The Valkyrie Rises

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

We emerged from the early morning, mid- fall fog like a nightmare from the Gods. We have finally reached Wessex. My heart has hardened against any man, woman or child that will stand in my way in the days to follow. Just as we predicted, it was heavily guard first, by the sea. Our fleet split into twos to cover the other side. No doubt by now they have arrived. A wide, sinful grin appeared across my face. My pulse raced for the thrill. I might be a Christian soon, but for now I’m still a Viking- by blood and heart.

“It will be an obsticle to reach the house of Alfred-” Ubbe said, putting on his final bits of armor. Torvi stood next to him with a curious yet frightened Ragnar. 

“Odin be with us.”

My initial response would be to pray to the Allfather, but I held my tongue. Ubbe waited for me to say something, but I turned to him and just nodded. Ubbe does not know my plans to be Christian nor does he know I have said I agreed to marry Hvitserk. 

“Come with me, Ragnar,” I said, taking him by the hand and going to the back of the boat where Baldr sat- heavily armed with two axes. I sat Ragnar down next to Baldr.

“Now listen boys-” I said.

“I will be back, but I want you two to stay here, and hide, and if we are not back get as far away from here as possible.”

A slight twinge of panic filled my voice, but it was not for my life, it was for the safety of the children. Ubbe has lost many children already, to lose Ragnar will destory him. 

“Do you understand me?” The boys nodded to me. Fear filled their eyes, lumps in the throats formed. 

“Remember, you are the grandsons of Ragnar Lothbrok. One of the greatest Vikings of our time. Because of him, we are here. Because of him, we are who we are.” It was a proud moment as I turned to Baldr.

“You my love, are the son of Ivar the Boneless, the commander of the Great Heathen Army. I’m sorry I never told you about him, but once this is all over, you will know him. Just know for now, he was a great commander who brought the seas to their knees with the snap of his fingers.” 

Baldr smiled at the new information I gave to him. His father was truly a great commander and someday- so shall he be a great commander. I then turned to Ragnar. 

“My dear, I don’t think I need to say much about your father, except that he too is a great man. He is also a good King. Never forget that.” Ragnar nodded to me as he huddled next to Baldr. 

I feared to lose my son again more then anything. I struggled to not seek comfort that I will meet him again in the Aseir, for it no longer exists in my mind. I found it hard to believe that a place called Heaven even exist. 

The skies grew gloomy and dark. The winds began to pick up, whipping my hair around my face. The Gods have abandoned me by cursing my voyage right now. Hvitserk would just choke this approaching storm just as it is- an approaching storm. I would very much like to believe that, but I know Odin is cursing my name and cursing Ivar and Ragnar’s too. I clutched my heart in fear of the Gods- fear of their wrath they might unleash upon me and Ivar. I feared their wrath more then Ivar’s in life.

“We don’t have to do this, we can turn back and go home,” Hvitserk said to me. I turned to him, and sighed. I shook my head in disagreement.

“Where is home, Hvitserk?” Where is home? Kattegat lies in ruin, Wessex will be under siege soon. I can’t just now command thousands of ships to turn around now. 

“When this war is over, we shall build a new Kattegat,” Ubbe said, hanging on the ropes. I smiled at him, even in his age right now, Ubbe’s ambitions still guide him and give him reasoning.