EPILOGUE

An arrow whizzed by and almost hit Llucia in her behind. She turned and eyed a pair of mischievous eyes on top another head with the same eyes. Both giggled in a maniacal way.

˝Why did I ever think you'd teach our daughter something else?˝- She said annoyed. She was sitting on a stump, braiding her hair and watching Ivar play with his daughter. Play as in teach my 6 year old how to use an axe, a bow and how to hunt. A daughter. Shaking her head she returned to her hair.

The once dark hairs were turning lighter. One of the vulvae woman said it was a normal thing. The shift of her service back to a normal woman. Funny, she didn't feel normal. She felt like a cloud of fire surrounded her at all times and watched over her and her family. She felt the northern wind as they took walks in the forests behind Kattekat. Now more then ever, she felt their presence.

˝Stop grumbling, that's my job˝- Ivar's voice came from beside her. He dragged himself to her stump and lied on it, resting. Ivy was still running around axe in hand. Making her father proud no doubt.

˝What are you teaching Ivy? She's climbing a tree˝

˝Viewpoint of a bird, to see her opponents clearly˝- Llucia shot him a look. ˝What?˝

˝You plan on taking her raiding?˝

˝Sure?˝

˝As a shield maiden?˝

˝Something like that, why shouldn't a female be a warrior? She could kill a man just by using her mind and surprise. ˝

˝You surprise me every day Ivar˝

˝Like last night?˝- Came the cheeky reply. Llucia blushed and hit his arm. How feminine of her. She groaned. ˝What?˝

˝I'm just mad at myself˝

˝Now I'm the surprised one˝- Llucia laughed at him. Since the first day he laid eyes on his daughter Ivar was more than affectionate, showering them in gestures and showing them off proudly. Ivy followed him everywhere and he didn't seem to mind.

Hvitserk and Ubbe had formed a somewhat friendship with Llucia, mainly due to her help with Margarethe and their children. They repaid her help with kindness and helpgetting her get settled back into the life of Kattekat.

Sigurd was the least interested in Ivar's offspring as he called it or was it the slap he received from Llucia for insulting her daughter? Must be because Ivar threw an oxe bone at his head a moment later. Definitely that.

˝You've tried your best Ivar...I do see that˝- She watched Ivy climb down the tree, throw the axe into a stump and giggling. Running back to her father she jumped on top of him attempting a half choke. Ivar laughed and tickled her. ˝And so does she˝- Ivy settled on Ivar's lap.

˝And what do you think of it?˝

˝I might respond to that question of yours..˝

˝Oh?˝- A shit eating grin spread over his face.

˝Don't be so smug, Ivy has to say her words too˝

˝What me?˝

˝Ivy would you like me to marry your mom?˝

˝But you are married˝- She said, brows tightly together in confusion.

˝No, we're not˝-Llucia explained.

˝But why not?˝

˝Your father asked it a few days ago˝

˝Oh, then marry˝-She said simply. Llucia had to laugh at her easiness.

˝But Ivy do you like him as your father?˝- Ivar's eyes flashed with warning at Llucia's words. She choose to ignore him completely.

˝I don't have another and he doesn't have another me..so he has to be good to me˝- Ivy said fumbling with her shirt. As ny small child she didn't beat much around the bush. How come kids found it so easily to be direct and don't conceal their true feelings?

˝Still waters run deep˝- Ivar whistled. He watched Llucia she bit her lip.

˝Are you happy here?˝- Ivy nodded. ˝And do you like your new family?˝- She wasn't as great with the other children of the Ragnarssons, she preferred being with her father or Llucia. In rare occasions they could find her with Floki or staring at the black smiths as they worked.

˝They don't like me˝ - Ivy said slowly. Ivar cursed.

˝It's because of me. They think you'll be like me˝

˝Why is that a bad thing Father?˝- Ivar stared at her. Llucia watched as he swallowed and sighed.

˝They will fear you in a way..I'm not a nice person˝

˝But you are to us! They are mean!˝- Ivar laughed.

˝Well…we aren't nice to them either˝

˝What a nice dysfunctional family˝- Llucia joined in. Ivar grinned.

˝A family after all, maybe we shouldn't take them in our arrangements˝

˝What arrangements?˝

˝You don't sleep with my brothers thank the gods and she doesn't have to play with them. There are more kids, let her play with whom she wants˝- Ivar shrugged.

˝You don't fear for her future?˝

˝As long as I am there she will be safe, they both of you will.˝- Llucia snorted.

˝How well did that go last time˝

˝I am trying˝

˝I didn't say you weren't˝

˝You'd find a reason to say no, no matter what Ivy said, wouldn't you?˝

˝Perhaps.. but I am still wary of leaving my child with your brothers…˝- Ivar rolled his eyes at her comment.

˝It is what it is in my world Llucia, I thought you had accepted that, living in the Viking lands˝- His voice was laced with annoyance.

˝I did, but that was before I had a child˝

˝Then what do you want me to do? Hmm?˝- She watched him lean on the stump and lift an eyebrow. Ivy did the same, mimicking him perfectly.

˝Two monsters in perfect unison, oh Jupiter give me strength and patience˝

"Jupiter gave you a child for that. Isn't that enough?˝

˝Don't accuse me of anything Ivar, I love Ivy more than anything more than you˝- Llucia retorted.

Ivar's eyes glinted at the sentence. ˝So you do love me˝ - Llucia bit her lip.

˝And what of it, I can hate you at the same time˝

˝We both know you don't so cut the horse pilling shit˝- A hand smacked his head. ˝Dung whatever Ivy heard worse words˝

˝Doesn't mean she should˝

˝Fine˝- Ivar sighed and rolled his head back. Watching the sky the blue of his eyes reflected the sky perfectly. Ivy nestled next to his neck and sighed contently. Something tugged on Llucia's heart, every time she saw them together she'd be reminded by the choice she made and thanked her gods for pushing her to stay. It was worth it. It would be.

˝But we marry with my gods too, not just the Viking traditions, my daughter will know both and she will be glorious˝- Llucia said, there was definitive tone in her voice. She lifted her eyes to the sky sending silent prayers to any god out there listening.

Ivar smiled widely. ˝Oh she shall, she shall.˝

THE END

have some candy, this story is now marked as DONE. I will continue my mafia AU so give it a read if you wish~~~