when a chirstian woman is face to face with a ruthless, violent pagan.
"Ivar the boneless? More like Ivar the heartless."
"He isn't heartless, he just doesn't like you."
s4, 6
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ｔｈｅ ｐｒｏｍｉｓｅ
816 A.D
King Houdon had been diagnosed with a fever, and it seemed to be so severe that it had taken his life. Eve of Wessex had been crowned queen and within the first month the economy had grown and the forest had flourished. But Queen Eve had not forgotten her promise to Queen Aslaug, so Eve went searching for her and her group of wildings.
"Your majesty," she hears whisper within the forest and Eve couldn't help but follow it. "Hello?" She asks to no one and the whispers grew loud but this time it said only her name, Eve. "Queen Aslaug?" Eve calls out and she heard a crunch behind her. "I was wondering when you'd arrive," Aslaug tells her and Eve let out a breath of relief. "I don't break my promises," Eve tells her and Aslaug smiles. "Call me Aslaug, we are going to be family after all," she says and Eve said nothing.
The two queens walk to the village and Aslaug kept on talking about how she was excited about grandchildren, more specifically a granddaughter. "My son had warmed up to your name, are you still with your religion my dear?" Aslaug asks her and Eve smiles. "Are you still with yours?" Eve asks her and Aslaug gives her a look. "I will always be apart of the Christian religion just as you will be with yours."
"I respect your answer, I can't say the same for my son," she says and hey arrive at the village. "When will be the wedding?" Eve asks and Aslaug gives her a smile. "Tonight."
Eve was left alone, to look at the people who killed some of hers. They look so happy with each other yet they are savage. It is in their blood. "When we get married tonight are we fucking in your castle or my tent?" Eve heard Ivar say. She turns to look at him, he looked much handsome from the last time she saw him, much more manlier but still a cripple. "After we marry we are going to my castle. I have a country to order and it will difficult to do it from here," she says while sitting down beside him.
"I will become king?"
"Considering you are a prince, yes, you will," she tells him with a small smile. "I never thought I'd marry an older Christian woman, I never thought I'd marry at all," he sneers and she looks down. "If I'm being honest, neither had I, I had no intention nor desire to marry. I gave your mother my word and I'm here," she says, and Ivar smirks. "The goddess and the cripple," he laughs and she doesn't.
"I'm no goddess, I am a Queen and nothing more, there is one who comes from above who is quite powerful," she says and he rolls his eyes. "Yes, God," he sneers and she slowly nods. "And Odin, Thor, Apollo, and many others," he says and she says nothing but nods her head in respect.
"You know Eve was tempted by the devil?" Ivar says and the 19-year-old looked at him. "You know the story?" She asks him softly and he nods. "Just because I'm not in your pathetic religion does not mean I know nothing about it," he says and she shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but yes, I know that," she says while looking at the muddy ground and Ivar smirks. "And she is about to be tempted again," he tells her and Eve looks at him with wide eyes.
The sun was setting and the two had talked for hours. Between some smiles and laughs, they had begun to grow close to each other. It almost seemed as if they were friends and not betroths.
"Eve, I believe it's time to get you ready," Queen Aslaug tells her and Eves smile fell from her lips as she stood up. "Right, see you in a bit," she tells him and he nods. He is only 16 and there is to be a wedding ceremony for him and her. It's not that he wasn't ready but he believes he can't give her what a good uncrippled husband can.
The snow was falling lightly from the sky and Aslaug describes it as little blessings from the gods to them. What could they possibly give her that she would want or need?
"This was my wedding dress," Aslaug tells her while showing her the red and blue dress, it was beautiful but not to Eve. "I brought my mothers," Eve started and she retrieves a white gown with flowers and jewels embedded into it. "When I was younger I told her I'd wear it for when I got married but ever since she died I couldn't even look at it, or even think of marrying," she says and Aslaug nods. "She will be proud of what you have become," she says and Eve gave her a gentle smile. "I would hope so."
"Who gives this woman away to her new husband?" Asks a woman standing in between Ivar and Eve. "I do," Ubbe says and he hands the woman the ring. Eve softly smiles at Ivar, who stares at her blankly. The woman returns with a ring that was dipped in blood. Eve steps back with a gasp and Aslaug pushed her forward. Ivar took the ring and he slowly placed it on her finger. They held each other's hands and Ivars stand was supported by his brothers.
"And so I name you man and wife, and may the gods bless you," she says and she specks blood into Eves and Ivars face. "And give you children, and may the keep the wolf from the door," she finishes and Eve nervously looks at Ivar, who looks nervous himself. Eve leaned in and kissed his lips, they were softer than expected and when Eve pulled away, Ivar still had his eyes closed when the people around them started to clap.
