"I don't want to be what everyone else wants me to be. . ." I breathed while looking out across the camp.
He looked out to the camp once again and sighed heavily, "The world, the gods, and people are. . . tricky things. My brother wants to be king b...
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.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
A camp was made. I angrily made together mine and Halfdan's tent. He watched as I placed certain things in certain places. I was folding our furs on the cot when I felt his arms around my waist.
"Calm yourself," He whispered.
I continued to fold and then I slammed them down in a fit and leaned against the cot with my head hung, "I trusted him. I knew this was going to happen but I thought he wouldn't do it, not to me." His hand rubbed my back, "When no one trusted him and everyone wanted him dead, I was there."
After a while, we walked out of our tent and were met by Harald and Ragnar. We both raced to catch up as Harald spoke, "I don't want to touch a raw nerve, King Ragnar, but I understand that your brother betrayed you." We all followed behind them and walked into the canopy with Bjorn and our mother, "That he stands between us and Paris. So, what do you suggest we do?"
Ragnar turned and faced us, "I suggest we do the obvious." He placed two cups opposite each other on the floor, "We try and sail straight past the fort, upriver. But we protect our heads as we force our way through."
Halfdan stepped forward hesitantly, "Isn't that what your brother is going to expect us to do?"
Father nodded his head, "Yes, but he won't be expecting us to attack by land also." He took a horn and gestured it to one of the towers, "In unison with the boats, we'll send a party on foot to the nearest fort. And they will engage the archers, diverting their attention away from the boats. Yes?"
"I agree. The boats have more chance without the archers' hindrance." Lagertha spoke up.
"Any objections?" Bjorn questioned the group
No one spoke, "I'll lead that party by foot." Mother added and both Ragnar and I lifted our heads at her.
"Then it is agreed we attack tomorrow." Bjorn raised his hands on either side of his figure.
Harald looked down at Ragnar, "At least, let ours be the first boat through." Father nodded and the group dispersed.
I stayed behind and watched Bjorn walk after Erlendur, holding his ring in his hand. Ragnar sat defeated, "That plan is too obvious," I spoke, "Rollo is smart, he will see it coming a mile away."
Father stood up in a heave, "I am king, not you." He pushed past me and I stayed there staring at the ground.
---
Night came and I laid in our cot wide awake. My stomach felt unbearable as I thought about fighting against my uncle.
When the sun rose, we were already off again. I kissed Halfdan, "Do not die today." I told him.
He smiled into our kiss, "I say the same to you."
We boarded the boats and sailed up the river. When we neared the two towers, Harald's boat began to cheer as they grabbed their shields.
