Ivar and Lofn
Introduction.
Authors note and disclaimer: Let it be known that I love the television show but I've always been interested in Viking history and lore, so while I use many of the aspects of the show, I'll also be turning to historical and mythological sources to make somewhat of a hybrid. Plus, Ivar is sexy, hehehe. I'll be somewhat ageing them up, so Ivar is around 22ish to start.
Enjoy!
I own nothing by my O.C's
A frantic inhale of air filled her starved lungs, it was crisp and cool and her skin prickled at the light breeze grazing over. She expected to feel panic, for this was hardly the same state she had been left in not moments before. In fact, it was a far cry from the agonizing moments before the life was stolen from her body. The brunette filled her lungs once more with a steady, humble intake and propped her body up, pushing away at the mossy earth with strong palms.
It was hard to imagine something so breathtaking as this. Her eyes took in a lush field of green, kissed with bright, yellow azaleas in miss matched patches. A small brook babbled in the distance, birds chirped a delightful songs whilst soaring between oak and pine trees. This scene was impossible, the raw beauty was nonexistent in her world. Her eyes gazed up to a sky so blue that it temporarily blinded her sight.
She was dead. Yes, that was certain, it had not been a mere dream and this could not be so either. Perhaps it was a dream, yet, in dreams she could never feel the fresh earth beneath her, or the wind brushing against her bare flesh. She could not feel the sensation of clean, crisp air filling her lungs with a life force, or the rapidly growing thump in her heart. This was too real.
And there it was, the panic constricting her chest at this strange realization.
Where was she? Why was she here? Where are the city lights, the bright billboards? The brick and mortar concrete jungle she lived in was no where to be found. Instead she was naked, in the middle of a vibrant place that felt too familiar and still, shook her to her core. Shaking knees straightened as she stood, trying to conceal her bare chest from the elements, the trees began to blur into wobbly clouds of green, the birds songs sounded like a hellish screech . She steadied herself, playing it over and over in her head, so her eyes focused on a patch of Azaleas brighter than the sun. There was one flower with petals so uneven that it stood out from the rest, it was beautifully flawed and she was drawn to it. It was just like the dream that had played out while she slumbered peacefully so many times before was become more clear with every passing second.
It was different this time, she could could feel the fuzzy stem between her fingers, touch the velvety petals, take in the pleasant scent. The young woman felt a lone, hot tear trickle from her left eye and a light sob escaped past her lips. Was this the afterlife or a slow tease of ecstasy before fading away into nothing? Her grandmother had always described it as something more exciting than her mothers Catholic priests. Her dearest Danish Grandmother told her tales of feasting in golden halls where the music played on and the ale in your horn never ran dry. A place where your loved ones awaited your arrival to spend eternity together in mirth and luxury, but there were no golden doors crested in runes.
A rattle of leaves pulled her attention to a bewildered stag, its beady eyes recognized her as an immediate threat. She knew the steps of this dance, it would charge with its pointed antlers ready to pierce delicate flesh. It stomped its heavy hooves and huffed a warning, the brunette tried to move her legs but like her apparitions of so many nights prior, they were glued to the mossy ground. The great beast of a deer reared its front legs and almost roared out before charging towards her, she closed her amber eyes and waited with baited breath. Despite knowing full well the outcome, in her heart she was certain death would claim her twice this day.
A blood curdling yelp caused her to jump, she opened her eyes to see a perfectly placed arrow skewering the games eye socket. She exhaled abruptly and looked up, her eyes were met with the most beautiful, rich, impossibly blue eyes. They were so familiar but, so unknown and that same conclusion had been reached in the opposing pair.
The young woman never made it passed this point in the dream, the blue eyes would fade away and her body would jolt awake in her own bed, drenched in sweat and her heart pumping rapidly. She would never be able to go back to sleep after that, she would always need a tall glass of water and a moment of cold, fresh air to bring her back.
This time the eyes did not fade into nothing.
They were part of young mans face, one whom appeared to be her own age, give or take a few years. There was a roughness to his facade a history of pain in his eyes that had been overcome by an overpowering strength she could feel projecting onto her. A warm, delicious shiver ran down her spine, her eyes gleamed, her heart beat quickened. His face was ruggedly gorgeous, with high cheekbones and a strong stubble kissed jawline, a small but noticeable scar marred his skin beneath his right eye, he was grinning wide now. It was a mischievous, cheeky one at this very moment, but she could tell he was the type of man with many a smirk with plenty different meanings.
Fuck. She realized now, he had become aware of her state of undress. Her hands covered her exposed sex, the lengths of her wavy hair covered her ample chest but she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks.
"A brawny stag and a naked goddess, and before midday."
His voice was smooth, deep and full of a dangerous glee. What surprised her most was the language rolling off his tongue, one she understood completely and inexplicably.
It was her own voice that shocked her, the very same language as if she had spoken it her entire life.
" Please, stop looking!"
He chuckled out in response.
The tall, broad man pulled off his brown, embroidered tunic and her eyes widened at the sight of his toned torso, small, pale streaks marred different parts but she turned her gaze to the ground. She cursed herself, to be enamoured by a stranger because his eyes seemed familiar to her own, reduced to a silly girl ogling a shirtless man. The garment came into view and she reached for it, but he pulled it from her grasp.
" Tell me your name and I'll let you cover your beautiful body."
Gods, his voice was hypnotic.
No- She mentally punched herself. 'You're an intelligent young woman, pull yourself together.' How is this all still even happening? She couldn't simply continue on naked like this so she would have to play his little game.
" Lofn." She spoke out, expecting him to burst out in laughter as most had in her lifetime. It was a silly name to some, but one she cherished because it was chosen by her father and grandmother.
It was then, in that moment the weight of reality began to hit her, roughly. If this was her state of death, if this served as her own afterlife then she would never see her father again. Lofn held out hope that somewhere in this lush, green glade her grandmother would greet her with open arms but the grief was over powering.
A wretched sob shook her body, her vision became blurry as darkness crept in.
The young man caught her in his arms, her skin was cold to the touch but she did not shiver. Pretty thing she was, especially this way but he could not help feel familiar in her lovely eyes. He had been told by the seer, when he spoke of his dreams about a girl with flaming eyes that would stave the cruelty that resided in his heart. A woman from another world entirely.
It was out of character for him to show much kindness to anyone, verbally or otherwise. It was not his fault, only the result of torment and pain building a shield around him. Reluctant in his actions, he covered her body with his garment and decided to send a slave to retrieve. The young prince moved with a residual limp, but he was stronger than his fully mobile brothers in most aspects. This Lofn had lovely round curves, but she was no burden to carry onto his horse. He would keep this one, to serve him well.