𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 - 𝑰𝒗𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔

17

"Hmm, it doesn't seem to me that you've taken good care of them so far," Daenaera said sharply, returning to the discussion with Ivar. Ubbe turned to face Ivar, but the younger brother wasn't listening.

"You cannot... Ivar. Ivar. Ivar!" Ubbe shouted, and at last Ivar turned to look at him. "You cannot continue to fight in England without Hvitserk and me."

Daenaera and Ivar chuckled. Blue-eyed Ivar shot back:
"I think you'll find more of our warriors—and shield-maidens—want to fight with me than farm with you two. Plus, I have my wife and her dragon here. I think we're fine, brother. Right?"

The Vikings around them cheered loudly.

"Then Hvitserk and I will return to Kattegat tomorrow with our forces."

Ivar's calm reply shocked both Ubbe and Hvitserk:
"If that is your decision."

As they stood to leave, Ubbe said bitterly,
"Our father would have hated you for sundering and splitting this family."

Daenaera's patience snapped.
"Ivar didn't split this family, Ubbe—this is your choice! I don't think your father would have hated Ivar, and neither do you. You're just mad you're not right."

Without another word, the brothers left. Neither would ever admit that Daenaera's dragon was the reason they didn't openly defy Ivar, but it was a truth unspoken. Ivar kissed his wife's cheek, whispering a small, grateful "thank you."

⸻

Later, as his brothers prepared to depart, Ivar shouted from a huge rock beside Daenaera:
"Look at you! Trying to sneak away to avoid your shame! Surely you must be embarrassed that no one else is with you! Why is that? I can't understand it, can you?"

He wore his usual attire, but draped a cape over his head like a crown.

"Ubbe!" Ivar bellowed again, "No one is with you—everyone is with me!"

Cheers erupted from the Vikings gathered around.

Ubbe turned to Hvitserk and said,
"Let's go."

But Hvitserk hesitated, then slowly left the ship, leaving Ubbe confused.

Ivar grinned, chuckling as Hvitserk approached him.
"You see? Everyone is with me." His voice was low, almost taunting.

⸻

Daenaera sat comfortably on Ivar's lap as they began to eat.

Hvitserk started,
"The hunting army didn't return today."

Ivar ignored him, feeding Daenaera instead.

"I said—the..."

"I heard what you said," Ivar interrupted.

"We're almost out of food, and sickness is spreading. What do we do? The Saxons are in their own country—they can regroup, get stronger, while we weaken every day..."

He would have continued, if not for Daenaera's voice cutting through:

"Kostagon nyke sir feed zirȳla naejot ñuha zaldrīzes?"
(Can I now feed him to my dragon?)

She glanced at Ivar, who chuckled.

"Daor sir ñuha gevie."
(Not now, my beautiful.)

Daenaera scoffed.

"What are you really saying, brother? That I was wrong not to negotiate with the Saxons, and Ubbe was right?"

Ivar's fury flared, but Daenaera squeezed his hand, calming him.

"No," Hvitserk answered.

"No?" Ivar raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"

"Ubbe was wrong, which is why I didn't sail with him," Hvitserk explained.

"Are you regretting it?" the princess pressed.

"I just told you, no," Hvitserk said, voice tinged with fake sadness. "Ubbe treated me like his little faithful dog."

Ivar's expression turned sorrowful—but clearly theatrical.

"I am no one's dog, Ivar."

Ivar nodded, raising his cup.

"Woof woof."

The hall erupted in laughter—including Daenaera and Ivar—while Hvitserk, annoyed, drew his sword and left.

⸻

Later, Daenaera turned to Ivar,
"How did you come up with that?"

He shrugged.
"Your husband is just a genius."

She rolled her eyes.

"Gaomagon daor gaomagon bona kesīr iā mazeminna ao kesīr se sir."
(Don't do that here or I'll take you right now.)

Ivar whispered in Valyrian so only she could hear.

"So what's stopping you, genius?" she scoffed, standing and leaving the room.

Daenaera didn't like this side of Ivar. Sometimes, she felt she had to put him in his place—to stop him acting like that toward her. She was the only one he truly opened up to, and this wasn't acceptable in her eyes.

⸻

The last thing Ivar heard was from his bodyguards—they told him she had left on dragonback.

He masked his stress with his usual calm facade, not yet realizing how badly he had messed up. All he hoped was that she would come back.