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When I woke, the previous night was like an odd haze of memories. It all seemed so unreal, like a dream that I'd not yet forced myself from. I knew that I'd succumbed to weakness, I'd made the vital mistake that no queen should ever make - I'd let my emotions cloud my judgement. But perhaps this was for the greater good. We were all just serving at the hand of fate, following our paths as we were meant to. And who was I to deny the Gods? It seemed so clear to me; my fate was to be with Hvitserk.
I rolled onto my side, looking over at the young prince that lay beside me. For once, he wasn't overtaken by sleep, and simply seemed in a pensive state as his bright blue eyes met mine.
"So," He whispered in the darkness of night, our faces still mere inches apart from the previous kiss that we'd shared. He took a deep breath, trying to figure out what exactly I was thinking - the truth was, even I couldn't figure that out. "What are you going to do?"
I gulped back the lump in my throat, contemplating his words for only the briefest moment. "I suppose I will be returning with you to Kattegat." I smiled, such a true and genuine smile. I'd not felt so happy in so many years. "Though I don't think I can march my men to help you without cause."
He chuckled, slowly entwining his fingers with mine - the moonlight illuminating this tender moment like even the Gods were watching. "Talk to Ubbe about that," He gave a mischievous smirk, pulling me in for another kiss. "The only one I want is you."
"Hello." I whispered past a bright smile, gently resting my head back on his chest.
"Hello." He smiled back, softly tucking a strand of midnight hair behind my ear.
I gave a short sigh, a tiny hum of joy. I couldn't help but wish that this moment would last forever, that this tiny sliver of perfection would continue eternally. If I could stop the sun and the moon, and make that brief second last for a thousand years, I would've done it in a heartbeat. Because, for once in my life, I was truly happy.
The smile that spread through me was one that didn't seem to become tarnished with any pain. It was pure, beautiful, a kind of joy that I had never before known. My whole life, I'd felt nothing but solitude. I'd become so cold, so used to the pain that it was all that I knew. But it seemed that I didn't have to be alone anymore, and finally I could not feel the pain.
"You didn't wake me." I muttered, not really caring as I sunk deeper into the warm embrace of furs and wool blankets.
"You looked peaceful," Hvitserk returned. There was silence, still and calm in the early hours of morning that came just before sunrise. Golden lights had already began shimmering in the distance setting a glow over the frozen landscape that warmed the darkness ever so slightly. Faint hints of sunlight peaked through the clouds, shimmering on the frosty ground like gold dust. Again he gave a small smirk, pressing a kiss atop my head with devious sparkle in his bright eyes. "I thought I should let you rest after last night."
For some reason, I couldn't help but blush. Like a little girl, I felt myself become giddy at the thought and gently pulled up the furs to hide my reddened cheek. "How considerate of you." I gave a small grin, pressing a small peck against his lips. "Won't your brothers be discussing the Saxons that have made camp a few miles away? Shouldn't we be there?"
He gave a small hum of agreement, closing his eyes with a small smirk. "If you wish to join my brothers," He began, wrapping an arm around my waist to hold me closer. "Feel free to go."
I wasn't sure whether to chastise him for being a bad influence, or simply chuckle at his trouble causing, so I simply lay back onto his chest - resting my head just above his heart as it's rythm slowly began to make me fall asleep again. I could hear him chuckle to himself, knowing that he'd succeeded in his quest to make me late. But I didn't at all care about being late. Not enough to move, at least.
A knock on the door made my head jolt up, listening as Hvitserk gave a small groan of annoyance beside me. Without another word, Ubbe barged in to meet his brother.
When his eyes met mine, me holding a fur tightly to cover myself, Ubbe quickly averted his gaze. "Sorry I- uhm I was looking for Hvitserk."
"Yes, brother?" I could hear the grin in Hvitserk's voice without even having to look at him. Hvitserk gently, positioned himself in front of me, moving his arm back to protectively keep me behind him. I knew the gesture was not at all because of Ubbe, merely because he'd somehow managed to do the impossible - he'd melted the stone heart of the queen whom everyone else feared.
Ubbe looked over at us, sending a proud smile towards his little brother before he explained that we were needed. I lay back down, letting out a small groan as the door closed behind Ubbe.
"I don't want to go." I sighed, noting the cold chill that permeated the late autumn air.
As I looked back towards the Ragnarsson, he gave me a bright grin before pulling me under him. I gave a laugh, looking up at him brightly as I waited for his next action.
"We still have time." He responded, closing the gap between us again.
