𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 - 𝑰𝒗𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔

20

"Or we could crucify him. That would be fun."
Ivar's suggestion confused Hvitserk.

Later, Ivar approached the bishop. He sat down beside him, casually eating an apple. The bishop murmured prayers about his god, but Ivar paid no mind — that wasn't why he was here. When Ivar finished the apple, he tossed the core in front of the bishop, taunting him.

"You call me a heathen," Ivar began, "but to me, I am godly. I live by the gods."

"There is only one God!" the bishop shouted.

"But I have seen all the gods," Ivar retorted. "I have seen Odin, the Allfather, with my own eyes."

"They are the devil's work," the bishop insisted.

Ivar scoffed and chuckled at him. "What is evil, hmm?" he asked. Daenaera approached, and Ivar patted his lap, signaling her to sit. When she did, his hand rested on her hip as he continued.

"Slaughter of the innocent," the bishop whispered.

"You slaughter when it suits you," Ivar replied with snark, making Daenaera grin.

"He who chooses to be a heathen is not innocent. But I could show you the ways of God. I could bring you to salvation—and eternal life." The bishop's words fell on deaf ears as Ivar laughed devilishly.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Of course," the bishop answered, turning his head away. "You are Ivar, son of Ragnar Lothbrok. Many fear you."

Ivar scrunched his nose. "But not you." He pointed at the bishop.

"No. I fear no man," the bishop said, turning to face Ivar and Daenaera. "No matter how wicked."

"People tell stories about others they don't know, haven't met. Yet they still curse them with lies."

"Yes," the bishop whispered softly, "people tell lies about the savior."

"Well, perhaps they tell lies about me, too," Ivar said, staring intently.

The bishop looked away, then snapped back to the couple. "How would I know?" He paused, then smiled faintly. "I'll give you the chance to find out. You're coming on this journey with us."

Ivar's head snapped to Daenaera. "Let's go, my princess. We have things to do."

"I am already on the journey!" the bishop shouted from behind. Ivar turned back to him.
"Aren't we all?" he replied, and the couple left.

⸻

Back in their chambers, Daenaera received a letter from her sister, Rhaenyra. After reading it, Ivar decided they would travel to King's Landing together, while Hvitserk remained in York—or if he preferred, they'd go to King Harald's court before Ivar returned.

Nyra's letter described the ongoing fights between her children and Alicent's.

Two days later, when Ivar and Daenaera arrived at King's Landing, Daenaera went to visit her sister, while Daemon was engaged in discussion with Ivar.

"Nyra?" Daenaera called softly as she approached. "You've grown so much."

"Daenaera, I've missed you so badly," Rhaenyra replied, embracing her beloved cousin. "I wish you could be here with me all the time."

"We both know that can't happen, princess," Daenaera said with a sad smile.

"This is Joffrey," Rhaenyra introduced her son. "My youngest."

Daenaera's face lit up. "Nyra, he's perfect."

As the cousins talked in Rhaenyra's chambers, Daenaera suddenly felt unwell. The maester was called, diagnosing her with an illness that would pass soon.

Later, Daenaera returned to their chambers and found Ivar asleep. She decided not to wake him. He must be tired, she thought.

⸻

After midnight, terrifying news roused them both. Daemon's daughters Baela and Rhaena, Rhaenyra's sons Jacaerys and Lucerys, and Alicent's son Aemond had fought fiercely.

Aemond broke Lucerys's nose and attacked the princesses after they claimed Vhagar—their mother's dragon—belonged to Rhaena since Laena had died.

In the chaos, Aemond broke Rhaenyra's son's nose, only to be stabbed in the eye by Jacaerys, leaving Aemond one-eyed.

All involved were now in the king's chambers. Daenaera looked at her husband, confused.

Ivar understood without words. "Do you think...?" he whispered with raised eyebrows.

Daenaera shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe."