The Young Seer |Vikings|

Chapter Forty-Four

I placed five rocks in front of my children. I point to each one, I have been teaching them how to count, they could go all the way up to fifteen.

"How many rocks, Helgi?" I asked my daughter.

She pointed at each one. "One, two three four... FIVE!" She exclaimed.

"Very good." I looked to Sigtrygg. "How many are there if I add one more, Sigtrygg?"

Helgi gasped. "I know it!"

"No, this is for your brother."

She covered her mouth, trying to keep herself from answering. Sigtrygg thought for a moment and smiled. "Six, mommy."

"Well done!" I clapped my hands happily.

"How many uncles do you have?" Ivar asked from the comfort of his chair.

They counted on their fingers. "Four!" They both shouted.

"Good." He smiled.

"I have one mommy and one daddy!" Sigtrygg added.

"And they love you both very much." I grinned, ruffling his hair.

"Can we go play now?" Helgi begged.

"Yes, you can go play."

They scurried off to their playroom with a thrall to supervise over them. I picked up the rocks and set them in the fire pit.

"Tyr and Idun will be arriving soon, maybe a day from now. We will need to get the children packed up for the trip. Make sure they have all their favorite toys and their clothing chest is filled." Ivar ordered.

"Yes, sir." I mocked.

"I know you don't want to go, but I do. I think I'm destined to go be king of Dublin." He said softly.

"I'll just protect you. Make sure no harm comes to you." I replied with a shrug.

"That's my job, Hedwig. I am to protect you."

I didn't listen to his words, but I nodded my head. I got to my feet. "Whatever you say."

I go to the twins bedroom, I pack up their things in chests. Guards take each of our luggage to our giant longboat that was reserved for the commanders and Ivar. The "important" people will all be together with our thralls.

I peeked into my bedroom to see practically nothing left inside. I sighed softly at the sight. It was sort of sad to see.

I had a bath drawn for the children. They would have a bath before the trip. Once Tyr arrives we are heading to Ireland. We had Saoirse promoted to our translator, not just one of our head thralls.

I've seen Sigurd's eyes towards her. They occasionally exchange smiles and short greetings. I wondered if they were involved, or if they just liked each other.

Helgi sings lullabies while I wash her hair. Sigtrygg used a washcloth to wash himself, making sure to scrub his face and under his arms.

I used a cup to rinse Helgi's hair. I then wash her brother's hair which was caked in dirt. I muttered under my breath while I felt the dirt against his scalp. I washed his hair out and had him get out. I wrapped him up in a towel. I then do the same for his sister.

Ivar stands in the entrance, he gave the kids a small smile. "Look who is all cleaned up."

Helgi gave him a big smile. "All clean! Sigtrygg had dirty hair! But not me!" She boasted.

I rolled my eyes. "Dry yourself off."

They do as I say. Ivar sat down and helped me dress them. When they were dressed up, we brushed and braided their hair.