Author's Note: I highly recommend readers to read 'Neither princess nor queen' first, as the story would not make sense otherwise. I also used a lot of Norse mythologies in this story since Vinland made those tapestries when the others were still Vikings, so she would have been heavily influenced by these stories. I included an explanation at the very end.
Human names are used and this is a list for those who does not have an official name (as well as genderbent characters)
Vinland- Ranveig
Canada- Matthew (this is due to her disguising herself as a boy)
Denmark- Mathias
Germany- Monika
Iceland- Emil
Norway- Lukas
Russia- Anya
Sweden- Susanna
The sister-in-law
Sealand first noticed the tapestry in his foster mother's house. There were many artworks in the house, but he became interested in this one because the subject of the work bore a great resemblance to his foster mother.
The woman in the picture rode a pure white horse that was galloping across the clouds. She was dressed in armour, but she did not wear any helmet, as her long blond hair was completely free from any decoration. Her hand grasped a spear, and she lifted that hand, as if she was going to throw it.
"Are you the model, Mama?" Peter asked his mother, who arrived with their afternoon tea. During this time, he tended to talk while she listened, and they realised that this was an arrangement that really suited the talkative Sealand and the silent Sweden.
"Yes." That was all Susanna said, but that simple question made her travel to the past, when this tapestry was first given to her.
"I know that you don't usually have your hair loose, Susanna, but I find that easier to stitch." The young girl had said.
"Did you use to dress like that?" Peter continued.
"No. The subject is Brynhildr. I was just the model." Susanna said. "She is a Valkyrie."
Many artists often depicted Brynhildr in the ring of fire when she was waiting for Sigurðr, but Ranveig had decided to follow the approach of painting her when she was still a Valkyrie.
"Because that suits Susanna more." Ranveig had explained.
"It was a gift…from a long time ago." Susanna said softly.
From that little girl. Ranveig was Lukas' precious sister and Susanna was quite fond of that girl as well. It was true that she did not love her in the irrational way that Mathias and Lukas did, but she did regard Ranveig as being part of their family.
She was very sad at the fact that they still did not know what happened to Ranveig. Even though she believed that the young woman had died long ago, she actually did still secretly hope that this would not be so.
Therefore, looking at that tapestry made her sad.
"…Peter, I want you to remember something."
Susanna usually sounded very grim and serious when she spoke, but those close around her were able to tell when she was speaking normally, and when she was being serious.
"You might see a similar tapestry in other people's house. No matter what, do not ask Lukas or Mathias about it."
Author'sNote: The title of each chapter relates to the relationship of Vinland/Canada and the person the chapter focuses on ( person who owned the tapestry). Sweden was a bit of a problem because I wasn't sure whether she should be categorised as friend or relative, as she could argue to be both. However, I feel that sister-in-law seemed to be the best way to describe it as I felt that this was when Vinland finally knew her more. Before, there was always a slight distance.
Somehow, Sweden adopted Sealand. Perhaps it is the fact that she wished to look after someone after her divorce with Norway. I don't know. I know that it is a bit weird for Sealand to call Sweden 'mama' instead of 'papa' but well, Sweden is a woman in my story. If there is a father…then it would be Norway as he is (was) Sweden's husband. There is no SwedenxFinland in my story.
Brynhildr is a Valkyrie, most famous for her story with Sigurðr. I personally have seen more pictures that show her waiting for Sigurðr in the ring of fire, instead of as a Valkyrie. However, I feel that femSweden would definitely be more suited as a warrior instead of a maiden waiting for the hero.