34| Meet Up

288 9 0
                                    

Vada heaved her body up the black stallion, shifting until she sat somewhat comfortably on the leather saddle.

They had just taken yet another break, because the Queen was having a hard time sitting for too long. Already a week they've been riding, with the messenger, who introduced himself as Maurr, leading the way.

The name suited him, hence the man being always dressed in black, with dark hair and beard, giving him the appearance of an ant.

And even though he wasn't tall for a man, he was very strong nonetheless. So, the name had been perfectly chosen for him.

"Are you alright Queen Vada?" He asked, a somewhat worried look on his face. He knew that this journey was very troublesome for a woman with child, but he admired her for still going.

"I already told you, just call me by my name. We are no strangers, we are soon to be allies." She told him, continuing her ride, by nudging her stallion with her heels.

The mass of warriors behind her also fell into a slow trott, some of them walking, the other one's going by horse.

"I am very sure that Bjorn and Harald will be happy to see you. And to see how many warriors you brought with you." Maurr always tried to spike up small conversations while riding, wanting to take Vada's mind off.

Her mind did wander to her advisors a lot. And to her lover far more often. But she knew that they were not in danger, they knew how to defend themselves if needed to.

However she feared that not many people would come along with them. King Ivar was no threat to them. But still, they were bound to their Queen, and surely they would be happy to fight again.

"I sure hope so. I haven't seen them in a long time now. Bjorn even longer than Harald." She admitted, a sad feeling spreading inside her chest.

She was never this close to Bjorn as she was to the younger children of Ragnar, but she still cared for him. Like the way she cared for her advisors.

Harald however, would always hold a special place in her heart. No matter how many time he let her down, and made her see which cruel man he really was, she couldn't help but forgive him.

Their last encounterment was right after Halfdan's death, as he let her take his hut to prepare herself for her husband's funeral.

And they didn't part ways on good terms. He however seemed to have forgotten this, because he sent for her help.

Perhaps he didn't want to remember it. He saw how hurt she was by his actions and what they had caused.

But he was only human himself. And humans do make mistakes.

Vada always knew that he was an very emotional driven man, sadly anger often got the best of him. He couldn't control it and it seemed to blind him sometimes.

Like the time he chose Ivar's side over Bjorn's. From the very beginning he should've seen that Ivar used Harald's men only to conquer Kattegat, so he himself could sit on its throne.

And as soon as he had what he wanted, he didn't need Harald anymore.

Vada's former King was only to blind to see this in first place. But maybe he had changed by now. At least, she hoped so.

Keeping one hand on the reigns and letting the other one slip to her tummy, she stroked it gently, feeling the child inside her womb move happily around.

Only a little over one moon until she would be able to hold it in her hands. Excitement was obviously a prominent feeling, but then again, also fear of what will come.

You'll also like

          

When Freya appeared to her, and the Seer confirmed her pregnancy she pictured herself with Halfdan by her side.

Both of them sitting on their thrones of Bud, maybe even a bigger town which they've raised together beforehand.

Their daughters and sons, running around in the great hall, playing catch or fighting with their wooden weapons, mirroring their parent's actions.

Carefree she hoped to be. Carefree and with the love, which the Gods had granted her.

Oh, how her hopes were shattered the day Halfdan was killed.

But she tried to stay strong. She did stay strong. For her former husband and for their unborn child.

She didn't want to let him down, she knew he was watching from Valhalla, along with his passed away parents. Telling them that this was his wife.

His wife who had been through many failures but even greater rises afterwards. His wife who made him the happiest man on Midgard.

The wife who he had too leave too soon.

Vada hoped that he still thought about her, even when no longer being with her physically.

But in times, where everything seemed to get the best of her, she felt his presence.

And then she was sure again, that she was still on his mind.

"Queen Vada?" Maurr's voice brought her back out of her thoughts.

She looked at him with a sad smile, but shook it off rather quickly, not wanting to show.

"It's not long anymore until we reach the camp, which Bjorn and Harald have set up. But we should set camp here. And continue in the morning. It's only half a days ride away now." He told her, stopping his horse next to her.

While being lost in her thoughts she hadn't noticed that the sun had already started to set again.

"No, we'll keep going. We have enough time to set up camp and to rear afterwards." She told him.

Maurr gave a quick nod, before nudging his horse again, continuing on the grassy path.

As the sun set further and the black air started to surround the mass of people, some of the warriors lit up torches for them to see.

It was still very chilly, so Vada pulled the furs closer to her body, warming herself.

She kept some random conversation with the warriors around her, to keep herself awake.

The journey hadn't been hard, but still, she wasn't used to riding such long distances anymore.

From a little afar they could hear the hooves of horses, stomping into the grass as they seemingly galloped their way.

The riders sitting on top had torches in their hands as well, lighting a small space around them.

"These are Harald's men." Maurr told her, a calming voice prominent.

And indeed, as the riders came closer she saw the banner which the first rider was carrying.

With a smile on his face he stopped his horse in front of them.

"Maurr. We are happy to see you. And you've brought reinforcement." The rider spoke, nodding respectfully towards Vada.

Not many more words were shared between the men, before they turned their horses leading the last way to the camp.

One of the riders took off before them,  informing Harald and Bjorn of their arrival.

And as they all finally came to a halt, Vada dismounted her horse, rather clumsily than elegantly.

VADA || Halfdan x OC x HvitserkWhere stories live. Discover now