Ivar Ragnarsson Imagines

The girl Ivar loves (Part Four)

Today was the day your parents had died. Aslaug had cme personally to her son's cabin. All of them were away on a raid and you hadn't seen them for so long you worried you would forget their faces. She summon Thrall to clean the home, to have you bathed. For a long while you thought of how disappointed she would be that you'd failed her sons and slipped away into a sadness that was absorbed into the wooden building.

Until you were quickly stuffed into a warm nightgown. Aslaug sat you by the fire as you were handed warm food and told you stories about your parents, shared stories of her own parents. She even spared a few for Ragnar, though the edge of her tone sharpened as she spoke of him. As She spoke she combed through your hair, softly fussing, the warmth from the fire she'd ordered be lit taking away the cold from the breeze that rolled it's way across the wooden floor.

"You should rest. Now is the time for you to mourn. I am sorry I did not come sooner." Aslaug said gently.

"It is fine. You are the queen and... I should not be in such a..."

"You lost your family, had your home stolen and your boys have been gone for so long. Of course there would be sadness in your heart." Aslaug said carefully. Your boys. She hadn't said my boys as she used too. She smiled knowingly. "I do hope you caring for them has not impacted their ability to survive their raid."

There was an awkwardness now. When Ivar had gotten on the boat he paused beside you for a long time. You'd kissed, something had passed between you. Could you kiss him again, should you. He seemed troubled as he looked at you then moved on, getting comfortable in his boat and not looking back at you. Aslaug had watched carefully as the exchange unfolded. Then she saw how Sigurd, Ubbe and Hvitserk each hugged you, kissed your cheek and bounded off.

"You should rest. Sadness devours our energy. It will be winter soon. You will need to be strong then." She smiled as she finished with your hair and gestured to the bed that had been made. Frowning you looked at it wearily. A small but beautifully crafted bed was under the window of the cabin where your makeshift bed had been. Your things were neatly stored under it and new furs draped invitingly over what looked like a new mattress.

"This is..?"

"Yours. Those boys really had you sleeping on the floor with them! If I had known I would have taken Ubbe's bed from him." Aslaug tutted disapprovingly. She smiled, giving you a motherly kiss on the forehead as she hugged you, gave you another approving look and left.

The bed had been so comfortable and warm that you were able to sleep, freshly washed and fresh bed clothes improved your mood immensely, but it didn't ease your mourning. Something roused you from your sleep. A firm hand holding the back of your head and soft lips nervously brushing yours. You kissed back as your eyes fluttered open and you realised it was Ivar.

"Mother said you were ill and could not meet us at the docks." Was all he said as he kissed you again. He sounded different. Looked different too. Older and more fierce. His brother's stumbled in and he pulled away from you, giving his siblings a dangerous glare.

"We shall be cooking for you because we must take care of you." Hvitserk said quickly, he had your little cart and it had clearly been stocked by someone at the main hall.

"Mother says we have to take care of you for a change." Ubbe said playfully as he sat on your bed and grinned.

"I have many new songs, I think you will like them!" Sigurd said eagerly. He'd carried Hvitserk's things from the dock and looked quite pleased when you agreed to hear some. He sat at the table and started strumming away as he sang.

Hvitserk and Ubbe bustled about trying their best to make something that, as their mother had put it, was worthy of a woman who has given so much to them. Once Ubbe had moved Sigurd took his spot, telling you about the art and beautiful scenery he'd seen. Ivar sat silently at the end of your new bed. Watching the chaos and listening to the voices raise above one another you smiled. Your heart was warming as if what it had truly missed was the chaos of Aslaug's boys. Your boys. You didn't notice the sad look Ivar gave his brothers as they talked about the raid and rushed about the cabin.