Weaknesses Can Be Strengths (Ivar The Boneless Fanfiction)

Chapter Four:

I walked through the familiar woods. My mother hasn't been home lately, so I've been taking care of the animals alone.

I took a break to get trapped in the woods with my heavy thoughts.

I walk across a decaying fallen tree. I put my arms out like a bird for balance. I jumped to the ground, and kicked off pebbles.

I could feel something watching me. I stood still and listened to the sounds of debris rustling.

I turned around to see a wolf, low, watching his prey- me.

I didn't feel afraid, but I knew I was in a dangerous situation. I attempted to run away... what a stupid attempted.

It grabbed my calf and yanked me off my feet.

I screamed in pain. The wolf twisted it's grip, shaking his head as if I was a rag doll.

I used my free foot to kick it in the face. When it let go and was startled, I wrapped my arms around his neck. It tried to break free, but I held on tight. It started to cry instead of growl.

I squeezed with all my might until it was weak. I snapped it's neck, it let out a final yelp.

It didn't look very mature, it was still young, but would still make a good meal.

I used twine to tie it's ankles and dragged it back to town.

My leg oozed blood, but I was too energized to notice.

My neighbor allowed me into her home and she cleaned up my calf.

"How did a small girl like you kill it?" She asked.

"I snapped it's neck." I replied directly.

She didn't say anything after that.

I went home and skinned the wolf, it wasn't as clean as my father would do it.

I hanged the pelts next to the fire to dry out.

I took the meat and cut off large pieces.

I wrap the parts we won't be eating tonight in cloth and kept it away from the fire, in a cold area.

When mother came home to a cooked meal, she looked rather shocked. She was covered in dirt, and I had many questions, like her.

"What happened to your calf?" She asked.

"A wolf attacked me." I said dryly, pushing the plate of meat over to her.

She sat down. "Who killed it?"

"Me."

She seemed taken back. "Perhaps I was wrong."

"Wrong about what?"

"Tomorrow we're going somewhere. You better go off to bed."

She ushered me to bed without another word.

The next morning mother and I traveled off to a place I did not know. She refused to tell me any details.

When we arrived, it was a wooden fortress. I was curious for why my mother brought me here.

When she opened the doors, women in armor gave mother a smile.

"Ingrid, who have you brought with you?" One of the women asked.

"My daughter, Halfrid. I'd like her trained." Mother told the woman.

"Lets check with Lagertha." The woman led us down a corridor and into a small dining hall.

Lagertha sat at one of the tables with food on her plate. She seemed surprised to see me, and I was surprised as well.

"Ingrid, you brought Halfrid The Fearless." She said playfully.

"Yes, I'd like to have her trained. She's tougher than she looks."

"I believe it, she did spend most of her time with the mad cripple."

"His name's Ivar." I said bitterly.

Mother nudge into me angrily. "I'm sorry about her."

Lagertha stood up, and walked over to us. She stared down at me with fire in her eyes. "If I have you trained, you're my warrior. Your loyalty goes to me."

"I thought I'm too small to be a warrior." I stated.

"Size can be an underestimate, giving you the element of surprise." Lagertha said.

I exhaled sharply. I thought about Aslaug, and Ivar. I loved Ivar, he was my best friend. But I might never see him again, and this is my chance to prove myself. Aslaug was evil, I hated her, but her sons.

"My loyalty and respect goes to you." I replied.

She smiled. "Good. I'll have someone train you as soon as possible." She gestured to one of the warriors. "Take Halfrid to a spare room."

I was guided away from my mother. Her face said she was nervous.

"Your daughter might make a wonderful warrior, Ingrid." I heard Lagertha say as I went down a dark passage.

The room I was given was small, but I had a soft bed, and fuzzy covers.

I had a small window to look out of.

Later on in the day a woman that looked familiar approached me.

"You want to learn how to fight." She stated.

"Yes." I replied weakly.

She had me follow her outside. She just stared at me and gave me a kind smile. "Try to tackle me to the ground."

I try. I try my best to shove her, but she was like a brick wall. She caught me, tripping me off my feet and putting me in a position to break my arm.

I winced in pain.

"Try it again." She ordered.

"What's the point? I won't be able to do it." I told her.

"Channel all of your inner strength, Halfrid."

We repeated this over and over, but she just threw me onto the hard ground.

She started to laugh and grow amused. I try to think about all the things she did to me.

With round 30 I stood up and I dodged her arms, and trip her to the ground, but while falling on top of her.

She bellowed a laugh. "Good, Halfrid."

For a few days we repeated this, she taught me how to counter attacks with no weapons. I felt like I was actually hearing something useful.

My brother didn't really focus on counter attacks, and just straightforward ones.

But one day I had no training. It was as if all the women disappeared but a few.

Even my mother was gone