xenization
noun
To walk as a stranger, or to exist as a stranger
{Game of Thrones/Vikings}
{Robb Stark x OC}
(Season 1 - Season ??, Season 4 - Season ??}
The land was far lovelier than the Crowls could have imagined. Granted, it was much like their homeland, but instead of the mountains towering high in the distance with forests surrounding, they saw rolling hills and meadows. A small town was situated on the coast, where they would dock in just a short amount of time.
"Do you see it, Systir?" An arm draped over the girl's shoulder, and she followed it to its owner, only to find her older brother hanging off of her, his long hair blowing in his face from the slight breeze. "The great lands of the North."
"It's beautiful. Don't you think so, Vit?" She questioned, wrapping her own arm around the taller's boy's waist.
"It is."
His voice was full of awe at the land before him. Sure, it wasn't much, but to someone who couldn't escape the rocky mountains and the looming trees, it was all he could have hoped for. Not to mention he was grateful to be getting off this damned boat.
It wasn't long after that the pair of siblings were wading through the water, dragging their boat up onto the sandy shores, the white sand sticking to their damp boots.
Seconds after their feet were on solid ground, the pair collapsed onto the coast, trying everything they could to dull the swaying motion their bodies seemed to have become accustomed to after such a long journey in the boats.
Even as she laid with her cheek pressed into the sand, Else swore she could feel her body rocking from side to side with the waves. She would curse herself before she boarded another boat anytime soon.
"We'll set up camp here for the night," The shrill voice of their father cut through the area, a little ways from where they saw the small trading village. "Get as much rest as you can; we're leaving for Winterfell at dawn."
The Crowl siblings watched as their father moved away from his own boat, marching with a few of his advisors behind him to start the war preparations. The girl glanced over at her brother, seeing him with his arm draped over his eyes to block the setting sun.
She merely shook her head at him before standing up in search of her other siblings amongst the chaos of the ships being dragged onto shore as their warriors made it to the mainland.
It wasn't hard to spot Ivar, dragging himself out of the wooden vessels and onto the beaches. Her other two brothers were close behind him as they helped the other men pull their raft ashore.
"What do you think of this land, brother?"
The youngest Crowl looked up as his sister approached him, leaning carelessly on the rock her had intended to perch himself on. He gave her a small smile and made his way over to her.
"It is strange," He admitted, hoisting himself up to sit beside his older and only sister, his shoulder leaning against her back. "But it is a good strange. At least, I believe it is."
"A lot different from the mountains of Skagos, that's for sure."
The pair fell into a comfortable silence after that. Ivar sat, picking at what appeared to be a twig, watching the water. Meanwhile, his sister was looking around for the boatbuilder, knowing that the gift he had been working on would be put to use now that they were on the land once again.
As if on cue, the crazed man himself appeared around the bend, yelling out in glee as he rode atop a wheeled vessel towards the Crowl siblings. Both brunettes looked up at his hollers, a smile coming to the elder's face.
The chariot came to a stop before them, the braided man smiling down at his two favorites of Ragnar's children. He hopped off, smiling brightly down at the both of them.
"Well," Floki glanced away, gesturing to his creation. "What do you think, Boneless?"
The youngest son seemed confused as he looked upon the chariot before turning back to the man. "What is it?"
"Your legs...your wings."
At his explanation of it, an emotion that Else wasn't quite able to place came across her brother's face. She didn't have time to dwell on it long before the boy was pushing himself off of the rock and making his way towards the vehicle. His hand lifted up and trailed over the intricate carvings done along the side.
"You made this, Floki?" He asked, glancing up at him.
The man nodded eagerly, a wide smile on his face. "Just for you, you cripple." He walked a few paces ahead to stand beside the boy. "Up here, you will be as tall as any of them."
Ivar's eyes lit up with joy at the thought. As he hoisted himself up into the chariot, the girl couldn't help but watch with a smile. After waiting his entire life to walk or stand or run, he finally had the chance to feel like a normal person. Or as close as he can get.
His bright blue eyes turned to his older sibling in excitement. "Come on, Else. I'm taking this for a test."
The girl's smile got even wider as she rushed over, hopping up beside her baby brother. With a flick of his wrist, the boy was off.
Warriors turned and looked as the Crowl siblings passed by, the younger of the two hollering out in pure happiness as he pushed the horse's limits. They even passed their brothers, who wore similar looks of joy as they watched the boy finally have his slice of normality.
Else couldn't help herself when she glanced down at her brother, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You will do great things, Ivar the Boneless," She said in a tone that could only be compared to that of a mother. "Very great things."
