Bound - Ivar the Boneless

3

Ivar sat with his brothers, drinking ale and contemplating his eventful afternoon. The girl that had followed him around for the past 10 years had admitted her undying loyalty to him, his brothers were asked to go with their father to England, and he felt the fury of not having that same invitation given to himself.

Granted, he was with Thyra- but he did not know of Ragnar's meeting with his brothers. And that was what set him off.

Ivar's hand grabbed hold of the chair, rage fuming his veins as he looked to where his shadow stood beside his mother. Aslaug spoke in hushed words, with eyes of comfort raised to Thyra- grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. He saw the way Thyra looked at his mother, softening the rolling thunder of rage within him.

He was thankful for his mother, always. She had saved him from being devoured by wolves, raised him to remember he was not like the other children and that made him powerful. That is what made him special among everyone else. But, poor little Thyra did not know what it was like to have a mother, to feel that love and experience that kind of protection.

Ivar felt very mischievous that evening, and watched as the slave girl Margrethe walked to his side with a jug of ale- asking if he wanted more. He met Thyra's eyes for a moment, and nodded as he looked at the young slave, raising his cup and allowing Margrethe to fill it. His hand moved to her waist, sliding down and cupping her arse in a way that showed ownership.

A quick glance to Thyra, let him know that he struck a nerve. Good.

"It is wrong to treat her that way. " Ubbe said from across the table, the tension between the brothers so thick you could slice it with a knife. Ivar chuckled as the slave slipped past his fingers, earning a sigh from Thyra. Though it was quiet, Ivar heard it.

"Why are you so polite? She is just a slave. You all just want to have her, including you Ubbe." Ivar spoke, his face going taught as he looked to each of his brothers. "Why would you want a slave, you have sweet Thyra right here-"

"Ivar," Aslaug warned, cupping her goblet and staring down her son. It was her warning, one that Ivar didn't understand. Why would she care what happened to Thyra? Or what he said about her for that matter.

"Mother..." He said back, chuckling as he leaned forward and grabbed Thyra's wrist- pulling her to his side. "Which one do you want, little shadow? Sigurd could use a woman- he is so uptight, huh?"

He gestured to Hvitserk and Ubbe with his free hand, his other tightly bound around Thyra's wrist. "Ubbe has always had a sparkle for you, I can see it- and Hvitserk will chase any woman with some meat on her bones. Who do you want, so I may have the slave to myself?"

And Gods damn it all, Ivar just wanted her to say his name. Before, her eyes were ice cold- watching Ivar's hand travel around Margrethe. Now they were almost glowing with the flames of light surrounding them. Ivar didn't know what to expect, but he wanted her to submit to him- admit in front of his brothers that it is he she wants, who she is bound to.

Thyra flexed her hand against his grip, starring down at him with an intensity he hadn't seen yet. Something inside him made him want to play with her fire forever.

"If you made me chose, I would chose whoever you ask." She said. A challenge.

Ivar's eyes flared open. His little shadow had such a way with giving cryptic answers, and he felt a snarl of dissapointment threaten to rise up from his chest.

"I think you should let Thyra go," Aslaug began, biting a bit of meat from her fork and turning to unfold the fingers of her son that were wrapped around Thyra's wrist, "and stop asking women to mate with your brothers."

Thyra moved swiftly to the front door of the hall, making her way to the exit. As she passed, Ivar noted the all too long glance from Ubbe. He smiled now to his mother and drank longingly from his goblet of ale.

- - - -

"He is special, you know that as well as I." Aslaug began, sitting with Thyra in the throne room of Kattegat. A few days had passed since the dinner party. Thyra was sitting at the foot of Aslaug's throne among the soft furs, looking up to her mentor. Her Queen.

She had come to confide, to trust in her instincts- for some type of guidance about her son. Of course, Thyra would never share her visions with Aslaug- but she knew her queen did the same.

"Ivar is ruthless, and will do whatever it takes to get what he wants- but he has a hidden side." Aslaug looked to Thyra after poring herself some ale, and waiting for her to respond.

"A hidden side of anger-" Thyra was interrupted.

"No." Aslaug said sharply, her hands flexing around the mug with a tight grin apology to Thyra for snapping, "you know the other side. That is why I trust you with my son, you know him. The Gods have fated it that way."

"Have you seen it yourself, Queen Aslaug?" Thyra asked, becoming formal with the woman before her. She saw Aslaug tense, but her gaze did not fall. It was confirming Thyra's suspicions that perhaps Aslaug wasn't letting on more then she first through.

"I won't deny it, I have never lied to you and I do not intend to start now- sweet Thyra," Aslaug leant forward, smiling as she placed her hand to Thyra's cheek, "Ivar's heart will be with another for a time- but then the balance will be restored as it should."

Thyra showed no reaction to her words, mainly because she already knew Ivar's heart would not be with her for a long while yet. But she didn't understand why Aslaug would bother with telling Thyra these words. Had she seen a vision? And that is what is causing her protection around Thyra?

The young vision keeper shook her head as she stood up, dusting her hands against her leathers.

"We shall see." Was all Thyra said as she excused herself, heading toward the woodland where she normally trained by herself. She made a note to go back to Floki's boat yard soon, she had chores to help with. Boats to finish prepping. But right now, she wanted to throw some more daggers.

"The boys are down in the woods." Aslaug called, but Thyra did not stop on her journey out.