Bodyguard Pt 1
Ivar the boneless X Freydis soon to be Ivar the boneless X reader
Summary: Ivar is newly King of Kattegat and is wary about his Queen’s safety. The reader is hired to be her personal bodyguard
Warnings: Injury, Freydis with male servant scene from Vikings
Word count: 2.8k
Ivar had become King of Kattegat, his life long dream, he finally achieved his birth right. And on top of that he had a beautiful wife that made him feel like a god, Freydis. But he was becoming paranoid. Paranoid that his people were going to turn against him, that his brothers would somehow get behind the walls he built around Kattegat, that his bodyguards would betray him.
Ivar needed someone loyal and strong. He didn’t think he could find someone like that in Kattegat. Then he remembered you. A thrall his family owned when he was a child. You were a young girl Ragnar had been sold in Ireland, advertised to be a hard worker with above average strength for your age. The Lothbroks put you to work with the farm animals and you became a spectacle for the young Ragnarssons. Even though you were small in stature you were the only young thrall that could toss a hay bale over her shoulder or pick up a full grown goat.
Throughout the years you grew, not much taller, but definitely stronger. The Ragnarssons stopped staring at you in so much fascination, except for Ivar. While his brothers lusted over delicate women in the village, he watched you tend to the animals. You and him shared a few conversations, nothing deep, just friendly words. One of these days a goat became temperamental near Ivar, and he didn’t move fast enough. The goat headbutted him, you grabbed the goat by its horns and dragged it away, locking it in its stable. You then carried a dizzy Ivar into the hall, and Aslaug ran to her son’s side.
Ivar scratched his chin and continued his thoughts to his wife, “she did treat me well and was incredibly solid. I heard once she was freed by my mother she became a great shield maiden in a village to the north.”
Freydis sighed, “I suppose she may be a good choice if you can find her. But why does your new bodyguard have to be a woman?”
Ivar grinned at his wife, then stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, “you need not worry, my Freydis. She will be your bodyguard mainly, I want you safe and I trust an old friend like her more than Lagertha’s old shieldmaidens.”
Freydis smiled and nodded, “alright. Then go find her.”
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ivar arrived a few villages north of Kattegat midafternoon the next day. He climbed down from his chariot as a few of the local Jarls’ warriors approached. “King Ivar the Boneless?” One questioned.
“That would be me,” Ivar gave a quick nod. “I have a request for your Jarl. Take me to him.”
The warriors did as he commanded and led Ivar to the hall of the village. Ivar entered the hall behind the warriors, the smell of mead and smoked meat hit him. He approached the throne where Jarl Frode sat. He was a stoic but kind man, Ivar had come to learn in his past interactions with him, so he was not worried about bargaining.
Jarl Frode stepped down to greet Ivar. The older man grabbed his forearm and pulled Ivar into a slight hug, “King Ivar, great to see you. What do I owe the pleasure?”
Ivar smiled widely once he pulled away, “an old friend of mine fights for you. I was wondering if I could take her back to be my wife’s bodyguard. I do not quite trust everyone around us.”
“Such a good husband you are. Who do you need, my friend?” Jarl Ford started to lead Ivar towards the training grounds.
“She is named Y/N,” Ivar answered. “She was once my family’s thrall, when she was a child.”
“Ah,” the Jarl thought to himself for a while. “In that case are you sure she’ll want to go back with you?”
Ivar shrugged, “I’m not sure. But she’ll still be free back in Kattegat.”
Once they reached the training yard Ivar was met with the sight of you in a defensive position, shield and axe in hand, surrounded by several men circling you. Jarl Frode guided Ivar to the side to watch the sparring unfold. “Will she be alright?” Ivar asked as the men closed in on you.
“She’ll be fine. She’s dealt with bandits twice her size on the backs of horses,” Jarl Frode patted Ivar’s shoulder.
One man lunged at you, breaking the circle. You dodged the attack and broke free from their entrapment. The sparring continued with Ivar once again watching you in fascination, it ended with you standing over several groaning men.
Jarl Frode clapped, “well done, Y/N. Now come here, someone wants to see you.”
You approached the men, and your eyes caught Ivar’s as he leaned against a wooden fence for stability. “Ivar?” You tilted your head as you looked up at him, “you can stand now?”
“And walk,” he gave you a sly smile. “But I have not come here to show off. I have something of great favor to ask of you.”
You wiped dirt from your face, “alright, what is it?”
“You’re a gifted warrior, and someone that I have trusted before. I need you to be the bodyguard to my wife, Queen Freydis,” Ivar explained.
“You’re married?” Your eyes had widened in surprise.
Ivar clenched his jaw and scoffed, “yes I’m married. Does it surprise you that a cripple like me could find a wife?”
You rolled your eyes. You’ve had this discussion time and time again with him growing up. He had always been insecure about his disability and whenever you’d say anything he’d twist your words to make it sound like you thought of him like how everyone else did, that he was just a man to be pitied or disgusted by. But in truth you never pitied him and were most definitely never disgusted, you had been raised by a different culture than Ivar, one that cared for those that were born different rather than shunning them. You sighed, “I meant because I never expected you to settle down so young. You’ve always been so ambitious and always told me women were a distraction.”
Ivar’s face calmed and he let out what sounded like a small laugh, “I guess I did say that, didn’t I. But I said that before I met my Freydis. She’s different.”
You nodded, “I hope she is. I will guard her if it means so much to you.”
He grinned at you, “you always did love to please me.”
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the next day you and Ivar rode back into Kattegat, your horse pulled a cart full of your belongings behind it. Ivar led you on his chariot to a small empty cabin outside of town, “this is your new home for now. Unpack. I expect you at the hall by nightfall to meet Queen Freydis.”
You dismounted your horse, “yes, my king.”
By nightfall Ivar had his arms around Freydris as they waited for you to arrive. “So she is willing to serve me?” Freydis asked as she leaned her head on Ivar’s shoulder.
“She is willing to protect you, yes,” Ivar corrected. “But she is not a thrall.”
Freydis nodded, “you must like you if she was so willing to leave her life behind in that other village.”
“We were friends growing up. The most a thrall and a young prince could be, but that does not mean you have anything to worry about, my beautiful Freydis,” he brought his lips to hers.
The doors to the hall creaked open, Freydis and Ivar separated from each other, you approached where they sat on the twin thrones. You knelt before them, “King Ivar, Queen Freydis, I am here for duty.”
Freydis started to nod in respect and was going to greet you back but before she could Ivar chuckled, “get up. Stop being ridiculous, Y/N.”
You stood with a wide grin, “my apologies, my king.”
Freydis leaned over to Ivar and whispered, “I don’t understand. You have made everyone deeply bow and kneel to you since you became king.”
Ivar looked at Freydis confused, “why would I do that? That would be ridiculous. Y/N and I used to make fun of leaders that would use their power to do such a thing.”
Freydis settled back in her throne. Her thoughts started to spiral. How could my Ivar forget how he holds his power. This woman has been here for less than a day and is already undoing my hard work with Ivar just with her presence. I’ve made him the king he is today, I will not have it.
“My Queen, it will be an honor guarding you. I will lay down my life to ensure your safety,” you slightly bowed before her.
Freydis smiled faintly at you, “I believe you would.”
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a week you spent your days following Freydis around Kattegat. If she went to the market you were at most ten feet behind her and her personal thralls, your hand always on the hilt of your sword. If she was in the hall you’d guard the exit, when she bathed you stood outside the door because she was at her most vulnerable. You made sure she knew or recognized every thrall she came into contact with, if not you patted them down for weapons before they entered her vicinity. When she was with Ivar and his bodyguards you overwatched the thralls making the meals, making sure no one came in to poison the food. All of this was excessive sure, but it was all ordered of you by King Ivar.
For that week Queen Freydis was never alone, you were constantly by her side. This was quite the irritation for Freydis, having a second shadow. She had work to get done, work someone so loyal to her husband could not be there to see. She decided she needed to either make you leave or tire you out for a few hours.
It was early morning when Freydis led you to the training grounds, “I know you have the trust of Ivar. He believes you are strong and a formidable warrior, but I would like to see your skill set for myself.”
You nod, “I understand. I will not disappoint you, my queen.”
“I hope not,” she grinned, something sinister was shown to you in her eyes. Freydis waved over some of Kattegat’s fiercest warriors, “You will start with sparring these men. First, one by one, then all together.”
You approached the middle of the training ground, waiting for your first opponent. He was a large burly man, but so was every other that waited behind him. You fought each and every one of them, you’d defeat one then another would immediately charge at you, giving you little time to breathe. It felt like you were in your own mini battle. You grew tired and each new opponent was fresh, yet you were still able to lay them out flat. Each time a man fell you’d look over to Freydis to see if she approved or if she was impressed, but you saw the opposite. Her eyes were squinted, eyebrows scrunched together, knuckles white, she was upset you were succeeding in any way.
“At her! All at once!” Freydis ordered.
The several warriors charged at you at once. You did your best to dodge their blows and stay upright. You were able to knock a few down before getting hit in the back of head with a shield. As you fell you could hear Freydis’ giggles.
When you tried to get up a warrior stepped on your back, pushing you back into the mud. “Should I finish her off, Queen Freydis?” he asked as he held his axe to your throat.
Before Freydis could open her mouth, Ivar appeared from behind her, “that’s enough! Get off of her!” Ivar limped his way over to you as you rose to your feet, “what is going on, Y/N?”
“I had to prove my strength to your queen. She asked me,” you bowed your head in his presence.
Freydis had followed behind Ivar, “I did, and you have disappointed me.” She turned to Ivar, “I do not believe she is fit to protect me.”
Ivar softly cupped Freydis’ cheek, “I understand you have your suspicions, my love. Y/N, however, has proved herself multiple times, including right now. You put her in a very unfair fight and she lasted much longer than anyone else would. She is more than fit to protect you.”
Freydis rolled her eyes then kissed Ivar’s palm, “alright, she may stay. But she should rest until tomorrow, she has been beaten brutally.” She gave her husband a mock pout, “I will be safe with one of your simple guards for tonight until she is better.”
Ivar sighed, “yes she will rest. Just for tonight. I have a meeting to attend tonight to figure out how to find Lagertha anyways.” Ivar smoothed down Freydis’ hair before he guided you away with a hand on your upper back, “I’ll take her back home.”
When you were both a good distance away and Freydis had started to walk in the other direction, Ivar leaned in and whispered, “you’re not too out of it are you?”
You shook your head, “no, I am alright, my king.”
He sighed, “Ivar. Call me Ivar. Now I need you to do something for me instead of going home.”
You nodded.
“Good. I don’t know why Freydis does not like you. But it is not jealousy. I believe she is planning something and she doesn’t want anyone loyal to me around her. I need you to follow her tonight, in secrecy. Can you do that for me?” He held eye contact with you as he waited for your answer.
“I can do that, Ivar,” with your agreement Ivar gave you a smile that reached his eyes, something he hasn’t done in some time.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That night you camped outside of the great hall. You sat by the fire in a darkly colored cloak, waiting. Soon two figures exited the longhouse, they moved quickly into the streets of Kattegat. You quickly pursued them, keeping enough of a distance to not be noticed.
The figures entered a small shed. You crouched and looked into a crack in the wall of the shed. The figures removed their cloaks, it was Freydis and her closest male servant. She pushed him down and quickly untied his pants. She lifted up the skirt of her dress then climbed onto his lap. She moved on him harshly and fast, it clearly wasn’t enjoyable for either of them.
What’s the point if not for pleasure? You thought to yourself. She treats Ivar as a god and she does this to him?
Once the man finished, Freydis removed herself from him, “good enough.” She muttered but you could hear her.
“Good enough?” Oh gods. She’s trying to impregnate herself with another man’s seed. Ivar will see that as the ultimate betrayal. You removed yourself from the side of the shed and ran off before Freydis could see you.
You ran through the streets until you reached the great hall. You swung the doors open, finding no one. You searched the side chambers frantically for Ivar, finally you found him when you stumbled into his meeting with King Harald and Hvitserk.
The three of them were startled by your sudden entrance. “Well, hello to you too, Y/N,” Hvitserk chuckled.
You waved at him as you caught your breath. “Ivar, I must speak with you. Right now,” you spoke with urgency.
“It can not wait?” Ivar asked as he was already rising from his chair.
“It cannot. I need to speak with you before she arrives,” you grabbed his forearm, guiding him to another side chamber.
“Did you find something?” Worry clouded Ivar’s face.
You nodded, “I’m sorry to say I did.”
Ivar took a deep breath in, “tell me what you saw.”
“She was with another man,” you quickly rushed out.
“Ivar?” Freydis called out from a distance.
You looked towards the voice before looking back at Ivar. His eyes were welling up with tears. “Continue,” a quiet voice escaped him.
“It was her personal male servant. It was not for pleasure,” you continued in a whisper, trying not to lead Freydis to you both.
“Ivar?” Freydis’ voice grew closer.
Ivar’s face scrunched in confusion, “what do you mean?”
You looked around, making sure Freydis still couldn’t see you, “from what I saw, I believe she’s trying to produce an heir for you, by using another man.”
Ivar let out a sound of pure heartbreak and anguish. It was almost animal-like, and all you could do was stare at him with wide eyes as his head fell onto your shoulder.
You held him as Freydis stormed into the room, “Ivar!” She ripped you off of him and scowled at you as he sobbed in her arms, “what did you do to him?”
Ivar pulled himself away from her, “Freydis, why?”
Pt 2
