Through life comes death. Through war comes heartache and destruction. The gods work in mysterious ways and it is up to you to follow the path they have laid for you, but you don't always have to do it alone.
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Making my way towards the great hall I could hear the great feast inside, I had braided my hair with different designs and put on a dress. This dress was special, Elizabeth had spent months making it using some of the finest fabrics in all of Wessex. It was a deep green that accentuated my curves with gold stitching, the velvet was soft and the off the shoulder sleeves offered a feminine touch. As I approached the great hall I could hear voices behind me, "look at her, I've always wanted to bed an English woman," they laughed. I began walking faster as I made my way into the great hall, I spotted Margrethe laughing with a few people I had met while working here. "There you are!" Margrethe exclaims as she throws her hands in the air. Speeches began as the brothers shared stories and triumphs, their adventures around the Mediterranean caught my attention. I listened intently while sipping my ale, I could feel eyes on me which made me feel uncomfortable. Turning my head slightly I could see it was the men from before. Torvi came and sat next to me, I guess she could tell I was feeling uneasy. "Are you okay?" She whispered as her eyes drifted to where mine were, seeing where I was looking. "Yes, I am okay," a small smile on my face. "Are those men bothering you?" She pressed. I hesitated because I didn't want to cause any trouble, "if anything happens you need to tell me, I care about you and you have become like family," Torvi placed a reassuring hand on my arm. "Thank you Torvi, I really appreciate it," I reply.
The night went on as more stories were shared and more drinks were downed. I talked to Harald and Halfdan, Harald was bold and had big ambitious dreams, Halfdan on the other hand was content with being with his brother and travelling around the world, they seemed so different yet very alike. Ivar beckoned me over to sit with him and Hvitserk, I politely said goodbye to Harald and Halfdan as I knew Harald would be watching me as I left. "Yes Ivar?" I questioned with a sly smirk as I sat between the two brothers. "Hvitserk was just talking about how impressed he was at your sword skills, he was wondering what other skills you might have," Ivar jested. "Are you sure that's Hvitserk asking and not you Ivar," I joked as they both laughed. "You're not like any other woman I have met," Hvitserk gazed at me. To be fair I wasn't like any woman in Wessex either, even though I just feel like Hvitserk was flirting. I stared back at him as heat began to rise to my face, smiling I quickly took a drink of my ale. "Looks like I am all out of ale, we can't have an empty cup now can we, if you'll excuse me" I went to leave when Hvitserk grabbed my hand. "Stay, I'll get you a drink. I want to know more about the mysterious woman who kept my brother safe," I furrowed my brows slightly but shrugged my shoulders as I sat back down. Hvitserk quickly went to get me another drink when Ivar leaned to whisper in my ear, "He likes you, normally he doesn't bother getting to know anyone when he's just trying to bed them. Even Margrethe doesn't get the chance to talk to him." I furrowed my brows once more, Hvitserk wasn't bad looking in fact he could quite possibly be one of the best looking men I've met. To be fair all of the Ragnarssons were all good looking, although Ivar projected brotherly affection more than anything else. "He's coming back," Ivar shot back up in his seat.
"So Arini, what do you think of Kattegat so far?" Hvitserk quizzed as Ivar paid close attention to the conversation. "Well everyone seems very welcoming, the landscape is beautiful compared to Wessex. I'm enjoying being treated like an actual person and not a burden and having to hide who I truely am," I spoke truthfully and I could tell Hvitserk listened to every word. "I am glad you are comfortable here, I must ask how did you end up meeting my brother?" He raised an eye brow as I looked towards Ivar and then back to Hvitserk. "I would say it was coincidence but I believe it was fate. I've always dreamed of travelling and seeing places different to England, I guess meeting Ivar was my chance to do that. Also the fact that Ecbert didn't want me to cause any trouble, I'm not one for keeping quiet," I said before taking a sip of my drink once more. "Not one to keep quiet aye," Hvitserk said with a mischievous smile plastered all over his face. I could see the other brothers coming towards us with smiles on their faces, Bjorn sat across from me with Ubbe to his right as Sigurd squeezed between Hvitserk and I. Hvitserk didn't seem too impressed but Margrethe was heading over as well so she could keep him company.
"We need to decide on what we are going to do to those who killed our father," Bjorn was straight to the point. "Would father want us to do that though?" Sigurd questioned as he slyly put his hand on my knee, I could see Ivar and Hvitserk staring at his hand with a pointed look. "Of course he would, that is why he took me. He knew I would come back and ensure we would go and avenge him," Ivar was beginning to get angry at Sigurd's lack of urgency. "If you are going to head to England then you need to have a plan, they're going to expect you," I jumped into the conversation. Harald and Halfdan joined the group as I spoke. "You can't just waltz in and think that they won't put up a fight, If Æthelwulf is involved he will want all of your heads," I state. "Well then, what do you suggest?" Ubbe questioned as they all looked towards me for an answer. "You need to go after King Ælle first, Northumbria is weak. Ælle is stupid to say the least so it won't be hard to take him down. After that you would be best to continue and go after Wessex," I suggest. We continue going over different ways they could take down Northumbria and Wessex before I decide to head home. The brothers are all lost in conversation to even notice me slip away, unfortunately they were the only ones. I hadn't noticed the two men from earlier following me until it was too late.
