IVAR, I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU

Chapter 5

It was night time and you were still at Hvitserk's estate. As the two partook of the evening meal, you were delighted to be dining alone. It had been the best day you had experienced in a good long while. From getting your closure with Herry to learning a bit of archery, you had really enjoyed yourself. As you scooped some of the beef broth soup, you glanced across the table and gave Hvitserk a smile.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I will be able to....you know......" You choked on your words – too shy to finish your thought.

Hvitserk gave you a curious look and laughed. He had an inkling of what you were driving at but preferred to watch you squirm.

"What?" He said. "It cannot be that difficult to tell me."

"I will be able to, you know....have intercourse in five weeks' time." You said, glancing at him bashfully. "The Healer to told Ivar that it would be two months at least before I could lay with him again."

The elder Ragnarsson gave you a peculiar glance - his brow raising slightly.

"Why did he tell him that if is only a few more weeks?"

"Because I threatened him!" You said looking straight into Hvitserk's eyes.

Hvitserk confessed that he had wanted to wait until he got you away from Ivar. But your mother's interference had changed things.

"I still cannot believe she did that to you." He said as he ate. "What kind of mother does such a thing?"

"One who is comfortable with the life Ivar had provided her. I swear, at one time, she was the person who disliked him more than anyone. I know that she fears his temper, however, she is still my mother. I never expected her to betray me."

"You have a right to be upset, Y/N. But there is no point in thinking about it now." Hvitserk said. "What is done, is done. What happens going forward, will be between you and I. We can only trust one another."

You nodded in agreement. It was true that you didn't have any faith in your mother nor your sister. Though Elizabeth had yet to betray you.......you could not tell her things as you had in the past. Especially since she could accidentally disclose them to your mother or even Ivar. Your little sister still longed for him since her time with him in your chamber. Thus, you knew she could very well divulge things to get on Ivar's good side.

"Stop me if you do not agree, but I think we should have a baby of our own." Hvitserk said as he motioned for more mead.

You looked down at your food to avoid the provocative gaze of his eyes. Not at all deterred by your inhibition however, Hvitserk asked you to come to him. When you had walked over to where he was seated, he pulled you onto his lap. Holding you close, Hvitserk confessed that he wanted you to be the mother of his children.

Even though he accepted your daughter wholeheartedly, he did not want to see you bear any more children for Ivar. Thus, the two of you decided to work on having a baby as soon as you were healed.

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The thunderstorm took Kattegat by surprise sending people scrambling to their homes or other shelters. It had also trapped you at Hvitserk's estate. As Thralls went about hastily closing doors and bringing in clothes from the drying lines, you laid upon Hvitserk's bed. While you rested, you thought about the upcoming naming ceremony and the fact you would soon see your mother again.

As you were lost in thought, Hvitserk burst into the chamber, soaked from helping put the horses in their stalls. As he undressed, you watched him, eager to see him shirtless for the first time. Feeling your eyes observing him, he threw his soaked tunic at you, hitting you right in the face.