Okay, I am actually splitting this chapter in half (just to add some suspense). Please leave me a review!
Chapter 12- The Child: Part One
Brynja's heart began to beat quickly as she stepped off the boat. She could hear Margrethe calling for Ubbe in the crowd, and once her eyes landed on the former servant, she noticed Bjorn's wife standing next to her.
As Brynja approached Torvi, she looked over to see Ubbe passionately kissing Margrethe.
"Torvi," she offered a faint smile. The blonde woman looked her in the eyes, and then glanced down at her extremely large stomach.
"May I speak with you?" Brynja asked.
Torvi and Brynja sat quietly at Torvi's table. The table where Torvi ate meals with her husband and their children.
Brynja picked at her thumbnail as she looked for the right words to say.
She felt so guilty. She knew the words that were about to come out of her mouth would hurt the woman.
"I know why you're here," Torvi spoke up. Brynja's breath caught in her throat. "I know you and Bjorn were together. I saw it when you first came back after leaving for the Mediterranean. Is the child his?"
Brynja was almost too shocked to answer.
"Y-yes," Brynja choked out. "I am sorry. I have no excuses for my actions, and I want you to know that I respect you with all my heart. I only ask that the child does not suffer because of what Bjorn and I have done. I want my child to know his father."
Torvi exchanged a sad smile.
"It takes a brave woman to seek out a man's wife and tell him such news," she began. "It is an admirable quality. Bjorn has slept with many women through our marriage. I hold no ill-will."
Brynja relaxed as the weight of the burden was taken off of her shoulders.
"Torvi," the brunette spoke slowly. "I hope that we can put this behind us and learn to be friends. I know nothing about children, and you are such a great mother. I would love for you to teach me how to care for my child."
"You are more than ever welcomed back to our hearts, Ubbe and Brynja," Lagertha stated. "And I am happy to hear the news of having another grandchild. Despite the circumstances, you and the child are a gift to my family."
Brynja thanked Lagertha, and quickly glanced over at Torvi to make sure that the comment didn't upset her.
Lagertha stood behind Margrethe's chair and waited for the girl to move. Once Margrethe noticed, she rose from her seat and scowled as she unwillingly gave it to Lagertha.
"We have all heard of the successes of our Great Army," Lagertha continued to speak as she sat down. "How you revenged Ragnar's death, overcame both Aelle and Ecbert. I thank my own son, but also you and all the sons of Ragnar for these immortal events."
"Then you must have heard of Sigurd's death," Ubbe spoke. "And his challenge to Bjorn that he was the leader of the Great Army. I want to tell you both," he looked over from Lagertha to Torvi. "Bjorn Ironside behaved himself throughout with great honor and courage. I love and admire him as a brother."
Torvi smiled sadly as she listened to Ubbe.
"Thank you for your words about Bjorn," Torvi said quietly. "He is a good man. I know that."
Brynja stared at the table as she once again was overcame by guilt. Torvi had forgiven her. It was not the first time that Bjorn had been with another woman. But, she felt as though she had broken a family.
"But, Ivar is a different story," Ubbe continued to speak. "He tore us apart. As far as I am concerned, I am now at war with Ivar. My brother, Hvitserk, he has decided with Ivar. So, he is now an enemy."
"Let us make a pack," Lagertha's voice was as low as a whisper. "I will support you against Ivar and Hvitserk, if you will support me against King Harald."
"You see," Ubbe leaned closer to the woman's ear. "that would make me an ally of my mother's killer."
"Mhm, I know" Lagertha stated. "Your choices are all difficult, Ubbe. But, for the sake of the good folk of Kattegat, can we not be allies?"
Lagertha lifted her drink to Ubbe and he slowly raised his. Once the clink of the glasses hitting each other was heard, Brynja knew that a deal had been made.
Ubbe looked at the woman standing next to him. Her stomach had grown so much that she looked like she could pop at any moment. He knew the pregnancy was beginning to weigh her down. As they roamed around Kattegat, he noticed her labored breathing. And, he had asked her multiple times if she needed to rest. But, the stubborn woman told him no every time.
"Do you plan on having children someday?" Brynja asked Ubbe. She saw him staring at her large belly.
"When the time is right," He stated simply.
They walked around looking at what the traders had to offer in peaceful silence for a moment.
"I assume you spoke to Torvi," Ubbe hinted as Brynja stopped in front of a man who was selling jewelry.
"Yes," Brynja answered as her fingers traced over a necklace. "She knows the child is Bjorn's."
"And?" Ubbe knew there had to be more to it.
"And nothing," Brynja shrugged. "We talked about it, she does not hold anything against me or the child."
"What do you think Bjorn will do when he returns?" the question left Ubbe's mouth before he had even thought it through.
Brynja took in a deep breath. Ubbe wasn't sure if it was due to irritation caused by him or discomfort caused by the baby.
"He will choose one of us," Brynja stated as though it was obvious.
He frowned at her answer. "And who do you think he will choose?"
Brynja took her eyes off the necklace that she had been admiring and began to walk again. Both hands rested on her stomach as she waddled.
"He will choose her," she sighed.
"You deserve a better man," Ubbe told her. "I love my brother. But, you deserve a man that will be loyal to you. That is not Bjorn. He is a great man. But, he is not great to women."
"Don't think that I don't value your advice, Ubbe," Brynja began. "But who are you to say what I deserve? I think you deserve better too, but I am not the gods. There is a reason you are with Margrethe. And there is a reason I am carrying your brother's child. Who are we to judge what other people deserve?"
Ubbe didn't respond to what was said. He knew she had a point.
"When did you get so wise?" Ubbe smirked.
"I think it started when a foolish man broke my heart," Brynja chuckled and punched him playfully in the arm.
"Is that so?" Ubbe began to tickle her rib, causing the woman to stop as she giggled and tried to bat his hand away.
Suddenly her eyes widened, and a loud gasp escaped her throat. Ubbe immediately stopped tickling as he searched her eyes to see what was wrong.
Brynja squeezed his hand tightly.
"It's time for the baby, Ubbe."
And that's it for Part One of this chapter!
We all know that Brynja's mother died giving birth... Do you guys think Brynja will face any complications? Will Brynja and the baby both be okay?
If so, what do you think the baby is? A boy or a girl?
And lastly, What do you think will happen when Bjorn returns?
Please leave a review! I love you guys! You're literally the best!
