Fighting, Honour and Valhalla || Vikings x The Originals x TVD

Out of the Frying Pan

The last of the summer sun had set over the horizon, casting long shadows across the village. Inside Jarl Haraldson's longhouse, a feast was in full swing. It was during this time that the last of the shares from the raids were divided, and the people celebrated their hard-earned bounty. The hall echoed with roars and cheers as men drank and ate heartily. At the head of the longhouse, Jarl Haraldson sat on his throne, his wife Siggy by his side. Despite the revelry around him, Haraldson's thoughts were dark and brooding. His thoughts dwelled on what his son, Magnus, had told him when he returned from the New Lands to the West. News regarding the unmanning of his half-brother Knut and the perpetrator —Thorfinn.

At first, Haraldson hadn't thought much of Thorfinn when they met at the Thing. His interest had piqued when Thorfinn managed to win Hestein's land, but he attributed that to cunning or perhaps skill with a sword. The unmanning of  Knut had troubled him, but it wasn't enough to provoke immediate action. However, the situation had escalated when one of his spies reported that Ragnar's wife and daughter had travelled to Thorfinn's lands. With tensions between him and Ragnar rising, Haraldson could not afford for Ragnar to gain more allies.

"Is everything okay, my love?" Siggy's voice cut through his thoughts.

Haraldson didn't respond at first, so lost in his musings that he didn't realize she had spoken until she touched his arm.

"I am fine, wife," he replied, though his eyes were fixed on the doorway where Knut had just entered. It had been over a month since Haraldson had last seen his half-brother. He had tasked Knut with spying on Thorfinn to gather information about his land and his ability to muster men. Haraldson had been close to writing Knut off as dead, especially since he had left at the same time Lagertha journeyed to Thorfinn's land.

"Where are you going?" Siggy asked as Haraldson stood up.

"Knut is back," Haraldson stated.

"Can it not wait until after the feast?" Siggy inquired, concern in her voice.

Haraldson ignored her as he motioned for his ally and friend Mikael to join him. Mikael, seated between his sons, stood up and followed Haraldson into a private room. They clasped arms and exchanged brief pleasantries before sitting down to discuss the matter at hand.

"You've been gone for a long time. I worried for you," Haraldson said to Knut.

"I stayed because there was much to see," Knut replied, his tone serious.

"Well then, tell us what you saw," Mikael said impatiently.

Knut glanced nervously at Mikael but nodded. "Thorfinn has rebuilt the smithy and the smelters," Knut began. "They've been smelting iron ore and crafting weapons and armour. They've managed to stockpile a significant amount of iron ingots."

"What about his men?" Haraldson asked.

"He has been training them vigorously," Knut replied. "They follow a strange training routine I've never seen before, and he's been equipping them with weapons and armour. I saw at least twenty men in training, but there could be more."

"Twenty men?" Haraldson's eyes narrowed. "And their armaments?"

"They are well-armed, my lord," Knut said. "Shields, swords, spears... even a few hammers for the stronger men among them. Thorfinn is undoubtedly preparing for battle."

Mikael's impatience grew. "Is that all?" he demanded.

Knut hesitated, looking once more at Mikael before saying, "There is more, but it might be best if Mikael not be present for the next part."

"Speak, fool. I don't have time for this," Mikael snapped.

Knut looked to Haraldson for support, but Haraldson simply nodded for him to continue. Knut took a deep breath and said, "Mikael's son, Elijah, is present on the farm. He continues to train Thorfinn."