Previously...
"Can I go with Bjorn and Ragnar tomorrow?"
"Why do you want to go?"
"Because I've only been to Kattegat once and it's not fair that Bjorn gets to do things because he's a boy. I'm taller than him, I'm a better fighter and I don't get to do half the things he can."
"I know how to fight. Bjorn has yet to beat me once. When I'm older, can I be a shield-maiden?"
"When you are older and when you are ready. Yes, you can. However it is not all fun and games. There are some men that will not see you as a warrior and they won't like it that you stand next to them."
"What do I do then?"
"You must prove to them that you are strong enough. Show them who you are and they will see it over time. You'll be an amazing shield-maiden, Freyja. I can see it in you."
"Raise your shield. Good now don't get distracted, Freyja." Freyja huffed as she defended herself from Bjorn with Lagertha watching over the two. Freyja grinned as she spotted an opening and pushed her shield into the boy, knocking him back and quickly swung her sword down and threw him to the ground. Bjorn's shield slipped from his hands and Freyja took that opportunity to toss her shield and pin the boy down with her drawn at his neck.
"Do you yield?" She asked Bjorn through her huffs. Bjorn grunted and tried to get free but knew Freyja had beaten him.
"Fine. Get off of me!" Freyja grinned and jumped up, lowering her hand to him.
"Very good, both of you. Go get cleaned up before your father arrives." Bjorn stormed off to the house and Freyja followed after him and just made it to the door to see him scrubbing his hands free of the dirt.
"You don't have to be such a baby about it." She jabbed from the other side of the small tub.
"I'm not being a baby." He grumbled. Freyja rolled her eyes and began scrubbing her hands clean.
"Okay stop pouting then." Freyja flicked some water at his face with a giggle. Bjorn rolled his eyes and ignored the taunt. Later on that evening Freyja laid awake when she heard it. At first it was just a thud and a groan but then she heard the yelling. Jumping out of bed she ran over to Bjorn and shook him awake. "Bjorn! Bjorn woke up! Please wake up!" She whispered as she continued to shake his shoulder.
"Go away Freyja."
"Bjorn! Please! They're fighting and I don't know what to do!" Freyja flinched at the sound of something breaking. Bjorn seemed to snap awake at this and looked around before running out into the main room.
"Stop!" Bjorn yelled, stepping between his parents, physically pushing them apart. Freyja stood just behind the divider watching the scene play out before. Ragnar and Lagertha hardly fought but when they did it was never this physical, ever since she could remember when it came to storms and the people close to her fighting it scared her. To see the two that were there for her practically at each other's throats. "Are you mad? You could have killed each other! Is that what you want?!"
"We were just having an argument." Ragnar defended out of breath.
"Well never argue like that again." Bjorn ordered mostly toward his father.
"Go on then, back to bed." Ragnar nudged his son back the way he came. Bjorn grabbed Freyja's arm and led her back to her. Freyja stopped Bjorn from leaving and moved over to make room. Bjorn sighed and laid beside her, too tired to argue.
"Thank you Bjorn." She whispered, closing her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Just go to sleep." Bjorn turned away and closed his eyes, easily falling back to sleep as if nothing had happened. Freyja stayed awake just a little longer already feeling safer with the boy next to her and the silence in the room next door. The following days were quiet within the small family and with Ragnar and Lagertha not speaking too much to each other Freyja had stayed with Gyda and Bjorn not wanting to deal with the pouting duo.
Ragnar stood and faced his family, his boat would be sailing west for the first time and everyone knew there was a very high chance he would not return. Gyda and Bjorn held on to him tightly when it was their turn to say goodbye. "Be good for your mother. Do what you are told." He told them both, kissing both of them on the head. He waved Freyja over to him next, the girl taking her time to walk over to him and wrap her arms around him just as tightly as the two before her.
"You better come back." She warned me to look up at him with her crystal grey eyes. Ragnar nodded and kissed her forehead softly.
"I always do. Remember to keep training and don't go so hard on Bjorn." Freyja nodded and stepped back. Ragnar picked up his pack and furs and made his way up the trail, leaving the three once again. Lagertha sighed and ushered the children inside smelling the rain in the air. The day had passed solemnly and by the time they had finished dinner Lagertha wrapped the three children in warm blankets and sat by the fire, deciding to tell them a story before bed.
"The great sea is held in place by Jormungand , the serpent, whose giant body encircles it and who keeps his tail in his mouth to complete the circle and stop the waves from breaking loose. But one day, the god Thor, son of earth, was fishing in the sea for the serpent, using a boar's head for bait. Jormungand reared up and the waves pummeled the shore as he twisted and writhed in a fury. They were well matched, serpent and god in that furious fight. The seas boiled around them, but then the hook became dislodged and the serpent slithered free and sank again, so quickly, beneath the waves. And soon, the sea was calm once more. As if nothing had disturbed it."
Short one I know but we'll be meeting Athelstan in the next one! Yay! Don't forget to tell me what you think! The pairing for Freyja is still undecided but let me know who you would like to see. More than likely going to be a very slow romance. ✨✨