𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓 / 𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐃

Originally posted by lucyllawless

……

..

.

..

…….

Silence

…..*heavy breath*

..“Yes..? Innocence is a type I fancy. I also fancy a fiery woman like a whip.”

He grin with a glare and growled.

She was an alpha, meant to be queen after all. “Do you desperately need a king this early?”

.

Could she tell him? All the doubts she had? Was she even ready to be Queen? She only went down this route to get what she truly desired. The seer made it certain that she will finally become a mother with Aesir, and being Queen was within that path of fate. All she wanted was a perfectly normal ordinary life. Do you desperately need a king this early? The questioned echoed through her. Would she change her mind and go back to Rune? Or will she continue to walk this unknown path with Aesir of life that has been long overdue? 

“Hush now, not so loud, Lothor,” Ingrid whispered, quickly rushing her hands over to cover his mouth. “Do I desperately need a King this early? Of course I do. All Kings and Queens needs help... Guidance. They say that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and that is the same for Hedeby.”

Originally posted by sparkling-lux

He busted out laughing, almost dropping his pole. She had her moments of making him legit genuinely happy. “I am blessed you’re in my life, already my day is made. Many thanks Ingrid, though you are still better at this game than I. I might be oblivious, but those women are either sheepish to bring it up. I merely do not wish to be forceful, don’t get me wrong I’m willing to be sweet on…and in the women. I wish for them to be willing.”

.

“It sounds to me that they’re more than willing. Now, what is this talk about this Dalisay girl? You like to prey on the innocent ones I see,” She said, a crooked grin appeared after she spoke. Knowing well that she can see right through him with his taste of women. She didn’t blame him, even the best warrior of Hedeby has to settle down and find a proper woman... And she had curve in her hips that were wide enough. Hopefully, plenty enough to handle Lothor. “Don’t break too many hearts, or I’ll fear you’ll top me in that. But I shall gladly hand you the crown.”

.

While it wasn’t common knowledge, Arvid was responsible for orchestrating the downfall of his once wife and while he might have been surprised by rumors circulating of Ingrid and Rune, it wasn’t because of the rumors themselves, but more because he didn’t understand the motivation. What was there to gain? It eluded him, but knowing the mind of a woman could be a difficult thing. Getting them to talk, however? Was generally far simpler.

And perhaps he had his own selfish motivations, a desire to understand Ingrid’s state of mind in the moment and to keep his own mind away from the lingering scars Hedeby wore after the raid. Denial was nothing more than the act of blinding yourself for the enemy and Arvid refused to do such a foolish thing, but thing, seeing how Ingrid was fairing and perhaps understanding her, it was important. You didn’t bet on a champion if they were wounded.

“Found a road with too many paths?” He inquired, not asking if she wanted to talk or if she wanted his advice. If he offered guidance, well. It would be far too easy for her to claim that he wasn’t in a position to give it, now wouldn’t it? He was partially surprised that she hadn’t sought out the seer for advice, and that was simply one surprise too many from Ingrid for his taste (Fine. Perhaps any surprise was too much.), but if it left her off balance enough to answer to his gentle hunt for answers, that was all the better.

.

Ingrid wouldn’t entirely say that she had found a road with too many paths... Meaning having many different options. She had a choice, and only one path she had to take. Picking one path would strip her away from the other path and all what Ingrid wanted to do is try to find a way in the middle in each other. Unfortunately, the middle of each paths were dark, muddy, and full of trees that she couldn’t see through. So what did she do? How did she choose? She allowed another to make the decision for her. 

“Well, in a sense. I wouldn’t necessary say too many paths. More like one or the other, but can’t have both despite wanting both.” Ingrid replied, shrugging her shoulders before whipping her hands on the cloth that was wrapped around her waist. “Is that how you felt when you left your wife?” She asked, knowing how boldly it was to ask the Prince. But it was something she had questioned all this time, along with others. Not that she knew his ex-wife personally at all, but Ingrid never saw Arvid as the marrying type, let alone loving type. Finding out he was getting married, Ingrid thought it was a sick joke created by his brother. 

@ofmortem​ asked: “  I prefer the company of the gods to stupid men. ”

“I’ll choose not to take that personally.” Reaching up to touch at the steadily darkening bruise on his temple, Arvid didn’t wince despite the tenderness of his skin. The blood had mostly remained inside, nothing to complain about. “But if I were to take it personally, I might ask which gods.”

Praying wasn’t a strange concept and the idea of actions being influenced by the gods wasn’t unheard of, and Arvid may not have pried if it wasn’t for what he knew of Ingrid’s mother - what everyone knew of Ingrid’s mother. It wasn’t a particularly subtle dig or even one that he expected to bring fruition in terms of interesting come backs, but it was harmless enough, an easy quip to call a joke.

Was Odin a better companion than a childhood companion? What of Loki? Heimdall? Thor? It would be easy to excuse.

But if she did say something interesting, or react oddly, well, that was good, too. Recent events had certainly been questionable enough, could Arvid be blamed for questioning those around him?

He shouldn’t be. Knowledge was power, after all, and sometimes the pursuit of power came paired with a smile instead of a sword - it didn’t make it any safer.

.

“You shouldn’t,” Ingrid replied with a rise to her brow. A small jestering smile formed at the edge of her lips, hinting that she was only just teasing him with her words. “It is obvious of my poor sense of judgment on men anyway,” It was a small jab with the gossip he has probably heard about Ingrid regarding ruining the happiness of Rune, and leaving him for another man that was very much so within the same group of people they’ve grown up with. 

Ingrid is a very religious woman, often seeking the Gods approval and advice. It was them that she had blamed for giving her family unique gifts, that she sees more as a curse than a blessing. An ordinary life was all that she had asked for. But it was her family’s secret that was now after many centuries, coming to full light. She didn’t want to hide who she was. Even if she tried... 

On some days, speaking with Arvid made her work days go faster. Spending hours talking while she worked made it all seem easier. Even when she wished she could just take a seat and rest her feet for only a few short seconds. In both hands, she held a few plates stacked together and cleaned around it, getting ready for the evening’s feast. It was the very first one since the Saxon invasion... Though, everyone was beginning to realize that it wasn’t the Saxons that raided their beloved home. “Which Gods? Vör, considering she is the goddess of wisdom. I could use some guidance,” 

Originally posted by jasonmomoaonline

beerserker​:

Originally posted by jasonmomoaxx

“Permanently borrowing” he smiled as be turned his head to see with eating grape and he gave a grin. Lothor returned to attend to getting a catch.

“She didn’t do well of mentioning such things to me. She should of bedded me beforehand, not speak to you about it and just fantasize about me.”

.

“Well, she made it very clear... That,” Ingrid hesitated, looking down with a wide grin that she quickly tried covering with her hand. She then waved her hand dismissing it all. “I am starting to understand that there’s plenty of women here that has sleepless nights about you. How cruel of you to become a better temptress than myself?”

.

“he will not know i am here ingrid. you could have escaped from your home a million different ways. please stop. i am just taking you somewhere safe! when it is safe you can return home, ragnar will never know. please let me help you.” his frustration was growing and growing with every word his siter threw his way. did she not understand he was trying to help her? to save her from the attack that was happening? how many times had he failed to be there for her and their mother. he would not let that happen again. “is that what you really wish? for me to be dead ingrid?”

there was a moment of complete silence as erik watched the man on horseback carefully. silently he pulled a dagger from his pocket and held it out to ingrid to take. if this were to sour he wanted to be sure she could protect herself. after what felt like ages the man finally road off after hearing the call of his men. at least now they could breathe for a second. “yes there are survivors. people are finding safety and fighting. which is exactly what i am trying to do now if you stop fighting me like a child.”

.

Does she truly wish for him to be dead? Of course not. But she was still processing that all this time... All these years... She had a brother that lived. Ingrid shakes her head with the question, looking back at him to make sure that all of this was real and that he was in fact real. “Of course I don’t, Erik. I am just concerned for your safety. As you can see, you arrival isn’t at the best timing.” 

Ingrid looked out into the dark, taking a peak around the tree that they had hid behind. But Ingrid was no shield maiden, never held a sword nor practiced with it like the other worries. She held the knife with an open again, hoping that she will not use it on this very night. The question is, was she able to trust him? He knew nothing of her, nor did she of him. Only that they share the same blood. Even behind all of that, he had her heart entirely. “I think it is because I couldn’t trust you. But everything is telling me now that I should. Lead the way,”

“What’s my motive?” a dry laugh spilled from his lips as he averted his gaze, contemplating his next words. “Perhaps I see potential in you. I’ve heard about your powers, sweet Ingrid,” he blurted out. There was no point in mincing his words. “And I want to help you reach your full potential,” he licked his lips as he gazed into the wild flames. His patience has ran thin. He had already spent too much precious time as human. It was time to take over the crown. And this woman - this very woman sitting next to him, would aid him in doing so. 

“You’ve heard about my powers?” Ingrid asked, quickly bringing herself on both feet. She felt something sinister within this being, and now knowing his interest within her would only bring further danger. The seer mentioned about seeing Hedeby in full destruction, engulfed in flames and death. They made Ingrid feel that perhaps she was the one behind it. But this very being in front of her, might very well be the person to destroy it. Unsure of his previous whereabouts, or other villages they probably destroyed during their travels... This one brought danger. “If you know about my powers then you know what I am capable of doing. And what I am capable of doing to you,”

.

“I don’t want to see you struggle… You’re the strongest person I know and I would hate to be the reason you’re not happy. I just,” he hesitated, wondering if this was coming out properly. His brow knitted in concentration and wonder.”I just want to help any way I can.”

Rune could not help but snort when she told him that he ought to fight for her. Fight his friend for it. “And is that what you want? For me to find Aesir and fight for you?” His eyebrows inched up as his breathing hitched, the anger suddenly boiling once again. “You have no idea how much I want… I…. need… I am inclined to do so,” he finally admitted, “Gods, how I want to fight for the right. I feel vexed with jealously that the Gods have chosen Aesir over me, I really am.”

.

“I don’t want to see you struggle… You’re the strongest person I know and I would hate to be the reason you’re not happy.”

The thing is, regardless of her decision, she will be unhappy. A void in her heart and mind. It was cruel enough to love two men at once, but having to choose only one was the hardest decision in her life. To explain the story of this love triangle would be pathetic to the person hearing. But for a human, love is their greatest weakness. Love has destroyed great empires, and some even killed for it. “I don’t feel very strong now,” Ingrid admitted, bowing her head down briefly until looking back at him. 

“I don’t want you to fight like that for me -- my the Gods, I don’t know what I am saying here. I know how you both fight. If Aesir kills you, I’ll forever hate him. If you kill Aesir, I’ll forever hate him also. This...This prophecy has doomed us all,” Doomed her entirely. It seemed the only person here truly benefitting it was Aesir. 

“Isn’t my love for you enough? When I look at you, do you see my love? And how I utterly burn for you? How I always have?”

.

Ingrid’s words, as always, felt like a stab to the heart. He knew, however, that she spoke the truth. No matter how much he hated that, he knew he couldn’t deny the words and wisdom of the Gods. They knew and saw all, and Rune had to keep in their favour. Still, he always hesitated and wondered why he was always being tested. He loved Ingrid with such passion, why couldn’t that be enough?

“I just do not know what I can do,” he finally admitted, his voice still trembling with anger. “I want you to be happy but not… not like this.” Rune couldn’t say that he didn’t want to share her, even if he was selfish or not. The mere idea of it made his blood boil and he knew that if he saw Aesir, he wouldn’t be able to hold back his rage.

-

It all felt like she was making a mistake. All her life she was content with what she became. Working as a servant, being the companion of Rune and waiting for him to arrive back from his raids like all the other companions and wives of men who were gone for months at a time. Not a single time did Ingrid ever complain. Being queen or even bringing her family’s name back to the long house was a fantasy that she never thought of... Until now. Rune was her soulmate, but somehow Aesir was too. The question is, who did she want more? In this very moment, it was Rune. However, in the presence of Aesir, it was him. Were the Gods testing her?

“I want you to be happy but not… not like this.”

“Not like this?” Ingrid asked, her brows raised with the question. “What do you suggest me to do then, Rune?

She paced around him, circling him actually. Until coming up from behind. Delicate hands wrapped around him, finger tips tracing over his wool blouse. She gently placed her head against his back, listening to every breath he made. “If you want me, fight for me.”

“Apparently you haven’t missed me as much as I have missed you, my dear Ingrid,” a smirk graced his lips as he eyed the woman warily. “You could say I am a busy man,” his shoulders rose to a shrug. “May I?” he inquired as he gestured at the seat next to her. Before she could reply, he had already plopped down beside her. “You are a beautiful woman. One cannot deny that,” he emphasized the word beautiful and a smile played on his features, wiggling his eyebrows slightly. “But no. I just find you…intriguing,” his eyes remained fixated on her, anticipating her reaction to his comment. 

-

Everything about him felt uneasy, yet she was utterly drawn by him. As if her body and DNA was part of his and she couldn’t just deny him or stay away. It’s an odd connection that Ingrid wanted no parts in exploring. In the village, she is the one to be described a rare beauty, one that couldn’t touch or they’ll be making a huge mistake. That, and well... Rune was her companion at the time. No one dared to touch or play the mind games that Ingrid played. Even with Rune gone for months at a time on raids, still... No man dared. That was one reason, but another huge factor was that people not just men knew how dangerous and deadly she was out of the influence of her mother. Witches they were called, unkillable from the history of her mother also. They assumed the same with Ingrid. So, they walked this town, almost untouchable. But treated differently. “What makes me intriguing when you know nothing about me?” Ingrid asked, turning her vision from him and back to the flames that danced in the pit. “You think I don’t notice but I do. I see how you watch me, how you observe. What is your motive?”