Fandom Imagines and Preferences VI

Athelstan- Bucket (a)

Vikings One Shot

Ragnar's slave priest Athelstan cowered in his hood as he dredged towards Ragnar's home on return from a trip to the market.

"Wonderful robes." He jumped backwards as you approached him. "Where can I get a set for myself? I think to be honest they would suit me quite well."

"Oh... umm... thank you? I think you would struggle to find some unless you found a way to travel across the ocean. Of course, Ragnar has his ships but a trip by yourself... you might struggle." In shaking hands he held two heavy looking buckets, one iron handle dug deeply into each of his hands and his hopefully temporary homestead was still a good walk away over uneven terrain.

"Here, let me take one of those for you." He moved his hand away as you attempted to sweep one of the buckets from his grasp. "Oh don't be ridiculous, you are a English priest, you are not built for carrying or doing anything even slightly manual."

"I do not know if Ragnar would take so kindly to me accepting help, especially somebody like you."

"You think just because I am the eldest daughter of Earl Haraldson... by Odin's beard do not be so stupid. Come, give me a bucket. It would only take one sentence from my lips and my father would have you handing from the nearest bridge." His head swivelled on his shoulders, glaring for anybody that would get him in trouble. As he looked away you snatched the bucket from his fingers and instantly saw the relief as he stretched out his fingers. "Do not feel the need to tread on eggshells, I know most people opinions of my father, especially Ragnar. I can only say I do not oppose them for the most part." Despite your much smaller stature carrying the bucket was a breeze, you only made it look harder than it was for Athelstan's sake.

"Why are you helping me? I am a slave and you are the Earl's daughter. Surely you should be watching from afar being served by people in a similar position to me."

"I do not crave the power and money that my father has. I seek a simple life of farmstead and cattle; the life of an Earl does not seem like one for me. I can only presume his greed is a compensation for a less than lacklustre life." Athelstan's chapped lips furled into a tight grin. "Do not worry, you're allowed to laugh, you will not be punished."

"You are kind, thank you." Athelstan bowed slightly. "I am still expecting you to jam a dagger into my back but at least the pleasantries are a nice change beforehand."

~*~

Written by Aaron.