Thunder crashed as the waves threaten to overturn the boat. Lightning flash in the sky, silhouetting two figures huddled together against the mast. The young prince and the boat builder's daughter clung to each other as thunder roared again.
"Do not worry, Ivar!" shouted Flokisdotter. "The goddess Ran will protect us. I will not let you go!" The young prince clung tighter to his friend as a massive wave crashed over the side of the boat.
The maid closed her eyes and whispered in the young man's ear, almost as if she were praying, "We will get through this! You will see! The gods have great things in store for you, Ivar Ragnarsson! There will be peace in this storm and in the storm that brews in your heart and mind."
Aslaug awoke with a start. As she tried to calm herself, she realized that the night was too quiet. Her heart started to race once more as she slipped out of bed. Stepping softly on the fur-lined floor, she made her way into the Great Hall.
There, Helga sat on a stool next to the roaring fire, her hand placed on the cradle beside her. Aslaug walked over to Helga and gently placed her hand on the healer's shoulder. With a start, Helga turned around and peered at Aslaug.
"Is everything alright, my queen?" she whispered.
Aslaug nodded with a yawn, keeping her vision to herself, "Yes. I thought heard Ivar crying and I wanted to check on him."
Helga smiled and motioned toward the cradle. "He was crying just a moment ago and so was my daughter", she began to explain. "So I put her in the cradle with your son and began to rock them to sleep. They are both at peace."
Aslaug peered into the cradle to see both babies fast asleep with Ivar curled into the side of Helga's daughter. The words of Aslaug's vision came back to her,
"There will be peace in this storm and in the storm that brews in your heart and mind."