heavy lies the head that wears the crown

The recognition of the man as a Viking had the queen maneuvering her daughter behind her- the young princess peaking out curiously from around her mother's back. Caoimhe had no trust for Vikings- few of the Irish did. Many of them had come to her homeland, attacked her people, tried to lay siege to her land.

“You-“ a small smile slipped from his lips. “Worried about me?” It was silly. To be- what was he, glad?- that the man he had fallen into bed with before knowing his name had thought of him. Had he made so much of an impression?

" i am sure you would have liked that. " the vikings eyes rolled, though a smirk was not far behind - ale back in hand to wash down his words. " enough drink and i may still consider it. "

"Haven't you got someone else to sink your fangs into?" The Viking winked at his leader, leaning back in his seat. "I hear you have royalty lined up, just waiting for a chance at the fearsome outlaw." Leif grinned at the picture in his head, the stuffy royals who filled the castle queueing up outside Aksel's tent, just waiting for their turn at wooing him. "How is it you manage it?"

He sat on the offered piece of the blanket, pulling his knees to his chest, curling in an attempt to keep in warmth despite the frigid air. “You’ll need some gloves soon princeling.” Leif took the stone in hand, turning it over. “Or you’re likely to freeze your fingers off.” He could remember his mamma telling him the same thing, giving him warnings about the cold, helping him into his coat, wrapping a scarf around mother’s neck before sending them off. The stories of frostbite had stayed with him, and he had no wish to experience it himself.

marius could not compare his guards to one another, they were too different - polar opposites in fact. they botth had their flaws and their strengths but ilja had been loyal, even if it had been to his wife up until her death. " he did not protect her from slaughter anymore than i did and she was my queen, brother. i can hardly judge a man when i also failed. " the king glanced to the ground, taking a moment to compose himself before he looked to kázmér once more. he would bite his tongue, this time knowing better than to say too much. " i didn't know you wanted me to turn to you, i was of the opinion that you'd rather be left alone. but if that is not the case then... perhaps we could work together for now on? "

There was no love lost for the guards his brother kept employed. Kázmér was a jealous man in every aspect- as a child he had pouted when his siblings received attention from their parents, then when they had made friends, of Zosia when she had been so skilled when he froze in battle. He was prone to pouting. “Your duty is to run a kingdom, his was to keep her safe.” It was an easier role, to protect one person. Kázmér was prone to holding grudges- and his one for his sister-in-law and her paramour had began before she met her end. “Of course I wish you to turn to me. I am your brother- I am the crown prince.” How long for, he wondered? "I thought- I got in your way. Was a pest, an annoyance. I want to be useful, to you, to our country. You will have dozens of guards, but you only have two brothers."

"They are lucky to have you," the queen said with a smile. A trusted nanny, a good friend, Bea themself- Caoimhe is not sure which she means. Few members of her court would scold her- she would allow so few to. Caoimhe had come into her throne young, had been forced to learn to be a monarch while others attempted to maneuver her simply due to her youth.

layla   swallows   the   huff   that   sits   at   the   back   of   her   throat   .   yet   .   short   but   the   whole   truth   in   mother’s   sentence   .   sooner   or   later   ,   so   she   knew   ,   history   would   be   written   and   she   would   be   separated   from   her   family   .   it   was   what   daughters   were   supposed   to   do   after   all   .   she   bites   her   tongue   .   her   parents   ,   perhaps   ,   the   only   people   who   would   bring   her   to   do   it   was   she   not   one   to   disrespect   the   title   of   family   ,   the   hierarchy   there   ,   the   deep   respect   that   a   child   must   carry   for   their   elders   .   “   i   am   respectful   ,   anne   .   “   she   replies   simply   ,   gaze   thrown   to   the   grounds   .   with   the   gray   consuming   scotland   there   was   none   to   admire   out   here   anyway   .   the   thought   of   future   however   ,   not   so   easily   ignored   .   

Mihrimah sighed, reaching a hand up to gently caress her daughter's face. "I know, I know." She had always hoped her children would have easier lives- that they would find happiness. So much of Mihrimah's own youth had been filled with uncertainty- with the gnawing hunger of an empty belly, with the exasperated sighs when shoes wore through or her elder siblings grew out of clothes, the constant scraping of coins to make ends meet. Her children would not know such things- they could never become bargaining pieces. "We shall take it each day at a time, my dear."

He leaned down to pet Synfull's head, scratching behind his ears. "When are you thinking of going?" Kázmér asked his younger brother, glancing up at him from the dog. "I could go for a drink." He gave a shrug of his shoulders. "If you'd like some company."

@liesthehead (leif)

Leif was not exactly known for his ability to stay in one spot for long periods of time. The same view each day became too routine, too boring- it was no wonder the Viking had taken to exploring. He was curious by nature, plotting out much of the land surrounded the camps in his head.

"Not as far as I've heard." It was open season on Hungarians as far as Dorothea knew- besides passing dalliances, the royal family all appeared to be single or recently widowed. Rumours had circled about some of the members, but all she had heard had been concerning the elder Hungarians. "She has had at least one betrothal but that was called off before they left Hungary. Would you like me to see about a formal introduction between the two of you?"

Caoimhe let out a light laugh, shaking her head. “I would say so.” It was nice to be in the company of a familiar face- much better than had her daughter attacked a stranger. "Crisp air, a brisk walk, fresh snow to entertain- what could one complain for?" The cold wind, the official end to the harvest, the confirmation that they would be here until the weather cleared- if Caoimhe allowed herself to dwell she could easily come with a list. "What of you? All settled?"

“If you’re offering I will not refuse.” She grinned at her friend. Little Niamh was fond of her godfather and would not complain about being left in his care like she would one of Caoimhe’s ladies-in-waiting. “It would be nice to speak without little ears listening in.”

" there were, though i fear there are not so many now. especially with the snow... " no doubt they would be starting to hide which meant less food. surely the scottish king would have to be a little kinder unless he would rather risk war. " i do. thank you. " he nodded his head as a small smile rest on his lips. he wondered for a moment how dagmar would take the news of his potential return, but that could wait. " yes, he's with the madsen clan now. he seems.. content so i daren't ask him to leave. "

“The winter will be hard.” Snow had already begun sticking to the ground, sending game scattering for their nests and caves, hibernating through the worst of it. “How is he faring? I hear they receive even less rations then us.” Dagmar had not spent time in the Viking camps- could barely tell the difference between the clans, knew of them only in passing.

@liesthehead (thea)

Blue eyes followed his hand as he took the drink, brow raising at the lack of manners. “Princess Ezsti?” Dorothea clarified. She had always been adept at remembering faces and names, cataloguing series of facts about them inside her mind. “No she does not. The only children they have are the king’s daughter and Princess Zosia’s three.” She moved her hand, taking her cup and maneuvering it out of his grasp. “Why do you ask? Are you interested? She is quite pretty.”

" if you have someone better in mind then you're welcome to suggest it, kázmér. i will hear it. " marius was running out of options and ilja seemed to the better fit. the dismissal of his mention regarding the scottish prince didn't go unnoticed, the thought of pestering his brother nagged at the back of his mind when their sister arose in conversation. " then i will send zosia. " his nose wrinkled. not ideal but she had a sharp tongue. " i asked him to to keep watch of my daughter, he cannot do that while sitting in a cell. unless you would prefer to do it? "

Kázmér knew he should hold his tongue- and he did, for the most part. He did not say what was obvious to anyone who looked. Instead when Kázmér spoke the words that came out were "You trust the man who could not stop the slaughter of your wife despite being her guard to protect Zsofia?" He wondered for a moment if that is why Marius had asked him. "Someone better?" He scoffed. "Guards come and go Marius- they are only as loyal to you as long as your coin fills their pockets and even that is rarely enough. I am- I am your blood, your shadow- yet you turn to these men who have done nothing but betray you before you do me."

“I’m a prince,” he reminded. “I glance too long at a woman in the corridor and there are rumours of my impending betrothal.” He had long ago given up on rumours. Sure, he listened what his family members' names were mentioned, but he knew what was true concerning himself- most of the time at least.