The early morning sun crept over the sprawling hills, most of Kattegat still in the shadows of the dark night, as she headed for the water's edge. The secluded water hole would be sufficient to her needs. Gudrun had arrived back to her home before night fall, riding in shortly behind the men of the last raid. Drunk on mead and tired the water would wash her clean for another day.
In the thick shrubs around the water, she could hear someone moving, Gudrun had come to expect at least one audience member as she took her time to bathe. Whether it be animal or man, she would ignore the intruder until they scurried off or joined her.
Dunking her head under the cold water, she emerged pushing her dark locks out of her face, to see the familiar round cheeked, pensive gaze of Hvitserk, the third son of the great Ragnar Lothbrok. Sniffling in the chilly morning, Hvitserk stood with his arms across his chest studying the scene before him.
He'd heard that his eldest brother's favourite shield maiden was back in Kattegat, yet he'd managed to miss her at the celebrations post raid. Coming home himself, only before nightfall, Hvitserk hadn't wasted much time with the others who gathered to feast. Dining and drinking were two of his favourite things, but Hvitserk had other pressing matters to attend.
"Hvitserk." She beamed happy to see the younger man. "Care to join?"
"You do not seem startled by my presence." Hvitserk gave his reply, his nimble fingers undoing the axe that hung from his side. Leave it to Hvitserk, going to bathe rarely required a man to be armed.
"I have grown to expect the lurking sons of Ragnar." She jested to the man taking off his boots. "You are a much nicer company than your brother, Ivar. I do not have to hold you above the water." She winked.
Hvitserk's brow creased. "Ivar is more than a cripple, as you are aware."
"Hmm, perhaps." she answered lazily, picking at the ends of her wet hair. How good bathing felt after months of following the other raiders around the sandy, parched land they'd found.
Stripped of his clothing, Hvitserk inhaled deeply, taking his time getting into the water. As if he were giving Gudrun a show of sorts, stretching his naked form. Silly boys.
Stepping into the water, Hvitserk shivered in the cold. A cold bathing would surely cure how tired he felt.
"Bjorn will not be pleased to find me in such a...position." Hvitserk cleared his throat. His eldest brother had always held a spot in his heart for the woman that bathed beside him.
"It is not your brother, Bjorn; Hvitserk, in which you should fear." She shrugged, bending to move the water to her. "He is no threat, I am not his to hold or command."
The mere notion of Gudrun answering to Bjorn was enough to make her laugh, her oldest friend had never commanded or laid claim to her. Bjorn was her brother, when she had none, he was fiercely protective and loyal but never over stepping his bounds.
If Hvitserk wanted to bathe with Gudrun then he would be allowed, anyone who said otherwise, was a fool. Two free people, especially a son of Ragnar, could do as they saw fit.
"How were the men when you woke? Passed out and blissfully unaware of the world, I assume?" Gudrun spoke as Hvitserk focused on a few tiny leaves floating around them. At times it was as if Hvitserk acted as though he'd never laid eyes on a naked woman.
"Many are sleepless, worrying about what my brother will do." Hvisterk's eyes left the top of the pool, locking with Gudrun's. His brow creased and a stern look etched into his delicate features.
"Do you think he will cause them harm?" Gudrun laid back, dipping her hair back into the water. The water made her feel weightless, if only for a moment. Sitting up, she waited for Hvitserk's reaction.
