It had been written that the daughter of Ragnar Lothbrok was taken to Valhalla as a young girl.
But what if the gods didn't take her? What if the gods spared her?
Gyda Ironside, the only daughter of Ragnar and Lagertha rejoins her family as a train...
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My throat burns with bile as I fling my head towards the rough sea below. The thick wood of the ships guardrail presses painfully into my ribs as I lay near exhausted across it.
I hum in response to a hand gently travelling up my back. Sliding my body back over the rail I slide back down to sit upon the deck. His hand guides me to lean up against his side as I exhale in unease.
"I know of the most hopeless sailors who grew out of their sea sickness. Why are you so different?" His tone is dull but I knew he meant to joke.
I allow my eyes to shut from the cramping inside me,"May I remind you that I have only travelled such long voyages a rare few times." My hand splays across my abdomen from the tugging feeling that tightened.
His eyes look me up and down in concern as he holds me closer to his side, "Have you any water today?" I shake my head.
"Gyda I understand you're unwell but you have to drink more water when sailing, or at least let me know so I can get you some." His tone becomes sterner.
"The boys need your concern Tobias, not I. If you haven't notice already I can't keep anything down so eating and drinking seem a waste." I snap back. Both of our tensions coming to surface. It had been like this for the past few days.
"The boys are fine gyda." He gestures to the space next to him where they lay asleep bundled in the ragged cloaks we boarded the ship wearing. While they were content now I knew they were not really fine. My sons had been forced to voyage into a rough sea at their young age. I feared for sickness. Gods I just prayed we'd see the coastline soon.
He releases a long breath as he stands, "I'll get some water." He strides to the other side of the ship to the other passengers who possessed the rations.
It had been our fifth day at sea. If the wind continued to be favourable we would be in Kattegat's harbour by the days end or by the morning. It was the only thing that kept me sane. The fact that I would be going home. That my family would be safe.
That was what was most important—Not my spiralling thoughts of my mother in laws fate. Not my vivid memories of the villagers slain bodies or their burning homes that plagued my dreams—and certainly not my fear that concerns the storm brewing inside me.
My hand shutters as it rests under my shirt and across the warmth of my stomach. I feel the flutters of a familiar sensation. So fleeting that I could almost not notice...
"THERE! KATTEGAT UP AHEAD!"
The boys stir awake at the announcement. I shush them gently to calm them. Looking up I see the faint line of Kattegat's vast mountains. We were home.
