We are all blind

Fall

It had just been a regular morning. Daggi had helped Sidsel get ready as usual - helping her pick a dress and braiding her hair. But something was very wrong that morning. Sidsel felt it in her very soul. She thought about her husband. His last words to her when they departed. His promise that he would come back for her - a better man. 

But it wasn't when she thought of Ivar that she felt that hopelessness she had experienced earlier. It was when she thought of her mother-in-law. Queen Aslaug. 

And just as they were about to have their breakfast together like they had every day since their husband's departure, screams of terror echoed through the narrow streets of Kattegat. 

   "My Queen, Aslaug!" One of Aslaug's shieldmaidens rushed inside to their breakfast table. She sounded winded. "Ladgerda and many of her warriors are attacking us! You must leave, we are too few in numbers". 

Aslaug stood up proudly. "I will not go without talking to the usurper", she firmly stated. "Fetch the sword of Kings", she ordered the shieldmaiden. "What a dirty trick. Tempting my sons away so she would not meet any resistance", Aslaug murmured to herself. 

She then walked around the table and sat down on the bench beside Sidsel, carefully wrapping her arm around her shoulders. "Ladgerda will never forgive me, I know that now. But I am happy that I gained a daughter this late in life".

   "You speak as if you are not going to survive, Aslaug", Sidsel furrowed her brows, feeling irritated that she couldn't do anything to help stop this. If Aslaug died Ivar would be crushed. "I don't think she will let me go in peace this time", she calmly replied and kissed Sidsel's temple. "Thank you, for loving my son", she said and got up on her feet again as the shieldmaiden returned with the sword many had died to have in their possession. Sidsel feared that one more would die for it today. 

Sidsel rose from her feet, taking her staff in her hand and felt Daggi's familiar hand on her shoulder. "Sidsel, my lady. Please -"

   "I intend to follow Aslaug, Daggi", she said and started to walk after Aslaug who was holding the sword of Kings in her hands, as an offering. 

Daggi stayed close to Sidsel during the whole time. Everything had grown quiet. 

From screaming and killing to cheering, and finally, it was quiet as two powerful women stared down at each other, calling each other a usurper as well as a witch.

   "Ragnar is dead", Aslaug finally declared, loud enough so everyone around could hear. "And so is Ivar", she glanced back at her daughter-in-law who shook her head while tears slowly trickled down her face. 

   "I dreamed it", Sidsel knew that dreams were not always true and she wanted to believe that her husband had survived somehow. He promised after all. 

The gentle clatter of the sword falling against the muddy ground was heard. 

   "I would never fight you, Ladgerda. Just let me go. Let me leave in peace and I promise to never return, and I will make sure that my sons will not seek revenge", Aslaug spoke loud and clear. 

   "I understand", came Ladgerda's voice. But clearly, she didn't. The consequences of what would now transpire were dire. 

The sound of an arrow being released interrupted the silence once again as Aslaug made her way through the parting crowd.

   "She... Ladgerda... she shot Aslaug", Daggi whispered in Sidsel's ear, horrified to what she just had witnessed. 

   "No... No! NO!" Sidsel said as the body of the former queen dropped to the mud. Sidsel moved forward, toward the area she had heard the sound. Ladgerda had just killed one of the few people that meant everything to Ivar. Daggi helped Sidsel find the body. The arrow had been precise in its target, buried deep within her heart. Sidsel was kneeling down in the mud, caressing Aslaug's face, as tears trickled down her own. She was still warm. 

She was reminded of the day her own mother passed away. How she had cried over not hearing her beautiful voice ever again, about the fact that nothing would protect her from her father's coldness anymore or that she would never feel her warm embrace around her ever again. 

Ivar will now go through similar pain, but as Sidsel couldn't take out her revenge on an illness, Ivar would not hesitate to have his revenge on Ladgerda. Murmurs started among the crowd that had witnessed everything. 

   "We have to prepare her for the funeral", Ladgerda's voice came above Sidsel who immediately rose to stand. "You have no idea what you just did", Sidsel said through gritted teeth. "I know exactly what I just did", the older woman contoured. "I took back my home". 

Sidsel shook her head, clenching her staff until her knuckles turned white. 

   "You really don't", Sidsel said with a slight shake to her voice. "By making her fall", she pointed in the direction of Aslaug's lifeless body with her other hand. "You created your own". 

   "Is that a threat?" 

   "No - it's a fact - queen Ladgerda".