#Thorunn

[procrastinatingsoicanreadfanfics]

Vikings + affectionate drunk!reader

Summary: How different Vikings characters would react to a normally unaffectionate reader becoming very clingy/cuddly once they get tipsy

Notes: Me??? posting?? it's crazy ik

Taglist: @bragisrunes @demon-of-the-ancient-world @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie @punkrocknpearls @alicedopey, @ivarlover @batmandallyboy @akayxo09 (hmu to be added to any kind of taglist!)

Masterlist | based on this request | requests are OPEN! (but might take a while)

Ragnar

Whaat this is crazy

He so didn’t totally expect this from you

Calls you a lightweight and teases you

Full well knowing you won’t get angry at him this time

Lagertha

She’s the type to raise an eyebrow

Watches you be super nice to all your friends with an amused smile

Gives you a cup of water to help you sober up

Enjoys the attention way too much

Aslaug

Sober up? Aslaug will pour you another cup

Takes full advantage of the affection

Pretends like it never happened when you ask her the next day

Gets giggly when you get giggly

Athelstan

So confused

I hc that for some reason Athelstan can drink his fill so he never gets tipsy

Why are you suddenly so nice?

You like him????

More than a little suspicious

Ubbe

‘oh gods’

He already has Hvitserk crying his heart out and now you’re starting to smile??

Honored

Makes you sober up for his sake

Hvitserk

You can try to be more affectionate than him

Drunk Hvitserk is smiling, cuddling, eating

He’s tailing Ivar, telling him all about how much he loves his brother Ivar without realizing that its him

But he still gets even happier when he sees you

Sigurd

Don’t expect him not to be drunk while you are

Also super affectionate drunk

A bundle of hugs

Will make you sing scales if you try to sing a song

Ivar

Hates that his hardened warrior is melting (does not hate it)

Why are they suddenly cuddly and all smiley?

Ugh this will ruin their reputation!!!

Totally enjoys the attention

Thorunn

At your feet

Immediately

She’s never seen you like this and she loves it. A lot.

Becomes affectionate in turn

[ivarthebadbitch]

Shieldmaiden, beloved by the gods.

[etjwrites]

Yes, I really did do that. I had gotten about halfway through the first draft and realised it would disrupt my flow to switch to the computer at that point, so I pushed through.

Really makes for an interesting process when the delete button is not an option. Don't even ask me about the typing it up process for draft two. 😅

(You can buy this scifi book on amazon btw!)

[simply-ellas-stuff]

Gunnhild and þorunn look alike.

[therealvikingstrash]

[all-that-is-gold-is-now-gone]

New Muse!

Thorunn

Shieldmaiden

Warrior

[dragonsoftheeast]

ready when the kill time comes

read on Ao3

Ubbe and Hvitserk’s first time in battle.

Written for @vikingsevents Autumn Equinox Challenge Day 4: Harvest Moon

As they look down from their place on the hill at the farm below them, Hvitserk’s grip on his sword is just a little too warm. The leather is slick with his sweat, and his heart equal parts anticipation and fear.

The harvest moon glows so bright and orange above them, Hvitserk worries that they would be spotted.

“They won’t see us, their fires are too bright,” Bjorn tells him quietly. He holds an axe in each hand, but he moves to hold both in his right so that he can pat him on the shoulder. “Just stay low. Don’t worry. I will be with you.”

He nods quickly, throat a little dry, and looks to Ubbe. He smiles, his teeth flashing in the moonlight, and punches his shoulder with his sword hand. 

“We are the sons of Ragnar,” Ubbe tells him. “The sons of Aslaug, of Sigurd before her.”

Ubbe has no fear, even though it’s his first battle too. So Hvitserk loosens his grip on his sword so he’s not clenching as hard.

His father and mother had fundamentally disagreed on exactly when he had become a man, but if his father were here, his mother would have to capitulate: Hvitserk is man now. With a man’s responsibilities. And that means protecting what’s yours.

One of Kattegat’s farmers had come to plead for Aslaug’s aid, after she had been chased off her farm, and her whole family killed. 

With Ragnar having been gone for three years, it is fairly certain that he will not return, and so it seemed to make sense that some men would be tempted by the prosperity of the city.

That is, until one of the farmers mentions a ring on their leader’s finger, a twist of unconnected metal, with runes across the ends.

“I know of one ring of that description,” his mother says, and her eyes seem to glow with sight, the sight she has beyond other men. “It belongs to Erlendur, the son of Horik.”

Bjorn scowls at the name. 

“Take this woman and bathe her, and provide her with new clothes and a meal,” his mother instructs one of her ladies. “Thank you for telling us about this.”

“Why would he be attacking us?” Ubbe asks, once the ladies have led the woman from their hall. He always likes to pretend he can be a leader.

“These used to be his father King Horik's lands, before our father took them from him,” Bjorn says, pacing. “He means to fight for his rights and take vengeance for his family.”

“And because Bjorn slept with his wife,” Thorunn says under her breath.

Ubbe and Hvitserk choke back laughter.

“Hmm?” Bjorn turns around to them.

“Nothing, please continue,” she says, smiling.

“We must retrieve the food they have stolen,” he says. “They may have already destroyed what they do not plan to eat. But they will raid other farms, and we cannot afford the loss when winter comes.”

“Then let us attack them now,” Ubbe says, and Hvitserk feels a thrill of excitement. A battle! A battle he can be part of. And Ubbe cannot hide his anticipation either.

“We will attack them at night,” Bjorn decides, “While they are sleeping and satisfied with themselves.”

And so, they and their two parties are perched on the top of the hill, watching the men below feast on their ill-gotten gains.

“Stay close to me,” Bjorn tells them both.

Every step he takes is surer, as the bottom of the hill is pulling him, down and down, to the place he knows he will know himself. His sword is lighter than it’s ever been, and the first time it meets flesh, he has purpose.

With Bjorn in front of him, and Ubbe beside him, he knows that he is untouchable as he moves through the darkness, cutting through men. With a sword in his hand, he can take on the world.

Every time a blade’s edge nears him, it is a brush of hair, nothing more.

Never in his young life has he ever felt like this, not in training, not in the boats with a score of his father’s warriors. There is an immediacy to everything he does, where nothing and everything matters. The grain doesn’t matter to him, the crops don’t matter to mih, only the enemy in front of him. 

Ubbe’s words are true. He is descended from legends. It only makes sense. Everything makes sense. 

Ubbe’s hand clasps on his shoulder, and that is how he knows the battle is over. His body buzzes with energy, but his brother’s hand keeps him still as he looks around at the remains of the farm.

Thorunn’s eye is blood red, even in the wan yellow of the moonlight. She looks them all up and down, checking them for harm before she turns to her husband.

“Is it done?” She asks.

“It’s done,” Bjorn says, wiping blood from his face. There is a body at his feet.

“It’s done!” Ubbe shouts into the open air.

Hvitserk, his blood up and his eyes clear, howls their victory to the harvest moon.

[esta-elavaris]

One thing I’m remembering that I really didn’t enjoy about Vikings was how disposable daughters were. It got to a point where if a character had a baby and it was a girl, or there was just generally a young daughter anywhere, you just knew she was going to die fairly soon whenever the narrative needed a general death. For a show that’s all “yeaaaa shieldmaidens, look at how much better the Norse women are treated compared to the wives and daughters in England!!!” it’s uhhhh disappointing. 

[melodicwitchlight]

rcbcrn:

getting off the boat from england and setting his feet on home soil made athelstan let out a long sigh. it felt good to finally be home after so many days of staying in a place he no longer called home. seeing thorunn brought a smile upon his lips.❛hello thorunn. it is good to see you again. and the trip? it went well. no unnecessary bloodshed,❜ he said.

❛has eveything gone well here?❜

“What happened in England?”

Thorunn was curious to know, hoping that Athelstan would expand on his answer. She could go wherever she wished now, if she wanted, and perhaps England could be a good place to start. She recalled that they had gone raiding, and she wanted more details on how it went.

“It has! Queen Aslaug freed me from being a slave, which I thought impossible.”

[helreginn]

Hey! I know this seems random, but I’ve been looking for people to rp vikings and I’m Norse, have you found many people? I would make a blog for a Viking character if I knew there were people out there. Let me know, thanks! - ooc.

@mcu-pep

Hope you don't mind me posting this publicly. I myself am in search of people. I even resurrected @theroleplayingedda (a masterlist of rpers) in hopes of finding people with limited success. But I did find as many active (this year, at least) blogs in my followers and in the tags that I could. So I figured I'd put this here in case others were having trouble too.

Really hope you guys do not mind me tagging you like this... If not, lemme know and I'll remove you. :)

@nykrose Nyk, the Näcken.

@valkxrie Brunnhilde, the Valkyrie

@varldsormr Jormungandr, the world serpent

@eddapoetic Havar, a fun fusion of many trickster deities

@starwrittenfates Sigyn, too many monikers. IDK, man.

@astridnorddottir Astrid, a valkyrie

@wildserkr Victor Halvorsen, a berserkr

@gulldrengur Baldr

@brknmnds Ivar, Sigurd and Hvitserk of Vikings as well as Angrboða and Jörmungandr

@arcanigenum Loke and Ull, the gods

@yggdrasilushxrt Dvalinn, one of the four deer of Yggdrasil

@savstaroth Thor, the god and a couple of OCs that might fit the descriptor idk like Ida Fjalarsdóttir, a witch

@mistressesandmastersofmythos Odin, Hel and Freyja, gods

@cryptiique Angrboda, Atreus (loki), Heimdall and Freyr (Of God of War canon sorta)

@storiedhistories SO many God of War muses.

@tessastormrp Baldr, Freyr, Harald Finehair, Loki, Tyr, Ubbe (GETS HIS VERY OWN TRIGGER WARNING!) Ragnarson and Sihtric of TLK

@all-that-is-gold-is-now-gone So many Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla and The Last Kingdom muses!

@entangledmuses Lagertha, Anma and Katia of Vikings. Eadith from TLK and lots of ocs with Viking and TLK verses!

@eclipsecrowned Fenrir, Freyja, Hel (Listen. LISTEN, Kadian's Hel is the BEST Hel. I DO make the rules), Hnoss, Laufey, Odin, Sigyn and Utgard-Loki

@belcvednanna Nanna

@melodicwitchlight Kiwi Hel (XD), Aslaug, Thorunn, Floki, Siggy,

@moonhoundman Hati, son of Fenrir

@berserkerofrealms Garmr, Hel hound

@paracosmms Angrboda, mother of Jormungandr, Hel and Fenrir

@bebbanburged Uhtred of the last kingdom

@sigynthevictorious Sigyn mother of Narfi and Vali

@bruadcr Þrúðr Þórradóttir, Sif, Ullr Lokison, Sigyn & Jormungandr

@runaljod Magni & Móði Þórsson, Fenrisúlfr, Þór, Loki, Frœyjɑ, Angrboða, Óðinn, Jörð and Loki

@mystiokinesis Bergfinnr Thrymrson

@kingoftheravens Loki, Fenrir, Jormungandr, Hel, Angrboda, Hati and Skoll

@deficd Ragnar Lodbrok, Hilda Ragnarsdottir, Gyda Ragnarsdottir, Sindre Ísleifsson, Solveig Ísleifsdottir, Valka

@crowsandmurder Bjorn Ironside, Ragnar Lothbrok

@alldaddy Odin

@kissofthemuses Freyja, Sigyn,

@heartsdefine Sigyn

[destinededits]

gif pack: GAIA WEISS in “Vikings”

Here’s a set of SEVENTY-FIVE ( 75 ) gifs of Gaia Weiss as the thrall-turned-shieldmaiden Þórunn / Thorunn in “Vikings.” I made these a few years ago for my own use for a character, so they abruptly stop before the episode where she gets scarred (for practical reasons since my character did not have such an injury, and also because I was very upset by that episode and could not bring myself to gif the dark and depressive character arc that followed—it hit too close to home and I’m still bitter about how she was abandoned by the writers) but I hope they’re useful all the same. All of these were made by me, and are of various sizes. Credit is not necessary, but please do not copy them into your own gif hunts.

[procrastinatingsoicanreadfanfics]

ch. 9 — behat (to promise)

notes: timeskip of a few months! also, guysss so ummm i really hate the last two chapters i wrote so i'll have to scratch them and start again... but im also in the middle of some pretty important stuff so yah. sorry about that.

summary: alethia meets thorunn. athelstan and ragnar talk about ragnar, promises are made.

warnings: mentions of depression, ppd and other mental health issues, ragnar is a bit of a dick tbh

tagged: @levithestripper @demon-of-the-ancient-world @grantairescurls

series masterlist | general masterlist

Alethia

It was getting colder in Kattegat. The temperatures had dropped in the past week, and Alethia could not help noticing that the days were shorter as well. But, there was a prolonged sense of gentleness within the cold days. Aslaug had given Alethia proper furs, Ragnar returned an old sword to her. She looked as if she was back in Winterfell, right after taking the castle back from the Boltons.

Sometimes, her heart tugged when Alethia thought of the North. Kattegat was similar to it, though the people were not. When Alethia woke up in Athelstan’s longhouse, she sometimes thought that she was back there, in Westeros. The thought seldom filled her with distress.

Still, Kattegat was a place that she thought she could call home. And as word spread that she was taken, that she really was Athelstan’s woman, Alethia had the sort of automatic respect she never did receive in England. 

That morning, she was the first free woman to push into the Great Hall. A few thralls were already working, setting the table and cleaning the floors. Alethia felt guilty each time she met the eyes of any of them. She was saving money to free them, but she knew it was a pointless endeavor.

But she and Athelstan agreed that they would never buy a thrall, or make someone a slave.

Hvitserk bounced up to Alethia before she could see him, crashing into her. Alethia stumbled backwards, landing on her back, and Hvitserk giggled, hugging Alethia tightly. While she was supposedly just a guard to Aslaug, Alethia had quickly become caretaker to Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd. Aslaug was too preoccupied with Ivar, and Ragnar…

Alethia lost some respect for him each time she thought on the matter. His three middle sons exhausted her thoroughly every day. It was not her responsibility, and yet, Alethia reveled in taking care of them, just as she had with Clothilda, Godwin and John in England.

“Are we going to play today?” Hvitserk asked.

“Like always.” Alethia promised. Hvitserk took her by the hand, pulling her to the table. He was always hungry, always the first to eat. Alethia had given up on trying to teach him any tablemanners, not that the Northmen took those particularly seriously.

“What are we going to do?”

“I was thinking of taking you hunting. Your brother’s skills with a bow have improved considerably, and Sigurd loves climbing the trees in the woods.”

“But it’s cold!” Hvitserk complained.

“Your mother bought new furs from the merchant three days ago. I’ll bundle you up so you stay nice and warm. And if your brother shoots a rabbit, you could have stew for dinner. How does that sound?” 

Hvitserk’s eyes brightened at the thought of his favourite food, and Alethia smiled. While Ubbe was responsible, taking himself quite seriously for a boy of eight, and would no doubt make it his mission to provide for his brothers tonight. Hvitserk, however, was the sort of playful that reminded Alethia of Rickon and Arya sometimes.

He was a wolf-child. 

Alethia hoped life would be kind to him. She tried to make it as much as she could. 

And Sigurd… however little the small boy liked to admit it, he was the one that took after his mother most. Already, Sigurd was drawn to bouts of anger and frustration, the only thing seemingly able to soothe him being when his mother sung to him. But Aslaug did not do that often.

Alethia sighed, handing Hvitserk a bowl of porridge.

“Where are Siggy and Thorunn?” she asked.

Hvitserk took a bite, gulping down his food without eating, before he answered. “I don’t know. Thorunn was crying again yesterday. She’s always so sad.”

“Okay. Do you know where she is?”

“No.” Hvitserk said. “I don’t really like her. She looks scary.”

“That’s not very nice.”

“You also look like her, but you don’t scare me.” Hvitserk continued anyway. “You aren’t so gloomy all the time.”

“I’m about to be very fucking gloomy.”

Hvitserk giggled, smiling widely as he saw his brother trudge towards the table. Ubbe was wearing a frown, hands rubbing his eyes.

“What is it, Ubbe?” Alethia asked.

“Ivar was crying again. I couldn’t sleep.” Ubbe complained. He climbed the bench next to Alethia. It did not escape her that he leaned against her, his hand searching for hers. Her heart broke a little.

“I will try to find something to help your little brother. And we are going hunting today.” Alethia said. “Is it alright if Thorunn comes along? I cannot take care of all of you at the same time.” 

Hvitserk frowned. “She’ll ruin it. She’s like Sigurd when he’s angry.”

“Will she be crying?” Ubbe said.

“Maybe.”

“I want her to be happy. She is our sister-in-law.”

“That’s right.” Alethia smiled. “Good job, Ubbe.”

“Maybe we can just send her back if she is very sad.” Hvitserk suggested. “Then it won’t be so scary to take her along.

“I promise you, you will have a great day.” Alethia said. “You two finish dinner, and help Sigurd get dressed, alright? Make sure he eats too, and give him some pears for his porridge. Ask the thralls for more in case you finish all the fruit. It’s important he has some. Can you do that?”

“I can!” Ubbe said.

Alethia ruffled his hair, and the boy hugged her quickly, before he looked away. Hvitserk stared up at her from his spot at the bench, before a cheeky grin appeared on his face.

“I hope you’ve gotten better at archery since last time.” he said, sticking out his tongue. Alethia raised her brows.

“Careful little man, or I’ll have to eat all the rabbit stew in the world by myself.”

Hvitserk’s insulted gasp was the last thing she heard as she slipped out of the Great Hall again. In the center of Kattegat, around the Great Hall, merchants were setting up their stalls. Alethia took note of one merchant who displayed little trinkets. As she stepped closer, her heart skipped a beat. There, amidst mostly worthless playthings and souvenirs, was a small collection of coins with what had to be Chinese symbols.

Alethia bought one of them quickly. She slipped the coin into her pocket, turning it over in her hand as she walked. 

Perhaps she could hide it somewhere, with a message of some kind. Perhaps archeologists would find it in a century. Then, she would have been here.

No. It was too dangerous.

Alethia stepped up to Bjorn’s longhouse. She knew that Bjorn would be away. He had been sleeping at Rollo’s house for the past two weeks, taking Siggy with him. Thorunn was alone here.

She knocked. There was nothing, not a single sound from within the house, but still, Alethia waited.

She knocked again. And again, there was nothing. But then, Alethia caught a quiet sniffle.

“I’m coming in now.”

No response. Alethia opened the door slowly, but closed it behind her as fast as she could. Inside the longhouse, it was dark, but there was a rank smell that permeated the walls. Alethia lit a candle, walking towards Thorunn. The girl was a little younger than her, and so similar to Alethia in so many ways. Alethia thought that, maybe, she could understand her.

If anyone.

Thorunn was backed into a corner like an animal, and as Alethia raised the candle, she cowered away. Alethia sat down a few steps away from her, putting the candle onto the ground. Thorunn shielded the scarred side of her face, knees drawn up to her chest. All she was wearing was a shift, and that was crusted with dark red blood. It was around her abdomen, and so, Alethia guessed that it stemmed from some kind of complication with birth. She tried to ignore the smell, tried not to focus on the way that Thorunn’s hair had turned into a matted mess.

Had no one taken care of her, Alethia would have been the same.

“Hello, Thorunn.”

“Who are you?” Thorunn asked. “Are you real? Did the Gods send you to mock me?”

“I am real. I am Alethia.” she said quietly. “Athelstan’s woman.”

“The priest has a woman?”

“Now he does.” Alethia replied. “And you are Thorunn, right? Bjorn told me all about you.”

At the mention of his name, Thorunn looked away. “He does not love me anymore.”

“I think he does. I think he simply does not know how to handle… you.”

“I warned him about that when I was still a thrall. He didn’t get it.”

“Lothbrok men.”

Thorunn’s expression changed. It wasn’t a smile, not yet, but Alethia was getting there.

“Would you like to come hunting with me? I’m taking care of Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd for today. I hear you’re good with a bow.”

Thorunn eyed Alethia suspiciously. “Bjorn set you up to this, didn’t he? He wants me to feel better about myself.”

“I don’t know Bjorn very well. All I know is that he’s an angry young man with a babe he does not know how to care for. You said it yourself, you thought the Gods sent me to mock you. I came because…  I had a feeling we were similar.”

“You’re not a monster.” Thorunn whispered.

“And what makes you one?”

“Have you seen my face?”

“Have you seen mine?” Alethia countered. “You have done nothing that would make you a monster.”

“I abandoned my daughter.”

“Not yet.”

“I don’t want to take care of her. I’m scared I’ll mess things up.”

“Every mother is.”

“Do you have a child?” Thorunn asked.

“I lost mine.” Alethia admitted. “I have no child that came from my own body, but I have been raising those of others, those that are lost for many years.”

“Can you raise my daughter?”

“You can do that yourself.”

“I cannot.”

“Yes, you can. Whatever I do for those children, it is never enough. I am never quite right. That is because I am not truly a mother, only a stand-in. And I don’t want that for Siggy.”

“I cannot do it. Look at me! She’ll grow up afraid.”

“Because of what? That scar?”

“Yes!” Thorunn cried out. “Do you not see what we are? How ugly and deformed we look?”

“Rude.” Alethia mumbled. “But I am loved. I know it. And not in spite of my scar, but because it is part of me. Bjorn will love you with or without it.”

“How do you know?”

“Just a feeling.” Alethia replied. 

“And what if I don’t deserve it? He’s the son of Lagertha! He could have anyone!”

“Your beauty does not make you any more deserving of love.” Alethia countered. She shuffled closer, and took Thorunn’s hand. “And even if we are monsters, are we not still women? We feel pain just as we feel love, and hate, and anger, and happiness. We are human, and therefore, we love. Let them point fingers. Dare them in your defiance of holding your head up high. Therein lies strength some will never understand. Do not let them take your spirit.”

“Them?”

“Those that would tear you down. You are a fortress, Thorunn. It is alright to feel weak, to want to hide away and never see the sun again. But the sun is beautiful, Thorunn. Outside is beautiful. Life is beautiful, just as it is terrible. You have a daughter, and you have the chance to raise her in a way that she shall always feel safe and loved.”

“It is so much.”

“I know it is. I am not asking you to feel alright. All I am asking is that you come hunt with me and the boys today. Let me help you. Let Aslaug, and Bjorn, and everyone else help you. I know asking for that help is hard, and so I will do it for you. All you must do is accept.”

Thorunn withdrew her hand, hiding her face in her palms, and for a moment, Alethia was afraid.

“Alright.” she said finally. “But I do not know where to start.”

“I do.”

Alethia stood, her joints aching as she did, and she thought that she was getting old. How silly, considering that she was only twenty. The thought of it excited her. Growing old! She never really thought she would, not even when she had still lived in her time. A life beyond twenty seemed unfathomable, and yet, here she was. Living. Breathing.

She took the bucket that stood in the corner of the longhouse and carried it outside, filling it with water. Returning to the longhouse, Alethia opened the shutters to let some light inside. It took time, but the wooden tub filled with cold water. When it was full, Alethia helped Thorunn up. She ignored the smell, the blood, the dirt.

Thorunn sat in the water, and Alethia threw the shift into a corner with dirty bedding and molding food. While Thorunn scraped the dirt off of her skin, Alethia took to work with her hair. Slowly, the mats disappeared. They weren’t as bad as Alethia thought they would be, and she thanked every higher power that Thorunn was a blonde, and not a brunette, where her hair would have been thicker, and likely impossibly tangled.

Alethia wanted to shriek as lice crawled onto her hands, and her scalp felt itchy while she flicked them off, crushing them under her boot. Using a comb, Alethia tried to rid Thorunn of the rest of them. Finally, she handed the other woman a towel, letting her dry herself while Alethia set out new clothes.

When Thorunn was dressed, the sun was considerably higher in the sky, and she looked like she was going to be okay. Hopefully.

“We’ll take care of the house later, but the boys are waiting for us. It’s almost noon already, and they’re likely fighting.” Alethia said.

“Thank you.” Thorunn replied. “I don’t know if I…”

“It’s nothing. I had help as well.”

“Can we be friends?” Thorunn blurted out. “I don’t really have… friends. I don’t think Bjorn counts – he’s more than that after all.”

Her eyes were so wide as she grabbed Alethia’s hands again, holding them in the space between the two of them. For the first time since they’d met, Alethia saw Thorunn smile. It suited her. As Alethia looked at her, she felt like a girl again. God, how she loved that. 

“Yes. I would like that.” Alethia replied.

Thorunn linked her arm in Alethia’s, strolling out into the street as if she was alright, and Alethia felt her heart beat in her throat out of happiness. She had a friend! How she’d missed that.

And Thorunn looked like she felt the same way.

Athelstan

Ragnar sat on the beach, watching as Athelstan drew up the walls of Paris. When he looked at Ragnar, Athelstan knew that his friend was somewhere else in his mind. Somewhere where there were no children, no wives, no kingdom, only Ragnar and the boat.

Then, Ragnar hissed through his teeth. “Tell me about Paris.”

Athelstan rolled his eyes. Paris, Paris, Paris. Since they’d returned from England, Paris was all that Ragnar wanted to talk about. “Again?”

“Please?”

Athelstan shook his head, smiling lightly. “I only went there once.”

“Continue.”

“I was visiting a monastery in Frankia, right outside of Paris, and one day, the monks there took me to see it.”

Ragnar had closed his eyes. He looked like he was sleeping, but Athelstan knew exactly what to say so that he would pay attention again. “But what I remember more, is the beautiful women.”

He had a feeling Alethia would not have liked those words. Alethia. Athelstan wanted to disappear into his mind, but then, Ragnar leaned forward with so much interest that Athelstan had to continue. “I almost… questioned my vows of celibacy.”

“You never told me that part before.” Ragnar said. And then, a wolfish grin appeared on his face. “Speaking of celibacy…”

Athelstan sighed. “Yes?”

“You and her… hmm?”

“I have no idea what you mean.” Athelstan lied.

“She lives in your house. You have to have done something . Or did you get a second bed, you sad, sad man.” Ragnar teased. Athelstan considered his choice of words for a moment.

“What do you think?” 

Ragnar squinted, blue eyes disappearing momentarily. “Two weeks ago.”

Athelstan could not help but laugh, and Ragnar’s eyes widened. “You did not tell me?”

“The night we returned to Kattegat.”

“AND YOU DID NOT TELL ME?” he shouted.

“I thought it unimportant.”

“Next you’ll tell me you plan to make her your wife.”

“I am, actually. Planning it, I mean.” Athelstan mumbled. Ragnar’s eyes widened slightly, before he huffed.

“Why? Why bind yourself in such a way?”

“Because I love her.”

“I love Lagertha. And yet, I never should have married her.”

“You and I, Ragnar, we are not the same.”

“I know.” Ragnar replied. “Then you have my blessing. Though Kattegat does not have a church, so I do not know how…”

“She would refuse to marry me in a church. The Christian way, it binds her too much.” Athelstan shrugged. “It would have to be a Norse marriage ceremony anyway.”

“Good. Good. And now you have to tell me, what did you do when… you know?”

“Well, we uh…” Athelstan began. He knew he was reddening. At the same time, there was the warm feeling of satisfaction at the base of his stomach when he thought back to that first night. And all the nights that followed. “We did it, and then we did it again.”

Ragnar rolled his eyes. “You are such a Christian sometimes.”

“What is it precisely that you wish to know?” 

His friend’s eyes gleamed, and Athelstan regretted ever saying anything. “Has she ever gotten on her knees for you?”

Athelstan’s mouth turned dry. “I’m not- I am not answering that.” He stuttered out, and Ragnar laughed.

“I knew it. She’s corrupting you! My Athelstan, corrupted by some godless girl from England!”

“She is not from England.”

“No? Where then?”

“It is… complicated.” Athelstan sighed. “I suppose the land is comparable to Eastern Frankia.”

“Perfect. Then she’ll know how to help us with Paris.”

“Ragnar, no.” Athelstan said firmly. Ragnar froze, before he turned to stare at Athelstan.

“What do you mean, no?”

“Do not involve her in your raiding plans. Don’t. Do not offer her to plan it, to come to Paris, or to fight. I will not be your friend if you do.”

“You’re afraid she’ll die.” Ragnar mused. An itch of annoyance spread through Athelstan. Ragnar was being too unserious about this.

“No. I know her body would survive. But… if she goes to Paris, she will not come back the same. She has fought enough, Ragnar. And I suppose, in that way, you and her are the same. I know you take no joy in it anymore.”

“I am a Northman, of course I take joy in it.” 

“You do not have to lie to me, Ragnar. And I know I do not understand, but she will. You can talk to her. Many soldiers have.”

“What does she do with them? Some magic ritual? Or maybe she is a witch, and sleeps with them to wipe their memory and make them her slaves?”

“You’re trying to rile me up. You don’t believe in any of that.”

“Well maybe I do.” Ragnar said, raising his hands in mock defeat.

“Stop it.”

“Alright, fine. What does she do with them? Why do they go to her if not for… her womanly charms?”

“I hear she listens to them. Not that you need that, Ragnar. You talk so much anyway.”

Ragnar snorted, but Athelstan could see the emptiness behind his eyes. He knew that Alethia would be talking to him tonight.

Then, his friend scratched the back of his head, quickly changing the topics again. “So, marriage. What comes next? Children?”

“I haven’t thought about that.”

“But you want it.” Ragnar noticed. His eyes bore into Athelstan’s, and it felt as if he could read his mind.

“I do.” Athelstan said. There was something in his heart that ached when he thought of it. His own family.

“Perhaps your sons will fihgt alongside mine one day.”

“I want daughters.” Athelstan blurted out. “I want them to be like her, like Lagertha, like Siggy when they grow up. Like Aslaug and Judith.”

“Why?”

“Because they are stronger than we are.”

Ragnar paused for a moment, before he looked down at the sand. HIs hands dug into the ochre, disappearing below the surface that rippled like the ocean.

“If I do have a daughter…” Athelstan began. “I want to name her Gyda.”

When Ragnar looked up again, there were tears in his eyes.

Alethia

Thorunn was smiling by the time that dinner was being served by the thralls. Alethia watched as she talked to Aslaug, Sigurd tugging at her hand. Alethia was glad that she had gotten to help her. The look of deference slowly disappeared from Thorunn the longer she spoke to Aslaug, and, when Bjorn entered the Great Hall, trailed by Lagertha, who had Siggy in her arms, Thorunn did not turn away.

Alethia sighed with relief, picking up Hvitserk, who was attempting to fight Ubbe over her shoulder.

“If you want to hit your brother, try not to hit my head as well.” She told Hvitserk. He had the audacity to pout, crossing his arms before his chest.

“And why are you two fighting anyway?

Hvitserk only shrugged, stomping his foot to emphasize his point. Alethia tried to bite down the laughter that bubbled up her throat.

“He’s your brother, Hvitserk. I know Ubbe can be overbearing, but he means well.”

“Fine. I won’t hit him I guess.” Hvitserk complained. “I’ll play with Bjorn instead.”

When Athelstan walked into the Great Hall together with Ragnar, Alethia could not help but smile at him. Athelstan turned her way almost immediately, as if he was a dog that could sniff her out.

Ragnar followed Athelstan as he made his way towards Alethia, and now, Alethia was a little concerned. Ragnar never bothered talking to her.

“Hi.” Alethia said, and Athelstan hugged her without another word. He was uncharacteristically quiet, even for him. 

“He’s planning a raid.” Athelstan whispered in the hug.

“It’s okay. Thank you.” Alethia replied. She let him go, smiling amiably at Ragnar.

“Your sons are admirable hunters.” She said.

“I’d hope so.” Ragnar replied. His tone was so dry, so flat, so uninterested, that Alethia felt reminded of her own father.

“It wouldn’t hurt to take some interest.” She hissed. “They notice that, you know.”

Ragnar raised a brow, looking over to Athelstan as if they were sharing some kind of inside joke. Alethia was glad that Athelstan did not try to reciprocate his all-knowing smirk.

The king of Kattegat stared at Alethia a moment longer, as if he was trying to read her soul, eat her heart. Alethia tried not to look away as best she could, but when Ubbe tugged at her hand to gain her attention, Alethia did not care enough to continue their little contest. 

Ubbe was holding out a bowl of stew, filled with the prizes of their hunt today.

“Thank you Ubbe.” Alethia said. “Would you like to eat with me and Athelstan today?”

Ubbe nodded shyly, and Alethia patted the free space next to her. Athelstan sat, taking a bowl of stew out of the hands of one of the thralls. Alethia ate quietly, waiting until Athelstan had finished his quick prayer. It was the kind of domesticity they could only begin to afford.

Alethia’s hands found purchase in Athelstan’s and as she looked to him, she had a moment of peace between lifetimes of war. Athelstan was quick to kiss her cheek, before anyone could catch them in their little display. Alethia’s hand stroked his jaw automatically, and Athelstan smiled at her with such adoration that she thought she might die.

So much, for her. God, had there ever been a sweeter joke?

She ate her stew, and Alethia knew that, months earlier, she would not have tasted it. But there it was, and it satisfied her. She wasn’t hungry anymore.

There was a thought in the back of her mind, one that Alethia had not thought explicitly, but one she thought she’d known about for a while. She smiled at Athelstan, who did not know.

Later, Alethia helped Aslaug settle Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd down. The hunt had exhausted them, but they were brothers, and in such, always found a reason to fight. Aslaug had only a tired smile to spare Alethia as the three of them had finally fallen asleep. Ivar was still in Aslaug’s arms.

“Thank you.”

“I enjoy taking care of the boys.” Alethia assured.

“I meant Thorunn, and me. We did not want to ask for…” Aslaug began. “You have a place in my queendom.”

“And I shall defend it as if it were my own.” 

Aslaug smiled, nodding at Alethia as she made her way out of the Great Hall. It was starting to darken in Kattegat, and Alethia’s hand was never far from her belt. Athelstan’s longhouse was on the outskirts of town, where it became quiet. Alethia knew it was there not only because of the tranquility, but also because the forest reminded him of home.

Out of the corner of her eye, Alethia caught Ragnar, staring at her from afar. His eyes were unfocused, and Alethia knew he wanted something from her. Comfort, perhaps. 

In Wessex, Alethia would have opened her home to him. But Hagar had been nothing, had had nothing, and Alethia had used up all of her energy today already. She wanted to go home, to Athelstan. 

“Tomorrow.” Alethia called.

Ragnar jumped, as if he had not expected Alethia to speak to him. Then, he nodded through the fog that had to cloud his mind. Alethia closed her eyes, breathing out. Whatever Ragnar carried with him, Alethia knew it hurt. She had watched the king enough to know he felt about his crown the same way that Jon had. 

She did not feel guilty forgetting about that when she stepped into her and Athelstan’s house. 

And there he was, sitting at the desk, charcoal scratching over parchment.

“What are you drawing?” Alethia asked.

“You.” 

Alethia smiled, hugging Athelstan while leaning over him. She put her chin on his shoulder, her own face reflected on the parchment. It was her from a few days ago, hair still wet from swimming in the bay of Kattegat. Alethia knew that it would be the last swim she would take for a while. It was getting too cold for her to swim.

Winter was coming.

The thought of House Stark’s words no longer made her heart ache for Jon. There was the dull echo of a boy she’d loved as a girl, but no more. Not when Athelstan was right there with her.

Athelstan seemed to read her thoughts. “When it gets cold, we’ll be forced to spend more time inside.”

“The boys will be a lot.” Alethia sighed. 

“I was thinking… with all the time we’ll be spending inside,” Athelstan began. “Could you teach me? Your language, I mean.”

“Why?”

“I want to love you in your language.” Athelstan said. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, before he pushed his chair back and stood in front of Alethia. There was a trace of fear in his eyes as he looked at her. 

“What is wrong?” Alethia asked.

“Nothing.” Athelstan replied. “Nothing at all. But, the truth is, my reasons for learning your tongue are more selfish than not.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because I want to sing to my children in the language of their mother. If she’ll have me.”

Alethia’s mouth turned dry, and suddenly, her heart was beating in her chest. It was kissing Athelstan the first time all over again. “What are you saying?” she whispered. Athelstan’s hands grabbed hers a little more tightly, and he let out a shaky breath.

“Will you marry me?”

The sound Alethia let out was a half-laugh, half-sob, half-squeal. She threw herself around Athelstan’s neck, laughing. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, and I’ll have you. Just as you are, speaking my language or not.”

Athelstan enveloped her, hands holding her tight, safe, warm. His lips brushed her cheekbone, dusting a kiss there where a scar split her face. Alethia felt loved.

[ivarthebadbitch]

There is a storm inside her now, a storm that truly has her living up to her name, a storm that she is now free to unleash.

- dropping glasses just to hear them break by @dragonsoftheeast

[etjwrites]

Yes, it's true! It's now easier than ever to get your hands on a digital copy of ⚡️THORUNN⚡️ that directly supports me as an indie author!

[theroleplayingedda]

TV/Movies Mini List:

Apparently there IS a limit on how many mentions and links you can have per post so the list is being broken up a bit now.

AGAIN; I'm REALLY sorry for spamming your mentions!!!!!

>> LINK TO THE MAIN LIST <<

American Gods:

@brknmnds Technology Boy @cursedwanderer Fenja [Sideblog][OC] @helreginn Hel [OC] @leagueprem Nike and Tee [MultiMuse][OC] @somekndofpeople

How to Train Your Dragon & Dragons: The Nine Realms

@acourtcfmuses Astrid Hofferson @adskilt Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III @ancestryfound Tom Kullersen @baldrengr Hiccup & Toothless [MultiMuse] @bloomifys Hiccup Haddock [MultiMuse] @deficd Valka [MultiMuse] @dragetunge Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III @dragonmasterhiccup Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III @haseti Eret son of Eret [Sideblog] @iisoyne Sofia Coel | Sister Winter [OC] @scouts-thingsandrps Astrid, Dagur, Fishlegs, Heather, Hiccup, Inkeri, Ruffnut, Snotlout, Thyra & Tuffnut [MultiMuse] @starsweepers Ruffnut [MultiMuse] @storyhaven Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III [MultiMuse] @tournesolette Hiccup Haddock [MultiMuse] @universeofmuses Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III Astrid Hofferson [MultiMuse] @vendettavalor Bewilderbeast, Cloudjumper, Grimmel the Grisly, Light Fury, Toothless & Valka Haddock [MultiMuse] @warraigoe Astrid Hofferson [MultiMuse]

The Almighty Johnsons:

@helreginn

The Last Kingdom:

@all-that-is-gold-is-now-gone Aethelflaed, Brida, Finan, Gisela, Sihtric Kjartansson & many OCs! [MultiMuse] @bebbanburged Uhtred [Sideblog] @entangledmuses Eadith & lots of OCs with TLK verses! [MultiMuse] @fantasywritten Beocca, Edward & Leofric [MultiMuse] @ladybebbanburg Ædgyth of Wessex [OC?], Æthelflæd, Alfred, Brida, Eadith, Finan, Gisela Hathacanutesdottir, Iseult of Cornwalum, Mildrith, Sigtryggr Ivarsson, Skade, Stiorra Uhtredsdottir, Thyra Ragnarsdottir, Uhtred & Others! [MultiMuse] @kingalfrcd King Alfred @ofprevioustimes Aethelflaed, Brida, Eadith, Gisela, Iseult & others! [MultiMuse] @ragnaarson Ædgyth, Ælswith, Æthelstan, Aldhelm, Alfred, Edward, Finan, Gisela, Sigtryggr Ivarsson, Sihtric Kjartansson, Stiorra Uhtredsdottir, Uhtred & many OCs! [MultiMuse][Sideblog] @taleswritten Iseult & Uhtred Ragnarson [MultiMuse] @tessastormrp Sihtric [MultiMuse]

Vikings & Vikings: Valhalla:

@all-that-is-gold-is-now-gone Aslaug, Canute, Emma, Freydis, Freydis Eriksdottir, Godwin, Gunnhild, Hvitserk Ragnarsson, Ivar the Boneless, Lagertha, Leif Eriksson, Rollo Sigurdsson, Snaefrid & many OCs! [MultiMuse] @brknmnds Ivar The Boneless, Sigurd 'Siggy' Lothbrok & Hvitserk Lothbrok, Floki, Angrboda Flokisdottir & Ástríðr Svendottir | A Seer OC [MultiMuse] @crowsandmurder Bjorn Ironside & Ragnar Lothbrok [MultiMuse] @deficd Gyda Ragnarsdottir, Ragnar Lodbrok & OCs including Hilda Ragnarsdottir, Sindre Ísleifsson& Solveig Ísleifsdottir! [MultiMuse] @entangledmuses Anma, Katia & Lagertha & lots of OCs with Viking verses! [MultiMuse] @ivarandhvitserks-blog mumu Ivar & Hvitserk [MultiMuse] @ladybebbanburg Aslaug Sigurdsdottir, Freydis Eriksdotter , Gyda Ragnarsdóttir, Helga, Lagertha, Torvi & others! [MultiMuse] @melodicwitchlight Aslaug, Floki, Thorunn & Siggy [MultiMuse] @ofprevioustimes Aslaug, Lagertha, Siggy & others! [MultiMuse] @pleinsdemuses Astrid, Emma of Normandy, Gunnhild, Lagertha Lothbrok & Torvi [MultiMuse][Sideblog] @retriibutions Ivar Ragnarsson [MultiMuse] @tessastormrp Harald Finehair & Ubbe (GETS HIS VERY OWN TRIGGER WARNING!)

>> LINK TO THE MAIN LIST <<

Up to date as of 27/05/24

[alysqueen]

ㅤㅤㅤ Angrboda is the daughter of Floki and Helga, her father named her after the giantess. Angrboda was distinguished by playfulness and unquenchable fun, she grew up as beautiful as her mother. Angrboda did not become a warrior like her, but is an excellent herbalist.

ㅤㅤㅤSiggy is the daughter of Bjorn and Thorunn. Bjorn named her after Siggi, Jarl Haraldson's ex-wife, who sacrificed herself to save his stepbrothers after they fell into the lake. Siggy got the beauty and stubbornness of his mother. Admiring her famous grandmother Lagertha, she followed in her footsteps and became a warrior.

ㅤㅤㅤAU in which the girls survived and did not die early.