His Queen

Broken

Shortly after your arrival home, you forced the Lothrbok brothers to leave the Earldom. If they became sick you would never forgive yourself knowing you could have prevented it. You did promise to send word when it was safe for them return to discuss the plans of the great army and sail to Wessex.

A horrible sickness had spread throughout the land taking the weakest people first then plaguing the strongest. Within the first week it came to the Earldom over ten people died and had to be burned on pyres. Those who just became sick had to be moved from their homes and into one large hall. You tended to the sick as best you could. Running to get clean water, making medicine with the healers, and patting down foreheads of the sick trying to break their fevers.

Eirik never came to Asmund's Earldom just to see if you were still well or to help. You never expected selfless acts from such a selfish man. His absence did not surprise you. It left you able to heal from his beatings and focus on helping others.

Here in your birthplace, you are safe and do not have to look over your shoulder or be careful on what you say. Here you can be free and do good. Although your heart breaks for these people, you do what you can to comfort them and relieve them of their pain.

Watching them die or their bodies burns causes a sharp pain in your chest each time. You know they are with the Gods but they did not have to suffer. Why would the Gods bring on such an awful disease? Everyone here lives by the Gods. Yet they punish the mortals.

You have forced yourself to only focus on those who needed you in such a time. You prayed with them, told them stories, and even sang to them as they took their last breath. It was your strength you displayed that made them feel hopeful when behind closed doors you cried yourself to sleep each night.

It was now the second week of this disease plaguing the Earldom. Less people were dying but they still suffered horribly. In the morning the air is fresh and the sun is shining through the clouds. It gave you hope. Maybe this new change of weather predicted for better times ahead.

Sitting at the dining table with Asmund and Ingrid, the three of you ate breakfast remaining silent. There was nothing to say. You refused to talk about the deaths and disease. You did not want to discuss Eirik nor the plan of avenging Ragnar just yet so a comfortable silence fell upon the hall.

Suddenly Ingrid begins coughing. You look up from your plate to see blood dripping past her bottom lip. You stand up so quickly you knock your chair over. Rushing to Ingrid's side, you grab a napkin wiping away the blood. Her forehead is burning hot and she begins to tremble. The first signs of the disease but the coughing up blood has never happened before. Not until the victims are dying.

You begin to panic. You yell at the servants to get warm water and clean rags. Asmund carries Ingrid to their bedroom lying her on top the blankets. He covers her with warm furs tucking her in. The servants bring the water and rags. Such in a rush you practically tear the items out of their hands.

Asmund is holding Ingrid's hands speaking soothing words while you wipe her forehead. But Ingrid's shuddering seems to be worse and the color has drained from her face. She sits up only to cough up more blood. It splatters all over the furs. You swear your heart stops right then and there.

Ingrid falls back on the bed, eyes fluttering trying to stay open. Tears build in your eyes, head shaking as you beg with your mother.

"No, no, no, no. Mother, stay with me. Please. You're okay. We are going to help you feel better but you need to keep your eyes on me, okay? Please, please." Your voice is breaking. Asmund begs with you, petting Ingrid's hair to sooth her thinking maybe it will rid the disease from her body.