Halfdan the Black Imagines

Unhappy Bride (Part 4)

Hvitserk was sullen. Silent. Ubbe knew why but he wouldn't speak of it. He'd heard of the tales about your battles, you were a shieldmaiden who had won many wars and he was more than proud that you had, at one time been his family. He'd loved you as a sister, as he should have done and Hvitserk ruined that.

"She should not be coming to raid with us!" Hvitserk hissed to Ubbe again. Ubbe's jaw set hard as he clenched his teeth, looking forward, over the sea. If he looked over at his idotic brother he might well toss him into the sea.

"Why not. We do not need her to protect Kattegat. Are you saying my soldiers are not well trained enough to protect our home?" Ivar hummed out. His tone sang with the predatory power Ubbe thought Loki's voice might hold, just before he lured you to a trick.

"No Ivar. I just do not think it is safe for her."

"She is no longer the young girl you married HVitserk. She is a warrior, how many times must we remind you that she is a free woman. It is her right to request Ivar annul your marriage." Ubbe said as he finally looked at him.

"Mother would never..." Hvitserk started to object but Ivar scoffed.

"Mother gave the throne to me, dear brother, I have told both (Y/N), Harald and Halfdan that I will consider their requests to have your marriage to her annulled. If only you had stayed with her for your wedding night, instead of bedding your brothers wife."

There was silence after Ivar's comment. The entire boat was left with the words hanging in the air. Hvitserk felt like Ivar may as well stabbed him in the heart. Ubbe tried to hide his smug smile, he wished he'd been able to give Hvisterk a dog.

"They will get her killed." Hvitserk spat out weakly, as a last defence. The boat slowly returned to uneasy chatter once Hvitserk moved away from his brothers, starving after you on your boat with Halfdan.

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"We wait for (Y/N)'s signal." Halfdan instructed. He knew that Hvitserk was among the men Ivar spared for (Y/N)'stackteck and he knew that the reason was to see which of you would break. If you or Halfdan lost your temper Ivar would decide to keep you trapped with Hvitserk just for the fun of it.

"She's been too long." Hvitserk muttered. Harald was closest and rolled his eyes. If he was another man Harald would have him killed and be done with it.

When your signal came the men crept closer, your shieldmaidens surrounded the castle, hidden in the shadows.

Even Halfdan had been a little hesitant when he listened to your lan to take the castle in broad daylight. However, these townsfolk didn't seem to even notice the vikings creeping closer.

Coming to the edge of the closest field Halfdan waited for your signal and once it was given the two of you worked in tandem. Closing the gap between the field and the castle gate was easy, with Halfdan at your side the two half of your collective army stormed the castle and took it within minutes. There was a victorious roar and they declared you the queen of their castle.

"I am impressed. Ivar admitted when he arrived with the rest of the army hours later. He had expected a few days of fighting, that he would need to hold his army back to fill the ranks. "Impressed enough to allow you to keep claiming you are queen." He joked as you tossed the gold crown to him. He caught it with a quick snatch of his hand.

"You truly are blessed by the gods!" Bjorn declared. His boats and arrived late and he'd wanted to rush to join the fight. Ubbe talked him out of it, pointing out how Lagertha would feel if he stole the right to prove yourself from you. Bjorn picked you up as if it was nothing, holding you in both hand as he kissed your cheeks. "A victory worthy of Odin's halls."

He set you down as you laughed, looking over to Halfdan and Harald who both shared a look and seemed to agree, this victory, was yet again. One of yours. Drinks were being passed out, food hunted and prepared in the halls and soon the courtyard had a large roaring fire in the centre, chairs and logs were found to sit on. People rested and celebrated after a successful battle.

"King Ivar." Halfdan said cautiously as he stood. "I was wondering if you had had time to... think over my request."

Ivar smiled wickedly from his seat on his chariot. Hvitserk stood, leaning against the side while Bjorn and Ubbe sat the other side on a large log, discussing their plans of how to push on.

"I have. I think I have come to a decision." Ivar said ominously.

"Would you be willing to share it?" Halfdan asked. You'd never heard him sound close to scared before. But now, you swore, you could hear a tremor in his voice.

"I will annul (Y/N)'s marriage to Hvitserk. I will give you both my blessing for you to marry, so long as that is what (Y/N) wants."

Ivar spoke with such authority that Hvitserk couldn't find the strength in him to object to his words. He stared helplessly at his brother, air rattling past his lips were words escaped him.

"Oh! Ivar thank you!" You rushed to hug him as you soak, knocking past Hvitserk as you went, hugging Ivar tightly. His first reaction was to grasp you and jerk you away from him, but Ivar resisted that and took the affection. It was a shame. He mused to himself. You would have made a sweet sister.

A sweet kiss of gratitude was placed on Ivar's cheek and you gleefully turned to Ubbe and Bjorn who were both smiling, Bjorn bounded over to Halfdan and Harald who cheered in celebration. You moved away from Ivar with appreciation flowing from you. "The gods favour us." You said quietly to Halfdan who hugged you tightly, smiling at you as you spoke.

"Of course they do. They have guided us together." He assured you, kissing you softly as you leaned into him.

"Now you can be married." Bjorn said cheerfully as he hugged Harald who was equally relieved that Ivar had agreed.

"You'll both be wed as soon as possible." Harald said. He'd been planning for this for years. Going as far as promising your first born son his crown, should he never father any children. "I have waited to long to see you two happy."