I pull on the heavy fur cloak and pull my freshly braided hair from under it. I look over to Torvi, who gets the children ready to go. I look down to my hands and then at her. "I'm sorry. That this had to be like this." She looks up to me and then stands. "It will be okay. We are viking. We get through anything." She speaks to me and I bite at my inner cheek. "I swear it that nothing will happen." I speak and she steps to me. "If something does. I won't have a say it in." She nods to me and then steps out of the cabin with the children.
I let out a breath and shake my head, placing my sword at my waist. I look over my shoulder and see Hvitserk step into the room. "Are you ready to leave?" He says lightly and I turn towards him. "I don't know." I say honestly. "Our paths never seem to do what we want." He steps to me and places a hand to my cheek. "It's the way our prophecy is." He strokes his thumb against it. "I love you." I kiss the palm of his hand. "You could come with me." I speak and he shakes his head. "Ivar needs me." I look down slightly and nod. "Or you need Ivar.." I say softly and he just looks to me.
"I understand." I smile softly to him and lean up, pressing my lips against his. He pulls me closer and presses them deeply against mine. I run my hand against the back of his braid. "I wish you could've had my children." He rests his forehead against mine as he speaks. "I know." I say softly and nod.
Ubbe steps into the room and he looks at us. "We are ready." I look to him and nod. "Is Erik ready?" He nods once. "With Ivar." I step back and grab my armor. "Alright." I step towards the door and past both men. I make my way down and look to Bjorn as he already sits on the boat. He looks annoyed. I would be too.
I look to Ivar who is stood there next to Eerikki. I step to Ivar and lick my lips. "Don't come to my door and try to take my kingdom." I look to him seriously and then smile. He smiles and presses his tongue to the back of his teeth. "Who will rule over Kiev?" I ask him and he licks his lips. "Igor. The right ruler." He says and I nod once to him. "Thank you." I say to him and he envelopes me into a hug. "This isn't our last meeting." I hum and look to Erik. "I know." I say to Ivar and then pull back but something in my stomach tells me otherwise.
I nod once and look back over to Hvitserk and Ubbe as they speak to each other. "You better treat her right brother." He smiles to Hvitserk. "When have I ever left a lady unsatisfied?" I start walking and walk past them, but I speak up as I do. "Mm I'm unsatisfied now." I smile sarcastically to them and their eyes follow me. Hvitserk smiles as I get on the boat. Erik takes a seat next to me. "Mother. Is this what you want? You don't love him." I place my hand on his. "Sometimes it just has to be that way." I shrug slightly. "Plus I have you. Unless you meet a Woman or Man you have feelings for." He furrows his brows. "Man?"
I hum and nod. "We are Italian and you are both Italian and French. We are made for love." He laughs and shakes his head. "No mother. Not at all. Only women." I hum and nod. "That is what you say now."
-
After the grueling hours of voyage, we have finally arrived. I step from the boat and feel the warm air. I look as we make our way up to the kingdom. I stop and smell the fresh air. "Welcome home." I speak to them all and Eerikki looks at it with his lips parted.
I smile lightly and we step to the entrance of my Kingdom and through the doors. Everyone awaits us. "I have returned." I say to them and look to Erik. "My son, has finally returned back to us. And I hope you will accept him. As well, I have married Ubbe Lothbrok." They look at me and then each other. Then steps through is Cedric. "You have married a Viking?" He asks and I look to him. "Yes. I have." I furrow my brows. "He is a Christian. He was baptized by Bishop Heahmund himself." I speak at Cedric and he furrows his brows while clenching his jaw. "And Prince Eerikki. Welcome home." Cedric speaks and I squint at Cedric. He seems off.
I make my way through the crowd and smile. "Tonight we celebrate. Tonight we show Prince Erik how we do things around here." I smile to the servants and then make my way inside and to my room. The bath is steaming hot from the amount of moisture in the air. I let out a breath and pull the heavy cloak off. I pull the braid from my hair and take a seat to the bed for a moment. The servants open the door for Ubbe and I look back to him. "They wouldn't let me stay with Torvi." He speaks and I stand, crossing my arms. "Why not?" I ask the servant. "Those are his children." She makes a sad face. "But Cedric has been watching closely." I nod slowly. "Okay." I speak and she leaves.
"I don't have a good feeling about Cedric." He speaks and I nod. "Neither do I." I clear my throat and he looks to the bath. "I can leave. I can tend to Bjorn." I let out a laugh. "Yes. Could you send an artist up please?" I ask him and he furrows his brows. "You are going to get more ink?" He speak and I look to the one that goes from his temple to his throat. "Yes." I smile lightly. He nods and looks at me. "Of course." He steps to the door. "Please clean up before tonight. It's your first impression." He makes a face and rolls his eyes slightly.
I chuckle and place my hands to my hips. "I know you didn't want to be king. But you could be a good Ruler." I say nicely and he nods. "Mmm. I'll take that into consideration my Queen." He says almost sarcastically and then steps from my room.
I nod once and then remove my clothing, stepping to the hot bath. I step in and sink down into it, feeling the hot water surround me. I dip under and open my eyes. I see the bright blue ones and take a breath under the water. I quickly move up and cough up the water harshly. A servant quickly rushes in. "My lady!" She pats my back as I get the rest of it out of my lungs. "Go and get her husband." I hold my hand up and shake my head as I lean over the side. The servant still leaves and I stay looking to the floor, wet hair dripping. I hear the boots and cough a little more. I sniffle slightly and look up to Ubbe. He knees down and looks to me. "Why are you drowning yourself? Hm?" I wipe my lips and watch him.
"I wasn't. I got shocked and suck in a breath." He furrows his brows and I look down again. He grabs a cloth and holds it out. "The artist is here."I nod and stand from the tub. He looks to the ceiling and I take it from him, wrapping it around me. "It's your turn. You have to look presentable." I drain my wet hair and move it to the side.
I step into the room and look to the artist. He grins as he looks to me. "What can I do for you today?" He speaks and I take a seat, letting the cloth fall from my back but hold it firmly against my chest. "I would like a relic and a moon. Down my spine." I speak and look to the mirror I sit in front of. He nods and starts poking and prodding at the skin. I clench my teeth and look to outside the window where birds fly and the sun is starting down. The beam into the window. I clasp my hands together tightly and feel the pain.
It takes almost an hour of physical pain due to the purpleish pink sky. I look at the mirror as Ubbe steps out of the bath room wearing a cloth around his waist. I gaze too long before looking back at my face. It's aged and damaged from the fighting. It doesn't look like my youthful face anymore. I feel sorry for my 'husband' just due to the fact that he won't have a beautiful woman on his arm. But Torvi is that and I took that. I hear a shuffle slightly as I'm snapped from my thoughts. I look to Ubbe who is dressed in the nice clothing for a king to wear.
He steps to me and nods to the man. He steps back and grabs his things. Ubbe takes the draped cloth and dabs the irritated skin and bloodied skin. I wince slightly and he speaks. "Your dress is going to look nice." He gestures to the dress that lays on the bed. I hum and nod slightly. "Thank you. Hopefully I do it justice." I look to him and then run the brush through my hair slightly due to the tangled ends. He nods and looks over my back. "Mm" he says. "I'll see you tonight then your majesty."
I nod and then stand. A servant steps in and I look to the dress. "I would like another. One that reveals my back please. One that suits me. Also bring me Torvi." She nods and leaves the room. I turn and look at the Art to my back. I bite the inside of my cheek. The blue orbs haunt my memory.
-
Torvi had come in and braided my hair back neatly. It was silent mostly. We never know what to say to each other and it's a weird strain.
I pull my dress on and move my hair to the side in order to not let it touch the fresh ink. I look in the mirror and that's when Erik comes in. He looks freshly clean and handsome. It hurts my heart slightly due to the fact he looks so much like his father. "How do you enjoy the kingdom?" He nods and smiles. "I very much enjoy it. But you my dear mother look beautiful." I hum and he looks to my back. "What is this?" I look to him. "It's my tattoo. For the many wars I've gone through." I smile softly. "It suits you." He nods and holds his hand out. "Your guests are waiting."
I nod once and take his hand. I'm not ready to face them for some reason.