How you meet:
Uhtred:
You were the daughter of one of the ship masters who served Earl Ragnar. You were the same age as Rorik and you played a lot with him and Thyra and so you spent a lot of time playing with Uhtred, too.
Finan:
You were Uhtred's young cousin. You escaped Bebbanburg and your father, Uhtred's uncle, and fled south to find Uhtred in Coccam. Finan though you were very beautiful and he taught you how to fight so you could keep yourself safe so he didn't have to worry about you.
Sihtric:
You were Aethelflead's younger sister. You first met him while staying with your sister in Mercia and instantly fell in love with him. You travelled with the group and Sihtric too fell in love with you.
Osferth:
You were the daughter of one of Uhtred's men. You were a half-Dane and you found comfort in talking with Osferth as you connected over feeling out of place. You became good friends and developed feelings for each other.
Ragnar:
You were the daughter of a wealthy Lord in Northumbria. After the Danes took the country, your father swore allegiance to the new Lords- Ubba, Ivar and Ragnar. Your father sold you to Earl Ragnar to keep your two towns working together, and that was when you met Ragnar. It was love at first sight.
Cnut:
You were the daughter of a Danish Lord, who ruled in land in Ireland and Denmark. Your father knew Cnut well and brought his army to join with Cnut, Ragnar, Hæsten and Bloodhair and he brought you along with him. Cnut was very kind to you and you though he was very attractive, though it was your father who pushed you two to each other formally.
Brida:
You grew up together in the same village. You were both captured by Danes and they all adored you because of your feisty attitude skill with a sword, despite only being young. You and Brida looked out for each other.
Aethelflead:
You were the daughter of a wealthy Earl of Wessex, who served as an advisor for her Father. You two would play together as children.
Edward:
You were a barmaid in your parent's tavern, who lived in Winchester. You saw Edward regularly and would always speak to him, which he enjoyed because you treated him as a normal human being rather than a prince. He would stay for hours and listen to your stories about travelling around the countries as a child while your parents tried to find work. He though you were very interesting.
Eadith:
You and her grew up together. Your families were close. Your parents were both killed in a Danish raid when you were a young child and so Eadith's parents took you in.
Erik:
You were the daughter of a Mercian Lord. You travelled with Aethelflead and were captured. The brothers though they could bargain for you, too, and so kept you alive. However, Erik fell in love with you and you fell in love with him, too.
Your age gap:
Uhtred:
Him: 17
You: 16
Finan:
Him: 28
You: 18
Sihtric:
Him: 17
You: 15
Osferth:
Him:20
You: 18
Ragnar:
Him:19
You:16
Cnut:
Him:35
You:16
Brida:
Her:13
You:14
Aethelflead:
Her:19
You:20
Edward:
Him:18
You:18
Eadith:
Her:20
You:20
Erik:
Him:29
You:17
They confess their feelings for you:
Uhtred:
"Uhtred," I approached the young man, a sweet smile on my face. He turned to me and smiled back, leaning against the ship he was working on. "My father has asked me to travel into Synningthwait to collect food and I wondered if you should like to come with me?" He looked up to Ragnar, the blond having stopped his work to hear our conversation, and the young man chuckled.
"Do not look to me, Uhtred. If you want to go, then go. The ship will still be here when you get back." With that, Uhtred threw down his cloth and made his way towards me, before he took my arm and walked with me up the path from the river towards the Hall. From there, we took our horses and, after my father handed me silver, we began to make our way into the village.
"I'll race you over the hill." Uhtred laughed, loosening the reigns on his horse to make to go faster.
"Cheat." I called from behind, now making my horse gallop to catch up to the older boy's. I caught him as we reached the top of the hill that led into the valley where Synningthwait was built. "I hate you, Uhtred." I jokingly laughed, looking down at the village.
We didn't have to get much, just bread and meat, some cheese, and some smoked fish but, by the time we had collected it all, it was night. Had Uhtred not have been with me, I would have felt nervous about making the journey as my father had too made an enemy out of Kjartan and it had been said he had returned to the area with Sven. The though if him made my skin crawl.
"I am glad that I came now, Y/N." Uhtred stated from beside me. I looked over to him and smiled, a blush forming on my cheeks. "I should not like you to be travelling here on your own, in the dark." His voice was soft, the usual gruff and hardness he spoke with absent. "I would have hated it had something happened to you and I were not here to protect you." I blushed harder now.
"T-thank you, Uhtred. I'm glad you are here, too."
"Why?" He asked. The light of the Hall was now coming into view and I felt more relaxed, knowing that nothing had gone wrong. "Why?" He asked again, knowing I had gone off into my own mind.
"I enjoy your company, Uhtred. You are very kind and funny and I feel safer with you than with any other person- I know you can protect me better than any other person."
"Is that your way of saying you like me?" He smugly asked, knowing I was blushing, even though he couldn't see me face.
"It might be." I muttered. The boy chuckled loudly.
"Good." He said. "I like you, also."
Finan:
"Good, Lass. Keep it steady," the Irish man instructed, "now bring the sword back," he wrapped his hands around mind and guided my movements, "and now drive it forward." I did as he instructed, letting the sword swing in my hands and cut the air, earning a soft chuckle from the man behind me. "You are a natural." He added, moving to stand in front of me.
"I have a good teacher." I smiled back at him. "No better man to teach me how to use a sword than Finan The Agile, after all." He chuckled again at my playful tongue. He always liked training me because I would keep him entertained with my comments and chatter. We both fell quiet after a moment, just looking between each other when a strand of my hair fell over my face. Softly, Finan brushed it back. I blushed at this, pulling my bottom lip back as he studied my face before his hands my waist.
"D' ya' think Uhtred would mind if I kissed ya'?" The man asked softly. I giggled at him, looking at me with soft eyes and a slightly crooked smile.
"I'm not his sister or his daughter so he has no claim over me. He has no right to mind." I stated, my lips forming a smirk as I did so. The older man quickly pulled me close to him and pressed his lips to mine, the taste of ale falling off them and onto me. His beard tickled my cheek but I actually liked the feeling of it against my skin. I wanted to pull him closer and for him to delve deeper than my lips but we broke away, the haze beginning to clear as we remembered we were in the street.
"I'm guessing that you feel the same way as I do, then?" I hesitantly asked. He just smiled and kissed me again as his answer, though his kiss was softer this time.
"Aye, Y/N." He shot me a gentle look. "I do."
Sihtric:
"Be quiet or somebody shall hear us." The Dane instructed me, taking my hand as he led me down the corridors of my sister's estate, past the rooms that held his sleeping friends and guards. He led me down from the sleeping floors towards the kitchens and then out into the gardens and, from there, to the fields and river beyond.
"Will you not swim with me, Lord?" I asked, my tone teasing and playful. The older man gave me a soft look before he removed his belt and armour and his boots. I smiled at him and watched him turn around and head towards the water and I stripped from my dress into the under-dress beneath it, made from a thin white cotton that fell short around my thighs.
I slipped into the deep and cooling river water and swam over to the Dane, who had been waiting for me. The water reached my ribs, and well past his waist and he watched me as I lay back into the water, making him chuckle.
The moon was high but the summer night was dark and so it was hard to see each other from the distance we stood, swimming to cool ourselves down. Soon, however, he stood, just watching the stars and I made my way to his side, leaning against him. This made him turn to me and an uncertain look appeared in his eyes.
My thin dress was tightly stuck to my body and hugged the curves of my chest and accentuated it, due to the low neck-line. He swallowed and tried to keep his eyes on my face, though they did trail down to my breasts before they would shoot back up to look at my own eyes. I blushed.
"Forgive me, Lady." He sheepishly said, rubbing the back of his head. I giggled at the flustered man.
"You are forgiven, Sihtric." I light-heartedly replied. I stepped close to him and brought my hand to the side of his cheek. He could tell what I was asking from the look in my eyes and, with a certain unsure confidence, he kissed me.
It started slow and sweet, the first taste of the person we had fallen in love with shocking our systems. However, as we got more used to each other's lips, the love began to grow and lust flourished. Hungrily, the older Dane brought his hands beneath the water, one gripping my upper thigh and the other holding me against him. His brought his lips down my jaw and my neck, kissing each spot. Then his hands moved and my head bent back as I breath escaped my lips.
"You have never been pleasured before?" He guessed, continuing to explore my body, his hand now groping at my left breast. "Never been touched before by any hands?" I shook my head, confirming he was right. "My lips are the first to kiss you, my hands are the first to touch you, I am the first man to ever bring you pleasure." He gruffly smirked against my neck, his hands resuming their previous actions. I could feel him grow hard against me and so I pulled his wet shirt over his head, revealing his toned chest. He returned his lips to mine and removed his hands from under my dress, both of us feeling sorry for the sudden loss of the other's touch.
"Make me your's, Sihtric." I begged, kissing down his chest. "You already have my heart."
"And you mine, Y/N." He softly replied as he found my lips again, leaving a chaste kiss on them before he excitedly dragged me from the water and onto the bank, us both scrambling to get our clothes together and make our way back into my sister's house and his bedroom.
Osferth:
"Alone again, Y/N, I see." I heard a voice appear behind me. The voice belonged to Osferth and he made his way to sit beside me in the grass, looking out towards the valley and river beyond.
"Looking for me again, Osferth, I see." He chuckled at my comment.
"I am always looking for you, Y/N. After all, you do give me the best company." I smiled at his sweetness. I brought my head to rest on his shoulder and he let his also rest against mine.
"I feel like you are the only constant thing in my life, Osferth." I stated, softly, still looking out over the ocean. "You are the only person who is always there."
"And I always will be, Y/N. I told you that."
"Until you find somebody else to take up your time." My voice was harsher and I pulled my head off his shoulder. "Until you find a wife and have children and then I shall be forgotten." Internally, I cursed myself for having a go at him- it wasn't his fault- but I couldn't help but feel jelly's over a woman when didn't even exist yet. I looked at the blonde with just eyes. He shook his and sighed.
"Y/N, I will never forget you- I could never forget you." He emphasised.
"Osferth-"
"Y/N, I can't ever forget about you because I love you. In every way that is possible to love somebody, I love you- as, as a sister, as a friend and as more. There is nobody else that I should wish to spend my time with than you. Only you, Y/N." He took a deep breath.
"I love you too, Osferth."
Ragnar:
There was a loud shout from outside the hall, one that alerted everyone within the vicinity that something was going on, for Earl Ragnar rarely shouted. I, along with Thyra, Rorik and Sigrid, raced outside of the barn, throwing the door open to look out into the snow to see a man approaching on horseback. I noticed Uhtred standing a few feet away before I looked back to the man approaching.
"My son!" Earl Ragnar cried, joyfully. "My son has returned!"
The golden-haired young man jumped down from his horse then and tightly embraced his father, thumping his back. Next, he hugged his young brother and sister, who both ran to him, welcoming him home. He handed out gifts to the Danes as he passed them, making his way up the path to the Hall. Next, he hugged his mother, a smile on the kind woman's face at the sigh of her unharmed son.
"Ragnar." I breathed with a smile as he turned to me. I stepped into his open arms and encased him in my embrace, feeling his warm body pressed tightly against mine. "I have missed you," I confessed as I embraced him. He loosened his arms from around my smaller frame and placed his hand to my cheek, looking over me with his eyes.
"I have missed you also, Y/N. I missed you greatly." He smiled before embracing me once again, this time resting his cheek against the top of my head and closing his eyes. It felt good to have him home, I though.
His family brought him inside. His father ordered a feast and Ale. His mother babies him and his siblings pestered him, wanting to hear war stories of his time in Ireland. I just sat there, watching the way his chest fell as he breathed and the way his head went back when he laughed hard enough, or the way that he grinned with the left side of his mouth.
"Y/N," I heard a voice softly call from behind me. I was stood outside the barn, overlooking the river as the snow began to fall. I didn't need to look to see who it was as I could feel the presence next to me. "Y/N." He made me turn to face him.
"Just hold me." I whispered. The young Dane didn't speak and only held his arms open, letting me find my way into them. I held back my crying but couldn't help but let a few tears fall from the corners of my eye and one small sob escape my lips.
"Y/N, why are you crying?" He asked, pulling away to look at my face. "Are you not happy that I am home?" He seemed hurt. Vigorously I shook my head, wiping away the tears with the back of my sleeve.
"They are tears of joy, Ragnar." I explained. "I have never felt happier for you have come home and you have not been hurt. That is all I could want." He audibly smiled at my words and brought his palms to my cheeks.
"I actually came home because I needed to do something very important." He began, his icy blue eyes looking down into mine. "All while I was away, I kept thinking about the fact that I didn't do something before I left and I was foolish not to. So I came home to make sure that it was done." He explained, a smile on his pink lips.
"What did you forget?" I asked, a curiosity finding me. The Dane chuckled softly before stopping and slowly bringing his face closer to mine until his lips brushed against mine and he kissed me.
It was soft and sweet and loving, a gentleness to it that I didn't know the boisterous young man had but I kissed him back excitedly. He broke away first and let his forehead rest against mine and let his hands wrap around my waist.
"I love you, deeply, Y/N. I know my parents approve of you- they have since them won't you met with them- and so I should like you to be my woman." I could only agree.
Cnut:
"Does your father plan to go back to Denmark soon, Y/N?" The ginger man asked as we walked along through the camp. I shrugged.
"I do not know, Lord. He has found something here for him, in England, and has sent for my mother and sister to come." I explained. The older man nodded, pursing his lips slightly as he stood to the side of me for a moment before he lifted up the door that led into the tent where he stayed.
"Do you wish to stay here?" He asked as he welcomed me inside. "Ale?" He picked up a jug and cups and I nodded, a gracious smile in my face.
"I wish to stay where I am wanted, Lord, where I can be of use to somebody."
"As a wife?" He asked.
"Whatever I am destined to be." I gave him a soft smile before taking a drink of my ale. "I like to think the Gods will have a plan for me." We were both quiet after that, just siting together and drinking. The night was late and Bloodhair, Hæstan and my father had gone with Brida to secure the help of another Danish Lord, just a few miles south.
"What age are you now, Y/N. I remember when you were just a small girl and now you are a beautiful young woman." He remarked, a smiled on the edge of his mouth.
"Thank you, Cnut." I took another sip of my ale. "I am sixteen now." I said. He nodded.
More ale was poured and we talked more, our mouths becoming less able to hold words with each cup. I enjoyed talking to him; I found him interesting and he was a kind man. He also seemed to enjoy talking to me, as he did for many hours and not once was there an awkward silence among us. He made me laugh. He was drunker that I, for I had only had a few cups but he hadn't stopped and was now about as sober as a wedding party.
"Y/N, you are stunningly beautiful." The older man slurred his words, shooting me a smile. "And you are so intelligent. You are exactly the woman I want to be with."
"Lord, you are drunk." I softly replied, taking the cup from his hand before he spilt it. He repeated himself, calling me beautiful, before I giggled slightly. "You are drunk, Lord." I insisted. Taking is arm, I helped him up and led him towards his bed. "You should sleep off the ale and quickly, Lord, before you say something that you will regret when sober."
"I will not regret what I say, Y/N. I mean what I say when I am drunk." He slurred. I removed the armour he wore, leaving him in just his tunic and trousers. He kicked his boots off himself as lay back on his bed, the ale finally making him tired. "I do find you beautiful, Y/N and I think you are the perfect woman for me because," he raised his hand up and it quickly fell back to his face, "because you are- you are so," he struggled to speak as I lifted his legs onto his bed and lifted a set of furs over him, "so kind and- and headstrong and I could hump you all day." He trailed off as he began to chuckle.
He was quiet for a moment before he threw up over the side of his bed and onto the floor. I rubbed his back and shook my head, knowing that I must now stay with him, for he was too drunk to be left alone, for he could easily choke on his own vomit if he rolled over.
As morning broke, we were both asleep, me laying close to his back, my face against the back of his neck. He was the first to stir, the groan he let out evident of the hangover and, as he rolled over, I too began to stir.
"Good morning, Lord." I greeted him softly, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. There was a look of confusion in his face before the events of the previous night came back to him. "I did not want to leave you, for you were quite drunk and I feared you could choke." I explained once I could see he had remembered. He shot me a look I had never seen before, one laced with embarrassment and shame and guilt.
"I do not remember much." He rubbed his eyes and looked around, seeing the light of dawn shine from outside. "I do not remember how I got into bed." I explained to him how I had managed to get him up from the seat in the tent and into his bed and he laughed, probably imagining my small self dragging his much taller and heavier body. "Thank you." He then smiled.
He was still in bed and I handed him a plate of food that would take up the remaining alcohol in his body and also help to refill his body of what he threw up. He gladly accepted the plate, a small lump of bread, some dried meat and an apple, and began to eat. I took a seat on the bed next to him as he did.
"What- what did I say to you- tell you, last night?" He asked, cautiously. I let out an audible smile and shrugged.
"Nothing important, Lord." I told him. He could clearly see I was lying and pressed again and again, the worry more evident each time. I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and looked at him.
"Please, Y/N. What must I have said to you for you to be this offended with me?"
"Firstly, Lord, I am not offended with you." I reassuringly smiled. "Secondly, I know well enough that when men are drunk, they say things they do not mean. It is nothing to be dwelled on." He just looked at me, beggingly, and I sighed. "You called me beautiful, Lord. 'Said that I was your perfect and ideal woman and that you wanted to hump me. And then you said that you shall not regret what you said." I could see the colour swiftly drain from his already pale face.
"I am sorry, Y/N-"
"It was drunken talk, Lord, nothing more." I insisted, knowing that men loose their tongues and minds when they are drunk. But the ginger man shook his head and looked towards me.
"I am sorry, Y/N, for it was not just drunken talk. I do find you very beautiful and you are what I picture when I think of my ideal woman and," his voice became more timid, "I would desire nothing more than to hump you." He shook his head. "I am sorry you had to find out like that and you had to look after me." He breathed. I gave him a smile, after a minute, and moved closer to him, pushing a few strands of hair from his face.
"It is what a wife should do, Lord. And you have said yourself that I am wife material." I cheekily remarked. "Besides," I looked up at him more softly now, "I do care for you, Lord."
Brida:
"Shut up, Brida." I huffed, shooting her a look. "If you don't want to help, you can go back to camp, you know." I offered, annoyed. She rolled her eyes and became quiet, showing me her choice to stay with me hunting. "Good." I muttered, drawing my bow, ready.
"One your left." She then pointed out, crouching next to me, pointing into the woods, where a deer was grazing. I readied my shot and lined it up, tightening the arrow before I let it cut through the air and strike the animal, knocking it to the ground. "Good job, Y/N." Brida cheered, walking over to the struggling animal.
We quickly put it out of it's misery and cleared up the forest around us, getting ready to go back to camp, satisfied with our catch.
"You know, I'm so lucky." Brida began, out of nowhere. I looked at her, my eyebrows raised. "To have you- my girl, who can hunt and-"
"Your girl?" I replied, shocked. The brunette just chuckled to herself.
"You know you are." She smirked, making my heart flutter.
Aethelflead:
"Aethelflead, come with me down to the fields. The flowers are in bloom." I cheered at the girl as our parents sat in their own company in the summer evening. The brunette agreed and we ran down the garden path and across the fields down into the meadow.
The fields were thick with blooming summer flowers, each a different colour and shape and filling the field with a decorative glow. The sun was setting, though it still filled the sky with warm light as Aethelflead and I lay in the meadow among the flowers, laughter falling from our lips.
"What do you think of him?" I queried my friend, rolling over onto my stomach. The brunette still lay on her back, holding a daisy over her body and looking into the sky. "Do you like him?" I teased. Aethelflead turned to face me.
"No." She sighed. "What about you?" She then asked, almost changing the subject. I shook my head.
"No- I don't like him at all. He's sharp and hard and yet so breakable but yet not delicate." I explained. At that, my friend sat up and gave me a smile. She twirled the daisy in her hand and she glowed in the sunlight. I was almost awestruck. "I like things that are soft and smooth and delicate." I flashed my friend a look. "I like things that smell of roses, not pride."
"I, too, like soft things," Aethelflead's words pulled me towards her, "and smooth and delicate and that smell like petals and not pride." Still her words brought me closer. Our faces were just inches apart and I sucked in a breath as they got closer; finally, our lips touched but it was only for a moment- a blissful moment.
"You are smooth and delicate." I blushed before a giggle fell from my lips.
"And you do smell of roses." Aethelflead replied.
Edward:
"Want to talk about it?" The young man looked up to me and smiled, a sigh leaving his lips. I motioned for him to follow me and he did, leaving his half-drunk cup of ale on the table. As we found the back room, I lit and candle and shut the door, the air falling quiet.
"What is troubling you, Edward? You have seemed upset since the morning- is it your family?" I asked, taking a seat close to my dear friend. He shrugged, pushing his hair from his face and rubbing his eyes.
"My father wishes for me to marry." Edward finally spoke up, his voice dull and upset.
"Is that not a good thing?" I asked.
"Politically? Yes. Financially? Yes. For the sake of my life and happiness as well as hers? No- not a Godforsaken chance-"
"Edward." I gave him a stern look. I could feel him getting angry and I placed a calming hand to his, to which he grinned. "Who is she?"
"Her names is Aethelmaid. She's the daughter or an East-Anglian Lord. His other daughter has a marriage tied to Northumbria which means that, by me marrying his youngest daughter- and my sister being married into Mercia- the four kingdoms are tied together." He explained. "It is my father's dream to see England united."
"But you do not wish?" Edward shook his head. I sighed and placed a second comforting hand upon his back, a soft hum filling the room as I quietly pulled him back to a state of sober rationality. He wasn't drunk, though he certainly wasn't sober, and I knew he was easily emotionally exposed when he had alcohol in his veins.
"It's not that I don't wish to marry," he raised his head off the table, "just not her."
"Who, then?" I questioned, a teasing smile on my face. "Is it a Francian Princess?" Edward rolled his eyes.
"Nothing so political. Or financially valuable, come to think of it- well, at least not to my family; to her's it would make a lot of difference."
"So she is not wealthy, nor important. Edward, have you fallen for a nun?" I laughed.
"No." He let a short laugh fall from his demeanour. "I have, however, fallen in love with a bar maid, named Y/N."
I fell silent with shock. I studied his face for any sign of a lie but found none.
"M-me?" I choked on the air. The young Prince nodded. "You- you love me? A barmaid who cannot hold a single piece of sliver to her name or- or is a nobody in the eyes of society or-"
"I do not care, Y/N. You know that about me. I love you and I wish to be with you, if you shall have me." He claimed. "Will you?" He became timid. Gently, I placed a soft kiss to his cheek.
"I shall, Edward. I have loved you for a long time."
Eadith:
"Eadith, you must see-" I froze in the doorway to my friend's room, seeing her standing, almost naked. I stood, still in shock, my eyes looking over her body- her curves and skin- before blushing, madly. "I-I'm sorry." I managed to get out. She just giggled to herself and rolled her eyes.
"No you're not." She stated, knowing full well what I was thinking.
"Okay, maybe I'm not." I timidly said, my eyes falling to the floor. She laughed again and turned around, continuing to pin her hair into place, all while I watched her.
"Do you need something else?" She asked, still pinning her hair. I shook my head and turned to leave her room when a sudden wave of courage found it's way to me.
"Just to tell you I love you." I stated before walking out of her room, smugly.
Erik:
"I have never minded the rain." I looked up to the slat in the room where I was being held alongside Aethelflead. The woman behind me laughed as I daydreamed, my mind wondering away. "It has rained almost everyday since talk of bargaining began."
"Perhaps it is a sign." She suggested.
"Of what?" I asked, tuning to face her. The brunette just shrugged and I rolled my eyes. We were both quite as soon as we heard the door rattling and the sound of the wood being forced open before the two brothers stepped into the room.
Siegfried's face was straight and dull as always, he long brunette hair pulled back off his face. He looked dirty, splashes of blood on his tunic and face, and hands. Erik's hair, for once, was loose around his face and the golden colour was unmarked by an red. He flashed me a smile as he stood next to his brother.
"The Saxon's daughter is wanted." The brunette said, his voice strict and rough. Aethelflead stood up as the man approached her and stumbled as he forcefully dragged her from the room, leaving just Erik and I.
"Leave us." He turned to the man guarding the door. The Dane complied, shutting his Lord into my room, leaving it silent. "I though that I could keep you company while you waited for your friend's return." The kind man offered, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. I always welcomed Erik to sit with me and agreed that I would like his company.
"Will you tell me more stories about your Gods? I do enjoy them, Erik. You're good at telling stories." I flashed him a smile.
"Of course, Y/N." He looked at me softly. "But first, I actually have something else for you." He dove his hand into his pocket before pulling out a small leather chain. I took a few steps over to where he stood and smiled at him. "Turn around." He instructed. I did and but my lip as he put the strap around my neck and tired it, letting the pendant that was attached hang over my chest. I looked down to it and noticed that it was a ring, decorated with intricate symbols.
"Oh, Erik." I breathed, turning back to face him. He had a sheepish smile as he looked down at me.
"It is a gift, to remember me by." He stated.
"Erik, I shall always remember you. You are the first man I have ever loved." I confessed.
"You love me?" He questioned, disbelievingly. I nodded, pulling my lip back, slightly nervously. "You," he paused, "love me?" He had to ask again to confirm what I was saying. Again, I nodded. "Why? You- you are an incredibly beautiful and smart young woman, why would you love me?"
"Because," I looked deeply into his eyes, "because you are kind and sweet and caring and you make me laugh and- and-"
He cut me off by kissing me. He pulled me into his arms and let his lips softly dance against mine. Our hands around each other, mine pulling at his blonde hair and his slipping down my waist and back.
Their favourite thing about you:
Uhtred:
Your strength. Mentally, you are the strongest person he knows. You're independent, intelligent, understanding, compassionate- you're perfect in his eyes. You carry the weight or both your own and his world on your shoulders and are happy to do so. He wishes he could be that strong.
Finan:
Your determination. You will not give up. Never. You taught him something about patience and courage and that was a valuable lesson he will never forget. He admires your attitude towards success.
Sihtric:
Your devotion. You would give up everything for him, even your life. You are totally devoted to him and him to you. He adores the way that he is the only thing ever on your mind- his wellbeing, his happiness- and that you are not afraid of the fact that you love him and you are willing to fall for that sake of your love.
Osferth:
Your courage. He admires that you are always facing whatever challenges or fears lie ahead of you face on and that you are willing to face anything. He wishes he could have your courage sometimes.
Ragnar:
Your ability to read him. You know exactly how he is feeling and when. You know when he is being rash and when you need to speak up and talk him out of something and when you need to encourage him. You are like his moral compass and you are the only one he will open up to about his feelings. You are his rock.
Cnut:
Your caring nature. You put others first and look out for everyone- especially him. You care for him even when he isn't sick- making sure he eats and sleeps and has clean clothes and much more. You let love prevail though your actions and he wishes you could teach him how to be kinder.
Brida:
Your feist. You fight back and don't just take things. Even growing up in a Dane camp, you would argue with men twice your age and size and you would take the beating and accept it gracefully. You would get knocked down and still have a smart comment to make, especially when defending your friends. You are bold and loud and alive.
Aethelflead:
Your calmness. She is hotheaded and can act hastily but you are always there to guide her. It seems as though nothing can phase you and you are always the light of sensibility to her.
Edward:
Your smile. It could light up the entire city after dark and be seen for miles. Your smile is like his guiding light. It takes away all his troubles. He couldn't ask for more.
Eadith:
Your ability to take criticism. You take it well to say the least. You brush off bad days and only focus on the good. She could really learn something from you.
Erik:
Your sharp mouth. He loves not only your accent but also the words that you often find yourself saying. You speak your mind, even if it means having to speak it through a fist. You say what your believe- nothing less, nothing more. You aren't afraid.
What they give you of theirs:
Uhtred:
His first Mjolnir pendant. When his father gave him a new one, he gifted the old one to you as he said it had brought him good luck.
Finan:
His mother's cross. He had always carried it with him and he gave it to you before he left for battle, just in case he didn't come back. He did, of course, and said it was because you had wished on the pendant.
Sihtric:
His mother's ring. It was all he had left of her- a small and dainty silver ring- and he entrusted it upon you, the love of his life. You adored the ring and made sure to take good care of it for him, wearing it on your middle finger on your right hand.
Osferth:
His bible. He had always carried one with him and gave it to you one day, when he could clearly see you needed it.
Ragnar:
His grandmother's Kransen. It was an important part of Viking life for women and was a part of their traditions and customs. As his grandmother had only had sons, the heirloom still remained in the family and so he gave it to you, so you could fit in with his people more and so that your wedding would be much more traditional.
Cnut:
He gave you a happy life. That's more than you ever though you'd get, especially once you were married. But no. He treated you well, with kindness and payed you attentions, gave you gifts and often showed his affection for you. He entrusted his sons into your care, also, and blessed you with your own children. He gave the the best life.
Brida:
She didn't have anything material to give you but she did give you her love and respect. That is all you could have asked for.
Aethelflead:
Hand-written letters. Every week, you would write to each other and, in the envelope, enclose a dried flower. You kept all her letters in a small box, hidden inside a chest and they were your dearest possessions.
Edward:
His bracelet. When he was younger, his mother gifted him a silver bracelet from Francia, as a present for being the Prince. He gave it to you as a sign of both trust and love, letting it be your little secret, as it was never visible under your dress. He told his mother it had been knocked from his wrist during a fight.
Eadith:
She gifted you her mother's hair brush. It was gold-plated and had a delicate design that ran along it, with soft bristles. You didn't use it and kept it on the side of your dresser, to remind you of the ginger-haired girl.
Erik:
Freedom. It was simple. He gave you the ability to choose for yourself and to be your own person. He never forced or expected anything of you and allowed you to be as free as you wanted. He made you feel happy and safe and trusted but, most importantly of all, he made you feel loved.
Your favourite thing about them:
Uhtred:
His protectiveness. He shows his love through his protectiveness. He doesn't want anybody else to have you and easily gets jealous but that results in him holding you extra tightly and kissing you more. He would also fight any man who disrespected you.
Finan:
His gentleness. He was always sweet to you and kind and treated you so well. He never raised his voice at you or held you too tightly. He was always gentle with you and knew exactly how you needed his affection and when.
Sihtric:
His devotion to you. You were utterly devoted to him and he was to you. He was faithful to you- so much so that he wouldn't even look at another woman- and he would give up everything, his life included, for you. He loved you wholly.
Osferth:
His kindness. He treated you with kindness and was always sweet to you. He protected you as best as he could and made you always feel happy and safe and cared for. He could always cheer you up and would reflet let you get sad because he radiated such positive energy that you were influenced by it.
Ragnar:
His love. Cliche as it is, you loved the fact that he loved you. He loved you with his wile being, the same way you love him, and that was something you adored. He easily got jealous but knew that you were his and only his. You loved the fact that he gave you do much love and attention.
Cnut:
His humour. He was witty and quick mouthed when you got to know him. He loved telling stupid anecdotes or tales and they always entertained you. He was also always quick to defend you if somebody spoke against you and would fight in your corner always, be it verbally or through his fists. He spoke his mind and made you laugh.
Brida:
Her back talk. It was hot when she talked back at you and argued with you. You loved when she got feisty and would get in your face. It showed she cared.
Aethelflead:
Her eyes. She would speak through her eyes a lot, especially at you. The little glances and subtle glistens she gave you were you favourite, as it usually meant she was making fun of something or flirting with you. Plus you found her eyes so beautiful.
Edward:
His vulnerability. He was breakable and he didn't try to hide it from you. He let you see the real him and didn't shy away from you when things got tough. He wasn't afraid of letting you be there for him and let you know he needed you. You loved the fact that he was willing to share his whole self with you.
Eadith:
Her hair. The colour. The smell. The texture. Her hair was such a beautiful feature of hers and it stood out greatly. You loved everything about her but her hair was something special.
Erik:
His bravery. He didn't ever let people walk over him and stood up to everything. He defended you constantly. He never backed down from a challenge, especially if it was over you, and would face anything and everything. You aspired to be that strong.
How you sleep:
Uhtred:
Finan:
Sihtric:
Osferth:
Ragnar:
Cnut:
Brida:
Aethelflead:
Edward:
Eadith:
Erik:
A song that reflects your relationship:
Uhtred:
Golden Dandelions- Barns Courtney
Finan:
Flightless Bird, American Mouth- Iron & Wine
Sihtric:
Follow You- Bring Me The Horizon
Osferth:
Paper Rings- Taylor Swift
Ragnar:
James Deans & Audrey Hepburn (acoustic)- Sleeping With Sirens
Cnut:
Everybody Talks- Neon Trees
Brida:
Take Me To Church- Hozier
Aethelflead:
She's my religion- Pale Waves
Edward:
Gum- Moose Blood
Eadith:
Roman Holiday- Halsey
Erik:
Counting Stars- OneRepublic
The nickname they call you:
Uhtred:
He calls you a shortened version of your names usually but also calls you my love when he's feeling romantic, which isn't often but you enjoy it when he is
Finan:
He calls you Darlin' and a shortened version of your name usually
Sihtric:
He isn't really one for cutesy nicknames and must address you accordingly when in Winchester but he usually calls you my love or my heart when you are alone
Osferth:
He calls you your name in public but will call you sweetheart sometimes when you are alone
Ragnar:
He calls you my love, my dear as affectionate names, as well as a shortened version of your name but sometimes calls you lady when he's being playful
Cnut:
He isn't one for open romance and publicly displaying his affection for you but, when you are alone, he calls you my dear
Brida:
She sticks with a shortened version of your name
Aethelflead:
When formalities are away, she will either call you by a shortened version of your name or call you Rose as a sneaky bit of romance
Edward:
He calls you my dear or my love on a regular basis
Eadith:
She doesn't really do nicknames but she will sometimes call you Flower, though you don't know why exactly
Erik:
He tends to just call you a shortened version of your name while around others but, as soon as it's just you two, he calls you sweet nicknames like my dear, my love, my sunshine and even calls you his own personal goddess
Your *first time* with them:
Uhtred:
You two we left alone one night with a few others from the camp while the other travelled to the capital for business. You two snuck away and you ended up making out and one thing led to another. Your brother found you two in bed the next morning and Uhtred threatened to hurt him, if he told your father.
Finan:
It was one night before he left for Winchester. You were worried about him going away and slightly jealous of the fact that he could very easily whore and drink himself into oblivion and so he made love to you to prove that you were all he wanted. It was so romantic and he made sure you were comfortable with everything he did. Needless to say, you weren't jealous anymore.
Sihtric:
It was the first night you confessed you feelings at the river. He took you back to his room and he made you his, and claimed every inch of you body with his lips. He cherished you and loved you and you had never felt safer or warmer or more loved than in that moment. He also made sure to give you plenty of cuddles afterwards.
Osferth:
You had been in a strange mood all day and you two had an argument because you felt like he did love you. He proved that he did by dragging you inside and showing a side of himself you had never seen before. Finan may have almost walked in on you two and that resulted in a lot of teasing towards Osferth for finally loosing his virginity
Ragnar:
He had been away in Ireland fighting and, upon his return, you were to be married at once, upon his orders. Your first time together was on your wedding night, when he made you his in every way. It was worth waiting for and you two definitely made up for lost time.
Cnut:
It was a few nights after he first confessed his feelings for you. He took you with him when we was travelling to visit a camp of Danes, just a few hours ride north and insisted that you came with him, to show you what life would be like for you once you married him- well, that and to get some alone time with you.
Brida:
It was one night when you two were quite drunk and decided just to try it. Neither of you had a clue what you were doing but you figured things out pretty quickly
Aethelflead:
It was one night when she came to visit you with her family. You two would share a room anyway and so it made things easier for you. It started just as kissing and just progressed from there and you two had to try and be quiet but managed it
Edward:
It was the night he proposed to you. He needed you to be his in every way and you wanted nothing less. He made you feel very loved and showered you with affection. Afterwards, he made a plan to make you his wife and for you to be Queen with him one day.
Eadith:
It was one night during the summer when you two were alone in your house. You never really acted on your feelings until then but you two couldn't help it.
Erik:
It was the night before Uhtred came to rescue Aethelflead and you. You wanted to have sex with him as, on the chance you would never see him again, you wanted to have had a full experience of love with him. He cherished you and every inch of your body.
Their favourite place to kiss you:
Uhtred:
Your neck. He would rest his chin on your shoulder and kiss you neck a lot when you were younger and he still does when he knows you need it.
Finan:
Your head. You are shorter than him and so his lips are the perfect level to kiss your head. He likes it because it's quick and easy.
Sihtric:
Your lips. He waited so long to kiss them that he takes every moment he can to make up for that time. He enjoys kissing you lips just as a sign of romance but he also does it the show that you are his.
Osferth:
Your cheek. He isn't much for affection but does like to place a kiss to your cheeks when he would hold you or when you would sit next to him. It was simple, like him.
Ragnar:
Your lips. Be it a short, sweet kiss or a long and passionate one, he would always go to kiss your lips because he enjoyed feeling you smile against him afterwards.
Cnut:
Your neck. He likes men to know you are his and so he likes to leave his mark on you. He is jealous, though he wouldn't admit it, and his kiss in your neck is his way of feeling that you are safer from other men. That makes you even happier.
Brida:
Your lips. She is bold and daring and she has nothing but love for you and she doesn't mind showing it.
Aethelflead:
Your neck. It feels special when she kisses you there because it man's that it is only your two, alone, and together. She wouldn't dare do it anywhere anybody could see, as you would both be punished, and so it is something you share at the most secret times.
Edward:
Your shoulder. He liked to sit behind you and kiss your shoulder when he felt upset. You were his escape in the world. It brought him comfort, and so it became comforting for you.
Eadith:
Your hand. It was simple, quick and it meant she could hold you hand at the same time.
Erik:
Your lips. He was usually sweet and kissed your cheek and saved kissing you lips until you were in private, though, granted, his lips didn't stay on yours for too long once you were alone, but you still cherished his kisses there most.
When they propose:
Uhtred:
He proposed before he went off to battle for the first time. You thought he was joking but, when he returned, you were glad that he wasn't. Ragnar the elder and you father were both very happy for you both and held a feast.
Finan:
He asked you to marry him after he returned from Bebbanburg. He was defeated but seeing you run to him and throw yourself into his arms made him forget everything. He asked you within a second of seeing you, the words slipping out.
Sihtric:
He asked you to marry him when he became the Lord of Dumholm, after winning the battle there. He had land now and silver, and it meant he had stability for you and your children in the future and he felt like he could finally give you the home you deserved.
Osferth:
He asked you to marry him in the summer, a year after you began to date. No real occasion but he felt like it was time to properly give himself to you.
Ragnar:
He asked you before he returned to Ireland. He said would only be gone a few more months and that he wanted to make you his wife upon his return to Northumbria. You, of course, said yes immediately.
Cnut:
He had to ask your father's permission, of course, and it took a lot of negotiation. Your father was against the idea of marriage as it meant that Cnut no longer owed him loyalty as you would belong to him now. Cnut won him over by threatening to kill him- very romantic. He asked you soon after, taking you up to the hill that overlooked the camp and you were delighted.
Brida:
-
Aethelflead:
You both knew you could not marry each other, as being gay was punishable by death but you did ask her, as a sort of promise that she would always be yours, no matter who her father married her to.
Edward:
His father was match-making him. He hated every moment and so, that night, he slipped away to your house and asked you to marry him. You, of course, said yes.
Eadith:
You couldn't marry. But still, you had an engagement, where you promised to be faithful and to only ever be each others.
Erik:
He asked you during the night of the raid on the fortress. He begged you to leave and find safety but you refused him and so he promised he would marry you if you both survived the night and that was how he convinced you to find your father and free Aethelflead.
Then Erik's biggest problem became your father.
If they do/ what is their kink:
Uhtred:
Control. He likes it and, when he lacks it in his life, you let him control you to help him feel better- though, you will admit, you love being told exactly what to do by him
Finan:
No kink but he's not vanilla. He enjoys getting you naked and you enjoy him getting you naked even more. You don't need kinks for your bedroom to get heated.
Sihtric:
No kink but he's not vanilla, either. He is the most romantic person in the world and so he likes to be passionate and loving and to worship you and your body. He is a careful lover and you are always his priority. He likes to keep you happy. Afterwards, he always likes to hold you and kiss you more and tells you he loves you and calls you all sorts of compliments.
Osferth:
He is a kind lover and what you have together is all you could ask for, and you enjoy having sex with him but he's 100% vanilla. But that's okay.
Ragnar:
Choking, domination, tying you up- just to name a few. He knows you enjoy these things too, however and always makes sure he doesn't hurt you. Afterwards, he's a sweetheart and cuddles you and covers your body is soft kisses and holds you while you sleep. You have the best of both worlds with him.
Cnut:
Degrading you. He loves calling you his whore and treating you like one while you fuck. You know he doesn't mean what he says and, afterwards, he calls you only nice things- beautiful and sweet- and takes care of you when he gets rough.
Brida:
Degrading you. You're her bitch and she makes sure you know it. She's the pretty girl who will step on you, literally. You find it so hot.
Aethelflead:
No kink. You two are vanilla. Neither of you are experienced, with either men or other women, and so you have to figure things out yourself and that's as far as you have gotten.
Edward:
No kink and he's also quite vanilla. He likes to look after you and makes sure you enjoy it. He's soft and sweet and it's fun.
Eadith:
She's quite controlling. She likes you to know that she is calling the shots and you are weak to her because she turns you on and you give her anything she wants.
Erik:
He's the definition of doing both. He can be gentle and worshipping you or he can be rough and dominating you. You never know what's he's in the mood for. He always makes sure you are okay, however and never forces anything on you- if you want him to be gentle, he will- and, after, he cuddles you and calls you all sorts of sweet things and tells you he loves you.
How many kids your have:
Uhtred:
You have 3 boys and 1 girl: a son, a son, a son and then a daughter
Finan:
You have 2 boys and 1 girl: twin sons and a daughter
Sihtric:
You have 3 boys and 1 girl : a son, a son, a son and then a daughter
Osferth:
You have 1 boy and 1 girl: a daughter, then a son
Ragnar:
You have 2 boys and 3 girls: a son, a daughter, a son, a daughter and another
daughter
Cnut:
You have 2 boys and 2 girls: a daughter, a son, a daughter and a son
Brida:
-
Aethelflead:
You both had children with the men you were made to marry. She has daughter and you have 2 sons.
Edward:
You have 1 boy and 2 girls: a son and twin daughters
Eadith:
-
Erik:
You have 3 boys and 1 girl: a son, a son, a son and a daughter
Your kids' names:
Uhtred:
Boy: Uhtred
Boy: Ragnar
Boy: Odin
Girl: Astrid
Finan:
Boy: Conan
Boy: Tierney (said:teyairnee)
Girl: Fianna (said: feeina)
Sihtric:
Boy: Freyr (said: freyur)
Boy: Jessen
Boy: Fhynli (said: finley)
Girl: Eira (said: ayerah)
Osferth:
Girl: Saeflaed (said: sayfled)
Boy: Theowulf
Ragnar:
Boy: Rorik
Girl: Eydis (Ihdis)
Boy: Tyr (said: teer)
Girl: Eir (said: ayir)
Girl: Helle (said: helee)
Cnut:
Girl: Eerika (said: erikah)
Boy: Vali
Girl: Asta
Boy: Aegir
Brida:
-
Aethelflead:
Her girl: Aelfwynn
Your boy: Brithun
Your boy: Wilmund
Edward:
Boy: Tate
Girl: Thraeswynn (said: freyaswin)
Girl: Eawynn (said: ayawin)
Eadith:
-
Erik:
Boy: Magni
Boy: Máni (said: mawni)
Boy: Loki
Girl: Tove (said: torvee)
They propose to you:
Your wedding dress:
Uhtred:
Finan:
Sihtric:
Osferth:
Ragnar:
Cnut:
Brida:
-
Aethelflead:
-
Edward:
Eadith:
-
Erik:
When you get married:
Uhtred:
You got married in the summer, not long after he propounded to you. Your fathers had everything arranged quickly and your mother wanted you to marry before the autumn.
Finan:
You got married in the winter, inside a warm church in private. You just wanted something simple and the church was the warmest place out of the snow.
Sihtric:
You were married in the Spring time in Winchester formally. You father finally gave his blessing for you and Sihtric to marry- as he saw the political gain from it- and held a big ceremony for you two.
Osferth:
You married in private in a church in the spring. You had a Christian service but also did some parts of a traditional Danish wedding, too, as you were a half-Dane.
Ragnar:
You married in the late summer after he returned from Ireland. You had a traditional wedding, fully organised by his mother and father, and you got married just a day after he returned from fighting, upon his request.
Cnut:
You married in the autumn. You wanted your mother and sisters to be at your wedding and so you waited until they had arrived in England. Cnut would have married you the day your said yes but couldn't but realised it was worth the wait in the end.
Brida:
-
Aethelflead:
-
Edward:
You got married in the summer in a small church in the Wessex countryside. Nobody could know but your parents but it was beautiful none the less.
Eadith:
-
Erik:
You got married in the spring time, not long after you first got together. Your father was opposed could see that he couldn't win and so agreed to let you marry Erik. You had a traditional pagan wedding.
When you have children:
Uhtred:
You had you first child just nine months after you got married. You had all 4 children within 3 years of you getting married.
Finan:
You got pregnant before you were married but your first was born about eight months after. You waited another few years to have any more.
Sihtric:
You got pregnant very soon after you got married. You had your children at different times, there being almost 10 years between your eldest and youngest.
Osferth:
You actually got pregnant outside of wedlock, which is what caused you two to get married so quickly. You then waited a few years before having any more children.
Ragnar:
You got pregnant within a month of being married. He had to go back to Ireland but came back in time to see his first child born. You second came along soon after but then your next children were more spaced out.
Cnut:
You got pregnant before you married him and, despite doing your best to hide it, your father found out and almost killed Cnut. He forced you to marry sooner than you had planned. You next children came a few years later.
Brida:
-
Aethelflead:
You had your sims before she had her daughter as you were married before her. Your sons are three years older than her daughter.
Edward:
Your son was born a year after you married and your twin daughters soon followed about a year later. You would have liked more children but it never happened but you loved the three you did have.
Eadith:
-
Erik:
You had your first son a year after you got married. Your second came along two years later and your third two years after that. You then had a daughter a few years later.