Beauty and the Beast (Ivar x OC)

PART TWO

PART TWO

The return home was uneventful; her mother had been quiet for most of the ride unless to speak with her father who had joined them in the carriage. Charlotte was sure she wanted to be vocal about her brush aside of trying to gain the favour of the Norwegian Princes, but she kept it to herself. She was grateful. While Charlotte had enjoyed the company of Ubbe and Hvitserk, even with her sore feet, they were only here for the season; what would happen if they were to propose and it was accepted? Would she say goodbye to her life here and return to Norway to live among their people? Would the Prince she married remain here stifled by her people?

It sounded ridiculous when she pictured a man like Ubbe, despite his ease and respect of their ways, living here for the rest of his life. Hvitserk would go crazy, she felt, he seemed too much of a free spirit to stay in the English society. He'd barely stood still during their interactions. Sigurd, she didn't know how to take him. He'd not spoke to her for long, and even then, it seemed more formal and out of duty.

William was snoring beside her, he'd truly drunk more than was considered appropriate. Her mother had dozed off. It was Charlotte and Arthur who sat in the quiet as they journeyed home.

"Did you enjoy tonight?" Arthur asked.

Charlotte smiled. "I did, they're so different to us but it's fascinating, and entertaining. They're full of life and they don't have reservations like we do."

Arthur grinned, nodding. "They're definitely Ragnar's sons."

"William said there was another, but he didn't attend. Ubbe told me a little of him," she said.

Arthur's grin disappeared and he shifted a little, mindful of Elizabeth leaning against him. "There are two other sons. Ragnar had a wife before Aslaug, Lagertha. She gave him a son, Bjorn."

Another son? The man was blessed to have so many sons. Had he remained behind in Norway? As though Arthur could read her thoughts, he continued, "He remains in Norway, attending to matters there. He used to accompany Ragnar when he was younger, but there is tension between Aslaug and Bjorn."

Charlotte nodded. "Is it because he is the heir and not one of her sons?"

Arthur pursed his lips, inclining his head. "That is part of it."

Confused, but not wanting to pry too much, she decided to change the subject. "And the youngest prince, Ivar?"

Arthur glanced away. "Was born, different."

Charlotte knew what he meant. The whispers of him being a cripple had spread fast, Charlotte hadn't known whether they were true, but her father confirmed it. Ubbe had in a way, but she'd not pried too much.

"You mean, he is crippled," Charlotte said, watching the way her father refused to meet her gaze.

"And a prince, Charlie. They have," Arthur started and then sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face, "Their customs are different. Children born like Ivar, they are meant to be left to die, a mercy to spare their suffering and that of their loved ones."

She stared at her father, horrified. "Why? How could a parent do that?"

"Sometimes, they can't bear to see the pain their child is in," he offered. She couldn't imagine leaving a newborn to die.

"How do you know this?"

He gave her half a smile, it was sad. "I was there when Aslaug had Ivar, I spent some time there after the birth. Ragnar was lost, he didn't know what to do. His personal beliefs conflicted with the love he had for his youngest. We spoke about it, at length."