(Song of the chapter is Parachute by Cheryl Cole! I think it's the perfect song for what Nova feels about Ivar, hint.. hint :) )
Day 2
Ivar's POV
After having a word with my mother, I step into the grand hall for supper. The table is laid out with finest food and drinks. This supper is in honour of my wedding at midnight to Nova. The room is dark as the clouds outside, thunder roars from time to time
The grand rectangle table is occupied by the leaders of our clan whereas the other men sit around in the grand hall on tiny tables. Everyone is excited for their King to bring them a new Queen. There are chatters and alcohol all around.
My mother Aslaug is seated in the middle as I stand at the end of the room, talking to Floki. Hvitserk and Ubbe are nowhere to be seen as of now.
"You are going to be a married man tonight" Floki smirks
"Yes, I promised you a Queen, now my people will have a Queen" I say as I take a sip
"It was all written in the stars" Floki eyes brighten as he points outside the window, "Odin decided Nova for you" he giggles
"May he be correct" I hold up my glass towards Floki and wink
SKOL!
I turn around to observe the the room a little better as it is the last day as an unmarried man, I want to cherish these moments. I am sure my father, Ragnar Lothbrok would be proud of me. He would have admired Nova for the woman she really is.
And there she walks in....
She walks in like a cool breeze on thin air, so effortlessly and flawlessly. The green dress and her braided hair with tiny flower in them makes it hard for me to think of anything else as my heartbeat slows down. She walks in and places herself beside my mother as my mother gives her the biggest and the brightest smile.
The room becomes quiet as all the eyes are stuck on Nova and her immaculate beauty.
"Silence is not how we welcome our Queen" My mother speaks up, "She is not only a beauty that every heart desires but also a ruler that our people need, in honour of our new Queen and the soon to be wife of my son Ivar, The God. SKOL!" my mother says as the crowd erupts in cheers
"I think the French won this part of the war, look at you. You tamed little bastard" Floki says and laughs
"Shut up you knock kneed fool" I say to Floki and he smirks
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Nova's POV
They are savages. My eyes and heart search for Ivar but I cannot find him.
They don't use cutlery or etiquettes. They are spilling the food and drinks all around the table and laughing like mad wolves. Some are dropping food and other are falling from the chairs, they are wasted beyond measure and it's only been an hour since the supper started.
"Don't worry, you will get used to this. They are northmen" Aslaug says and smiles
I give back an uneasy smile back, this is not the atmosphere I grew up in or ever wanted to be a part of.
*BAM!*
"You fucking fool!!" A man laughs at another who has fallen over after drinking heavily. Everyone erupts in laughter, the music is too loud.
They are abusing in front of their Queen? Why is that man eating pork with his bare hands? Why is that woman sitting on his lap? Isn't that disrespectful?
*Someone clears throat* and I look up, It's Ivar. My heartbeat goes berserk!
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Ivar's POV
I pull out a chair by Nova's side and sits comfortably, she looks like as if she has seen a ghost
"What?" I ask
"Nothing, why are you stretching your legs and arms while sitting on a dining table" she asks with seriousness
"You will get used to it" I laugh as I take a leg piece of the chicken with my hands and tear it with my teeth
She looks nauseated.
"In honour of my son, Ivar. Who is feared by men and god alike and to his future bride Nova, who is a beautifully fearless woman. SKOL!" my mother stands up and raises her glass, then she looks at me and with here eyes guides me to behave with Nova.
SKOL! The crowd says
"I wanted to speak with you" Nova says meekly
"I am listening" I say while eating
She doesn't speak at all, and I understand. I push the plate away slowly, chew and swallow all that I had in my mouth and then look at her.
"I have three conditions, before we wed at midnight" she looks at me with desperate eyes
I roll my eyes in frustration, she is too strong for my taste. Too forthcoming. Why doesn't she just sit down be pretty and go.
But I know, that would never be Nova
"And they are?" I say with dramatic tone as I raise my eyebrow. I know my mother is eavesdropping over our conversation.
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Nova's POV
I take a deep breath in and say as the room goes quiet and listens to me
"First, I shall and will always remain a catholic woman. I shall be given a chapel in any place that I stay in, doesn't matter how big it is or how small it is. I want a place to practice my faith which I would never let go of" I say with a loud voice and every eye in the room is glued to me
Ivar says nothing as he looks up at the ceiling and relaxes back on the chair
"Second, Anyone son that I bear with you Ivar, would practice what he believes in or comes to believe in. No religion shall be forced down his throat. He will choose what name to call the gods, on his own" I say as I tighten my back and it feels more of a command now, because it is. I place the fork in my fingers as I fidget with it and speak again
"Third I would not consummate the marriage tonight, I will do so when I will feel ready, I shall not be forced into it" I say and there are whispers around in the room. I look at Aslaug as she looks at me with her mouth open. Everyone in the room looks at me as if I have asked Ivar to kill himself for me.
I say nervously "Those are my three conditions"
*BANG!*
Ivar hits the table with both his fists and stands up in anger, he is so angry that he body is shaking as he looks at me.
He tries to say something but he shuts his mouth as his jaw shakes in anger
He pushes his chair aside, nearly startling me as I hold the arms of my chair in fear that he would kill me but he furiously storms out of the room
Aslaug follows him in hurry.
The crowd is silent.
I put the fork down and let out some air in my lungs.
--Theme Song
Best Lyrics are
Don't believe the things you tell yourself so late night and
You are your own worst enemy, you'll never win the fight
Just hold onto me
I'll hold onto you
It's you and me up against the world, it's you and me
NOVA & IVAR <3