1000
Norway stands at the bow of the ship, overlooking the land before him. The ice-cold winds of the north pull at his fur cloak, but he is well-used to the bitter weather and remains unfazed. He never expected to find this land west of Greenland, but lo and behold here it is. Speaking of Greenland, the young colony toddles up to her colonizer and father on unsteady legs, her uncle Iceland not far behind. Greenland grips her father's pant leg and tugs on it lightly. Understanding the silent request, Norway kneels down to pick up his daughter before standing again.
"For someone who claims not to be an empire, you seem to amass colonies quickly," Iceland comments, his appearance that of a young child, not much older than Greenland is. Norway himself looks to be no older than fifteen. His most recent colony, his daughter Greenland, had been established nineteen years ago, in 981.
"Someone must take care of the North," Norway replies. "And Denmark and Sweden are not explorers as I am."
"Far, where are we going?" Greenland asks, looking at the land ahead of them as well.
"A new land west of yours. You may even get a new brother or sister from it." Norway answers truthfully. He knows he has many other colonies, but he doesn't mean to keep finding new lands; it just keeps happening.
— — —
After stopping in this new land with the few settlers present, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland have made camp, setting up a cabin to live in, as are the humans. This land is rich with natural resources such as timber, fish, and grapes, and once word got back to Iceland and Norway of this, more settlers came. It has been roughly a month and already Norway can tell that he is yet again with a child.
Something is different this time though, a sense of dread accompanies the joy he felt. Norway knows that he isn't as strong as Sweden and Denmark, he doesn't have the population and resources to sustain yet another colony of an undetermined size. After all, he already has Iceland, Greenland, Faroe, Shetland, Hebrides, Orkney, and the Isle of Man, to support, and their land is all smaller than his. Nevertheless, Norway is determined to keep this child with him as long as he can.
Being a nation makes pregnancy, like the aging process, different from how a human would experience it. For example, since the new colony of Vinland was growing rapidly, the personification of Vinland was also growing rapidly. In just a couple months, Norway looked to be seven or eight months pregnant.
"Far, why do you look like that?" Greenland asks one day, looking at Norway's stomach.
"I'm carrying your new sibling, " Norway answers. "The gods have given me yet another blessing, and he or she will personify the land we are in right now."
"So I'll be a big sister like Faroe is?" Greenland asks, wide, curious eyes looking up at her father.
"Yes Amâlia, " Norway chuckles, pulling her into his arms. "You will be their big sister."
— — —
It's not long before Norway is in labor, giving birth to the new personification. A midwife is called in to help with the procedure, and after a few hours and numerous prayers and spells, the personification of Vinland is born. It's a son, Norway's first biological son.
"Min sønn," Norway breathes, his voice hoarse as he cradles his son in his arms. With a spell, two personifications were clean of bodily fluids and Norway is resting on his bed. After a few minutes, Iceland and Greenland enter the hut hesitantly. Seeing the two in the doorway, Norway motions them closer so they can see the now sleeping infant.
"What are you naming him?" Iceland asks his older brother.
"Baldr," Norway answers. "My little prince."
"Like Baldr in the stories of the gods?" Greenland asks, looking at her new brother.
"Just like in the stories," Norway confirms, smiling softly at his daughter.
— — —
OC/Non-Canon Character Names:
Greenland: Amâlia
Faroe: Frøydis
Shetland: Garði (Modern Form: Garthe)
Hebrides: Angus
Orkney: Duncan
Isle of Man: Lolan
Greenland (Amâlia) and Faroe (Frøydis) are Norway's biological children, and the rest are poof children that he found and raises.
Poof pregnancies are now a thing for nations. Don't question it.