CROWNED

Brother, Brother

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It wasn't long before the sails had reached York. In a voyage full of constant questions about the conquered city, there was little room for private discussions between the married couple.

However, Ivar remained his glorious self and continued to discreetly ask his wife doubtful questions about the trust she had on the plan she'd formed herself. He didn't have a chance to ask her to thoroughly explain it to him –as they would normally do when executing a plan– so Ivar had risked to proceed blindly, placing his trust on his wife. Only time could tell the efficiency of it all.

With time running short, within a few minutes after disembark, they had gathered in the city's debate room to discuss the steps they were to follow. Seeing that Hvitserk was the only person of authority whilst the couple was absent, the whole town was informed about the prince's capture, having spread panic among the people who would've been better off staying in the dark.

The brunette prince tapped his fingers on his knuckles rhythmically while thinking. "We do not know which king he is or how many people he has in his army. We must be cautious" he spoke, his eyes scanning the room for the reactions of the rest of the royals.

The crippled king rolled his eyes and inched to make some remark about his brother pointing out the fairly obvious, but the blonde woman shot him a pointed look before speaking first. "Indeed. His motives may lie further than just conquest with the hold he has over Hvitserk... Perhaps he sought to bring you here" she thought aloud, leaning back on her chair.

"I agree" said the prince, nodding before looking away out the window. "It is probably best we speak with him and see what he wants" he suggested, turning his head to look at his older brother who seam to take his stated words into consideration.

Ivar scoffed, rolling his eyes once more. "And what is there to say, hm?" he asked, pitching his voice sarcastically while challenging his brother with his look. "Is holding Hvitserk hostage not enough for you to see that this is an act of war?" he asked again knitting his eyebrows as he awaited his brother's answer.

Ubbe turned his body to fully face the cripple "There is more to life than war, Ivar" he spoke, words to which the youngest man scoffed at.

"Why are you holding back, Ubbe? Do you not want to save Hvitserk?" Ivar questioned, as if challenging the love Ubbe had for his brother.

The prince's eyes widened slightly as he fixed his posture. "Of course I want to save him" he reacted, making Bjorn sigh when he'd realized he had to play peacemaker for his brothers.

A sharp knock interrupted the argument before it got out of hand and one of York's guards entered the room. "Forgive me for the interruption, your Graces, but the scouts have returned" he spoke, making everyone shift in anticipation.

Asdis straightened her back. "Which king is it then?" she asked the guard.

The man gave a look to the ragnarssons before looking back to the queen and speaking "It is King Harald, your Majesty" he answered, his eyebrows knitting together.

The blonde saw the recognition in the men's eyes before she turned back to the guard and giving him a curt nod so that he could take off. "You know him, I assume?" she asked her eyes trailing the sons as they looked among each other.

Bjorn turned to look at the woman "He rules over a small kingdom named Vestfold, northern from Kattegat. He and his brother assisted us on the avenge of our father's death" the king explained his gaze getting lost along with his thoughts.

Nevertheless he shook his head "Regardless, this is your city" his eyes reached the queen once more. "It is your decision whether we go to arms or not" he stated, and the woman slowly tilted her head, slightly surprised at the king giving her full responsibility of making the decision.