Ragnar had come for a visit to drop off some food for Floki and Helga that Lagertha insisted they take since they had taken some of his winter supply when Ragnar was healing after the scuffle with Earl Haroldson's men. When Ragnar had mentioned he had another errand to run and that Athelstan had felt too tired to make the trip there and back, he asked if he could stay there until he returned, Floki had begrudgingly agreed, it would only be a few short hours, what harm could be done? That is until the snow storm hit, as it got later into the day, they could see Ragnar wouldn't be able to make it back that night, and the priest couldn't make the trek back home on his own, so he knew his guest would staying the night.
Later at dinner Athelstan had went to bed after only three bites of his food giving a quick apology but he was just so tired he had to lay down, curling up on his side he laid on the bed Helga had made up for him, covered himself up and tried to sleep and ignore the gnawing at his stomach.
"Is it the stew? Did I put enough spices in?" Helga whispered to Floki with sad concern, wondering if her food had tasted bad.
"No Helga, it tastes wonderful, he didn't eat much even when he stayed with us before remember?"
"Yes, but that was because we had rationed the food because there were so many of us."
"I think he's just tired dear, it has nothing to do with your cooking." Floki gently placed his hand on Helga's and gave it a little squeeze.
"Besides this a good thing." Watching as Helga's eyebrows furrowed together.
"How is this a good thing Floki?"
"More food for us." Floki said with a giggle, reaching for Athelstan's bowl and offering some to Helga.
"No, I'll do good to finish this bowl as it is." She chuckled and scooped another spoonful into her mouth.
"Suit yourself." Floki shrugged and scraped the rest into his bowl, gladly eating what the priest didn't.
Not even an hour later Athelstan started grunting and groaning, he couldn't seem to get comfortable and he soon started to speak, first as only whispers but those whispers grew louder, mutters and mumbles escaped his lips as if he were talking to someone. Helga stopped drying the dish in her hands and looked over at Athelstan quizzically, studying him for a few moments before turning to Floki.
"What's he doing?" She asked, tapping Floki's arm to get his attention. Floki turned to look at the priest but quickly turned back to the dishes.
"Probably talking to his dead god." Floki huffed. "Ragnar mentioned he spoke strangely at times when he prayed."
"No, this seems different." Helga slowly got up and made her way toward their guest, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Athelstan?"
He didn't answer, or look at her, he just kept murmuring to the wall, only when Helga pressed on his shoulder and rolled him over to his back did, he look at her, but he didn't seem to actually be looking at her, shivers wracked his body and he pulled the furs up to his chin trying desperately to keep warm, it might have been cold in the house but it shouldn't be that cold, instantly she placed her hand on his forehead, too hot for it to be a normal temperature.
"Oh, Floki he's got a fever." Helga's voice was filled with compassion as she spoke.
"Wonderful," Floki sighed, rolling his eyes. "Now we'll all get sick."
"Fetch me some water and a cloth please, he'll need medicine for the fever to." Helga asked ignoring her lovers' comment, brushing back Athelstan's hair as he continued to babble. "I'm sorry Athelstan I can't understand you."
"And why are we helping the Christian? Do you not see how he poisons the minds of those around him? Especially Ragnar's. He will destroy our gods with his Christian god one day, mark my words. We shouldn't even waste our resources on him. If the gods want him to live then he'll live."
"Floki this is not only Ragnar's friend but mine to. If he dies, I would be hurt just like Ragnar would, do you really want us to hurt like that?"
"He's tricked you; you only believe he's your friend because-"
"Enough! I will hear no more of it, Ragnar trusted us to look after Athelstan and I will not idly stand by and watch him suffer, if you're not going to help, I'll do it myself. Just go to bed since you care so little." Helga glared at him angerly, she was tired of this already and wasn't going to put up with it, he could hate Athelstan all he wanted but she wasn't just going to leave him like this.
Floki kept quiet but huffed in annoyance, he's tried over and over to warn people about this man, how his Christian god will want to destroy their gods but no one would listen, everyone just thought he was a fool, crazy old Floki doesn't know what he's talking about after all. He wouldn't do as she asked but instead sat at the table, watching her gather the ingredients and then started to grind the medicine up. Helga wasn't the best at it but knew enough to make medicine for a fever.
"Do you want help?" he asked looking up from the knife he was fiddling with.
"Why so you can poison him?"
Floki had to admit that one hurt, he didn't have to stand there and take this, with a sigh he stood up and walked outside to escape Helgas anger. It didn't take Helga long to make the medicine and prayed Athelstan would at least take it. She walked over to him, spoon and bowl in hand and sat next to him on the bed.
"Athelstan, I need you to sit up, I have medicine for you." But he didn't seem to understand what she was saying, he just stared at her blankly. Helga got the spoon ready and reached behind the base of his neck and pulled him forward putting the spoon to his lips, thanking the gods when he opened his mouth and swallowed the medicine, giggling at the grimace his face made when the taste hit his tongue.
"It's not very tasty is it? But it will make you feel better."
"Grammercy mother."
"I'm sorry I don't know what you're saying, speak Norse please."
It took Athelstan a moment to comprehend what she had said even longer to translate it to Norse, Helga laid him back down and covered him back up with the furs, she assumed he was too weak to talk at the moment stood to go put away the bowl and wash it but Athelstan's hand reached out for hers.
"No." he said finally speaking Norse, "Please don't go, I've missed you so much."
"What do you mean? Athelstan, I haven't gone anywhere."
"Mother please, please don't go."
Helga's heart broke hearing that, she hadn't given it much thought before but Athelstan probably misses his family dearly, and now here is sick and delirious thinking she was his mother, she wasn't sure what to do, and she didn't relish the thought of indulging a hallucination but she couldn't ignore the broken look in her friend's eyes.
"Alright, mother will stay right here with you." Helga said sitting back down and taking his hand in hers, he began to speaking his language again, rambling on and on, she still wasn't sure what he was saying but she stroked his hair back as he did, smiling when he smiled, and comforting him when the tears came and fell down his face, until finally he closed his eyes and went to sleep.