By The Gods - Vikings

Chapter 36

"Aneira?" A voice called from behind me as I was packing up my horse. I turned around, smiling when I saw Ubbe's confused expression. "It's true, you're Brunhilde?!"

"The one and only." I replied.

"And you're back?" He asked.

I merely nodded before being pulled into yet another hug. It was nice though. I hadn't seen Ubbe in so long and I wasn't sure if I could live with myself if he never forgave me.

"Be careful today." He said.

I smiled, "You too."

Soon I was once again on the back of my horse. She was a tall steed, fast and strong. She made travelling much faster and easier. I pulled my sword onto my back and once more made my way out of Kattegat. This time, however, I was alongside friends.

The sun was beginning to set over the hillsides as we made camp. I noticed the enemy camp in the distance and smiled at the thought. They were our enemies, that much I knew. That didn't stop me from caring. I'd heard of the exploits of the sons of Ragnar in my absence. Who hadn't. Ivar was known as this bloodthirsty and merciless killing machine. I knew that facing him in the morning wouldn't be me facing my friend. He wasn't the boy who argued with me on the beach after I'd married Egil anymore. Though, nor was I that girl. I knew that I would have to push aside my emotions, not let them get the best of me. Ivar would have no trouble in killing me. I was no fool. The person who still plagued my thoughts, however, was Hvitserk. What had he been through since I had left? Was he still the cheerful man that always seemed to being a smile to my face? I supposed that tomorrow we would find out.

I barely slept that night. My dreams were filled with blood, pain, chains and anguish. So much blood.

When the sun rose, signalling the next day, I welcomed it. I dressed myself and left my tent, hoping to find Lagertha or Bjorn.

"If you're looking for the others, they're exchanging brothers." A familiarly warm voice shone through all other sounds in the camp.

"Hilda!" I smiled, running over to her. She embraced me gently, a smile on her face also, before letting me go. "What do you mean?"

"They're sending Halfdan over to reason with King Harald and in return, we're being sent Hvitserk." Hilda answered.

Hvitserk was coming to this camp. I would finally see him once again. I wasn't sure whether to be dreading his arrival or gleefully excited.

Soon the sound of returning horses sounded through the camp, Hilda and I made our way out of the main tent to greet our returning friends.

"Lagertha!" Hilda smiled. They all got down from their horses and made their way over to us. Hilda and I stood by the entrance to the main tent as each of our friends made their way inside. The last person to enter was Hvitserk.
He looked up from the ground to meet my glistening grey eyes. The only reaction that I got, however, was him turning to look directly ahead of himself and ignoring me entirely.

Hilda and I followed inside the tent, talking to Bjorn and Lagertha about what was happening. The war was, so far, still commencing. I knew it would. Ivar was far too stubborn to give up now.
"Aneira," Ubbe walked over, pulling me to one side and speaking in a hushed voice, "Will you please talk to my brother. He won't listen to me. I do not want to fight him tomorrow, I doubt you do either."

I nodded, "I'll try, though I doubt he's any more likely to listen to me."

With that, I excused myself and walked over to my once closest friend. The young man whom, over the years, I'd come to realise that I'd loved.

"Hvitserk." I greeted, sitting beside him with a gentle smile.

"If Ubbe sent you, Aneira... Brunhilde... Whatever you're calling yourself now, then don't bother." Hvitserk sighed exasperated.

"We do not want to fight you tomorrow." I said plainly.

"Why do you care, Aneira?" He rolled his eyes at me.

I looked at him with pleading eyes, searching for any part of the man I once knew. I knew that he was still there. I also knew that how Hvitserk acted now... Was most likely because of me and Ivar.

"I missed you." I began honestly, "After I returned with Ubbe I left Kattegat for months. All that time on my own... You were the only person I thought about." Hvitserk now looked up at me as my eyes began to well up. "I don't know if things between us will ever be like they were before but... I love you, Hvitserk. I think deep down I always have. I don't want to fight you on the battlefield tomorrow. I don't want to ever have to call you the enemy."
Hvitserk placed my hand in his and looked up at my watery blue orbs. A small smile graced his lips as he gently pressed a kiss against my own. For a moment I thought that was it, I thought he would stay. How naive I was.
"I love you too, Aneira. I still don't know why I jumped ship and left Ubbe that day, I'm not even sure that I'll ever know. What I do know is that the Gods have something planned for each of us and right now they plan for me to fight with my brother, Ivar. I will never be your enemy but I'm not ready to jump ships again yet." He answered, my jaw dropping open just a little at his words.

"Ubbe and Bjorn are your brothers too." I pleaded once again, still not letting go of his hands.

"I'm staying with Ivar, Aneira." He said finally. A lone tear escaped my eye, falling down my pale cheek before hitting the cold ground. I nodded and pulled him into a hug before standing up to leave. Before I could exit, Hvitserk pulled me back to him. Our faces were now only inches apart, so close that I could barely stand the tension between us both. He pulled me in for another gentle kiss, our lips locked together as I moved my hands up behind his neck, gently tugging on his long locks of hair. His hands moved to my waist, pulling me in closely. We both knew this could be our last kiss so we savored every moment of it, every second of each other. Suddenly, someone clearing their throat behind us pulled us apart. I jumped and Hvitserk smirked as he watched me shift awkwardly.

Bjorn and Ubbe stared at us for a moment before Bjorn finally spoke, "Finally." Ubbe laughed in response as the two of them just sat down. "Aneira, my mother wants you by the way." Bjorn spoke again after a moments awkward silence. I nodded and left the tent, glancing back at Hvitserk a final time.