#King Harald x OC

[author-morgan]

🌹if you're still doing the WIP game! 🥰

From a long fic idea with Harald that I've tossed around. It would be a rewrite of Season 5B-6 and feature my OC, Ragnhild:

Harald Finehair leans closer, his lips twitching into a half-smile under graying whiskers as he lifts the ale-filled cup—if it is madness to try and take Kattegat from Ivar the Boneless, then he will play the madman, for a time anyways. At least until he claims the crown of Norway. “Madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin,” he muses, gaze settling upon the woman at his side. She is an enigma to him, as all women are, but there is a familiar heat in her ice-blue eyes, a spark of madness. People do not call her The Mighty because of her gentle nature and equanimous temperament. “When the gods flipped the coin upon your birth” —Harald lifts his hand, the back of his fingers ghosting over a pale scar on her chin— “which side do you think it landed on, Ragnhild?”

send me a 🌹 and i’ll post one random sentence (paragraph) of a random WIP i’m currently writing

[procrastinatingsoicanreadfanfics]

Vikings (TV) Masterlist

my requests for vikings are currently partially OPEN! please only request imagines, and not oneshots. for those waiting for a continuation of ‘searching home’ or ‘unexpected’ i am so sorry... finishing those two is going to take me a while :/

hmu/msg me to be added to a taglist!

main masterlist | request guidelines

heorte til heorte

(msg me to be added to the taglist!)

relationship: athelstan x alethia stahl (oc) | summary: alethia wanted to go home, to return to her family. instead, she finds herself in ninth-century england. not speaking the language, and still processing the grief of her other life, she searches for an anchor - athelstan. | tags: angst, fluff, timetravel

masterlist | preview | read on ao3

No romantic relationships // character x character

Queendom - relationship: Lagertha x Aslaug | summary: They’ve both loved and they’ve both lost. Perhaps it was time that their hearts warmed again. | tags: angst, fluff

The Lothbroks, aka, the European version of the Kardashians - relationships: none | summary: When Barbie Murray time travels, she finds out that pink isn’t available in Viking times. Luckily, her new besties all understand that boobs are the best and slay (literally?!) with her. | tags: crack, fluff, timetravel

I may be a bimbo, but I’m not stupid - relationships: slight oc/ oc | summary: Ivar kills Sigurd in a fit of rage, but Barbie isn't so quick to forgive cruelness. | tags: angst, crack, timetravel

1st gen Vikings

Strange Woman  relationship: Rollo x timetraveler!reader | summary: The woman that appeared out of nowhere could be oh so dangerous, but even a stupid man would know that she was fascinating. | tags: fluff, timetravel

Friend of Thor - relationship: rollo x timetraveler!asgardian!reader | summary: The reader, a fellow Asgardian and friend of Thor and the new King of Asgard, Brunnhilde, falls through worlds as the new guardian of the Bifrost tampers with the magic. | tags: crack, fluff, timetravel

And the Gods wished they were me - relationship: Judith x viking!gn!reader | summary: Judith knows she should not mourn Athelstan. Nor should she even look at Norse heathens. She does both anyway, because Judith was named after a woman that had only rage and death, and she cannot escape her fate. | tags: angst, fluff

Ubbe Ragnarsson

Another day / part 2 - relationship: Ubbe x reader | prompt: we live to fight another day. | tags: angst

Oldest - relationship: Ubbe x timetraveler!reader; platonic!Ivar x reader | summary:  It seems that few things change about being the oldest sibling, no matter which place – or time | tags: fluff, timetravel, slight angst

Yggdrasil relationship: Ubbe x reader; platonic!Ivar x reader; dad!Harald x reader | summary:  How can you tell your father what happened to you when he’d done it to so many others. | tags: angst, dark/gory

Hvitserk 'Whiteshirt' Ragnarsson

Hvitserksdottir - relationship: Hvitserk x reader | prompt: “I think we need to talk about the fact that I’m in love with you and also that I’m pregnant.” | tags: angst, fluff

Floki’s Cabin - relationship: Hvitserk x reader | prompt: “Just trust me. Please. | tags: angst

Searching Home / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 - relationships: Hvitserk x reader; Ivar x reader | summary: When you stumble upon the ancient Spanish city of Algeciras, it takes you some time to realize that you’ve traveled through time. While that is terrible luck, a merchant couple takes you in. But your peace only lasts so long. | tags: angst, fluff, dark/gory, timetravel

Neither - relationship: genderfluid!reader x Hvitserk | Summary: Hvitserk finds out about genderfluidity and accepts he might not be completely straight | tags: fluff, timetravel

Law of conservation - relationship: Hvitserk x reader | summary: You’ve been working as a tutor at your high school for about a year now. When your parents throw a barbecue party for your new neighbors, their mother Aslaug asks you to tutor her son Hvitserk, who is already a notorious flirt at his school. | tags: fluff

Sandcastles - relationship: platonic!hvitserk x timetraveler!reader | summary: reader builds sandcastles, Ivar doesn’t get it and Hvitserk loves the idea of it | tags: fluff, timetravel

When in Bali... -  relationships: hvitserk x reader, ivar x freydís, sigurd x oc | summary: You were supposed to go to Bali with your partner for your one-year anniversary. Instead, you’re there alone, heartbroken. Will reuniting with a friend you know from a summer vacation in elementary school be able to fix it? | tags: fluff

Ivar 'the Boneless' Ragnarsson

Unholy Matrimony - A Sham in Four Acts / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 - relationship: Ivar x reader | prompt: I’ve learnt to love you. | tags: angst, fluff smut

Insatiable Little Heathens  - relationship: ivar x reader | summary: drabble, for all of y’all who wanted more of Unholy Matrimony | tags: fluff

Resolve - relationship: ivar x reader | summary: Ivar’s legs hurt but he’s so fucking thickheaded | tags: fluff

My kind of witch - relationship: ivar x reader | summary: You wake up in an unfamiliar bed. The man with blazing blue eyes fascinates you as soon as you see him and as you realize the struggles he faces every day, your admiration for him grows into something more. | tags: fluff, timetravel

Red - relationship: ivar x reader | summary: Ivar finally meets his match. | tags: smut, dark/gory

Serve - relationship: sub!ivar x buff!reader | summary: Ivar keeps teasing you. You finally have enough and give him a taste of his own medicine | tags: smut

Searching home / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 -  relationships: Hvitserk x reader; Ivar x reader |  summary: When you stumble upon the ancient Spanish city of Algeciras, it takes you some time to realize that you’ve traveled through time. While that is terrible luck, a merchant couple takes you in. But your peace only lasts so long. | tags: angst, fluff, smut, dark/gory, timetravel

Totally artistic -  relationship: ivar x reader | summary: When inspiration hits, you can’t stop it | tags: fluff

Sandcastles - relationship: platonic!hvitserk, ivar x timetraveler!reader | summary: reader builds sandcastles, Ivar doesn’t get it and Hvitserk loves the idea of it | tags: fluff, timetravel

Brother - relationships: ivar x reader, hvitserk & reader, reader & oc | summary: You left your home and your brother behind for a reason. Now, a man is causing trouble at the borders of Kattegat, and as Ivar's queen, you take justice into your own hands. | tags: fluff

Unexpected / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 - relationship: ivar x thrall!reader | summary: Ivar finally decides to fuck the slave he’s been eyeing for so long, but when his angry side slips out, things take a turn for the wholly unexpected. | tags: smut

Tarot -  relationships: ivar x reader, hvitserk & reader | summary: Your day at the fair has been pretty slow – until a client like no other shows up. | tags: fluff

Imagines

How the Vikings would react to an accidental time traveler and a quiz to see if you’d survive: https://uquiz.com/dVXpgW

Ragnarssons (+Gyda): First Kiss

Social Media 

How the Vikings would react to guns and snapchat filters 

How the Vikings would react to modern dancing 

How the Vikings would react to modern music, and what they’d like

How the Vikings would react to modern concepts of astronomy and space 

How the Vikings react to modern haircare 

Vikings and Astrology

How Vikings would react to THEM timetraveling

Vikings + getting sick 

Vikings + Halloween 

Vikings + realizing you’re pregnant

Vikings characters + how they'd react to finding Accidental Time Traveler crying somewhere and not knowing why 

Vikings + you on your period  (+ more hcs about Ivar)

Vikings + Legos

Vikings + reader being much less stressed in their time

Vikings + single mother

Vikings + Gender Neutral Thor

Vikings + modern food

Vikings + touch avoidant cuddler

Vikings + Kids

Vikings + their history

Ragnarssons + being possesive

Vikings + Maleficent/Fae!reader

Vikings + curls and afros

Vikings + sleeping habits

Vikings + contortionist/super flexible reader

Vikings as modern!uni students

Vikings + affectionate drunk!reader

timetraveling!Vikings + modern tv/movies

Vikings + gen z slang

Vikings + curly haired kids

timetraveling!Vikings + Christmas

Vikings + eras other than their own

Vikings + ivar being remembered/famous

[hederasgarden]

Other Characters/Fandoms Masterlist

House of the Dragon

Series

Sins of the Father (Aemond Targaryen x Lady!Reader | Mature | Ongoing Series)

When the Greens win the Dance of the Dragons, your father must answer for his support of Rhaenyra.

Oneshots

Bloodlust (Aemond Targaryen x Lady!Reader | Explicit | 1.8K)

After battle, Aemond visits your tent. 

The Batman

Everyone’s a Secret (Bruce Wayne x F!Reader | Ongoing | Explicit)

It’s bad enough when your one night stand is later revealed to be the reclusive Bruce Wayne but your life gets infinitely more complicated when photos of that night make the front page news.

Mistakes Were Made (Bruce Wayne x F!Reader | Ongoing | Gen)

When you take the job as Bruce Wayne’s publicist, you’re prepared for some surprises but finding out he’s Batman isn’t one of them. The good news is you’re not fired. The bad news? Batman definitely needs some PR help.

Halo

Oneshots

Everything They Made Me (John 117 x Makee l Explicit l 1.7K)

How weak must she be that a simple kindness undoes her so? (A missing scene from episode 8.)

Moon Knight

Oneshots

Nothing Lasts But Light (Layla El-Faouly x Reader x Marc Spector l Explicit l 3.4K)

You love Layla enough to accept anything, even Marc.

Top Gun

Oneshots

A Lesson in Patience (Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Reader | Explicit l 1.4K)

Your boyfriend wants to try something new. 

Drabbles

Take a Seat (Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Reader | Explicit | 845)

Rooster invites you to take a seat on his face. 

His Goofy Girl (Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Reader | Gen | 630)

You have an entertaining reaction to the anesthesia used for your wisdom tooth extraction, much to Rooster ‘s amusement and embarrassment.

Vikings Valhalla 

Oneshots

New Beginnings (Harald Sigurdsson x F!Reader l Mature l Series on hiatus) 

You are chosen to wed King Harald in order to cement the alliance between King Canute’s growing kingdom and Norway.

A Quiet Interlude (King Canute x F!Reader l Explicit l 1.2K)

After the death of Queen Ælfgifu, you become King Canute’s new wife.  

Drabbles

Heartbeat (Leif Eriksson x F!Reader l Explicit l 874) 

When your home is attacked, you see a different side of Leif.

Persistence (Leif Eriksson x F!Reader l Teen l 658)

Many men have come for your hand but Leif is the first you let into your heart.

The Rescue (Leif Eriksson x F!Reader l Gen l 431)

You hate frat parties but Harald’s new friend might just change your mind. (Modern AU)

Wicked Games (Godwin x OC l Explicit l 662)

The new Elderman of Wessex has met his match with Lady Aida.

♡Main Masterlist♡

[phenomenal1500]

~His Wild Bull~

Masterlist A/N: This was requested by DEVILHORNS on Wattpad. I hope you love it! ♥️ Let me know if anyone enjoys this OC and want a fan fiction out of this. I also will be taking a break from the smut for now. I'm so sorry for the once who requested anything with smut over the past few months. I won't be writing them anymore. I found out they take me so much time and the joy in writing them is long gone, it's way too frustrating. I perhaps will eventually take smut requests again, but for now the only smut that will come out is from myself if I ever feel like it.  Summary: Harald is surprised by his wife taking control. Timeline: Harald as the new king of Norway. Pairing: Harald Sigurdsson x Fem!OC Warning: Detailed smut, dick riding, dom/sub.

From a distance Harald let his eyes wander off to the gorgeous woman found on the other side of the feasthall, his gorgeous woman. Thyra was the only daughter of King Canute. A strong blue eyed, black haired woman born and raised to be a great queen to her people someday.

The moment he learned about her existence and her still unwedded status, he proposed to fill in the roll of husband and king.... but only once they build a connection to know what they were getting into of course.

He didn't want to instantly overwhelm her with the thought of marriage and he did have the need to get to know her first as well. However, after their first evening spend together watching the stars reflect into the ocean, he knew he was falling in love already and she had to admit she was too.

"Harald?" Thyra had slowly walked his way after her conversation ended and took his hand in hers.

"Yes?" He smiled sweetly and took her other hand too, noticing she was looking tired.

"Could we perhaps go to our room?" She rubbed her eyes with her free hand after she let go of one of his, yawning a bit too.

"Tired, my love?" He smiled and sneaked his arm around her waist.

"Yes." She nodded and he smiled.

"Come on then, my queen." He laid his hand on the small of her back and led her to their newly shared bedroom.

"Thank you, Harald." She smiled and followed sleepily, but something he didn't know yet was that it was all part of an act.

If he had been paying a little closer attention to her, she knew he would've probably figured out what she truly wanted within one look, but she also knew that if there was something involving her he would never question it and make sure she was comfortable at any cost. That's why she took advantage of that opportunity.

"You want me to stay with you while you rest?"

"Yes, I would love that." She smiled and casually dropped her fur cloak and her dress from her shoulders, letting it pool around her feet as she looked up at him. "That would make me feel at ease."

He nodded, but didn't meet her gaze. He was too busy taking her beautiful bare body in, but she unfortunately didn't give her husband much time to admire her. She turned around within a few seconds and acted like she was busy with the sheets. She needed to hold her position, keep her sneaky lie around for a little while longer as she very slowly moved onto the bed.

She tried to be so so innocent about everything, but he already knew what she wanted the moment she didn't let him see her face anymore.

"There's something else you need from me first, don't you~?" He growled lowly and took a step closer. "You aren't tired~."

"I was tired of the feast, but not too tired to have a long night with just my husband~." She giggled a little and felt his strong arms wrap around her slender waist, his chest pressed firmly against her back now.

"Why didn't you tell me before, my queen? I'm happy to take care of her when she needs me." He confessed and pulled her from their bed, kissing her neck gently as his hands massaged her hips soothingly.

"Even so- that's not what she currently needs from you~." She turned around in his embrace and all of a sudden pushed him onto the now already messy bed. "She wants to take care of you this time."

"Me?" He smirked, caught by surprise when before he knew it his back hit the soft bed beneath him.

"Yes. You." She rubbed his thigh close to his cock and unlaced his pants with her other hand. "So lay back and let me, my king. I'm certain you won't regret it." She pushed up his shirt as well. 

Harald nodded with a wide grin, but first helped her strip him from his armor before he obediently laid back down against the headboard and watched her elegantly straddle him.

 "You're so gorgeous. You're everything I could ever wish for." His hands instantly went back to her sides to caress her and she bend down to connect her lips with his, grinding her hips against his with lust. She needed him to know she wasn't playing around so the kiss wasn't as soft or gentle as usual. Instead, it was filled with lust and dominance and she adored it how quickly he switched to giving her full control. 

She loved being nasty with him for once, to show him he didn't always have to be gentle with her and that she too had a wild side he could admire. It surely wasn't as if he didn't enjoy her like that either. He was taken back by her sudden boost of confidence, yes, but he honestly couldn't wait for more....

His cock was already rock hard and throbbing, the control his woman showed him freeing a glimpse of desperation in his behaviour.

He needed to feel her.

All of her.

But he really, really tried to hold back. She was in charge, not him, and he wanted to give her the opportunity to fully have that control she urged for. 

His loving eyes looked up when he let his fingers dance across the soft skin of her thighs, meeting Thyra's ice blue eyes, and he could see a small smirk appear from her lips when she noticed his thick cock twitching.

She knew he couldn't wait much longer and honestly neither could she. 

Within one quick motion she instantly mounted him, a long moan escaping from her mouth while she felt herself stretch around him. "He fills me up so well~." Thyra added softly, but tried to control herself and grind her hips right away once again. 

She couldn't let the pleasure get ahold of her yet, not with the ideas she had in mind for them.

Taking every inch of him the best she could, a hot and pleasurable flame washed over her as she rode him at a steady fast pace. A rough pace she always wished to ride him in. 

"Oh gods~ my love~." Harald growled lowly and his hips thrusted deeper inside of her everytime she rocked her hips. 

"I~ I know~." She moaned in response, too busy making them feel good to form full sentences anymore. His cock just simply made her feel so heavenly and him fully pressing inside with each thrust specially timed to match her riding was way too pleasureable. His thrusts truly created a perfect harmony between the two lovers and the time of soft dirty talking slowly came to a full stop. They weren't capable of doing so anymore and whenever they tried to whisper sweet or nasty nothings in each other's ears all their words came out as sloppy moans and whines. 

Thyra let her hands run over Harald's sweaty chest and he groaned, sitting up more to kiss the top of her breasts and leave some bite marks to show off she was forever his. 

"Mmm~ I love you, Harald." She giggled softly at his actions and suddenly moaned his name louder again when he shoved his cock even further inside of her to hit that deep spot, making her walls squeeze him as she came hard. 

She was so tight and warm, so inviting. 

The handsome man growled and followed her quickly by the tightness of her walls wrapping around him, holding her down on him as he felt the heat of his release fill her. "I love you too, ketta~." He whispered and very gently put a stroke of hair behind her ear, watching her as she tried to relax while the enchanted feeling in her abdomen was still lingering around. "You're doing okay?''

"Perfectly okay." She smiled and let her body rest against his, embracing his neck as she rested her face in the crook of his neck, his hands wrapping around her lower back to hold her too. 

"My wild bull." He smiled, kissing her shoulder.

[komotionlessqueenmm]

PART ONE

Okay so this is a list of my short stories, with links leading to each post. Some stories have been discontinued, some are complete. And some are ongoing. I list the name of the story, who is paired in the story, what the character/person is from, and lastly if it's complete, ongoing, or discontinued. If there are multiple parts, they should all be linked.

NON-REQUESTED STORIES

1.) The Phoenix & The King (1-?)

• King Harald Finehair X Jade Clegane OC

• Vikings & Game of Thrones crossover

|DISCONTINUED|

--

2.) Lean On Me (1-2) - (2-2)

• John Marston X Reader

• Red Dead Redemption 2

|COMPLETE|

--

3.) You Are Mine, And I Am Yours. (1-1)

• Toecutter X Reader

• Mad Max (1979)

|COMPLETE|

--

4.) My Sweet (1-?)

• Dani Filth X Yandere!Reader

• Cradle of Filth

|DISCONTINUED|

--

5.) My Sweet Domesticated Demon (1-1)

• Hellboy X Reader

• Hellboy (2004)

|Completed|

--

6.) One man's trash, is another man's treasure. (1-4) - (2-4) - (3-4) - (4-4)

• Bo Sinclair X Reader

• House of Wax (2005)

|COMPLETED|

--

7.) Sudden Appearances (1-1)

• Dr. Nelson Wright X Reader

• Flatliners (1990)

|COMPLETED|

--

8.) Giving into Desire (1-1)

• Jeff Hardy X Reader

• WWE

|COMPLETED|

--

9.) Swimming Lessons (1-1)

• John Marston X Reader

• Red Dead Redemption 2

|COMPLETED|

--

10.) This wasn't supposed to happen, but I'm glad it did. (1-5) - (2-5) - (3-5) - (4-5) - (5-5)

• Peter Steele X Reader

• Type O Negative

|COMPLETED|

--

11.) Life & Death (1-1)

• Death!Jeff Hardy X Life!Reader

• WWE (Supernatural entities edition)

|COMPLETED|

--

12.) Lustful Desires (1-1)

• Incubus!Jeff Hardy X Human!Reader

• WWE (Supernatural entities edition)

|COMPLETED|

--

13.) Leprechaun King (1-1)

• Leprechaun!Sheamus X Human!Reader

• WWE (Supernatural entities edition)

|COMPLETED|

--

14.) Those Werewolf Eyes (1-1)

• Werewolf!Jon Moxley X Human!Reader

• WWE (Supernatural entities edition)

|COMPLETED|

--

15.) Bear Cuddles (1-1)

• Human!Roman Reigns X Werebear!Reader

• WWE (Supernatural entities edition)

|COMPLETED|

--

16.) Lokabrenna (1-?)

• Osferth X Reader

• The Last Kingdom & Vikings crossover

|ONGOING|

--

17.) Hellhound (1-3)

• Tyler Galpin X (Y/n) Wolfgang Von Frankenstein

• Wednesday (series) & Misfits (Sorta)

|ONGOING|

--

18.) Hail To The End Of The World~ (1-?)

• Gunnar Jensen X Reader

• The Expendables (movies) & The Walking Dead (Series)

|ONGOING|

--

REQUESTED STORIES

1.) NO TITLE (1-1)

• David X Reader

• The Lost Boys

|COMPLETED|

--

2.) NO TITLE (1-1)

• David X Reader

• The Lost Boys

|COMPLETED|

--

[artemiseamoon]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love ❤️

Hey 😁 how are you! 💜

Since I did recent fics for the last ask like this, I’ll dedicate this one to some oldies from a fandom I really miss. It was the last time I really felt like I was part of a community here, le sigh. But I’m glad I was able to experience it and make the friends I did! Vikings community, I adore you & you’ll always be with me!

VIKINGS

In the shadows ~ Halfdan x f reader (one of my favs I’ve ever done) it’s a bit dark

If we only ever loved once ~ Modern! king a Harald x ofc | almost ofc x Halfdan (god this has my heart, a soulmate/missed chance fic)

Milk & Honey ~ how does someone whose not a Bjorn girl, at all, I can’t stand him 😂 write a werebear soulmate au??? I don’t know. But it happened and I love this story so much. This Bjorn is okay with me :)

My first long Vikings fic, A golden palace which I love to f’n much, I actually finished it but never completed it on tumblr. I got discouraged when ppl stopped interacting and reblogging but man, this fic holds a special place in my heart! Plus I got to spent a lot of time writing that bastard Oleg who I love and hate at the same time.

Tied between these for the last one: a gift from the gods (dark king Harald oneshot w/ a little halfdan, smutty and indulgent ) absolute pleasure ( another smutty self indulgent one, my oc gets to use both Halfdan and Harald sexually one shot)

The last ask, where I rec some of my recent stuff

[muse-oleum]

The Sea Snake - Alfhild Sveynsdottir

This has been festering in my mind for months and I have have to get it out in preparation for AU-gust 2023. It's just a little ficlet to introduce Alfhild Sveyndottir, an OC in the Vikings: Valhalla universe. I hope you can begin to make her out with the few words I've given you here. I would like to credit (blame? blame lovingly?) @mercurygray for giving me the Godwin x OC creative demon after rereading all her Edith Eadig works (which you should totally check out). Please let me know what you think!

He heard the door grind open once more. He sighed, turned on his side, ready to tell the Viking prince to go shove his promise somewhere he could not possibly reach for it, and froze. 

He had not expected her.

"Well, well."

Godwin closed his eyes. Out of all of King Canute's horde, of course it had to be her. 

"A sight I never expected to see," she walked into the cell, traces of blood still on her face. "Godwin, whisperer of kings and little bird of the alehouses, brought so low." 

"Alfhild."

He was rather proud of how he'd managed to keep his tone neutral, his face blank. 

Once upon a time (and perhaps even now), Alfhild Sveynsdòttir had been the most intimidating woman he had ever met. Tall, deadly graceful, she was a true shieldmaiden. Her long red hair was bound in a tight braid at the back of head, no doubt mingled with the blood of some unfortunate interloper. 

It seemed the feast had gone well. 

She sat almost exactly where Prince Harald had sat, looking over him with the same blank expression he was sure he was directing right back at her. She had, after all, always been much better at this game than her friend. 

Where Harald could not sit still, she stood immovable, the sword at her hip enough to dissuade most foolhardy idiots. Where he raged, she smiled, deadlier than a snake. 

They said her mother had hailed from the furthest Northern reaches of the Viking world, where the sun never set for months at a time and where the night lasted throughout winter. He'd heard the legends, even after she'd left England to go find out more about the mother she'd never known. 

They said she had been a siren and that Alfhild herself was born in the North Sea before her father claimed her.

It would certainly explain her mastery of the sea. He'd heard the Viking guards at his door speak of her aiding another boat captain, Leif Eriksson, through a raging storm. 

A sea snake, then. 

"Tell me," she asked, her features trembling in the firelight, "do all prisoners get their own personal fires?"

He couldn't help the twitch of his lips. It was not the question he had been expecting. Once again, she had disarmed him. 

"I do not believe so."

One delicate, blood marked, eyebrow shot up. 

"I would think you well acquainted with the cells and their inmates."

It’s true, he had put many there and ensured they would never get out. Or, at least, not with their head. 

Godwin did not relish violence, but he was no stranger to it, had been its intimate friend for years. Where England was concerned, there was nothing he wouldn’t do, especially if it aided his plans. He had sworn to himself long ago that he would do what was necessary to crawl out of the mire his father had left for him. 

Alfhild had always been astute enough to notice his thirst for power, where all the other only saw the orphaned son of a traitorous noble.

Noble blood recognized noble blood, and she had always treated him as her equal. 

But right now, he was at her feet and she was standing back up. 

“Keep those ears of yours to the ground, Godwin. My brother will see you soon.” She smiled in the blade-sharp way that was so uniquely hers. “Perhaps he will find a use for you.”

Of course, he would.

[geeky-introvert]

Rise . Harald X OC

Summary:  Escaping from her abusive husband with her children Aurella never expected to end up with the Heathens, even more to catch the eyes from the King of Norway….One-shot.

Authors note: I managed to write this in a day after being sick all week. Feeling much better today, very grateful. Hope you all enjoy!

Word count: 2633

Warning: Mentions of abuse and smut.

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Ending up with the Heathens wasn’t what Aurella had in mind, but it was a far better life still then being married to that violent husband of hers. Yes, ending up as a slave, working in the hall for the king of Norway sounded not like the best thing but it honestly was, even more for her children.

For years she put up with her husband's ways and it only grew worse. She should’ve left him a long time ago but stayed because it was the only home they had. Then when he tried to take out his anger on the kids that’s when she acted and slammed a wooden plank over his head, giving her enough time to flee with her kids.

It was just fate, that’s what she was calling it, that the Heathens were nearby, planning to attack her village. Bumping into them was enough shock, but even more when her husband suddenly came out, charging behind them and then dropping dead, killed by a single arrow.

All she could do was shield her children as one of them approached her, later learning his name was Harald, king of all of Norway. Right there she promised to serve him, only to keep her children safe and after thinking about it for a moment he agreed.

Keeping his word he made sure her children and herself had their own cabin in his settlement right near the hall. All he asked was for her to serve him and she did. Her son, Durwin, was the eldest and old enough to help take care of his little sister, Linette.

It was a change for them, a better life she called it. Least she didn’t need to worry about her drunk and abusive husband anymore and give her children a chance in another culture. It meant forgetting about their god and embracing the Heathens gods, which was strange but at this point in life she didn’t care honestly.

The only good thing that life gave her was two beautiful children. 

Serving King Harald was something she was willing to do and he was much kinder than most of anyone else in her life towards her. It may sound strange but it was true. When while doing her chores she would see her children surrounding him.

At first she thought they might’ve been bothering him but quickly discovered he asked for them to be there, to tell them stories and listening to their own, learning about each other. She noticed that her children were comfortable with him and that made her relax.

After settling her children for sleep she then came into his room where she drew him a warm bath and waited for him. She grew used to this lifestyle quickly, and it was a better life than what she used to have. How sad was that, better to be a slave then married to her drunk and abusive husband.

“Aurella?” Hearing Her name she suddenly stood up and turned to see Harald in the room.

“King Harald, forgive me I didn’t hear you come on.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about, my dear.” He always called her that and it always made her cheeks flush red feeling shy about it always. “I don’t think you heard me, I said your children are very smart and beautiful, I enjoy their company.”

“Oh, yes, sorry-” She cleared her throat a little. “Just thinking.”

“Anything interesting?” He asked as he stepped forward and started to remove his clothes for the bath. It wasn’t the first time, but she felt her cheeks become warm whenever she saw his toned chest and tattoos, much better compared to the drunk pig belly from her husband.

“No, my lord.” She answered as he slipped into the basin and she poured some salt into the water for him to soak in.

“Hmm.” Harald hummed gently in return as he watched her fondly, giving a small smile. “You’re an interesting woman, Aurella, yet I hardly know anything about you.”

“Forgive me, my lord, but you haven’t really asked me anything.” She smiled gently as he smirked back in return. He really enjoyed her company.

“Please, Aurella, call my Harald, I’ve told you that already.”

“Forgive me, my-” Stopping herself she blushed a little. “Harald.”

“Now, tell me a little about yourself.”

Aurella started small, telling of the simple and poor life she had with her parents on their little farm. She was an only child since her mother died at a young age and her father fell ill as she got older. That’s when a man came to her, offering his hand in marriage and feeling desperate she agreed. At first she thought they could learn to love each other, but it was just a sad life being married to him. He grew fatter, lazier and soon became abusive. For too long she put up with it before finally making a run for it, and that’s when she said they found them and killed him just in time.

“He can no longer hurt you or your children ever again.” He told her as he listened carefully.

“Yeah, because you saved us from that life, from him.” Grabbing a rag she then started to help clean his arms, her eyes lingering too long over his tattoos.

“He wasn’t a man, but a fool, someone who got what they deserved for ever hurting you. I see a beautiful and smart woman willing to protect those they love. The moment I saw you I knew there was something special, and I suddenly had to...know you.”

“Know me? What do you mean?” She asked as she glanced up into his eyes. His kind words were heard and she wasn’t even sure how to answer him for that.

Harald moved his hand and touched her face, caressing her cheek and moved away again giving her a weak smile. “I find you beautiful, and I wish for you to be aware that I feel this pull towards you. I would like something more, and I don’t wish to scare you away.”

His confession didn’t surprise her honestly. There was a part of her that suspected this, but didn’t want to think too much about it. Yes, he was a very handsome man, but she didn’t know what to say or do about it.

“Any princess would be lucky to have you as their husband. I’m just a simple woman, I come from nothing.” It was true, not that she was denying him, just speaking truthful words.

“I come from nothing, my dear. That’s the life I was born into, a simple farmer. But I wanted so much more and I grew myself in power, became an earl, then I fell in love with a princess. I offered my hand in marriage to her but she refused, saying I wasn’t worthy yet, that I had to become a king to win her hand in marriage. So, I killed kings to become one, gained more power, more lands, and when I was ready I found out she married another man, an earl, it broke my heart. There was another woman, my enemies lover and she agreed to marry me. She...was beautiful, strong, and died in battle along with our unborn child. As time passed I slowly healed and found my gaze on another woman, but she chose to marry Bjorn Ironside instead. I’ve never had the best of luck with women, and I hope that even just once, I can feel that...tender feeling, love.”

She listened to him as he spoke. How could a man like him get hurt or lose someone, she didn’t understand this. Yes, she’s heard of Bjorn Ironside, son of Ragnar but that was it.

“I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, Harald. I...I feel silly for saying this but…. I do feel something for you. For so long I put up with my husband, took all his anger to protect my children, and when he went to hurt them I attacked him and finally took off, and you know the rest. For once I would like to feel love as well, to know what it’s like, at least once.”

“Not just once.” He was suddenly closer then, brushing his nose against her own making her breath hitch. “I want it to last forever.” His lips were suddenly on her own in a tender kiss.

The kiss caught her by surprise but she didn’t pull away, in fact she slowly leaned into it, accepting the kiss from him. Her reaction pleased Harald and he deepened it more.

Suddenly he pulled her into the basin with her, making her gasp softly from the sudden wetness and the fact she was still wearing a dress but he didn’t seem to care before kissing her again. His hands roamed over her, pulling her closer against him more while she returned the kiss back before  letting out a surprised gasp against his lips feeling his hardness.

Not that she was against the idea, but she hasn’t really ever had a pleasent experiance with sex before. But it felt different now, finally a moment for her to enjoy with another.

“Aurella. I wish to have you, but only if you’ll have me.”

Never had she been even asked. “Yes, you may.” She wanted this just like him.

He pulled down the front of her dress then, exposing her breasts and massaged one as he kissed the other making her moan in pleasure softly. The reaction he gave her was so unexpected, but it all felt so real, and she craved for that.

Her head tilted back as his warm lips and beard tickled up her neck then, showering her in a bliss and love as she pressed herself closer against him.

His throbbing cock positioned against her before she suddenly was filled by him, letting out a loud moan as his thickness stretched her depths beyond like before.

“Am I hurting you?” His words were so kind, tender.

“No, you’re just very big.” She admitted shyly making him chuckle softly.

“All for you, my dear.”

He started to move her hips against him, slowly, allowing her to adjust and feel him twitch inside of her as she clenched a little, sighing in pleasure with her hands gripping onto his shoulders. Sex never felt so good before, this wasn’t what she ever imagined it to be like.

“Harald….this feels good.” She whispered as she moved her hips.

“It gets better.” And it did, so much. His cock hit the right places inside her, rubbing against her walls as she rocked a little more firmer against him, rubbing herself and building up both their pleasures.

Harald buried his face against her neck and shoulders, holding her close and savouring every second of this blissful moment with her. It had been so long since he’s felt like this and he didn’t want to lose that feeling ever again.

After a time their movements became more firmer, slopping, both closer to reaching their ends together. Neither stopped and just let it happen.

“Harald...I-I’m...I’m close!” She warned him but he only gave a breathy smile.

“Let yourself go, my dear.”

And she did, letting out a cry of pleasure, not caring who heard as she milked him and he suddenly followed closely behind, spilling his seed deep within her depths and riding out their orgasms together.

Aurella rested her head down against his shoulder as she panted heavily, tired and dazed.

“I want to take you to bed, to hold you in my arms all night.” He whispered between kisses.

“I would be happy to join you.” She answered back.

She was so dazed that the last she could remember was being carried in his arms and laid in his bed before falling asleep against his chest, savouring the warmth from him.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ ‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

When Aurella woke up the next morning she was naked in bed, alone, but comfortable and warm still. Holding the furs against her chest she sat up and wondered where Harald went off to. He was king, so of course he had duties to follow.

Suddenly the doors open making her gasp softly only to see another thrall coming in, looking up at her and bowing lightly.

“Forgive me, my lady. I didn’t mean to startle you. King Harald has asked me to help you get ready before eating this morning.” She then proceeded to get a dress for her

She didn’t understand what she meant but was left speechless. Silently she got out of bed, still holding the furs before the thrall helped her, something she’s never had done before.

“I-I can dress myself…” She told her in the nicest way possible.

“King Harald insisted I help, forgive me, I do not wish to disappoint him.

Once dressed and hair braided she looked at herself in the mirror and was amazed how she looked. The dress was way too beautiful, only fit for a queen, and yet she was wearing it.

Coming out she saw Harald standing about looking like he was waiting for her, and when he looked up he held a large bright smile, opening his arms.

“So beautiful, my dear. Kissed by Freyer herself.”

His words made her blush a little before she asked him.

“What’s going on? I mean, I’m just a little confused.”

“I see, and I’m sorry I wasn’t there this morning, I just had to prepare things. First off, you’re no longer a slave, you’re a free woman to do as you please, as well as your children.”

This caught her by surprise. “I...I don’t know what to say.”

His hands came up to caress both her cheeks. “I want you and your children to be happy, and I stop you from doing what you want. However, now comes another question. I would like to marry you, for you to become my wife and queen. Your children shall be raised as if they were my own and I swear it on my arm ring that I’ll never bring harm to them, or you, my dear. I won’t force you to decide though, it’s up to you.”

She was left speechless and didn’t know how to respond to him. Her whole life she had been trapped and now she has the chance to be free, but either with or without Harald.

“Mother!” She heard her children come running into the hall, clean and new clothes, fit for a princess and prince. They looked so happy and proud.

“Look mother! I’m a princess!” Linette gave a spin with a beaming giggle.

“I’ve never had such nice clothes. Thank you, King Harald.” Durwin said.

“Durwin, you may call me Harald, no need to be formal.” He said rubbing his head.

Aurella stared at her children with a soft smile. They looked so happy, not because of the clothes, but just being here. Harald was the only man to ever treat them with kindness, as he was the only one to treat her the same way. Looking back at him she then suddenly stepped closer and gave a soft kiss to him, hearing her children gasp as they saw this.

Moving away her eyes glittered as she caressed his cheek gently.

“Thank you, Harald, for everything. I will marry you.”

Harald gave a light happy chuckle, embracing her as the children looked at one another, surprised by the news but happy about their mother’s choice.

“You won’t regret this, I promise.”

She had a good feeling she won’t regret this either. Being here had made her the happiest in all her life. A new change and a new life, it’s all they needed.

[fictionalkingdom]

VIKINGS SPOILERS SCREENS S6E10 [2]

[badwolf-in-the-impala]

~Come Away to The Water~

|| Chapter One - Dead of Winter ||  

Inspiration: Come Away to the Water by Maroon 5 ft. Rozzi Crane

Storyboard Credit: Myself. Pictures not mine, but editing and collage is.

Pairings: Harald Finehair x OFC ((face claim - Sophie Turner))

Rating: Mature/18+

General warnings: Death, Violence, Gore, Graphic content, Abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual content.

Chapter warnings: Depictions of death, gory-ish details? Angst.

A/N: EDIT: SO, it’s been forever since I touched this story...Or well, posted anything for that fact lol but I finally found some inspo on where I wanna go with this story, so I’ve edited/added to the first chapter! I hope you guys enjoy! SHOUTOUT to @jacksonroseroth​ for your help, darlin’! New fic idea say waaaaa?! Anywho, thank you for taking a moment of your time to stop and read; it means a lot ^-^ Obviously this is a work of fiction, so I apologize if things aren’t 100% HISTORICALLY accurate. I’ve spent a lot of time researching the past few days trying to certain aspects as close as possible. So bare with me! 

Feedback is always welcomed and much appreciated! I hope you guys enjoy! Also I want to add that the beginning italic is a flashback scene...Dialogue, bold and italic is to distinguish the language barrier between Rowan and Harald.

Word Count:  5099

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“Come away little lamb come away to the water Give yourself so we might live anew Come away little lamb come away to the slaughter”

~ “Do try nah to stray so far from the path this time, Rowan…” Her mother sighed deeply as she fastened the heavy black fur cloak around her daughters shoulders; settling a small sack of provisions in her hands. “It worries me’h.”

“Dinna worry yer’self, Ma.” Rowan smiled warmly, pressing a kiss to her mother’s cheek gently as she drew up the hood to cover her flame kissed hair. “I’ll be fine.”

The older woman cracked a small grin as she cupped her daughters cheek, patting it affectionately. “Y’er to much like y’er Da.” She shook her head lightly as she watched her daughter slip the bow over her head, settling it with the string across her chest before snatching up the quiver of arrows. “Jus’ be back ‘fore dark...There’s a storm comin’!”

“Aye, Ma.” Rowan chuckled softly with a roll over her Emerald eyes before placing a kiss atop each of her three younger siblings heads. “Behave yourselves, ya wee savages.” She teased lightly, earning a pair of giggles out of the two youngest. A set of identical twins of just barely five years.

“Are ye goin’ to bring us back a Stag, Rowey?!” Alana questioned excitedly.

“Aye, are ye, are ye?” Ainslie echoed as she bounced in her seat, equally as excited as her sister.

“I’ll most certainly try.” Rowan winked as she reached for the front door, pausing when she felt a slight tug on her cloak. Turning to find her youngest brother peering up at her sheepishly.

“C-Can I? P-Please?” He stuttered nervously, looking down at his feet as Rowan shook her head no.

“Nay. Not today, Findley.” She gave her youngest brothers shoulder a reassuring squeeze and ruffled his dark auburn hair, before leaning back to snatch a couple of bannocks off the table. “Perhaps after the storm passes...I’ll teach ye how to catch rabbits.”

“P-Promise?”

“Aye.” She grinned softly, earning a shy smile out of the young boy in return. “I promise.”

With a final goodbye to her mother and siblings, Rowan pushed open the creaky wooden door of the small stone and wood built bothy, that their large family of Six shared; stepping out into the frigid early morning air. Her leather and fur clad foot catching the back of her own twins leg, as she passed by. Tossing him the second bannock she held, causing him to pause mid-swing on the chunk of wood he had been about to split as he caught it. Beaming a smile as he thanked her around a mouthful of food.

“Spend some time with Finn today, eh?” Rowan called over her shoulder as she started towards the path that lead out of the Village and down towards the river. Turning back to shoot her brother a glare at the annoyed groan he gave her in return.

“Don’ make me tell Ma what ye’ve been gettin’ up to with Flora now, Kai! She threatened.

“Ye wouldn’t?!”

Rowan simply shrugged, throwing her brother a mischievous grin before trotting off down the path towards the water. Ignoring her brothers voice as he called after her. Begrudgingly agreeing that he would spend some time with Finn later.

~

The day continued on as normal as any other. Rowan took her time trekking through the woods, setting and checking snares along her usual path. A smile creeping onto her lips as she spied a set of tracks -- those of a stag -- just off the main trailhead.

It had been well over a month since she had brought home a Stag, or any other large game for that matter, and the thought of having fresh meat on the table again, made her mouth water. But more importantly the thought of seeing the smiles it would bring to her family’s faces made the aspect of the hunt seem all the more worthwhile as she reset her final snare. Taking a final glance around to get her bearings, before venturing off the beaten path and deeper into the forest.

Rowan tracked the animal well into the late afternoon before it was finally snowing too hard for her to safely venture any farther. The Stag having remained, teasingly, just out of her reach the entire time. Taunting her almost, as they trailed deeper and deeper into the woods until it was too late to turn back. Forcing her to seek shelter for the night in an abandoned den she stumbled across on the hunt.

The wind blew too fiercely for her to start a fire, which forced her to settle for pulling the thick fur cloak she wore around herself tightly, in an attempt to stay warm. Burrowing down into the fallen leaves and debris that surrounded her as an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach...But she wasn’t quite able to place a finger on it.

This hadn’t been the first time she was caught out in a storm over night like this and never before had it been -- nor would it likely ever be -- an issue. Her father having taken extra care to teach her, as well as her twin brother, everything they needed to know about surviving in the wild, from a young age; Until his untimely death just a few short years ago. She knew how to take care of herself regardless of the situation...She would be fine.

But that still did little to quell the worry that settled in the back of her mind as Rowan sighed, clutching her cloak tighter around herself as she closed her eyes. Attempting to push the worry from her thoughts the best she could as she tried to make herself comfortable. She knew for certain that her mother and the wee ones would be worried sick that she had not returned yet, but that come first light, Kai would be out to meet her halfway on the trail just like he always did.

But for the time being, she was at the mercy of the Gods.

~

The weather had cleared come dawn, allowing Rowan to venture out from the safety of the den she called home for the night. Brushing away the moss and dries leaves from her clothes as she emerged with a stretch, pausing to grab a bannock and a piece of dried fish from the small sack of provisions she carried. Thankful that her mother had insisted upon her taking it with her as she nibbled away at it; beginning the trekk back towards her Village.  

The ground was covered in a fresh layer of ankle deep snow, making the journey twice as long and twice as treacherous as it concealed many things beneath its shimmering surface -- like ice and root snarls -- that could pose a threat to a serious injury, if one was not sure of their footing. It made her that much more thankful she had spent so much of her youth exploring these woods with Kai and their father...It was her home away from home, and she knew it like the back of her hand. Which in turn helped her to make decent time on her return to the main path. It also made her more aware of things that most anyone else would often overlook naturally. Like how nature had suddenly fallen into an eerie silence as she stepped back onto the main path, noting how the snow was still fresh; untouched.  

The uneasy feeling from the night before suddenly returned to settle in the pit of her stomach, tying it up in knots as she looked up at the sky. It was well past mid-morning and there were no signs that Kai had yet been there, which struck her as unusual. He was always waiting, no matter the hour.  

A jolt of anxiety shot through her like lightning as she took off down the path, willing her feet to carry her faster as she broke through the treeline and out into the open. The silence around her deafening, aside from the sound of the River as she raced along its edge, wading the crossing swiftly, trying her best to ignore the icy sting of the water as it soaked her boots, only adding to her struggle as she stumbled up the snow slick hill that lead to her home...That surge of anxiety quickly morphing into fear as she watched thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the grey Winter sky.

Rowan’s heart nearly stopped as she crested over the top of the hill, a scream ripping from her lungs at the sight of the damage that lay before her. What was left of her people stood gathered round in a wash of tears, disbelief and despair. Their homes and outbuildings still blazed, while others only smoldered now; Reduced to rubble, or turned to ash. Their Livestock hung from trees and fences, slaughtered. All their stores of produce and provisions set aside for winter, gone.

Bodies lie butchered, scattered along the ground, tainting the once pure white snow a sickening shade of dark crimson. Her boots imprinting a trail of red in the snow behind her, as she ran towards her family’s home that still smoldered. Rowan ignoring the sting of burning flesh as she dug frantically at what remained of the building. Tears streaming down her face as she cried out for Mother and siblings.

“They’re gone, Rowan.” A neighbor approached quickly, grabbing her by the shoulders gently as he urged her away from the still crumbling building to safety. Rowan pulling away, stumbling a few feet where she fell to her knees at the sight of Kai’s body; lifeless on the ground. His dark hair and fair skin matted with drying blood...An axe protruding from the center of his chest.

“I-I’m s-s-or-ry…” A broken sob left her lips as she covered his blue eyes -- still widened with fear -- with her hand and slipped them closed.

“Ma--…The twins?”

The woman who approached her before, now shook her head. The look on her face a solemn one as she knelt beside the broken young woman before her, taking her forearms gently and pulling her up to her feet as she embraced her.

“The Danes took ‘em...Ye and Findley are all that’s left.”

“Findley?” The name fell as a hoarse whisper from her lips, as green eyes tried desperately to blink back tears as she pulled away to look up.

“Aye, he lives...But jus’ barely.” The woman grinned softly as she replied, though the gesture was less than hopeful. The woman raising a finger to silence Rowan as she knew what was about to come next.

“Ye can not see him jus’ yet, Lass.” She stated gently, with a soft pat against Rowan’s arms. “Let us go an’ take care of those burns first...”  

Turning as the woman lead her away to one of the healers, Rowan gave a final glance at the carnage that lay all around her. Wondering what they had done to deserve such a senseless act of violence...Innocent families, women, children?

They had heard Tales of the vicious Northmen -- Danes as many called them -- that ruled over the Seas. Pillaging and plundering places of riches and nobility…But Rowan’s people were no more than simple farmers; hunters and fishermen. What would the Norsemen want with them?

Never once had her own people consider, that one day, they might set foot in the Highlands...Something that left them unprepared, and defenseless to the ruthless attack.

Leaving the place she called her homeland...Broken and in ruin.

~

Rowan’s chest heaved erratically as she sat bolt upright in her bed, clutching the furs to her chest as she swiped a hand across her forehead, finding it slick with sweat as she pushed back the fiery red locks that were matted to her skin. A sigh escaping her lips quietly. It had been quite some time since she’d had a nightmare about that fateful day...The day her family was so cruelly taken from her. It had been nearly five years now, but the wounds were still fresh in her mind like it had happened only yesterday.

Frowning to herself, Rowan pushed the furs from her body and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, shivering as her bare feet touched the cold dirt covered floor as she wrapped herself in one of the furs tightly as she walked to the window; pushing the shutter open. The sun had barely even begun to rise over the mountains, showering the glen in a twilight glow as it cast  shadows through the trees. Everything around them lay quiet and completely still, as if basking in the arrival of a new day.

Pulling her gaze away from the rapid approach of dawn just outside their small home, Rowan turned and walked towards the fire on the opposite side of the room. Adjusting the fur into one hand as she added more kindling and wood to the glowing embers that resided in the hearth; kneeling and blowing gently until the fire blazed back to life.

Once she was satisfied with the heat emitted from the fire, Rowan stood and returned to the foot of her bed, opening the small wooden trunk that lie there as she began piecing together an outfit for the day. Dressing in her warmest pair of trousers and a light blue tunic made from a heavier wool material for added warmth. Securing it with a thin leather belt before tugging on her boots.

She discarded her night shirt into the wash pile before returning the fur to its place on her bed as she made it for the day. A small smile tugging at her lips as a pitiful low pitched whine caught her attention, turning to find the large gray wolf she called her companion, now sitting beside the fire. Having climbed down from her little brother’s bed;  head tipped curiously as it watched her.

“Don’t be impatient, ya greedy breast. I dinna forget abou’ ye.” She quipped as she rummaged around for some bits of dried meat and bannocks to take out with her. Tossing the wolf a small chunk of meat she kept aside specifically for him, before throwing together a small pot of wheat porridge for Findley and setting it up over the fire to cook.

“Go on now.” She waved her hand to where her young brother still slept soundly. “Go an’ wake the boy.” The wolf gave a snort as it rose to all fours, giving a long stretch before the beast trotted across the room and leapt gracefully onto the bed. The large animal laying directly on top of Findlay as he commenced to licking the boys face repeatedly with it’s large tongue.

“Ugh, get off me ya brute!” Findley yelped out as he squirmed beneath the large animal, trying to push him off to no avail. Rowan chuckled softly, watching her brother struggle for a moment longer before she gave a sharp whistle to call him off. The wolf jumping down from the bed and coming over to sit beside her, accepting a small piece of bannock she offered before popping the last bite into her mouth with a grin. Her little brother glowered at her from the edge of his bed where he now sat upright.

“Good mornin’ to ye too, Fin.” She snickered with an amused grin.

“Mornin’...” Findley grumbled back crankily as he climbed out of bed and moved to warm himself beside the fire. Lifting the lid on the small pot briefly to inspect what was inside of it.

“Should be done soon.” Rowan stated as she moved to grab her heavy black fur cloak and pull it on, before gathering her game bag, bow and quiver. “I need to check the traps, so it’s up to ye to get the animals fed an’ taken care of. Can ye handle that?”

Findley gave a curt nod as he grabbed a bannock off the table and began devouring it. “Aye, I can handle it.” He spoke around a mouth full of food, Rowan rolling her eyes in response as she shook her head.

“Don’t talk with ye’r mouthful, ya heathen.” She chided with a playful grin before continuing. “If ye need help with anythin’, go an’ fetch young Turick to help ye. Got it?”

“Aye…” Findley sighed in annoyance with an eye roll, which in turn earned him a glare from his older sister. “I’m a cripple, Row, tha’ does not mean I’m useless.” He muttered self consciously as his right hand ventured absentmindedly to the stump of his left shoulder. A deep frown creasing his features.

“I never called ye useless, Fin.” Rowan stepped forward, reaching out to grasp his chin lightly and turn his attention back towards her. “I jus’ don’t want ye hurtin’ yer’self more than necessary...Besides, if ye hurt y’er good arm, who’s going to milk the cows?”

Findley swatted her hand away with a playful glare as he cracked half a smile. “I got it handled.” He reassured in a sarcastic tone, shooting her a real glare as she reached out and ruffled his red hair affectionately.

“I’ll be back this afternoon. Do try an’ stay out of trouble, eh?” Rowan called over her shoulder as she pushed the front door open and stepped out into the brisk morning air; wolf in tow as he trotted along beside her happily, as they mosied down the path.

~

The day came to pass quite quickly for Rowan and her furry companion, Faolan. The pair making quick work of checking and resetting snares, before venturing a little deeper into the woods in search of some smaller game, before returning to the village to go about finishing up evening chores; the workload increasing as signs of Spring steadily approached. Soon they would be tilling fields to plant their crops, tending to the animals that would soon produce offspring, making repairs to homes, building new boats for trading travels...The list was truly endless, and Rowan looked forward to the distractions that the work promised.

Winters had become exceptionally difficult since suffering the loss of nearly her entire family. Everyday a struggle against the guilt that she kept bottled up inside. Rowan somehow feeling responsible for what had happened to her family; to Fin. Constantly replaying that day over and over in her head. Always wondering if things could have turned out differently, had she stayed home that day with her family. Maybe she could have protected them...Or maybe she would’ve shared in their fate. But then what would have become of poor Findley?

Rowan sighed as they paused to rest beside a small stream. Faolan letting out a soft whine as he rested his head against her thigh; sensing her distress. A small smile tugging at her lips as she gave him an affectionate scratch behind the ears, his warm, intelligent brown eyes drifting shut for a moment as gave a contented sigh. Rowan silently thankful that the gods had granted such a wonderful guardian to watch over her and Findley. The wolf coming into their lives not long after the deaths of their kin. Just a pup himself when Rowan had stumbled upon him in the forest...Still clinging to his own mother and siblings who had long since perished from starvation and cold.

The village had been less than thrilled to say the least, when Rowan brought the small bundle of fur home. Several of the elder woman trying to advise her that the beast could would never be tamed nor broken; But they couldn’t have been more wrong. For Faolan had been the key that aided them in their journey to healing...And they his. The wolf having more than earned his keep around the village since becoming part of their broken pack. 

“Suppose we should be gettin’ back, eh?” Rowan sighed softly as she gave the wolf a final pat on the head before standing. Gathering her game bag and slinging it over her shoulder as she turned her back to the steam. “Come, mo charaid…’Fore Fin starts worryin’.” Faolan let out a sharp series of yips in answer as he bounded from his spot, darting between the trees playfully for a moment before laying down a ways up the trail as he waited. Rowan letting out a small laugh at the wolfs antics as she quickened her pace, taking the hint as they hurried off. Head for their usual detour as they made the trek for home. ~

Dusk was approaching by the time the group finally reached the shores of a seeming desolate beach. The ships, as well as their men, battered from an unexpected storm that had caught them off guard a day prior. “We’ll camp here for now...Start salvaging what we can to make repairs come dawn, before continuing on to York.” Harald instructed once the boats had been pulled safely to shore; A fire started for the men to get warm as they assembled camp. Harald quick to assemble a plan for his men, in order to get moving again as soon as possible. Not pleased with the unexpected detour they had been forced to make on their journey to York.

“You three.” Harald turned to address a group of younger Viking men, who stood opposite him beside the fire. “Gather what wood you can; And you two,” He gestured towards a pair of more experienced men, usually assigned to watch. “Survey the area...I do not want any more unexpected surprises.” The men nodded, accepting their assigned duties before dismissing themselves. Harald letting out a sigh as he turned for one of the tents that had already been assembled...Taking a seat and grabbing a cup of mead, trying to quell his frustrations as he watched his men continue to set up camp. While Harald drank his frustrations away, the two experienced men set off up the beach, climbing the dunes on the beach and venturing into the forest beyond.

“Fine time to set up camp…” The first man grumbled as they trudged the Scottish land. The second man grunted in response as they settled on a spot and began building a small fire. The warmth from the flames doing little to warm the chill that had settled in their bones. “The cold here is different...I don’t like it.”

“They say we’re the heathens.” The first man chuckled. “Pass us the ale…” The second man obliged his friends request. Reaching over to grab the ale horn from beside his axe, taking a swig himself before passing it over and returning his hands to warm by the fire. As the men chatted away, Rowan made her way to the beach, stopping and dropping to the ground when she spotted the men encamped on the beach. Swearing in Gaelic, she gripped the scruff at Faolan’s neck to make sure he didn’t growl and give their position away. She took her bag off and strapped it around the beast’s.

“Go home, Faolan. I’ll be right behind ye.” Rowan whispered. The wolf let out a small whine before he turned away, making his way back to the village while Rowan stayed, counting the men so she could give an accurate report to the village elders. When her eyes met Harald’s, Rowan ducked and crawled along the brush until she was far enough into the foliage before she stood and hurried along behind Faolan.

“What was that?” The first man asked, looking up at the sound of twigs snapping. He reached down, fingers wrapping around the axe at his side as he scanned the surrounding area, looking for movement. Both men saw the flash of gray fur pass quickly by, followed by a flame of red hair; Visible even in the darkness. The second man motioned for the first to split off towards the left, while he tracked the intruders on the right. Trailing silently after them into the darkness of the woods, but eventually losing sight as the darkness became too much; Slowing their progress significantly.

“Go.” The second man ordered quietly, gesturing back towards the beach. “Tell King Harald what we’ve found, and assemble more men for a search. I will try and the trail.” The first man nodded and turned back towards camp. Leaving his companion to assemble a torch and continue the search.  

Meanwhile, Rowan continued to move swiftly through the darkness. Picking her way carefully over fallen debris and tangled tree roots as she strayed away from the main trail; attempting to lose the enemies who likely now pursued her, as she fled towards her village. Hoping she would have enough time to warn her people of a potential attack before it was too late. Anger and fear building inside of her chest as she pushed herself harder, bound and determined to not let her people suffer through another attack like they had all those years ago.

The sound of twigs snapping several feet away from behind her, made Rowan turn, a knot forming in her stomach as she spotted the faint glow of a torch coming over the small rise she had just climbed. Ducking behind a tree, she shielded herself from sight momentarily as she closed her eyes...Rowan’s heart sinking as she came to the realization that she would be unable to return to her village safely, without risking the exposure of their location to a potential attack. She knew what she had to do, but that didn’t make the choice any easier as she let out a soft, shaky sigh. Opening her green eyes as slipped the bow over her head carefully, and nocked an arrow. Sending up a silent prayer for the gods to protect her family — her people — before drawing back the sting of her bow, and stepping into the open. A steady breath leaving her lips as she released the arrow towards its target, the startled yelp that followed signaling that she had struck her target.

Rowan using the distraction as her opportunity to change directions, doubling back, as she began leading her enemy away from her village, and deeper into the woods. Another arrow nocked and ready to fire as she neared the next ridge; ducking behind another tree as she waited for the torch to appear again...Her heart rate quickening when she turned to find that the light had been extinguished. A wave of panic washed over her as she struggled to pick up on the faint footsteps that rustled from somewhere in the darkness. Unable to determine what direction they were coming from, Rowan was left to make a split decision, as she darted from behind the tree, hoping she could make a break for the treeline. 

The flash of red hair was all they needed, as Harald gave the signal for their own archer to take a shot; the man loosing the arrow as the rest of the men relit their torches. Harald watching as the form stumbled in the darkness, but only for a moment before darting off once more.  A smirk creeping onto his lips as they took up their pursuit once more, driving their prey back towards the edge of the forest, where more of his men lie in wait to capture whoever it was that they had been chasing all over the woods...But the small victory soon faded from his thoughts as bone chilling howl pierced the silence, followed by a series of snarls and growls that brought the group to a stand still.

Rowan stumbled as she ran through the treeline and out into the open, coming to stop as she was greeted by a rather unwelcoming sight, as a group of men closed in on her. Rowan quick to draw back the string of her bow in defense, ignoring the searing pain in her shoulder the action caused, from having been struck by an arrow herself. The edges of her lips quirking into a faint smirk as she heard the howl that broke the silence and caused several of the men to glance towards the treeline; Searching. Rowan seizing the opportunity to loose her arrow into the man nearest to her, watching as he crumpled to the ground as the arrow struck him between the eyes, her next arrow nocked before the man had even full collided with the earth. Another man lunged towards her, catching the second arrow as a series of shouts broke out amongst the group of men in front of her...Their words foreign to her as they spoke.

“Come on. Come get me, ye heathens…” She said with a smirk, fingering the feather fletching of her arrow. Rowan readied her bow again, waiting for the next victim to step forward and make their move. She knew that she stood very little chance against these men, but that didn’t mean that she would go down without a fight. Another series of shouts erupted from the woods, causing Rowan to turn and glance over her shoulder as the shouts quickly dissolved into one horrified scream that was followed by vicious snarling and the sounds of teeth ripping into flesh. Another man used her distraction to strike her with the hilt of his sword; sending Rowan to the ground as her vision blurred around the edges. A foot kicking her bow out of her reach as it approached from behind. Rowan struggling to focus on the man’s face as she glanced up, recognizing him as the man from the beach.

“Bind her and take her back to the beach.” Harald ordered as surveyed the two dead men that lie on the ground in front of him, before turning his attention to look down at the fiery haired woman who struggled against the two vikings who hauled her to her feet before their King. Allowing him a brief moment to examine her more closely as he grasped her jaw tightly, forcing her to look at him; Rowan’s eyes struggling to maintain focus as the edges over her vision started to turn black...The last thing she saw being a flash of gray fur, followed by nothing.

------------------------------

So that’s the first chapter! I hope ya’ll liked it...I also wanna add ((don’t quote me on it as I used google traslate)) that Mo charaid means ‘My friend’ Gaelic. And Faolan means Little Wolf.

Let me know if you would like to be added to the taglist for future updates!

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[author-morgan]

im so so curious about this plan of yours to rewrite seasons 5 and 6 with Harald and an OC. would you mind sharing another snippet? 🥺

oh, yes. so, i've been throwing around this idea for about 2 years now and have written blurbs here and there (really don't have much time due to Ph.D. life to sit down and start to fully flesh this out yet), but essentially i dislike what Hirst did to Harald in those last two seasons. so i want to give Harald a proper chance at love with a good wife (and queen).

my OC is Ragnhild the Mighty, based on one of his wives in the sagas who 'he loved above all others.' she's got a reputation (how else would she earn the epithet, Mighty) and is just as ambitious as he is when it comes to getting a crown and kingdom so it makes them quite a pair and force to reckon with.

the general synopsis is Harald and Ragnhild first meet in York (5b) and agree to raid and war against Alfred and co., but it becomes clear that the gods led them to one another for a reason, and not eager to part ways, she returns to Norway with him and Björn to fight Ivar. then it roughly adheres to the general events of the show (election, Rus invasion, etc.), but ofc has some unexpected spins here and there (and lest we forget, she is the mother of Eric Bloodaxe too).

but here's another snippet of them on the eve of the battle of meretun: 

“Indeed,” Harald breathes, his thoughts straying to his brother, to his princess. Both are dead in the cold iron earth now because of his doing. “But we are all blood and bone and spirit. Imperfect” —he lays his hand over hers— “and perfect as we are.” Ragnhild looks at him and wonders if he feels the same invisible flame—the same spark of strange magic—when their flesh touches. She shifts then without a word, swinging herself over his outstretched legs, perching on his lap. Her hands capture both sides of his face, thumbs following the fading blue-black ink of his tattoos and over the scar cutting across one of his cheeks. Her brother’s words echo loudly in her mind: he can make you a queen. Harald’s breath catches as he beholds her—the perfect woman—and a new softness appears in his livid eyes. “Ragnhild?” Her name is a soft, disbelieving whisper. Placing her palm over the restless pounding of his heart, Ragnhild leans toward him, stopping just when her nose brushes his, breaths mingling. “It is a cold night,” she echoes, the words dancing across his cheek and bearded jaw.

[mo-mo-and-porkchop]

Hehrlana

Hehrlana

Vikings fan fiction

Chapter 4 (Chapter 3 here)

*I do not own any part of the Canon Vikings characters. It is simply my interpretation. I make no profit off of this.

**I do own the original characters and everything associated with them.

Tagging for updates: @kenzieam , @wilddrabble , @oddsnendsfanfics , @thoughtsmeander2tumblingblindly , @captstefanbrandt

"You can not be serious father?!" Arlen exclaimed hurt and angry. Their sister would be taken away by a heathen of all people. "He is nothing more than a pagan brute!" he growled.

"Arlen!" Ehrlana scolded.

"He can not be trusted sister," he spat firmly in reply.

Harald's anger rose with Arlen's accusations, even if he was mostly right. He was a brute. Ruthless in times of war. He even lied when necessary to further his ambitions of becoming King. But this time, however, things were different.

The Celtic Princess stirred emotions deep within that he long thought dead. His breath caught with her presence. His heart raced. His mind voided itself of everything except her. The woman, unbeknown to her, had him under her spell. He wanted Ehrlana. Yearned for her; almost as much as he had desired Elisef.

He set his utensils down and readied himself to argue his defense when they were both cut short by the King.

"Watch your tongue!" he roared before Harald could intercede.

"Father, he will surely kill her the first chance he gets," Arlen pleaded much more quietly.

"King Harald is our guest and I will not have such disrespect at my table! You and I will discuss your punishment later, but for now I suggest you leave before you lose what dignity you have left," he finished definitively.

The King resumed his meal as the growing tension seemed to fill the room. Awkwardly they sat in silence as Arlen stared his father down. The king ignored him and continued eating; his word final. His eldest son pushed himself angrily from the table and left. If he wouldn't listen then he would take care of the matter personally. He would protect his sister from the heathens with or without his father's help.

"I apologize for my son," the King began once Arlen was gone.

Although he agreed with him, it was not his place to decide Ehrlana's future; a future directly tied to the fate of their people. An alliance with Harald and the great heathen army would be beneficial for all. If his son had only controlled himself long enough he would have found the same truth.

"He is very....passionate at times," he explained as nicely as possible.

"It seems to me he is full of hatred for my kind," Harald retorted with disdain.

"He is upset over the recent attacks. One Northman is the same as another to Arlen unfortunately," he further explained, slight sorrow in his voice. "I, on the other hand, understand the benefit of our alliance." He glanced over at his daughter and gently held her hand. "Even if it means losing my daughter."

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before letting go for the last time.

"Arlen may be misguided, but he is a formidable warrior," Liam chimed in, his attenetion still on his food. He casually ate and drank as if his brother hadn't just caused a scene.

"I will handle Arlen," the King firmly, yet calmly professed.

"I would not underestimate his anger or his passion father," he warned finally looking to him.

"If he can can not control his anger or his passion, then I will handle him," Harald said finally breaking his silence. Nothing was to going stand in his way of making her his wife. Especially her ignorant brother.

Ehrlana's heart froze and her chest tightened with the threat. She could feel the truth of his words in her veins as they slowly turned to ice. Her nerves tingled and for a moment she feared Arlen was right.

"I do not doubt that," Liam replied. "My sister's safety is all that matters to me. As with Arlen. We are very protective of her," he continued.

When Harald's eyes found hers, he immediately relaxed his demeanor. He wanted her as his wife, not his enemy. His heart clenched seeing the fear in her eyes.

"Then you have no need to worry. She will be in the safest place in all of Norway," Harald offered trying to back pedal a bit.

"For your sake I hope so," her brother countered, glancing at his sister before going back to their meal.

-------

"You can still change your mind," her brother, Kieran reminded her. He glanced over his shoulder at Harald and his men as they carried the remains of their camp onto their ships. "The winters are much worse than here," he tried convincing her as he brought his attention back to her.

"You have been speaking with Arlen too much," she replied with a small laugh. "Liam will be with me until I am married. I will be fine. Do not worry," she reassured him as she hugged him goodbye. "Please try and convince Arlen of the same and take care of Siobhan," she said before giving him one last squeeze.

"You have my word, Queen," he replied with a smirk and a playful bow.

She pushed him playfully; her brother laughing in return. "I will miss you," she said with a sad sigh once their laughter died down.

"And I you," he agreed just as sorrowfully.

"We will see her again," Liam cut in, seeing Kieran's anguish. He'd done well hiding it from their sister, but he never could fool him. His brother was about to break down.

"You watch that King," he replied lowly, locking eyes with Liam. "We have to know he can be trusted with her."

"I will make sure she is safe before I return. You have my word brother," he said squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. The two brothers locked eyes and it was clear Kieran wasn't completely convinced Ehrlana should go. "My word," he reiterated with a firm squeeze, silently forcing his brother to get control of his rising anger.

-------------

Ehrlana watched her brothers and father at the shore as the boat pulled away. Liam beside her, his arm wrapped caringly around her shoulders. She was leaving her home behind. Sadness gripped at her heart as it slowly grew smaller. As much as she dreamt of this moment, she would miss it.

"Are you ready for this little sister?"

She sighed and leaned into him, hugging him gently. "I don't know," she replied with a small shake of her head. "But I am ready to find out."

Liam was the first to turn away from the sight. Ehrlana couldn't bring herself to do the same and watched until the shores of Ireland were out of sight. She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders before finally turning away herself.

------

Moonlight danced along the ripples left behind as small waves crashed gently against the ship's underbelly. A gentle breeze strong enough to carry their sail blew across the seas. Harald's men were casually scattered across the longboat; some working, some sleeping. Others sang softly to themselves as they sharpened their swords. They were nearly done their trip and it had been peaceful.

"I have heard your men say the Gods are happy," Ehrlana said as she made her way next to Harald at the ship's prow. "But they are surprised by this. I suspect it is because my family is Christian," she continued a bit dejected with a shrug. "I hope my brother Arlen will not be proven right about my safety once in Vestfold," she added hugging herself slightly against the wind.

Harald's heart sank with her words and the hidden worry in her voice; though he understood her concern. His younger self would have done exactly that. "You are their Queen," he said wrapping his cape around her shoulders. "No one would dare harm you."

"I am not their Queen. Not yet. We are still to be wed," she reminded him, glancing back at him. The extra warmth was welcomed and she pulled it closed around her.

"You became my Queen when you were given as my bride," Harald sighed, leaning against the edge of the ship, facing her.

"But I am not their Queen," she reiterated.

Harald's eyes found hers and saw her worry. A slightly frustrated, quiet sigh left him. At least she wanted them to accept her. That was more than he could say for most other Christians he'd met. His heart tugged with care - a small sign he had been right about one thing.

She was different.

"If that is what you truly want, then you will be," he reassured her. "They will see you as I do. They will have no choice but to accept you."

She softly smiled, slightly sad. "And how is it that you see me?"

Momentary panic coursed through his veins when he realized what he'd said. Instead of falling apart from embarassment he reached for her hand and pulled her closer, settling his arms around her waist and intertwining his hands at the small of her back.

"I see you as my Queen," he said smoothly.

Her worry and sadness slowly began to fade. He was trying; which meant her belief that Arlen may have been right faded to a distant memory as she stood in his arms.

Ehrlana smiled gently at him before snuggling against him. "I hope you are right. I quite like the thought of being your Queen," she said softly with a sigh.

A smile spread across his face; pride swelling within his chest. Perhaps the Gods had not cursed him after all.

Liam watched closely as his sister cuddled into the King. He held his own reservations over their marriage, but he couldn't deny that she looked happy in his arms. He could only hope it would last.

-------

They all deboarded at Vestfold's shores; Ehrlana and her brother escorted to the main hall to prepare for the wedding.

"Halfdan!" Harald yelled as his brother came walking down the pier.

"Brother!"

The two men embraced in a joyous reunion.

"I hear you have brought a Queen home with you, but I see no woman here," he said glancing around teasingly.

Harald chuckled quietly. "Her name is Ehrlana. And she is not here because she is off preparing for our wedding," he countered with a smirk.

Halfdan returned the small smile before falling serious. "Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" he asked tentatively.

Halfdan knew his brother's weakness when it came to women; always choosing the wrong ones. But he'd always been there to catch him when he fell. He feared this time however that even he wouldn't be able to help if things went sour.

"A king needs a queen," he chuckled lightly, squeezing his brother's shoulder reassuringly.

"But she is Christian," he added as they headed away from the shores. "An outsider. How do we know she can be trusted?"

Harald fought the urge to let his smile fade as well. He knew this would come up with Halfdan, but the marriage was going to happen. It was good for both parties to ally with each other and his brother could either accept it or not.

"Wait until you meet her. Then, if you feel the same, we will make sure she will never think of betraying us," he offered in in compromise to keep him from spoiling the upcoming festivities.

Halfdan contemplated his brother's compromise a moment before grunting slightly in agreement. He doubted she would change his mind and he would soon prove himself right - allowing him to once again make sure Harald was protected from the fairer sex.

----

"I am nervous," Ehrlana admitted to Liam as various thralls dressed and readied her for marriage.

"I will not let any harm come your way, but if you have decided against this marriage then --"

"About tonight," she cut in.

Her brother chuckled. "Sleeping with your husband is what makes you nervous?" he asked rhetorically.

"Not all of us can be whores," she teased him, but her nerves were real and they made her voice quiver slightly.

"Listen," he started understandingly. "There is nothing to worry about. Sex is not as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be. It is fun, I will not lie..."

"Liam, please. I already know of your exploits."

"It is fun, but it is not a life changing experience. You will be fine Lana."

She appreciated the effort to comfort her. Liam always knew how to calm her fears, but this was different. Harald would be the first man she ever lay with. The first to ever see her nude body. To see her truly vulnerable. And her soon to be husband's reputation for prowess hadn't missed her.

"Just, be honest with him," he added with an empathetic sigh, pulling her in for a reassuring hug. "If he has any decency at all, he will understand. And besides," he said leaning back to look at her. "I will be here at least until morning. Come and find me should he not."

[alicedopey]

A Birthday Visit

Genre: Smut

Pairings: Harald x OC , Halfdan x OC

Words number: 2770

Warnings: Well it’s smut people lol.

A/N: This is the second surprise I wrote for my love @naaladareia . It was supposed to be for her birthday but I am awfully late. I hope you’ll enjoy it and it will bring you some smile during those troubled times.

Gaby went back home, feeling giddy and a little bit tipsy. That was some birthday night ! Her colleagues had surprised her with a nice night out in a restaurant. Italian, her favorite. Of course, even if she had asked them to be discreet, they did not listen and told the waiter it was her birthday. When dessert came, lights had been suddenly turned off and the waiter had arrived with a big cake, his face lit but the numerous candles. Her colleagues had sung “Happy Birthday” along with other costumers and her face had become as red as a tomato. The song had ended and Gaby had leaned forward to blow out the candles, not forgetting to make a wish before – just like her colleague had reminded her of.

Peopled had applauded as she was blowing out her candles and lights were turned back on. The night went smoothly after that and her coworkers even offered her a gift: a nice weekend for two at a spa.  When she went back home, she felt spoiled and happy.

Slamming her front door close, she stumbled into her dark living-room. She knew she would probably regret drinking a little bit more than usual tomorrow morning but right now, the only thing she wanted was a good bath to relax before going to bed.

Gaby walked to the bathroom and drew herself a bath. Then, she added some jasmine bath salts and dove into it. She had dreamed about this moment since she had woken up this morning. The hot water was soothing her aching neck and back, erasing the long day of work from her mind. Only her usual glass of wine was missing but....she had enough for the night, she thought as she giggled like a school girl.

She made a mental note to take some painkillers before going to bed or her head would feel like bursting tomorrow morning. She sighed happily, letting her head fall backwards against the tub and her eyes close.

When she opened them again, the water was almost too cold. She might have dozed off without realizing it. She straightened up and winced in pain. Damn this lumbago ! She stood up and reached out for a deep burgundy fluffy towel to warm her body with. She stepped out of the tub and frowned when she noticed she had forgotten to take her night dress with her.

Gaby opened the door and walked cautiously, trying not to stub her toe against anything in the dark. When she reached her destination, she turned on the light and froze.

“Well....Hello.”

Two. Two men were standing inside her bedroom. But not any random men. No. Halfdan the Black and Harald Finehair were standing side by side, watching her with a playful gleam in their eyes.

Gaby blinked, thinking about having hallucinations but the two characters from the Viking show were really here, in the flesh. Tattoos. Armors. Weapons. The whole shebang.

She gripped her towel nervously. “How....what...what are you doing here?”

“You asked for us.” Harald answered in a hoarse voice that made her shiver.

“I did ?” She did ?

Halfdan smiled. “In your birthday wish.”

“My birthday....” Oh. She remembered now. Her colleague had reminded her to make a wish just seconds before blowing out her candles. So, she did make a wish. The kind of wish Gaby was likely to make in her inebriated state. A wild night of hot and steamy sex with the two murder brothers.

“You remember now ?” Her cheeks took a nice shade of pink as the two brothers exchanged a playful glare.

“I believe she does, brother”. Harald chuckled and took a few steps towards her. Her core tightened. They really were here to do that kind of thing ! That was crazy....crazy, but so tempting.

The older brother circled her body and Gaby could feel his hot stare on her. Her breath hitched as he approached her from behind and nuzzled her neck. “You smell divine, like one of the flowers in our fields.”

His beard tickled her skin and her heartbeat quickened when he put his lips on it, peppering the area with kisses. Gaby tilted her head to give him some better access. Groaning, Harald got the message and his kisses became longer and more sensual. She let out a contented sigh and the grip she had on her towel finally relaxed. Tentatively, she leaned on him and rose her arm to put it on the back of his head, encouraging his ministrations. Gaby lost herself in the sensations as the King sucked and nibbled on her skin. If this was a dream, she would better enjoy it while she could.

She suddenly felt Halfdan's breath on her collarbone and their eyes met. Always the quiet one, he had waited for his brother to start....like a signal he could go too.

His calloused fingers grazed her flesh and pulled on the towel who fell above her feet. Out of reflex, she tried to cross her arms to hide her body from their gaze but Harald gently held each one on her sides.

“No need to be shy with us.” Harald whispered against her neck, his hot breath sending shivers through her skin. “We are here to enjoy a wild night after all.”

Halfdan closed the distance between them with his lips finally touching hers in a heated and brutal kiss. Gaby did not have time to kiss back as his lips went down her body, leaving wet trail on their path until he came face to face with her sex. She could feel his hot breath on her skin. Her breath had become erratic and she was desperately waiting for him to make a move as gasps escaped her lips while Harald was still worshiping her neck.

He leaned closer to tickle her lower lips with the tip of his tongue. Gaby let out a desperate whine of frustration and tried to push her hips forward, her arms being still prisoners of Harald's hands.

“Eager, aren't we ?” Harald said hoarsely. He let got of her arms and gripped her hips to push them backwards against his hardened length....far away from Halfdan's lips.

She looked down at the younger brother, pleading him with her eyes to put an end to her misery. Halfdan smiled wickedly and kissed her outer folds. His tongue came out of his tongue again to tantalize her core. She gasped audibly and put a hand on his head to shove him deeper.

He was licking her insides like a kitten lapping his milk. He was literally drinking from her.

Harald's hands left her hips and traveled to her nipples. He pinched, tugged and rolled them between his fingers. Her breath quickened. She was going to come, she could feel it – but she did not want to let go so fast....afraid that it would end too soon.

She tried to retrieve her body from their touches but the brothers would have none of it. Harald was grinding against her ass forcefully while Halfdan's tongue was keeping its magic inside of her. Gaby felt her lower body tighten, her pleasure was intensifying. Halfdan's nose bumped against her clitoris and she came undone in a loud cry. Her knees gave out, she was thankful for Harald's grip  on her skin or she would have fallen.

Halfdan licked her until the tremors of her body subsided. Then he slowly stoop up. His eyes were dark with lust, his lips and goatee glistening with her juices. It was one of the most arousing thing she had ever seen. She released herself from Harald's hands and advanced towards his brother to kiss him.

Her taste was on his lips and it did not bother her, quite the contrary. Her tongue licked his bottom lip and he let her in. She took the lead, hungrily discovering his mouth. The more she got, the more she wanted. She clang to his body, her hands firmly put on his jaw so that he could not escape. He did not seem to want to anyway.

Grunting, Halfdan squeezed her ass cheeks between his hands and pushed her core into his, sending a shock of electricity in her whole body. She had just come and she wanted to go again. Desire was burning her body. She wanted to touch, lick, kiss every inch of his body.

“Maybe I could join the fun ?” A gruff voice said behind her. Harald was feeling neglected. She gave Halfdan one last lingering kiss before turning around and making her way to the older brother. She went to kiss him but Harald put a finger on her lips, stopping her.

“Get on the bed.”

Gaby gulped and her tightened again at his words. The pressure between her legs was back and she was impatient to let the pleasure that those two Vikings could give, consume her.

She obeyed Harald. Her back touched the soft cotton of her sheets as she watched the two brothers getting rid of their armor and clothes. She licked her lips, admiring the numerous tattoos on their skins and the scars covering their warrior bodies. They were both breathtaking and impressive. She glanced at their erected members, more than ready to make her lose her mind. Harald Finehair and Halfdan the Black were really standing in front her and she was about to have sex with them !

The two brothers exchanges another glance. Harald walked languidly towards the bed and lay carefully over her. She softly touched his bearded cheek and put her lips on his. Hi kisses were different from his brother's, there was something romantic but wild in them. He was devouring her with his mouth and took the lead, angling her jaw in the way he wanted to.

His other hand went down between their bodies to play with her folds. He slowly inserted a finger inside her....then two, three. His skilled digits were curling inside of her, just the way his tongue was doing in her mouth. The lack of air made her feel dizzy and she turned her head on the side to flee the assault of his lips.

She finally noticed Halfdan was sitting right next to her head, silently watching the show with hooded eyes. Hers fell on his erection, begging for attention.

Smiling innocently, she leaned a hand towards him and stroked his member which pulsed under her touch.

Gaby let out an audible gasp when Harald's fingers were replaced by his thick cock. Her body jolted upwards and she squeezed Halfdan's sex who groaned let his head fall backwards in pleasure against the head of her bed.

Harald bit her neck – clearly to make her focus on him. She gripped his backside with her free hand and titled her hips upwards to meet this thrusts. The Viking seemed to appreciate it because he bit her neck again and groaned wildly. He grabbed one of her thighs and maneuvered her leg so that it was circling his hip. Gaby understood what he wanted and did the same with her other leg, encircling him. His pace became frantic. A pleasant pressure was getting stronger in her lower body. Loud moans were coming out of her mouth.

“Got !” Halfdan chuckled at her outburst. She squeezed his cock in response and he groaned. She turned her eyes towards him and winked maliciously before taking his dick between her lips.

“Fuck !” He said between his teeth. Gaby smiled inwardly as she slid his sex in and out of her mouth greedily. She was enjoying him as much as she could enjoy a candy.

She felt Harald's puffs of air on her skin. He was close...and so was she. Gaby's body spasmed as the first waves of pleasure ran through her.

“Look at me.” The King ordered and she complied, letting go of his brother's cock who huffed in frustration.

Harald's blue eyes were dark with lust, boring into hers as if he was trying to read into her soul. Gaby suddenly felt embarrassed under his stare and wanted to hide away from it but her need to come was stronger so she looked back. She felt one of his fingers making circles around her most sensitive spot. Her nails scratched his back, her body was shaking more and more.

Gaby's orgasm came crashing upon her like a storm and a sob escaped her mouth. Her thighs convulsed around her lover's hips. Harald gave one hard final thrust before letting go, coating her insides with his seed.

His upper body fell on hers and she stroked his sweaty back lovingly. The King kissed her tenderly one last time before lying down next to her, trying to catch his breath. Her own heart was beating rapidly, her cheeks were flushed and hot, her body was still shaking softly when Halfdan made her lie on her side and took place behind her. He had not come yet so of course, he wanted his share. His cock was hard as steel against her back and even if she was exhausted, a strong was already invading her loins.

Halfan spread her legs with one hand and entered her in one swift motion. She whined under the assault. Harald was watching her with a smirk on his face. The smirk got wider when Halfdan emitted a long groan.

“Feels exquisite, doesn't she ?” Halfdan grunted in approval and thrust harder, faster....

Gaby's bedroom was filled with the sounds of her moans. His flesh was slapping against hers in a crude way which made her think of a porn movie. She could not care less. It was her porn movie and it was the best.

Halfdan's hand went up her body to pinch her nipple and rolled the small bud between his fingers. Gaby raised one arm and her nails softly scraped the shaved side of his skull. He hummed appreciatively against her neck, his mustache tickling her skin. Her walls clenched around him and he gave a deeper and more forceful thrust in response, hitting her cervix in the most pleasurable way.

“I'm going to come.” Gaby let out in a breath.

Another clenching, another thrust. “Then do come, my sweet darling”. He whispered in her ear.

That was her undoing. For the third time that night, Gaby came, body trembling and toes curling. Her lover gripped her hips and snarled against her neck as he reached his peak, filling her insides with his sticky cum.

When his cock had softened, he gently pulled out of her and she felt both of their juices leaking down her thighs. Halfdan spooned her while Harald came closer and she put an arm around his middle. He almost tenderly kissed her forehead. Her eyes were suddenly heavy with sleep. She let out a contented sigh, feeling safe and secure between the two Vikings. She closed her eyes, falling asleep with a silly smile on her face.

Rays of sunshine woke her up. She blinked and sat up, groaning when her whole body complained. She felt sore and stiff everywhere as if she had run a marathon. She thanked herself, remembering she had the day off.

She frowned, realizing she had gone to bed naked. She tried to scan her memory but the only thing she could remember was being in her bath. She could only suppose she had got out of the bathroom and sleepily walked into her bedroom until she could fall heavily on her bed. Alcohol was definitely not good for her. She shook her head and rose up from her bed.

She picked up her towel from the floor and made her way to the bathroom. Slowly, she approached the wash basin. Maybe some water on her face would wake her up. Her eyes looked up and they widened when she saw herself on the mirror. Her neck was full of love bites and she had some hickeys all over her upper body.

An alarm rang in her head just as a dull soreness made itself known between her legs. She flushed. The memories were flowing back in her head. Everything was coming back to her as a distant dream – except this had been very much real. A wild night she wished for and a wild night she got.

She smiled, softly touching her neck....what a birthday wish  ! She could not wait for next year...

Tagging (please tell me if you want to be added or removed): @therealcalicali @naaladareia @tephi101 @ivarslittlebadgirl @ivarswickedqueen @akamaiden @mblaqgi @thevikingsheaux @peaceisadirtyword @captstefanbrandt

[no-confidence-to-write]

Chapters: 3/? Fandom: Vikings (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con, Underage Relationships: Ivar (Vikings)/Original Female Character(s), Sigurd (Vikings)/Original Female Character(s), Harald Finehair/Original Female Character(s), Hvitserk (Vikings)/Original Female Character(s), Ivar (Vikings)/Original Female Character/Harald Finehair (Vikings), Aethelwulf/Judith (Vikings), Hvitserk (Vikings)/Original Female Character/ Ivar (Vikings), Blaeja/Sigurd (Vikings), Heluna (Blaeja)/Sigurd (Vkings) Characters: Original Female Character(s), Ivar (Vikings), Harald Finehair, Halfdan the Black, Sigurd (Vikings), Hvitserk (Vikings), Aethelwulf (Vikings), Aethelred (Vikings), Judith (Vikings), Ragnar Lothbrok, King Ecbert (Vikings), Alfred (Vikings), Bjorn (Vikings) Additional Tags: Sigurd lives, Possibly Unrequited Love, Slow Burn, Slow To Update, Angst with a Happy Ending, Jealousy, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Flashbacks, maybe smut?, Enemies to Lovers, Enemies attract, some canon divergence, Roman Catholicism, Angst Summary:

Aethelswith, the Princess of Wessex, will face difficult choices as the pagans and the Great Heathen Army enter England. Answering the tough questions of her own biases and contradicting thoughts of their leaders, will she be able to save any part of Wessex?

- This is a rewrite of my old series "Cure for A King"

[ivarsqueen]

Omg!!!! They are so cute💖

[moblitsanxiety]

Equally dirty.

Ivar x OC 4,209 words. *English is not my first language so have that in mind. It may sound like smut but is not, I wanted to but I don’t know how I went on and on and reached so many words. *This OC character presents symptoms of depression, also use of drugs is mentioned and described.  *Gif not mine.

I opened my eyes slowly, hoping they would not open. The humidity and light around me was the only thing I felt. Today was one of those days. The days that I felt more cursed than usual.  The people outside my tent were already working, walking, talking, training, living another day, but I did not want to get out of my furs. In the air it could feel it was going to rain, even Thor could hit his hammer at night. It was possible that I would not listen to him. Every day is harder to survive, just fear holds me back, I do not want to go to Helheim, it would just be the same thing. Eat, drink, talk, sleep, live, only in another realm.

I stared at the fabric of the tent. My mind was blank.

But then I remembered the wounded, there they need hands to cooperate. I should be there or the others would notice something is going on. After all I am the one in charge of them. Perhaps it would be more merciful to let them die, or give them a quick death. Without suffering.  

I sat stretching my legs, they were sore after walking for so many hours yesterday,  I took the dress that was on my feet and I put it on, I adjusted the laces in the front and I stood looking for the shoes, one was near the entrance and the other near me. I could feel that my hair was a bird's nest, I tried to untangled it and made a simple braid, to give the illusion that I was not a complete disaster.

I should give Eira the command, if only she were a better healer. Even so, she is the one who comes after me. Both in quality and charge. Also kind of my friend.

One, two, three, mask.

“Good morning Hillevi! Did you hear the good news?” one of the warriors spoke to me from afar, striding forward. His smile was wide shining though his face full of scars.

“Not really, I just left my tent. But please, tell me, if they can put such a smile on your face, it must be something really good.” I said smiling without showing my teeth, I continued walking but now with his company.

“They truly are.” his reddish hair was braided and adorned with pieces of gold and silver, from which came an essence of earth and dried blood, “Tomorrow we sail back home, well, not home but closer to it. We’ll go to King Harald’s kingdom, the rumours say that Ivar and Hvitserk are going to ally with him to take Kattegat. I am anxious to leave this place, and you?” Going back does not encourage me more than stay, although there are my mother and nephew. But he was as happy and excited as a child, I could not turn off his spirit.

“Of course! I cannot wait to go home and reunite with everyone.” Lies. I stopped and turned to face him, looking up to his eyes I put a hand on his forearm, “Thank you very much for telling me, I could not have started the day in a better way.” I smiled softly and went into the kind of tent where the wounded and sick were treated. “Hello everyone.” I said putting on an apron and truly starting my day.

Being surrounded by dying and injured people all day kept me busy, without a second to think about anything other than herbs and ways to alleviate physical pain. Today I did not even stop for lunch, if tomorrow we left we had to take all the sick but it was impossible, so the healthiest would leave and the worst ones would stay in the settlement of York, possibly they would kill them as soon as we leave. Taking care of them is too complicate and takes away too much time. So I had to choose who goes and who stays. With a bit of guilt I must admit that I felt like a Valkyrie, selecting those who will die. When I finished, the sky was already darkening, I took off my apron ready to go but Eira approached me with a sparkle in her eyes.

“I cannot believe you did not stop all day, it was as if the gods had taken your body and started working with the wounded.” She laughed slowly and interlaced our arms giving me a playful squeeze.

“Eira, let them rest, tomorrow will be a long day for everyone and not very pleasant for some.” I said looking at a specially injured shieldmaiden, she will stay. I started walking with Eira beside me.

“Where are you going? I cannot let you go to your tent so soon, it's the last day we have to celebrate a bit, don’t you think? We've worked so hard in this raid.” It is true that this time was especially hard, like me, perhaps I exceeded myself by not letting any of the healers be part of the celebrations, but there was no time to lose.

“I would love to celebrate,” Lie!, “but I have to order my things and I am very exhausted, I need to rest, but you should go Eira, have a good time for the both of us.” I faked a yawn and smiled at her to believe me, but it didn’t work.

“You more than anyone deserves to celebrate, let's eat with others and relax for a while, we will not be young forever Hillevi.” In her youthful face the firelight danced in her soft features and her honey eyes seemed to have a life of their own, “Also, Halstein invited me personally, I cannot miss this opportunity, I'm sure that when we return we'll get married, even you can help me with the dress and the flowers.” He was a great warrior and a handsome young Jarl, one day they would produce strong and healthy children, “Please come with me, you will regret if you don’t go, hm?” although her mouth asked me, her body began to drag me towards the hall, with a groan I nodded and followed her while she continued to day-dream with her wedding.

The ground was wet from the rain that fell during the day, at least I was almost dry from being with the injured under a roof. The mud stuck on the edge of my dress made it heavier than usual, the shoes were full of mud and I could even feel it on my fingers. Drunks were already everywhere, fires surrounded by people drinking, talking loud and laughing, even a couple of fights. Maybe I could get into a fight, hit someone might feel good, powerful, be beaten too, just a litttle.

When we got to the hall I saw how full it was, the tables full of men and women celebrating, the servants from one side to another, and at the end a table higher than the others, where only the leaders and most important warriors can have a place. They were all in their best clothes, or maybe not but for me they were, good leather and fabric. They looked strong and powerful, they also spoke loudly and laughed as everyone, but their food looked better and more of everything, more meat, more mead, more fruit, more power. For some reason the colour blue filled my head and senses. The sky. The sea.

“Finally you arrived Eira, I thought you weren’t going to come.” A voice behind us took us by surprise, we turned and Eira blushed in a delicate and beautiful way, with a smile she looked at the tall blond man in front of us. Halstein, I suppose.

“Oh no, of couse I was going to come, I cannot refuse your invitation.” She made a small bow and he kissed her hand making her blush more, suddenly she remembered that I was by her side and looked at me with wide eyes, “I took the license to bring my friend, she is the one in charge of the wounded and sick, without her I don’t know what we would do, she has been working without rest. I thought it would be a good idea for her to celebrate with us, if it does not bother you” With a smile on her face Eira looked at him with puppie eyes and he just laughed.

“Always so considerate and good friend my dear Eira, of course a woman who is so valuable in the welfare of our people is welcome. Please follow me.” He directed us through the crowd of people, the mass of bodies radiated heat and I could already feel the temperature of my body rising, we came to a table that was just below the main table, he should be more important than what I thought. “Please sit down, you can eat whatever you want.”  With a whistle he called a servant who arrived in less than a minute with a large vessel full of mead and two horns.

The noise of the people and the music were overwhelming, I took out a little bit of everything to taste the food, which by the way tastes better than anything I've ever tasted in my life. The blue still filled my head, and a stormy sea was all I could think of. I could hear how Eira and her suitor flirted talking in whispers in their ears.  Some of the leaders rose from the table and left the place, the older ones stayed talking about fights from a long time ago, friends already gone and their days of glory. I could hear it was raining again, but stronger than during the day. It made me feel at home, closer to the gods.

Some people danced in the little space that was, making the hall more humid and hot. Everyone was having a good time, saying goodbye to friends who stayed, saying goodbye to this land or just drinking. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder and look quickly back, it was the warrior of the morning, we have talked a couple of times but I forgot his name, it would be weird to ask now.

“By the gods, first time I see you around here. I'm glad you came Hillevi.” His beard was oiled with some perfume, the smell made me dizzy but I smiled at him for the effort.

“Yes, it's the first time I've come. It's the last night in this place, and I was hungry so here I am. Feasting  with everybody.” He was still standing behind me, I looked towards the bench but there was no more space so I turned to face him. Not even his reddish hair could replace the blue.

“The truth is that I do not speak with many people here and with whom I speak they’re drunk long ago, I was relieved to see you arrive. You look lovely tonight.” Oh no, I know that look and that voice. I do not even know his name and he is somehow interested in me. All for being polite.

“Thank you my friend, you are very kind, but I must leave now, it is late and I am very exhausted.”  His face lost the enthusiasm that radiated seconds ago, he moved uncomfortably and looked away.

“You don’t have to leave because of me Hillevi, if my company bothers you, you just have to tell me and I’ll go away.” What an uncomfortable moment. I cannot even handle with my thoughts and now I have to take care of this, “I thought I liked you, you are always so attentive and friendly with me.”

“You're not the reason I'm going to retire, I'm really tired. But it's true, I do not like you that way, I'm friendly with you but I do not want anything else, neither with you nor with anyone.” I stood up and went to Eira's ear to tell her that I was leaving, she just nodded to continue her conversation. “My intention was never to confuse you, I am sorry that you misinterpret my behaviour. Now I will leave.” Looking down, he did not move a bit, stopping me from leaving. “Please, would you allow me?” With a sigh he looked at me angrily.

“Prince Ivar ordered me to stay in the settlement, I wanted to spend tonight with you because maybe we'll never see each other again.” And with that he moved leaving me a small space to pass.

His words made me shiver, I walked as fast as possible to the exit, on my way out I collided with many people leaving short apologies, my feet and legs felt clumsy. Once out of the building I realized the rain had stopped, I started walking fast again, taking advantage of the calm, the night was too dark without the moon and stars, covered with cloud. Suddenly I felt someone following me, stalking in the shadows. I prayed that only Loki was playing with my head, as he always does. But something told me that this time was not the god, I had to be alert to everything around me. When I pass a large tent I saw a bonfire surrounded by men and women, they did not look very drunk so I quickly approached them, I better let a few moments pass here to make sure, I would even spend all night here if necessary.

A woman I knew by sight smiled and greeted me, a healer, she was hugging a slender man that I knew was her husband, and she handed me a horn of saxon wine, I sat next to them and looked at the fire, its hypnotic dance haunted me but I could still feel someone looking at me from afar.

After drinking from the horn I looked up and saw it, the blue that enchanted me was in the eyes of a man. It was so intense that I even forgot that someone was following me a few seconds ago. His eyes were staring at me and I could not do anything but admire them, again the stormy sea, but now locked in him, not in my head.

“Are you a healer?” The blue eyed man’s voice was calm but with an indisputable power, he made the hairs of my neck stand up.

“Yes, she is, she’s the one in charge actually.” The woman next to me said smiling. I could not see his face completely because the fire was between us, but I could see a small grin.

“So you're the one who has not let my warrior's wife rest, not even feast with him.” The couple beside me jumped and looked at me apologizing with their eyes. I cleared my throat and looked straight into his stormy eyes. Maybe I have drunk more than I think.

“That's me. In my hands are the lives of many people and if it is in my power to save them I will do it, if that means ordering the healers to stay longer I will do it. I will not hesitate to do it.” I took a sip of wine, and looked again, his eyes were lit by the fire and there was something else now, “If it bothers you that your warrior's wife could not celebrate, think of all the warriors we saved, do not think I'll apologize for doing my duty.”

“Come here healer” his gaze commanded me more than his actual command, I stood and walk to sit next to him, his broad frame cast a large shadow behind. “That means that you do not hesitate to exercise your power, nor do you consult the others involved in the decisions you make. Do you think it's the right thing?” In his eyes was a brightness full of curiosity, the storm was still there.

“I do not think so. I know that I am the most capable of making decisions, the others first think of their husbands, of enjoying the feasts, of themselves.” I look at the fire again because it seems to be less intense than his gaze, “They know it too, although they do not like what I decide most of the time, deep down they know that I am right, and if they do not know, they obey me all the same. Because they trust me.” He nodded taking the horn from my hands, his fingers brushed mine and I felt his skin hardened by the use of weapons.  He took a big sip and grimaced in disgust.

“I prefer mead.” He said and I let out a small laugh, with the corner of my eye I catch him smiling. “I'm glad you think so. I think in a similar way. If I had not done it, the army would not have been so successful.” I looked down and saw his legs covered with metal. He is Ivar. I subtly looked away and started playing with a flower. After a moment of silent he add. “And if they had listened to me even more from the beginning, it would have been better for us.”

“I do not doubt it. We all know that you are a great strategist.” I looked into his eyes and pride emerged strong through his sea.

“Who did you come with? I do not remember you.” We were so close that I could feel his breath of wine and mead brush my cheek.

“I came with Jarl Kjell, with my family we live in his land for as long as I can remember, there I am also a healer, I mainly attend to his family and other nobles, but also the others when I have time.” I lost the notion of time when I started talking with Ivar, the only thing I know is that it's still dark.

“Jarl Kjell is in Valhalla now, I know that your home is near where we will go now, but I have heard that you are very good at what you do, one of the best in Norway at such a young age.” Somehow now I felt him even closer to me, as if he were speaking to me with his thoughts and not his voice. “The gods gave you such a great talent that it cannot be wasted. Come with me to Kattegat, with my army. There you will be much more useful than at your home. The battles will be worse than here, more bloody, we will need you on our side…”

“Hillevi.”

“Hillevi, we’ll need your gift.” In the distance I heard thunder, which means only one thing. I looked straight into his eyes and smiled.

“I cannot contradict the gods, if Thor already answered for me I have nothing left to say.” With that said, we began to talk about the trip and the battles that will come, he told me why he would attack Kattegat and that he would take a christian bishop because he is a great warrior. Every time he spoke of battles his eyes shone with great strength and energy, the storm grew and became braver.

At some point a man gave us "food of the gods" to spend the last hours on this land as it should be. I chewed them up until they were a paste. At first I thought nothing was happening but then I noticed that time had starting moving strangely, I suddenly realized that the rain had returned and the fire had died down. Then there’s a rumble of thunder, and the skies just opened. We’re all screaming and running for cover, I enter a tent with Ivar crawling behind me, just the two of us. Inside my skull it was warm, quiet, still. The usual anxiety and noise were completely gone. I felt happy and relax. The colours seeming brighter through the lightnings, and they seemed to pulse, I heard someone playing music and it sounded incredible. I feel that I could decide to feel everything or simply nothing at all. It was as if I had control over my thoughts and senses. And I look at him like it was the first time that I truly looked at his direction, his blue eyes had these kinds of coloured trails, they give me a sense of complete wellbeing. They weren’t the storm anymore but the clearest sky, peaceful and warm, welcoming. I wanted to feel the earth through my feet so I took off my shoes and I could feel life coming through them. I’d never thought of the world as a beautiful place before, but it looks so beautiful tonight. Just alive with colours and all kinds of prettiness. I felt a sense of wonder over anything: light, colours, music, and taste.

Ivar crawled until he was exposed to the rain that left him wet in a second, with his head he told me to accompany him in the rain and I crawl to his side. With a soft movement he put me on his thighs and I don’t know how long we look into each other's eyes without doing anything else. Until I felt his hand between my leg and the wet fabric of my dress. "So soft.” He said to himself, I watched as his hand stopped at my knee and came down again repeating the movement several times. My hand found its way to his neck drawing with raindrops ancient and almost forgotten runes of the gods, but for my senses it was not enough so with my mouth I began to draw lines and figures on his neck and cheek, on his strong jaw. He moved his head back giving me more space to draw, I started under his ear slowly through the jaw, softly biting here and there, I reached the chin I went down to his neck and when I left a kiss on his knot I felt a sigh escaped his lips. His hands were no longer in my calves, I felt them everywhere, exploring my silhouette, in my ribs his fingers seemed to want to enter my body, pressing and massaging my muscles. It was a glorious feeling.

“Enough.” With his upper body he pushed me into the mud and put himself between my legs with his hands on the sides of my head. The rain did not let me see him completely, I only saw the blue of his eyes wandering in my mouth.  I forgot who I was. I felt like the world had a new place for me. Whoever I was. A less miserable place.  

I felt tears come down my eyes and Ivar's lips at the same time, I think he was crying too, tasting each other’s  tears, my hands went to his hair entangling them in his braids, the wave that runs through me is intoxicating, making my head swim, the kiss was passionate and I felt thirsty for more of him. Kissing Ivar there was a rebellion against the elements. Against the whole world. His lips fought against mine and he pressed his tongue on my bottom lip and, at my grant of access, delved inside my mouth, I felt his energy mixed with mine and my tongue just followed his. I hung my fingers on his waistband, dragging him closer. Our teeth crashed with the force of the movements, the kiss was clumsy and desperate. There was no space left between us and I could feel the beating of his heart against my chest. These raindrops were magical, divine. Each one washed away an unseen pain, a doubt, an angst.

A feeling of despair began to grow in my chest and I realized it was from the lack of air, I separated a bit from his mouth and we were both panting, I rested my forehead against his and gathered some much needed air, he rolled to be next to me in the mud and we started to laugh softly. A kiss like this was just the beginning, and in such a night, a promise of much more to come.

After what seemed forever I looked at him and he was already looking at me with his powerful eyes. We stare at each other, deep into each other's eyes.

“Hillevi.” He whispers slowly, prolonging each letter as if to savour them. “We are soaked.” He said pulling a strand of hair out of my face, and trying to dry me with his hand.

“It is the work of the gods, they are covering us with glory.” For a moment, everything stops. Even the wind holds its breath. And a streak of hot silver splits the sky. “Ivar” He looked at me through his eyelashes and I could feel how the effect of the food of the gods was leaving my body. “We are covered in mud.” And for the first time in the night I saw myself, with a layer of mud all over my body, including our hair and faces.

Without warning, his hand drifted to my hip. It settled there and pulled me closer. I inhaled sharply. He began nuzzling my neck with delicate kisses. “At least we are equally dirty.”