Sigrid the Haughty

Mourning Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye

Leaning across Sigurd's body, you place one of your gold bangles by his side. Sniffing in an attempt to hold back your tears as you look to him, lying there, lifeless. Dressed richly, clutching his sword so he may be accepted into Valhalla. Björn, Ubbe, and Hvitserk had decided to perform a weapon burial, although you had suggested a human sacrifice to appease the Gods. You watch as numerous axe's and shield's are added around the grave. Looking to Ubbe and Hvitserk stood on your left, your mind crawls reluctantly back to the moment Sigurd had fallen to the floor, bleeding slowly to death in front of you and his brothers, and you had clawed helplessly at him to sit up.

All you could think of to put your mind at rest was to decorate his grave sight in the best way available to you all, here in England. Björn raises his hands and calls warriors to begin laying the food offerings at Sigurd's feet. Followed by weapons, metal caskets, and pieces of animal sacrifices. Siv steps forward and lays a wooden bowl just above Sigurd's head, inside it sits a sheepshead that you had sacrificed in the name of Odin before the funeral had begun. You prayed to the Gods as you slit its throat, for them to forgive you for not reacting sooner. Perhaps if you had done so, you would have been able to stop Ivar...

Stood between Ubbe on your left and Björn to your right, you see Ubbe step forward. He kneels by his brother and places an axe wrapped in black leather, beside his head. He looks up to where Ivar is sat, away from you and the brothers. You keep your eyes fixed on Sigurd, tears forming in your eyes again. If you were to look to Ivar, you were scared of how you would react. No doubt you would scream and claw at him. But you did not wish to make a scene, not here. A part of you also felt as though if you looked over to him you may feel the urge to comfort him. But how could you think to do such a thing, standing over Sigurd's body?

All funerals you had attended prior to this had been to some extent joyous affairs. Apart from that of your Mother. Where many wept, including your Father. That had been the first and last time you had seen him breakdown in such away. It scared you to see him show weakness. But the majority of funerals were noisy, even happy affairs. As your Father's had been. People sang and danced, as he would have wanted. You, of course, did not join the celebrations. You sat by the grave and spoke to your father for hours before rejoining the other mourners.

You notice Hvitserk shift and you are brought back from sitting in your memories, to stand at Sigurd's funeral. The back of Hvitserk's wrist knocks his nose as he sniffs. No doubt trying to hide how hurt he is in this moment. His brother had been taken from him and in his eyes, Ivar has changed beyond recognition. The somber tone held in the air like a bad smell.

You gaze up from Sigurd and across to the mourners standing with hands clasped in front of them. Your eyes wander and you see Ivar. Sat motionless, watching Sigurd, almost willing him to take a breath. Something glistens in his eyes, then rolls down his cheek. 'Is he crying?' you think to yourself. Studying Ivar as closely as you can from the distance you are stood. The brothers, King Harald, Halfdan, and your maidens follow you to look at him.

As you watch him, staring at his lifeless brother's body laid out in front of him, his eyes jolt up to meet yours. Ignoring his brother's stares who stand beside you. Your heart sinks, seeing him in pain. But his actions have placed him so far out of reach for you to even attempt to console or aid him. Björn, Ubbe, and Hvitserk take a final look at Sigurd, and Björn raises his arms a final time.

"Cover him" he speaks, his voice filled with sorrow as he stares daggers into Ivar.

A few men approach with shovels and begin to cover the grave with dirt. Mourners trailing off back down the hill to the camp, chatter beginning to build amongst them. You stand for a while until only you and the brothers remain. Dirt flying around you as you slowly watch Sigurd's face and body become consumed by the earth.

"He sits in Odin's hall now, waiting for you to join him when you are already" you speak, through teary eyes, looking to face the three brothers still stood with you, watching the earth begin to heap on top of their brother.

Ubbe places a hand on your back. Silent in his response but his gesture lets you know he is grateful for what you say. Hvitserk, also silent, grabs the hilt of his sword on his hip, sniffs, and moves quickly from the gravesite. As if he can bear it no longer, looking to Ivar for a split second as he moves towards the camp. Björn and Ubbe move to follow him down the hill walking alongside one another, paying no mind to Ivar.

Standing, frozen...you scan down the heaping mound of dirty, towards Ivar. Meeting his gaze, you clench your jaw in anger. Still unable to formulate anything to say to him. You felt so much love in your heart for this man, but an overwhelming feeling comes over you as he stares into your soul with pleading eyes.

'If he can kill his own brother in cold blood, are the feelings he holds for me real, is he using me for his own gain? Was Sigurd right? Is he crazy? Perhaps Ubbe and Hvitserk have warned me against Ivar for good reason...' your thoughts rattle inside your brain.

Snapping your vision down to towards feet, you begin to walk down the brow of the hill. Following after Ivar's brothers, leaving him sat over his brothers grave...alone with his thoughts.