Chapter 6.
Llucia felt Ivar's eyes on her, as she moved her hand on the blade and the sulkiness radiate of him. He was mad, again. What a surprise.
Was it the humane approach that Helga and Floki gave her, well mostly Helga or was it the passage of time that made her bitter with Ivar's behavior. She had done whatever he asked her, just like the spoiled brat he was. Never, ever said anything about his legs and still got shit passed her way.
It was always her fault.
Something that she didn't do or did wrong or just followed the order of someone higher than him, which of course made him pissed off.
He's just a boy - Helga's words came through her mind, soothing her anger. She sighed and lifter her eyes from the shiny blade. Ivar was propped against a log and glaring in the distance. He had a blade of grass stuck in his mouth. He looked like an angry farmer. Llucia's mouth quivered and she laughed out loud. His eyes pierced hers in a second and she found it harder to keep the laughter in.
˝Is is amusing you?˝
˝Forgive me but the sight...˝
˝So now you laugh at me?˝
˝Not at you directly..˝- Llucia kept smiling as she polished the sword. She turned it in her hands, admiring the stronger metal. The handle was wrapped in tight leather, some runes at the very tip of the sword handle. ˝Who makes these?˝
˝Women don't usually interested themselves in swords˝
˝Women aren't usually asked, I'm afraid.˝
˝A blacksmith, why?˝
˝Now really?˝
˝Yes, he heats up the iron ore and hits it with his hammer-˝- Ivar started to lecture and Llucia started to laugh. He stopped and frowned. ˝Didn't you ask?˝
˝I suppose no one asked you rhetorically˝
˝Rhetorically? What does that mean?˝- His mouth was frowning but his eyes were full of curiosity. He's just a boy, came the words again. Llucia smiled at her mind image of Helga's soothing words.
˝It means to ask a question on which you don't expect no one to answer˝
˝Why would you bother to ask then? It is stupid˝- Ivar declared and spat the blade of grass out of his mouth.
˝It's what philosophers and orators say, it helps in the flow of a speech, or a lecture meant to inspire˝
˝Continue to talk˝- now she had his full attention. She never got the hang of not getting flustered under his intensive stare. Today his eyes were mostly green, so he was in a relative good mood.
˝Orators or great speakers influence masses with their chosen words and the way the sway crowds for certain causes˝
˝Where did you learn all of this? It is like you know of war games and battles but you don't look like a warrior˝
˝It is common from where I come that daughters and sons learn the way of life and how to live it˝
˝But you are a slave˝
˝Here, home I was a bastard˝
˝A bastard child?!˝- Ivar laughed gleefully. Llucia shot him a dark look and picked up the sword.
˝Yes the bastard child of a nobleman and a priestess of Vesta˝- She spat out. Where the sudden courage came from she's never know. All she remembered of that moment was her getting up and pressing the blade at Ivar's neck. Her hand felt steady and ready to continue with the movement. Ivar stopped laughing and observed her. A small smirk made it's way across his face, it was faint, like that passing of wind through your hair.
˝Put that down you are still a slave here˝
˝Or what?˝
˝You'll be punished for killing me, that is if you're speedy enough˝
˝Maybe I don't want to kill you˝-It was the truth as Llucia spoke. She really didn't want to kill him, antagonize him, maybe but not kill. He was a spoiled brat that had a rougher start in life but his mind was brilliant and even she couldn't deny it that fate had it weird for the both of them.
Thus, she lowered the sword and with it herself. The sword fell next to her ankles and she stared at his bound legs. He'd bind them with leather cords so that it'd make it easier to crawl around.
˝What is in your head˝
˝I wish I knew˝
˝For a slave you act like you don't want to be but as the opportunity arises you fall ˝- He said simply.
˝I know˝
˝Then why not riot˝
˝I'm trying˝
˝Not hard enough˝- He snapped at her. Llucia barked a laugh and stared at him.
˝If I did, wouldn't you just send your men on me? I WANT TO BE FREE BUT I WANT TO LIVE IVAR!˝- She yelled at him and breathed hard. She saw his chest rise and fall rapidly.
˝THEN EARN IT! EARN YOUR FREEDOM FROM ME˝- He yelled back.
˝FINE!˝- Llucia yelled and plopped herself on Ivar's lap. She shook his shoulders and head butted him. In the silence that ensued both were shocked, Ivar at her move and Llucia on her courage to do the first thing that came to her mind.
˝What did you just do?˝- Ivar asked. He had a stupefied look on his face. He didn't even move a muscle.
˝Not to be a bother to you two, but there's news and Mother is asking for you Ivar, hello there˝- Another Viking popped up. He was tall with a good looking face, a long braid and warm blue eyes. Ivar groaned.
˝What is it Ubbe? Can't you see you're being annoying?˝
˝I see it but come now˝- He ushered him with some hand movements and smiled at Llucia who just stared at him. ˝You too˝
˝Oh, okay˝- Ubbe rang as in second oldest son in her mind. Helga talked about him, he was a good man to most and wouldn't hurt her. She was showed of Ivar's lap and he grunted as he started to crawl after his brother. Llucia dusted herself and walked behind the unusual duo. Ubbe was all smiles and winks at her meanwhile Ivar was grunting even more than usual.
˝You haven't said about my freedom˝- Llucia whispered next to Ivar in the grand hall. They were all there, Ragnarssons and the Queen Aslaug along with most of Kattegat. They all waited and whispered.
A man came in. He was broad shouldered with long dark hair. His eyes were blue and the mix of warmth and icy cold. A tall nose and wide forehead greeted them.
˝Harald, you have returned˝- Aslaug said. She was sitting on the throne, with a cup in her hand. The servants had already filled it a few times.
˝Later˝- Ivar added as he watched the man walk in like he owned the place.
˝I always come back, don't you remember?˝- The man said in a playful tone. He turned and widely smiled at the people. Llucia noticed just how many women there were, of all ages and sizes, all smiley faces for the man. He laughed and greeted each son of Ragnar, not even skipping Bjorn who snorted in his direction.
˝Oh Ivar! My how you have grown!˝- The man boosted and laughed. Ivar smiled and then frowned. It was a weird exchange, like he wanted to greet him more warmly but decided against it. Llucia stiffened next to him as the blue eyes of the stranger rested on her. ˝And who are you? My you are a beauty, but you hair?˝
˝I chopped it off˝- Ivar said next to her ˝Punishment˝
˝You'd punish your bethroned?˝
˝What?!˝- Both yelled at the same time. Harald laughed loudly.
˝See, now shall we feast? I am famished!˝- He winked at one servant. The poor woman jumped in glee.
˝We'll prepare some food and drinks Harald˝- Aslaug appeared next to them. Llucia silently thanked the gods for her arrival. Harald instantly frowned a bit.
˝Well of course, as the queen says˝- He stretched the word queen as if speaking an ill curse. Aslaug's mouth twitched but she smiled nevertheless.
˝The table, come˝- Ivar said crawling away.
Vikings were amazing hosts, you couldn't beat the efficiency at making a roast, preparing vegetables and the endless supply in ale. It's as if they just waited for someone to ask for a feast, standing ready like they did for battles. These people lived for feasts and battles alike.
˝The myths are true then˝- Llucia murmured.
˝What myths?˝- Sigurd asked. He was sitting across her on a long table filled with rowdy people, yelling and laughing the whole time. She was sitting midstem like one of them. The bitterness of her hut imprisoment sat deep in her belly.
˝Valhalla?˝- She said slowly. Ivar snorted from the other side. Of course, he had sat there the instant people pooled in. Ubbe was to her other side, watching them closely. Opposite her his gaze watched her closely. ˝The hall of heroes? ˝- She offered again. Ubbe cleared his throat.
˝When we die honorably on the battlefields, valkyries as beautiful as godessess will pick our bloody bodies and carry us to the golden entrance of Valhalla where we dine and battle until Ragnarok comes!˝- He finished in one sentence. Ivar snorted. ˝Even you can come in˝
˝Is that something to do with my legs? Brother?˝- He taunted.
˝Yes, you are no lesser man because of that˝- It was intended to Ivar but said to Llucia. She felt heat rose in her cheeks and quickly drowned the ale in her cup. The brothers laughed ad their misery. ˝So, my lady are you a free woman tonight?˝- Llucia chocked on her ale. Ubbe's eyes were staring daggers at her, provoking her. She felt the need to scream that she wasn't but caught herself.
Was she?
Ivar didn't say a word since they afternoon and it was a way past midnight already.
She was sitting with them like an equal, was she not?
She betrayed herself and turned to Ivar's side to see him ogle a pair of big breasts of a girl next to him. A sour look spilled on her face. Whistles from his brothers made it worse. Suddenly Harald appeared next to her.
˝Why are you so sour little one? Don't turn your precious milk sour! Its' still fresh˝- The way he swayed next to her made her nervous, a drunk predator so close. He sat between her and Ubbe and put an arm around her shoulders. The hall dimmed down a bit as everyone watched the exchange.
Aslaug was watching her with a grim face and drowning ale faster than fish water. Ivar still hadn't turned around. Llucia felt hopeless.
She noticed a mop of wierd hair, parted in the middle and shouted ˝Floki!˝- the man turned. He came close to her and took Haralds' hand off.
˝My child, what is wrong? Has the boy hurt you again?˝- The brother's turned to Ivar and watched him tense.
˝No, I was just missing you and Helga˝- Llucia lied. Yeah, he did but not now. ˝You took such great care of me, I am indebted to you˝ - The sweet, sincere words worked wonders on the Viking man. Helga joined in and hugged her briefly. Llucia smiled widely at her. The ale was starting to warm her.
Her cup was refilled and before anyone asked anything, she drowned it at once. The warm, fuzzy feeling returned. Buzzed through her body, stopped at her belly and slowly dissipated down. She giggled and returned to her task as the mug refilled itself.
Ubbe grinned beside the girl. She was getting tipsy fast and Ivar was still being a sulkily brat. At least he was watching her sideways now, using the busty girl as a cover to spy on Llucia. Perfect.
Llucia sat upright and had a small smile on her face. The ale was giving her ideas.
Ivar couldn't use his legs, nor move his toes but he could feel couldn't he?
She wanted to be watched like that girl, wasn't she his?
What kind of nonsense was this?
Shouldn't he have shouted at Harald as he had came at her?
Why was he silent?
That brat.
˝More?˝- Lllucia pouted at Ubbe taking him in surprise. She pouted with her lip pushed outwards, eyes wide and head cocked to the side. Snickering he filled her cup. She settled next to him and worked her foot under the stable onto Ivar's leg.
His eyes popped immediately. But he didn't move his head. Annoyed Llucia moved it up his calf, slowly tracing circles along the muscles that shouldn't have been like that. As if he tensed. She moved past his knees, pushing between his thighs only to stop and wait. Ivar had swallowed a few times, keeping his gaze firmly planted on the other girl.
Llucia groaned and pushed her foot in. She must have hit something but he didn't move.
Maybe he couldn't feel anything down there.
Horror filled her face and she gasped. ˝Oh you poor thing˝
Of course, she forgot about the tub incident and wasn't ale such a great amnesia worker.
˝Llucia?˝
˝The poor thing can't feel me!˝- She said, pouting. Ivar groaned and turned to her. Instantly she smiled at him only to receive a frown. ˝Maybe you'll feel me?˝- She turned to Ubbe. Ivar had released a growl by now. Llucia smiled widely at the older Viking prince who returned the gesture.
˝If you so wish˝-
˝She does not˝
˝I am free tonight after all˝
˝Do it and...˝
˝You're busy already brother, don't be greedy. That girl next to you is waiting after all˝- A high pitched laugh made Ivar curse the gods for his stupid decisions that night. Meanwhile Llucia continued to drink.
Just before the crack of dawn, through the masses of drunk sleeping Vikings, bodies strewn everywhere Llucia stumbled to the back rooms. Ubbe told her a few times to go sleep there, it would be safe and no one is would be in the back rooms. Drunkiy she swayed, grabbed the posts of the grand hall and cursed in Latin softly.
She pushed a cotton curtain and saw darkness. There was a bed in the far corner. TO her it looked like paradise. Slowly she waked to it.
A muffled moan made her stop and sober up in a heartbeat.
She saw familiar leather pants, the shirt and the tunic, the leather cords strewn and a hand in underpants moving up and down.
Ubbe.
He had sent her to Ivar's room.
a/N : Guyss it's almost herreee *_* b part of the 4th season, I can't wait for it! BTw there were some suggestions for Llucia's look, some came close. The closest that she is, in my mind at least, is Adriana Lima. Her face matches the one my mind made up. If you don't agree that's completely fine, a fiction like this can be modeled to anyone's wishes. And as always I live on your guys' reviews that's why i made it a bit longer this time :D