"Frequently we do not leave the past behind. We clasp on to it. We dissect it, and let fears for the future, tempered by the past, unconsciously prevent us from taking up the task eternal."

― Ray Simpson, Exploring Celtic Spirituality

I don't own Vikings.

Chapter 2

"Clíodhna?"

She heard her named called as Ragnar gesture her to come forth.

Note: They are speaking Gaelic

"Is this your home?" Clíodhna questioned him.

"Yes, you'll like it here." Ragnar smiled. He was taught by her to speak their languages and his in return.

"They are warriors?"

"Yes, they are a lot like yours. Don't worry, my son like you enough." Ragnar was then approach by this beautiful woman, but she can tell that she does not like her.

Aslaug sneered at her then turned to her husband.

"Aslaug," Ragnar smiled briefly when she came forward and grab her by the chin. Their eyes locked to each other's. She knew what she is doing. Aslaug is sizing her, but Clíodhna won't be pushed down.

"Is she new?" Aslaug bitterly added, "Your new whore that you brought back from her country."

"I'm no whore!" She slapped Aslaug hand off of her chin. "I'm not Ragnar's whore."

Ragnar smiled as Aslaug is stunned by that notion. Ragnar took the pleasure of announcing why he brought the girl here.

"She is for Ivar."

"This girl? For Ivar, you say?"

"Yes." Ragnar smiled. Aslaug is not amused by this. "You been gone for many years and you came back with a girl that you intended to give to Ivar. As what exactly, dear husband?"

"As a wife." Ragnar told her, but added more, "She is called a Celt. They are similar to us in many ways. Strong and sturdy. She is a warrior. She will be someone that Ivar will have by his side."

"She is for my son." Aslaug looked at Clíodhna who never broke out of eye contact. "We shall see."

Ragnar turned to her and said, "Clíodhna, you can look around the village. And it looks like Athelstan wants to walk too."

Clíodhna nodded and leave behind Ragnar and Aslaug. Aslaug looked at Ragnar with a sense a surprise, but then again Ragnar learn new languages.

She wonders around the field. She releases Athelstan as she watches her bear ran around enjoying his freedom. She laughs as Athelstan is rolling himself on the wet grass as he is panting and enjoying the feel warmth of the sun.

She made clicking sound from her tongue to call back her bear cub. He jogged himself to her and they play tug a war with her rope that she tied up for him. Athelstan growled as he tugs on her rope. He is strong and she laughs at her precious cub stop for a minute. He jumps on her lap to try and wrestle her. Clíodhna laughs joyfully and rolled to her back and lift him up in the air.

"Well, lets' see how they can handle us Celts. Don't you think the Vikings should know us?"

Not that she is expecting him to talk.

Athelstan looked at her and snorted.

Meanwhile…

Ivar is stunned about it. His father, Ragnar came back home and now all of a sudden; his father brought him a bride.

Ivar is in turmoil. One hand, he is pleased to know that Ragnar thought about him and he even got him a wife.

On the other hand, Ivar is angry. Not at her, but himself because he has never been with another woman before.

How can she like him? Ivar thought to himself. She is beautiful and the best part, she is a warrior.

He has overheard his father and mother that the decisions is done. She is going to marry him.

"What's on your mind, Ivar?" Ubbe asked him.

"I heard father and mother talking." Ivar replied.

Ubbe is puzzled for moment then he remembered, "Oh, that brown hair woman? A Celt, right?"

"She is to be my wife."

"Oh, right." Ubbe murmur, "I guess father came back. And now everyone is not so sure about him at all."

"Father had mentioned that her whole tribe is destroyed. None other, then fucking Saxons." Ivar growled. Now he remembers why he hated christens. "They just went to her people and kill them off for not converting to their religion."

"Well," Ubbe clapped onto his shoulder and smiled, "Maybe if you talked to her then she can forget why she is sad and alone."

Ivar smiled at his brother.

Hvitserk mumbled, "A Celt woman, huh?"

"Jealous much?" Ubbe joked about it.

"I have heard that they came from England. They even had their own Gods and goddess. The "local deities" is what I think that is what they called them. Celtic nature worship was the spirits of a particular feature of the landscape, such as mountains, trees, or rivers, and thus was generally only known by the locals in the surrounding areas." Hvitserk told them.

"Where did you hear this?" Ivar asked which Hvitserk shrugged, "A merchant who was also, Celt told me."

"Huh, I guess they are not so different form us after all." Ubbe rubbed his bearded chin.

"Well, maybe I will like my new bride," Ivar shrugged, "She doesn't seemed against the idea. You know what this means right?" Ubbe and Hvitserk paused as they looked at Ivar.

"That means I will be marrying first." Ubbe pushed his head which Ivar laughs.

"And who would want to marry you?" Sigurd taunted Ivar. Ivar growled about it. Sigurd had always been against Ivar. He doesn't remember when it happened, but he seems to be cruel and words knew that would push him on the edge.

"Sigurd…" Ubbe warned his brother which Sigurd shrugged off. "I mean, let's face the fact shall? She is a warrior and you…a cripple. She will grow to pity you. Or perhaps, she will realize that you truly are boneless." Ubbe pushed Sigurd a bit to warn him to back off.

"Enough, Sigurd."

Ivar ignored and just crawled away.

His brother called out to him, but he just continues to crawl.

Sigurd always knows when his words can stab him for then a sword into his heart.

Without realizing where he was headed. Ivar stopped and saw that Celt again. She is laughing freely and playing with her bear cub. Clíodhna is lying on her stomach as her Athelstan is moaning and roaring which he stops forward to fight her hands.

"Ow, whoa looks like teethes are coming in strong." Clíodhna use her fingers to check his teeth.

Ivar laughs a bit.

"I know you are there." She sits up and knee on her lap. Clíodhna shyly looked at him. "Why don't you come here?"

Ivar stumbled a bit and he blushes heavily knowing he has been caught staring at them.

"Are you Ivar?" She asked him which he nodded dumbly to her. In his side, she shines with the sun. She has been of freckles but all in all she is beautiful in his eyes.

"I am. And you are Clíodhna." She nodded at him. Athelstan sniffs at him and whining to call him.

"This is Athelstan. My bear cub." Ivar knew that name, but he doesn't mind. He petted the cub which he playfully wrestles him. They both laugh at that.

"My father told me that you are going to be my wife." He stated which she nodded.

"You are to be mine."

"Yes, does that displease?" Clíodhna stuttered a bit.

"Oh no. In fact, I am very pleased with you. Pleased enough to know that a beautiful, strong warrior is going to be my wife." His hand cups her cheek gently and smiled, "And what of me…D-do I displease you? I am a cripple. Are you sure that you a warrior wished to marry a cripple like me?" Ivar said in anger, but Clíodhna looked at him in sorrow that he would believe that.

"If you mean that I pity you? Then you are a fool to believe such things." Ivar eye flashed in anger, but Clíodhna did not waver, "I never see a cripple as a disability. We had cripples who are still warriors even when they had fallen into battles. They held more intelligent and wisdom to conqueror their enemies. That is what I see, Ivar the boneless will become. A man who will lead his army to victory."

Ivar shed a tear and let out a gentle wet laughter. He tugged her forward and hugs her. He kisses her hair and rocked her gently with him.

"You are my wife."

Clíodhna smiled and looked up to him.

"And you are my husband."

They smile one and another. The Gods have truly blessed them on finding each other and made them feel whole again.

I hope you enjoy that! So, you know the drills? Give me reviews and comments. See you soon.