The Red Queen (Editing)

Blood Eagle

The execution of Jarl Borg was postponed due to the fact that Earl Ragnar and King Horik are yet to find a new ally. The news of the man's death due to Blood Eagle might scare away any possible partners.

Ragnar was angered by this, of course but he knew that King Horik was right, therefore, he agreed.

On a better note, Helga was pregnant again. You were extremely happy, wanting nothing more then a sister to play with. You loved the sons of Ragnar but they were boys and for once, you wanted to hang out with a girl. Perhaps you could teach her how to fight when you were older as well. Your parents wanted to celebrate their 2nd child by marrying each other once again. Without Ragnar there. It was strange but everyone respected Floki's wishes.

-

You sat in the hall with Ubbe and Hvitserk, eagerly listening as Ragnar told a story.

"Now, Kvasir was a man of great wisdom. He could answer all the little children's questions." Ragnar started, looking between you and his sons while Aslaug braided your hair with a smile as she listened in. Bjorn sat nearby, also listening in but otherwise remained silent.

"The story Kvasir's wisdom soon reached the ears of two horrible brothers, the dwarves Galat and Fjalar.  And these dwarves hated Kvasir for being so clever." Ragnar said, standing up and moving to crouch behind you all. "So, they lured him into a gloomy chamber, and then they snuck up on him, and then they stabbed him! Dead!" Ragnar shouted, stabbing a knife into the table. "And his blood spurted everywhere."

Seeing Aslaug's annoyed yet amused look made Ragnar smile sheepishly.

"Bedtime."

He picked his two sons up by the back of the shirts, walking into the bedroom and dropping them on the bed before moving back into the room and picking you up, dropping you on the bed to.

Thank god your hair was finished.

-

The day of your parents second wedding, you and Helga sat in special seats that floated on water, decorated with flowers. Behind you was a woman, rowing the seat towards the shore of Kattegat where the wedding would take place. You could see it from where you sat in your decorated throne.

A beautiful arch made of flowers with a large crowd as Floki made his way to where he and your mother would marry again.

Floki handed his sword to Torstien before running into the water. He picked Helga up bridal style and carried her back to the shore while Prince Erlender came into the water and picked you up to carry you to the celebration. Normally, someone your age would carry you there but all the children your age were to small to walk so deep. Floki asked the son of King Horik who happily agreed to help.

Floki laughed in excitement as he faced you and placed a kiss on your temple before facing his wife and taking his sword back from Torstien.

"Helga." The woman that would marry your parents said. "You must hold this sword in trust for your son, and now, you must present this new sword to the groom."

Helga took the sword that the woman held out for her with a smile glued to her face.

"The sword transfers the father's protection over the woman, to her new husband."

Floki and Helga switched swords causing everyone to smile and laugh in happiness for it meant that they were a step closer to being remarried.

"Now the rings!"

The woman placed the rings on the tips of the weapons before cupping your fathers face and making her look at him. "Floki, do you swear to the Gods that you want to marry this woman?"

"I swear." Floki said. "The Gods as my witnesses, I swear."

Now, the woman faced your mother and cupped her face. "Helga, do you swear to the Gods that you want to marry this man?"

"I do swear." The woman answered, a smile growing on her excited face

They crossed the swords together and took the rings off the tips of the weapons, placing them on their fingers.

"Then you are married!"

The crowd cheered loudly as your parents began to passionately kiss while you looked away in fake-disgust, causing the crowd to laugh more.

-

A week later, Ragnar had found a new ally known as Earl Instad. He rode out to the woods to meet him only to come back with Lagertha. Turns out, she had killed her abusive husband and became Earl.

"Lagertha!" You cheered when she got off her horse.

"Hello, Astrid!" She smiled as she picked you up. "Do you still have the dagger?"

You nodded as you pulled it out of your pocket causing the woman to smile. "Good girl."

-

You eagerly watched as Lagertha and the warriors she brought along trained. Lagertha was a strong shield-maiden that kept disarming both men and women that tried to attack her.

She chuckled when she saw that your doe-eyes were wide with amazement and showed you how to take an attackers weapon.

"Astrid'a happy." Aslaug noted from the porch of the Earl's hall, Ragnar and Helga sitting beside her as they watched Lagertha teach you how to use a sword.

"She's always wanted to be a shield-maiden." Helga smiled. "She wants to go to England with her Uncle Ragnar and fight the Christians."

At this, Ragnar chuckled. He found it adorable that you wanted to fight and would love for you to go on raids with him.

"She is more then welcome to come, when she's older and trained."

-

That night, it was time to execute Jarl Borg. Of course, you, Ubbe and Hvitserk couldn't sleep. You couldn't watch the execution for you were all to young but you were forced to listen to the chanting, drums, screams, and shouts.

By the time it went silent, you knew that Jarl Borg had been Blood Eagled.