"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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.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
"Who wants to be king?" Ragnar screamed out. He quickly walked over to Sigurd and whispered to him, "What about you, Sigurd? Do you want to be king?" Father eyed me and looked me up and down. I set down Herleif and felt the stares of the people, "You, my precious daughter. . . do you want to be queen?" I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. The people gasped and murmured as he moved onto Ubbe, "Do you want to be king, Ubbe? Kill me and you are king." He looked out at the crowd clasping my brother's shoulder, "King Ubbe!" He bellowed out. When he turned back to his son he smacked him across the face, "What are you waiting for?" He smacked him again and Ubbe began to grow furious, "Are you afraid? Be a man!"
Ragnar turned around and began walking to the other side. I felt Ubbe leave my side and take a few steps towards our father. Ragnar stopped and looked at Ubbe as he gained confidence walking towards him.
Father held out his arms and slowly walked over to his younger son. The two stared at each other for a few seconds until Ragnar reached his hand up to the back of Ubbe's neck. He brought his son closer and enveloped him. My stance eased at the sight.
From my side, I felt Bjorn push through the crowd. I eyed Rekkr to take hold of his younger brothers as I walked next to my twin over to our father.
Bjorn and I shared knowing looks as we stood before Ragnar, "Why would you come back?" Bjorn questioned.
Ragnar looked at me waiting for a response, "And why now?"
He looked in between us and walked through the crowd. Our brothers began to follow him.
I walked over to Rekkr and leaned into his ear, "Take your brothers to the cabin. Wait for me there." I ordered him. My son complied and led the boys away.
Bjorn and I followed closely behind our brothers and father.
We reached a clearing in the forest. Father put his back to a tree and sat down. We all circled around him. My arms were crossed over my chest as I examined the old man, "It would appear you have another son." I spoke to my father, "Of course knowing your past, I am not too surprised."
I caught a glare from my twin, "His name is Magnus. His mother is Queen Kwenthrith and he lives in King Ecbert's villa in Wessex."
Ragnar laughed hysterically, "Ah, who told you that?"
"A warrior who was fighting in Wessex," Bjorn explained.
Father eyed both Bjorn and me, "And he was the one who told you about the settlement." I hung my head and felt everyone staring at me. I quickly looked up to gesture for Ragnar to continue, "I came back. . ." he groaned while getting to his feet, "I came back because I wanted to see what has become of my sons," he gestured to his boys, "my daughter, and her beautiful children." He nodded towards me.
