Northumbria ✓

5

Aethelthryth walked into the hall in a pretty dress. Well, at least Ubbe assumed it was. It was much nicer than what Viking women wore around the house. But, then again, she wasn't a Viking woman. He could only assume that as a Christian English lady, she liked shiny things. Maybe it was bold of him to presume that she was that shallow. She walked confidently across the room, and his eyes stayed on her. They didn't stray even as she hugged her friend Elfreda. His eyes slid over her, trying to find any bump indicating that she had his dagger, nothing. Maybe it was because of that big skirt she had on.

His eyes didn't move away, even when she caught him staring. Her lips pursed. Those full and pink lips he had dreamt about last night. She gave him a look as if she was completing on throwing him a glare, but then to his relief, she sent him a nod of acknowledgment. As Ronja marched into the room, more like waddled, he used that as a distraction to sneak up on the brunette. His brother walked in behind his wife, his clothes crumpled. He didn't even want to know what took them so long.

Ubbe stepped up behind Aethelthryth, pretending not to notice the hungry look Cyneburge send his way. Or he hoped that was her name. As Ronja started to speak Danish, he leaned even closer, making sure his breath ghosted her ear. "As I have promised, the princess of Northumbria agreed to our deal. She will command the Lords here, and then we will strike an agreement with them. Either leave us be or die!" His translation got cut off by a rumbling noise of agreement. Aethelthryth shuddered. He hoped it was because of his proximity and not out of fear.

Ronja raised her hand, "Now that this is settled, for an exchange, the princess made me strike a deal with her. No one touches her or those servants of hers unless, of course, they initiate the touch." Ubbe translated. Ronja's hand flicked in their direction, and almost the whole room turned. Aethelthryth took a small step back, just enough for her to bump into his chest. He did his best to not wrap her in his arms.

"Are we clear," Ubbe translated again. The room was silent, and he could hear as Aethelthryth let out a breath of relief. That was until a man stepped out of the crowd. He started talking fast, almost like a dog barking, that spit fell from his lips. He wore an angry scowl, and to Ubbe's surprise, Aethelthryth was now fully pressed against him.

"I will not be commanded by a pregnant woman what I can do. If I want to take one of those slaves, I will, if I want to take both of them and make that Christian bitch choke on my cock I will. We are Vikings!" He could feel her shudder against him as he told her what the man said. And he did his best to control that rage that swelled inside him. He watched Ivar's face morph into fury. No one insulted his wife. His nostrils expanded, and now he understood why Ronja called him a dragon.

Before Ivar could step forward, probably to bury his axe into the man's skull, Ronja's knife went flying. It hit the man straight to his knee cap, he fell on his knees, and Ronja pounced. Ubbe had to admit he admired with how much precision she moved even pregnant. Ivar followed after her, probably for his own assurance. Ronja grabbed the man by his hair before sliding her knife across his throat. The room was silent. Ronja pushed the man down, and he fell face first. A thud resonated around the room, and Ronja opened her arms.

"Anybody else has something to say?" This, was probably, why Irvina wanted him here. To make sure that Ronja didn't kill everyone in their own army for disrespect. But he couldn't bring himself to care for the man's life. Ronja turned to Aethelthryth and gave her a smirk. Ubbe translated the words she spoke next to the women around him. "If I find that one of you laid their hands on them, I will sure do worse than slice a neck!" Men around the hall slowly nodded. Some still wore an expression of disagreement, but none spoke. Ivar nodded at Ubbe as he commanded the people to disperse. They had agreed to meet later on for training. He hoped that Hvitserk would be there, but he rather avoided training with Ivar.

Ubbe leaned closer to the woman. He made sure to lower his voice to a whisper, not that his voice would be heard in the chattering, "You're safe." Aethelthryth turned towards him. She was small compared to him. About head smaller, so she had to tilt her head. Her eyes were brown, and they reminded him of the nuts he used to pick with his brothers when they were young. A small, shy smile appeared on her lips. She gazed behind him.

He followed her line of sight to her friends, who were both staring. Ubbe didn't look at her brunette friend, who always seemed to watch him with a salivating look. He ignored her. He turned back towards her as her small fingers gripped his arm. His eyes focused on her hand, so tiny, delicate. "Thank you," she whispered over the noise of the room. This was the second time she thanked him, and he had to say he enjoyed being helpful. Or maybe, it was just hearing her, voluntarily, speak to him. He could actually listen to her talk for hours, she had a soothing voice. He nodded his head.

He answered back in his mother tongue, "Selv tak." She gave him a look of confusion before a small smile took its place. "That means you're welcome, yes?" Ubbe nodded. He was a silent man and preferred actions over words. She gave him another smile, this time showing off her bright teeth. He watched her walk away while mouthing the words under her breath.