Happy Sunday everybody! I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to Autumn. Hopefully, you're all enjoying it too.
This new chapter follows immediately after the previous one, and again, anything from the show doesn't belong to me. Also, this chapter is split between Lilith and Athelstan. It was better to do it this way than to have two very short chapters, and I kind of liked doing this way. Many chapters after this one will have this same format.
A few new things happen in this chapter, so I hope you like what I added.
More notes at the bottom!
Reunion
Lagertha kept the children and Athelstan with her while Ragnar and the men with him claimed the half of the hoard that Haraldson was obligated to give to him after he was acquitted. Lilith had only ever seen so much gold one other time in her life, and that had been when Ragnar had taken her and Athelstan from the monastery a month or so earlier. She had never been allowed to look at the gold and treasures in the altar room, even when she had been there with the other monks. It was an impressive sight to say the least. Ragnar was especially protective of a wooden case with gold trim, having Leif carry it out of the Great Hall with him as they moved through the passages to a new dwelling that was like Ragnar and Lagertha's home but a little bigger.
Once inside, they settled in and began to celebrate. Lilith had never been around so many happy people in her life. Leif and Ragnar brought her around to a few of the other men with them, especially the tall spindly one who always wore black paint around his eyes.
"So this is your new daughter, Ragnar Lothbrok," he said as he gazed into Lilith's eyes with his.
Ragnar smiled as he kept her in his arms, holding her securely as the man eased closer. "Yes, this is Lilith," he answered, stroking her cheek gently. Then he leaned down, so he and this man were level-eyed. "Lilith, my daughter, this is Floki. He is a boatbuilder, among other things. He built the boat that carried you and the Priest here, and with any luck, he will build us new boats to go west again after this."
Floki touched her forehead, almost looking inside her, and Lilith was afraid for a second. Then he smiled and almost giggled. "She is a good one, Ragnar," he said. "She has the touch of the gods."
Ragnar laughed just once, and Lilith looked at him. He kissed her cheek and nudged her toward Lagertha who was already lavishing affection on Gyda and Bjorn. "Go on and sit with your mother. She will have something for you to eat."
She went without saying anything, glancing to where Athelstan had taken a seat away from everyone else. He smiled when she looked at him, and he nodded for her to go before she turned to sit with Lagertha.
"There you are, my daughter," she greeted happily. "Come sit with me. We are celebrating, and my children will all celebrate with us. I have missed all of you. Did you miss me?"
Lilith nodded, and Lagertha leaned up to kiss her other cheek.
"Here," she said and handed Lilith her cup. "Drink! It is a special occasion." She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "And besides, you are a woman like me. You should have some ale every now and then."
Graciously, Lilith took the cup, sipping a little and tasting the bitterness but not having the heart to tell Lagertha she didn't really like the taste.
The men all drank deep into their cups, becoming rowdier and happier. The golden hoard was laid out on the tables so they could all see what had been brought back. Lilith saw all the crosses and offering plates that looked like supper plates. Gold coins were mixed in with all of it, as were necklaces and rings that were brighter and heavier than anything Lilith had ever seen. It made her think of the amber necklace she still wore that Athelstan had given her, and she couldn't imagine wearing anything else.
Leif and another man who he called Arne both tried to give her golden trinkets, drunkenly gulping down their own cups and laughing uproariously when they found more jewels and more ornate decorations. Ragnar watched from the other side of the fire, as Athelstan did, but neither of them looked worried. More drinks were passed around, and she sat back down with Lagertha and Gyda as Bjorn gave in to the ale he'd already drunk.
Lagertha embraced Lilith and Gyda happily as she drank her own cup, squeezing them in her arms. Lilith had never been held so much in her life, not even by Athelstan. He'd given her as much of his attention as he could under the circumstances, and she knew it wasn't his fault. Now he could be as attentive with her as he needed to be, and along with him, Lagertha and Ragnar seemed like they would do the same thing. For the first time in her life, Lilith felt so fully loved.
When Lagertha rose to get another drink, Lilith moved away from Gyda and Leif's mother Elisef, sitting next to Athelstan as he still sat by himself. Almost as soon as she was beside him, he took her under his arm, kissing her temple and squeezing her against him.
"You certainly look happy," he commented. "You're not tired, are you?"
Lilith shook her head. "No, I'm not tired. And I am happy. Aren't you happy?" she asked him, taking his hand in both of hers.
He lay his other hand over hers, kissing her forehead. "I am happy that you are happy. And I am happy that you are safe. I'll be happier when we go back to the farm."
She sighed softly, scooting a little closer to him and accepting what he said.
Leif stood up then, a jug of ale in one hand and an empty mug in the other. "Let's drink a toast," he called over the lot of them. "To Ragnar. To his future and to his freedom."
Ragnar smiled but nudged Leif. "No, to friends," he said, looking toward Lilith and Athelstan before he went on, "and to freedom."
Everyone raised their cups, and more ale was poured as Ragnar nodded to Leif and then wove through the small group to sit with the two newest members of his family. He sat as close to Lilith as he could, handing a horn to Athelstan.
"Will you drink with me?" he questioned as he raised the jug to pour more ale.
Athelstan smiled at Lilith and took the horn. "Of course," he agreed.
They shared a quiet moment, and Ragnar nodded to Athelstan. "Thank you for taking care of my children." He lowered his gaze to Lilith as she sat between them. "All of my children."
Athelstan nodded with him. "Of course," he said, also looking at Lilith and holding her closer. "It was no trouble at all."
Ragnar nudged his arm. "You're a good Christian," he teased.
Athelstan managed a soft laug, drinking from his horn as Leif brought the wooden case with gold trim on it to where they were sitting. Ragnar passed the jug and his horn back to Leif, opening the case and revealing something Lilith never thought she would see again.
"I have something for you both," he said, gesturing to the case as it held fresh parchment, brushes, ink and paints. "These are gifts that I would like you to use in the teaching of my children. I want you, Athelstan, to teach my son Bjorn and my daughter Gyda to read and write the way you did for Lilith. If it is agreeable, of course."
Lilith reached for the parchment, feeling the smoothness of the paper and glancing back at Athelstan as he watched her. He smiled, looking at Ragnar.
"I would be honored," he agreed.
Ragnar nodded only once, taking his horn and lifting it so Athelstan could do the same. "Perhaps you can even teach me more than what you already have," he suggested, to which Athelstan laughed again.
Floki stood up suddenly, his cup and another jug in both his hands, talking over everyone else. "Ragnar! Did you see Haraldson's face when he had to acquit you and give you half his hoard?" he joked, laughing even as he scrunched up his face like he was trying not to defecate. Everyone laughed, and Floki kept laughing as well.
Lagertha left Bjorn and Gyda with Leif's mother, moving to where Lilith was still sitting with Athelstan and Ragnar. They all switched places so Athelstan and Lilith were between them, and she lifted her horn to meet Athelstan's.
"I also wish to thank you, Priest," she gushed, taking another sip of her ale. "My children are happy and safe and in one piece. I admit that while I did not have any doubts, I was concerned that you would be overwhelmed. Handling three children is much different than just one, is it not?"
Athelstan laughed softly. "Oh, it is, I agree. But Lilith is a handful all by herself," he teased, smiling at her before he kissed her brow. "Bjorn has that in common with her, but we managed. And Gyda was no trouble at all. It was my pleasure to look after them for you."
Lagertha nodded. "Good. Your words are kind, and I would like to reward you." She lifted her horn again, and he met her halfway, hoping that was all she meant. "From now on, you will eat with us and have a bed of your own. And while you are at the farm, you will not be regarded as a slave. You will still have chores like the children, but we will protect you as though you are ours. Is that agreeable?"
He couldn't speak for almost a whole minute, blinking several times before he realized she was serious. "Yes," he said quickly. "Yes, I would like that. Very much."
She touched his shoulder gently, smiling as she leaned down and kissed Lilith's head the way he had.
Slowly, the celebration wound down. Leif's father left to go outside, and they began separating the hoard, since everyone was supposed to get an equal share. Ragnar made sure to put the wooden case with the parchment and paints in the corner with his and Lagertha's belongings from the boat. Lagertha and Elisef both had to help Bjorn to his feet, and Athelstan gathered up Lilith and Gyda. While they were waiting, Leif brought over a silver bracelet, speaking quite formerly.
"May I give this to Lilith?" he asked, speaking to Athelstan without saying his name.
Athelstan looked at Lilith as she looked up at him. "I don't see why not," he agreed.
Leif knelt in front of Lilith, presenting her with the bracelet as it had the embellishment of a butterfly over the top. "Consider this a token of my friendship, Lilith," he pledged. "Every free woman should have something to show they are free. And I know you are only a girl now, but one day, you will be a woman. I hope you find a good man who will give you many sons and daughters."
Lilith laughed just once, taking the bracelet and then moving forward to embrace her friend. He returned her gesture, holding her tightly before he released her and rose to face Athelstan.
"I am glad you are both here," he nodded. "I sense this will be a good place for you, that it will bring you friendship and prosperity. And I say this even knowing how you both arrived. The gods work in ways we cannot fully know in the beginning. I hope with time that you might consider me a friend as well, Priest."
He held out his hand to Athelstan, waiting for reciprocation before he nodded a second time. He almost let go when Athelstan spoke purposefully.
"My name is Athelstan," he said, watching Leif's eyebrow quirk up. "If we're going to be friends, then we should be able to speak each other's names. Shouldn't we, Leif?"
He grinned, still holding Athelstan's hand and then clapping his hand over his back. "We should," he agreed.
Gently, he nudged Athelstan toward the back where Lagertha was waiting with Bjorn.
Before he could go very far, the doors to the dwelling burst open, disrupting the celebration and alerting everyone of men brandishing axes and swords. Ragnar stood up to be between these men and everyone else since he was closest to them. The one in front appeared to like this most of all.
"Ragnar Lothbrok!" he shouted.
Ragnar glanced around before he held out his hands to show them empty. "I am unarmed," he assured them. Then Ragnar looked at Lagertha, noting the distance between her and their children. He looked at Athelstan, speaking urgently to Lagertha. "Get the children. And the Priest."
Before she could move, the men attacked them all. Lagertha fought to get to where Athelstan and Elisef were keeping the children, and in the ensuing fight, they all shuffled Lilith, Gyda and Bjorn out of the front room of the house. In the chaos, the wooden case was forgotten, and the shouts of men fighting and dying followed them until they were safely closed inside the wash room with the bolt on the door.
Though every man who attacked them was killed and disposed of before they were allowed to come out of the room, in the confusion, they discovered Leif's father Erik had been killed outside the dwelling. Athelstan stood beside Lagertha as they watched Leif and Elisef come to grips with the loss, but when he looked at Ragnar, Athelstan saw the man angrier than he ever had.
It was never said who had done this, but everyone knew. Athelstan knew, even if it sickened and worried him. If Haraldson was capable of this, how easy would it be for him to revoke everything he'd ever given to Ragnar, including Lilith and Athelstan himself? How long would it be before he attacked Ragnar head on, and would they escape the crossfire then as well? Was this man really so paranoid and insecure that he would endanger children and innocent people over an insignificant dispute with a man who had challenged him in public?
The answer to the last question was obviously yes. And that frightened Athelstan more than anything.
The walk home wasn't easy, even after Ragnar insisted on bringing the case with him when they left Leif's home. He said nothing to Athelstan, nodding for him to help him with the case so they could follow Lagertha as she kept the children with her. In the soft light of dawn, the world tried to play tricks on Athelstan's mind as he kept his eyes on everything around him. They only stopped once for Lagertha and the girls to relieve themselves, and then they kept on so they could be as far from town as they could before they stopped that night.
Ragnar still refused to speak, even as he put two rabbits on the fire they made. He stalked off after that, leaving Athelstan to tend the food while Lagertha helped the children to spread out their pallets. Once that was done, and the food was ready, they each got a share, leaving some for Ragnar, and Lilith spoke over her food.
"Is Leif's father in Heaven now?" she asked.
She looked at Athelstan over the rabbits' meat, and he glanced at her before looking at Lagertha.
The woman's solemn face lifted only a little. "No, my child. If he died a good death, Erik would be in Valhalla now. It is where we all go when we die a good death. But Erik was killed in a dishonorable way. The Æsir may choose to welcome him into the Great Hall. A man like Erik does not deserve an eternity in Hel."
That was all she said, dropping the subject, and Athelstan decided it was all right to mention the parchment and paints.
"When we arrive at the farm," he began, "do you and Ragnar want to set aside the mornings or the evenings for me to show Bjorn and Gyda to read and to write. I can show them Lili's journal so they can see how it is done, if it's all right with you."
Lagertha sighed over her own food, glancing around them and then at her own children. "I will speak with Ragnar," she assented. "The evenings would be better, but we will see. Hmm?"
Athelstan nodded, accepting her answer even as he heard her hesitation. He looked at Lilith then, reaching for her to take her under his arm and his cloak, and he squeezed her gently. "You would like that, wouldn't you? Having Gyda and Bjorn to learn with?"
She nodded, and he kissed her head before going back to his food.
Ragnar returned after another half hour, still quiet and still fuming, and he gave none of them a chance to say anything, taking his pallet and dragging it away. He was almost completely in the dark before Lagertha got up and followed him.
Athelstan watched as they whispered to each other urgently, almost arguing before Ragnar simply sat down on his pallet and then laid down so his back was to her. Lagertha huffed, leaving him alone and returning to the fire where they all watched quietly. She pulled in a cleansing breath, beckoning Gyda to her.
"We should all get some sleep," she said. "Whatever we need to do tomorrow will wait."
Gyda lay with her mother without hesitating, and Bjorn took his pallet as well, glancing back at his father before he laid down to sleep. Athelstan gathered Lilith into his arms, staring off into the distance where Ragnar lay alone and wondering what he was thinking of doing. No one else in Athelstan's life had ever behaved this way, so he had no way of anticipating what he would do next.
"Athelstan," Lilith whispered so softly that he barely heard her.
He lowered his eyes to hers. "Yes, Lili?"
"Do you think it would be all right for me to pray for Leif's father?" she asked.
He looked across the fire at Lagertha as she lay with her eyes closed, and then he looked to where Ragnar was laying. Though he wasn't worried they would do anything to her if they found out, Athelstan was learning more about this new world and the people in it. If the people on the farm were any indication, being different in their eyes wasn't any safer here than it was in the monastery. But Athelstan looked at Lilith as she still watched him, and he couldn't tell her no.
"Of course it's all right," he nodded. "But quietly. We don't want to wake anyone else. Hmm?"
She nodded with him, smiling when he brought his hands together and covering them with hers before he began softly in Latin.
So far, so good, right? And the thing Floki says in the beginning is a clue.
I'm trying to be subtle. Is it working?
The next chapter should be up in a week. Thank you to everyone following this and putting it in their favorites. And thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far.
Until next time!
