Weaknesses Can Be Strengths (Ivar The Boneless Fanfiction)

Chapter Eight:

Lagertha has been very kind to me, she has let me see Ivar more often. Just how I hoped. She just makes me do a little more work to do so.

She sent some shield maidens to watch Ragnarssons take a bath. She had me go and keep Ivar company.

He sat on a patch of grass while Sigurd and Ubbe swam in a pond. I gave Ivar a piece of cloth to clean in hands and face with, he just took it out of my hand without saying anything.

He told Lagertha about Ragnar, if she believed him, I don't know. She still loves him, after all these years, she still sees Ragnar as her husband.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked Ivar.

He glanced over at me. "Nothing that concerns you."

"Everything you do concerns me." I said honestly.

He carved a mad smile on his lips. I looked away, I couldn't stand to look at him. I didn't want him to plan anything crazy, but I had a feeling he was.

Later that day I had training, I actually was doing well. I took down two other trainees who were coming at me at once.

I started to feel like I was becoming a real shield maiden. It seemed like the better I got the more responsibility Lagertha gave me to juggle if I wanted to see Ivar.

I think my mother noticed, I overheard her ask Queen Lagertha if I could see Ivar (because I finished all my work) she replied that I couldn't because I had to sew patches in shield-maidan boots.

I was beginning to think that she didn't want me to see Ragnarssons, as if she felt something terrible would form.

One night she was throwing a nice feast, she even invited the boys to join. When I saw Sigurd and Ubbe in the dining hall, I gave them big hugs.

"Where is Ivar?" I asked looking around the room.

"He didn't come." Sigurd replied.

"Oh, well I'm glad to see you two." I said forcing a smile.

Before any reply, the doors opened and Lagertha entered, everyone was clapping and cheering. I clapped my hands lightly with a small grin on my lips.

Lagertha sat down on her throne. The room went silent as soon as she spoke. "Today marks a new dawn for Kattegat. For all of us. We do not know King Ragnar's fate, or whether he will ever return. You have not been ruled properly for a long time, and many things have been neglected." I exchanged a quick glance with Ubbe. "Kattegat has changed so much in the last few years. It has grown and flourished. By all account, it is now the largest, richest trading center in Norway. Which means that others are bound to be envious of our success. And they must look at us and wonder why we make so little effort to protect ourselves. It is my belief that we should begin to build fortifications, ditches and palisades, around this site. And it is my hope, as your Queen, that everyone, men, women and children, the fit and the wounded, will contribute to this great work. Those who share my belief say 'Aye'."

The crowd shouted "Aye!"

There was suddenly the sound of the heavy doors opening, and the sound of something banging into the ground.

"Welcome, Ivar." Lagertha greeted calmly. She stood up to greet him properly.

Ivar sat on a stump of some sort in front of the crowd. I knew whatever he had to say wouldn't be good.

"I've come here for justice. Everyone knows that you killed my mother for no reason, except ambition. Therefore, I demand justice." Ivar growled.

"Please Ivar!" I implored desperately.

Ubbe noticed my distress and approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Ivar,"

Ivar aggressively pulled away. "Don't touch me, coward."

"Ivar," I repeated trying to approach him, only to have Ubbe lightly pull me back.

"Quiet, woman." He growled viciously.

"He is not a coward. But perhaps he understands some things that you don't." Lagertha said condensendingly putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I understand everything perfectly. You murdered my mother in cold blood. I want revenge. I challenge you to single combat."

I felt Ubbe gently tighten his grip on my shoulder. I think we all were tense.

"I refuse." Lagertha replied. I sighed with relief.

"You can't refuse." He told her.

"I refuse to fight you, Ivar Lothbrok, son of Ragnar." She said loudly for everyone to hear. She slowly ascended to her throne.

"Why? Huh?"

"I don't want to kill you." She replied, turning around to face him.

I didn't want her to kill him either. I couldn't live without him.

"Who says you'll kill me?" Ivar asked raising an eyebrow.

"I do."

 "All right. Don't fight me, then. I don't care. Just as long as you know that one day, I will kill you, Lagertha. Your fate is fixed." He leaves the dining hall, making the room fall silent.