Chapter Ten: Bliss
A/N: Hope you're all enjoying Season 4! Here's another chapter - this one is mainly a bit of a filler for what's to come, but we hope you like it nonetheless.
Jakob sat watching Rollo as he ate the breakfast his mother had placed in front of him near an hour ago. Rollo had already begun drinking, despite how early it was in the day. This both intrigued and confused Jakob. He was too young to remember his father, and did not know whether it was customary for men to begin to drink mead so early in the morning. Although he had noticed that Rollo was fond of drinking.
"What?" Rollo finally broke the silence that had captured the two of them. He did not understand why the child was watching him.
"You drink too much." Jakob remarked bluntly. He was not one to beat around the bush. From a young age his mother had told him to speak what was on his mind, if it was the time and place.
Rollo frowned. "I do not."
"Yes you do." Jakob argued, his brows furrowing at the thought that Rollo was arguing with him. It was clearly the truth.
Rollo raised an eyebrow. Clearly the child was determined to prove that he was right. Not that he knew much regarding the matter. "You're what, six?"
"Nearly eight." Jakob puffed his chest out, attempting to make himself look older than he was. He didn't appreciate Rollo thinking he was younger than he was.
"I see." Rollo nodded slowly.
Jakob kept eating, words tumbling from his mouth in between bites. "I do not know what mother sees in you, but you make her happy."
"You're cheeky." Rollo had grown fond of Jakob, but he was also still adjusting to the child. "I'm glad I make her happy though."
"I like you more than I used to." Jakob told him as he finished his food.
The words intrigued Rollo as he finished his mead, opting not to drink another. He knew Ylva was not fond of his habit. "Why is that?"
"Because you have made her happy." Jakob shrugged, his tone suggestion that it should've be more than obvious to Rollo.
The two halted their conversation as Ylva walked back into the room. She had been performing her morning duties and had left the two to entertain themselves. Jakob bid her a hello before walking back into his room, leaving Ylva and Rollo alone in the small kitchen. He watched her as she began to clean the dishes from their morning meal.
"Hello." Rollo smiled, watching her as she continued to clean, brushing her hair from her face. "Are you well?"
"Yes, are you?" She responded to him, walking over after drying her hands, sitting in his lap. Rollo kissed her cheek before stretching out, amusement crossing his features as she raked her eyes over him. "Something amusing?"
Rollo shook his head, but the grin did not leave his face. "No."
Karena woke the next morning feeling sore but satisfied. Last night's rigorous activity had not been entirely pleasant for her, but she was determined to try again. As her husband stirred beside her, she pushed herself to her feet. It was before dawn and no one in the village would be stirring after the previous night's celebrations. But Karena fancied a dip in the cool depths of the ocean. Bjorn opened his eyes and inspected her sleepily.
"I am going to bathe in the lake." Karena tugged one of the furs around herself to conceal her body. Although her husband had seen her almost completely naked, she was still self-conscious. "Do you want to join me?"
"Of course." Bjorn sat up slowly, tugging his pants up. Gathering the furs tightly around her body, Karena slipped out of their room and down towards the shore. The morning light was only just beginning to brighten Kattegat, and she dropped the furs and waded into the water. It was icy against her skin at first, but she grew accustomed to it almost immediately. She had never been a very good swimmer though, so she didn't venture too deep – just deep enough so that the water rose above the swell of her breasts.
Bjorn followed her out, sliding his arms around her waist and dragging her to him. She smiled and boldly kissed him. She did not fear rejection anymore. It was clear that Bjorn desired her, and he was her husband in any case. All of this was new to both of them. Her dripping fingers trailed down his chest, head tilting back as his lips travelled down to her neck. He picked her up easily, shifting her legs so that they wrapped around his waist.
Karena moaned as she felt his hard length brushing against her. Although a little uncertain of how well this would go in the water, she was more than happy to give it a try. When Bjorn looked down at her, she licked her lips and nodded. Bjorn palmed at her breast with one of his hands, while the other slipped down to shift himself into position.
Karena took a deep breath as Bjorn pushed into her. It still took a moment to adjust to being filled by him, but there was no pain as there had been the night before, only mild discomfort. She rested her hands on his shoulders as he started to thrust, his movements made a little sluggish by the water. She gasped and fisted her hands in his hair, and he leaned down to suck her nipples, hard from arousal and the cold morning breeze.
Despite her fear of being caught, Karena found herself enjoying this immensely. She rocked her hips against Bjorn, burying her face in his shoulder as he moved deeper within her. Bjorn's movements became slightly faster, and his heated kisses against her neck didn't completely stifle his groans of pleasure. After a few last deep thrusts, Bjorn grunted loudly as he finished.
Karena's legs were shaking as she unwrapped them from his waist. He set her down, tracing patterns up and down her back with his fingers. There was such tenderness in his eyes, and she knew that it was about more than just sex with Bjorn. She planted a kiss on his cheek and waded back out of the water to the shore. She was completely content in her marriage, and hoped it would stay that way.
Ylva had been having a wondrous sleep before her son had bounded into their room, shaking her. "What is it?"
"I had a night terror.' Jakob murmured, his tone slightly shaky as he glanced over at Rollo who had rolled over.
Ylva sighed before shifting, allowing Jakob room to slot between her and Rollo, who had woken shortly after her. "Come on. In the bed."
Jakob crawled in between them, nestling into the blankets as Ylva drew the covers up, kissing his cheek. Rollo watched the two of them, waiting for them to stop shifting in the bed so he could go back to sleep. He glanced at Ylva to see her watching him. He offered her a small smile as Jakob stared up at him wide-eyed.
"Morning." Jakob whispered, however it sounded much louder in the quiet darkness.
Rollo stretched out, trying to accommodate his large frame in the small space he was provided. He watched as Ylva put an arm around her son, who buried his face in her side. "What were the night terrors about?"
Jakob smiled slightly as his mother stroked his hair tenderly. "People dying in battle."
"You don't need to worry about that for many years yet." Rollo assured him.
"One day I will be a great warrior. Just like you." Jakob told him, having reached an age where he was beginning to grow curious about the art of fighting.
Rollo chuckled at the words. "I will have to train you."
"You will train me?" Jakob was unable to keep the excitement from his voice at the prospect of being trained by Rollo.
"If your mother allows it." Rollo told him, glancing at Ylva who was watching the two of them.
Ylva nodded. "Of course I will allow it."
Jakob yawned as he went to reply again, however he had decided it was time to go back to sleep. He closed his eyes, drifting off as Rollo stroked his hair in a comforting manner. Ylva continued to watch the two of them, wondering how she had ended up having such a wonderful child and man in her life.
She moved her gaze from Jakob to Rollo as she heard him yawn. 'Sleep."
Rollo nodded. "Are you?"
"I am undecided.' She kissed his cheek. "You are good with him."
Rollo grinned at the compliment, pulling both her and Jakob close to him. His arms encircled them protectively as Ylva nestled her face in the crook of his neck. "Well, I did have practise with Bjorn."
Bjorn lifted his head as his father strolled into his room. Karena had gone to dine with her family, and it seemed that Bjorn's family were just as eager to hear about how he had found the wedding night. He had already endured a lengthy discussion with Lagertha, and now his father would no doubt want to talk about the same thing. Ragnar's eyes were glittering as he grinned down at his son.
"How did you find last night?"
Bjorn nodded slowly. "It was good."
"How was she this morning?" Ragnar inquired. Bjorn's mind drifted to earlier when he and Karena had sex in the ocean. It had certainly been different from the previous night, and he could tell she was still a little unsure and self-conscious. Yet Bjorn thought she was beautiful. Many women he knew were shield-maidens, and so they possessed very athletic figures. Karena's body was soft curves and skin unmarred by battle. Although not a curvaceous young woman, her body still had subtle contours that Bjorn found pleasing.
"How did you know?" Bjorn asked.
"She was limping at breakfast." Ragnar smirked, flopping back across his son's bed and clasping his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. "I will be a grandfather before I know it."
"You would enjoy it," Bjorn stated. His half-brothers, Aslaug's sons, were still very little. A grandchild would be similar in age, so it was nothing that Ragnar would not be used to.
"What makes you say that?" Ragnar glanced at him. "Would you enjoy being a father?"
"I would," Bjorn said with certainty. It would no doubt be some time before Karena became with child, but they were old enough to be parents, and both of them had younger siblings they'd cared for in the past.
Ragnar scoffed. "You have not been married long at all. Soon you will see what it is like. Just remember who her father is."
"I am well aware." Bjorn knew that Karena's father was a King, that he had technically married about his station.
"Then also be aware that she may be quite like him," Ragnar warned, surprising Bjorn. Anyone who knew Karena was aware that she was sweet, compassionate and friendly. She could not be less like Horik if she tried.
"I do not think she is."
"That is because you are besotted with her." Ragnar's tone was somewhat mocking. "Do you love her, Bjorn?"
He shook his head. "I do not know her well enough yet."
Ragnar grinned knowingly. "Ah. So it is just lust."
"I do care for her," Bjorn insisted. He may not love Karena yet, but he was protective of her, and wanted to keep her safe. In time, he had no doubt that such feelings would come. For an arranged marriage, it had worked out rather well.
"She is a pretty girl," Ragnar admitted, ruffling his son's hair. "You will make fine children."
"How are you feeling?" Ylva questioned as she brushed the younger woman's hair. It was the first time the two had seen each other since the wedding.
"Sore." Karena admitted, wincing as Ylva pulled at a particularly stubborn knot in her hair.
"That is to be expected." Ylva nodded, vaguely remembering what it had been like the first few times for her.
"He was good to me." Karena told her, knowing that it could have been much worse for her.
Ylva nodded. Bjorn was a good man and would make a kind husband for the young woman in front of her. "Well, that is all one can ask for."
Karena shifted in her chair as Ylva began to intricately braid her hair. "We did it again this morning."
Ylva raised and eyebrow. "How was it?"
"Much better than the first time. But still not...I do not know. Are women meant to enjoy it?" Karena questioned, looking over her shoulder at the older woman. She felt so naïve asking the questions, but couldn't help wanting to know.
"It takes a few goes. I found it uncomfortable at first with my husband." Ylva responded, finishing Karena's hair and stepping back.
Karena examined her hair, smiling slightly. "Bjorn tries. He does."
"I am sure he does, but you will take time to adjust to it. Give it a week, my dear." Ylva smiled at her as she got to her feet.
Karena nodded. "He is a very sweet husband."
"He seems the type. Unlike his uncle." Ylva grinned.
Karena raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What does that mean?"
"Bjorn is sweet, Rollo is not. I heard you were set to marry him originally." Ylva had heard the rumours weeks before and it had astonished her that her father would've considered such a marriage. Bjorn was a far better man for his daughter than Rollo.
"Not set. It was a suggestion." Karena told her as she fixed her dress. "He is much older than me."
Ylva nodded. "Old enough to be your father."
"My father is very happy about my marriage, my brother not so much." Karena admitted. She wished her brother was more accepting of her marriage.