"So, how was your night with Margrethe?" questioned Raneir. Ivar's head shot up, his eyes wide as his hands stopped whittling a piece of driftwood.
"How did you hear about that?" Ivar replied, a slight tremble in his voice.
Waves lapped at the beachy shore in front of Floki's house as Rainier let out a soft laugh. "It is all she has spoken about these past few days," she replied. Rainier placed the article of clothing that she was mending on the table. Placing a hand on her for head and the other upon her chest, she fluttered her eyelashes.
"Oh," she mocked breathlessly, " 'Ivar the boneless is not as boneless as people say.'"
With a laugh, Raneir ducked as Ivar tossed the piece of driftwood in her direction. Ivar smirked and tilted his head.
"It was alright," he answered. As Raneir picked up the wood, he continued, rolling his eyes, "I do not see why my brothers like her so. She whines like a cat."
Raneir smiled and handed Ivar the wood. As she turned to go back to her seat, she stated, "I don't believe you."
Ivar narrowed his eyes at the girl. Leaning forward, he crossed his arms in front of his knees. "And why do you not believe me, slave?" he sneered.
Raneir shook her head with a smile. Looking up, she locked her eyes with Ivar's. "First," she began, "I am not your slave, Ivar. I grew up with you so I am your friend. Second, I know when you are lying."
Ivar leaned back, his eyes wide with surprise. Rainier went back to her mending as she continued, her voice softer. "It is fine if your first time is not what you expect. Though, I would expect Margrethe to know what she was doing since she is a bed warmer." Ivar let a small chuckle pass his lips.
"Even my first time was not the best", Raneir continued. "He could not stay hard, he was so nervous."
Raneir turned her attention back to Ivar. "Do not let one bad experience ruin what could be something good, Ivar", she admonished gently.
Ivar looked at the girl in front of him as thoughts began to run through his mind. "How did you get to be so smart?" he muttered.
Raneir laughed as she shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know, Ivar. I am just a boat-builder's daughter."
"You are more than that", thought Ivar.
The pair were silent for a moment before Ivar asked, "So, who was your first?"
A laugh burst past Raneir's lips. "Why should I tell you?" she teased. "If I told you, you would surely hunt the man down and kill him for not being able to satisfy me."
During the feast, Aslaug pulled Raneir aside to help get ready for the sacrifice.
As Raneir was putting the finishing touches on the queen's hair, Aslaug asked, "Did you know that Ivar is going to England with Ragnar?"
Raneir's fingers paused as she felt her heart drop to her toes. She opened and closed her mouth, searching for the words.
"No, my queen", Raneir squeaked out. Clearing her throat, she continued, "He has not spoken of this to me. Are you sure? We both know that he is not fond of the water."
Aslaug nodded, "He seems excited for it. I believe they will leave as soon as Ragnar has gathered enough men to sail."
Raneir's hands hover over the queen's hair, shaking slightly. "That will not be too soon, then?" she questioned, not bothering to hide the worry in her voice. "Most of the able-bodied men are leaving with Björn and Hvitserk."
Aslaug turned around and clasped Raneir's hands in her own. "You should talk to him, child." she muttered, trying to comfort the young woman. "But it might be best to wait until the morning."
With a gentle push, Aslaug sent her toward the door. "Now, go," she said. "I can finish myself. Your father will need your help blessing the boats."
The next morning, Raneir went to wake the queen only to find her lying with her head at the foot of the bed. The queen shook violently in her sleep. Raneir rushed to her side, gently placing her hand on the woman's shoulder.
"My queen?" she whispered as she slowly shook Aslaug's shoulder.
With a loud gasp, the queen's eyes snapped open as she bolted upright. Raneir tried to comfort the queen as she looked around the room frantically.
"Did you have a vision?" Raneir asked as Aslaug slowly calmed down. The queen nodded as she took deep breathes.
"Ivar," panted Aslaug. "Ivar can not leave. He will drown! I saw a terrible storm and my son will die!"
Raneir curled her body around Aslaug as the queen began to cry. As Raneir slowly started to sway their bodies, she whispered, "If you have seen this come to pass, you must tell him. Surely he will not go if you tell him."
Aslaug sat up and dried her tears. With a sniff, she gave the young woman a small smile. "I will talk to him after the boats leave."
"Of course Ragnar would somehow have enough men to sail right away", muttered Raneir as she hunkered down between the supplies on the main boat.
Hearing footsteps come her way, she tucked herself into a tight ball, trying to make her body as small as possible. With a loud grunt, the barrel in front of her was rolled away.
"Ahem."
Raneir's heart felt like it had stopped beating. She looked up slowly as she heard the familiar voice. With a sheepish smile, her hazel eyes met the blue-eyed gaze of the king himself.
"Hello, little one", he said with a grin. "How did I earn this little stowaway, huh?"
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