~

“You want to stay?” Ivar asked, rather surprised, as he laced his fingers, sitting forward in his throne. “Why would you want to stay in Kattegat and not go home to Vestfold?”

They sat at the table eating their supper, Hvitserk munching away, happily, as he watched the conversation and Harald silently watching the exchange, happy for her either way, but interested to hear Ivar’s answer. Over the last few days, since Runa’s arrival, Ivar and Runa had been at each other’s throats. Ivar would constantly try to undermine her just to see if she would break down, while Runa consistently challenged him, turning everything around on him to see when he would let up out of frustration or he simply had nothing to say back.

“It may shock you, my King, to know I’ve always wanted to come to Kattegat. And now that I’m here, I’d like to stay a while longer.” Runa said.

“How much longer?” Ivar questioned. Hvitserk shook his head and smirked as Runa tilted her head, ever so slightly.

“Do you not wish me to stay?” She asked. “If you’d rather me leave with my father, then I shall.”

Ivar smirked and sat back with a chuckle. “I never said I wanted to you leave...Though I never said I wanted you to stay.” He said. Runa gave a light chuckle and said, “Shall I wait for your answer until morning then?”

Ivar turned down the corners of his mouth, giving a shrug and said, “Perhaps. I think I need some time to think about it.”

“Of course,” Runa said, bowing her head to him before going back to her meal. Ivar blinked and sat forward a little more, expecting, and honestly hoping, for more of a fight. At Runa’s lack of reciprocation of their little back and forth, he realized he rather enjoyed arguing and fighting with this woman. The four stayed silent for a time, before Runa looked up, giving Hvitserk a warm smile before she said, “Hvitserk. Tell me about Spain.”

Hvitserk looked up, cheeks puffed out full of ale and bread. He swallowed hard and blinked at her. “Uh, Spain?” He repeated, giving a soft chuckle. Runa nodded, smiling in excitement.

“Yes. You mentioned it earlier. We never stopped there. We landed in Morocco first. Then to Sicily and Egypt and I’ve been in Greece for the last 4 years.” Runa said. Hvitserk smiled and scooted down the bench a little more to be more directly across from her.

“You’ve been to Morocco? How was that?” He asked, excited. Runa giggled and scrunched her nose at him.

“You tell me about Spain and I’ll tell you about Morocco.” She said, picking up her cup to take a sip. Hvitserk chuckled and dove into the conversation, telling her everything about their raid as Runa listened intently. Ivar watched them for as long as he could before he stood and left the hall, going to his room in annoyance. Hvitserk called after his brother as he left so abruptly and Runa gave him a side eye, hiding her smirk as she continued to pick through her food, drink her ale and speak with Hvitserk about their travels.

~

The next morning, Ivar went out to the docks with Hvitserk and Harald as Harald’s men loaded up the boats, preparing for the sail home. It only took about two days, but it would still be a long sail for Harald without his daughter by his side, at least, he hoped she would be. Ivar waited until Runa finally emerged with her slaves, headed for her own boat, to speak up.

“Princess,” Ivar called, his gaze still on Harald’s men. Runa gave a soft sigh and turned to him as he slowly shifted his gaze to her.

“Yes?” She questioned, handing off her bag to her slave and crossing the boat. Hvitserk went to her and smiled, holding out a hand to help her off the boat. Runa smiled at him and took his hand, gripping it tight as he pulled her onto the dock. Hvitserk dropped her hand as they went back to Ivar.

“Have you changed your mind on staying? You’re getting your boat ready.” Ivar said. Runa blinked, slowly, and shifted.

“You weren’t in the hall when I woke this morning. You were already out here helping my father and his men. I would have thought if you had decided I could stay, you would have waited for me.” Runa said. As Ivar opened his mouth to respond, Runa cut him off by adding, “Especially since I would have come out to the docks to say goodbye to my father anyway, it wouldn’t have made you go out of your way to give me an answer.”

Ivar raised an eyebrow, but his cocky attitude remained. “So, you’ve decided to leave?” He asked. Harald lifted his chin a little, watching his daughter. It did irritate him that Ivar often spoke to her this way, his daughter, but Harald also knew that Runa could hold her own against him, as she proved on their last few days.

Runa smirked and said, “I should like to stay. But you’ve seemed to make it clear you wish me not to. So, I shall leave.”

Ivar’s face tightened. This woman just took all power away from him to make her squirm, waiting for an answer. Ivar thought if he waited long enough, she would once again ask for his answer, but instead, she took it upon herself to decide for him. If he asked her to leave, there was a very real chance she would chuck a dagger at him and if he asked her to stay, she would have the satisfaction, knowing he wanted her to. But in the back of his mind, the gears began to shift and a slow smirk spread across his face.

“The only other princess to grace Kattegat was my mother,” Ivar said. He leaned forward, just a little more to make a point, hands clasping his crutch in front of him, and added, “I should like to think Kattegat deserves another...For a while.”

Runa’s lips also curved into a smirk as she asked, “You wish me to stay?”

His smirk tightened. She wanted to hear him say it. No. Absolutely not. She had already taken his decision away from him, he was not about to be perceived as begging her to stay if she has already made her decision!

“I wish for you to stay,” Ivar said, finally, his voice a little tight and tense, which only made Runa’s smirk grow. She cocked her head to the side and called out to her slaves in a foreign language and they immediately began to bring her things back into the hall. Ivar raised an eyebrow and glanced at Hvitserk, confused by her new words. She bowed her head to Ivar and said, “Thank you, my King. I appreciate your hospitality.”

Ivar gave a stiff nod as she turned to Harald.

“Oh, my child,” Harald said with a sigh. Runa’s smile turned lighter, like she was a child again, happy to see her father after a raid. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

“May the gods keep you safe on your journey home, Father,” Runa said, reaching up to touch his arms. Harald smiled down at her and said, “May the gods keep you safe until you are once more at home, Daughter.”

He looked to Ivar and Hvitserk and added, “Although, perhaps it’s the boys the gods need to keep safe from you, my child.”

Runa smirked and stifled her laughter as Hvitserk gave a soft chuckle as he stepped forward.

“We will watch her, Harald. We shall keep her safe.” Hvitserk said. Harald clapped hands with Hvitserk and smiled at him.

“I trust you will, Hvitserk,” Harald said. Runa smiled as she cast her gaze down, stepping aside for Harald could pass them both, going to Ivar. Runa looked up and watched him as Harald approached. Ivar’s face suddenly changed when Harald stood before him. Their goodbyes were almost silent to her as Runa studied the younger king standing before her father. He was the youngest of Ragnar’s sons, this everyone knew. He was the most ruthless, the most bloodthirsty; He seemed the most psychotic of his brothers, despite the fact they all had the bloodlust of battle and raids. But he was so young to be king, yet he had the air about him of a well-seasoned one. He wasn’t by any means stupid, in fact, Runa was quite impressed with his attention to detail and using that to his advantage, something they shared.

But she also noticed, what stood out the most, was the utmost and complete respect he gave Harald when they spoke together. There was a change, ever so slight, in his expression, almost an admiration of some kind toward her father that Ivar had. He could easily switch this look when dealing a sarcastic remark to his brother or her, but it quickly returned once he began speaking with Harald again. It fascinated her and made her want to understand it. And since she was to stay for a while in Kattegat, she just might get those answers.

Runa watched from the end of the dock as Harald’s ships sailed away. It was a bittersweet goodbye; She finally made it, back to her father, back to her homeland. Yet she still felt that adventurous pull to stay in this new place before going home. She wished to the gods that Harald would stay with her, but he was King and had his own things to deal with back in Vestfold. And at least he was only a boat ride away instead of a month’s time. As his ships finally disappeared on the horizon, a tear slowly rolled down her face as she reached up to clutch her necklace, whispering a prayer to the gods.

“Princess.” The voice accompanied by the hand that touched her shoulder made Runa jump and turn. Hvitserk pulled his hand away and gave a soft chuckle, Runa giving one of her own. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.”

“It’s fine. I didn't hear you coming.” Runa said, quickly wiping the tear from her face before Ivar saw. Hvitserk smiled and brushed away another one that had escaped. Runa looked down at his hand, touching it gently, not sure what he had done at first, then looked up at him with a soft chuckle. Hvitserk gripped her fingers in his hand gently as he lowered them both.

“It’s okay to cry, Runa. This can’t be easy, not sailing home with him.” Hvitserk said, softly. Runa nodded and inhaled, deeply, before giving an equally deep sigh.

“I know. But I don’t like to show tears in public.” Runa said, lifting her chin a little higher. “After everything I’ve seen...It’s best to show no fear until you are alone. At least in most situations.”

Hvitserk’s smile got a little wider, his respect for her growing even more. He stepped aside and held out a hand to let her walk first, falling into step with her as they walked back up the dock, Ivar already heading back to the Hall.

~

Ivar stood in Runa’s doorway, munching on some dried meat and watching her flit about as she spoke to her slaves in that foreign language again, putting her things back where they were before. She interested him, the way she carried herself. She knew she was a woman, a Princess, yes, but she was no Queen and held no authority over him, but expected his respect, as any princess would. At the same token, her experiences, whatever they were, had shaped her into the woman that stood before him. She was confident and knew her worth, not only as a princess and a woman. She was very smart and witty. In every way, he had met his match in her. Yet she possessed something he didn't have, at least not that he showed; Her compassion, her kindness. The way she spoke to her slaves, and even the ones here in Kattegat, she was kind toward them, hardly treating them like slaves at all.

It surprised him how loyal her slaves were to her, always around her, the male slaves standing guard, it seemed. He assumed Runa picked up these slaves in Greece, since she spent so much time there, but he began to notice that it wasn’t just the one foreign language she spoke, but at least one other. She seamlessly switched through the languages as she directed her slaves as she went through her things.

“You seem to be doing an awful lot of unpacking if you’re only to stay for a while.” Ivar piped up. Runa stopped in front of him as she was passing and looked at him. One of her slaves came up to her and took the bag from her hands as Runa turned to him.

“I’m merely going through everything. I took little on my initial journey. But 6 years will amass quite a few things. I’ve since forgotten what is where.” Runa said. Ivar nodded and held out a piece of meat to her. Runa glanced at it, narrowing her eyes at him with a smirk before she stepped up and took it from him, ripping off a small piece.

“Did you ever have this in Vestfold as a child?” Ivar asked, smirking. Runa nodded as she tried not to drool.

“Yes. We did. I never realized how much I missed it.” Runa said with a content sigh. “They use different spices in the Mediterranean. Nothing compares to the taste of home.”

Ivar nodded and lifted up a hand to push her hair back. He hadn’t noticed it before, her thick curls covering most of her neck, but now he saw the bit of ink on her neck. Runa looked up as she saw his hand raise to her face and tilted her head to the side, allowing him a better view once she realized what he was doing.

“It’s very intricate work,” Ivar said, admiring the tattoo. “Your father allowed you to get one so young?”

Runa smirked and moved her head away, prompting Ivar to drop his hand, her hair falling back into place.

“I didn't get it in Norway,” Runa said. Ivar raised an eyebrow.

“No?” He asked. Runa shook her head and smirked.

“I found an old Viking woman in Morocco. Apparently, her family lost her there. Shipwrecked on the coast when they tried to find new land. Lots of the people there sport old Viking tattoos and they were none the wiser. Or at least, not until we got there.” Runa said with a devilish giggle. Ivar smirked and chuckled as he shifted his weight, his legs beginning to bother him. He gave a small wince, a new sharp pain shooting through his legs, briefly. Runa blinked at him. “Are you alright?”

She reached out a hand, lightly touching the hand that was white-knuckled, gripping his crutch. He gave her a nod with a tight-lipped smile and said, “I’m fine. These braces sometimes make me uncomfortable.”

“Then you should remove them,” Runa said, stepping closer as she slid her hand over his. He gave her a look and shifted his crutch to move away from her touch, but not from her.

“I’ll be fine,” Ivar said, strained as he tried to bear through the pain.

“Ivar, please, you are in pain. If it’s from the braces, take them off.” Runa said in a firm but gentle voice. Ivar was just as stubborn as her and kept shifting on his feet a few more times before he gave a curt nod and Runa took his arm, calling back to her slaves to finish without her before helping Ivar down to his room. As he walked, he suddenly felt the pain more severe and began to worry he might have broken a bone. Runa helped him sit on his bed and he growled, gripping the furs as Runa knelt in front of him, trying to figure out how to take them off.

“Call for one of the healers.” He said.

“I can get them off,” Runa said, casting a glance up at him. Ivar growled again, leaning back on the bed as Runa began to remove them. The first brace came off easily and did nothing to his pain, but as she began to remove the second, Ivar cried out once she started to pull it away from his leg. Runa jumped and stilled, looking up at him. “What is it? What hurts?”

“I don’t know!” Ivar hissed. Runa slowly pulled the brace away and noticed a small puddle of blood began to form under his foot. She chewed her lip and finished pulling the brace from his leg and saw a bit of metal that had been bent out of place and covered in blood. Once the brace was removed, Ivar sighed out a moan, his pain rapidly disappearing, only the lingering pain from the puncture remaining.

“Hold still,” Runa said as she slowly rolled up his pant leg. Ivar hissed at her as she pulled the fabric from his leg, the entire thing covered in blood from his mid-calf down. Runa sighed and shifted to lay her legs to her side, lifting her dress. Ivar raised an eyebrow, watching her.

“What are you doing?” He asked. Runa looked up at him and smirked as she pulled a dagger from her thigh.

“I need to cut it off. I don’t know how deep the wound goes.” Runa said.

“Go fetch a healer! Do you know what you’re doing?!” Ivar shouted. Runa made a tear in his pants and ripped the rest of the leg off, tossing it aside before she stood to rummage around his room, looking for a clean cloth. Ivar sighed and said, “In that box there.”

He pointed to a wooden box set behind his table. Runa went to it and pulled a few cloths out, also finding a few bandages as well. She went to him and dabbed at the wound, trying to see if it was still bleeding and how bad.

“How long have you had this pain, Ivar?” Runa asked as she stood to grab the basin of water sitting under his mirror.

“Since dinner. But it didn't hurt this bad.” He huffed at her, annoyed she wasn’t listening to him and calling for a healer. She cleaned off the blood from his leg and cleaned around his wound as best she could before she wrapped the bandages around his leg.

“It doesn’t look deep. Here. Sit back.” Runa said, gently, standing and helping Ivar move back on his bed.

“I’m not a child, either, Runa.” Ivar said, smirking up at her. Runa gave him a look, not amused by his little callback from the forest.

“That’s too bad. If you didn't act like one, I wouldn’t treat you like one.” She shot back. Ivar blinked and huffed at her, looking away. Runa couldn’t help but snicker and Ivar realized that is what she meant. He glanced up at her and sighed as she arranged the furs and blankets beneath his leg. “I’ll send for a healer. Do you need water or ale?”

“Ale,” Ivar said, still not looking at her. Runa shook her head at his stubbornness and set the bloodied cloths in the basin on the floor.

“I’ll be right back,” Runa said, softly. As she turned to leave, Ivar caught her hand, making her look back at him. Ivar glanced up at her and said, “Thank you.”

Runa gave him a sweet smile and nodded. “You’re welcome, my King.” She said, giving his hand a soft squeeze before letting go and hurrying out the door. Ivar sat back and sighed. He had done nothing but tease her since she arrived and still she helped him and cared for him, as though they had been lifelong friends. What had he done to deserve that kind of gentility from her? It couldn’t have been from simply giving in and letting her stay. There was another reason and it was beginning to irritate him. But he didn't have long to be annoyed as Runa quickly came back with a healer who went straight to work on his leg, patching it up.

~

Early the next morning, Runa stole away to the docks to watch the sunrise. It seemed different here than in Greece. In some ways, she longed for Greece again, if only for the sights and sounds that had been so extremely different than the ones here. Even the smells! In Kattegat, it was the smell of the earth, the animals. Vestfold was purely the sea, the bite of the salty sea air and the smell of the fish. In Greece, the spices and different flavors woke her every morning, making her mouth water. She was grateful for it. As a mere child of 12, she was a gangly little thing but the women that took her in, in Morocco and Greece made sure to fatten her up in all the right places.

The sounds in Kattegat were very earthy as well. The owls, the horses, the foxes and rabbits skittering through the bushes and trees. In Vestfold, it was a lullaby of waves crashing against the cliffs, her and Endre often stealing away in the night to climb up to their hideout, falling asleep to the melody of the fjords. In Greece, oh, the waves, the light music from the houses on top of the cliffs, the way it drifted down and settled on the towns. She often found herself going for nightly walks to settle her mind before slipping into a deep and peaceful sleep. Though she loved Greece and longed to go back, she also wanted to be home. Where she grew up. Where her and Endre took their first steps, had their first fights, got their first scars.

After learning of her twin’s death, almost feeling like she was there with him when it happened, being away was comforting for her. She didn't have to see her brother’s small body being burned as it sailed off through the water, she didn't have to see her father in despair at losing his only son, bad enough he lost his wife in their birth. She was able to cope and come to terms with his death and explore her new worlds, all in her brother’s memory, feeling him with her when she reached a new destination or experienced a new sensation. Every morning in Greece, she stood on her balcony, overlooking the sea, and watched the sunrise as she, Endre and Harald did every morning. Her father said that their mother loved seeing the colors the gods painted in the sky with the rising and setting of the sun, though she preferred the rising. Oddly enough, Endre preferred watching it set, so everything had a purpose while she was away.

Before her thoughts could dive into the memories of the brightest experiences that shone in her mind, a hand touched her shoulder and she cocked her head to the side, seeing Ivar limp his way over.

“You’re feeling better?” She asked. Ivar glanced at her before looking out over the water.

“The healer gave me something to numb my leg. I don’t feel any pain anymore.” Ivar said. Runa nodded and gave a small sigh.

“I’m glad.” She said. Ivar looked at her and watched her. He saw how her mind worked as she stared at the sun and sea, her green eyes glowing brighter as the sun rose. Finally, she broke her trance and looked up at Ivar, causing him to look away quickly. She blinked once before she said, “Do my slaves need me?”

“No.” He said. She tilted her head to the side and watched him.

“You’ve never come out to the docks this early in the morning as I have before. What made you today?” She asked. Ivar sighed and adjusted his vest before looking at her, taking a few glances away, unable to keep eye contact with her.

“I just wanted to thank you. Again. For last night.” Ivar said, lifting his head higher once he had. “I very much...Appreciate you helping me as you did.”

Runa bit her lip, trying not to laugh as she could tell Ivar was trying to be sincere. Ivar looked away, instantly regretting his decision to thank her once he saw the amusement on her face. Runa bit her knuckle, briefly, before reaching out that hand to touch his shoulder.

“Ivar. I-I’m sorry.” She said, stepping closer, the movement prompting him to glance at her. She gave him a soft smile and he turned to her. “I-You’re welcome. I only did what I thought was right. I like to be helpful. It’s my nature.”

Ivar softened a little and gave a light smile. “I must admit, I rather admire that about you.” He said. Runa blinked and tilted her head again, letting her hand slide down his arm to rest on his hand that held his crutch.

“Really? Why is that?” She asked. Ivar shrugged and sighed, looking up into the treeline of the forest as he thought, before looking back down at her. He didn't quite have an answer for her, but he had an idea.

“I’ve never often felt the true caring that my mother showed me.” He admitted. Speaking about his mother softened his heart even more to her. “She...Was the only one I believe ever really loved me. I-I miss her.”

Ivar cast his eyes down as they filled with tears. He didn't like talking about his mother for this exact reason. He hated to cry and hated himself when he allowed it. But something about Runa gave him a bit of comfort to release a little bit of emotion toward her. Runa stepped closer, lifting her other arm and sliding her hands over his arms, in comfort.

“I never knew my mother.” She said softly. Ivar sniffed as he looked up at her. She gave him a sympathetic smile and continued, “She died giving birth to Endre. They...Had to pull me from her womb.”

Ivar blinked, shocked by her confession. He saw her hard, confident exterior break as her eyes filled with tears. Ivar hesitated at first, but then shifted to lift a hand, fingers curled and drew them across her cheek, gently, wiping away a few tears. Runa gave a light chuckle and reached up to take his hand, lowering them both as she looked up at him. She gave a shrug and said, “I’m thankful the gods granted me the blessing of having my father. I don’t know what we would have done if he had died.”

“Was your mother much like you? Kind and caring?” Ivar asked, though once he did, he realized she wouldn’t exactly know. She gave a shrug and said, “From what Father tells me, she was. Even more so.”

Runa looked down at their still joined hands and smiled, picking at her nails and sliding her fingers over his, lightly.

“He met her before he fell in love with Princess Ellisif. He said that he was wounded from a fight gone bad with Halfdan and my mother saw it happen. She brought them back to her house and she helped patch him up.” Runa said. “When Ellisif rejected him, he sought her comfort and ended up getting her pregnant. He still loved Ellisif, but my mother was very warm and caring to his rejection that he must have fallen for her as well. She took care of him before he began on his journey to become King of Norway.”

“And after she died?” Ivar asked. Runa smiled and looked up at him.

“From what I remember, he stayed in Vestfold until the day I left. After Endre died on the raid, he began again, trying to take all the earldoms and become King. With his family gone, it must have given him some sort of solace, knowing that if he achieved his dream, he could still have the woman he loved in his life once more.” Runa said. Ivar gave a soft chuckle.

“He’s a very strong man, your father. Losing a lover, the mother of his children, a son, a daughter…” Ivar paused as he inhaled, deeply and added, “I don’t think I would be able to get over it.”

Runa chuckled and lifted her hand to wipe away a stray tear from his cheek. “I think you could. If you are strong enough to overcome losing your father, mother, and your brothers...That’s the worst thing you can lose, aside from your children. They’re the ones that have been with you since birth, who raised you, took care of you. It’s a much deeper bond.” She said. Ivar smiled and said, “You’re a very strong woman, yourself, Runa.”

Her smile got a bit wider as she pushed at him, gently, making him sway just a little as she glanced down.

“When you see the things I have...you have to be.” She said, softly, looking back up at him. Ivar smirked and asked, “A conversation for another time?”

Runa nodded. “Yes. Another time, my King.” She said. Ivar cupped her cheek gently and ducked down to lay the briefest and softest a kiss on her lips. Runa was stunned by the gesture, but allowed it nonetheless. She bit her lip as he pulled away, looking down at her and said, “You may call me Ivar.”

~

Hope you guys liked it! If you want to be tagged in future fics/chapters, let me know! I’ll add you to the list!