How can you love a cripple (Ivar the boneless)

Ch4

Published 1-15-18

Ivar POV as Thea was dancing

My eyes could not move away from her. She was so entrancing and beautiful, the fires glare on her body made it seem as if she was a goddess. The way her body moved with the music was amazing. Her blue eyes through the whole dance stayed on mine. If it was anyone else I would think they would be trying to challenge me, or mock me but with thea I feel none of that.

The music stoped and so did Theadora in a pose. People clapped and whistled at her she bowed to my families table. She picked up her clok and walked up to our. "I hoped my dance was to your satisfaction" she said to us. "You did amazing Theadora, now tell me where did you learn to dance like that" father asked her ? "I taught myself sir" she told him. He nodded with a smile and gestured for her to sit back down by me. She did so. "You have a beautiful body Theadora, id very much like to see more of it" Sigurd said to her his eyes full of lust. Theadora Scooted further back into her chair (how dare he) I was glaring at him with so much hate. (How dare he say such things to her) I was  gripping my knife in my left hand so tightly my fist was white.   "If you were wise brother you would never speak to her in such a way again" I  threatened him through clenched teeth. Everyone looked at me I did not care. "Or you will do what brother hmm, you can not do anything, you are but a cripple, besides im sure Theadora only wants a real man" Sigurd shot back at me. My glare got worse I wanted to kill him then and there my grip on the knife got  more tight. I was about to stab Sigurd when I felt a small soft hand on my right hand that was gripping my knee. I froze at the touch. I looked down and saw Theadoras hand on mine. Then she slowly intertwined her fingers with mine, and gave my hand a squeez. I looked up at her with wide eyes, she smiled at me gently. I squeezed her hand back and my grip on the knife losned. My brothers were looking at us in shock while our parents had a small smile/smirk on there faces. Sigurd was about to say something when ubba hit him in the side and gave him a look. I went back to eating not letting go of thea's hand (her hands are so small compared to mine). For the rest of the night my hand was intertwined with hers. I was calm the whole night not getting angry at anything (not even Sigurd). (She must be a goddess if she can make me feel at this much peace) I looked over at Theadora and saw that she looked very tired her eyes were half hoped and her head was bobbing a bit trying to stay awake. I leaned over to her. "Why don't you go to bed you look tired" I whispered to her. She looked at me with that gental smile that could make any man or women knees go weak. "Im ok ivar really" she whispered to me. "Theadora I see how tired you are go to your room and sleep....... please" I whisper to her. She looked at me and sighed I knew I had one I always do. "Alright ivar, ill go to bed, thank you for a nice night, I enjoyed it" she said to me and gave my had a squeeze and then let go and left. I looked to my hand that now felt cold. I could still feel the softness of her hand in mine but that warmth she gave me. (No just forget it) I pulled myself out of my chair and crawled away and to my room. I needed to think.

Next day

Thea's pov

After I left the party/feast to my room I could not help but think about ivars hand which were rough to the touch probably from walking on them all his life. But I did not mind how they felt, his hands were so much bigger than mine but they made me feel so at ease they gave me a warmth and made me feel safe as if I was not a slave in a new land. I went to my room and laid on my bed staring at the ceiling. My mind wondering to the future. Then I fell asleep for a second time that day. Dreaming about my life and what was going to happen to me.

Next day

I heard a knock on my door as I woke up. I stretched hearing pops. "Come in" I called out  the door opened and Aslaug came in with a few women behind her. I quickly stood up. "Lady Aslaug, what do I owe the pleasure" I said to her. "You have no clothes, so I called the seamstress to come make you some" she told me. "Thank you lady Aslaug for your kindness is there any way I could thank you" I asked her? "I will think of something" she said and walked out. For the next hour the seamstress took measurements of me. "My child your body is perfect" the seamstress said to me. I gave her a questioning look. She smiled. "Your every mans ideal type, your breast are very large and you have curves every women would die for, not to mention your hips are perfect for bearing children" she said excitedly. I blushed bright red and looked away my hair hiding my face. When she left I put on a gown I was borrowing from a maid. It was a little long and tight at the top but I did not care. I walked out of my room and started to walk around kattegat  . Children ran past me laughing and playing. I smiled at them. Then I heard a quiet crying of a child. I followed the sound and found a little girl holding a doll crying. I quickly went over to her. She looked up at me when I came over. I crouched down to her height. "Hi there sweetie, what's wrong" I asked her? "No one wants to pway (play) with me" she cried rubbing her eyes. "Hey its ok ill play with you" I told her. "Ww weally (really)" she asked me with a smile no longer crying. "Yup I know  something fun we can do" I told her standing up and picking her up and putting her on my hip. "What" she asked? "Why don't we dance, that always makes me happy" I told her. She smiled big and nodded. I carried her to the edge of the kattegate to the beach where I was found. I set her down. I looked around and saw an old guitar leaned against a near by house I quickly went over and grabbed it I kneeled down to her height and started to play some notes that I remember my mother used to play to me when I was sad or scared

When the cold wind is a'calling
And the sky is clear and bright
Misty mountains sing and beckon
Lead me out into the light

As I start to sing I saw the little girl smile big and start to dance. I smiled and started to dance as well I was doing light spins and hopping from foot to foot

I will ride, I will fly 
Chase the wind and touch the sky I will fly
Chase the wind and touch the sky
(Na na na na
Na na na na
La na na na
Na na na)

(La na na na 
La na na na
La na na na 
Na na na)

Where dark roots hide secrets 
And mountains are fierce and bold
Deep waters hold reflections
Of times lost long ago

Me and the little girl were now gaining the attention of the crowd who were smiling. Other children came running and started to dance with us. Then some of the other adults joined in on the dancing. Everyone was laughing and trying to sing along or clap to the beat.

I will read every story 
Take hold of my own dream
Be as strong as the seas are stormy
And proud as an eagle's screa
I will ride, I will fly 
Chase the wind and touch the sky I will fly
Chase the wind and touch the sky
(Na na na na
Na na na na
La na na na
Na na na)

And touch the sky

Chase the wind
Chase the wind

Touch the sky

I sang out the last note  the people cheered and I smiled and laughed. I felt someone run into my legs. I looked down and saw the little girl. I picked her uo and put her on my hip she hugged me around my neck. I smiled and hugged her back. "My name is Astra, thank you so much" she said to me when she pulled away from the hug. I moved a piece of her hair out if her face. "It was my pleasure Astra, and my name is Theadora but you can call me Thea" I told her as I set her down. I looked at the crowd and saw the lothbrok family watching. My eyes widen in shock as they all stood in front of me. They looked impressed. Except Aslaug. I scanned them until my eyes landed on a certain cripple. I smiled at ivar who gave me a small smile back. People then came up to me and patted my back. Complementing me
I smiled at all of them and then. Ragnar then stepped forward with his family