The horizon was tinged with the last light of day as the longship cut through the waves, its prow like the beak of some mythical beast returning from the deep. Hvitserk stood at the forefront, his eyes scanning the shore, his heart racing with the rhythm of the oars. Months at sea, battling not just the elements but his own demons, had seemed endless. But there, amidst the familiar figures on the dock, was Yvette, her form now unmistakably rounded with the promise of new life.
The moment his gaze locked onto her, a surge of joy and raw relief overwhelmed him. Without waiting for the ship to fully dock, Hvitserk leapt from the vessel, his boots hitting the wet sand with a thud, propelling him towards his family. The twins, little Freya and Rheanyra, squealed in delight, running to meet him halfway, their laughter a melody he had longed for.
Yvette's face lit up, the worry lines that had settled over the months softening at the sight of her husband. As Hvitserk reached her, he lifted her off her feet, spinning her around, their laughter mingling with the sea's roar. "You're with child again!" he exclaimed, setting her down gently, his hands resting on her belly as if to greet the life within.
"Yes, Hvitserk," Yvette responded, her voice thick with emotion, "We are to be blessed once more."
The twins danced around them, pulling at Hvitserk's cloak, eager for his attention.
Hvitserk knelt down, embracing them all together, his heart full. "We shall teach them the ways of both the sea and the land," he declared, looking up at Yvette with a mix of pride and love.
Nearby, Ivar watched the scene unfold, his expression a mix of disdain and calculation. To him, Yvette was not just a Christian, but a symbol of the faith that had once threatened his own gods, his own identity. Her growing influence over Hvitserk was a thorn in his side, a reminder of battles not yet fought.
Evenly, ever the observant, approached Ivar quietly. "What will you do now, Ivar?" she whispered, her voice barely louder than the wind.
Ivar's gaze didn't waver from his brother's family. "Nothing," he muttered, the word sour in his mouth. "For now, I watch. Hvitserk's heart is soft; he loves too easily, trusts too freely. But love can be a chain, a weakness to exploit."
Evenly nodded, though her heart ached. The manipulation, the games, they all felt like a cursed dance she was forced to partake in. Yet, here, watching Hvitserk's genuine happiness, she questioned her own role in Ivar's schemes.
As Hvitserk led his family back towards their home, the villagers cheering and celebrating the warriors' return, Ivar remained a dark figure on the shore, his mind already plotting the next move. But in this moment, as the family disappeared into the village, it was Hvitserk's laughter, the joy of his children, and Yvette's glowing smile that dominated the scene, a light against the gathering dusk.
YOU ARE READING
Selcouth
Fanfiction"I hope you know how hard I am trying to love you." ~•~ "Maybe I deserve someone else but I always loved you, Hvitserk."
