Weak (Canute x Femreader x Thorfinn)

First snow

That night

As we reached a far more remote part of Wales we sat up camp that night, without fearing of people seeing us.
"We've sure got those stupid Welsh fooled haven't we men." Askeladd laughed saying in Danish.
"Let's drink to it." Bjorn announced opening a case of mead
"Pass it around men, this may not seem like it but this is a victory." Askeladd raised a toast with the hundred few men around him.
A moment had passed and as the drinking began I noticed Askeladd sitting alone, without a drink in his hand.
"Stupid Welsh huh?" I said taking a seat next to him smiling
"Oh shut up you know why I said that. These men have nothing for brains. I have to give them something to fight for." He said in Welsh to me
"Yeah I know, I'm not that dense. Why aren't you drinking? I said chuckling
"I'd rather observe stupidity than join in on it personally."
"I see." I said looking down
"You and Canute seem to be warmed up to each other. Fallin' out of love with shorty yet?"
"I never said I liked Thorfinn."
"Sure you didn't."
He said looking at Thorfinn sipping on a cup of mead in the distance. It wasn't like him to drink.
"It seems Canute has taken a liking to you though. Keep that up."
"Just because you wish something would happen doesn't make it true. He's just shy that's why he looks at me the way he does."
"You are dense."
"How so?" I looked at him. His gaze strong.
"I have never been in love but I have seen a many of fools that have, they always have that damned look in their eyes, so full of hope it makes me want to throw up. When he looked at you the other night while watching the stars I saw it in his."
"You were watching me?"
"It's my job." He sighed and looked at the ground.
"Why did you never marry then, if you're so concerned about me marrying? I asked looking at him. The fire illuminating his face.
"Never had the desire to. The only love I've ever had is the love of fighting. Loved that more than the love of a woman could ever provide. War makes you strong. Love makes you weak. However with you, it is my duty to make sure you marry a man who makes you happy and is a man of dignity, which also means it's my duty to make sure it's not Thorfinn who's arms you fall into."
"Do you regret it?"
He paused "No." he talked as if he was trying to convince himself of it "no I don't."
"That's a lie isn't it."
"Now if I answer that question I will have to go drink." He said laughing sadly and patting me on the back "Now go and do what I couldn't, be young and enjoy it. The prince is right there waiting for you, he's been staring at you like a puppy the whole time."
"I love you." I said looking back at him
"You too. Go on now." He pushed me forward. "He's right there."
"Alright alright."

I walked towards Canute who was looking straight at me while I walked over. Ragnar was already on his third glass already.
"Hey." I said looking at him and smiling. He was blushing already.
"H-hey."
"How're you doing? I know you were nervous about signing the treaty?"
"I'm okay.. thank you for translating for me. I-it made me feel a little better."
"Of course." Silence fell between us as we looked at each other, our faces heating up.
That was until we noticed Ragnar wearing an empty keg of mead on his head stumbling around with Bjorn leading him around.
"Ragnar seems to handle his alcohol well huh? I've never seen him this talkative."
"Me either." He said laughing softy
"Why don't you drink?" I asked, he was 18 he definitely could handle a beer.
"I have to maintain an appearance."
"Around a group of Vikings?"
"N-n-no not around them." He said looking away
"W-what about you why don't you drink?" He said changing the subject.
"Askeladd has beat it in my head that I'll never find a husband if I drink." I said holding my face in my hands "plus I've never enjoyed the taste."
"Well is that something you're worried about?"
"Finding a husband? No not really when I find the right person I'll settle down, God providing." I said
"God? Are you a Christian." He looked at me in confusion
"My father raised me as a Christian. When I came to live with Askeladd he tried to convert me to be a Pagan. Are you a Christian?"
"I am."
"I guess I could've guessed that from the priest in your party."
"He's hardly a priest. More of an alcoholic I'm ordered to keep around more than anything." He sighed.
"Why?"
"My father thinks it's important that someone keeps me in check spiritually. It's better for his image."
"We've lived very different lives huh. I couldn't imagine being royal." I looked over at him and back again
"I wish I was raised a normal life. Not one of war and not one of royalty. Just a simple quiet life." He was definitive you could tell in his voice
"You think so?"
"Having to constantly think not of yourself, but for the good of a group of people is tiring, I can't ever be myself. I had no youth. That's why when I have kids I want to raise them not as princes or princesses but as first kids."
"That's smart. You'd be a good dad."
"T-t-thank you. I-I think you'd be a good mom too." He trailed off stuttering.
" I don't know about that but thank you."
"W-why not?"
"My mother died while giving birth to me. I don't know what a mother is. Closest thing I have to one is Askeladd." I laughed under my breath
"My father isn't much of a father. I know what you mean, Ragnar raised me. My father sent my mother away to the countryside after she was unable to have anymore children and moved on to another woman but they weren't accounted for as he never married her. I have no clue how many siblings I have."
"That's terrible. I could never stay with a man who had eyes for another woman. That's why I gave up on the idea marriage. Vikings believe they have to have more than one." I said looking up to the sky
"I don't. I think marriage is sacred."
"Me too." I looked up at him. He looked so pretty in the light of the fire. His hair looked so soft. He moved closer and for a moment I could've sworn my my heart skipped a beat.
"Hey. I think Askeladd has people watching in on us do you want to go somewhere by ourselves?" He whispered in my ear.
"Where?"
"The left in the trees." He motioned
Sure enough there was one of his men hiding.
"I am going to kill Askeladd." I grumbled under my breath "come on let's go."