Book Four- Eira Ragnarsdottír: The Twin of Björn Ironside

Chapter 10

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Ubbe and Hvitserk sat and played a game in my tent. I sat with my hand over my stomach feeling the movement in my stomach. I smiled as I felt it, both pairs of little feet and hands moving about.

The boys noticed my smile, "Is your baby moving?" Hvitserk asked curiously.

I nodded and gestured for them to come. I placed their hands on my stomach and I could see their faces gleam as they felt the movement for themselves, "I believe I am going to bear Halfdan twins." I smiled in between the boys.

"Like you and Bjorn?" Ubbe questioned.

My head dipped down, "Yes, but I was told by the ancient Seer, that Halfdan would give me many sons."

"You think they are both sons?"

My smile lifted and nodded at Hvitserk, "I was told I would have many sons, it is no surprise to me that they are to be boys."

Silence took its toll as Ubbe frowned, "Father is not the same since we came here."

I sighed deeply at his comment, "My little brothers, our father has many things in this world that he is afraid of. He has many dreams, many failures, and many successes. I believe that seeing his brother standing on his enemy's side took the last piece of love he had for his family."

"But we love him," Hvitserk spoke up, "we've never betrayed him."

"Though that may be true, you both must always remember that Ragnar loves all of his children dearly." A long breath escaped my lips, "He is faced with many hard decisions, some of which he cannot handle alone."

Ubbe cocked up his head at me, "Is that why you always stand by his side as he leads?"

I nodded slowly, "It is part of the reason. It is one of Ragnar's dreams that his children shall lead one day. He wishes for me to be one of the finest queens and warriors Norway has ever seen."

"But you don't want to. . ." Hvitserk trailed off.

"No," I chuckled, "but if it is the fate of the gods, who am I to ignore them?"

Ubbe stood up and walked over to the flap of the tent and looked out, "What do you think will happen to Uncle Rollo?"

"Long ago," I began, "Rollo betrayed us once before. He has always had a fire within him to do better than his younger brother. He wishes so much to step out of the shadow of Ragnar Lothbrok. But if we cannot be loved, we are willing to be hated for recognition."

The boys looked at me as my eyes locked onto the ground with a blank stare.

---

The night turned into morning and the stars were hidden by the light of the sun. I watched as the moon sunk into the earth. Waves lapped onto the rock of the mountain and I stood in one of the boats listening to the sounds of birds and crickets.

In the distance, I could hear the sound of horns being blown. My heart began to beat quicker. Memories of battle and training raced through my head. I reminisce in the sound of the songs of victory and the long-prevailing sound of the horns being blown into the wind.

I loved fighting. I enjoyed the art and beauty of it all. The strength and power of a small blade that you could hold in your hands. How your best protection was not the shield or armor you hid behind but that of your wit and cleverness.

The sound of crowing caught me off guard. I turned to see a flock of ravens flying above. They soared above me across the camp. As I turned my body, I jumped at the sight of the Seer standing before me.

He stood there staring back at me. When I went to take a step forward he opened his mouth and a scream penetrated my ears. He dashed at me and grabbed my head.

A sharp inhale coursed through my body and I felt a searing pain journey from my head down the tips of my fingers and toes. It vibrated through my core and radiated in my eyes and hair.

I closed my eyes shut but when they opened again I was standing in the middle of a boat. People clashed their swords together and blood sprayed over everything and everyone.

My eyes wandered over the scene and I spotted Halfdan fighting. My smile grew until an arrow flew past me and struck him in the shoulder. I tried to scream out but it was impossible. I tried to move but my legs and arms were stuck.

Across the boat, Lagertha's shield was thrown from her arms. A man grabbed her and shook her around and into the side of the boat. He sized up his sword and I watched as he slowly pierced her skin. Women began to surround her and protect her.

Tears began to fall from my eyes as I watched Bjorn carry her onto a boat. From the other side, I heard yelling and ordering. Ragnar laid on the floor covered in blood. Rollo on the other side of him had cuts and blood dripping off of his face. My breath caught in my lungs at the sight of my uncle. I watched as he got to his feet and picked up an axe. Rollo began to race towards my father.

Just at that moment, he was about to strike, I fell to the floor clutching my head. When my eyes opened again, I was back at the camp. I looked around me to see that the ravens and the Seer had vanished. My fingers rubbed the sides of my head as I tried to wipe the tears away.

I rushed off of the boat and ran into the camp. I looked around as many eyes fell on me. A lump in my throat formed as they began to gather around me. I hung my head low and sighed deeply.

The horns blew in the distance and I looked behind me to see the boats coming into shore. They began to run towards the water. I took Ubbe and Hvitserk and held them close to me and walked with them to the boats. Bjorn stood before me and I watched as he jumped off the boat weakly. I let go of our younger brothers and rushed over to him and wrapped my arm around him.

Blood was stained on his face and hands. I rested my head on my brother's and rubbed his back, "We're defeated. . ." he breathed.

My heart fell and I stood up and looked onto the closest ship near me. Ragnar sat with his head between his hands. Lagertha laid down on the ship with her shoulder wrapped in cloth. Torvi held her arm with a piece of cloth wrapped tightly around her wound. Halfdan sat in the back of the boat staring blankly off into the water.

I leaned back down to my brother, "I will lead, brother." I whispered, "Rest yourself."

I stood back up and looked out towards all the ships and camp, "Pack your things, we head to Kattegat today."

People began rushing around from inside the camp and gathered their things and headed to boats with space left. I boarded the leading ship and helped my brothers on. When everyone was ready, I led them out of the shore and down the river back home.

I glared in the distance at the grand and glorious city of Paris. It glittered with our defeat and our betrayal. Eleven crows flew above us as we sailed away, "Uncertainty. . ." I breathed.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Hey, y'all! So this is the last chapter of part one!!
The next part will be the second half of season 4 so that exciting right? Sorry for such slow updates, I've had to start looking at colleges and stuff and you know, 2021 kinda sucks.

Haven't been able to write a lot of book 5 lately because I've been so busy. But I still have the desire to finish it. If any of you have any ideas you should share. I'd love to hear what y'all are thinking.

Anyway, god bless <3