Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 2

My brother came running into the house, a large grin on his face, "They're back!" he shouted gleefully.

I abandoned the shirt I was repairing and followed Ivar out. We dashed across the field, dodging around cattle and sheep that were in our way. We made it to the other side and leaned on the fence as we watched the line of battle-weary men marching past. I craned my neck for the sight of our father but could not find him.

"Where's dad?" Ivar asked me.

"I'm not sure. Don't worry, he's somewhere," I replied, slowly growing worried.

"I want to see dad," Ivar insisted.

"Maybe we missed him. He could be riding at the front of the line," I tried to comfort Ivar.

"Let's go to the hall then," Ivar suggested.

I nodded my head and took his hand in mine. Together we strode off towards Earl Ragnar's hall where the warriors would surely all be congregating.

~~~~~

We arrived at the outskirts of the homestead. I couldn't see through the mass of men that were assembled. I held Ivar's hand tightly as I tugged him through the crowd. We maneuvered our way to the front where I spotted Earl Ragnar giving orders to men to take the captives inside the hall and tie them up. He was smiling at his wife and children. I pulled Ivar along as we edged our way closer to Earl Ragnar. His face fell when he saw us approach. A stone hit my heart and I felt my knees buckling beneath me. Ivar, still oblivious, was cheering and trying to pull me closer to Earl Ragnar.

"I'm so sorry," were the first words I heard out of the Earl's mouth.

"He's in Valhalla now?" I asked, praying to the Gods that our father had made it Valhalla, the hall of the warriors.

"He is," Earl Ragnar nodded.

"Dad's dead?" Ivar asked, looking from me to Earl Ragnar, his face falling.

"Not dead, feasting in the hall of warriors," I tried to comfort him.

"But he's not coming back to us?" Ivar asked.

Sometimes I wished he wasn't so smart for his age.

"No, he's not," I replied quietly.

"I owe him my life," Earl Ragnar said, kneeling down and placing his hand on Ivar's shoulder. "Fear not, I will ensure you two are looked after. You have my word."

"Can we see him?" I asked, biting my lip.

"Aye. Kjartan!" Earl Ragnar called his man to his side.

"Lord," Kjartan replied.

"These are Ivar's children."

"I'm sorry," he said, turning to face us.

"Please take them to him," Earl Ragnar said.

"Do you think that a good idea Lord?" Kjartan asked.

"They asked," Earl Ragnar replied, standing up.

"Very well then Lord," Kjartan said, turning and indicating we should follow him.

We silently followed Kjartan to the shed were the dead were being prepared for proper burial. Ivar squeezed my hand tightly and did not let go as we walked the rows of white sheets. After what felt like an eternity, we stopped at one. Kjartan carefully pulled back the cover and we were met with our father's face. He looked older, but at peace. Ivar squealed in fright and hugged himself tightly to me. I said a quick prayer to the gods, farewell to our father, and we exited the shed, Ivar shaking, and me ready to cry. Kjartan looked at both of us with pity.

"If you need anything, you know where to find me," he said kindly.

I nodded my head and then led Ivar away back towards the hall. There was to be a feast that night. We arrived back at the hall right as people were being let in to celebrate. I recognized two other earls sitting at the high table with Earl Ragnar; Earls Ubba and Guthrum. I weaved us through the mass of men and sat Ivar down on the stairs. I told him to wait for me while I procured food for us. He nodded and clutched the railing tight. I quickly made my way through more bodies and swiped some meat and bread off the table. I returned to the stairs to find Ivar happily chatting to a solemn looking boy and a terrified looking girl.

"Ivar," I said sternly, recognizing the language of the other children to be Saxon.

"This is Brida and Uhtred," Ivar said, pointing to each of them.

I frowned at them and handed Ivar his food. The other two stared at our food and I felt slightly bad. They were children too; it wasn't their fault our parents fought each other. I ripped some bread off my piece and handed it to the girl, Brida. Ivar did the same and gave his to the boy, Uhtred.

"You speak our language?" Uhtred managed to ask through his mouthful.

"Earl Ragnar thought it important everyone be taught the Saxon tongue," I explained.

"I wish I were a Dane," Uhtred lamented sadly.

"Why?" I raised my eyebrow at him.

"I hate my family. They hate me," he spat.

"I'm sure they don't hate you," I tried.

"Oh, they do," he replied.

"Where are you from?" Ivar asked Brida.

She didn't reply, and just stared at us with terror in her eyes.

"We won't hurt you," I smiled at her.

Ivar nodded his head in agreement. Brida remained silent, and clutched Uhtred's wrist. I was about to try speaking to her again when a terrible scream was let out in the hall. Men began cheering and I turned to see a priest strung up above one of the tables. Lord Guthrum was rowdy and causing more cheering. I turned my attention back to the Saxon children.

"Don't mind them," I said.

"That is cruel," Uhtred replied, clearly looking over my shoulder at the priest dangling in the air.

"He's a prisoner," I shrugged.

"Will they do that to me?" Uhtred suddenly looked worried.

"Nah. That's for those religious men," I explained, taking another bite out of my meat.

"There are many tales of priests being disemboweled," Ivar said, a little too cheerily.

"Disemboweled?" Uhtred's nose scrunched up.

We were interrupted by Earl Ragnar's approach. He seemed amused that we had found each other but soon took Uhtred away and up the stairs, leaving Ivar, Brida, and I sitting on the steps. Over the course of the night Brida became more comfortable around us, and soon was clinging to my arm as she watched the adults drink, cheer, dance, and swear. It was growing late and I felt my eyelids growing heavy. Ivar was already passed out, his head on my lap. Brida was asleep against my arm. I wondered if I should wake them or allow myself to fall asleep where I was. I choose the latter and soon was drifting off.