The Devil and The Snake

18. The End

Five years later.

You were on the dock; it was the end of summer and you enjoyed every bit of sun Kattegat could give you.

Your oldest, Ragnar, was playfighting with some kids from the village, you could hear him scream and laugh. He was always jolly that one. He would always make sure whoever was playing with him would win but he knew, and you did too, that he was bigger and stronger than most kids his age and he could win every fight he got into.

Your other child, Ysra was playing with dolls next to you. She was too young to play with the other kids, but you could tell she would be the most hot headed out of all of your kid. She had Ivar's eyes and temper. That was why Ivar would always be worried about her, he kept his eyes on her all the time, believing something would happen and you had to remind him that everything was fine.

Your youngest was in your arm, sleeping. Torsten you had decided to name him. He was the calmest, beside his young age. Always sleeping, never crying loudly. He had your mother's eyes and, if at first it made you sad, now it was a comfort to see her everyday in your son.

You saw, from afar, a boat approaching and rejoiced when you recognize your husband's. He was finally coming back after weeks of raiding.

"Ragnar!" you called him, and he clutched at your leg while you stroke his hair.

When Ivar got on land, he first kissed you and then said hello to Torsten. He took Ysra in his arms and playfought with Ragnar while both laughed. On your back you felt the warmth of the sun and closed your eyes. You saw Caroline in heaven, dinning with gods and raising her glass to you. You smiled and opened them to follow your husband and children to your tent.

It felt, without any possible doubt, like you were at home.

Even if maybe, it would not end with smiles, even if Torsten would not survive many winters, even if Bjorn would one day betray you, if Frankia would come back, if Ivar would suffer and Ragnar would try and fail to avenge him. If Ysra would follow the path most people feared Ivar would have before. Even if you would lose, once again, your home.

For once, you were home and you were loved and there were no questions beyond that.