Being a Christian Thrall hadn't been easy, but life was decent enough. Your master treated you fairly and you were fortunate enough to serve alongside your family. However, when Ivar the Boneless sets sights on you, everything changes forever.
You could hear your own erratic heartbeat as you entered the now silent Great Hall. Only a few minutes earlier, it had been full of important men, all wanting a piece of your husband. Now, as it sat silent, only a few guards remained at the doors with a handful lining the walls. They were not Ivar's men, which was quite usual. From the colors they bore on their armor, they were Bjorn's.
"Halt there! No one is to speak to the Prince until his brothers return with orders." A deep voiced boomed.
The soldier who spoke the harsh words quickly stepped forward and blocked your path.
"Why is he not allowed visitors?"
"It is per the order of the Ragnarssons. If you wish to speak with him, you must wait until one of them returns."
"But I am his wife. Surely they would not care if I sit with him for a while."
As you were speaking, a depressed Ivar finally raised his head. He had been lost in a world of his own ever since Sigurd collapsed to the ground. Everything else became a blur afterward. Ivar had heard the yelling and gasps, he even felt himself being grabbed, nevertheless, he couldn't remember how he arrived in the Great Hall. All he knew was that no one would ever forgive him. He had killed his own flesh and blood. His brother.
Sigurd may have been his greatest detractor but he didn't deserve to die for it. Even Ivar knew that. Your husband was grieved and the signs of it were upon his face. His blue eye were not as bright as they typically were and were tinged with redness. When Ivar spotted you, his heart eased a great deal. Just seeing your face comforted him.
"Y/N." Ivar called out. "Do not believe them. I did not mean to do it!"
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Your eyes met his and for the first time, you actually felt pity for your husband. He looked broken and so very alone. Giving him an encouraging nod, you asked the guard again if it would be possible to enter. But again, the hard-headed man refused to let you pass.
"I understand that you are doing as instructed. However, I only want to—–"
"What is the issue here?" A stern Hvisterk interrupted your words as he entered the doorway.
You turned to come face-to-face with the man you had not seen in nearly four months thanks to Ivar's decree. Needless to say, you were happy to see him for it had been long. To your confusion however, Hvitserk barely looked you in the eye. With his hands clasped in front of him, he asked why you were trying to bypass their orders. Taken aback by his harsh tone, you stated that you only wanted to hear what had occurred from Ivar's own lips.
"Why? Do you think we placed him under custody for no reason?"
"Of course not. It is........well, I do not know all the details. I was only informed that Sigurd—-"
"That Sigurd was murdered! Our brother lays dead because Ivar cannot control his temper! He never has nor does he care to!" A livid Hvitserk spat as Ivar looked down.
