blind hǿne kann og finna eit konn

“And a son” He said in a voice barely above a whisper “Only weeks after her, he was only a babe”

“A difficult time. What is the saying? When it rains, it pours.” He could not imagine what the fellow king had gone through. “I do not know what I would have done in your situation.”

Ingrid was silent in the face of that truth, and, indeed a truth it was. The siblings had a line of similar beliefs, all of which had been installed by the mother they both adored so. By their father to a point too, but for these two it always been their mother’s influence which had rang strongest. “It’s typically only on personal matters I disagree with you. On ruling ones, I think you often right.” 

“As monarch, most matters are of rule. Therefore, you should agree with me most of the time, dear sister.” He loved his sister, he did; but things often felt a competition with her. Whether for the last word as adults, or their mother’s attention as children; things were a game between them.

“The contrast is probably just starker to me then, the eldest was twelve when I took the throne and the youngest was five. They lost their mother only two weeks later.”

“I’m sorry for your loss; so many in such a short time. To become king and lose a wife...”

“I remember when mine where that age, I wish we’d stayed like that. I wasn’t king then, wasn’t even heir. I had more time with them, time to ensure they where safe but now I have to leave that to others”

“I was king before either were born. I must admit, it is much easier being both father and king in my own country.”

“Yes, I don’t allow the younger two to carry them at all times but they know where to find the should they need them. How old are your children?” he asked with curiosity. 

“My daughter is two and my son four. I could not think of putting a blade in Mikaela’s hand; she’s still scarce more than an infant.”

“I lost half of my family in the span of a year, one brother dying fighting beside me in battle. I cannot let anymore of them die if I can help it”  His voice sounding cold and detached. “They’re eighteen, fourteen and eleven”

Haakon nodded at the fellow monarch. “I understand that. At least your girls are of an age where it is unlikely they would harm themselves with a knife on accident. My own are far too young.”

“That a never knew. An that’s understandable no many outside of Scotland know it, bu’ some dialects are very similar tae Irish. Well I’m sure yer much better than me.”

“That’s quite interesting, them being alike. Is there not a country between Scotland and Ireland? As well, I probably have had more use of the languages than yourself.”

“No, indeed you are not a child. Your son, however, earned the scolding of a lifetime for looking up his nanny’s skirt.” She told him, amusement playing at her lips. “I just worry for you. What work do you have today?”

“He has done what?” Haakon shook his head, “Is he not too young to think of such things?” Old enough to begin his formal education, but too young for thoughts of girls. “Just some letters, and counsel with the advisors. I had a meeting this morning.”

“I shouldn’t have to remind you, my love.” She teased, running her fingers through his hair. “But then again it’s how a Queen gets to see her King these days. Twice is still not the three you should be eating.”

“I’m not a child who needs scolding, Karina.” He grasped her other hand, bringing it to his mouth for a chaste kiss. “I eat when I have time, and when I feel hungry.”

“And yet you still forget to eat more than once a day.” She murmured, perching on the arm of his chair. 

“Why remember when you come remind me so often?” He lifted his head to look at her, trying to hid a grin. “And I would say twice, not once.”

“One would hope we all have. I at least have ensured my daughters recall how to wield a knife and ensuring they know their way out”

“You’ve taught your daughters to hold a knife?” Haakon was slightly shocked, but after a moment of thought considered it a good idea after what had happened in Switzerland; for at least while they attended the summit. “What ages are they?”

“Oh, that is interesting. Could a ask, what is your wife’s native tongue? Oh no many, I speak a bit of Scottish Gaelic, that’s fae the north of Scotland, and tutors a’ve tried to teach me Latin and French but a could only stumble through them”

“Danish, it is almost understandable to Norwegian ears. I have never Scottish Gaelic, but am more than familiar with both Latin and French.”

“I did not expect strength but I expected more than we saw. I did not expect them to fail in such a way”

“Well I think we have learnt from that mistake.”

“For once, I’m in agreement with you.” As if she hadn’t just agreed with him a moment before. “Though, I think the Foie Gras a treat. This country is going to make me fat, I fear.”

“You agree with me more often than you like to think.”

“Languages are always fascinating, they’re all so different but all so lovely”

“I don’t think they’re all so different; my wife’s native language is not so different from Norwegian. Do you know many?”

“Where as for the Swiss, the most  they’ve heard of battle is tall tales from their mother”

He let out a quick chuckle. “Are they really men if they do not know battle? Stories are not the same as being there.”

“It’s a curious name, so’s tha other ‘kattegat’ but their nice, nicer that plain old north sea. S’more like the names we have at home.”

“Your language is curious to me, it is only right that mine is to you.”