Disclaimer: I don't own any of the noticeable Vikings characters, just a fan of the show!
Plot: Taking place after the Paris raids in Season 3, we follow Lagertha. Kalf was killed shortly after their return in a riding accident when his horse spooked and threw him, so Lagertha regained her title of Earl. WARNING CONTAINS SEASON 3 SPOILERS. One moon equals one month.
Chapter 2
Lagertha swallowed and nodded, "Hello King Ragnar…and Queen Kwenthrith what a pleasant surprise." The English noblewoman nodded her head and shifted Magnus over to her left side and reached over for her mug of ale. It was evident she had grown very comfortable in her new surroundings; Kwenthrith was quite hardy, even for a spoiled English royal. Noticing the tenseness in the air, Ragnar stood and extended his hand to the shield maiden, "Let's go to more private quarters to discuss the trade deals you previously mentioned before the winter." Taking in his gesture, Lagertha reached for his open palm and followed the king to his home. She knew he was more comfortable there than on the rickety old wooden throne, and more reasonable. Making their way through the village Ragnar made a weak attempt at small talk. "So, I hope the gods have brought a good winter's hunt to Hedeby." She nodded, joyfully recalling the massive bear that provided enough meat for several families, "It was a more generous winter in terms of meat animals and furs. Many rabbits and deer…even a big brown bear that attacked some of the goats. The pelt of it is being displayed in the meeting hall for all those to see." Letting out a soft laugh, Ragnar took a few steps ahead and opened the door to his home. Taking a seat, Lagertha made quick work to begin a fire in the small hearth in the middle of the room, with Ragnar joining her to help, nostalgia overtook her but she quickly brushed the feeling away. She jolted a little when a gentle kick of the child in her womb stirred her from her focus, making a quick glance over to Ragnar; her nerves settled when she assumed he didn't notice. "Well, lets get down to business shall we?" rubbing his hands together, Ragnar looked over to the shield maiden expectantly. "Our crops should bring in a good enough harvest that we can spare up to thirty percent." Ragnar cocked an eyebrow seemingly in disbelief. "Thirty percent? Most of our other trading partners can spare only ten and no more. What makes Hedeby so special?" They both chuckled a little to ease the awkwardness in the air. "The plow King Ecbert gave the settlement was recreated giving us reliable tools to farm…plus the sacrifices given to the gods were more than enough and the ground is very fertile." Ragnar nodded taking in Lagertha's statements when the door opened revealing the form of Bjorn. In his arms was his young daughter Siggy.
"Apologizes for not greeting you mother, but a certain someone did not want to go to sleep last night." The infant stirred in her father's grasp and reached towards her grandmother, even at such a young age, Siggy wanted to be in the comfort and warmth of Lagertha's embrace. When the warriors returned back from Paris, it pained the shield maiden to tear herself away. All that remained of her family were in Kattegat; even the King himself shed a few tears as she galloped off towards Hedeby with Kalf at her side. The wails of Siggy were still fresh in her memory; Lagertha's heart ached once more at the thought of leaving again but her visit was only a brief one and in a few days time she would have to return to her earldom. Placing the child in his mother's arms, Bjorn sat across from both of his parents. Rising to his feet, Ragnar bid his goodbyes and left for the meeting hall where he had to sit for hours listening to the petty quarrels of the villagers.
Lagertha straightened her back and looked at her son, "Don't you want to go with your father Bjorn? After all…one day you will be king". Fixated on the floor, Bjorn had begun to draw figures in the dirt with his sword. "I see it every day Mother, I'm sure he won't mind my absence. I want to spend some of my time with you while you are briefly visiting." Even after he had grown and become a warrior with a reputation, Bjorn still longed for the company of his mother, which had become a rarity. He had always been closer to his mother and felt a greater need to protect her. "Do you want me to keep Siggy for a while? So you can go and enjoy yourself?" Looking up from his scribbles in the dirt, Bjorn looked over his mother and then suddenly his eyes squinted with scrutiny. With Ragnar out of sight, Lagertha hadn't paid attention to the placement of her furs and unknowingly exposed her condition.
"You're with child." Her shoulders went rigid and Lagertha stopped playing with Siggy who had become fixated with the rings on her fingers, the child growing increasingly fussy because she could no longer reach her grandmother's hand. "Yes. But that is none of your concern Bjorn and I would appreciate it if you didn't tell your father." Furrowing his brow in confusion, Bjorn kept his glance on his mother's abdomen and by his estimation she was due right before the beginning of the raiding season. Memories of his mother's miscarriage six years prior filled his mind; her screams of agony and then an eerie silence after the child had been delivered. That silence only interrupted by Lagertha's sobs and with all of blood on the bed linens, Bjorn feared his mother would not make the night but the Gods had something in store for the shield maiden and she survived only to care for her daughter Gyda when the plague struck Kattegat. And when Lagertha had to light Gyda's pyre after she succumbed to the sickness, Bjorn could tell a piece of his mother burned with his sister's body that night and it was on that very night he swore to protect his mother at all costs.
"Who is the father?" Lagertha looked down and into the fire, she could lie and say Kalf, after all he was long dead after his horse threw him headfirst into a tree. He knew she was carrying Ragnar's offspring but promised he would raise the child as his own. "Mother, who is the father?" Raising his voice a little louder, Lagertha looked into her son's eyes "Kalf is the father." Letting out a frustrated sigh, Bjorn shook his head. "No, I don't believe you. You wouldn't have hid this from me if it were Kalf's child. Tell me the truth mother, you know I can tell when you lie." Taking in his mother's facial expressions, Bjorn knew the answer and instead of anger filling his heart, fear and joy simultaneously took hold. "Ragnar" is all Lagertha could manage. Crossing over to sit next to his mother, Bjorn placed his palm over her belly and the child within kicked as if to say hello causing both of them to laugh softly. "Mother this child is a gift from the Gods. In Paris you told me the Seer foretold you would never have another child, obviously the Gods had a change of heart. This child will be special, very special." Reaching out her hand, Lagertha cupped her son's face and smiled at him only to be interrupted when Siggy grabbed hold of her forearm. Kissing the top of the infant's head, Lagertha looked back up at Bjorn, "Promise you will say nothing of this to Ragnar. If he were to find out…I don't know how he would react, especially with Kwenthrith sitting on the queen's chair next to him." Bjorn nodded his head, picking Siggy up from his mother's lap. "I'll keep silent, but he'll eventually find out mother…you can't hide away. You're his ally and if he needs you, you better have a good reason for not showing up." Extending his hand to his mother, he helped her to her feet. "I have a spare bed at my home that you are welcome to." Walking arm and arm out his father's house, Bjorn felt a little at peace for the moment. "You're only saying that so I will make you some of the deer and potato stew you like." Bjorn chuckled to himself, "Nothing wrong with enjoying your mother's cooking."
After filling their bellies with the hearty meal, Lagertha managed to get Siggy to sleep and returned to the living area of the home where Bjorn sat by the fire. Sitting next to him, Lagertha placed her hand on his shoulder, "what is it my son?" Taking a sip from his mug, Bjorn looked over at his mother with inquisitive eyes, "When? We had been so busy focusing on our raid of the city…" Lagertha swallowed and looked into the fire, focusing on the embers and recalled her memory of that night, "the night we landed, after we performed the sacrifices to Odin and the others communed around the fire, Ragnar and I had so much ale that our senses were dulled." Seeing Bjorn stiffen and clench his mouth, Lagertha felt her heart drop when she noticed a tear escape his eye. "You fought while with child? Mother that was stupid, you know better. Stupid and dangerous." The shield maiden couldn't help but agree with her son, but she had to act as if everything was normal, the only exception being when she had a little extra padding sewn into her armor, barely noticeable but just enough for some assurance. Kalf had known that very first battle when he yanked her away from the arrows and towards camp; he had saved them both so selflessly.
"Get some rest mother, you need it considering your journey. I will keep my word as I promised earlier, but he will find out one way or another…he always does." Nodding, Lagertha stood and kissed her son's forehead. In response he placed his palm over he belly, "Goodnight…child of the gods."
So sorry this took me ages to update! I lost interest in the story for a while because I didn't know where to take it, but I just had a season 1-3 marathon and it lit the fire again. A big THANK YOU to those that have reviewed. I appreciate the feedback; it helps knowing that there are people interested so I don't continue in vain. Short chapter, but there will be more I promise.