Ease The Dawn

Part 2, Chapter 10

"Aethelswith?" Harald's smooth voice rumbled softly as he placed his arm around her lower back, his other hand delicately taking her wrist. His bearded face and rich voice sounding, suddenly, so close to the side of her neck.

"Princess," he whispered, "are you alright?"

"I..." she started to respond but stopped as awareness rushed back overwhelming her, realizing she was leaning against his side, braced by his arm.

A sharp voice cut through her fog like a blade before she could say anything further.

"Would you care to explain why you are embracing my woman?"

"Ivar..." she breathed out, narrowing her eyes, seeing his angry face floating toward her. Squinting, she watched the way his torso dipped and rose as he crossed the hall using his crutch as leverage.

"Aethelswith seems unwell," Harald explained with his body still bend forward, looking down at her with concern.

Reaching for her, Ivar grabbed her waist, snatching her from Harald's grasp like a doll, using his other hand to slide his leg forward to complete his step.

"She is mine," Aethelswith heard him say but his voice sounded strange. Everything around her sounded strange; the footsteps of others, the slaves clearing the tables.

"That... I am aware of," Harald replied stepping back, raising his hands as if to surrender. His face was stern but there was a glint of something indiscernible in his eye. "We were talking about her homeland and she seemed to lose her line of thought. The colour drained from her face, so I was walking her to a bench to sit. In the spirit of amity, of course," the corners of his mouth lifted in an intended smile as he subtly bowed his head.

"Spirit of conquest, perhaps," Ivar replied, lowering his eyes to her. "Aethelswith?" he tipped his head back to better see her face. "What is going on?"

"Yes, I just..." she stammered, sounding dazed.

Pulling her close against his chest, he pressed his lips to her forehead, his eyes drifting back up to Harald. "Are you unwell?" he whispered into her hair.

"I.... I did not intend to stir.... um...," she sighed, frustrated with her confusion. "My mind was somewhere else."

"Where was your mind, Aethelswith?" Ivar asked in a soft voice.

"I..., I am not certain." Blinking, she raised her eyebrows, disorientated. "I must just be tired tonight."

"My sweet," sliding his hand down her back, he pulled her tighter to his front. "It is morning. We have just finished first meal."

"I believe so," she closed her eyes.

"What are saying?"

"I will take my leave then if you have her," Harald spoke from where he waited, standing to the side.

"Yess," Ivar hissed, sounding like a snake. "I have her." Running his hands up and down the backs of her arms, he watched Harald turn and make his way out through the hall doors and into the muted, morning sun.

"My love," she uttered against the leathers of his chest. "The light in here is too bright. I will retire if I am not needed this evening."

"Aethelswith? You are making no sense. I am taking you back to our room and calling for the healer."

"Do not fuss. I am sure I am just tired."

"You are shaking and your skin feels damp. I will take you back regardless."

"No, Ivar." Pushing away from him, she peered up at his face. Focussing, with effort, not to appear as unsteady as she felt. "I will just go to sleep anyway," she dropped her voice to a volume only he could hear. "I believe.... yes, yes he was...Harald was asking questions about my brother's army and land. Many questions. Stay with him...stay with the men....yes, with the men," she repeated, nodding her head. "I will be fine. Wake me later if I am still asleep and I am sure I will feel fresh again."