Askeladd - Thorfinn x reader -

15.

Chapter 15
The land of Wales  

Just as Y/n pulled her hand away from the prince, a pack of arrows rained down from the rocky mountains. 
Fortunately it was just a bluff, a show of military might. 
Asser, the name of the man in charge of the forces, threatened in the tongues of wales to seize the prince and use Canute as a shield against English wars. 
The prince was called upon to speak to the men that drew bows against them, Askeladd informing the prince that he'd be translator. 
But the prince choked up. 

"So we have to give up our weapons?" Y/n raised a brow as she took off the piece of fabric that kept her sheathed sword on her back. She handed it over to her father who was leaning against the wagon and only nodded his head. 

"It's only for show. We'll pretend to be prisoners while crossing their land. Our weapons will be returned when we're over the border. This way the welsh maintain their honor, and we avoid a pointless fight. It's a compromise." He explained simply which Y/n nodded her head understandingly, thinking back to when Askeladd was speaking a language she couldn't understand to the men. 

"I simply cannot wrap my mind around the willingness of your men to relinquish their weapons at a simple order, they choose to massacre us the instant we're unarmed." Ragnar said, very hesitant on giving up his only weapon-- that being his sword. 

His statement made Askeladd chuckle, "Impressive isn't it? Even now, my men really trust me." Askeladd smirked before turning his attention to Thorfinn who sat with his arms crossed, "Your short swords too Thorfinn--" 

"Fuck off baldy." 

"PFFTT-" Y/n slapped a hand over her mouth to suppress her laughter, Askeladd's eye twitching in annoyance. "What strong trust you two've got going on hm?" Y/n joked earning a glare from Thorfinn. 

"Ahh, there's that trust."  Ragnar also teased, earning an eye roll from Askeladd. 

"Don't get the wrong idea conehead. This windbag here isn't my leader-- he's my enemy." Thorfinn corrected while kicking one of his legs over the other. 

"Enemy?" 

"Fine, you're both exempt, I'm sure they'll be magnanimous enough to overlook two men." Askeladd had had enough with the two and decided to leave them be with their weapons, before he could turn away to walk off though Y/n called out his name making him turn back around. 

"I didn't know you spoke the language of wales..?" One of Y/n's brows raised in confusion, she thought the only other language her father could speak was english. The man only turned once again on his heels, 

"Surprise." He left Y/n hanging on the question making her groan in annoyance. 

"Here we go! Resume march!" 

A loud yawn sounded from the girl who still sat between Thorfinn and the prince. She could careless about the whispers and stares of the welsh villagers who watched them pass with wide eyes, she was just happy she didn't have to walk anymore and was blessed with the luxury to sit in the wagon. All at the measly price of guarding the prince. 

"Thorfinn." 

Y/n called out to the bad tempered boy who only grumbled in response, obviously not in the mood to talk.