Merciful || Ivar the Boneless

t w e n t y

Two bodies were lying not far from the river, somewhere between it and the edge of the forest. One was calm, breathing steadily. The other one was shaking in pain, caught in crams.

Eira wouldn't scream. The pain was bad but she knew that if she conquers it through the night, she will be alright. Perhaps that was just her naive idea.

She began to lose consciousness. Her eyes began to feel heavier and heavier. With each breath, the pain hit again. Eira bit her lip so strong it started to bleed right before she passed out.

(fyi: I accidentally wrote she passed away, that would be interesting for sure, lmao)

Meanwhile:

Bunch of men were riding their horses in the deep forest searching for one girl. She wasn't just a girl. She was special to someone. She was special to Ivar who was leading them furiously.

They followed tracks she unaware left behind.

The moon was up in its full glory shining down, creating sparks of light in such a dark place. It was somehow ironic because that's how Ivar felt. He was the darkness and Eira was the only source giving him the light he desperately needed. He couldn't just let her go.

The hope she brought to his life was small but it was big enough reason for Ivar to fight for her.

Ivar was slowly realizing what he can have in a future. Till now he only thought he will be alone for the rest of his life. Well, now he felt hope for something better than that.

"We're getting close," one man yelled.

Ivar's face lit up like a candle.

"Good," he whispered, his eyes glued on the way in front of him.

It didn't take them long to reach the river.

"Our horses need some water. We have to stop for a while," Ubbe said out loud so everyone would hear him.

Ivar nodded, getting off the wooden construction. He sat on the ground, looking around when his eyes landed on something weirdly shaped at a distance.

"Ubbe, come here!"

"What's wrong?"

"Look," he pointed in the direction he was looking. "There's something over there. Do you see?"

"It's probably nothing. Maybe a sleeping dear or so."

Ivar wasn't convinced. Something didn't feel right but he let it be. His eyes looked back at the river. The water was still, horses were resting. It was a beautiful night, he had to admit it.

A noise from distance. Ivar's eyes landed on his men. No one seemed to notice anything. Was it in his head? Was he so desperate he made it up? He wasn't sure. He looked at the river again. The moon was reflecting on the surface, dancing. 

This time he heard it again. It wasn't loud, but he was sure he didn't make it up because Ubbe's head turned too. 

"Did you hear that?" Ubbe nodded. "Maybe a hurt animal?" 

"Or Eira..." 

"Well, where does it come from?" 

Ivar looked around but it was hard to tell. They were in the middle of a field, surrounded by nature. 

That sound again. 

"I think it's coming from there," Ivar pointed out. It was in the direction he once saw the weirdly shaped object. 

Ivar didn't wait for a response. He started to crawl. He was fast and he merged with the tall grass. Even if he was crawling straight towards danger no one could see him. Ubbe followed him, giving the men order to stay put, prepared for whatever is coming. 

While they were slowly getting closer, another now louder moan could be heard.

Few more feet...

Ivar's eyes widen when he realized it wasn't a sleeping animal. Two people were lying on the ground, asleep.

It was too dark for Ivar to see faces or anything, really. He needed to get closer.

"Psss," he showed Ubbe with his finger to go quietly around them.

Ivar took out his axe for safety.

"Ivar!" out of nowhere a familiar voice came out of the person laying down.

His heart skipped a beat.

Ivar crawled right straight to Eira. She was sleeping, probably hallucinating. Ubbe whistled to let the men know they are supposed to get to them.

When the man with a torch was close enough, Ivar's face turned into a stone. Eira was lying in the pool of blood.