A/N: I know it's a huge part of Ivar's story in the show, but for the purposes of this story, Ivar has no problems beyond his legs, though he is typically too self conscious of his legs to be intimate. His main interaction with women has been with my OC, Astrid, who is featured in this little random one-shot. This isn't my usual kind of writing, it's a little bit angsty (angsty for me, who usually enjoys fluff, rainbows and sunshine lol) I'm not very happy with how it turned out, but it's done!

"Ivar," At Ubbe's voice, Ivar paused in his studying of a map and glanced up at his older brother in irritation. He had spent most of his day fighting with his brothers about where they should next raid, and he had been priding himself on not murdering any of them yet, though if Ubbe was about to begin another argument, Ivar felt his tension may then snap. Ubbe's eyes were not on him however, but looking towards the entrance of the great hall where a guard was dragging a small figure behind him. Upon realizing who the guard was pulling, Ivar quickly stood and moved forward as he took in the blood covering the small woman.

"King Ivar," The guard inclined his head quickly. "There's been trouble in the streets." He gently pulled the woman from behind him towards Ivar who pulled the trembling woman against him.

"Astrid what has happened?" He frantically ran his hands over her, searching for the source of the blood, unable to find a wound. When she remained unresponsive in front of him he harshly shook her shoulders and then grasped her head with his large hands. "Astrid,"

"She's in shock brother." Ubbe intervened. "Bring her back to your rooms and clean her up and give her some wine." His bright eyes were intense as he took in Astrid's form.

"Walk with me and tell me what happened." Ivar pointed to the guard who followed after them as Ivar pulled Astrid along behind him.

"There was some kind of commotion in the streets and she was fighting with another woman."

"What woman?"

"Gertrud."

"And where is she?" Ivar looked ready to burn the village down in hunt of her as he took in the state of Astrid who remained in shock as he pulled her along with him.

"Dead."

Ivar paused and stared back at the guard in surprise and then turned his eyes back to Astrid who had tears running down her cheeks, streaking through the paths of blood that covered her skin.

"Wait in the great hall with Ubbe." He instructed the man and pulled Astrid into his own room and bolted the door shut behind him and gently pushed her towards the bath. His legs had been aching and seeking relief, he had instructed the thralls to prepare the hot water for him. As Astrid remained standing and unmoving he sighed and moved closer to her again and gently fingered the fabric of her dress. "You need to get cleaned up."

"I killed her." Astrid shuddered and turned her large blue eyes up to look at him, showing the first signs of life. She moved away from him quickly and grabbing a pitcher, vomited into it until her stomach was empty and only bile was left. She turned back to Ivar again and a sob bubbled up her throat as he watched her intensely and clearly uncertain as to what he should do. She watched him frown as she began to cry in earnest and he motioned with a finger for her to move back towards him which she did slowly, slightly calming when he pulled her against his chest in a tight hug and stroked his fingers through her tangled bloody hair. He shushed her until her sobs had stopped and tears simply fell as she went quiet. Wordlessly she turned her back to Ivar, and he understood enough to begin unlacing the back of her dress. His fingers were warm and calloused against her skin as he helped her undress and gently prodded her to step in the bath as he settled on a stool next to her.

The heat helped calm Astrid and she took in a deep breath and glanced over at him as his eyes were roaming over her naked frame beneath the water. He silently took a rag, dipped it in the hot water and began to run it over her skin, remarkably gentle once again. After her skin was clean he moved onto her hair, undoing the braids and combing out the blood. Only when he was done, the water stained red, did he tell her to get out of the tub and wrapped her in a blanket and then pulled her to stand in front of him as he remained on the stool.

"You will have lots of bruises tomorrow." His fingers traced over the various darkening marks across her with a frown and gently kissed her split knuckle.

"I've never killed anyone before." She muttered quietly and he pushed to his feet and tucked her under his chin.

"I know."

"What will happen to me?"

Ivar frowned and pulled his head back to look at her. "I would never let anything happen to you, you know that. Tell me what happened."

"Gertrud attacked me."

"She attacked you?" Ivar's body went tense against her own and she pressed her head against his chest again. "If she weren't already dead I would kill her again."

"Ivar," Astrid admonished.

"Tell me."

"She hated you Ivar; she said you killed her father and she was determined to make you hurt as much as you had caused her to hurt and she just lunged at me and tried to strangle me. I grabbed the dagger you gave me and swung my arm and caught her in the neck. There was so much blood Ivar. I didn't mean to kill her. I don't know how she would have known about us."

"She must have seen you leaving my room this morning. She deserved death if she hurt you." He tilted her head up and kissed her gently despite the anger in his tone. They were interrupted by a knock on the door and irritated, Ivar limped to the door and threw it open. "What?"

"I come in peace little brother." Ubbe pushed past Ivar and looked at Astrid, taking her in as she stood wrapped in a blanket, shivering. Astrid knew how to read Ivar well enough that she could see the jealousy that settled over him as he watched Ubbe watching her. "Are you okay Astrid?"

"I am fine, thank you Ubbe."

"News is spreading about what happened. Everyone is in support of you and holds no grudge against you for killing Gertrud." He moved to take a step towards her as her eyes filled with tears again, but paused when Ivar brought his crutch down harshly on the floor and moved forward and physically blocked Astrid from his view. Ubbe raised a brow at Ivar and then subtly nodded. "I will leave you under Ivar's care. I simply wanted to check that you were unharmed."

"Thank you," Astrid quietly spoke and Ubbe gave Ivar another pointed look before leaving the room. Ivar turned his head back to her and Astrid frowned up at him. "Why were you so rude to Ubbe?"

"Because he wouldn't stop looking at you."

"You don't need to be jealous of Ubbe." She attempted to smile at him. "You know you're the only man to see me as you have."

A satisfied smirk curved Ivar's mouth. "And I intend to keep it that way." He paused and then suddenly looked vulnerable. "I want you to always just be mine Astrid."

"What do you mean?"

"I intend to marry you." He swallowed and Astrid saw a flash of insecurity across his face before he cleared his expression.

"Ivar, we've only spent one night together."

"We were friends for many years before that. I know you spurned Hvitserk's advances by telling him you loved me." He wrapped his arms around her when she moved to step away from him, pale cheeks turning red.

"He told you?" She screeched.

"Yes. Be thankful he did; I may have not had the courage to kiss you had he not."

"Regardless, he may be my second kill." Astrid muttered darkly and Ivar laughed and kissed her before growing serious again.

"You are still very pale."

"I am still upset and expect I will be for some time."

Ivar shrugged. "I am responsible for the deaths of thousands, yet I am not upset."

"Ivar," She admonished again.

"You will stay with me tonight and I will take care of you."

"I feel like I will never sleep well again."

Ivar kissed her again, showing a gentleness that was only shared with her. "I will chase your nightmares away little one."