Honor and Blood - Part I.

Behold the Bleeding Star

The fire crackled softly, spreading its warmth through the silent chambers. Vanya sat in a chair before her mirror brushing her fiery red hair with tears in the corners of her eyes. She has been sitting there since Brynja left her room after her bath. The Saxon's lips trembled as she tried to hold the tears at bay. A solemn tear fell down her cheek; Vanya's body looked calm compared to how tangled her mind was.

Ivar would not return today as the Ragnarssons stayed at the hunting cabin. So she was left all alone in her sadness and anger. Vanya wanted to scream out of frustration with her state; she wanted to become stronger here. No longer a proper weak lady held down by her family. And yet the possibility of her future child being in danger by an enemy tore her apart from the inside. Especially when she had no idea who the enemy was. Was it an from her side of the family or Ivar's? Was it a foreign enemy? What if it was death?

How could she protect a child she didn't even have yet? Vanya wanted to barge into Aslaug's chambers and call her a liar, anything to deny the reality of her future. The Queen said the child would be strong, but the danger was still there. Even strong people died painful deaths. Vanya put down her brush and watched her tearstained face in the mirror. Her eyes were red, and her lips swollen from her biting into them to stifle her whimpers. Taking a deep breath, she wiped her face and walked to the door.

Vanya needed answers, and she would get none pitying the future. She craved a different opinion that would calm her down enough to form a plan. Everything in life is about strategy; you gain nothing in life by waiting for destiny to go its course. Always have a plan, and you will survive. That's what her father used to say, a philosophy he followed faithfully.

The ginger put on one of Ivar's cloaks; it was worn out, but it would work as a means to disguise herself. She didn't want anyone seeing her leave. So after checking if anyone was still out, did she sneak out of her and Ivar's chambers. Vanya hurried down a path Aslaug showed her the day she arrived. The Seer's hut.

Vanya walked inside the hut with slow steps as a cloaked figure, with his back turned to her, sat on the bed. "Behold the Bleeding Star. You are late, Princess." The voice spoke, causing her to jump in surprise.

"W-was I supposed to come after I got married? I wasn't told. I am sorry." She apologized, creeping closer towards the disfigured man who turned towards her.

"I prophesied your coming a long time ago. Now ask what you want to know." The ancient man ordered her as Vanya braced herself for what awaits her in the future.

She cupped her hands in her lap as if in prayer and looked at him with pleading eyes. "Queen Aslaug said I would have a child with Ivar, but the child will be in danger. I want to know if it's true? Who is the snake in its hand?"

The fire burned next to them, casting a red light over them as she pulled her hood down, knowing she was safe with the Seer. The former Christians red hair shone brightly as the flames while her eyes were the ocean, so full of life yet so uncertain. "The Serpent will sire many children. Each born of fire and blood. They will ride under a red sun painted with the blood of the Forest King."

Vanya sighed in frustration. "I wanted answers, not more questions! I don't understand these riddles at all." All that sneaking around and all she got out of it is a headache from unhelpful prophecies.

"The Gods speak in their own ways, all with be clear when the time comes. I can see great happiness and worry in your future. Yet your path has many deep pits you need to endure. Your husband, your kin, your people all will test you. And if you endure them all, you will be rewarded by the Gods."

The Saxon frowned at the answer and chastised herself from coming here. In England, people like him were burned for heresy and sorcery, yet here she sat asking him for advice that apparently came in hard to understand riddles that you wouldn't know until it was too late. What use were they to her then? All they would do is rob her of her sleep till she made sense of them, which would take a long time by the looks of it all. "Why would the Gods favor me? Why would anyone favor me at all?"

The Seer mentioned to the blazing fire with his hand and turned his disfigured face away from her. "The Gods chose people meant for greatness."

"But I am not Ragnar Lothbrok or Bjorn or any of them. I was a Christian not that long ago. So why chose me? What greatness could I have in my future?"

The ancient man sighed at her persisting questions. Vanya feared he would send her away for bothering him, but all he did was look at her with his nonexistent eyes. She felt as if he looked into her soul and read each of her thoughts. "The Bleeding Star will brake the night. She will bring the dawn. But the Gods demand a sacrifice in return. You will pay in blood for happiness."

"I will not spill the blood of my enemies for some possibility of glory. If they demand blood, then I don't want it." Vanya spat back her bright blue eyes as hard as ice and her face devoid of all curtesy. She would not kill to get something she obviously doesn't deserve. Princess Vanya of Slegia, daughter of the late king Osmond and Queen Siflæd, sister to king Silas, wife of Ivar the Boneless. All of her titles had no real meaning. She was nothing without them, no lands, no coin, nothing that mattered to the people. She never had faith in God; she didn't trust her new gods yet either. What was she worth other than a pretty face and a fertile womb?

"Not the blood of your enemies. Your blood. There is no use denying your claim. The prophecy is already in motion. You are with child."

Vanya felt as if her heart stopped beating in her chest. All this time, she was worried about her future child, yet the future was nearer than she knew. Vanya was with child - Ivar's child. Her mouth opened and closed in shock as she laid her palm against her stomach as if the babe would kick to confirm the news. She thanked the Seer and licked his hand as asked of her, fleeing the wretched hut that sent her mind into a spiral.

This time, Vanya didn't care if anyone saw her, she runs back to her chambers, slamming the door behind her and leaning her forehead against the door. She took deep breaths as sobs shook her body once again; if from happiness or sadness, she had no idea. Vanya braced herself against the door, praying to every God the Saxon knew for it all to be a dream. Vanya needed a plan to protect her child; she needed time to figure everything out first. She wasn't ready for the child to be born yet.

"Why are you crying?" The deep voice startled her from her misery, Vanya jerked upright an turned towards her and Ivar's bed to see her husband who returned late from his hunt. She sobbed pathetically and ran to his side, burrowing her face into his chest.

Uncertainly Ivar wrapped his arms around her shaking frame with a frown on his face. Vanya lifted her tearstained face and looked at the crippled Viking she married less than two weeks ago. "I met with the Seer because your mother had a vision." She whispered, her voice trembling in fear. Ivar demanded her to tell him everything, so she did.

He said nothing the whole time, listening to the prophecies and her worries with a blank face till he was sure she finished. "I am afraid. I know I am not supposed to be scared anymore, cause Vikings fear nothing. But I was born no Viking, and I am frightened. I am not worthy of any of it."

Ivar put his calloused hand on her cheek and made her look into his eyes. "You are worth more than anyone can give you. You deserve happiness, glory, and so much more. And it doesn't matter than you weren't born Viking, you are braver than most. You are my wife, and I will protect you and any child we might have. I swear to you, no one will hurt either of you."

"A child we have."

"What?"

Vanya took a deep breath and straightened before Ivar; she needed to be strong. She was to be a mother soon. "The Seer said I am already with child."

Ivar stiffened next to her and looked down at her flat stomach, not believing what his wife just revealed. It sounded too good to be true. Vanya is with child; he got her pregnant. He, Ivar the Boneless, The Cripple. He would be a father. Ivar laid a shaky hand against her stomach and looked at her with soft eyes.

"Then I swear no harm will come to you or this child. As long as I live, I will protect and cherish you both. I swear it on my arm ring and all the Norse Gods. Anyone who might harm you will die a painful death; whatever danger awaits this child, I will stop it. I will be a good husband to you and an even better father." Vanya smiled at the sincerity of his speech and hugged him sniffling into his neck with Ivar's arms circled her in a protective embrace. She felt safer than ever, Brynja was right. Ivar cared for her deeply and was different from the man she met on the docks two weeks ago. And she cared for him too. And this child was the proof of that, a sign of a bright future that held more children to come.