Starlight (Vikings/The Hobbit crossover) AU

Breakfast

-Unedited-

Aslaug Sigurdotter POV

            Myself and all four of my sons as well as my step son, Bjorn were in the Great Hall ready to receive our breakfast when my old friend had finally, arrived. Gilthoniel, was already dressed for to go training as she took her seat in between my eldest, Ubbe and Hvitserk at the dinner table. As for the servant girl, Rina was following dutifully behind her. She had given Gil's weapons which was in her possession to, Gilthoniel. I watched as she whispered something in the young girl's ear. She dutifully handed Gil's swords, long knives;bow and arrow. Rina, bowed towards us all together before, leaving the Great Hall quite happily. Gilthoniel, rested her bow and arrow on the right side of her chair. And as for her swords and knives she rested them the hilts on the edge of the table. I could see in the corner of my eye that Ivar's piercing blue eyes staring at the silver handled swords with great interest.

             However, my attention was brought back to my friend when, Hvitserk reached out to touch the flower in her silver colored hair. I was surprised to say the least because the way he had gently touched her. And his facial expression was tender, caring instead, of the usual flirtatious look that he had always given women. Gilthoniel, looked at him smiling tenderly at Hvitserk's sudden affectionate touch. It made me smile that she was true to her word in giving any one of my sons a chance. As for, Ubbe, Sigurd, and Ivar's attention was on the two with envy. However, Bjorn was quite the opposite. He was looking at, Gil with curiosity of who she was.

"Where did you get this, my princess?", said Hvitserk. Twirling a lock of her hair in between his fingers.
"There was a young boy that had caught my attention on the way here", she smiled at the thought of her encounter, "He was so sweet enough to give me a handful of flowers. They were so beautiful that I put one in my hair", she said gleefully. Her slender fingers gently touched the white petals of the single daisy in her hair.
"They are quite beautiful, Gilthoniel. But, they are not as beautiful as you, my princess", said Sigurd. Hivtserk, glared at him for a second when his brother took his words out of his mouth.
She smiled at him. "Thank you, Sigurd", she said. Gilthoniel, turned to the oldest son of Ragnar, Bjorn with equal curiosity.
"You must be, Bjorn Ironside, the first son of Ragnar. It is a pleasure meeting you for the first time ", she said. Moving the conversation away from her to talk about the others in the room. Leaving me to be a silent witness to the conversation between all of my sons. Being silent at least for now was good enough for me because I knew this was her way of getting to know them. It made my heart feel good inside.
"It is a pleasure meeting you for the first time as well, Lady Gilthoniel. If, I may ask what is your home like? Mirkwood I mean", he asked curiously. I knew my step-son not as well as my own sons, but I knew enough that he was like his father. Forever curious and an immortal thirst for adventure and exploration.

           Gilthoniel, began in relay to us the beauty of the forest that she remembered from childhood. It was a time in her life where the forest was forever green with grass and various kinds of foliage. And the tallest of trees that reached as tall as the sky. She described the beauty of the trees as the seasons changed from summer to winter. She then, began to describe the beauty of the palace she lived in all her life. She described the intricately carved beams that held up the ceiling. As well, as the long bridges and the daily life of her people. Everyone at the table were so absorbed into her words that they had eaten all of their food while, they were listening to her. When she was finished the thralls had already brought another round of food to our plates.

"What was, Mirkwood like now? Is it the same as you described in your childhood or different?", asked Ubbe.
Gilthoniel, had put down her cup of wine on the table gently. And sighed. "No, it has changed quite changed over the years. Ever since, my mother had disappeared or rather died the beauty of the forest has dimmed significantly due to ignorance. The evil that was at bay for many years since, the reign of my grandfather, Oropher is now rapant. Creatures of evil itself has grown in population causing most of my race to barricade ourselves in the palace walls. While, others such as I and my brother to parole quite often. I am afraid that if, you were to go there now you would meet your Gods quite early", she said with such a mournful tone in her voice.