Queen Of Peace - Ivar The Boneless (book 2)

Chapter 1

Book dedicated to drxgonslxyerr

"I remember what it's like to fall in love." An old woman spoke from the fire, one of the healers of the raiding party. Beside her sat some of the older men and women who hummed in agreement. They all looked over at the beaming blind girl and their ferocious King who looked at her with the kindest eyes. No one had ever seen such behaviour from Ivar The Boneless, not since his gaze was upon his mother. But since her passing, the young King had been ruthless and cold, until now.

"It'll end in disaster, it always does." One of the men spoke up, shaking his head cynically.

"Shut up, Svein." One of the women hit the back of his head with a sharp glare - his sister. "I think they really are in love. And surely nothing can get in the way of love."

"We all said the same about his father and Lagertha, did we not?" The old healer reminded her friend, earning many agreements. "Sometimes life comes between love."

"Nevertheless I think she's good." The second woman spoke again. "Perhaps she will moderate him, as young men often need."

"Indeed." They all agreed.

"I think they're talking about us." Ailbe whispered, resting her head on Ivar's shoulder tiredly.

He pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her protectively. "Let them talk."

"Do you not wonder what they're saying?" She asked gently.

"Not really. Tomorrow we sail back to your home, I have more important things to worry about than gossip." Ivar replied.

"It's not my home anymore." She sighed happily, leaning up to kiss him. "You are."

She couldn't see it, of course, but Ivar was doing all he could to hold back a large smile. He loved her, truly he did. This beautiful, amazing, incredible woman. Oh how he was thankful for letting Hvitserk lead them in the wrong direction, so very thankful. If it meant he could wake up to that beautiful smile every morning, he'd do anything.

Ailbe's arm was wrapped in a sling still and bandages were tied under her dress over the nasty wound that would surely scare.

But Ivar swore to all the Gods that that was the last injury she would ever suffer. No one would dare touch her again. Because soon she'd be his wife and he could protect her.

As day became night, Ivar could feel her falling asleep in his arms. He didn't blame her, of course, he'd be tired as well after all that she'd been through. It had been no less than a week since they'd rescued her, and he was amazed at how quickly she'd sprung back. Although, she hadn't fully. Despite being her cheery old self around him and Hvitserk, around others she was jumpy and paranoid. And to think this would've gone unnoticed by Ivar would be a mistake.

"Ivar?" She whispered tiredly. He gave a small hum in response and she spoke again. "I'm sorry."

He looked at her quizzically. Sorry? What could she ever possibly have to be sorry for?

"I'm sorry about everything that happened. I'm sorry that you had to waste lives on me when it should've been me who died." She answered before he even replied. For a moment, he couldn't tell if she was serious or not, but the tears that wet his neck told him all that he needed to know.

His hand reached to cup her cheek gently, a pain stabbing him in the chest as she flinched from his touch. But he knew it wasn't him she was afraid of. It was them. And he would've burned them all a thousand times over for everything they did to her. "You have nothing to be sorry for." He answered plainly. She had always been good at making him feel better, she'd say gentle words and held him closely. But he'd never been particularly good at such things. He did love her and he wanted nothing more than to make sure she was alright, but it largely just wasn't his forte. Nevertheless, Ailbe was comforted. She didn't need lots of words. She just needed him.

After a while, Ailbe decided she'd go on a small walk and then go to bed. She often couldn't sleep if she'd not walked beforehand, although she wasn't exactly sure why - perhaps just tradition for tradition's sake.

The cold night air swooned around her, a brisk chill in the air making her feel alive. The stars glimmered along the distant water, softly sparkling like little diamonds.

Ailbe didn't, of course, see the shadow circling over her under the large hunter's moon. She continued her stroll in ignorance until she heard the flap of large wings.

The owl plummeted and landed gracefully before her, its yellow eyes watching her in intrigue.

"Hello." She whispered with a smile, ever so slowly stepping closer, her hand reaching out. "What are you doing here?"

Ivar had been going to bed when he saw the interaction and he couldn't help but watch with a smile.

The bird gave a hoot, pressing its head against her hand. When she felt it, her smile grew even wider than before. "Are you here to see me?" She asked softly, receiving another hoot.

The bird fluttered its wings, startling her ever so slightly, and dropped a small object in her hand. She held it closely, feeling what it might be.

It was a necklace, with a small stone at the bottom. Ailbe smiled again. "Why thank you." She told the bird, gently stroking it's feathers. "What can I give you in return? Hm?"

For a moment, she thought about it. She didn't have much. But as her fingers ran through her hair and she touched the green ribbon at the back that always tied it up, the bird gave another hoot.

"Is this what you want?" She asked with a grin. "My ribbon?" Without further question, she pulled it from her hair and held it out for the bird. It took the ribbon and, in an instant, was gone. All that remained from their encounter was the necklace that it left.

As Ailbe made her way back to Ivar's tent to sleep again, the previous events replayed in her mind. She twirled the little gemstone of the necklace between her fingers, humming softly, before finally stepping inside from her walk.

"Ivar?" She questioned, still appearing confused by her interaction.

"I'm here." He answered, watching as she sat down on the bed beside him, her gaze focused on whatever was in her hand. "What's that?"

"I met a bird." She answered honestly. "And it gave me this. I had to give it my ribbon but-"

For a moment he was going to chuckle, but looking at the necklace made the colour drain from his face. "Who gave you that?"

"The bird outside." She answered sincerely. "Why? What's the matter?" Gently, she placed her hand on his in reassurance.

"It looks just like my mother's necklace." He said in barely above a whisper. "When I was a child she told me she'd pass it on to my wife because she was the only one who ever thought I'd marry." She could hear the pain in his voice when he spoke about his mother. "But then Lagertha killed her... And she was buried with it."

"Perhaps this is a sign." Ailbe spoke gently.

"A sign?" Ivar repeated.

"That although your mother is with the Gods, she never left you." She answered. "And neither will I."