Chapter 9.


The sunrise was breath taking, illuminating the sky with soft pink and yellow glow. No one in Kattekat was awake yet, the chickens still sleeping. In a few moments life would pass by and breeze the morning in. Women would get up, shout at their children, ready the beds and bring the old outside, prepare breakfast, maybe even kick their husband's ass to get to work. The animals would chirp and welp, demanding food.

Ragnar would be up again, trek to him and try to talk sense into his, thick skull as he named it. You're like my son, but don't sober up. Man up.

He'd have so many interesting talks and stories, the raids, the gods, his dreams and ambitions.

Ivar found himself more and more wanting to fulfill his ambitions. Slowly he went back to Kattekat, once a few days then more and more. He almost slept in his bed again regularly, wouldn't it be for Sigurd's annoying references.

A lost chick should be found and punished, they make good soup.

A sheep isn't smarter than it's shepherd.

Warriors don't have feelings.

Ivar came a long way, from throwing axes at his brothers head to snarling insults to just ignoring his stupid ass.

That didn't mean, it didn't stung him. Each word, each sentence they worded about her filled his heart with sadness and hate. Such irony, what he once felt for his father now he felt for her. His usual crawls to Floki's house had been almost non existent. He preferred to stay above Kattekat and think.

Plan, rehearse, plan again.

How would he survive the raids? What if he fell into water? Swimming? What fucking swimming, he was a rock in water. Horses were also a tricky thing, with no power in his legs he couldn't steer the damn animal anywhere.

All he could do is crawl and use his crutches.

Another means had to be created, maybe a chariot? A chariot with spikes, carried with horses and small enough to be pushed by his men if needed. He could tell Floki to build something like that, it wasn't as hard as making a ship, transporting that to the mainland of England could be tricky.

Mulling over his plans, Ivar watched the sunrise and suddenly felt something plop next to him. A warm figure dressed in leather boots, leather pants and a small axe. His peripheral vision trained to see strained. The figure grunted.

˝Yes?˝- He didn't even turn.

˝You come here often, don't you?˝

˝Yes... brother˝

˝To think?˝

˝What else? I am a cripple, nothing much I can do˝

˝That's not true brother˝- The awkwardness in their voices was apparent as the sunshine that day. Bjorn was never close to Ivar, it was Ubbe who always stood beside him, tolerated his mischiefs and who helped him the most. Bjorn was the older brother that came and went, never fully open. He stayed beside them mostly, watching.

˝Then enlighten me...brother˝- The day was getting a bad start.

˝I'm going to Hedeby today˝- Bjorn said. He lifted himself and dusted some non existent dust off his ass. Did all Ragnarssons do that? Nonchalantly throwing an offer like a statement.

˝What does that have to do with me?˝- Bjorn gave him the don't-shit-me-look. ˝I can't ride˝- Bjorn groaned and turned to Kattekat.

˝I'm leaving midday, with your mind, think of something˝- Turning he left Ivar on the rocks, above Kattekat to scowl into the rising sun, promising a lovely day for the world.


Ivar dragged himself through Kattekat with the stupidest idea in his mind and a stupid ass grin on his face. Looking like a maniac, eyes wide, grin plastered on pushing through the dirt and animals.

˝What's wrong with you today?˝- Hvisterk joined him, strolling slowly as his younger brother dragged himself.

˝Collecting Sigurd's head˝

˝What!?˝

˝I'll do it as soon as we return˝

˝What? Where are you going and what's that rope for?˝

˝For Bjorn˝

˝W-what?˝- Hvitserk stopped talking and stared at his younger brother who didn't stop until he reached the stables. Bjorn was already there, saddling his horse, adding provisions and furs for the journey. He turned and nodded at Ivar who stopped and threw the rope.

˝Bind be behind you, it's the only way without dragging me˝- Bjorn stopped and shot him a dead look. ˝I'm serious and we can cut the stops in two, I don't get burns from sitting as you know it's the only thing I can do with my legs˝- Ivar was grinning wider, his teeth out like a predator.

Bjorn sighed and asked Odin for patience for all of the Ragnarssons. ˝Father, sometimes I wished you cut your dick somewhere and it fell off˝- He mumbled and walked towards Ivar. He picked him up and put him on the horse. His legs were sideways but he sat up straight.

˝We leave immediately, does Queen Aslaug know you're going with me?˝

˝Yesh, she's throwing a tantrum˝- Was all he said. Bjorn cursed again and got on the horse. Ivar grabbed his shoulders as the rope was thrown around him and secure knots put in place. They slowly galloped before going into a full run. Kattekat was getting smaller behind them when a female voice cut in.

˝DON'T YOU DARE GO FOR HER! IVAR!˝- Queen Aslaug shouted. She stood in the middle of the street, breathing hard.

˝Did she have a vision?˝- Bjorn asked.

˝No˝- Ivar said not turning around ˝But I suppose putting a blade to her neck didn't help˝- He snickered.


˝Earl Ingstad, I'm going to the mountains for herb picking˝- Llucia said bowing to the earl. The earl smiled and got up pouring herself some ale.

˝Take your time, it's such a beautiful day today˝

˝Indeed it is, do you require more of your sleep tea?˝

˝Yes, please get some of that herb mixture, it's been like balm for my nerves lately.˝

˝Is it the raids? Forgive me if I overstep myself...˝- Llucia nodded again.

˝It's been almost a full year since you came to me and still you're this reserved. You're as shy as a bat. What had happened to you?˝- Ear lngstad asked. She was concerned over the dark haired girl with the bright eyes. She came in one rainy day with a servant of Aslaug, promising a loyal and hard working servant from the South. The poor girl swore to do anything she wanted and to work as hard as she could.

And she did.

Every day she'd got up, cleaned, cooked, helped with the animals and collected herbs. She had vast knowledge of different uses, balm making, teas and tonics. The health of Hedeby increased ten fold. Too young to be a healer and too different to be of them, the girl held to herself, never speaking from where she was. All she had was a golden bracelet and a rune with her.

Laguz.

The rune of water, lakes and oceans.

The girl nodded and stared at the wooden floors. ˝Who gave you that rune?˝- A small chuckling came from the girl. That was new.

˝I took it, I know I wasn't supposed to but...I wanted a piece to miss˝

˝To you or the boy you took it?˝- Earl Ingstad mused. Instantly the girl's face flared red and she closed her eyes tightly. So a boy was the cause of her leaving Kattekat.

˝It's fine, I won't pest you, go pick the herbs and enjoy the day. And yes, the raids and their preparations, I will help my son, he'll be soon to ask. A mother always knows˝- Earl Ingstad said. Llucia gave a small smile and left her.

Llucia exited the Earl's hall and inhaled the fresh air. Spring was here, pushing at the last bits of snow lazily. She liked it here, it was smaller than Kattekat but busy the same, merchants and various people would visit. She saw even some of the brethren, slaves and warriors alike.

She'd be tempted to shout in her mother tongue, at least a greeting but then she'd had to explain things and the silent life she had was enough. Maybe he'd grown to another life path too?

Lost in her thoughts she picked up her basket. Her path was beaten in, between the halls of Hedeby's Earl and the commoner's houses. An ash tree provided shade for two men and a horse. He men were familiar somehow, a broad shoulder blonde and the other, leaning on the tree with longer ashy brown hair. Their heads turned and Llucia let out a curse of Latin strings.


a/n: Folks we got a cover for the story!(remove spaces to see ) Thank you my dear friend 3

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I really wanna thank you for the lovely reactions and reviews so far! I was actually really nervous to continue writing this story, considering I never wrote anything for the fandom.

This chapter was fueled by chili chips. Explains my erratic writing.

I DO APOLOGIZE FOR THE SHITTY FILLER CHAPTER.

LAGUZ MEMENTOS : Laguz means water, a vital part of life, but a constant danger, just as our journey through life encounters risks. Laguz contains elements of fluidity, changeability, and a lack of control. It represents the sensual madness of sexuality, the unconscious, intuitive, and psychic abilities. It s deceptive elements come from its variety, rather than from any menace. Traditionally, Laguz is the ultimate female rune. ( taken from runemaker futhark/ laguz . shtml)