#i like to believe that says a lot about aslaug's reign

[fuchsiagrasshopper]

Contending the Flame XI

Author’s note: This chapter kept going on for a while so I had to cut it off somewhere which means next chapter will have Hvitserk and Ivar in Vestfold. This chapter progresses readers part a lot though and I’m very pleased with how it turned out. I’ve also reached 200 followers so I’m considering making a writing challenge for fun. Thanks to all of you who have made this happen!

Masterlist

Pairing: Ivar x Reader

Word Count: 2716

Warnings: The usual

After many days and nights at the open water, you came to land by notice of a raven. The birds were intelligent creatures and held a deeper context in their religion. You were beginning to feel the early traces of curiosity rearing. When the longboat had slipped into silent spells, you would try to listen to pieces of conversations and make sense of the strange fables and gods. By the time you were passing into the fjord, you were struck with the guilt that a day had passed and you had forgotten to pray to God.

The sight of the foreign city had you leaping up and hanging over the ledge of the boat to catch a better glimpse. The idea of different lands always seemed so fantastical to the point of myth, yet here you were pulling into a dock. It was a dark and cold place, besieged by tall cliffs of iron rock. The sun was already low, and it wasn't even midday yet. 

For all of its murky preface, you still couldn't shake your excitement at arriving in Kattegat. It appeared you were the only one wearing a smile. The rest of your shipmates were stricken with sullen faces, and Ubbe was addressing the warriors.

"Lagertha's watch will already know we're here, so be prepared for questioning when we tie-up," He said. "Remember, we aren't here to start a war, or to win back Kattegat. We're looking for answers about the spy sent into our army."

"But Lagertha is your enemy," One of the men piped up. "Aren't you going to fight her regardless of that matter?"

Ubbe appeared frustrated. "Only when all of the sons of Ragnar have come to an agreement will we fight."

There was more chatter and bickering in hushed whispers as Ubbe tried to reign in the rabble. You watched on, wanting to help the eldest brother, but you knew your powerlessness. Audhild was beside you observing as well, and she made a harsh noise in her throat that resembled a laugh.

"Ubbe doesn't care to avenge his mother," She said offhandedly.

You paused a moment, not knowing if she wanted you to answer or if it was just her way of airing her outrage. "What do you mean?"

"Lagertha was the one who murdered Queen Aslaug. Some say to win back Kattegat, while others would have you believe it was revenge on her luring Ragnar away."

Ivar had spoken briefly about his mother, but you weren't aware of the entire history until this moment. "And what do you believe?"

"I believe Aslaug wanted to die and bewitched Lagertha into being the one to do it. She was a sad woman, made empty by the disappointing King Ragnar. There's no question that Lagertha is the better Queen, but reasoning won't reach slighted loved ones. Ivar will never allow Lagertha peace."

You looked into the healer's eyes and saw the truth of what she spoke. It was tragic. "How will you Northmen ever triumph over the Saxons, when you're too busy killing each other?"

Audhild barked out a brisk chuckle. "Smarter leaders than you or I have said much the same, yet here we are plotting to steal back Kattegat while Harald Finehair plans to launch an assault to win him rule over all of Norway. These are bold choices, and actions worthy of Valhalla. There's much you don't understand, nun."

"I wish I did," You murmured, feeling foolish. 

Audhild studied you and seemed to determine you were genuine. "Perhaps you will, now that you're here. I don't think you'll see England again."

The mention of that didn't alarm you as much as it should have. You felt a pang of sadness, but not for the loss of England. That place had never felt like home. Nowhere ever had, and that was the root of your melancholy. You didn't have a place to belong, just a series of unfamiliar destinations had come and gone.

As the ship slowly coasted up to the wharf, there weren't many onlookers, and you chalked that up to being that these people witnessed boats coming and going at all times. One ship wasn't enough to warrant too much attention. If anyone took a second glance, it was because of Ubbe. Those sons of Ragnar drew attention wherever they went, and it must have been unusual for him to be seen without the others present. 

When the boat docked, the crew immediately leapt to unloading the few provisions that had been packed aboard. You kept close to Audhild, unsure where your usefulness lied. You wanted to go and have a gander at the city, but you knew you couldn't just spring out on your own.

"Ólaug," Ubbe called, and your head snapped up at attention. "I want you to remain with Audhild for now. I'll likely be called to meet with Lagertha. I can see some of her shieldmaidens have been sent to treat with us."

You stared over his shoulder to the three women approaching. They were dressed in boiled leather and metal and armed with swords and bows, not unlike the maidens you had seen serving in the army.

"Ólaug? Did Ivar tell you to call me that?"

Ubbe flustered as if it had escaped him unnoticed that little slip-up. "He might have mentioned it, and I don't know your real name."

You sighed, but more from contentment than anger. The name had stuck, and it was something else to remind you about Ivar. "It's alright. I will try to keep out of trouble to make things easier for you."

"Good," He nodded in relief.

Ubbe was the first to hoist his way onto the dock, and you followed close behind him with Audhild and a group of warriors. By then the three shieldmaidens had made their way down to the water, and a golden blonde with intense eyes ringed in kohl stepped forward.

"You're missing something, Ubbe," She started, gathering a look at the rest of his party. "Where are your brothers?"

"Not missing, just separated. What I thought was best for the army no longer aligned with where Ivar and Hvitserk wanted to take it."

The warrior woman appeared unconvinced. "So you thought you'd return here, after threatening to overthrow Lagertha with Ivar the last time."

You tried to contain your surprise at that. Apparently, the feud between the sons and this Lagertha ran deeper than you could comprehend.

"I wished to return home, and to my wife. The ones who came with me sought the same," Ubbe explained. "Please, Torvi. I will give my share of the raids to Lagertha if that's what she wants, but I did not come here for title or glory."

The woman, Torvi, pondered over his words. "I would be less inclined to believe you if Ivar were present, but our scouts reported that you were the only ship to cross the fjord. Perhaps I can have Lagertha grant you a private meeting, but just with you, not even Margrethe would attend."

"I accept that," He agreed. "Do we have permission to disembark? My crew are tired and thirsty."

Torvi took another glance at all of you, and you found it difficult to meet her eyes when they fell upon you.

"You may, and have all of your gold brought to the Queen."

That was where the negotiations ended at least for the time being. You didn't know what task had been entrusted to Ubbe by Ivar, and you thought it better if you didn't know. Torvi led her two companions away back through the streets of Kattegat, and all while Ubbe watched her depart.

"I'm sure others are watching," He commented. "Don't mention Ivar or Hvitserk while out in public."

There was a collective agreement that reverberated from the group, and Audhild took a step forward.

"If Torvi is here, does that mean Bjorn is still in Kattegat?"

Ubbe shook his head. "I'm sure he made for the Mediterranean as he wanted to. Besides, even before we made for England, there were whispers of their marriage failing. Torvi serves his mother now."

As more names were idly tossed in the air, you began to grow more confused and out of place. The Northmen had as many struggles in their leadership as the Saxons, and you wondered if there was a place in this world that wasn't rife with betrayal. 

"Come, Ólaug," Audhild's voice broke through your internal fretting. "There's something I must tell you, and it shouldn't be done with so many eyes around."

You frowned in confusion, but when you looked to Ubbe he gave Audhild a swift nod of dismissal. Whatever it was regarding, he knew about it. 

You departed the dock, leaving the others to unload the heavy boxes of gold and treasures. Some of it you knew was from the ransacked church in York, but it didn't bother you to see it brought back into foreign lands. What Ivar had said before about the church hoarding wealth was true. Better it to be distributed among this trading post than in the hands of old men who preached righteousness but committed avarice. 

You had been anticipating with some excitement to walk through the market stalls of Kattegat, but Audhild was not leading you to the city. She was headed in the direction of a path through the woods, and you weren't sure if you should feel nervous. The sounds of the crowd were growing distant, and you wondered if you should be preparing to run. Audhild may have been a healer, but she was thick in the shoulders and could still likely beat you in a fight.

"Where are we going?" You asked, and your voice shook.

Audhild tossed a glance your way and let out a laugh. "Don't look so nervous, Christian. Do you think I'd kill you now when I could have disposed of you all those times we worked alone back in York?"

It sounded silly out loud, and you ran a hand through your growing hair. "Sorry, I guess the forest made me nervous."

"You are paranoid, but I suppose it's better to be cautious. I would hold onto those instincts if I were you," She said while stepping over brush and deadfall. "And we're headed to my home. Ubbe and I agreed it would be better to keep you out of Kattegat until you've adjusted more. Some might not take to another Christian among us, not after Athelstan."

That was Ragnar's monk friend. Ivar had only mentioned him in passing, and it seemed he was not held in high regard. You supposed if the situation were reversed, and it was a heathen among Saxons, they would feel much the same.

Audhild continued to lead you along this long and difficult path, and the more the forest twisted, the less certain you were of your wayfinding skills. If you had to find the docks again, you didn't think you'd be able to. The dense trees provided decent shelter from the winds, however, and you had lost the prickly feeling on your skin that came from the cold. 

"It's not much further now. I don't think I'll have much in the way of food, but I can provide drink and get a fire going," said Audhild.

You were used to going long bouts without a meal, but the fire sounded like heaven. Sleeping on a boat in constant motion wasn't the same as a bed or even a solid floor, and your aching back would welcome either.

The trees were beginning to thin until you found yourself in a small clearing in the woods. The ground was sun-dappled and leaf-covered, and a small house sat vacant in the center. You let out a small gasp, unable to describe what you were feeling at the sight of it.

"I know it isn't much, but it's all I've ever needed. I have no children, and I left for raids more than I was here."

"I think it's wonderful," You admitted. "But I've never had my own home before, and I gave up the need for one when I joined the abbey."

"Strange custom. What's a woman without a home?"

Had you not been a nun, it was likely you would not have had your own property anyway. It would have belonged to the man you would have chosen as a husband. You didn't bother to mention that to Audhild though. She was already looking at you as if you were the most peculiar creature. 

"Can we go inside?" You asked, a sudden longing to be sheltered. 

"In a moment," Audhild replied while holding you back. "I want to finish what I have to tell you now. Ivar wanted me to do this when we reached Kattegat and not a moment earlier."

At the mention of Ivar, your heart fluttered in both anticipation and concern. "What did he want you to do?"

Audhild took your hands, and she let the gruff expression on her face ease. "You are now made a free woman."

You blinked. If it wasn't for her strong grip on your hands, you were certain your arms would have fallen limp at your sides like dead meat on hooks. The words held much meaning, and you were afraid for whatever came next. You would have to fight the fear if you wanted to be seen as anything more than a coward. "I'm no longer a slave?"

"Yes, you stupid girl," Audhild said, letting go of you before you caught on to how soft she could be. "To be free amongst us gives you certain privileges and ensures you should be kept safer."

You didn't know what privileges she was speaking of, but the bit about being safe put you into a state of ease. "Why did he not free me himself before sending me here?"

"Can you not think of the reason?"

Shame perhaps? No, you banished the thought. Ivar was nothing if not prideful and likely would have wanted to free you himself if he could. You forced yourself to think of the circumstances of why he sent you away to be free, and then…

"If he freed me in York, I could have refused to come here," You spoke aloud and Audhild gave a resounding nod. "He thought I would refuse to stay with him."

"I'm not well acquainted with the Prince, but everyone in Kattegat knows of how he has been abandoned and lost those he cares for. I guess he wouldn't risk the same of you."

You felt guilty, but you didn't know why. As for whether or not you would have chosen to come to Kattegat yourself, you knew in your heart your answer. When you met Ivar again, you would have to make him understand how you felt. You wished he was beside you again, but you knew he had something more important to deal with and you refused to be a burden.

"What do I do now?"

"You come inside to warm up," Audhild said as she started for the door of her home. "And afterwards, we'll have to make sure you start to behave like a proper free woman because for the moment you look as lost as a fish on dry land."

You wanted to be insulted, but you knew the healer was right. You were far from home, and with a tenuous grasp of the language. What did it mean to be free, and among such strange folk as these Northmen whose religion you didn't fully understand? 

You gathered the skirts of your slave frock and hurried after her. Perhaps to start you could buy new clothes. You also had not a coin to your name, and though you were capable with a needle and thread you couldn't make an entire new wardrobe with such paltry efforts. It seemed you would have to rely on the kindness of strangers for the time being, though the thought of that felt like charity. You would do what you could to assist Audhild in place of proper payment. She was calling for you again, for Ólaug. Only this time you didn’t spurn from the name, you ran towards it and the new freedom that Ivar the Boneless had gifted to you.

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[lisinfleur]

I don't think all Bjorn's behaviour is Thorunn fault. She was suffering too, she thought she lost all her beauty and didn't think she was worth of Bjorn's love. I think that Lagertha could have talked with him about it, and taught him how to treat and support his wife their relationship could continue.

But Lagertha did nothing, they even left the little Siggy with Aslaug and as long as I know that she was terrible human being leaving the girl alone, she wasn't her granddaughter, so I ask where was Lagertha the defender of the women at these times?

TONS UNDER THE CUT XD Sorry for it being too long, love!

Ok, let us break your asks into parts cause I see some pretty good material here. First of all, Björn's behavior. Indeed it is not ONLY Þórunn's fault. But a great part is. A person's personality/character is built over a lot of small parts of itself and its relationship with the world around. Our mothers and fathers build a lot of ourselves, but we also learn a lot from people around us, and sometimes it pushes us away from our parents' behavior and even pushes us away from them (I may be inserting a little bit of personal experience here haha). In Björn's case, his relationship to women and character when it comes to being a husband/father comes pretty much from his traumas related to Ragnar and Þórunn respectively. Ragnar destroyed his conceptions of what should be a perfect love story and Þórunn broke his hope/self-confidence that he was able to build a story different from the one he saw his parents building. I think he kinda mirrored himself in Lagertha - the abandoned/betrayed part of the relationship  - and then decided to become Ragnar - the "fuck-it-all" part of the relationships he had. But we cannot say he didn't support Þórunn. He was UTTERLY supportive from carrying for her wound to keep their relationship warm, even trying to show her his desire was intact, his love was still there, and her beauty wasn't everything. As much as he had chance upon chance to receive love after Þórunn and I blame exclusively him for not allowing himself to be loved and dive into a true love like Torvi's or Gunnhild's; I blame Þórunn exclusively for not being able to accept her wound wasn't enough reason for her value as a woman/partner for Björn to be reduced. He loved her and he showed her scar meant nothing to him. She was the one who decided to start pushing him towards finding another woman (which ended up with him and Torvi getting involved) and later on, to leave him and little Siggy behind. So, no excuses for Þórunn here, but indeed Ragnar also had a part in this character construction for Björn and I believe even his involvement with Snaefrid and its tragic end also killed the last drop of hope he could have to love and be loved in this lifetime.

Now speaking of Aslaug, I utterly disagree that she was a "terrible human being". She wasn't. Definitely not. She was a human being. And here is the spot that everyone insists on ignoring through the whole fandom. No anger attached, for real, but there are some spots to be brought to light here that no one really uses to care about when speaking about Ragnar's second wife. So, let us bring it out the reasons why I do not agree with your definition of Aslaug: She was a mother of four. The woman was already taking care by herself of four kids, one of them SEVERELY disabled, screaming, and in pain 24/7 a day. As a mother of a possibly autistic child who screams at least 16 of the 24 hours she's with me, believe me: it makes you INSANE! And my daughter isn't even disabled or in pain like Ivar was. I can't stop crying and feeling the worst mother in the world when my Victoria cuts a finger or hurts herself falling during a run - now stop and imagine Aslaug's head thinking about the child she had just put in this world... At that time, they didn't have too much awareness of the men's participation in the children's production so, men were said to seed, women were said to produce the child. You can remember Ivar accusing Freydis of "producing him such a monster" when speaking about little Balðr. Aslaug dealt with the same guilt of producing herself a child with such terrible condition, always in pain, screaming for her help she couldn't offer. And in the middle of this she had Sigurd - who was still a baby around 1 to 2 years old - Hvitserk - who was a dog after his older brother EVERYWHERE - Ubbe, who was becoming a man too soon into her eyes - and Ragnar, who wasn't there practically all the time, leaving the housekeeping, the kingdom keeping, and the child keeping for her alone (cause people use to forget, but Bjorn was going everywhere with his father before assuming Kattegat's reign, so it was left in ASLAUG's hands). Do I have to remember this woman didn't know how to cook when she arrived? Her SERVANTS made the dinner she offered to Ragnar and Lagertha for welcoming her. The woman was a princess without a kingdom when she came, and she never had her father and mother around to tell her what to do or teach her how to be a mother. Believe me, girl, I had my mother to teach me, and even with her around it was HARD AS FUCK and I still learn things every day! Imagine how hard it was for her to do everything I just said she was responsible for... And then comes Þórunn and throws over her a fifth child she cared PERFECTLY about until BJÖRN rejects the child leaving HER with the incumbency to care for a fifth child in the middle of all the things she already had to do...

Whoever can remember, Aslaug had several mental breakdowns during this series, became alcoholic, lost her mind several times, cried her ass out... And who can blame her? She failed little Siggy, indeed, but she was overwhelmed trying to deal with several things at the same time along with the carelessness of her husband that was really not giving a flying fuck to what she was doing but was all up to slap her or speak about her mistakes whenever they would spot up. She failed Sigurd too... But no one can say Ubbe and Hvitserk weren't well raised and she lost her mind but even then, Ivar survived, didn't he? Aslaug wasn't a terrible human being. She was an overwhelmed woman... But can we say the same about Lagertha? As a warrior? Flawless! Amazing woman! But I still question myself about how the fuck did Björn reached adult life! The stories she taught Hali and Asa about Björn and Ragnar and being a warrior and son of who Hali was and her poor attention to the children's safety during a battle caused Hali to die that horrible way - and it WAS her fault! He was on her responsibility and SHE HAD to pay attention to create a safe (and preferentially LOCKED) space for the children to be during the attack, but she was so up to being the flawless shieldmaiden who would save the village for the women who came to ask for her help that she forgot children sometimes are stupid and can do stupid things to follow stupid examples... Hali wanted to be a warrior like his father and grandfather from her stories. She just forgot to say he had to GROW UP before holding a sword or proving himself a son of the great Björn Ironside...

Speaking of being a shitty grandmother, can we talk about little Siggy a little? She was LAGERTHA's granddaughter and RAGNAR's granddaughter. She had NOTHING to do with Aslaug and I didn't see any of them complaining Björn abandoned the child. Ragnar at least slapped his beautiful firstborn's face when Björn fucked up and took pregnant Þórunn with him into battle. But Lagertha? Not a single word before, not a single word during, not a single word after it. Not about little Siggy, not about dear Torvi that Björn abandoned out of nowhere - no. Instead of defending a woman suffering a sudden abandonment like hers, Lagertha was too occupied negotiating the Sammi's princess' pussy for her beloved golden boy. (Sorry about the language, but gods, it made me mad!)

So, after all of this, if someone can be called a despicable human being in this whole situation - unpopular opinion here - it would be Lagertha. And in this, we agree.

Sorry for the long LOONG answer (way too long, I'm so sorry!), and thanks for the opportunity to vent about this haha Feel free to send me answers! I love talking about the series like this! All the love!

[imagine-loki]

A Warrior’s Life

TITLE: A Warrior’s Life

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter Sixty-Five AUTHOR: wolfpawn ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Viking Loki coming to your village, raiding, and pillaging, before deciding there is something about you that intrigues him and deciding to take you back to Asgard with him. There, you are forced to learn a new life and language, and though you hate what has happened to you, you learn that Loki is not as bad as you think.

RATING: Mature

NOTE:  *Warning violent death of minor character in this chapter*

Maebh stood glaring at Aslaug with Vali in her arms, and Nafi standing by her side; Frigga, Sif and the other children there also. Loki stood beside Thor, who was sitting on the throne that had been brought out of his home so that he could reign over proceedings, looking down at the hateful woman along with other warriors and even Lords.

"Have you anything to say in your defence Aslaug Loughlindottir?" Thor demanded from his seat at the head of proceedings; in truth, this was the part of the process that both brothers feared, knowing there was a high chance that the harpy could reveal the truth about Nafi, causing a scene and causing untold torment to the child himself.

Aslaug looked as though she was going to speak, her face contorted in a cruel attempt at a smile, but then something caught her eye; Helena, Tyr's wife, stood in front of her and the look in the other woman’s face told her everything, that she knew of the affair, and with a small nod to Maebh, it was clear it was something that had been discussed between the women, angering her into a rage that caused her to scream. Her actions caused all present to think her mad, having not noticed the trigger, and they all believed that the sentencing Thor would undoubtedly pass would be the only one she was deserving of.

"It is my duty as ruler to defend everyone in my realm from unjust actions, and after all my good brother, and indeed his wife have done for me, I am indebted to them and should strive to ensure they feel safe in their home, them and their children, so with that, I sentence you Aslaug, to be whipped fifty times before being beheaded for the unprovoked attack and attempted killing of my nephew, Vali Lokison, Prince of Asgard."

Even Maebh’s eyebrows rose at that, she had not expected that Aslaug would be lashed as well as killed, and in truth, she did not feel too bad for her, only for Nafi, who would now have to know what became of his birth mother. "Come inside, you do not need to see this." She urged, trying to bring him into Thor's home.

"No," he looked up at her, not allowing her to move him. "I am staying with Father."

"Your father has to ensure this is done, he is forced to witness it, you are not, and to be honest, I do not want you to see something so horrific," Maebh stated, trying again to get him inside.

"Mother, I am staying." For a child not truly of his blood, the way that Nafi looked up at her reminded her greatly of Loki, his conviction clear.

"I do not think it wise." she reiterated.

"Maebh," she looked to Loki, who was now standing in front of them. "He is eight now, he is permitted to watch such things if that is what he truly wishes." The tone he used told Maebh that he too was not too pleased with the idea either.

Maebh was forced to bite her tongue, she recalled the first time she witnessed a beheading, she was a mere six years old, a man had done unspeakable acts of brutality to his brother and mother, so her father ensured he was killed with the swiftest method, not wanting the man to waste any more time breathing. Knowing that what Loki was saying was true, she simply gave a small nod, and took a step back, handing Vali to Frigga, and standing behind him, her hands on his shoulders as support. "If you refuse to leave, then I refuse to let you stand and watch alone," she swore, looking Loki in the eye, daring him to argue, but the man said nothing, just nodding instead and going back over to Thor, who gave the solemn nod for the punishment to begin.

They watched silently as Aslaug was brought to a post and tied to it, her back exposed before the chosen warrior, one Maebh knew to be named Frederick walked over to her, whip in hand to begin. With another nod from the King, the crack of the whip came down on her back, followed by a pained shriek, a moment later, it occurred again. By the twentieth lash, Aslaug had ceased screeching, her voice hoarse, and her skin split in several areas, not even attempting to stand any longer.

Maebh could not bring herself to feel anything for the woman, though to her own relief, she only felt the smallest twinge of satisfaction, which she justified by thinking of Vali, innocently waiting for her to return to him inside the home, who Aslaug wanted to kill for no good reason whatsoever.

By the fortieth whip, she seemed to be hardly conscious, and that is when Helena decided to throw a bucket of what smelled like animal urine on her exposed back, causing Aslaug to screech on new agony. Her actions caused a few people to eye up the widow, who only spat at her before walking back to her spot, her oldest son, who if any were to pay a lot of heed to, was somewhat similar in build and appearance to Nafi, and said nothing.

Thor made no comment to her, knowing that that was the only revenge that the widow could ever bestow on either her husband or his lover, and gave a wave of his finger to tell Frederick to complete the whipping, which he did without remark.

When that was over, she was untied and dragged to a large wooden block and was thrown onto it roughly, her throat placed where required and a sword brought to the executioner. Aslaug seemed to then realise just how much she should regret her actions, but rather than attempting to speak, she looked over at Maebh, then to Nafi, who both looked at her, trying to convey their hatred for them in her final few moments of life. Just before the sword was raised, Loki raised his hand to cease proceeding and went over to his ex-wife, kneeling down so he was close to her, knowing the words he would say would die with her. "You deserve this, everything you ever did, all the people you have hurt, we all are going to take pleasure in this, mine being that I know, no matter what, you cannot hurt my children again, any of them, Nafi included, and as you rot in the ground, know that in these last few moments of life, you were right, I wanted her for me, and I have her, her body and her love, and she will bear more children for me than you would ever have killed, and will do so willingly. Rot in Hel Aslaug, and know none will mourn you, your son stands with us, and will always see the woman and man you hate so much as his mother and father." he rose to his feet again, satisfied at his words, and gave a nod to Frederick, who had not heard what he had said, but knew that Loki had once been married to the woman. Frederick looked to Thor, who too gave his nod, and raised the sword and swung it down. The sound of the metal hitting the thick wooden block, though only a low thud, resounded around the busy town centre, none spoke as Aslaug met her end.

Nafi had turned in towards Maebh, his face hiding against her, having decided last moment not to watch the sword go through Aslaug’s neck. Maebh held him against her, kissing his head lovingly, knowing that he was too good a child to not be affected by such a horrific act. After a few moments, he looked around again, looking at the headless body of his mother limp on the ground, her head not in his view from where he was standing. "She can't hurt us now." was all he said.

"No darling, she cannot." Maebh concurred. "Come, we best get you inside." she ushered him in, this time, the youth did not fight her.

*

For a week after, there was a peculiar sense around the home; Nafi seemed somewhat quieter, as Loki and Maebh pondered through all that had occurred. The baby had moved again, meaning that Maebh was feeling pressure on her back most of the day, but the sickness was only irritating her in the mornings for the days since the execution. As she rubbed her stomach where she had felt something she suspected to be the baby's first notable movement, she watched Loki deal with his horse. "Where are you off to today?" She asked, still rubbing her stomach.

"I am needed to go to the valley, there is an issue there with crops again." he stated, ensuring the ties were done correctly.

"I see." Maebh sighed, there had been little communication between the pair since the kidnap attempt, and it concerned Maebh, Loki was in no way himself and did not seem interested in changing that. He went over to her and gave her a light kiss on the side of the head before turning to leave. "Are you not going to say goodbye to the boys?"

"I cannot wait for Nafi and Vali will only fuss, I will return tomorrow." he stated as he mounted his horse and left, not looking at her again.

Maebh swallowed hard and walked back inside, thinking of Loki's behaviour; she had seen that behaviour from him before. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she walked through the house, and over to Vali, who was sitting up, chewing his fist with two deep red cheeks, anxious from the pain his imminent first tooth was causing him. She did not wait to see if he would raise his arms for her to pick him up; she simply took him and brought him into the bedroom in silence, leaving Gertrude and Frigga to watch her as she did. Placing Vali on the bed beside her, she just stared at him as he gurgled and babbled. He was the image of his father, in all but the pallor of his eyes, and at that moment, she felt as though her chest was imploding.

"Maebh?" Frigga stood in the doorway.

"I just want to be alone with my son." she answered plainly.

"Of course, but there is an issue with some Svartalfheim delegates that need to be dealt with, you are being requested," Frigga informed her.

"Tell Thor that I am not well, he can surely deal with this while Loki is gone." she mumbled.

Frigga frowned. "But he and Thor are gone on a hunt, is that not why you were outside bidding Loki a farewell?"

Maebh's eyes began to well with tears, wondering why Loki would lie over something so simple. "Yes, of course, how silly of me to forget. Have a cart readied, I will leave immediately." she pushed herself up and got out of the bed, bringing Vali with her. When she arrived at the main part of the house again, she was composed and ensured she looked as she should before handing the infant to Frigga and walking outside.

The entire journey to the village, she hardly paid heed to anything around her, so much so, she completely blanked Nafi, who had waved at her first, then called her several times, but she did not register that he was there, instead just making her way in a daze. On her arrival, she was met by Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg; all three immediately noting there was something peculiar in her behaviour and looked at one another in concern. Hogun took the horse to steady it as Fandral and Volstagg helped her down. Finally, she seemed to come to again and looked around, "What is their concern?" The men looked at her blankly. "The Svartalfheim delegation, what is their concern?"

It was Volstagg that replied to her first. "It is regarding the tools given to them, they...well they say that they require more."

"I see, well, let us see why that is then." she maintained a facade of calm as she walked into the room and to those sent by Ásvaldr. "Gentlemen, you have chosen a bad time to join us, I fear my husband and the king are away at present." She smiled politely.

"So long as your Highness is able to assist us, we do not mind, we understand our visit is not scheduled." the lead foreigner spoke with a deep accent, but his grasp of the Aesir tongue was fairly sufficient.

"Then gentlemen, tell me how I can assist?"

It did not take long to sort what was required, it was a simple trade, Svartalfheim was covered in forests that had wood the Aesir could use as Asgard readied the tools, wood would be sent from Svartalfheim, and both would benefit; satisfied, the Svartal convoy went on their way again, refusing a nights rest to try and begin the journey, desperate to get the tools that were so swiftly improving their farming, and allowing them to reap more food for their families.

"I wish the first talks had gone that well." Fandral groaned as they bid farewell to the party. "You look well Princess, considering."

"Call me nosey, or call me curious Fandral, but do you ever plan on taking a wife to fill with a child?" Maebh smiled.

"Did Loki not tell you, princess," Volstagg bellowed, "He is courting one of the Dowagers maids."

"One living at my home?" Maebh asked, wide-eyed at the information, her response was a nod. "Norn's my mind is too concerned with my children, I had not noticed. I take it Ragnarok is upon us?" She jested, earning her laughs from the other men and a bemused look from Fandral.

"Another attribute of yours, Your Highness, hilarity." He commented in a monotone.

"Aye, I have been bestowed with so many," she smiled back. "Nonetheless gentlemen, I think it best I return to my children," she stated as she made her way back to the cart. "Not that any of you intelligent beings needed to be told, but if I am required again, please do not hesitate to call upon me."

"Are you not going to call upon Sif?" Volstagg frowned.

"I had best get home, please, if you are speaking with her, inform her of what has occurred and give her my apologies, of late I have been somewhat distracted." It was not a lie, nor would any of the men accuse it of being such, having noticed her demeanour on her arrival; not wanting to press her on the matter, they simply nodded and allowed her to leave without any other delay, silently watching as she left.

*

"You seem out of sorts Loki," Thor commented as they rode.

"I have a lot on my mind," Loki admitted.

"Do you wish to speak of it?"

"It does not matter."

"On the contrary brother, it seems to matter a lot," Thor argued, but he did not push the matter more. "What did Maebh say of your leaving?"

"Very little, she is somewhat in her own mind these days." Loki could not tell Thor that he had not only made no mention of the hunt to his wife but that he had lied as to why he was going away also. He was not sure why he had done that exactly, in truth, he could not look at her without getting upset. The cruel words he had spoken to Aslaug on her death were of little comfort knowing that Maebh was at risk of perishing bringing his child into the world.

"Aye, like you, she seems to think saying nothing is wiser than saying something when obviously, saying nothing is doing nothing for either of you." Loki was not paying any attention as the horses trotted along the flat plain towards their destination. "Brother, I know it is none of my business, but I implore for you to speak with Maebh more, this chasm you are placing between you both, for whatever reason you are doing so, is doing neither of you any good."

"I am no good for her Thor."

"What nonsense are you speaking?"

"Her, Nafi, Vali, the child she grows, I am no good for them."

"I do not follow."

"Damn it Thor, can you not see, they are better off without me." Loki snarled, galloping off passed his brother, causing the King to stare at him in bewilderment before taking his own horse's reins tighter and digging his feet into its sides, chasing after his brother, calling his name as he galloped. It took several minutes for Thor to catch up with Loki, who had halted his horse and dismounted without tying the creature up, meaning it was just wandering around close by, and picking at some grass. Thor dismounted and tied his horse to a nearby tree, then doing the same to Loki's, remaining silent as Loki stared across the lake he had come to. "Brother?" Loki did not respond.