheered which caused Ubbe to smile. He was given his sword and was once again surrounded by his brothers and the men of Kattegat. There were fires lit sporadically in the sand, warming up the crowd and giving the location a hazy glow. Ivar was sitting next to him on a log and its when he saw Ivar's facial expression turn to shock, he looked up to the waters to see a boat covered in flowers and in the middle sat his shockingly, stunning wife.
Emme's hands were wet from sweat, even though the sun was still hidden by clouds and the wind coming off the water was very chilly. Coming around the docks she saw where the crowd was divided and knew soon she would finally see her husband. She slowly bit on her bottom lip, a habit she has had since childhood when nervous. There were four men who stood closer to the front, all light haired except one, who had darker hair like herself. The darker one was intensely staring, his eyes felt like daggers. She looked down, feeling self conscious. Her boat was approaching the shore quicker than she would have liked. As it started to slow, the taller of the four men started to come forward. She now knew this was Ubbe, the man she was to marry. He was very handsome, his hair was braided in the back and the sides of his head were closely shaved. He had a beard but it did not stop his welcoming smile from shining through. Another brother was now behind him, one she recognized from the raiding boats. He smiled warmly towards her, patting his brother on the back. The boat had come to a stop before it fully reached the shore. Emme stood up, grabbing the edge of the boat so she could slowly lower herself into the water. It came up to her mid calfs, making her deep yellow dress flow out around her legs.
Ubbe's breath hitched as his wife stood not too far from him. The clouds moved as soon as she got off the boat. The sun was now shining brighter than ever, which highlighted every part of Emme. The wind still blew but much more gently which made her dark waves rise and fall with each gust. As she walked towards him, Hvitserk gently pushed Ubbe forward. He had met Emme halfway, now only ankle deep.
"Hello Ubbe" Emme had spoken with confidence, yet her voice was also soft. Ubbe couldn't help but smile at her greeting. Like they have been long time friends who greeted one another in the market.
"Hello Emme" Ubbe held out his arm for her to take, with a dashing smile. Emme bit her bottom lip before sliding her arm into his and resting her hand on his forearm, which Ubbe quickly covered with his other hand.