Disclaimer: I do not own the show Vikings or many of the preexisting characters, including Hvitserk, Ubbe and Ivar. I own my OC, Lydia, as well as her family.
I am so incredibly excited to begin this story! That being said...
This story enters the show at the beginning of season 5, but does not stick with the story by any means after the conquering of York. The Ragnarssons have taken over York and seem to still be at war with Wessex, but remain together with the Great Army and are (somewhat) successfully maintaining a shared leadership. I outlined this story before having watched the newer episodes, and I rather like where it goes so I'm keeping it as is. Plus, I mean- no fic involving the brothers would be any fun once they're separated. Soo here it goes.
Oh, and PLEASE leave reviews! I really take reviews into consideration as I'm writing. I like to know what the readers think about my OCs mainly, and how accurately I am writing to portray the already existing characters. What do you expect to happen? What are you excited for? Does it seem a bit predictable? What would you like to see more of?
Thanks in advance! YAY!
Lydia resisted the urge to spit in her father's face, the King of Mercia, as he hovered above her threateningly, criticizing her most recent "unbecoming behavior". These scoldings of his were nothing but regular to her, but she couldn't dim the fire that burned inside of her when this cruel, ignorant man felt the need to take out his own insecurity on his daughter. Not that he truly needed to- the people of Mercia felt his wrath, as well. He was a terrible leader, having been appointed carelessly by King Aethelwulf who was exhausted and busy attempting to handle the situation with the Northmen in York. The currently appointed King Aelfric had been at the right place at the right time- sweet talking the tired King of Wessex into temporarily sharing leadership so he could retain command of Mercia while not having to actively rule or travel. If only King Aethelwulf had known to what extreme this man would take advantage of his power. In these tougher times, King Aelfric made sure to enjoy only the most extravagant of meals and riches while those in the streets of the kingdom went hungry. He arrested and sentenced death like he felt relieved at the fact that there were now less people for him to look after. He poured his attention and money into himself and his two sons, Lydia's abominable brothers, Brunwulf and Ulfberht.
The two of them currently stood behind their father, smirking arrogantly at Lydia, as the King went on about how Lydia should show a higher level of decency and respect to her superiors- including her brothers and truly any man who seemed to wind up at their dinner table. Just this afternoon, after all, she had smacked away the hand of a strange man who claimed to be a traveler and trader, who King Aelfric found interesting enough to invite to supper. While he spoke many languages and provided many interesting tales of foreign land, he was repulsive and old. He consumed a large amount of wine and thought that he could make a friendly pass at the princess- to which she obviously declined. However, she must remember, this is a man's world. She is the property of her father and her brothers, and as such, should allow such advances in the presence of company so long as her father deems it acceptable, and so long as she does not lose her virginity before she is wed.
"I apologize, my King." She responded, trying to hide the poison on the tip of her tongue. "I was afraid he would get the wrong impression and invite himself to my chambers, in which case I know you would have denied him. I was hoping to save him from embarrassment."
The King suddenly delivered a strong blow to her cheek, with enough force to knock her onto her knees.
"You have no place and no say to make such decisions, do you understand?" She remained on the ground, holding her cheek, her hands shaking with anger. But there was no use in fighting back in this useless, miserable battle she was destined to lose. "I said, do you understand?" The King demanded once again, pulling her up to face him by her hair.
"Yes, sir." She whispered, her eyes staring into his, wondering why he chose to be like this. Tears hardly threatened to drop from the corners of her eyes when he let her loose, and she fell to the cold floor once more.
"Good." He stomped away. "Brunwulf, Ulfberht, see to it that your sister goes straight to her chambers immediately."
"Yes, father." They both replied, obviously enjoying the task they were appointed with. They saved no time yanking Lydia up off the floor by either of her shoulders painfully. Once she caught up with their quick strides, she shook their grasps looser so she was no longer being dragged and could walk for herself.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Brunwulf, the older of the two boys, mocked. "When is our dear little sister going to learn her place?"
"And when is my dear older brother going to learn that though it appears he is favored, he is still treated as nothing more than a dog being asked to fetch a bone?" This earned a strong shove by Brunwulf into the stone wall of the corridor, and now she was pressed against the wall, face to face with the monster himself. He held her there, his fingers gripping into the skin around her shoulders roughly. She knew he waited on some kind of reaction, such as flinching, crying, or perhaps begging. But she would never give that to him. Her hatred made her strong- and sometimes stupid. But perhaps, she thought, someday her words would lead to her death, and she could be free of this living nightmare for good. Until then-
Brunwulf placed his large hand around her jaw and stared down into her eyes. "I am going to be King one day, you pathetic little girl." He spat. "You will always just be a whore." He threw her forward and she stumbled a bit.
"When King Aethelwulf discovers the terrible mistake he's made appointing our father as King, when he sees what has happened to this once beautiful kingdom, how will you be ruler then, brother? What is your plan, then?" She pushed, unafraid. He marched towards her as Ulfberht glared at her in astonished anger, and granted a smack to the same side of her face that her father had bruised earlier.
"How dare you speak that way of your King."
"You know what I think, Brunwulf?" The younger of the two boys stalked forward, taking in the heap of woman that lay sprawled across the stone ground. "I don't think she deserves to stay in her chambers tonight." Lydia exhaled, momentarily cursing her own attitude and wit. "I think her own bed would be far too luxurious, considering her attitude." The punishment he implied was by far one of her least favorites. Brunwulf laughed in amused agreement.
"Yes, brother. I think you're right." With that, Lydia shot up quickly, hoping to outrun the two of them to her chambers and lock them out. She didn't look back, didn't think of anything else but making it to her chambers first. She heard their footsteps chasing after her, and though the boys had slightly longer legs, she was lighter and quite fast. She was tall for her age, and strong, despite her thinness which could be attributed to her general lack of nourishment. Losing the rights to meals was a common punishment her father found appropriate. But her daily chores kept her muscles strong, and her build was generally athletic. She was agile and graceful, and she cut corners much easier than her two brothers. She did wish she wasn't wearing this ridiculous semi-formal garment, which was much heavier than her normal lighter outfits- including cheaper gowns or ragged tunics and pants.
"You can't outrun us, you bitch!"
Watch me, she thought. Though she knew even if she succeeded for the night, that she would surely pay for this tomorrow, her instincts overcame her. She didn't want to sleep in the dungeons tonight- what they intended to do to make her pay for her words. The entire night would be sleepless and damp and cold, the rats gnawing at her garments, her wrists growing sore and raw from the shackles they demand she sleep in. She hated the dungeons.
Finally, the door to her room was in sight. Hope fluttered in Lydia's chest and she lunged forward powerfully, almost making it before she was snagged from behind. Ulfberht wrapped her in a powerful hold, his hands clasped around her bosom. She thrashed and kicked and yelled, but no one would come to her aid. The boys cackled at her utter desperation and helplessness. In this world, no one had the rights to stand up for her against such treachery and torture. Even her mother, who played the role of a docile, afraid mouse lingering in the King's shadow, would shame her for her rebelliousness and unwillingness to comply with their new family dynamic. Before their rise to rulership, her father was hardly involved in the raising of the children, but now that he saw them as pawns in a larger game that could benefit him to some capacity… Now he sought to manipulate his children, though Lydia was more stubborn than her foolish brothers.
Her brothers didn't make it far down the hallway with Lydia when a member of her father's army hustled down to catch them.
"Prince Brunwulf, Prince Ulfberht." He nodded out of respect. "We have just had orders from the King that the Princess should be tended to tonight in her chambers." Lydia glanced at the guard in shock.
"Tended to?" Brunwulf elicited the same amount of disgusted surprise. "Why?"
"The King says we have visitors tomorrow, and the Princess must look presentable. The servants will be sent shortly to ensure that she does. He sent me now, only to demand for you to stop- in case she had earned further punishment." He looked at Lydia as if expressing that of course in the walk to her room, she would have done something to earn punishment. Lydia writhed a bit before her brother let her go. She straightened her dresses, giving the boys a cocky glare.
"If you'll excuse me." She turned to walk back to her chambers, followed by the guard.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Brunwulf yelled after her. "I was right after all." Lydia glanced back curiously; thought didn't say anything in hopes of not giving him whatever satisfaction he was seeking. "If father is having you made presentable tonight, it is only because he is making you somebody's whore tomorrow." He grinned devilishly. Lydia's stomach dropped as it dawned on her that her moronic brother was right; it was a strong possibility she was being offered to be wed.
Regardless, she didn't let her worry and fear show on her face, or in her voice.
"If it is so, I am glad." Her brothers gave her looks as though they were calling her bluff. "If I am to be wedded, at least I will no longer have to wonder these halls, answering to two unintelligent egotistical, pig-headed half-wits that I absolutely cannot believe I am related to. God help whatever poor woman gets handed over to the likes of you." With that, she turned, satisfied with her retort, and entered her rooms. She enjoyed the baths and healing treatments that were given to her by the servants she had befriended while being treated as a servant herself. She was quiet that night, even when they tried to make conversation. She was lost considering the idea of being offered up as some sort of bargain. While part of her knew that her father would never do business with anyone who was anything less than selfish and repugnant, she allowed herself to imagine what life would be like if she were given to someone who would value and love her. What if she was given the opportunity to have a second life? What if she was given a new life where she wasn't beaten every day, or spat at, or thrown into the mud?
Her eyes welled with tears, remembering that she had thought she could have that once before. She had fallen in love, only to have it ripped away from her by her father. She welled with anger at the memory, and when everyone had left her to be alone in her rooms for the night, she swept everything off her desk onto the floor in anger. She threw a number of items across the room, one cracking her large mirror into three pieces. Once she settled, she walked to the mirror with a strange, floating calmness. She looked at herself deliberately for the first time in what felt like forever. She had a soft face despite that she was underweight. Her lips were smooth and pretty, and her eyes glimmered a beautiful light green color which contrasted interestingly with her dark hair and long, dark lashes. Her hair, usually stringy and greasy, was full and smooth, tucked into a strange number of twists and curls, likely to be undone tomorrow morning. A single tear fell down her pale cheek; in that moment, she vowed that no matter what happened tomorrow, she would return to this Kingdom, and she would put an end to her father's reign.
She would kill them all, and give the power back to the people who now suffered.
She would carry the heads of her two brothers, and of her father. She would taste their blood.
She would make them pay.
Thanks for reading! Please, review review review! It really drives me to keep writing. Anddd I'll give a shout out and in-depth answer to the most thoughtful review in the next chapter. (: