Merciful || Ivar the Boneless

s i x t e e n

Ivar just wanted to feel something. The wave of satisfaction rushed through his body.

His lips barely touched hers but it was enough to create a spark that would start a fire.

He wasn't breathing, afraid to wake her up. It wasn't even two seconds and he pulled his head back. He licked his lips, realizing they just brushed hers.

His heart was beating so fast it almost jumped out of his chest. He was scared it was too loud it could wake her up. He turned his head to the side and let out slowly a breath he was holding. With that, a tension from his body faded.

One of Ivar's flaws was greed. When he was a little boy he didn't understand that his mother didn't belong only to him. He wanted her for herself. He always wanted more and never realized it was wrong.

With an age, he began to understand it was a thing he had and wasn't proud of it. He tried his best not to be greedy but sometimes he couldn't watch it.

Like this time.

Never. He has never felt this way. It was new and exciting. His heart was still beating fast and the back of his neck was covered with goosebumps.

He didn't give it further thought so he turned his head back and went for more.

Ivar's lips yet again touched Eira's. This time they stayed there little longer.

The look in Ivar's eyes changed. From tender sweet young man to a man filled with darkness and greed.

Ivar's mouth started to move. Eira was still asleep.

Ivar's tongue tried to find an entrance into Eira's mouth. That's when it went all down the hill.

Eira didn't realize what was going on. Her brain was fully awakened putting her back in time. Her eyes were still shut, pretending she was still asleep.

It felt like she was frozen in time, paralyzed by the memories mixed with presence.

Her hand unnoticed slowly reached to her thigh where she had been hiding a small knife. Her trembling hand grabbed it tight.

The weight of a body was now leaning to her, almost lying on top of her.

It felt like forever but in reality, it took seconds.

Eira's knife found its target. Her knife penetrated Ivar's stomach. The whole blade was inside of him. Eira's hand was spasmodically holding the handle of the knife.

That's when she finally opened her eyes. Her mind was messing with her and she thought she will see the face of one of the men from the cave. How she wished it was one of them when she opened her eyes to see Ivar.

His eyes were wide open so was his mouth. Eira didn't know what to do, she still thought it was a trick. This couldn't be true.

Her eyes travelled from Ivar's face to her hand that was still holding the knife. Blood started to soak his shirt, her hand was covered in it.

Eira immediately let go of the knife, keeping it in Ivar's stomach. It was the safer option.

Then she gently turned Ivar on his back.

She grabbed his face and sincerely told him: "I am so sorry," tears were running down her cheeks.

Ivar wanted to say something, his lips moving but no sound leaving them.

"I'll be right back, just keep your eyes open!"

With that, she ran out. Luckily, Ubbe's hut was really close. Eira didn't bother with knocking.

"Ivar's bleeding bad, he needs help!" she yelled at Ubbe who was just about to take his shirt off while making out with Margrethe.

They both jumped up, stopped whatever they were doing and followed Eira. Margrethe took her bag with medicine she had since Eira was hurt.

Ivar was still lying on his back, one hand covering his wound. His breathing was shallow and his eyes were almost shut.

Eira just stood in the doorway, enabled to move. She was watching the scene in front of her, like a slow-motion movie.

Out of nowhere, Hvitserk came in bumping Eira's shoulder. She didn't react, she was just standing there.

The whole time Ivar's head was turned to her direction. His eyes were slowly shutting but he managed to keep them open.

Few more people came to help. Everyone was doing something, trying to secure the knife so it wouldn't make a damage before pulling it out. So Ivar wouldn't bleed out.

Ivar's eyes were attached to Eira. He knew it wasn't her fault. He wanted to let her know. He didn't blame her. It was his fault. He should have realized it was wrong especially because of what she went through.

Eira's eyes were filled with tears. She blinked to let them fall.
This is what happens when someone wants to get closer to her. Ivar was hurt because of her. She felt like a danger to everyone so she made a decision.

She shooked her head. Her eyes connected with Ivar's.

"Goodbye," she whispered and unnoticed she disappeared into the darkness outside. 

Everything was chaotic that night. There was one clear and devoted soul that knew loneliness is the only resolution. Eira made up her mind and with a broken heart, she quietly went towards her destiny.