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jasontoddorjasongrace · 5 hours ago

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TVDU: Vikings in the Americas

I do a decent amount of research for my fic (which is more than the TVDU writers can say) so I thought I would share some.

For my story, You're On Your Own, Kid, it is based on the Mikaelson's human life. This is a period for TVDU that I find very problematic, specifically how whitewashed it is.

The Mikaelsons would have been one of the first Norsemen to come to the Americas as the first recorded instance of 'Vikings' coming to this area was about 980. Even then, they predominantly landed in areas like Greenland and would not have moved so far away from the coast as where Mystic Falls is supposed to be located. It wasn't until around 1,000 that they sailed further south and landed in what we today refer to as the United States. That being said, the writers have always found geography to be more of a guideline than a rule. Even Elijah mentioning wild horses he remembered from his childhood is inaccurate. During this period, horses were not native to North America and were not reintroduced until the 1400s.

But the problematic part is how whitewashed their village is. Everyone we see in the flashbacks is white, except for Ayana and they give no explanation of why she is the only woman of color in the village (where is the rest of her family?). Even the werewolves who were supposed to be native to the area (*cough* indigenous erasure*cough*) were shown to be white. The show later goes back and shows the Lebonair pack to be indigenous but doesn't explain how Ansel and his pack are white.

And yes, it would make sense for them to settle in an area where other Norsemen have settled, but that raises the question of who they were training to fight. Like most white colonizers, it was likely they were raiding and fighting the indigenous people of the land. We even see a scene where Klaus goes to show someone mercy and he looks as if he could have been an indigenous person.

Many Vikings who came to the 'New World' traded with indigenous people, but here we see Mikael keeping the land by force. To me, this is an unnecessary choice by the writers when Norsemen had a history of trading, they didn't have to be murderous colonizers.

We also see a lot of modern-day stereotypes/assumptions placed on the village. Like Rebekah not being able to hold a knife, when in fact the Norsemen actually valued their women and many of them learned to fight. While women were still viewed as inferior to men and it was very much a patriarchal society, the representation we see in TVDU is more of a European-centric view of women.

Additionally, Vikings were not all warriors. Most of them were farmers. Yes, they wielded swords when necessary and as a culture idolized their warriors, but for the large majority of the time, they spent their time farming or fishing. This is especially true before the religious conflicts between England.

When they did fight, much of their success was due to their navy (which would not be very helpful in land-locked Virginia). They also have such a fierce reputation because the English believed them to be 'barbaric' much like they described the natives when they colonized the Americas.

Elijah mentions that Mikael was a wealthy landowner when we first learn about his family. Land he likely stole from indigenous tribes. Additionally, who is farming all of this land? Vikings were known for taking slaves from lands they raided (we even see this is how Dahlia and Esther are taken), which here would be indigenous people. While Mikael is not a character that is glorified, the indigenous erasure is wildly problematic.

I know it is just a fun CW show, but a little research and sensitivity on these topics would have been appreciated. Throughout the show, we see the (white) Mikaelsons living quite lavish lifestyles but the show fails to acknowledge the people that got them there.

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jasontoddorjasongrace · 9 days ago

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Hey! Picture this. Sihtric and Reader swimming in a pond/river and playing and stuff like that, and the Sihtric getting so soft because he had never played with anyone in the water and confessing his feelings for Reader and everything is so cute. One of those hot summer days and them being best friends and sneaking from Uhtred to go and spend the afternoon there together. I'm soft for Sihtric. 🥺

I just love how you write Sihtric. It's so perfect.

Ok first of all, thank you so much for the ask and the compliment. I just love that Dane so damn much and how he can be both quiet, soft, and gentle but also a completely confident, protective warrior too. It makes writing for him really fun. Plus just look at him.

Second of all, I adore this idea as a prompt. It instantly got images and ideas floating around in my head. So I hope you enjoy, my dear!

The sound of the rippling water brought a slight smile to your lips as you approached the bank of the creek. The slow moving water slowing your thoughts along with it.

There was always a gentle breeze that stirred the air in the small gully the waters had created over the eons. The breeze was a welcome gift in the late July heat.

Sitting your basket down in the rocky pebbles, you hummed a gentle tune to yourself and removed your shoes. You paused to wiggle your toes in the cool water before reaching down to grasp one of the shirts in your basket.

Caked with dirt and grime, the cloth was in desperate need of a wash. Still humming to yourself, you strode across the pebbled shore towards the tall boulder that juts out near the giant oak tree.

You love that tree. It’s roots gnarled and twisting amongst the beach and the water. Since moving to Coccham, this spot has become your favorite haunt. Sometimes there would be others who came and enjoyed it as well. It was not a secret place, by any means.

But it was often empty and peaceful. A good place to let your hands focus on washing your lord and his warriors filthy sparring clothes while your mind could be cast adrift.

All people find their minds wander while doing those menial and mindless tasks. You were no exception. And recently, while washing their mud stained shirts, your mind would drift to the images of those warriors practicing in the yard.

A certain lithe and muscular Dane in particular. His muscles glistening with sweat under the heat of the sun. His smile when laughing with Osferth brightening his eyes only to be replaced with a ferocity of a bear when he was on the attack.

You felt a flush of heat radiate across your face imagining those eyes staring at you with the same passion.

The sound of a pebble shifting on the beach caught your attention. Turning to look over your shoulder, you see no one there.

Suddenly, you catch movement falling out of the corner of your eye and in the next instant there is a splash.

Screaming, you drop the shirt from your hands and step backwards only to slip on the watery rocks and fall.

Your fear instantly fades as you hear the boisterous laugh emanating from Sihtric’s chest as he steps on the beach, splashing water as he walks.

Reaching down, he picks up the shirt, his own shirt out of the water then offers you his hand.

“I could not resist, Y/N.” His voice is still shaking with laughter. “You startle so easily.”

“Yes, Sihtric. But you would think I would be used to it by now with you lot always popping up from God knows where to give me a fright.”

Still smiling, that radiant smile, he pulls you to your feet and holds you arm as you steady yourself. “I’m sorry, Y/N. Do not be cross. We do so out of adoration for you and all you do for us!” His tone, still full of mirth, matching the twinkle in his eyes as you turn your face to meet them.

You cannot help yourself but to allow your lips to curve upward matching his. “I know that, Sihtric. But now look what your jests at my expense have done. My skirt is now wet and I still have all your,” you emphasized your words by poking a finger into his chest, “clothes that need washing before I can go home and change.”

His next words shocked you.

“Forget about our clothes. I will help you to wash them later. Come swimming with me.” Sihtric’s hand had never left your arm from when he pulled you up to stand.

“What?” Your tone is incredulous.

“Come swim with me, Y/N! The day is hot and the water is cool and it is a perfect day for it!”

You laugh at his words and move to pull your arm away, turning to walk back up the beach. “You have gone mad, my Danish friend. I have work to do. Lord Uhtred will want his shirts as will Finan and then,” but your words are cut off as you yelp in surprise.

Sihtric has wrapped his arms around your middle from behind, lifting your feet effortlessly off of the ground.

Your protests fall on deaf ears and mix with the giggles that you cannot contain as he strides into the water with you wrapped in his arms.

Despite yourself, you cannot stop from laughing and gripping onto the muscular cage his arms have trapped you in. The feel of his chest, pressed so strong against your back sends your heart fluttering and a wave of heat to pool in your abdomen. His breathy laughter at your protests tickles your ear.

Sihtric’s legs continue splashing into the water until he reaches a small gully in the stream bed that dips low. Stumbling slightly to catch his footing, he releases his grip on you and you both end up standing, hands on your knees, bent over in laughter as the water flows gently by you. You’re in up to your waists and without any shoes on your feet, you reach out to hold onto Sihtric’s shoulders to keep from slipping on the rocks below.

In between fits of laughter, you manage to choke out, “What has gotten into you, Sihtric?”

His hands have moved to hold onto your waist once more. The feel of them resting there surprises you at how natural the gesture comes on, how comfortable and secure it feels.

Still with mirth lacing his voice, Sihtric stares down at you, smirking and catching his breath before he answers. “As a child in Dunholm, I did not get to run and play in the sun or splash in the waters like most children.”

You were aware that his childhood had not been a happy one. He had spoken of it to you at times, usually after he had a round or two too many at the tavern. He’d have his arm slung round your shoulder and maybe make a small comment about the bastard life with Osferth before he then shifted away making more jokes and singing loud drunken songs.

This time was different. There was no ale. And no instant diversion to another topic.

Instead you watch as his smile fades. Both of your chest rise and fall, still unable to fully catch your breath. Sihtric’s hands press tighter into your waist, ever so gently drawing your body closer to him. His thumb moves in slow arcs up and down.

For a moment the idea crosses your mind to stand on your toes and catch his lips in yours. Instead you watch as he closes his eyes and tilts his head back, face towards the sky.

Droplets of water trail lazily down his throat as you see him swallow before taking a breath, opening his voice to speak once more.

“You make me feel like I could have that joy in my life, Y/N.”

That heat in your stomach grows and any chance of your fluttering heart slowing down is lost. “The happiness and lightheartedness I never experienced growing up, I feel that when I am with you, Y/N.” Bringing his face back to meet yours, his eyes search your face. Looking for an acceptance to his words. A man lost and looking to be found.

“I thought,” you swallow, trying to hold back the lump forming in your throat, “I thought I was alone in my feelings for you.” You can not help it as a slow tear makes it way from your eye.

Sihtric brings his hand up to gently cup your face, his thumb wiping at the tear.

“You are not alone, Y/N.”

You feel as Sihtric pulls your body flush with his own. His face so close that his breath on your wet skin sends shivers down your spine.

He moves his hand slowly from your face to cup the back of your head as he murmurs, “I’m going to kiss you, Y/N.”

And then, as soft as the water that flows around your bodies, his lips meet yours. Your hands slide along the shapes of his arms to encircle his neck as you feel him lift your body against him. The hand on your neck moves back to grip at your hip.

Slowly, tentatively his tongue licks at your lip asking permission to explore. Sighing, your mouth opens to give him access. He tastes of dried fruits and honey, of hot summer air.

Deep in your core, there is an ache growing. It is only stirred more when you feel Sihtric place you back on your feet. A hand moves to slide up your waist and settle along your ribs for a moment. Again, as if asking for permission.

You shift your body against him, feeling the excitement growing in his trousers and a soft moan escapes your throat.

Sensing that is permission enough, you feel as water drops fall off his hand as is slides up and gently cups your breast, his thumb finding your nipple. The friction of his thumb over your clothes and the feel of the slip of the water is driving you mad. A throbbing desire has started at the entrance to your core. A moan escapes his own lips as he feels how aroused you are against his touch.

Breaking his lips away from yours, he smiles and whispers “I have wanted to be with you for so long, Y/N. Kissing you feels like finding a home I never knew I was missing.”

The smile that radiates from you lips meets his own and you kiss once more. Only to hear the shouts of Lord Uhtred approaching the banks of the stream.

“Sihtric! Sihtric, where are you? Stop pestering Y/N. You are needed in the yard.”

Stifling your laughter, you called out, “he will be along shortly, Lord. He will need to find dry clothes first.”

You laugh more and grin up at Sihtric as you feel him fighting to contain his own laughter. The both of you can see Uhtred standing at the top of the hill now staring at the pair of you. He is shaking his head, but smiling.

“Confess your love to the girl another time, Sihtric and meet me in the hall.” Uhtred turns to walk away, but not before shouting over his shoulder, “and do not be wet!”

“Shall I expect you to confess your love to me this evening or will you make me wait again?” You chuckle placing a small peck against the corner of his lips.

Catching your lips before you can pull away, Sihtric replies, “Yes, you can expect me tonight. And every night thereafter.”

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