Chapter 16.
˝I see you still do the fire that stupid way˝ - Ivar said not moving his eyes from Llucia. She blinked.
˝What? What stupid way?˝
˝That stacking thing˝
˝It's effective and warms up fast˝
˝Stupid˝
˝Well why don't you do it your way, oh wise Viking idiot˝- Llucia rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by Ivar's commentary. The later smirked and started to drag himself inside. Llucia watched his arms move his body, eyes trailing the muscles moving under his tunic.
˝Close your mouth, something may fly in˝- Ivar said. He was fussing over the fire. He poked around the logs and accidentally inhaled some of the smoke making him cough. Llucia laughed.
˝Payyybaaackkk˝
˝I'll give you payback for that˝- Ivar sneered. He flipped himself on his back and frowned at her.
˝Sure you will˝- Llucia taunted. She closed the door behind her. The cabin was filled with the cozy light of the fire and the intense gaze of Ivar the Boneless. Trying not to be too nervous Llucia went to her satchel. She busied herself counting the contents.
˝I will.˝- Ivar said in a commanding tone. A chill went down Llucia's spine. She swallowed and turned to him. The bastard had nestled him self on a heap of furs and put his arms above his head. Her eyes traced the biceps under the fabric.
The dragging definitely pays off...
˝You wanted to say something?˝- The bastard teased. Llucia's eyes narrowed. Ivar rolled his eyes.
˝I did in fact˝- Something wild drove Llucia. She walked confidently towards him and lifted her skirt. Ivar watched her curiously. She positioned herself above him and sat down. Arms crossed on her chest she pouted. ˝Remember what you were supposed to do?˝
Ivar stared. He watched her silently. She noticed his eyes shift all over the room. ˝You...forgot?˝
˝No..˝
˝YOU DID!˝
˝I DID NOT! HERE IT IS IDIOT˝- Ivar pulled on his wrist and took of the golden bracelet matching Llucia's. She watched it fall into her lap.
˝That...that is not what I meant...they saying Ivar˝
˝Oh..˝- He grinned. ˝I know what it means˝
˝You're lying˝
˝Nope˝
˝Prove it˝
˝Don't feel like it˝
˝Are you five? Say it˝
˝Or else what?˝
˝I'm getting up˝- Immediately his hands went around her hips to keep her on him. Llucia laughed. She stared at him daring him. Ivar's face moved from a smirk to a grimace.
˝Do I really have to?˝
˝It would make me...˝- She leaned in and whispered in his ear ˝Very happy˝- Keeping her face close to his neck she waited. Ivar swallowed and mumbled something along the translation of the Latin words she said to him before he left to raid. Squealing she kissed his neck. Ivar stiffened.
Llucia met his eyes curious. He looked like lightning struck him. ˝Not the reaction I was anticipating˝
˝You did that...willing?˝- He said silently. Llucia nodded.
˝I did ask you to come back safe.. not even the difference in cultures would make you confused...or the lack of experience˝- Ivar was still shocked as Llucia continued to ramble. She waited for him to say anything. Ivar glanced around her, trying not to meet her gaze.
˝I must say this, even though Lagertha trained me in a way, I do not stand with her and her actions˝- Llucia said breaking the silence. Something changed in his eyes and he growled silently.
˝She trained you?˝- Llucia nodded. ˝And when she overtook Kattekat?˝
˝I was in Hedeby, she ordered me to come a few days after she rode off. When I came here it was done. Your brothers came shortly after˝- Ivar laughed menacingly.
˝Not even they? Ubbe refused to leave Kattekat AND STAY AND GUARD MOTHER? And yet you say he wasn't here?!˝- He sounded delirious.
˝Ask the blonde slave˝
˝Don't use that jealous tone˝
˝I am not jealous of a women used of all˝
˝You think I had...˝
˝I know what happened˝- He eyed her. His upper lip was curled in disgust. There was cold in his eyes. Llucia exhaled.
˝From everything that happened to me and to..us, I didn't judge you and I would appreciate if you didn't judge me. When you left I was alone. Again. I did everything to grow˝
˝You left first˝
˝I had to or I'd be still that slave girl˝- Ivar nodded at that, thinking. His neck relaxed, the protruding vein on the left side of his neck disappearing slowly.
˝Then what did you grow into?˝
˝I have a place where I want to grow in, a role so to say. ˝
˝You didn't answer˝
˝Nor did you about your plans˝
˝Avenge my plans, so answer?˝
˝That was...direct.˝
˝Answer Llucia˝
˝It's rare for you to use my name˝- She smiled at that. Ivar looked embarrassed and avoided eye contact. The distance between them had to be reclaimed again. With what's happened to his parents and the first time leaving his home, it left wounds that needed time.
˝I used to run from home everyday and busy myself learning about anything and anyone. The city was a pot filled with so many ingredients I couldn't get my fill in. I was so greedy and hungry for knowledge.˝- She stared into the fire behind him. The flames bent nudging her to continue.
˝I did everything what was meant for a woman and what was thought of a scandalous behavior˝- Ivar's eyebrow rose at the end. Llucia giggled. ˝Yes, I did indulge in that behavior, curiosity..˝- She shrugged. ˝ What I wanted was a something I could never be˝
˝What is that?˝
˝An augur, firstly only males had that position and birds...didn't give a shit about me˝- Llucia laughed openly, lifting the shame of herself. -˝I tried soo hard to talk to the damn birds and read them but they either pooped on me or didn't even care. Augurs are...advisors? They interpret sings from birds and advise for the coming wars, harvests, elections..anything you can name of importance. I wanted my opinion to be heard and useful..˝˝
˝But you got bird shit in the end˝
˝Too many times˝- Ivar laughed at her. He threw his head back and laughed. Llucia hit him in the chest. ˝Don't be mean. You laugh at my dream˝
˝Vikings don't have that augurs what ever it is˝
˝I know˝
˝The Seer is already in Kattekat, you can ask him to teach you?˝
˝I did he laughed and spawned some prophecy at me about wine, bloody heads on a fur carpet and blood in my mouth˝- Ivar paled at her answer.
˝WHAT DI D HE SAY?!˝- Llucia jumped at his sudden outburst.
˝He said I would face a fight that would challenge my mind's eye and the future day of the past would show two bloody heads on a fur carpet. Blood would mock wine a mug as the blood in my mouth would fill˝- Llucia tried to recall the words as best as she could. She dismissed the words completely. The Seer would ramble different things at her at times. She didn't find it that important.
˝You're not going to leave my side you hear me?!˝- Ivar said. He was thinking frantically. His mouth was a tight line, brows creased and nostrils flaring.
˝I know my life here won't be peaceful, I have accepted that. I have trained and learned of your gods, even visited a place where a Valkyrie came to me. It's a miracle I'm still alive after everything˝- Llucia confessed.
˝You can't be a warrior˝ - Ivar smirked.
˝And you can? You and what legs?˝- Promptly the smirk disappeared. ˝I don't care if you area cripple Ivar but don't expect me to pity you or myself. I am a woman not an object˝
˝I bought you like a slave˝
˝But I'm not one anyone˝
˝What are you then? I'm still waiting for your answer to that˝
˝I'd say equal to you but I am not crippled so I can't be˝
˝And you say you don't judge me..˝
˝I don't. I see the reality in front of me.˝
˝What do you see?˝
˝A wounded boy that needs to grow up faster than he wanted. I see a man forging himself with vengeance and intellect and I see a judging bastard for looking down at me˝
˝I HAVE NEVER LOOKED DOWN ON YOU! Do you even know what I had to do to get you? I had to bet my bethroned and the chance to have a Viking girl just because I was fucking intrigued by another girl from another land. I bet my future on your sorry ass˝
˝What?˝
˝What what you heard me˝
˝The man that handled me at the pier˝
˝Laughed at me and my own father didn't believe what I was saying but I'm a cripple right? So pity me˝
˝I DONT PITY YOU I'VE SEEN CRIPPLES AND BASTARDS OVERTHROWN KINGDOMS. INCETUOUS IDIOTS BURNING CITIES DOWN. I AM NOT LOOKING DOWN YOU IDIOT.˝- Llucia shouted back. He managed to infuriate her in a matter of seconds. She wanted to talk to him, explain what happened and what she wanted.
But no, the bastard had his own way with this.
˝And you think I'd be able to do that?˝
˝Why not? I've seen you manipulate people before and they fear you, now even more with what's happened to your parents. Why do you doubt yourself so much?˝
˝Because you could kill me with no problem and you think I can do shit in this world˝
˝Then that's your problem? Didn't someone before tell me I needed to grab my fate by the balls and decide for myself?˝
˝Don't know that man but he was handsome I bet˝
˝OH FUCK ME YOU STUBBORN IDIOT˝
˝You wish you could˝
˝At least you wouldn't spit such nonsense˝- Llucia said irritated. She closed her eyes to collect herself. Something warm touched her lips. Opening her eyes she saw Ivar kissing her. Clinging to him she bit his lips and deepened the kiss.
The fire between them grew stronger as arms grabbed and held impatiently. Her dress was first to be ripped to pieces. Ivar's hands pulled it apart at the seams in front of her breasts. Clad in a thin nightgown he attacked her flesh, marking her neck, her collar bones, the sensitive skin around he breasts.
Llucia's hands played with his hair, tugging on the now longer strands. Moans escaped her lips, whispers of his name filled the cabin.
His mouth found hers again only to be separated the few seconds it took him to pull his tunic off. It was her turn to ravage his flesh with kisses and bites. Ivar's moan was growled deep in his throat. Llucia stopped an stared at him.
˝Wha-t?˝- His eyes were heavy, a timid blush tinting his cheeks. Licking her lips she kissed him again and worked to undo his pants.
˝Lean and say how it feels˝
˝Whaaaaaa˝- A question turned to a moan when he hand found his dick, wrapping it around it and squeezing gently. His eyes rolled back in his skull and his mouth fell open. Llucia used the chance to kiss his exposed neck, nipping on the flesh, mimicking her hand movements.
˝You naked...MOVE˝- Ivar breathed out. Llucia took her hand out.
˝What? Move away?!"
˝No idiot˝- Ivar said instantly. His cheeks were full blown red, eyes wide fearing she'd actually move away.
˝Ohhhh˝- With a bit of maneuvering they pulled his pants down and she positioned herself above him. Both moaned loudly when he entered her. The fire behind them crackled loudly.
˝What do you think he'll do?˝- Sigurd said sitting beside the fire place. THe only thing he did these days. Fuck, drink and stare at the fire. His mother was dead. His father was dead. Ubbe joined him.
˝He'll raise Hel˝
˝I don't believe that˝
˝I fear him and you should too˝
˝How about the girl?˝
˝She'll make him more frightening than he already is˝
˝How? She loves him!˝
˝That's the reason and he loves her back˝ - Ubbe said. He filled their mugs. ˝Skål˝
a/n : Augury is the practice from ancient Roman religion of interpreting omens from the observed flight of birds (aves). When the individual, known as the augur, interpreted these signs, it is referred to as "taking the auspices". 'Augur' and 'auspices' are from the Latin auspicium and auspex, literally "one who looks at birds." Depending upon the birds, the auspices from the gods could be favorable or unfavorable (auspicious or inauspicious)
a/n 1: English is not my first language ( it's my fourth actually) I do my best to check spelling and grammar but I sometimes oversee shit.
* Northern Winds*
Llucia lied in bed. She felt warm and cozy, cuddled under a mass of furs and silky cloths. A handsome Viking slept beside her. She felt his warmth and the softness of his naked skin next to hers. A steady fire burned in the fireplace, illuminating the room in tones of yellow and orange. She sighed contently and closed her eyes.
Frrrrttdrr.
Her eyes shot open. Ivar mumbled something beside her.
Did she imagine it?
She tried closing her eyes again and smiled at the night.
FFRRRRRRRRRGRGRGRGRGR
Again. She waited with her eyes open and felt something vibrate next to her on the sheets. Frrrrrrrrrhhgghgh.
Ivar was farting.
Like a swine.
Loudly and so strong she felt the movement of the gas beside her.
They had bean stew for dinner with beets and ale. He was probably going to pass gasses all night long.
How fucking wonderful.
Groaning she grabbed the furs and rolled herself into a ball. She lifted some of the furs of his body. The odor that came to caress her nose was a mixture of rotten eggs and stinky feet.
˝IVAR YOU SWINE!˝- She yelled and ducked her head in the furs.
˝wha?˝- Ivar groaned from his sleep, confused. ˝I'm cold. The furs now˝
˝Not until you stop farti-˝- Before she even finished her sentence he farted again. ˝SLEEP ON THE FLOOR YOU SWINE˝- She kicked him off the bed and threw some furs on him ˝Good night˝
Blinking Ivar stared at the bed he was pushed from. He was confused. He had to fart or it would hurt his ass. Groaning he rolled on his side and fell asleep, buck naked passing gasses.