Northumbria ✓

20

They only made it to the crossing, much later than she thought they would before Ronja groaned and leaned onto the wall. "The pain keeps coming persistently and in waves. Fuck!" Aethelthryth cursed with her. They already made a lot of stops because it was painful for her. By now, they must've seized the castle, and they were searching for them. She didn't doubt that Ubbe was probably already at Newcastle. It only took a day to get there.

"How long have you been feeling the pain?" Elfreda asked. Ronja closed her eyes before leaning onto her back, "Since yesterday, I just brushed it off. Odin, my back is hurting." Ronja took a few steps as if ready to walk again but then leans onto the wall.

Arne outreaches his hands, ready to support her, before staring at everyone, wide-eyed, "I think the baby is coming." Aethelthryth moved closer and noticed the wet patch on Ronja's pants.

Elfreda shook her head, "It might take a while for the child to be born. Some children take longer to get into this world." Gorm, to everyone's surprise, nodded before scooping Ronja into his arms.

Then his rough voice broke the panic, "We should hurry then, maybe someone in the village will help us!" All of them nodded before pushing their legs faster. Gorm did not speak much, but when he did, it was truthful and meaningful. Elfreda was soon almost running as Gorm moved quicker than someone probably should while carrying another person.

After a while that they almost sprinted, they could finally see the light of the moonlight from the outside. Aethelthryth climbed over the moss and finally breathed fresh air. The moon was high, and she could guess that it would soon start to set. She almost wanted to kiss the green ground in relief. "We'll walk on the path. If we hurry, we could reach the village before the sun starts to rise," Aethelthryth informed the group.

"I can carry her for a while," Andre gave Gorm a reassuring look, and the buff man reluctantly nodded. Ronja winced as Andre cradled her to his chest. Aethelthryth gave them all a nod, "We need to go. They are searching for us, no doubt. Let's hope we reach the village soon!"

They strolled slowly, since Ronja could not take being carried faster on this bumpy way. Her whimpers made Aethelthryth nervous since she hoped no thieves would wander their way. Her legs ached, and she felt cold with only her dress. Elfreda was still carrying the lamp even though the moon was illuminating their path. Aethelthryth breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the small hut from the grassy hill. It was on the outskirts of the village, so the person inside might not be pleasant company, but they had to take their chances. Ronja's gasp brought her out of her assessment, and she rushed them forward. The house lightened from inside. She could see it even through the closed wooden window.

Aethelthryth banged onto the door with urgency. The hut got silent even though she heard humming before. No sound came indicating whoever was inside didn't plan to open the door. She banged again, "Please, we need help. My friend is giving birth!" She definitely hoped it was a woman and would take pity on them. Her gaze turned to Ronja. The baby wasn't planning on waiting for them to get settled. The door opened slowly, and Aethelthryth looked at the sword, pointing in her direction. A breathy laugh left her nose, what she needed, getting gutted because of a woman that invaded her country. The pretty woman that held the sword glanced behind her.

Unknowns woman's eyes squinted, "Como inside." Her voice was surprisingly soft for the rugged features she had. The woman still looked attractive. "Place her onto the bed. Take the linen and dip it into hot water!" Elfreda did as said, quickly helping the woman. Aethelthryth backed up. She really did not want to see this. Her hands clasped together, and she sent a small prayer to Saint Margaret. She hoped the child would be delivered safely. Soon the woman, whose hair was brown and let fall freely, indicating she was unmarried, bent Ronja's knees.

Ronja was shouting, her wails echoing around them. She was bleeding, and Aethelthryth wasn't sure if it was the usual amount or if it was dangerous. The woman looked calm, her hands sliding over Ronja's thighs, trying to calm her down.

"What is your name?" Andre asked as he was gazing at the wall. If it was out of respect to Ronja or in disgust, she wasn't sure. The woman didn't pick up her head as she answered, "Æbbe." Her voice was still soft, almost like a whisper.

Aebbe picked up her head, "I need you to breathe and push," she pushed the hot linen onto her belly. "Relax," she coaxed Ronja, who huffed at her. Aethelthryth almost expected her to bare her teeth.

"Just as you, stone, by order of God, shone on the first angel, so you, child, come forth a shining person, who dwells with God," Aebbe whispered, her hands sliding soothingly over Ronja's calves. Aethelthryth heard the words from her mother once. She had told her it was to make sure everything went smoothly. Aethelthryth grimaced at the amount of blood. She wasn't sure if it was smooth. The bile rose to her throat, but she gulped it down, grimacing in disgust. Then she turned, not wanting to look over the woman's shoulder anymore. She squared her shoulders and tried to relax. It felt as if she was the one giving birth.

Gasps and whimpers came behind her for hours before she finally heard the cry. She turned and gasped. The baby, was covered in blood, its wails so powerful, reminding her that a new life was just delivered. Ronja's eyes didn't move from the child, tracking the woman who cleaned her baby before wrapping her in linen. Then as the baby was put into her arms, Aethelthryth could see the tears well up.

"How will you name him?" Asked Gorm, who also seemed in a trance staring at the child. "Ragnar," answered back Ronja, with a secret smile.

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Berserker just reached 10k reads which is just unbelievable *screeches like a banshee*