A/N - there are typos and time jumps. Sorry in advance.
When Ragnar spoke, his voice emitted no anger or distain. "You've been avoiding me.."
The heavy locks of Agi's mane tusseled in the wind as she turned to face him. "I have been busy raising our son.." she deflected, the hardness to her eyes clear even in the dark.
"Eliseff has experience rearing children..." Ragnar stated.
"Yes, but I do not have experience with Eliseff. She is earning my trust easily enough however." Agi countered.
"What are you doing out here?" Ragnar wondered.
"I was walking." Agi remarked lamely. "There are times when I am exhausted and sleep soundly, then there are times when I am exhausted yet I cannot sleep at all."
"Why is that?"
"You shouldn't ask such questions Ragnar - your new wife might think you still hold affection for me.."
Tilting his head, Ragnar began to pace around Agi. "She's well aware I still do." Agi's scoff was not subtle, causing Ragnar to bar his teeth. "Aslaug wishes for the three of us to speak, but you scasely leave Floki's home..Do not be surprised if one day she shows up on your doorstep."
"I doubt the dainty princess would trek to my home." Agi retorted, glimpsing a smirk on Ragnar's lips. "Besides, there is nothing to speak of. Unbeknowingly or not, you chose her to give you the many sons the Seer prophesized. Perhaps Brandr had to be born, so Bjorn would have an ally against them. Two allies in fact, including Vali.."
"That is a poor joke to make."
"I was not joking. Regardless of Brandr, if you did not realize it already - you and I are through, Ragnar."
Ragnar ceased his pacing directly behind her, leaning down to mumble in her ear. "You don't mean that."
Agi's breathing had slowed considerably, but even so, her voice did not waver. "I do mean it."
"Then why didn't you leave with Lagertha hm?" Ragnar challenged, hooking his hands aorund her waist.
"Because of Floki!" Agi spat shaking free of his intruding gasp. Agi took three steps forward, distancing herself with a leer."Because Brandr should know his father. And because I would not separate him from his twin." Ragnar stared at Agi with such intensity, she was forced to break eye-contact. Eyes shut, Agi inhaled the night air deeply, allowing herself a moment to listen to the crickets chirp. "I love you Ragnar, but I refuse to share you with Aslaug. I loathe her, and that loathing would spread to you, perhaps even to our son. Therefore, we have nothing to discuss."
"..You mustn't loathe her. I pursued her, she is faultless." Ragnar said stoically. Agi's scowl did not quite cloak the hurt that flashed within her gaze. Ragnar needed to see that, needed to carry it with him as he walked away.
A lone tear streaked Agi's face, as she turned in the opposite direction. She wiped it with a grimace, and tredged home, ignoring the flood of tears that followed the first. Once indoors, Agi dapped at her face with the sleeve of her shirt, and perched beside the cradle. Agi's auburn eyes stared lovingly at her offspring, though her mouth was twisted with apprehension. The sound of Floki snoring from the adjourning room beckoned Agi. She rose from her perch and shambled into the bedroom. Floki was laying on his back, with Helga nestled under one arm, her nose embedded in his chest hair. There was not much space for Agi, there never was, nor did it ever deter her. Agi climbed aptly up Floki's sleeping form, her mouth meeting his when his eyes jarred open. His tongue lazily meshed against hers, as Agi sank atop of him. Floki coiled his other arm around her back, pinning her to him. Agi ended the kiss, nuzzling her nose with his then resting her face in his collarbone. Her hand sought out Helga's and she held onto her tenderly.
"You took longer tonight.." Floki remarked. He felt the smile Agi tried to shield from his bleary-eyes. She was happy he had noticed. "Ragnar?" he guessed. Agi merely nodded. An inaudbile giggle rattled Floki's ribcage, though a sigh fumbled from his mouth. "You must forgive him Agi."
"One day. Not today.." Agi mumbled. "Not any day soon..."
===2 years later (twins are 4 year-olds, Ubbe is nearly 2)===
The uproarious laughter of Brandr and Ragnar overpowered the chuckles of Vali and peeps of Ubbe. Occasionally Agi would cast a glance in their direction, but she largely paid attention to Athelstan sitting opposite her. They were playing a card game, as usual for the that time of the week. More than once Athelstan had let her win, something both were aware of. Agi sensed Aslaug's precense even before she opened her mouth. "Eventually, you will have to speak to me.." Aslaug declared. Agi briefly met Athelstan's gaze, then she shifted her auburn eyes to the pregnant woman hovering behind him. Agi did not say a word, she merely stared at Aslaug, her head tilted mockingly to the side. Aslaug's prentenious face, appeared to soften. "Even after all this time, I still hope we can become friends. For the sake of our children if nothing else." Aslaug told her.
Athelstan's brow perked a bit, and he found himself speaking for Agi's behalf. "Forgive me m'lady, but I believe Agi is here for the sake of her children already."
"So it would seem." Aslaug replied, her naturally narrow eyes narrowing further. She rested a contamplative hand on Athelstan's back, gauging Agi's reaction, as Aslaug ran the tips of her fingers through the edge of Athelstan's hair. Agi's face did not crack, much to her dismay, and after several seconds passed, Aslaug walked away.
"Separent-faced shrew..." Agi grumbled to herself.
Athelstan chortled. "She claims she is a volva."
"Her?" Agi scoffed. "A seeress? I shouldn't be surprised, she would love to be something other than a princess..What proof has she offered hm?"
Athelstan set his cards down, sensing the game was over. "She told me one day I'd have a son.."
Agi was silent a few seconds, then she laughed. "Well not from me. I dont intend to bear anymore children."
Athelstan gingerly palmed the cards hanging loosely in her grasp. "You speak as though you have a choice in the matter. Wasn't it the will of the Gods that crafted Brandr and Vali?"
"...I don't mean to be cruel Athelstan, but why would the Gods want a children made from me and you?"
"Perhaps to outweigh the destruction caused by Hillevi."
Agi's jaw jutted open in surprise, then heated laughter rumbled from her lungs. "Goodbye Athelstan.." she announced, rising from her seat. "Vali, Brandr, time to be home!"
"Agi wait..I was only theorizing.." Athelstan protested.
"If I wanted your theories Athelstan, I would ask you for them." Agi growled.
"What's happened? You look determined to leave early..." Ragnar mused, Brandr cupped within his arms. "What have you done?" Ragnar asked Athelstan pointedly.
"It needn't be repeated." Agi replied extending her arms toward her son.
"No!" Brandr grumbled, burying his head in Ragnar's shoulder. Agi lowered her arms dejectedly, her attention dropping to Vali.
"I want to stay too, why do we have to go because of Priest? Make him leave instead!" Vali glowered.
"No one is going anywhere." Ragnar decided, his gaze locked on Agi. "Your mother is just over-reacting..aren't you, Agi?" Agi let out a singular huff, and slumped back down opposite Athelstan. "You see? She is getting over it.." Ragnar jeered. "C'mon Ubbe, mustn't let Vali be the victor right?" Ragnar murmured, herding the children away.
"I'm sorry Agi." Athelstan said softly. "I shouldn't have.."
"No, you shouldn't have." Agi interrupted readily, her eyes frozen on the floor. "Why would you say such a thing Athelstan?" When Athelstan did not reply, Agi relucantly glanced over at him. "Well?" she pressed.
"...Aslaug said..if you didn't reconcile with Ragnar, that your greatest fear would become true." Athelstan responded.
"And Hillevi is my greatest fear?"
"Is she not?"
Agi remained silent, her restless eyes sought out Aslaug, sitting in her throne. The expression on Aslaug's face was one of smugness, the corner of her lips were even curved. "I don't believe a thing she says. She is no volva, she is royal babymaker, and that is all she will ever be." Agi replied, her tone loud and clear. Aslaug's chin lifted an inch, but her features remained unchanged.
"You do still love him." Athelstan mused. "I know he seems different..distant..but I know he misses what he had with you dearly.."
"I'm sure he'll find someone else to have a tryst with soon enough.." Agi muttered, though not softly enough that Athelstan was unable to hear.
"Agi.."
"I may've once deluded myself into thinking he loved me, but those days are long gone.."
"You're blinded by bitterness." Athelstan said, earning Agi's attention at long last. "He loves you still."
===an additional 2 years later (Vali and Brandr are age 6)===
Vali sat eagerly on the edge of Helga's lap, watching his father toil effortlessly on the hull of the ship. Floki's snickering carried on the wind, as Vali bounced and pointed animatedly, learning carpentery best he could at such a young age. The sight filled Agi with glee, but she was several yards away, keeping an eye on the other children.
"Brandr, Ubbe, I told you not to gang up on Hvitserk! Step away - NOW!" Agi called out youngsters relucantly complied, though Agi was fairly certain Ubbe gave her a dirty look in the process. Agi's eyes fluttered closed, as debajcted chuckling rang in her ears. Agi did not have to turn, to know the heavy footfalls across the ground belonged to Aslaug.
"I saw that Ubbe," Aslaug scolded, though her voice was light. "What have we discussed? Always present Agi with respect. Though she spares us little to none."
"Are you certain you should be taking such long walks m'lady?" Agi countered.
"Quite certain." Aslaug retorted, unphased. "As you've no doubt noticed, Ragnar is growing restless as the weather warms, the pillage drawing ever nearer. Days such as these, he misses Lagertha and Bjorn gravely. You and Brandr, are something of a substitute.."
Agi's knuckles crackled into fists, but she wore a smile on her face. "Bjorn was his first born, as Lagertha was doubtlessly his first love - there are no substiutes, Aslaug."
"Yet he pines for you, even with all the time that has passed. He thinks I do not see it, but I have always seen act as though you hate him, but if Ragnar were to touch you.."
"Then I would remind him he has a pregnant wife."
"Would you?" Aslaug asked dubiously.
"I would." Agi answered coldly.
"You must love him deeply, to hold such anger still." Aslaug remarked. "Unlike Rollo."
"What about Rollo?" Agi sniped.
"You cling so desparetely to the fury you once held for him. It's become hard, hasn't it? Watching him be a drunken dirt-mongoruel, has lessened your loathing. What may happen when that rage is no longer in your grasp, it frightens you.."
"You think you know me Aslaug, but you do not. I waste no thoughts on Rollo, even he knows this. Now since you're here, why don't you watch over the little Lothbroks?"
With that, Agi turned on her heel and stomped off in the direction of the tavern. Ale was often an ally to Agi, after interactions with Aslaug. Usually a pint was enough to ease the nerves Aslaug had enflared, nothing more, nothing less. Agi barely noticed the stool, the table, or even the patrons surrounding her. Her eyes were on the prized mug, which she grasped and gulped in a matter of seconds.
"The weary wisp returns." drawled Rollo, to her left. Agi cursed under her breath. "Still ignoring me too.."
"Like you ignore your nephews?" Agi countered with an irriated glance.
"What good would I bring to their lives wisp? My soul is made of copper, don't you recall saying that to me?" Rollo glared.
"Only now do you dwell on it. Only after raising swords against your brother and your friends. Yes perhaps what I said remains true, but worthless or not you're still breathing. Brandr is still your blood..our blood.." Agi grimanced, eyeing her scarred palm. "You should make an effort to know them."
"Tell me little wisp, do you intend to let the big welp know the twins?" Rollo asked.
"No my brother will not be involved in their lives, because believe it or not Rollo, Lon is even less worthy than you." Agi answered. "Besides, I don't even know where he is. Horik told me, Lon did not remain within his walls for longer than a day. For all I know, he died out on the road someplace."
"Then I envy him." Rollo grunted into his mug.
"You should look to the future Rollo, and not dwell on the past."
"You're in no position to belittle me for dwelling on the past. How long have you been withering for my brother's touch, five years? Your pride has kept your legs dry for five years.."
"Oh shut up, you damned drunk!" Agi snapped, sloshing the rest of her drink at his face. "I try to be civil with you, but you deserve no civility clearly. Forget I said anything."
"How quickly the peasant climbs back atop her high horse." Rollo jeered as Agi scrambled to her feet.
Ragnar's voice resonated from behind her. "This is the angery Agi I once knew..but Horik knows her best by her birthname though he did not know of her existence until she graced Kattegat. Jarl Borg, this is Dianthra Wayland." Ragnar introduced, a stout blonde with hard eyes and a partially braided beard. Agi stared coundfoundedly at the newcomer. Ragnar's smirk was brighter than his eyes, which shifted past Agi's shoulder. "Of course you remember my brother." Ragnar finished.
"Of course." Jarl Borg replied gruffly. "You are King Horik's niece. I'm pleased to announce, you bare no family resemblance."
"...Thank you.." Agi murmured. "Why are you here? It will be some weeks until the pillage goes underway.."
"Do you speak to everyone so bluntly, woman?" Jarl Borg questioned.
"She does." Ragnar answered readily. "She is rather like a child in that regard." he added earning a leer from Agi.
"Sufficient to say, if I were the last to arrive, your uncle may see fit to set sail without me." Jarl Borg replied. "Can't have that."
"I suppose not. I also suppose I should relieve Aslaug and fetch the children. Excuse me.." Agi said, making a wide circle around their posey.
"Yes I'd very much like to meet them, ALL of them.." Jarl Borg called.
"I don't like him." Vali huffed into his plate of veggies.
"I don't either." Brandr agreed, clenching his fork tensely.
The gaze of the twins were locked on Jarl Borg, and after raising a glass of water to her lips, Agi replied. "Good, I am pleased you don't like him. He is not a good man."
"Then why is Father dining with him?" Brandr demanded.
"Because he is an ally. Allies are not always good people, but sometimes they are necessary." Agi explained.
"So if he's a bad ally, he could still die.." Vali piped.
"Shh shh.. not so loud Vali.." Agi deflected. "The arrival of this man, means your uncle, King Horik will journey here soon too. He will be most pleased to meet you outside of my womb."
"Is Horik a good man Mother?" Brandr asked.
"..I don't know Brandr..time will tell.." Agi answered honestly.
"You still wander the forest aimlessly at midnight.." Ragnar greeted, his shoulder resting against a tree. "Thought you might have outgrown that.."
"Stop speaking of me like I'm a child!" Agi snapped.
"Then stop behaving as one." Ragnar said simply.
"Ooohh let me guess - Aslaug told you how I stomped off to the tavern, and left her to be a mother for an extra moment of her life." Agi responded aggressively.
"She did." Ragnar agreed. "She also told me, she'd forgive me were I to have a moment of weakness tonight.."
"You keep away from me, trot back to your volva and tell her how you boldly resisted..." Agi said crossly.
"You still haven't forgiven me?" Ragnar retorted, shrugging off the tree into a straight stance.
"Well let's see, have Lagertha and Bjorn returned? No? Then I still have not forgiven you.." Agi sneered, though a playful spark backlit her auburn eyes. "Maybe it just isn't in me to forgive." Agi continued.
"Yet you sat and drank with Rollo."
"I sat and drank yes, Rollo being there was happenstance."
"Agi," Ragnar began, closing the distance between them.
"Enough Ragnar..I meant what I said - go back to Aslaug." Agi interceeded.
"I will go...after you tell me you love me still.." Ragnar decided.
"..You know I do, why must I say it?"
"Because I want to hear it."
Agi scowled. Ragnar smirked.
"I still l-..." The rest of Agi's sentence was gobbled by Ragnar's mouth, his tongue invading her mouth eagerly. Seconds flashed into mintues, their tongues fighting for domiance with one another. Then Agi's teeth gradded against his bottom lip, and her hands shoved him away. "I should've known.." she whispered, huffing for breath. "Go, just go.."
"I will today. But the days are going to get longer Agi." Ragnar smirked, backing away as he spoke.
A/N - the struggle is real, readers, but I gave my word to finish this and I really am striving to. Thank you for sticking around. And yes, she will forgive Ragnar.