Aiming at stationary targets had never been her favourite. Dagmar had always preferred the actual act of hunting to practice. Arrow after arrow across the lawn, each sinking into the target. The sound of feet on the ground behind her made her head turn. "Can I help you?" they asked tersely as they reached for another arrow.

VIKING LONGHOUSE | ASKEL MADSEN

Embers of a brilliant orange spark into the air as a new log is placed upon the roaring fire. It illuminates the longhouse in a warm glow that speaks of comfort and family. Eir has shed her furs, the combination of multiple bodies and fire enough to keep the chill of the impending winter at bay. Unlike many who have entered the hall, she still carries her weapons. Longsword and knife strapped to her hips. Trust is not something that comes easy, for the last time she had laid her head down truly at peace she had woken up to slaughter.

A furious anger as bright as the fire still fills her heart. Revenge is what she craves. The only salve to a long lingering wound. Green eyes rove unobtrusively around, expression almost bored. Until she spots him.

Boldly she approaches. Little thought is given to the proper niceties, something within Eir runs too wild to observe proper decorum. "I see the King has decided to spare your head." Eir adjusted herself to sit on the bench across from Askel. "I must admit I am glad. It would be hard to ally myself with someone incapable of speech."

The Frisian king had never been a social person- had always preferred his own company, or that of just a select few. Still, he made an effort to welcome his brother's- well, he was not quite sure what Elif was to Arie. She was to be the mother of his brother's child, and in that sense she was now to be a member of his family, no matter the connection.

"Lady Elif-" he began after running into her in one of the corridors. "I do hope we have done all we can to make you comfortable here." He was not quite sure what had been done- just that she had moved into their wing of the castle, and Frederik could only hope it meant Arie was now taking full responsibility.

THE ANGLO-SAXONS HAD ALWAYS fascinated the Norse princess. Once upon a time, there were so many nations she could barely remember the names of them all in her history lessons ( it was really only seven ), and it had only become one within the last half century. One could easily see Idunna's confusion at the conflicts between the Saxons and the interconnected ones of Saxons and Norsemen. It would only be a matter of time until she actually encountered one, so one could understand her surprise when she had heard the accent of one saying something to her when she had not necessarily been paying attention in the Scottish gardens.

"Excuse me," Idunna would say. "I had not been paying attention," She said, waving her hand. "What did you say?"