The Midgard Serpent (Halfdan the Black x OC)

Chapter 25

The next day came and the wind from the day before increased. I woke up right when the sun came out and so did everyone else. I got dressed in all black clothing and braided my hair in two long Dutch braids. I grabbed my sword and placed it on my back and my ax on my side.

I walk outside the tent and take a deep breathe. I have finally reconnected with life again and my stomach starts to growl. I walk towards the main tent and everyone is already there. Geir is standing up eating some sort of food. He hands me a bowl and I eat it all up immediately. He smiles at my action and tries to hide it, but he couldn't from me. Harald comes over. "So Alca you have finally picked a side and looks to me it has taken the stress right off your shoulders." I place the bowl down. "I guess you could say that, but really the gods gave me a vision and i decided to follow through with it." Ivar and Astrid walk in and behind them is Halfdan. I can tell he is looking for someone, looking for me. he sees me on the ground next to his brother and we both stare at each other. I didn't want to look weak and break eye contact and neither did he. Harald chuckles and pats me on the shoulder. I look away and towards Harald who then grabs my chin and brings me closer. He puts his mouth close to my ear. "Last chance to tell him before he dies." I shove him off and stand up to walk over to Geir. Along the way Halfdan looks mad.

Ivar then goes and says it times to leave to trade back our people and apparently Lagertha wants to talk. "Everyone gather your things and make sure the warriors have their flags its time to go." Ivar leaves and so does Astrid and Harald. "Geir go grab our swords." He looks between Halfdan and I and then nods his head and precedes to walk out. Now standing there is just the two of us. Clearly he didn't know what to say first. " I can tell your trip to the Mediterranean changed you." I sat back down on the ground with my legs crossed. He takes his hand and pushes his hair back and then lets out a shaky breathe. "you've changed too and i dont think for the better." "Aww is someone mad i didn't chose their side."

"Alca what happened to you. When i left you were fine and when I came back you were just a sack a bones. Then you died and now you act liked nothing happened." " You want to know what happened. I I finally fell apart. You left me and the gods punished me. People always expect me to be strong and made of iron, but i am not invincible. I am made like every human and it was my turn to fall part." a tear streamed down my face. He came over and sat down on the ground. he placed his hand on my cheek and used his thumb to wipe the tear away. "You left me first though." "You could have come with me instead of following your brother. " "But then I would only be following you then." I grabbed his hand and pushed it away. We both stood up. "its time to go now." we walked out of he tent.

Geir was holding two swords and standing by three horses. "Are you sure you can do this?" I jumped on my horse and grabbed my sword from his hand. "Never been more sure in my whole life." Geir mounted his horse and we walked towards the front of where everyone was standing. Harald on the side was talking to his brother and he looked angry. Astrid pulled beside me and she turned to me. "We must fight you know? For once I know what my outcome will be." I looked at her and her hand on her stomach. my eyes widen. "Yes and I think our outcome will be the same." she nods her head and turns when Harald pulled beside her and grabbed her hand. I look forward as Ivar tells us to move out.

We come to a field that has chairs set up by Lagertha. The army stops moving but the flags men move forward. I stay back while the rest walk ahead. Halfdan is now in front of me and looks at me as we past. Geir stops and looks at me. he moves his head to the side telling me to follow. I let out a sigh as I jump off my horse and make my way to the chairs. I stand behind Ivar with my arms resting on the chairs. Ivar, Harald, and hvitserk sit down with geir behind Hvitserk and Astrid behind Harald. I just look at Halfdan and he just looks at me Until Harald begins to speak. "Why would you fight for Lagertha or Bjorn? They are not your Folk." "Bjorn saved my life, Isnt that reason enough." "Not really. Family has a greater claim. I don't want to kill you brother and I know you don't want to kill Alca."

He glances at me as if he was remembering something. "I don't want to meet you face-to-face in battle. I don't want to kill you. stay. You're my little brother. Your lover is here. Stay. Your are apart of my fate. Stay." He doesnt say anything but just looks back to me basically pleading me to say something. I don't. Lagertha, Ubbe, bjorn and everyone begins to talk and towards the end Ivar must have lost his mind because he just said he would surrender to Lagertha. A servant brought everyone some mead. I grabbed a cup but knew not to drink it He then started to talk about the color of his eyes and dumped out his mean and so I followed and threw my cup on the ground smiling. "You can surrender Kattegat now." The men with flags start pointing them at us as we took out our swords to fight. but Lagertha tells them to halt and that we wouldn't fight now.

I stay while we all start walking back to our armies, but they suddenly all stop when Harald and Halfdan meet. Everyone watching now. "You're sure? Are you going to deny your brother ?" He stood there. "Bjorn saved my life." Harald then punches him in the face. "You know i'll kill you. You understand that? I will kill you." He walks back over to us and everyone just looks at me. Halfdan still standing there. I walk over to Halfdan and touch his face. He nuzzles his head into my hand. "I have to tell you something." I drop my hand and i know everyone is starring at me. "I have only ever had relations with man, who I promised I would always wait for." I could tell his breathing was becoming heavy and his eyes were dilated and flicking between me and Geir waiting for the words to come out.

"Geir is your son. Congrats you finally know about one of your children. " No one looked shocked except for Halfdan. He doesn't say anything and Geir doesnt walk over either. I drop my sword by halfdans feet. "I don't need a sword to fight. Before the world is divided remember all that has happened and know i did everything because I..." I look down and he tried to grab my hand but I push it back and whisper. "I love you." I walk away and towards the group. Geir comes over and puts an arm around me. "I'm surprised you did that." "Don't be I told you i would tell him." The group of us walk to the remainder of the men.

"Get ready men. War is about to begin."