freydisvanblair

[freydisvanblair]

freydis could vaguely remember the first years of being in the ironblood clan — she remembered axsel comforting her and sylvi when they felt left out from the other children. he even played childish games with her when no one else would play with her. axsel gave her a home and once they were accepted into the clan, axsel continued to give her a safe space while encouraging her to make friends, she owed it all to axsel. she gave him a teasing grin, “oh, so you don’t mind bossing your sweet little sister around if it means our people are safe? i guess i don’t mind it since it’s for the good of the people.” she giggled and gave him a wink. she knew there was no greater hersir — no hersir had the compassion that axsel did. no hersir had the drive to protect everyone and freydis admired her brother so much for it. “thank you for keeping all of us safe, truly. you are the best,” she added, giving her brother a warm smile.

freydis smiled as her brother pressed a kiss against her forehead. his presence always made her feel safe and happy. “i will never lose you, and you will never lose me, okay?” she whispered — knowing it was an unrealistic dream, but maybe if she spoke it into existence it would happen. maybe the gods would be kind enough to keep them together until it was their time to go to valhalla. though, the gods hadn’t been so kind to them thus far. she loved axsel more than anything and that love would never falter. “don’t you think that’s why i must resort to it?” she replied in amusement, “if it were a pleasant experience, you wouldn’t wake up, would you?”

she looked up at the brunette who’d seen her through it all. “thank you for not thinking any less of me, big brother,” she smiled softly, “i love being a shieldmaiden and i feel it’s my destiny — i just get scared sometimes. do you ever get scared?” she looked up at him through her lashes. she knew it was unlikely that axsel felt fear — he was the bravest person she’d met, but she was curious. “i hope you’re right — i can’t live without you,” she admitted, squeezing his arm gently. the thought of losing axsel made her sick to her stomach, made her chest tighten. he held her world together. she looked into his eyes and trusted his every word. “together. always,” she replied, taking his hands in hers and squeezing them for a moment. she chewed on the inside of her cheek before a sly smirk found her lips. “i’ve got a question for you…” she trailed off with mischief in her eyes.

being a hersir gave him such pride. it gave him a sense of purpose, something that was his own. he will forever be angry at their parents for selling them away like they were a used blade, but he was grateful that the clan forced them to become part of it. they still struggled at first but at least it wasn't as bad as it used to. "as hersir i'm whatever i need to be. if i did not care, our people would die and then who would i command?" he chuckled. but they both knew that axsel wasn't unfamiliar with feeling anger or lacked the ability to truly command their warriors and shieldmaidens. during training he would watch them, teach even if it meant knocking them down over and over again. to keep their people alive.

"and i you, sister." axsel planted a kiss on her forehead. he cared for his clan, yes. but people he saw as family? it was fewer and fewer. even if freydis wasn't his blood, he was sure that he would've cared for her still. but she was his blood, and thus he will not lose her too. axsel chuckled at her story of waking him up using the bucket. "i always hate waking up this way." axsel groaned but still smiled. he knew that if there was true danger he would be up within moments but, he always tests it when everything is calm.

axsel's look became soft, he fought the chance to offer freydis an out of her role as a shieldmaiden. "it's not." he pulled her in for a hug. it was selfish of him, wanting to keep his sister safe but stay in the role that gave him happiness, being in harm's way was inevitable. "it'll take more than harm for you to lose me, freydis." but he was sure the sentiment gave neither of them peace, given what they've already lost. "as you said, whatever comes we will face it and grow stronger." he pulled away from the hug to look his sister's eyes.

[freydisvanblair]

the passing of high jarl styrkar had sent shockwaves through all of myrkvjord. freydis was had witnessed the grief, but also the power hungry vipers who weren’t interested in mourning the high jarl and celebrating his life, but rather sought to take advantage of his passing in hopes of gaining power. she knew enough about bragi to know of his relationship with the high jarl and she hoped to get his mind off of the events around them.

the fact that she earned a smile from bragi made freydis grin — knowing his smiles were few and far between, but praying to the gods that one day he would find happiness and could smile without any worries. she had hope. hope that bragi would find happiness, hope that her brother would forever be safe and carefree, and hope that the youth would change myrkvjord for the best. watching the children play happily with one another made freydis’ heart swell. she knew if they could continue to foster their friendships, the younger generation would be strong. freydis lifted her mug and clanked it against bragi’s with a smile, “with strong, talented men like you and axsel to look up to, i’m sure the future is in good hands.” she tilted her head to the side and gave him an inquisitive smirk, “do you really think you’re so irredeemable? certainly you must know that your destiny is great. there’s so much more to come in your future — it’ll be great, i promise.”

subject  changed  but  the  blacksmith  was  grateful  for  the  words  she  conveyed  his  way  regarding  strykar.  the  high  jarl  had  fought  alongside  him  back  in  the  days  when  even  he  wielded  axe  and  shield,  but  in  the  last  few  years  the  high  jarl  had  wanted  him  back  amongst  jarls  and  their  understanding  had  begun  to  crumble.  the  former  warrior  could  regret  his  words  and  decisions  now  and  yet  it  felt  right  now  to  not  fight  ⸻  even  if  the  darkness  within  begged  for  blood  and  guts.

nodding  in  agreement,  smiling  as  he  rarely  did,  he  agreed.  he  hoped  for  the  young  to  be  better  than  their  forebearers,  to  hold  their  ground,  fight  with  honor  and  blood.  however,  there  was  no  salvaging  the  young  from  the  brutality  which  was  the  ironblood  clan,  but  forging  bonds  amongst  themselves  might  spare  them  all  from  kin  slaying  at  least.  "  let  us  hope  they  become  more  than  we  ever  could.  "  he  agrees  and  lifts  his  mug  for  once  wanting  to  cheer  with  someone  and  thankfully  that  someone  being  one  of  the  kinder  shieldmaidens.

[freydisvanblair]

things had been chaotic, but exciting during thingstead — freydis enjoyed seeing new faces and was hoping to make new friends. despite the unspoken tensions that lingered around the festivities, freydis wandered the longhall with a warm smile, greeting those she knew and those who she didn’t know. after socializing for a while, she decided it was time to take a seat and rest her feet — not to mention, she was ready to partake in a goblet of ale.

as she settled into her seat, freydis noticed the dark haired woman across from her and gave her a friendly grin, “i don’t blame you one bit.” the spread was the greatest freydis had ever seen, proof of how important thingstead was. “oh, wow,” her eyes widened excitedly — she’d been eager to meet a pirate because she had so many questions. “what ship are you a part of? i can’t imagine life at sea…i’m sure it’s invigorating. what’s the best part about living on a ship?” she bombarded the girl with questions before pausing to giggle, “obviously aside from the appetizing food.”

status: open

where: thingstead, the longhall

one thing lira quickly learned in her time at sea was to be grateful whenever they were in port, being on land was an uncommon occurrence. specifically, she became grateful for the fresh food she had access to in these times, as in their long voyages the fruits and vegetables spoiled quickly. they ate what they had to in order to survive, but unfortunately that was usually limited to biscuits and dried foods. so naturally, when they came to thingstead, the feast in the longhall was the first place she went to.

lira unabashedly helps herself to the feast that's laid out, her plate full of generous portions of the various dishes. not to mention she's already on her third cup of mead as well. she's certain that she looks half-starved, with how much she's putting down, but with a spread like this she can hardly be blamed. she looks up to see someone across from her giving her a glance, lira wipes the corner of her mouth before speaking. "you wouldn't believe what you miss when you're at sea, you must excuse me. i'm surprised they've provided this good of a spread."

[freydisvanblair]

anytime her brother laughed, freydis felt her heart swell — his unbridled, uninhibited happiness was the reason the sun rose every morning. a carefree laugh from axsel was infectious, causing her to giggle and rest against him as his arm wrapped around her shoulder. “exactly,” she said matter-of-factly with a grin, “i would cause a ruckus for any other hersir.” she paused for a moment before looking at him earnestly, “plus, you truly care for all of us and shape us into the best warriors and shielmaiden…you don’t treat everyone with kindness.” she paused before teasing, “even when you’re giving demands.” it was true, axsel never treated the warriors and shieldmaidens and beneath him and he didn’t treat them as disposable numbers, he treated them all with respect and care for their livelihood. she pondered his next words before nodding in agreement, “maybe i can sneak his name into the jarl conversations the elders are having — they’d love to add another name to their repertoire of gossip.” freydis couldn’t help but smile as she reflected on the elders she spent time with. despite how much they liked to pry and spread rumors, she loved her time with them.

“i’ll say it every day until the gods decide it’s my time to go to valhalla,” she smiled softly. “though, my compliments do pose the risk of getting to your head,” she teased, leaning into his hug and reaching up to gently poke his forehead. “i love you, brother,” she hummed, breathing in the cold air and thanking the gods for axsel. freydis knew this much — whoever her mother and father were, they paled in comparison to the man that axsel was. growing up, as long as she had axsel and sylvi’s love, that’s all she needed. and axsel’s love was her saving grace. and nothing made her more proud than following his lead in battle.

“precisely — it’s my little sister duty to ensure you’re safe in bed after drinking like a fish all night,” she replied with a giggle, “and i take my job very seriously.” her eyes widened in amusement, “you think you can handle your ale well? wasn’t it you that i had to pour a barrel of water on just last week just to wake you up?” a playful smile graced her lips before she stopped in her tracks and glanced at axsel. a look of worry filled her eyes and she sighed softly, “i just wish this could all be peaceful. i’ve had enough turmoil.” she knew axsel could relate with her sentiment. quickly though, axsel wiped the worry from her face — his positivity and grit was a constant reminder that though they faced battles in life — physical and emotional — they had one another and theirs was a bond that couldn’t be broken. “no matter what we’ll face it headfirst and together,” she nodded before taking a sip of her own ale. she knew she could be honest with her brother, but she didn’t want her fear to make her seem weak so she shifted for a moment and glanced around to ensure that no one could hear them. “i’m worried…i’m scared. especially with all these tensions amongst the clans. i don’t want bloodshed — isn’t that ridiculous for a shieldmaiden to say? plus, i don’t want you in harm’s way.”

axsel delightfully laughed, wrapping his arm around his sister's shoulders. "then i must remain to my title, we do not want you misbehaving." and it's truly what he wanted, the thought of being anything else than hersir made him ill. he knew nothing and wanted nothing else but to oversee his warriors and shieldmaidens, who have become an incredible sight to behold, though some could still use training. "maybe they should gossip about our jarl instead, wouldn't they be a better fit for the position? and it'll adventitious to us." he shrugged his shoulder, knowing that the jarl would be the most logical step to becoming a high one.

as his sister spoke, he smiled. "thank you, it means everything to hear you say it." axsel pulled her into a one armed hug. how could a fool like him manage to raise someone like freydis? it had to be sylvi's magic. the love and protection that he felt towards her could not be explained and it was even more so now that they lost sylvi. somewhere in the dark pits of his mind he wanted her to stop being a shieldmaiden, just so she would be safe. but he could never take what freydis worked so very hard on away from her. all axsel could do is train her better, train her that nobody could harm her.

axsel tilted his head from side to side, smiling. "if not you then who else? but i'm sure i can find my own way to bed if you wish to leave me. i can handle my ale quite well." then the question she proposed made him pause and think. "i do not know." it was the truth. "unfortunately i do not think so." he grabbed the cup of ale handed to him with a small smile and drank. "whatever might come towards us, we will handle it, are you worried?"

[freydisvanblair]

the blonde bit down on her lip sharply as she thought about the youth axsel lost by watching over freydis, caring for her when she couldn’t care for herself. she was a liability as a little girl, no doubt holding axsel and sylvi back. she had glimpses of memories of her brother carrying her as a toddler when she was too sleepy to keep going. when she couldn’t understand what was happening, he was her guiding light. no one should have to carry the burden axsel had to carry and she blamed herself for the fact that he never had a carefree childhood. she owed it all to him.

she gasped playfully, placing a hand over her chest in mock surprise, “i can’t believe you’d throw such accusations my way!” her blue eyes lit up as she laughed, “well, you know i’d never take orders from anyone else so maybe it’s best you remain hersir or else you’re replacement will have trouble on their hands.” axsel was the only person she truly trusted and his wit and talent were the reason why she was a shieldmaiden. no one was more intelligent on the battlefield than axsel. she smiled widely, “you know how the elders get — they’re restless and busy themselves with gossip. and who better to gossip about than axsel van blair?” freydis looked up at her brother in admiration. very few would turn down the glory and power that came with the title of high jarl. “you have no idea how much it pleases me that you’re happy as hersir. your happiness is so important to me…and the fact that you love what you do is truly special, axsel,” she looked in his eyes as she gently squeezed his arm.

freydis could imagine it now — axsel ten years older as high jarl. there would be peace and prosperity, no doubt. and maybe he’d even have his soulmate by his side? — the girl could hope. “oh, am i going to have to drag you from the longhall to your bed come sunrise for all to see?” she raised a playful eyebrow. “oh, so now you’re the gossip!” she thought for a moment before tilting her head to the side curiously, her voice laced with worry, “do you think we’ll have a smooth transition to a new high jarl?” as they entered the hall, she swiftly grabbed a cup of ale and handed it to axsel with a laugh, “we might as well get you started, then.”

axsel's face turned soft at his sister's words. he never saw his actions as sacrifices, he was simply taking care of his sisters at the absent of their parents, freydis was but a babe when they were sold but sylvi and him were always honest on where they came from, of their survival story, the three of them.

"or maybe you wish your brother to stop giving you commands as hersir." he teased with a laugh. freydis has become a great shieldmaiden, he was always proud seeing her in training and in battle, how far she has become from the young woman she used to be. axsel shook his head fondly, "the elders need to mind their own. being the high jarl is not my future, i'm happy where i am, there are other people who are much better for the title."

somewhere in him he didn't want to tell her that he doubts he'll reach such an old age to be able to become anything else, his life started at the battlefield of childhood and it'll end in the battlefield of men. maybe his joke of her becoming the high jarl isn't a joke, maybe it's a possibility, shall the gods wish for it. "i have not drank enough, that's for sure. i will see to it that my belly will be full of ale by the end of day." he grinned. "and maybe i'll start whispering of my own regarding high jarl." he winked at his younger sister.

[freydisvanblair]

she couldn’t help but grin when she heard bragi laugh. any sign of relief from the man before her, however fleeting, pleased freydis. there were two things that freydis hadn’t let the gods take away from her — axsel and her spirit. sure, she wrestled grief and sorrow when she was alone or confiding in her brother. she’d relied on distracting herself with others and putting on a smile — even if it was oftentimes a fake one — to push through sorrow. it wasn’t always effective, but it was her coping skill. she knew people coped differently with loss and she could read bragi’s grief in his eyes, causing her heart to sink. no one deserved to feel loss, but the world was unforgiving.

she nodded, giving the rowdy crowd a one-over before looking at bragi with a softened gaze. “i’m sure high jarl strykar is watching from valhalla, pleased with the amount of ale flowing in his honor,” she gave bragi a soft smile. she noted his quick change of subject and while it was in the blonde’s nature to be inquisitive, she knew it wouldn’t be fair to bragi to pry.

“you’ll be happy to know he was one of ours,” she clasped her hands together, “the ironblood are raising a generation of conniving, intelligent, bold little ones. in fact, just last week i had a four-year old challenge me to a duel.” she giggled as she recalled the young girl who had approached her with a toy sword and demanded to fight. “i of course went easy on her — but she showed promise.” she brushed her fingers through her curls, silent for a moment before she spoke again. “i think the future of the ironblood is bright, bragi. soon you’ll be smithing swords for these wee tots,” she smiled softly, watching as a group of kids ran past them.

an  honest  laugh  escapes  blacksmith  at  the  carefree  shieldmaiden  before  him.  he  could  find  himself  envy  the  woman  before  him  for  her  freedom  in  this  world,  or  at  least  the  happiness  she  expressed  in  a  rather  gloom  and  dangerous  world.  had  he  ever  been  like  that  ?  such  a  free-spirited  warrior  where  the  world  was  covered  in  wildberries  and  blushing  cheeks.  no,  he  had  known  loss  and  sorrow  from  beginning  to  end  ⸻  for  the  world  was  created  for  those  who  wanted  power,  greed  and  slaughter.  azurite  eyes  avert  themselves  and  smile  disappears  into  the  deep  once  again.  "  the  celebrations  are  going  well,  I  am  attending  for  high  jarl  strykar.  "  confiding  his  emotions  to  a  woman  he  did  not  know  very  well  wasn't  something  he  would  do.  in  truth,  he  rarely  shared  what  was  within  him  with  anyone  at  all,  it  did  not  feel  right.  "  so,  this  nine  year  old  ⸻  one  of  ours  ?  i  hope  so  because  we  need  all  the  brains  we  can  get.  "  the  joke  left  his  lips  and  was  a  sign  to  not  pry  anymore,  for  even  if  the  shieldmaiden  could  see  he  did  not  enjoy  himself,  he  did  not  wish  to  speak  of  it.

[freydisvanblair]

her brother was daring, bold, and seemingly not afraid of anything and freydis knew all too well that it was his destiny to be the greatest hersir myrkvjord would ever see. but despite his bravery and skill, she couldn't help but worry about him. she closed her eyes and smiled contently as their foreheads rested against one another's. "thank you," she hummed, "that's all i ask."

"you've done so much for me, axsel. you've taken care of me and given me a life...you sacrificed so much for sylvi and me." she blinked back tears as she thought of the memories the three of them had shared, but one tear betrayed her and feel down her cheek. quickly wiping her face, freydis glanced back at the pyre and tried to imagine syvli enjoying food, drinks, and laughter in valhalla -- the very thought brought a small smile to her lips, "our reunion will be one for the ages." hearing that she made her older brother proud made freydis' heart swell with happiness. "i'm proud of you, too," she grinned, "there's not a better warrior than you this side of valhalla."

a giggle slipped through her lips as she heard axsel groan. "oh, don't be so modest," she teased. he certainly had been the name on everyone's tongue lately. "you're more than qualified for the role. but, we can reconsider maybe in ten years' time when you're ancient and grey and can't hold up a sword anymore. you're correct -- right now we need that brain of yours in battle," she laughed before gently shoving axsel back. "who's filling my head with this nonsense? oh, everyone is. all the shieldmaidens who swoon over you have been talking about it. plus, i was helping some of the elders with their chores yesterday and they kept going on and on about how you'd make the perfect jarl." she shook her head quickly, her eyes widening as an amused grin played on her lips, "me? a high jarl? absolutely not! you must be out of your mind -- how much have you had to drink?"

axsel looked at his younger sister and understood her plea, a hard ask he didn't know if he could keep. it was in his nature, to be careless and reckless, but couldn't he at least try? for freydis? as they hugged, he closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. "i will try." he leaned his forehead against hers and smiled.

"i will do everything in my power to protect you, always." he couldn't do it for sylvi and his heart twisted, anger bubbling once again but he fought against it. there will be a time for anger again, just not now. watching the neckless being surrounded by fire made his eyes burn, why did the gods take sylvi from them he would never understand. "yes, she is and she'll wait for us until we're reunited." axsel smiled, though there was sadness in it. "you've always made her proud, just as i am proud of you now."

as they walked towards the longhall, axsel groaned, tired of the rumor being spread faster than he could control it. "i do not know, but it is not true. i'm unfit for the role, nor do i want it, where i belong is on the battlefield." he insisted. "who filled your head with that nonsense? if anything maybe you should be the next high jarl." he grinned and shoved freydis slight, chuckling.

[freydisvanblair]

a sigh of relief slipped through freydis' lips. she was scared her admission made her a bad person and a terrible shieldmaiden, but axsel's words eased her. she smiled softly as he kissed her forehead and she wrapped her arms around him, giving him a tight hug. "promise me you'll always be careful," she pleaded softly. she knew it was a lot to ask, but couldn't imagine losing axsel -- her whole world would shatter.

freydis squeezed her brother's hand and a small smile tugged at her lips before she mused, "my protective brother." as they tossed sylvi's necklace into the fire, freydis wanted to collapse onto the ground. it felt like she was truly gone -- something freydis had avoided accepting since her passing. "i'm sure she's having fun in valhalla," freydis managed a grin. "i hope to make her proud." she quickly nodded and intertwined her arm with axsel's before exclaiming, "to the longhall!" she smirked at her brother, "ah, yes. i've been hearing your name amongst the list of potential new jarls. care to share where all of this came from?"

axsel cleared his throat and looked around for a moment, freydis voiced what he couldn't. how much he was angry at the gods, how unfair it felt that after all they've been through together they would be punished and have sylvi taken from them. "no, it's not bad." axsel leaned forward to plant a kiss on his sister's forehead. "i share your feelings." he said just as quietly as his sister.

with a nod and a sad smile, "of course, and shall the gods mind, i'll answer for it." axsel took a hold of freydis hand and together they tossed one of sylvi's necklaces into the fire. "she'll wait for us in valhalla, where we one day will see her again." it's the only comfort he can offer to both of them, despite knowing he won't rest until her soul will be avenged. "to the longhall? i need a ale, these talks of a new high jarl are tiring." he said after a moment of silence.

[freydisvanblair]

the blonde had been hurriedly flitting across the longhall, hugging old friends, playing games with the children of to myrkvjord, and greeting new faces. there was a sense of excitement in the air, but the death of the high jarl saddened freydis. his presence would certainly be missed.

freydis quickly stopped in her tracks when she heard bragi's voice. she immediately could feel his unease. she knew him well enough to know that he and the late high jarl had a bond. she also knew how hard it was to celebrate the life of a lost loved one -- it felt wrong. despite this, she was determined to lift bragi's spirits -- even just a little bit. she took a seat next to him, tossing her blonde waves over her shoulder and grinned, "well, i lost a game of hnefatafl to a nine-year-old...much to the amusement of all of his friends. but otherwise, it's been exciting to socialize." she tilted her head as she tried to analyze him. "what about yourself?"

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝    𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫    𝐟𝐨𝐫    :    𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢    𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧    &    𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐝𝐢𝐬    𝐯𝐚𝐧    𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧    :    𝐭𝐡𝐞    𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 [ @freydisvanblair ]

it  is  as  if  the  passing  of  the  high  jarl  is  a  celebration,  the  amount  of  ale  and  meat  pushed  forward  as  a  feast  of  his  passing  is  perhaps  what  makes  the  blacksmith  feel  bile  rise  in  his  throat.  without  the  high  jarl,  his  friend  and  companion  on  the  battlefield,  the  snakes  and  vipers  will  come  forth  and  claim  what  belongs  to  an  ironblood  clan  member.  he  knows  those  who  yearn  for  the  high  seat  for  all  the  wrong  reasons  and  those  who  will  do  anything  to  avoid  it.  blonde  locks  flicker  past  him,  a  reminder  of  one  of  the  shieldmaidens  who  he  is  certain  will  not  reach  for  the  top.  "  are  you  having  fun  freydis  ?  "  lips  twitch  upward  as  she  hurries  past.  different  than  her  brother,  yet  all  the  same.  he  envied  their  bond  as  much  as  he  did  not.  for  to  lose  a  sibling  to  war,  plague  or  curse  ⸻  seemed  a  much  more  awful  fate  than  wandering  the  world  alone.

[freydisvanblair]

grief and loss was interwoven in the siblings' lives. freydis knew axsel had been strong for her sake, but she worried about him. she worried about the possible turmoil he went through when he was alone. the great pyre covered freydis' entire body with warmth, but she couldn't help but shiver, feeling the cold grip of sorrow grasp her soul. freydis ached for her late sister, but she thanked the gods every day for axsel.

her gaze shifted towards the ground, kicking the dirt beneath her feet as she childishly avoided the task ahead of them. her eyes softened as she looked at her older brother. "it's not selfish, axsel. i'm not ready to let her go," she sighed, leaning into his touch. "is it bad that i'm mad at the gods?" she asked, keeping her voice quiet as she was embarrassed about her feelings. "i could make the offering," she nodded, smiling gently, "or, if you'd like we could make it together? i'm sure the gods wouldn't mind."

at the great pyre w/ @freydisvanblair

they were warriors, ironblood, death was part of them and yet he couldn't let go the grief he felt. standing in front of the great pyre, knowing what it symbolizes just made the anger and sadness bubble up again and yet he stood there, silent. staring at the fire like it was his enemy, fighting against burning eyes and cursing whoever took their sister away from both of them.

axsel did his grieving though, any weakness will be in private as he must appear strong in front of his freydis, you could probably see through it anyway. "is it selfish that i do not wish to offer something i don't want to part with? and yet to honor her we must offer something." he put his hand on freydis' shoulder, giving her as much comfort as he possible could "do you want to make the offering?"

[freydisvanblair]

FRIDA GUSTAVSSON as FREYDIS ERIKSDOTTER Vikings: Valhalla Season 3

[freydisvanblair]

a shieldmaiden who is duty bound, fueled by vengeance, or is searching for another purpose?

STATS

name : freydis van blair 

clan : theironblood clan 

family : brother ( axsel ) ; late sister (sylvi )

personality : effervescent, impulsive, curious

pronouns : she/her

sexuality : pansexual

BACKGROUND

fredyis and her two elder siblings were sold off at a young age to the ironblood clan by their parents, who cared more for money than they did for their children. freydis was so young when it happened, that she doesn’t really remember much about her parents apart from what axsel and sylvi told her — despite this, she still grieves her parents and the absence of maternal and fraternal love in her life. she considers herself to be truly blessed by the gods to have axsel, who took her and sylvi under his wings and showed them that no matter what, they were loved and protected. 

she’s always looked up to axsel and learned to be a formidable shieldmaiden through watching him and training with him. she’s quick with her sword and she’s always been able to block the world out the second her fingers wrap around the hilt of her sword. after sylvi passed, she’s felt it’s her duty to continue to serve the clan as a shieldmaiden. however, a huge part of her is tired of fighting. she wants peace for once in her life, but she would never let down axsel by denouncing her duties. she also feels that the gods would frown upon her and punish her — and axsel, the only person she has and the only love she knows. now when she unsheathes her sword, she’s in turmoil and she’s frightened that others might see it in her eyes. 

freydis is bubbly and inquisitive, always wanting to know more — she’ll follow you around and ask a million questions, not even realizing what she’s doing. she’ll greet everyone with a friendly smile, so long as her sword isn’t in her hand, and uses her effervescence to help her forget her trauma.

HEADCANONS

i can see freydis helping out wherever she can — helping water and harvest crops, feed livestock, and help the elderly villagers with anything they need

the dogs in myrkvjord follow freydis around — probably because she gives them scraps of food and lots of hugs

freydis HATES mornings, she’s very much a night owl

WANTED CONNECTIONS

secret friends : maybe their clans don't get along, but these two do ? they have to hide their friendship, but it's worth it bc they

former fling/crush : cutesie angsty maybe lingering feelings on one or both sides ?

role model : a powerful/strong woman who freydis looks up to !

or anything else, i'd love to brainstorm :)

[freydisvanblair]

HANNAH DODD as FRANCESCA BRIDGERTON Bridgerton Season 3: Part 1, Episode 3