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"Good swing, you almost looked like you could kill someone." Alfild laughed, walking alongside Hvitserk.
He grinned, "At least I'm not going to have to explain myself to Ivar."
Alfild's smile grew devious, her chin lifting to balance the invisible crown atop her head. "I answer to no one, Ivar included."
It had been little over a week since Alfild had awoken. Ivar seemed all too concerned that death awaited her around every corner, as though she had not survived all these years without his protection. Meanwhile, Alfild had insisted that she was just as strong as before. Both viewpoints had caused conflict between the pair, neither one of them allowing themselves to submit to the other. This had left Alfild imploring Hvitserk to fight with her and help her regain her strength. Both knew that this would not please the warlord.
The two walked further, laughing at each other's foolish jokes. Alfild pushed the boys arm with a playful expression after his further commentary. To her, Hvitserk was like the brother she never had but always wanted. As they stepped inside, both noticed the youngest ragnarsson looking less than amused by the situation. "I think you're in trouble" Hvitserk laughed. He turned, muttering a joke to his friend as he left, "Good luck."
As the door closed behind him, Alfild stepped in further and sat down in front of the Prince. She watched and waited for his response, but she didn't have to wait long.
"You shouldn't have been out there." He spoke quickly.
Alfild grinned, not at all taking this seriously. "I can't stay here forever, Ivar."
"I'm serious." The boy answered.
"When aren't you." She rolled her eyes.
"You could've been hurt." He let out quickly. A deep sigh left his lips as he realised he'd just given away his fears. Alfild straightened, noticing now that he was genuinely concerned. She couldn't recall the last time someone had looked her like that. Had it been Brunhilde? Perhaps.
"Ivar, I'm fine." She assured him, her emeralds glistening with warmth. "But I have to prove to my people that I am still strong, that I'm still worthy of being their queen."
"No one doubts you." He affirmed, though that vulnerability he'd allowed into his eyes was gone now. She'd only seen it briefly, but it was enough to make the girls heart race.
"You're wrong." She snapped, the warmth in her eyes becoming flames once more. "My people look to you now. I have to prove myself again."
"So you want to get yourself killed because you believe your people follow me instead of you?" He asked, finding the notion utterly ridiculous.
"Ivar-"
"Do you blame me?" He spoke again, that vulnerability returning.
"No." She said gently. "I understand why they look to you. You're strong, intelligent, born to lead. That's why I-" She paused. The boy looked at her, ocean eyes searching for the final words in her sentence. She gulped and simply shook her head. "That's why you're you. But they're my people. And I need them to follow my orders."
For a moment, he appeared to find her change in words off putting. He wished to know what she originally planned to say. But, after a moment of confusion, he seemed to restore himself to the persona the world knew him as. The cocky grin like he knew it all, mad glint in the eye, that feeling like even though he's calm he could snap and kill someone at any time.
"We lead side by side, don't we?" He replied smoothly.
The Queen's spark returned to her eyes, her stare like a sharpened dagger, "Of course."
