VIKINGS || GYDA

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟒

With Aslaugs hand harshly digging into my forearm, I brace for the moment we have been working on for most the day. With one more agonized yearn of pain, I watch as a baby boy is pulled out from his mother.

The squirming child is slightly swiped clean with the blanket that he is then wrapped in.

Oh gods. My mind is fazed upon the boy. I watch as he is placed into his mothers arms. No-one says a word. What's worst, with the birth of the boy, there was not one smile in the room.

The slaves and the midwifes quickly dispersed as my trembling father edges closer to the bundle, Aslaug and I remain still as father peels back the blanket that covers the child—he is fast to back away, his lip turning up into a snarl.

The boys mother quickly covers him up again, cuddling his restless form closer. In an act of support I offer my hand upon her shoulder.

Father gently touches her cheek as he whispers to her,"After all...your prophecy was right." He allows his hand to linger softly against her sweat covered cheek before he strides out of the room. My poor step-mother—mother to a cripple.

|

"What do you think they'll do?"

She only raises her shoulder.

"You don't think they'd..." I don't even allow myself to finish the sentence. For I don't need to, as Eira huffs and turns to me impatient.

"Gyda, we discard babies like him for their own good. What kind of a life could he live? What parent would want their child to live through so much pain?"

I skim another stone across the lake. This shot filled with more frustration.

"But there's nothing wrong with him." My protectiveness of being an older sister was really showing. My brother was a cripple, that was fact, but to me all I saw was a baby who would just need a little extra help in life. Which was fine to me. I planned to be by my brothers side for life. I would care for him alone if I had to.

A scoff is echoed behind me.

"He cannot walk Gyda and he never will! If he survives, he will live a life knowing nothing but constant pain. He will not be able to raid or fight. He will be the one who is left behind all the time. Is that what you wish for him? How will he make it to Valhalla?" She replies in a snarky tone.

"How can you say such things? What is wrong with you!" I abandon the stones and swirls around to face Eira. She spoke such twisted ideas of my baby brother and I would not hear more of it.

"Who are you to say what his life will be? You don't know what his fate holds!"

She shakes her head with a cruel smirk, "Exactly, who am I right? I'm just the fool who keeps her mouth shut and does what she's told." Her head then turns to her feet as she licks her teeth in disdain. 

"Why are you being so cold to me? You've been like this for days. Is this about you not being invited to the feast? Eira I'm sorry that hurt you—."

"— It's not that Gyda. I am simply only giving you the hard truth that you ask for. You need to understand that if he is discarded, it will be the right thing to do. There is no place for someone like him amongst our people—he is a cripple."

"—He is my brother!"

There was no snarky response after that. She only looks back down to her intertwined hands.
With my anger burning lower, I swallow my pride and walk to stand beside her.

"Eira."

She doesn't meet my eyes, but I know she's listening.  I take in a breath, I shouldn't have yelled at her.

"For years you're the only family I've had. Please I don't want to fight."

I linger for a second to see if she would muster a response. I begin to walk away but she grips my arm,

"Gyda, I have been cold and I apologise. It's just...being in this place I realise just how important you are to so many. You have a family who loves you and kings and princes who wish to feast with you," she chuckles lightheartedly, "In a way it made me realise how much I don't belong here. I have no place. I have no one."

I shake my head urging her to stop. I couldn't bare to listen to her talk like this. "Eira, you are the descendant of fierce warriors and the next in line for commander. You are also my most trusted friend. Never say you are unimportant."

I watch as her throat bobs as she smirks. I pull her in my arms. Hugging her close, she immediately reacts, reciprocating. I felt terrible. Had I really been that ignorant that I have been leaving her out? I should have known that she would be feeling overwhelmed.

                                              |

On the walk back to the house I cross paths with the now free man.

"Izoc."

He turns away from the market stall.

"Gyda."

Whipping my cape to the other side, the mud of the ground staining the bottom, I begin my walk back home. Izoc joins me.

"I heard the news of the birth of your brother, I offer my congratulations."

I regard him in a slight matter as we continue forward, "Yes. He is truly a blessing." I mutter quietly, the image of his deformed legs fill my thoughts.

I'm quick to change the subject to something that I had been meaning to ask him for a few days now.

"The other night. We didn't...nothing happened right?" I hope he catches the humour in my voice. It was a funny thing. I didn't remember much.

He looks away from me, "No. I put you to bed and waited til you fell asleep, then I left."

"I guess I should thank you. Not a lot of men would have been so tentative." He shakes his head to himself as he kicks the ground as we walk on, "It'd be better to thank your red haired friend. He was the one who talked sense into me."

That's right. It all began to come back to me in flashes. Nels tried to stop us. I can't remember his exact words but I could recall his distaste for Izoc and in myself. He was right to. I put myself at risk last night and I was glad Nels realised it for the both of us.

"It is alright, it was not a serious thing. We both had a lot to drink and things got out of hand. Probably best we forget the whole thing happened,"Strutting forward, I walk towards the door of the great hall, turning swiftly to face his reddened face, "Perhaps it's best to stay as strangers."

It may have sounded harsh but I had to say it. I hoped my parents had not seen me be with him that night. I hope it was erased from the towns-folks minds. I was the earls daughter, I had to act like it.

He only nods his head. Yet his eyes don't hide the hurt. "Of course. I mean you are the daughter of Ragnar, you are no doubt destined for greatness like your father—Best not waste your attention on a man who only a few days ago was a slave to your household."

I'm immediately taken back. He offers me a tight lipped smile then turns and walks away.

I didn't really feel anything about it. I didn't know him, he didn't know me. He may be offended but it was better for both of us. No one would accept him as my lover let alone a friend. He is free but to others he will always be a slave.

Letting a breath out, I turn to walk in the house, but I halt. Looking to the side I see my father walking towards the river holding my baby brother? Why would he be...oh gods.