Hi everyone! I was going to include this at the beginning of my story but I felt it didn't look right so I waited til I finished chapter 2. (": This is my first fanfic ever so I'm very excited to share it with y'all! Runa is very near and dear to my heart so I hope you guys enjoy her character as much as I do. For anyone who isn't aware, this fic starts at the beginning of season 3. Please don't forget to leave a review! I'd love to hear your feedback on the story. Constructive criticism is appreciated too. I'm an aspiring author and will take any feedback I can get so I can improve my writing.
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"Are you going to go with her?"
Björn's words barely reached her ears amidst the many loud voices around them. The hall was much too crowded for her liking. Having people squished together in seats and struggling to stand were they stood properly pushed at her nerves. Given this fault of hers, the two of them had resorted to sitting on the furs in front of Ragnar's throne. Even if the mass of bodies huddled together didn't make her feel uneasy, there was nowhere else to sit. Runa looked over to him briefly before letting out an annoyed huff. She felt she was given too many decisions to make at once.
"I suppose so. Lagertha wanted me to come back in the first place…" She paused, fiddling with her hands and thinking over the situation for a moment. If there was a reason she shouldn't, it never came to mind. "I think it's right that I go, to support her against Kalf."
Björn smirked, not quite believing what she had said. "I had assumed you would use it as an excuse to s—" Before he could finish what he was saying, two small hands smacked the sides of his face. Ubbe came charging towards his older brother, trying to get him to fight. The sight left Runa tickled. She had an idea of what Björn was going to say and saw his brothers interruption as something he rightfully deserved. Although she couldn't laugh for long, because another small figure came crashing into her as well. Hvitserk pushed at her shoulders hard enough for both of them to fall back against the furs. "I see we're little fighters today, huh?" Runa joked as she managed to scoop up the younger brother in her arms to place him back onto his feet. All four of them play-fought back and forth until the chime of metal caught their attention. She hadn't noticed that Ragnar sat behind them until he began to speak.
"I have made up my mind… and this year, we shall attack Paris."
Paris. Hearing just the name began to stir up excitement in the pit of her stomach. She heard Athelstan speak of the place before, saying it was a city of stone. At first she wondered, why would people want to live in a place completely made of stone? It sounded uncomfortable. But the priest was quick to correct her and say that stone only sat around the city. That it was a form of protection like nothing he had ever seen.
She knew journeying to Paris meant sailing, and sailing meant raiding. Runa only hoped that this would be her chance. The king went along with his speech, walking on top of tables as he folded out an intriguing tale of the city and how it had never been conquered before. She hadn't seen Ragnar this eager in a long time, therefore felt all the more confident in asking him about joining. Perhaps Lagertha would help her persuade now that she seemed to approve.
Wait… Lagertha. She had almost forgotten. They were meant to go to Hedeby first to take back her earldom. Runa immediately began to look for her once Ragnar finished his talk of Paris with a confident yell, but noticed that the ex's found each other before she could even stand to her feet. "It seems we will be leaving sooner than expected." She pointed out, nodding in the direction of Björn's parents.
…
The party they traveled in was small. She knew Lagertha intended to take her earldom back with a great number of warriors, but Ragnar had refused to provide her with such a force on the account of a possible civil war. He didn't want to fight, he wanted to discuss things over. Runa agreed with him in this instance, believing Lagertha had taken the value of her power and blown it out of proportion just a touch.
Once in Hedeby, both she and the king took their time on their horses, only dismounting once the shieldmaiden disappeared from their sight. Even with the distance between them and the longhouse, Lagertha's voice rang clear. At first glance of the land, Runa nearly forgot that her friend was no longer earl. Everything looked exactly the same. Even as they neared the hall, nothing looked to be changed or out of place.
"You have usurped my rights, and my lands, to whom you were sworn fealty and trust."
Her eyes circled around the room in which many familiar faces stood. Nothing seemed to be moved since her last visit, and like the rest of the city, unchanged. Although Kalf himself seemed to have changed quite a bit. His hair was now pulled into a braid, the golden piece Lagertha once wore across her chest now rested on his, even his stance seemed different. She assumed this was because of the newfound power he held, but even with that knowledge, she knew he had been hiding something before.
Runa expected to look abnormal among the three men she walked with. Being slim in stature yet tall and lengthy set her apart from most women that fought, who's muscles would fill out places that normally made a girl look delicate. However the men on her heels made her look like she belonged somehow, and the glances she received made her assumptions shift. Seeing a king and former princess united with someone who's earldom was taken so easily caused whoever held a look of pride to shift into uncertainty and nervousness. Especially Kalf. He looked like a child that had been caught doing something they know they shouldn't have done. And as she and Ragnar entered, his gaze never strayed from them, even as Lagertha continued to speak. It wasn't until she finished that he looked back over, but only for a second as he let out a short laugh that seemed to say he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"King Ragnar…" He greeted, looking over to the both of them, "Runa."
While she stayed silent, breaking her gaze from his, Ragnar greeted him in return as he moved past his ex-wife. He didn't want to be there, and if anyone was unaware before, they would know now.
"Perhaps we might uh… discuss these matters privately." At his words Runa placed a hand on Lagertha's shoulder, spotting the other woman beginning to move forward from the corner of her eye. Both men moved away from the small crowd, walking into what she assumed were now Kalf's quarters. Once they disappeared from sight, all eyes moved to the two intruding women. Even with warriors at their backs, Runa felt uncomfortable under their stares. That is until most people left.
Time seemed to move incredibly slow, but only a few minutes had passed when Lagertha stood from the seats they now occupied. "I refuse to let him speak for me like this."
"Lagertha, there's a reason why he is— he is king."
"He is a king, yes, but this is my earldom. My rights."
"Can you not wait for a few simple minutes?" Runa began to grow frustrated with the older woman, but her question was never answered. It was only when Lagertha moved to where the men would be that she stood from her own seat. From what she could hear as they approached, Ragnar had come to the topic of Paris. Although he seemed to be refused. "You will lose everything."
"Even my earldom?"
"You mean my earldom."
Both men were caught off guard by Lagertha's sudden appearance, until Runa appeared and their gazes moved to her. A frustrated sigh escaped Ragnar's mouth before he could manage to keep it in, earning a warning glare from his ex. Although he paid no mind to it as he looked back towards Runa in question. Her hands immediately rose up in defense.
"Please believe me when I say I tried." She said.
If it wasn't Ragnar she was speaking to, her reason would most likely have no meaning, but he let his head drop down, knowing exactly what she meant. Saying Lagertha was stubborn when it came to what she felt belonged to her would be an understatement.
"The state of your earldom is between you and my ex-wife... and good luck with that." The king hurriedly pushed Runa away from the two after his half-hearted attempt to wish the new earl luck, hoping to escape the weight of something that was not his responsibility.
By the time they reentered the main room of the longhouse, only the men and women they brought with them stood waiting. A man who bore the same name as her father stood there as well, but off to the side on his own. He scowled at the sight of her, striking her nerves enough for her to send a hard glare his way. When a weapon was not at hand, the only intimidation she held had to be shown through her eyes, because she knew for many years that her stature worked against it. Once he broke his gaze away, Runa turned back to the king walking with her, but he was no longer beside her. For a moment Ragnar stood still, staring at no particular object in front of him even though his gaze became fixed. The action left Runa confused, wondering what had caused him to stand in such a way. It was only after a sly smile formed on his face that she realized what he was doing; he was listening to their conversation. For a moment she hadn't noticed how easily she could hear Lagertha and Kalf's voices, but once she began to listen too, Ragnar began to mimic the words. Kalf's in particular. The faces the king made brought an unwanted smile to her lips, and only made her annoyed as he made his mockery more dramatic. Runa tried to suppress her laugh by covering her mouth, but as he continued it became harder for her to do so. She mouthed for him to stop it, however, it did nothing. He only stopped when he felt he had his fill, but received a pelt of fur to the face afterward.
"Perhaps we should leave those two to… discuss everything else, hm?" He asked, throwing the fur onto the chair beside him.
"You don't think Lagertha will come looking for us?" She questioned, even though his suggestion sounded appealing.
Ragnar bobbed his head to the side in thought. "I believe she is more than capable of dealing with this herself now. But, if she wanted us to stay I can only imagine we will be dragged back by our ears." He paused, taking a couple steps closer to her. He seemed to prefer that no one else hear what he was about to say.
"And I have a feeling… that you would rather not see them together any longer."
Runa furrowed her brows, perplexed, and yet admittedly she could feel a sense of nervousness growing in the pit of her stomach. Before she could even form a response, he pointed his finger up to his temple, tapping it lightly. "I am not blind." The half smile across his face resembled that of a knowing parent, like he found something he could tease her for. "Come. Let us leave before they realize we have gone."
...
Lagertha had indeed wondered where they had gone once she returned to Kattegat, however she only asked Runa. After their conversation, she learned that Lagertha never even went to see Ragnar. She simply avoided him the entire time she was in Kattegat until she came to the conclusion that she would ride back to Hedeby. And when the time came for Runa to decide whether or not she wanted to go, she turned Lagertha down. The older woman understood, however, because when she had originally asked, they expected Hedeby to still be in her possession. Runa was informed of Lagertha's plans the night before she would leave, so she wasn't surprised when she saw the older woman with a horse the next day, packing her belongings into a saddlebag. But Björn was. Runa knew his attempts to get his mother to stay would fail, and she watched as he was left in the dust. It wasn't until many months later, after Þórunn gave birth, that Lagertha returned.
"I still don't understand why she had to do that." Runa heard this same sentence for what seemed to be the millionth time now, which was why she rolled her eyes in annoyance. The markets they walked through were clearly not enough of a distraction.
"Björn your daughter was just born days ago, and yet you still speak of that? Besides, Lagertha has returned to come to Paris with us. Why does that still trouble you when she is here again?" She asked.
"Because it is why she did it that bothers me. All she speaks of is her property and how it should be hers. I want her to have it back, I do, but when I tell her she can stay here it almost seems like she has no desire to be with her family." Runa was taken aback by his words. "I hardly believe that's true. You and I both know she takes family very seriously… however... you're her only family left, and now you're starting one of your own." She paused looking up to the clouds which now began to darken. Rain was coming soon, "I find her talk tiring as well but it is the only thing she has besides you."
"I'm beginning to find your ability to make sense of everything tiring." He joked. Runa smirked, knowing he spoke the truth. She had an uncanny skill when it came to finding common ground or thinking of possible reasons people had for doing things. Even when she didn't notice what she was doing, it would happen unintentionally. She once went as far as to settle a dispute that would've caused a civil war.
Two earls, cousins, had sailed to Kattegat many months ago with a quarrel over land that they couldn't seem to settle themselves. One of them was older, having a son to take care of along with his people; much like Runa's father. The other was young, only a few years older than her, and very nervous. They both held claim to land their grandfather once owned but left barren. It was large enough to expand both their cities into new areas and farm. The elder man had stated his young cousin was very argumentative, and he was not denied. However, the younger man was quick to defend himself, saying he only did so because his rights to their grandfathers land were rebuked. The older man felt his cousins claim held no meaning because of his age, and yet he was also the one to suggest they come to a king for help. At first, Ragnar suggested they split the land in half and join their people together, but that idea was struck down immediately. One important detail hadn't been mentioned by either of the cousins; the cities hated each other. There was a century-long rivalry between the two kingdoms before the cousins even came to power. One was taken by the killing of the previous earl, and the other was handed peacefully in trust. And when the cousins discovered they ruled both cities, they hoped their blood relation would move the people to ignore their past, join together, and make peace. However it did nothing, and both earls crave for power began to erase their family bond from their minds. The dispute had been too much for her to listen too, and without thinking, Runa spoke up saying neither of them should be allowed a claim to that land. Initially, she had felt embarrassed, knowing it wasn't her place to speak. However Ragnar took a liking to her suggestion, thinking it would be best that both cities avoided contact with each other and the earls be denied ownership over the land even though it was once their grandfather's. The cousins had asked why she would say such a thing, but their question only angered her. She went on to tell them how keeping their family together should matter more than going to war over a piece of land that wasn't even near their cities. She scolded their arrogance, and felt ashamed for them; seeing cousins argue over something not worth such anger.
In the end, Ragnar went along with her, making sure neither of the earls could claim that land by sending some of his own men and women who wished to go to a new place. That land was now a thriving settlement for Kattegat.
"Will you come and see Siggy?" Björn asked, drawing her out of her thoughts. She nodded.
"Later. I must go see Ragnhild first but I will meet you in the hall after." He nodded at Runa's response, breaking away from her as the crowds began to thin. Many people were going inside, expecting it to rain any second. Runa journeyed to the beach to wait for Ragnhild, crouching on a small hill that set her above the water instead of in the sand. She assumed she was the only one there, but another figure soon came walking along the beach. It was Athelstan. Given where she was, she thought he would see her, but his gaze was fixed on the water. Why is he wearing no shirt when it's as cold as it is? She thought. Runa watched the priest walk into the water without a care, confused by the smile that never left his face; not even for a second. That is… until he glanced down to the arm ring around his wrist. He quickly slipped it off, looking at the piece in his hands before he threw it into the water. Her jaw clenched at the sight, knowing the sacred value of the golden bands but also wondering if Athelstan knew it himself. Did she really just see what she thought she saw?
…
With the thought of Athelstan on her mind, she had nearly forgotten why she came to the longhouse in the first place. Ragnhild appeared at the beach after he disappeared, but their conversation barely lasted. The women were going to talk over her plans of asking Ragnar about coming to Paris. However, with what happened before the mother showed up, Runa didn't want to talk over things anymore. She brushed it off, telling Ragnhild that she could do it on her own and assured her she would be fine when the time came. Runa was far from fine actually. Her mind was being tossed around with the thoughts of what she saw and what she already knew. Athelstan became her friend over the years he spent in Kattegat. She watched him turn from being Ragnar's slave into a member of their society. While he wasn't welcomed by everyone, she found him intriguing, as did her father.
Perhaps it was because of her mother; she was a Christian as well. Runa never knew her, given she had passed away in childbirth, but King Einar always talked fondly of his beloved. His Ellette. Her hair rested just along her shoulders and resembled the color of fall leaves, he would say; like a deep auburn. And when she was brought to his home, he said she looked like she had lived there her entire life. Einar always told Runa that her mother never felt at home among the Saxon people. She wanted to be free, and that was what he gave her; freedom. However, as glorious as their love sounded, there was one thing Runa thought of often that made it bittersweet. Her mother was Christian, and she was shunned for it. Ellette held onto her faith strongly, and despite being silent about it, people found out. That was something Runa saw in Athelstan, and her father was mocked just like he was. 'Christian lover', and 'traitor of the gods', were only two of the names some would call him. She had heard people call Athelstan nasty names under their breath in the same manner, and felt the need to put a few of them in their place. Although she never did. It wasn't smart of her to do so. But that didn't keep her from enjoying his company and treating him like the friend he was. Which was why his actions confused her all the more. She had her doubts when there was a time that he claimed to worship their gods. Runa felt he would always be a Christian in his heart, and after thinking for a moment, she assumed that was what he associated his arm ring with. But to her, and many others, the golden band wasn't just an acknowledgment of their religion. It was an acknowledgment of loyalty; loyalty to their king and to their people. She saw his action of throwing it into the water as an abandonment of his loyalty to Ragnar, but at the same time, she hoped she was wrong.
"Björn?" she called out his name as she traveled further back, entering the more private areas of the longhouse. Her own rooms rested to her right, many feet away, but the room that blocked the king's sat in front of her. That was where she had expected her friend to be. Although she could see no one in there, and no one in the main hall, which made her wonder where he could've gone.
"Bjö—"
"He is not here." The grumble of words startled her, but once she looked over to her left she saw Ragnar peaking through the curtains that hid his bedchambers.
"Please, do me a favor and do not shout again." He weakly joked, putting a hand over his face. A small smile came across her lips at his words, but it soon dropped as she began to take in his state. Dark circles were visible under his eyes, and as his hands came to his side, she noticed they were shaking. Runa could easily assume that he just had an uneasy sleep, however she had seen him in a much better state only hours ago.
"Are you alright?" Her question was waved off. "Ah Runa… you always worry over me."
"I think it's fitting considering you do the same to me." Ragnar chuckled at her retort, then pointed up to the doors on the other side of the hall.
"I believe Björn went to see how Floki is coming along with the boats." He said, answering the question that she hadn't asked yet was wondering. She let out a silent 'ah', in response, and moved to leave. Ragnar seemed to want to be alone and she knew not to push him when he was in a state such as this. He was very much like her in that sense. Although she only took a few steps before she was reminded of something. Paris… maybe she could ask now? Runa hesitated for a moment, but told herself that she might not get another chance.
"Ragnar— um… actually, there is something I wanted to ask you. About Paris." The king shifted his gaze up to her— suddenly curious —and motioned for her to continue.
"I want to come with you. I want to see the city and fight alongside you." She stated with a nod, feeling like a large weight was just lifted off her chest. Ragnar smiled at her words, looking down to his feet. The action made her assume he would say no, which pushed her to talk more.
"And I know you feel I am not ready for it but Ragnar you know I can fight— I trained myself with a bow and arrow— Lagertha taught me how to use a shield and—"
"Wait wait wait— slow down…" His hands motioned for her to stop, which she did. "Who said I felt you were not ready?"
"I… I assumed that is what you thought when you told me to stay here while you all traveled to England." He seemed somewhat shocked by her words, rubbing his eyes as he let out a sigh.
"Runa I never doubted that you could fight. If anything I expected you would outwit some of our strongest if I asked you to." He admitted lightheartedly, pausing for a moment. "But you are the daughter of my friend, I felt responsible for your well being. You had just been attacked— that was why I made the decision I made then. I can understand why you would think that was me telling you you were not ready, but it was only for your safety."
Runa looked to her feet, embarrassed by her assumptions, but smiling warmly at what he said. For a moment it stayed silent between them, until he raised his hands. "As for Paris, I don't see any problem with you coming along— AS long as you listen." He finished, pointing his finger to her. Runa nodded eagerly. His explanation of what had happened before eased her mind for many reasons, but she soon forgot about it because of her excitement. She was going to Paris.
...
The rest of her day was spent keeping Ubbe and Hvitserk occupied. She would occasionally look over from the duo of fighters to Siggy's sleeping form in her cradle, until Björn appeared through the doors, drenched yet unphased. Ragnar had retreated back into his bedchambers some time ago. None of them wanted to go outside for the rest of the day, but they were all tired anyhow. Runa was eager to tell her friend that she succeeded, that Paris would be their first raid together. For a moment she thought Björn was more excited than she was, which made it even harder to wait. The thoughts of traveling to a new place filled her mind. She wondered what sights Paris held in store, what the people would look like, or how well they could fight. The question of who would be coming with them stuck in her mind as well, but also made it to her mouth. Björn was quick to tease her for this and was left with a blanket of fur to the face. Helga had soon come into the longhouse as well, keeping Runa company, but soon disappeared to take the boys to bed. Aslaug was already asleep with her younger sons. Runa eventually decided to retire for the night herself, but her sleep did not come easily. While she drifted off quickly, she was awoken by a chill.
Her eyes struggled to open, and struggled even more to adjust to the candlelight. There had been no howl of wind, or noise to indicate that something had woken her. She just… woke up. The warmth of her room had gone cold, very cold. It was enough for her to shiver the minute she raised her head. "Runa." The voice startled her enough for her to jerk upwards, pressing her hands into the bed underneath. Her head turned to the right area of her room, where a large trunk sat, amongst many other things, then over to her bedside where a single candle flickered. The feeling that she was being watched was evident, but she didn't realize what had entered her room until she felt a presence at the side of her bed. Runa jerked her head to the left, staring into the… eye of a man. "Odin." She breathed out his name in a whisper, in both shock and realization. Her gaze followed him as he knelt from his stance, reaching out to place a hand over hers.
"Your father is dead… killed by poison… He lies in the snow with the wolves he has killed." The All-father's face remained stoic, and yet somehow she knew his presence was meant for comfort.
Then, just like he appeared, he vanished in the blink of an eye. For a moment she sat, unmoving. She expected to cry, for her eyes to fill up with tears and her mind go into denial… but she didn't. It was almost like Runa had prepared herself for her father's death. Her eyes eventually trailed to the partially open door, and slowly, she stood. The light of a candle in the great hall told her someone had to be awake, and eventually, she met Björn's gaze. He seemed to have no reason for staying awake, and yet there he sat, looking over to her in concern. Runa hadn't realized that her mouth hung open for some time, but soon managed to whisper out her words.
"My father is dead."
