Sigrid the Haughty

Scourge of the World

You began to fidget, after being sat on a tree stump for hours now. You ventured into the forest to think about all that had happened since arriving in England. It was here deep in the woods, that you discovered Floki hard at work on a small boat. You did not want him to leave, he was one of the only people that you could trust and loved with all your heart. But you understood that there was nothing left for him here. Although you had protested against his plans at first, you soon came to understand that his decisions were his own and there was nothing you could do to change his mind. You had spoken at length about Ivar's actions, the way in which he murdered Sigurd and how he had changed so drastically since then.

Floki had watched you rise and fall through your moods. Crying, screaming and laughing as the conversation progressed over the many minutes you had sat there observing him slowly build his vessel. You found it so therapeutic to watch him strip, carve and sand the wood, as you had many times as a child. As he worked, he spoke to you wisely regarding your feelings for Ivar. Together you were able to discover, that no matter what Ivar had said or done, you would always hold love for him. The Gods intended for you to be together and for good or ill, your paths would be intertwined until death. Your conversation then began to grow to a close.

"Princess, all of your questions can be answered by me asking you this... When you think of the future. Your future. Do you see Ivar there, beside you?" he looked to you from the rope he was gathering in his hand.

"I do. But I can not bear to watch his relationship with his brothers deteriorate much further Floki. After Sigurd, I can not stand by and watch him make the same mistakes." you sigh.

"Ivar will always have to appear strong to his brothers. You know that as well as I. But you are right Princess. If Ivar should ever choose to fight against his brothers...it will be the end of our world as we know it ." looking to you now, a discerning expression on his face.

Before you can question him, you hear leaves rustling in the distance.

"Floki...why are you building a toy..." Ivar cuts himself short, as he notices you stand from behind a pile of wooden planks that had been hiding you from view.

You do not look at him, still finding it too painful to do so.  "Goodbye Floki, please make sure to come and see me before you set sail." you smile to him.

"Of course Princess" he reflects your smile as he looks up to you from his lowered boat.

"Sigrid..." Floki whispers to you before you have a chance to walk away. His voice low enough as to not allow Ivar to hear his words. "I will speak to him..." his voice grows so quiet you struggle to hear.

"Thank you Floki..." you murmur as you turn to walk from the boat and down the plank laid on the floor towards Ivar.

"My love" he almost cries out. As you look to him, you notice that unfamiliar glint in his eyes. Tears begging to roll down his cheeks.

"Come and find me after you have spoken with Floki..." you smile trying to take Floki's words on board and begin to move on.

He reaches his hand up to yours and stops you.
"I will" he croaks, with his hand gripping yours firmly. You let out a small smile as you begin to walk back past Ivars chariot and to camp.

***

Later than day, Floki visits your tent. He speaks to you of how Ivar's heart is broken. He believes that Ivar truly did not intend to kill Sigurd and advises you that the tragic loss must not fade into memory, but you all must learn from it. Things must move forward for the sake of all of your people, or it will all be for nothing.

He continues to tell you of how Ivar's heart breaks for many reasons, the loss of his brother, his brothers no longer trusting him and that he fears you no longer love him as you did. Deep in conversation, you both do not notice Ivar enter your tent. Until he coughs loudly to announce his presence.

"IVAR" you jolt and scold him, your hand covering the blade in your boot.

Floki looks between you both for a moment, smiles to himself in the silence, and stands.

"Floki..." you reach for his arm and pull him into a hug. He sighs and wraps his arms around you tightly.

"Do not weep Princess, we shall all see each other again...in this life or the next, I am sure of it." he strokes your hair as you weep into his chest.
"I must go and prepare the boat..." he looks to Ivar who nods up at him, his expression similar to yours. Floki kisses the top of your head and walks to exit the tent. Leaving the two of you alone.

"I am sorry..." Ivar says faintly, looking down to his hands held in front of him fiddling with his hooked axes.

"I know"

"Seeing you stood there, with my brothers, over Sigurds grave...broke me. It truly was the lowest point of my life."

"Ivar" you sigh. Not quite believing his exaggerated words.

"It is true. When I sailed away from my Father here in England, leaving him to die I felt helpless. I felt the same way when my brothers told me of how my Mother had been killed in my absence. But I do not want to associate that feeling with you, especially when it is me who has caused you to look at me as you did..." his voice grew coarse as if he were holding back floods of tears as he spoke.

You approach him and crouch down. Until you are at eye level. Your hand reaching for his chin to pull his gaze up to meet yours. "Ivar...if we are to move past this you must promise me something."

"Anything...I am so sorry Sigrid, you must believe me"

"You must never fight your brothers! For the sake of our people...and if not for them, for me..."

Before you can finish your sentence, his lips are on yours. His palm on your neck and his fingers wrapping around to the back of it . Your eyes shut as if they have been weighed down by his touch. A tingling feeling spreads across your body and you cannot help but return the kiss. He made you feel as though everything else faded out of existence. All your worries and doubts floated away like smoke and ash from a fire.