liesthehead

[liesthehead]

The recognition of the man as a Viking had the queen maneuvering her daughter behind her- the young princess peaking out curiously from around her mother's back. Caoimhe had no trust for Vikings- few of the Irish did. Many of them had come to her homeland, attacked her people, tried to lay siege to her land.

"One can only hope." Niamh was to be no warrior- she would one day take Caoimhe's place as the Queen of Ulster. Caoimhe only hoped Niamh would be older than she had been. It was a shame- her life's work was to be preparing her daughter to reign, but she would never have the chance to see it; a fate all monarchs lived. "She shall need to be quite fearsome."

it  was  entirely  his  own  doing,  for  his  mind  was  preoccupied  as  he  gazed  out  onto  the  vast  snowy  plains  of  the  scottish  lands.  despite  knowing  that  he  should  be  reunited  with  his  clan  after  being  absent  for  several  months  ,  his  focus  had  been  on  persuading  other  clan  leaders  to  partake  in  peace  negotiations.  sadly  though,  his  efforts  were  in  vain,  as  they  merely  just  laughed  at  him.  

a  blow  to  his  back  jolted  him  back  to  reality,  causing  him  to  turn  around  and  discover  a  young  girl.  “  no,  its  alright,  ”  he  reassured  her,  dismissing  any  notion  of  blame.  it  was  not  the  first  time  he  was  pelted  by  a  snowball,  as  he  had  experienced  his  fair  share  of  snowball  attacks.  he  had  kids  of  his  own,  afterall.  although  his  own  children  were  all  grown  now,  there  was  a  time  when  they  too  engaged  in  family  snowball  battles.  “  she’s  a  good  arm.  with  a  bit  more  practice,  she’ll  be  a  fearsome  warrior.  ”

[liesthehead]

“You-“ a small smile slipped from his lips. “Worried about me?” It was silly. To be- what was he, glad?- that the man he had fallen into bed with before knowing his name had thought of him. Had he made so much of an impression?

“Stories of my trip down the stairs have been greatly exaggerated,” Kázmér tried brushing off. It was embarrassing, to have everyone know of his injuries, how he had been bested by his younger sister without her even drawing a weapon. “Zosia and I were discussing something-“ Arguing in the corridor as if they were still children. “And I misstepped too close to the stairs.” The prince gave a shrug of his shoulders.

He blinked at Njal. “Why I was upset?” Kázmér did not know how the Viking could have pieced it together- he barely understood his emotions himself. He had long been a man of extremes- die hard devotion turned into paranoid anxiety turned to apathy to deep desire.

"i've never been one that liked to cause trouble," and that is what it could cause. vikings were not given the best name, and a prince known to be sleeping with one cannot be good for reputation. rolf always said that you're only as good as your name. njal would not have the same issues coming up for him.

"well," he gave a cheeky grin, "the good type of trouble excluded." he reached a hand up to push his curls away from his face.

"to put it bluntly," njal cleared his throat, "i put together why you were upset the other night. that - and word you were thrown down the stairs - i worried about you." he spoke honestly, just because they had a one-night stand does not mean he is careless.

[liesthehead]

"Haven't you got someone else to sink your fangs into?" The Viking winked at his leader, leaning back in his seat. "I hear you have royalty lined up, just waiting for a chance at the fearsome outlaw." Leif grinned at the picture in his head, the stuffy royals who filled the castle queueing up outside Aksel's tent, just waiting for their turn at wooing him. "How is it you manage it?"

He gave a sigh. Politics were not something he tended to dabble in- there were plenty of reasons Leif was not a leader, and his inability to keep his mouth shut and opinions to himself were among them. "Then let's put him in it sooner. I mean, how hard can killing one king be?" he asked. "I hear they have been dropping like flies. They die as easily as any man. Perhaps you should challenge him to a duel."

" i am sure you would have liked that. " the vikings eyes rolled, though a smirk was not far behind - ale back in hand to wash down his words. " enough drink and i may still consider it. "

enough ale and perhaps his bad mood would shift and his head wouldn't feel so heavy. " what is the rest, leif? because the king does not like me nor does he care about any of us. nor wil he ever. the sooner he's put in his grave the better. " words were mumbled against his cup before he took another sip. " i'm just cold and tired. nothing drink and sleep will not fix. "

[liesthehead]

He sat on the offered piece of the blanket, pulling his knees to his chest, curling in an attempt to keep in warmth despite the frigid air. “You’ll need some gloves soon princeling.” Leif took the stone in hand, turning it over. “Or you’re likely to freeze your fingers off.” He could remember his mamma telling him the same thing, giving him warnings about the cold, helping him into his coat, wrapping a scarf around mother’s neck before sending them off. The stories of frostbite had stayed with him, and he had no wish to experience it himself.

“Pretty,” he murmured, turning the rock over and over in his hand, letting the coolness seep into his skin. “It’s blue.” Leif could remember their discussion- how Vidar’s favourite colour for rocks had once been blue but no longer was. "I shall keep it," he said, pocketing the stone. "As a reminder of your pretty eyes, princeling."

vidar hadn't quite found words just yet, he said a total of ten... maybe more... when he talked to hallr, and he didn't need words with tyr. but leif didn't know him, he didn't know how vidar's voice would suddenly feel too strained when dealing with a lot.

vidar almost thought about ignoring the viking, he had his fill by now. he did not want to think of anyone as friends anymore. he did not want to risk getting attached or hurt again. still, he found himself nodding.

he sat up slightly to unfold the blanket he was sitting on so leif would have room to sit before he moved to sit back down and go back to looking for rocks. he found a soft blue one, pulling it out of the dirt to clean it off.

he hoped someone would steal his rock back from magnus.

he looked back at leif, handing him the blue rock. he didn't keep the blue ones.

[liesthehead]

There was no love lost for the guards his brother kept employed. Kázmér was a jealous man in every aspect- as a child he had pouted when his siblings received attention from their parents, then when they had made friends, of Zosia when she had been so skilled when he froze in battle. He was prone to pouting. “Your duty is to run a kingdom, his was to keep her safe.” It was an easier role, to protect one person. Kázmér was prone to holding grudges- and his one for his sister-in-law and her paramour had began before she met her end. “Of course I wish you to turn to me. I am your brother- I am the crown prince.” How long for, he wondered? "I thought- I got in your way. Was a pest, an annoyance. I want to be useful, to you, to our country. You will have dozens of guards, but you only have two brothers."

marius could not compare his guards to one another, they were too different - polar opposites in fact. they botth had their flaws and their strengths but ilja had been loyal, even if it had been to his wife up until her death. " he did not protect her from slaughter anymore than i did and she was my queen, brother. i can hardly judge a man when i also failed. " the king glanced to the ground, taking a moment to compose himself before he looked to kázmér once more. he would bite his tongue, this time knowing better than to say too much. " i didn't know you wanted me to turn to you, i was of the opinion that you'd rather be left alone. but if that is not the case then... perhaps we could work together for now on? "

[liesthehead]

"They are lucky to have you," the queen said with a smile. A trusted nanny, a good friend, Bea themself- Caoimhe is not sure which she means. Few members of her court would scold her- she would allow so few to. Caoimhe had come into her throne young, had been forced to learn to be a monarch while others attempted to maneuver her simply due to her youth.

She gave a light laugh, shaking her head. "No, just me." It had been some time since she had been asked about a partner- most often by people fishing for clues as to her daughter's parentage, a secret she had never shared. "I suppose I should find her a tutor soon."

"the prince and i have an understanding," they assured. bea had been working for the royal family since winnie was a baby, it would be awful to not have some sort of report with auggie by now.

"though, auggie tends to be a bit of a pushover when it comes to her." they've been the designated bad guy for the past few years for keeping her on track. "is it you or your partner that deal with the pouting?" as far as they were aware the queen hadn't had a nanny so asking about the queen's partner was a good way to gage if the queen was taken. it was no secret that bea was single.

[liesthehead]

Mihrimah sighed, reaching a hand up to gently caress her daughter's face. "I know, I know." She had always hoped her children would have easier lives- that they would find happiness. So much of Mihrimah's own youth had been filled with uncertainty- with the gnawing hunger of an empty belly, with the exasperated sighs when shoes wore through or her elder siblings grew out of clothes, the constant scraping of coins to make ends meet. Her children would not know such things- they could never become bargaining pieces. "We shall take it each day at a time, my dear."

layla   swallows   the   huff   that   sits   at   the   back   of   her   throat   .   yet   .   short   but   the   whole   truth   in   mother’s   sentence   .   sooner   or   later   ,   so   she   knew   ,   history   would   be   written   and   she   would   be   separated   from   her   family   .   it   was   what   daughters   were   supposed   to   do   after   all   .   she   bites   her   tongue   .   her   parents   ,   perhaps   ,   the   only   people   who   would   bring   her   to   do   it   was   she   not   one   to   disrespect   the   title   of   family   ,   the   hierarchy   there   ,   the   deep   respect   that   a   child   must   carry   for   their   elders   .   “   i   am   respectful   ,   anne   .   “   she   replies   simply   ,   gaze   thrown   to   the   grounds   .   with   the   gray   consuming   scotland   there   was   none   to   admire   out   here   anyway   .   the   thought   of   future   however   ,   not   so   easily   ignored   .   

[liesthehead]

He leaned down to pet Synfull's head, scratching behind his ears. "When are you thinking of going?" Kázmér asked his younger brother, glancing up at him from the dog. "I could go for a drink." He gave a shrug of his shoulders. "If you'd like some company."

"watching the snow," jakab was never one that liked to be out in the wet or the cold, watching from the window was perfect for him. his own dog, boldisar, slept on one of his feet that touched the ground. boldisar was smaller than his brother's dog. a medium-sized dog for the youngest prince. "i may walk to the tavern later."

[liesthehead]

Leif was not exactly known for his ability to stay in one spot for long periods of time. The same view each day became too routine, too boring- it was no wonder the Viking had taken to exploring. He was curious by nature, plotting out much of the land surrounded the camps in his head.

He strolled down to the loch, a small bucket in hand. "Princeling," he said, surprise clouding his voice at the sight of the Dane poking around in the dirt. "You finally made your way down here." He remembered Vidar mentioning the loch in their previous conversation.

@liesthehead (leif)

its been a few days, or maybe it was a day? or just two? he couldn't really tell. after he sat with tyr he had sat in his room, he wasn't even sure if dagmar or hallr even knew what happened, and he didn't really tell anyone.

for the most part, he was confused, too. vidar knew he would be left eventually, but he hadn't expected it to be quite like that.

eventually he pulled himself out, making his way to the loch. orignailly his feet had made its way to the camp, he pushed himself to the loch. he had no one to see in the camp anyway. he found himself somewhere to sit while he dug in front of him for rocks.

he looked up when he heard footsteps, not knowing those steps. his brows scrunched together in confusion. he wasn't sure who he was expecting, but it wasn't him. he lifted a hand to wave.

[liesthehead]

"Not as far as I've heard." It was open season on Hungarians as far as Dorothea knew- besides passing dalliances, the royal family all appeared to be single or recently widowed. Rumours had circled about some of the members, but all she had heard had been concerning the elder Hungarians. "She has had at least one betrothal but that was called off before they left Hungary. Would you like me to see about a formal introduction between the two of you?"

he listened, she was always quick to catch onto his ideas. he was pretty sure she knew about some of his exes before he even did. "maybe," he gave a lopsided grin, "it more or less depends, is she in a relationship and is that relationship monogamous?" he was all for being a dirty little secret, given that he was not disrupting a relationship. home wrecking was always a messy business, and he was far too old for that now.

[liesthehead]

Caoimhe let out a light laugh, shaking her head. “I would say so.” It was nice to be in the company of a familiar face- much better than had her daughter attacked a stranger. "Crisp air, a brisk walk, fresh snow to entertain- what could one complain for?" The cold wind, the official end to the harvest, the confirmation that they would be here until the weather cleared- if Caoimhe allowed herself to dwell she could easily come with a list. "What of you? All settled?"

Meabh had been in her own world enjoying her stroll through the fresh snow when she felt the cold splatter against her shoulder. Once the initial second of shock had passed they turned towards Caoimhe and her daughter and smiled as they approached. "It is alright, Caoimhe. There was no harm done! But," she drew the word out as she crouched down and formed a snowball of her own. "It's only fair!" They gently tossed the snowball at the little Princess, making sure it wouldn't land too hard or hit her small pale face. It broke against her arm and Meabh grinned conspiratorially with Niamh. "Are you both enjoying this winter day?"

[liesthehead]

“If you’re offering I will not refuse.” She grinned at her friend. Little Niamh was fond of her godfather and would not complain about being left in his care like she would one of Caoimhe’s ladies-in-waiting. “It would be nice to speak without little ears listening in.”

he playfully rolled his eyes, chuckling. "if you say so," he shook his head, knowing very well where her heart goes. he watched her eyes go to the nanny before going back to them. "how about without the young princesses in tow? if you need a sitter?" he rose a teasing brow.

[liesthehead]

“The winter will be hard.” Snow had already begun sticking to the ground, sending game scattering for their nests and caves, hibernating through the worst of it. “How is he faring? I hear they receive even less rations then us.” Dagmar had not spent time in the Viking camps- could barely tell the difference between the clans, knew of them only in passing.

" there were, though i fear there are not so many now. especially with the snow... " no doubt they would be starting to hide which meant less food. surely the scottish king would have to be a little kinder unless he would rather risk war. " i do. thank you. " he nodded his head as a small smile rest on his lips. he wondered for a moment how dagmar would take the news of his potential return, but that could wait. " yes, he's with the madsen clan now. he seems.. content so i daren't ask him to leave. "

[liesthehead]

Blue eyes followed his hand as he took the drink, brow raising at the lack of manners. “Princess Ezsti?” Dorothea clarified. She had always been adept at remembering faces and names, cataloguing series of facts about them inside her mind. “No she does not. The only children they have are the king’s daughter and Princess Zosia’s three.” She moved her hand, taking her cup and maneuvering it out of his grasp. “Why do you ask? Are you interested? She is quite pretty.”

@liesthehead (thea)

he moved as fast as he could to sit across from thea, grabbing her drink for his own. he only took a sip before putting it back down. "you know about everyone, right?" he leaned forward, a wicked grin spreading over his face. "the youngest hungarian, she doesn't have a kid, does she?"

[liesthehead]

Kázmér knew he should hold his tongue- and he did, for the most part. He did not say what was obvious to anyone who looked. Instead when Kázmér spoke the words that came out were "You trust the man who could not stop the slaughter of your wife despite being her guard to protect Zsofia?" He wondered for a moment if that is why Marius had asked him. "Someone better?" He scoffed. "Guards come and go Marius- they are only as loyal to you as long as your coin fills their pockets and even that is rarely enough. I am- I am your blood, your shadow- yet you turn to these men who have done nothing but betray you before you do me."

" if you have someone better in mind then you're welcome to suggest it, kázmér. i will hear it. " marius was running out of options and ilja seemed to the better fit. the dismissal of his mention regarding the scottish prince didn't go unnoticed, the thought of pestering his brother nagged at the back of his mind when their sister arose in conversation. " then i will send zosia. " his nose wrinkled. not ideal but she had a sharp tongue. " i asked him to to keep watch of my daughter, he cannot do that while sitting in a cell. unless you would prefer to do it? "

[liesthehead]

“I’m a prince,” he reminded. “I glance too long at a woman in the corridor and there are rumours of my impending betrothal.” He had long ago given up on rumours. Sure, he listened what his family members' names were mentioned, but he knew what was true concerning himself- most of the time at least.

Kázmér's time in Scotland had been tumultuous- from rekindling with Will, only for that to end quicker than it had began, to his... argument with his sister that had left him at the bottom of a flight of stairs. "If I worried about rumours I would never leave my room- and there would be rumours about that as well." Not that he had been venturing out of his chambers much in recent days- though he could shrug that off to recovering from injury.

njal hummed in response, "i just did not want the rumors to discourage you from seeing me again," he explained, smiling softly. he looked over the prince, trying to get the sense if he was lying about being okay or not.

njal reached up, watching the dog to make sure it was allowed, and cupped his cheek. "call me cautious, i suppose," he dropped his hand after a moment. "as long as you're certain."

[liesthehead]

"Lavender then," she murmured. Her hand reached up to gently caress Freyja's cheek, worry clouding her eyes as she looked at the girl. Dorothea had known her for her entire life- born to her aunt and uncle, only to be welcome into and raised by the family Dorothea would wed into. "You are doing fine, dear." She gave a soft smile, trying to reassure the princess. "You have experienced so much in such a short time. Do not believe we will forget such a slight." She dropped her hand back to her lap. "I am here as long as you need."

Freyja muttered in agreement. She supposed that was true, even if Thea’s brews always felt a step above anyone else’s. The Swedish princess kept forcing herself to reflect inward and try to overcome the fear that had seized her when she was imprisoned. All she found in those reflections was anger - at herself for being caught and not doing more to fight back, at the Scottish tyrant who did nothing while people suffered. When she managed to get past the anger she found herself exhausted. Driven or exhausted. There was no gray area between the two to be found at the moment, though she would force the mask and push herself to return to some semblance of normalcy. “Lavender. Lavender would be pleasant.” Her thoughts drifted back to the dungeons. She wondered how the others were getting along now that they had been released. Freyja sighed heavily. “I am sorry. I know I am not exactly a riveting conversational partner at the moment. I do appreciate you being here.” She flicked her light gaze up to Thea’s.