Vikings-The Trick Of The Gods

Fourteen.

I awoke in a sweat with 3 boys standing about my bed concern riddling their faces twisting their attractive features into new though still endearing shapes. I looked about and saw ivar still in his bed. I met his gaze. He didn't look concerned like the others but he had some intensity to his gaze. For a second he studied my face then he huffed in annoyance and rolled his body over.

"Are you okay?" Hviskerk asked fervently.

"We heard you talking in your sleep." Sigurd interjected.

"And then you started ... around as if you were ..." Said ubbe.

I looked at each of their faces in turn and then the tears started falling from my eyes. I was silent and my face still. It was not an ugly cry but I did not know how to make the tears stop. It had been such a long time since I had properly thought of home, my REAL home.

I dreamt of my family, of the smells of my dad, fresh bread and pastries as I ran through my back door, having returned from an adventure in the garden. Having conquered the sandpit and swings I was thoroughly exhausted. I sat quietly by my mum settling into my chair and she pulled my closer knowing I liked to pretend I was reading with her. She kissed me on the forehead as dad plopped a fresh croissant in front of me.

Suddenly the wind picked up and blew the back door closed. Shuddering, I noticed the once sunny day outside and been filled with clouds and I heard a distance rumbling of thunder.

"Hi beautiful," mum started, "we're so proud of you." I looked at her confused.

"We're so glad you're using what you know to help people." Dad filled in.

"But you were only a child when you left us and there's so much you don't know." Mum smiled patiently

"The Ragnarssons need you." Dad copied mums smile though his held much more sadness.

Mum began to flick through her book and tell me as much useful information as she could that could be relevant to me and I tried to remember it all but...

I awoke in a sweat with 3 boys standing about my bed concern riddling their faces twisting their attractive features into new though still endearing shapes. I looked about and saw ivar still in his bed. I met his gaze. He didn't look concerned like the others but he had some intensity to his gaze. For a second he studied my face then he huffed in annoyance and rolled his body over. The boys began talking to me but I wasn't quite listening.

"I'm fine." I murmured forcing a smile though I could feel the tears falling.

All the boys looked confused. Perhaps they had not seen someone about the age of a baby cry before. I wiped my eyes on my sleeves and as I removed the moisture from my face I seemed to also removed the panicked confusion from the boys faces.

"I'd like to go back to sleep now!" Ivars irritation was apparent.

I looked over and saw no light coming through the slats of the walls. It was still night.

"Maybe this time you can get that girl-"

"Gewnllian."

"- to shut her mouth."

Hviskerk stood closest to my head and he leaned down now putting his face by my ear. As he began speaking, I felt the warm softness of his breath tickle my ear. It was comforting.

"If you think you might have another bad dream I can always sleep in your bed with you. Nothing weird I promise!"

Ubbe smacked him on the back of the head and Sigurd giggled. I think I also heard a noise from Ivar.

"Thank you Hviskerk but," I sniffed, "I think i'm okay."

He nodded but looked slightly disappointed everyone climbed back into their own beds and I sank into mine turning over. I caught Ivars gaze again. He must have turned back around at some point. I couldn't be bothered to hold his gaze and instead I closed my eyes. I didn't dream again.