Snow - Ivar / Hvitserk (Vikings)

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Cheers erupted across the great hall as Ivar finished his toast to the new king and queen of Manafell. Hvitserk and Brenna acted the part of a loving couple well enough, but you could tell he wasn't entirely comfortable acting so intimate with a woman he'd just met. He probably felt the way you did on your wedding day, when life as you know it was ripped from you and turned completely upside down.

"My queen, would you like to say a few words?"

All eyes were on you, including Hvitserk's, so you stood, raised your glass and began to lie through your teeth.

"I am so happy for the two of you, may you have a long and happy marriage. My king and I are blessed to witness this wonderful occasion and I know that I speak for the both of us when I say that we are honored not only to be allies, but to be family."

The happy howling started up again and the drinks began to flow. You took cues from Brenna and played the part of a happy queen, smiling and laughing along at stupid jokes. You took sips of mead from your cup, and pretended to care about any of this.

"Look at us now."

Ubbe stepped up beside your throne and leaned against the arm. He too was nursing a drink and trying to care. Torvi was nowhere in sight.

"Hello Ubbe, how are you?"

"Two people that I love, that love each other, are now married to separate people that neither of them want. My own wife wants to leave our home because our family is so broken. I have been better."

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know. Torvi and returned from this raid and things have changed again. Kattegat used to be a place of comfort for me, now it feels like a war zone. We don't belong here anymore."

"Ubbe, please do not give up, listen to me and know that everything is going to be OK. Relay the message to Torvi, and stay here long enough to join the rain on Hedeby. I need you both more than you know."

"Hello brother," Ivar leaned across this own throne and over you, "I haven't seen you since before you left for the raid. How are you?"

"I'm great, Ivar, just great."

Ubbe walked away before Ivar could say another word and a look of amusement crossed his features.

"Ubbe does not care very much for me, does he? What was it you two were talking about, my queen?"

"Torvi is pregnant again, and she's having a very tough time of it. It's the reason she hasn't been here lately for meals. He's worried for her health and I was just telling him that it's going to be OK."

It wasn't a total lie, but Ivar looked satisfied with your answer and turned his attention back to the festivities.

The two of you retired to your chamber early into the morning, both thoroughly exhausted after a long day of celebrating Hvitserk's wedding. Hvitserk would finally be gone, and Ivar had won. He had you all to himself.

"My love, are you still awake?"

"Just barely," you sighed into the pillow, "what is wrong Ivar?"

"Can I trust you to lead Kattegat while I am away? Can I really trust you?"

"I am your queen, who could you trust more?"

"I don't know. I just wanted to make sure. What did you and Hvitserk talk about when you were alone?"

"Weren't you listening?"

You heard him shuffling the blankets around and felt his arm wrap around your waist and pull you into his chest.

"No, I was not. I know you never wanted to marry me but I was hoping that with time you would warm up to me. I want you to trust me and in return I have to trust you."

"We said our goodbyes. We acknowledged that as much as we care for one another, our paths have taken us in different directions and that we have to keep going."

"You aren't lying to me, are you my love?"

This was the moment that was going to put all of your plans into action. It was either a ruse and Ivar had been listening the entire time or it was the moment when he put complete trust in you. If he knew you were lying, he would surely set you aside, maybe even kill you, and that would be the end of your rule.

"No, Ivar. I will not lie to you ever again, even if the truth is not what you want to hear."

You envisioned his hands wrapped around your throat, choking the life out of you. Violent coughs and gasps escaped your lips as you struggled to breathe. I love you, he would say as his grip tightened and the color drained from your face.