#constantine olafsson

[300yearschallenge]

Part 1 I Part 2

Théo sat in the dark and cried.

She was so happy for Eugene! Wasn't it wonderful for him to find love like this? Her beautiful, kind son now had a life partner. Perhaps she would soon even be welcoming a grandchild or two to the family.

She kept trying to choke down her tears, sniffling pathetically, but now that the crying had began she found no way to end it. She hated it. The crying. Herself.

"I figured I would find you here," a soft voice rang out from the darkness and Théo flinched, desperately trying to hide her face.

She tried to wave her hand at 'Tine, to get him to leave, but he ignored her half-hearted gesture so he could sit down next to her.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She opened her mouth to try to speak, but the moment she tried to make any sort of noise all that came out was another wretched sob.

"There, there," he hushed, taking on the same tone their mother had used on them as children, "Hush, hush."

"D-don't--"

"-- It's fine, Théo. You can cry, it's just me."

"I-it's noth…," she tried to speak again, voice shaking with effort, "N-nothing."

"Doesn't seem like nothing to me," he said and Théo scoffed at him. Stupid, patient Tine and his stupid endless kindness.

"S-stop--"

"Oh, don't be silly," Tine said, "If it bothers you so much to have me comfort you, then just consider it a debt of comfort to be repaid once one of mine get married. I'm sure I'll be a blubbering mess then too."

Théo tried to shake her head again.

How would he know?! At least his children were all his. Truly his. 'Tine never had to worry about them being driven away by the other parent, because there was none.

No other parent to be the favourite or the enemy, to one by one take all of your children away from you.

All except Eugene. And now she had to let him go too.

"He'll still be living with you," 'Tine said and Théo frowned.

"Stop that," she managed to say, very weakly, and he smiled.

"I won't." He said, reaching out to wipe a tear-stained cheek. The skin around her eyes was puffy and sore from all her crying.

"I feel--" she said, tenatively, "Pathetic."

"It's the first time one of yours get married. It's bound to be an emotional moment. There's plently of mothers who cry at weddings."

Théo pouted, "Because they're happy."

"And you're not happy?"

Théo shrugged.

After a moment of silence, the wind rustling through the trees, Tine spoke up, "Can I guess? Is it because of Joseph?"

Théo sighed, and looked around.

Not too far away from here was the tree where they had shared their very first kiss, all those years ago. It felt like a different lifetime altogether.

If she had known how everything would go, would she have done things differently?

Kiss Theodore first instead?

Become the poor, hard-working wife of a farmhand, surrounded by a litter of kind, hard-working children.

She wrinkled her nose slightly. Would that have been better? Or would it just have given her some other grief she couldn't predict?

"Do…," Tine hesistated, "Would you like to come stay with us for a while? You know you're always welcome with me and the kids."

Théo shook her head.

"No," she said, "No, I… I need to be there for Eugene and Iliana. They need someone in their corner."

"Doesn't Eugene have that now, though?" Tine said.

"I-Iliana then," she said, her voice wavering.

"And what of when she marries?"

"T-then--" She stared out into the darkness, trying to think of something.

Émile and Charles Elias were so far away now, too far away. Eugene married. Iliana probably not too far behind in marrying as well.

What if there were no grandchildren for a long time?

What would she even do then?

"You know what I think?" Tine said, laying an arm around her, "I think you've done such a great job being a mother that you forgot about everything else.

Remember all the projects you used to do as a kid? Cross-stitching, knitting, mastering every craft you got to try?"

"Maybe," Tine said, "It could be time for you to make some sort of project that won't depend on your children. If you put all of yourself into others, who will take care of you?"

Théo snorted, "You, apparently."

"Alright, alright," 'Tine said, "All I'm saying is this - if you pick up a project just for yourself after all these years of raising your children, who could blame you? I know my own twin well enough to know you've never been the idle type."

"Maybe."

"Maybe," Tine pulled her closer to him, "Now. Shall we return to the party?"

Théo shook her head.

"Just a little longer here," she said, breathing in the fragrant summer air, "Please. Just a bit more time."

Part 1 I Part 2

[ao3feed-mythology]

The Fox and the Grapes

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3aD4LYA

by Messalla

There was once a fox who found some grapes lusciously dangling from above. But no matter what he did, he could not reach it. And so, to ease his want, he told himself, ‘These grapes are sour.’

Or in which Sigurd loves Ivar but doesn’t know how to express himself. So he hates him instead.

Words: 4986, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Ragnarssona þáttr (The Tale of Ragnar’s Sons), Vikings (TV)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Sigurdr Ormr-i-auga Ragnarsson│Sigurd of Denmark, Ivarr Beinlausi Ragnarsson│Imar of Dublin, Halfdan Hvitserk Ragnarsson│Halfdan of York, Ubbe Ragnarsson, Bjorn Jarnsida Ragnarsson│Bjorn of Sweden, Olaf the White│Amlaib Conung, Mael Sechnaill mac Maele Ruanaid│Malachy of Tara, Blaeja of Northumbria, Aelle of Northumbria - Character, Edmund of East Anglia│Edmund the Martyr, Arthgal ap Dyfnwal│Artgal of Alt Clut, Guthrum│Athelstan of East Anglia, Eyestein Olafsson, Kjarvalr Írakonungr│Cerball mac Dunlainge, Causantin mac Cinaeda│Constantine I of Alba, Bardr Ivarrsson│Barid mac Imair, Sigfrid Ivarrsson│Sichfrith mac Imair, Sigtrygg Ivarrsson│Sitriuc mac Imair, Hardeknud Sigurdsson│Harthacanute I of Denmark, Aslaug Sigurdadottir, Ragnar Lothbrok, Aslaug│Kraka, Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson, Helga (Vikings), Magrethe (Vikings), Ivar (Vikings), Hvitserk (Vikings), Sigurd (Vikings)

Relationships: Hvitserk/Ivar (Vikings), Ivar/Sigurd (Vikings), Blaeja/Sigurd (Vikings), Ivar/Ivar's wife, Hvitserk/Hvitserk's wives and concubines

Additional Tags: Regrets, Sibling Rivalry, Sibling Incest, Voyeurism, sex education with demo, Lots of kissing, handjobs, Oral Sex, Sigurd is a tsundere, attempt as historical and saga accuracy, still not so accurate tho, I don’t mean to sully the honor and dignity of these historical figures, but the actors in the TV Series are just so incredibly handsome, I'm so sorry

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3aD4LYA

[300yearschallenge]

Dear Charles Elias,

I prayed for your safe passage through this bitter winter every day, and it warms my heart that my prayers were answered.

I am so relieved to hear you found Theodore alive and well, and that you are settling in well to your new life!

I hope you manage to continue settling in well and that you may be able to make some friends in your new home.

You asked how we all have been here.

After the initial shock of your departure settled life has continued mostly unchanged.

Your siblings miss you dearly, and Joseph is as he always has been.

We celebrated Eugene Anifas' birthday recently.

To think he is now no longer a boy, but a young man!

As is tradition we held a large celebration with the entire family invited.

The party was attended by several relatives. My uncles Joseph and Vilhelm attended, as did several of your cousins.

Constantine was, of course, there. And even Rosalie managed to travel over with her two daughters for the occassion. It continues to astonish me the rate at which your many cousins grow. Beau is already a young man himself, and Rosalie's youngest - Greta - is now walking around all on her own!

Although, I will say that your absence from the celebrations was sorely felt by me and your siblings.

As for the man of the hour - Eugene Anifas looks more mature and respectable than ever.

He is as kind and gentle as he has always been, and his foray into adulthood has done little to lessen this. I do so desperately wish we could have seen his twin grow up with him, to know what he may have been, but I must not dwell on such matters.

As the party came to an end a young sheperdess stopped by to give Eugene Anifas a gift in person.

I am, of course, not a gossip, but I do believe I saw the faint stirrings of romance between the two.

Lord knows it is about time at least one of you find someone you fancy! Iliana Dorothea seems to have already dismissed half the village, and every letter Émile Gustaf sends revolves around his work and his studies.

Hopefully you may meet someone who catches your eye soon, so that I may feel some hope that I see one of you marry before I am old and grey.

Do keep writing to your dear old mother so that I may know you are well, and give my regards to Theodore.

With love,

Théodora Park 1783

P.S. I have included your new address in my latest letter to Émile Gustaf in the hopes that he may write to you soon.

[300yearschallenge]

In the summer of 1784 Eugene Anifas married his longtime sweetheart - Henrietta Otalbo.

As the only daughter of a local shepherd Joseph thought Eugene Anifas could marry someone of higher statue, but Eugene Anifas put his foot down very gently and persisted in getting engaged to her.

The wedding was held in early summer, with the Park home decorated with every sort of flower the family had managed to get their hands on.

And even if Joseph didn't agree with Henrietta being a "mere shepherdess", no one could deny that the bride was simply stunning on her wedding day.

It truly was a very happy day. The first wedding for one of the Park children, the addition of a sweet wife to the family.

And yet. And yet.

And yet as Théo watched the celebrations, she could feel a spiraling lump that had lived in her chest since the day of the engagement moving up into her throat.

Her eyes stung and she kept having to force herself to take calm, slow breaths.

In the end she couldn't contain it any longer, and she wandered away from the main party to seek relief in the mild summer darkness.

She wasn't entirely sure how she ended up there, but she found herself at the old bench that she had played around so much as a child and teen, and once there she finally sank down and began to cry.

Part 1 I Part 2

[300yearschallenge]

Shortly after the fiasco at the priest's house, a letter arrived for Charles Elias written by his mother.

It read:

Dear Charles Elias,

My darling son! Thank you so much for your response to my letter, I was so happy to hear from you again.

I am, sadly, writing to you today with sad news.

Your great uncle Josef Olafsson has died.

He was getting on in years, and I'm told he didn't suffer before passing.

But it's still a great loss for us all.

We held the funeral for him a few days ago, and everyone who could come was there.

Both of Josef's children were there, and this is the first time in a long while that Anna has been back in the village since she moved away years ago.

I cannot imagine how hard it must be to lose a parent who you couldn't visit very often, and I hope she doesn't feel too devastated by the loss.

I think, however, that the one who is taking the loss the hardest is poor uncle Vilhelm.

He is now the last surviving sibling of seven, and I cannot begin to imagine how painful that must be.

Losing one sibling was painful enough for me, the pain of losing six must be devastating. How do you cope with such a loss?

I hope none of you ever have to lose a sibling for a long, long time to come.

But enough of my fretting! I will continue to pray for your continued well-being, and please give Theodore my regards.

Please do not feel bad about not being able to come to the funeral. I am sure that Uncle Josef understands, and you may send him your love by lighting a candle for him at your new church.

With love,

Théodora Park

1783

Rest in Peace Josef Olafsson

1729 - 1783

[300yearschallenge]

Away from the Park household, Inés was enjoying her life.

Although she missed Ulf, she found joy in caring for her children and doting on her grandchildren.

She was like a second mother to Constantine's two adopted sons, who both loved her very much.

But, sharing the care of a household with her son still took a toll on her.

And one day, at the age of 61, Inés Olafsson laid down for a nap in her bed and passed away.

She was buried next to her husband Ulf, together again after his death in 1776.

Everyone in her family was devastated.

Inés had been a pillar of strength in her family for so long, always there to comfort them and help resolve conflicts.

And now, all of a sudden, they were on their own.

Her three surviving children clung to each other during the funeral, trying to stay strong for each other as they said their goodbyes to their beloved mother.

.

.

Rest in Peace Inés Olafsson

1721 - 1782

Mother to Constantine, Théodora, Teresa & Rosalie Olafsson.

[300yearschallenge]

In 1780 Émile Gustaf came home for a visit for a very special occassion.

He was to celebrate his 18th birthday.

His visit was welcomed with great enthusiasm from his siblings, mother and relatives.

Writing letters to each other was all well and good, but nothing could beat talking in person and getting to hug each other again.

The party was a grand event, where family from all over came to visit.

Everyone wanted to hear Émile's stories of the big city, and he enjoyed the attention very much.

He also got to meet his younger cousins, including young Charlotta who came over with her father Lukas.

Rosalie had to stay home with her new baby - a little girl named Greta.

Out of all his relatives Émile Gustaf was happiest to meet his uncle Constantine again.

If not for Constantine the path Émile was on would have looked very different, and he was very grateful to his uncle for it all.

Eventually it was time for Émile Gustaf to blow out the candles.

He had grown into a handsome young man, who remained as studious and serious as ever.

[300yearschallenge]

In 1780 it was time for Iliana Dorothea to turn 12, and a large party was planned to celebrate the occassion.

As always family and relatives from all over the island were invited, and as many as could make it attended.

Constantine was, of course, in attendance with his three children.

Including five year old Teresa, who was excited to attend what she called "a proper party".

Rosalie was also able to make it over, although she was told off by Théo when Théo realised her sister had travelled all this way while heavily pregnant.

Still, once the reprimands had died down everyone present took turns to dote on Rosalie and her future baby.

Eventually, though, it was time for the birthday girl to blow out her candles.

Iliana Dorothea was growing into a sweet, confident young girl. She was very similar to her brother Eugene Anifas in many ways, but everyone agreed she had her mother's jawline.

[300yearschallenge]

Eugene's escape from a sometimes chaotic home was music.

Whenever he would hear the tense, raised voices of an early argument he would flee to the piano and play and play and play.

However, on the day of his 12th birthday it was Iliana Dorothea who played on the piano in order to entertain the guests.

It was attended, as always, by most of the Olafssons and their descendants.

Eugene Anifas had grown into a handsome teenager, who looked so much like his father.

And, being the second oldest, he was set to follow in his father's footsteps.

With his days of being a student behind him he was now expected to assist his father in his day-to-day tasks as a bell-ringer.

Each morning he was told what to expect, and he would follow obediently along.

He tried his best to please.

To be a quick learner, polite and well-informed at all times.

But a lot of his people-pleasing ways were born out of fear.

Fear that any mistake he might make could set his father off. He had seen what had happened to both Émile and Theodore when his father had been angry, and it gnawed at him.

Sometimes Eugene wondered if he feared his father more than he loved him.

His only escape was his oldest - music.

His passion had not died down when growing older, in fact it had only increased.

His favourite part of every week was Sundays, when he would be allowed to play on the pipe organ during mass.

With his fingers on the keys his worries would fade away, until there was only the tones of the organ and the songs of the congregation left.

[300yearschallenge]

Despite his challenging youth and adulthood, Ulf found that old age suited him rather well.

At 54 his joints and back ached more than before, and he could tell the weather from the pain in his old scars - but on the whole he was healthy and happy.

He loved tending to his farm and caring for his little grandchildren, all of whom he adored with all his heart.

It was a shock to the family when one cold autumn day in 1776 Ulf complained that he felt tired and out of breath and was found passed away later that day.

He was found by Constantine out in the yard, seemingly having just laid down and then passed. It took a while for the rest of the family to notice, as Constantine was overcome with grief at the sight of his father.

[300yearschallenge]

Ulf's funeral was held not too long after his passing.

The weather that day shifted between bouts of cold sunlight and even colder rain.

He was buried near the rest of his family, near his brother Karl and only a few steps away from his parents and Signhild.

The funeral was attended by as many Olafssons that could come.

Constantine and Théodora brought all of their children to say goodbye to their grandfather, except for Émile Gustaf who was in Stockholm.

Rosalie and Lukas left their baby daughter to be watched by a family friend so they could travel over for the funeral and spend a few days with her family.

And, of course, Ulf's surviving siblings attended as well. Out of so many there was now only Viola, Josef and Vilhelm left, and they all felt the absence of their oldest brother immensely.

Last of all attendants, but not least, was Inés.

Poor, widowed Inés remained surprisingly calm during the length of the funeral, only standing silently and looking at her husband's tombstone.

Despite the ups and downs of their marriage she had loved him fiercely, and the last years had given them a happy and peaceful marriage.

Although she did not wail or cry with anguish, she felt the loss of her husband deeply and bitterly.

As she watched the cold, damp stone that now marked where he lay, she could only tell herself one thing:

She would be there for all her family twice as much, for his sake.

.

.

Rest in Peace Ulf Olafsson

1722 - 1776

Father to Théodora, Constantine, Teresa and Rosalie.

[300yearschallenge]

Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3

"There's a lot of bruising and swelling," Émile said, "But nothing seems to be broken."

"That's a relief," Constantine said, "I don't know what would have happened had you not been there."

"So," Per said, "He'll be okay?"

"He'll be okay."

"Lord knows why you boys were so far outside the village," Constantine said, "When I was your age I never strayed that far."

"We're lucky Émile was so quick to act," Eugene said, trying to deflect their uncle's chiding.

"Speaking of," Eugene said, "How come you knew just what to do? I could hardly think straight."

"Oh," Émile stammered, "Uh... I..."

"I have a friend whose father is a barber-surgeon," he lied, "So I picked up on a few things through that, I guess."

"Uh-huh," Eugene and Constantine said in unison.

"If you say so," Eugene said.

Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3

[300yearschallenge]

In the spring of 1776 Théo was over for a visit at her parents' house with Iliana, and while the children were playing outside in the yard a new topic came up.

"Théo," 'Tine said, "You will never guess what I read in the news the other day. You know the British colonies in America? They've started a revolution against Britain!"

Inés gave a warm smile, "There he goes again," she said, "This is the third time 'Tine has brought it up today already."

"Because it is so exciting!" 'Tine said, not put off by his mother's jest. "Is it not a fight for liberty? This is what the past several decades worth of philosophy has been striving for!"

"Imagine what this new age of liberty might bring!" 'Tine said. "Despots far and wide will tremble in fear!"

"I don't think we need to worry about despots anytime soon, 'Tine," Théo grinned, "But I admire you enthusiasm."

"Unless we're talking about the child sized ones," she said, and they all laughed at the joke before the conversation moved on.

.

.

Historical Info

This historical info is not about the American Revolution.

Or well, I guess it sort of is, but only in regards to Sweden's reaction to the American Revolution. If you desire a more thorough investigation into the American Revolution then there's plenty of sources out there ^w^

Anyhow - Sweden!

The 1700s land squarely within the Enlightenment period. It was a time where philosophers and great thinkers valued freedom, knowledge, science and reason among many other things.

As such people in Sweden were generally positive about the Revolution when it happened. This source* states that

"The Swedes, it should be said, during their "Era of Freedom", between the death of Charles XII in 1718 and Gustav III's coup d'état in 1772, had become accustomed to very much the same kind of political vocabulary as was now in use across the Atlantic"

Of course there will always be nay-sayers to anything, and there were people in Sweden who were not a fan of the revolution. But on the whole attitudes were fairly positive.

In fact Gustav III was initially supportive of the revolution himself, stating that "America, like a new Rome, might someday 'put Europe under tribute'"

However, ironically, as Gustav III himself slowly turned towards restricting the people's freedoms he began to dislike the American Revolution. But Gustav III's turn toward despotism is a story for another day.

*it's JSTOR but you can make a free account in order to read a set amount of articles each month, so it is possible to access!

[300yearschallenge]

In the spring of 1775 an accident orphaned Beau & Per Rosdal - the sons of Théo's cousin Helga Rosdal.

Despite already being a single father, 'Tine decided to take the two boys in and to care for them as his own.

When Théo asked why, he said: "I might as well give little Teresa some siblings, seeing as how I will never remarry."

No one wished to argue against his decision after his recent loss, and so the two boys were given a new home on the Olafsson farm.

[300yearschallenge]

The illness continued to ravage Åland and its surroundings.

Helga Rosdal née Olafsson, daughter to Jonas, and her husband David were struck by the disease.

Helga's life was taken by the illness, leaving her husband David as the sole caretaker of their young sons Beau and Per.

And not too long thereafter two of the Park children fell ill.

Eugene Anifas and Charles Elias became sick at more or less the same time, and Théo fretted endlessly over her young sons.

Thankfully, in the end the illness was merciful, and both boys recovered just fine.

While they now bore scars they hadn't before, neither seemed particularly bothered by it, and were soon back to their cheerful old ways.

But that didn't mean the sickness was done taking lives...

Rosalida Bryggare née Olafsson, 42 years old, was the last family member of the Olafssons to lose her life to the illness.

Her heir, Ingmar, was 17 years old.

She was buried near the rest of her family, and her funeral was attended by all of her living children, siblings, nieces and nephews.

That autumn struck many as one of endless funerals for all those whose lives were claimed by the illness.

.

.

Rest in Peace Rosalida Bryggare née Olafsson

1731 - 1773

Mother to Ida, Ingmar, Samuel, Erik & Edvard.

Rest in Peace Helga Rosdal née Olafsson

1751 - 1773

Mother to Beau & Per

Rest in Peace Sara Olafsson

1767 - 1773

Rest in Peace Adam Otalbo

Rest in Peace Noah Davidsson

[300yearschallenge]

As fall came to the islands, the day of Rosalie's wedding arrived.

The wedding celebrations were to be held at her future home - a house that Lukas Arnold had recently been granted in a neighbouring village.

While smaller and less luxurious than Rosalie's old home, the house was sturdy and well-built and held great promise for the future.

Lukas even made sure to build a rocking chair to put on the porch of the house facing the sea, with the thought that Rosalie could rest her legs there whenever she needed.

That day Rosalie Olafsson, 22, married Lukas Arnold, 24.

The celebrations were attended by the majority of Rosalie's relatives.

Aunts and uncles all were in attendance, as well as nieces and nephews (except for Émile) and several cousins.

Even Anna Olafsson (now Anna Davidsson) was able to attend, after having moved to the same village a few years back with her new husband, thus distancing her from part of the social exclusion that her children had caused.

Ulf and Inés attended as well, of course.

While they were sad to say goodbye to their youngest, it seemed that the wedding stirred up some romantic memories for the two since they spent most of the evening flirting with each other.

At the end of evening several drunk, full and happy revellers travelled their separate ways back to their homes after hours of fun.

Sadly, many of them went home unaware that they saw some of the attendants for the last time that day.