[Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II; Mature, WIP, a Thórgestr-centric Redemption Arc fic with slowburn Senua/Thórgestr - read the new chapter on AO3 here]
[chapter one | chapter two | chapter three | chapter four | chapter five | excerpts post one | excerpts post two | full hellblade fic masterpost]
“There was a moment,” Senua says, before Thórgestr can think of anything else to say or do. “When Áleifr was on the ground, everyone looked to me, waiting for what I would do. Who I would become. And I felt it. The same shadow in me, the pull of the Tyrant. How it might feel to be honored, loved, feared. The way everyone calls me Giantsbane now, I…”
Clarity comes to him again. Recognition. “You’re afraid, too.”
A fire is kindled by another fire.
Well, since AO3 is back!!!!! :D
Thanks everyone for your patience on the release of this chapter! HUGE shout outs to my beta team, and especially @eisoj5 @stitchingatthecircuitboard @ichabodjane and @laurenplayspeople with this one. Thank you, friends! <3
I hope y'all enjoy this one! I like to think of it as a break through for Senua and Thórgestr's relationship. :) As always, I would love to hear thoughts in the replies, tags, or comments!
[Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II; Mature, WIP, a Thórgestr-centric Redemption Arc fic with slowburn Senua/Thórgestr - read the new chapter on AO3 here]
[chapter one | chapter two | chapter three | chapter four | chapter five | chapter six | chapter seven | chapter eight | chapter nine | chapter ten | excerpts post one | excerpts post two | in the core of everything masterpost | full hellblade fic masterpost]
Silence stretches long until Solveig hums like she’s learned something already. “You look well for a man who took a blade through his back.”
Thórgestr has a meeting with Solveig Silvertongue, skáld of Borgarvirki.
Did I say I was waiting until June? Oops, this is here early because it is the 2 year anniversary of Senua's Saga being released! Didn't want to miss the date, so here we are. :D
I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I hope y'all like Solveig! As always, I would love to hear thoughts about the fic in the replies, tags, or comments!
in the core of everything drums a beat - [M, current WIP, 15 chapters planned; fic masterpost | rough draft excerpts 1, 2 | AO3]
“He’s gone,” someone says, soothing but for the note of desperation crackling through their voice, “Áleifr is gone and cannot hurt you anymore—now rest, heal, live for me, I will not lose you, too.”
But Thórgestr is lost, blind and trapped somewhere between Midgard and Niflheim. Alone in the dark.
“Follow my voice. I won’t leave you.”
In the aftermath of events in Borgarvirki, Senua and Thórgestr navigate legacies and leadership, healing and moving forward.
Planned future fics in the series:
the heart counsels the rider of will
that which costs deeply rewards deeply
other fics / ficlets
fade under - [M, 673 words, a cut scene from in the core of everything | Tumblr post | AO3]
There are no twists and turns of conversation, no winding words and unsolved riddles. This here is his element and his mind shifts seamlessly from step and swing and slice and scream and throwing all his strength into the fight.
He was made for this and only for this.
Thórgestr dreams of battlefields.
the river stands still - [G, 530 words, related to Hertan as a whole | Tumblr post | AO3]
Where does it hurt? she asks.
He answers, My lungs. My ribs. My back. My heart. Everywhere.
wind and waves, I rode and ran - [G, 517 words | Tumblr post | AO3]
They cannot die out here in the pitiless sea. That cannot be their fate.
leave fears behind, let fall all masks - [T, 910 words, continuation of wind and waves | Tumblr post | AO3]
There is a corner of Senua's mind that he will never be able to reach, a secret, inward place she sometimes falls into. She's been locked in there since long before the sun sank below the horizon and the stars spread across the sky, though her body remained in this world, tucked close to Thórgestr's side.
Thórgestr has learned that it is a precious task, watching over her and shielding her until she finds her way back.
if come thy foes on the gallows-way - [M, 720 words | Tumblr post | AO3]
Thórgestr was not going to let her go into a draugar's camp alone, not this time.
bloom under stone fallen blackbird - [M, WIP | Tumblr tag | AO3]
Send me back, Senua cries. Let me save him.
Who listens?
Or, a time loop AU
This is compilation list 2 of 2 for a significant section of the Hellblade fics on AO3 (updated 26 March 2026)! Sacrifice Fic Rec List is here.
For transparency, certain filters were used to gather the following list: 1) these are written word fics only, so collages/fanvids/fanart are excluded, 2) all of these are English Only as, alas, I’m monolingual and don’t trust Google Translate, 3) I filtered out the Non-Con archive warning out of personal preference, and finally 4) I filtered out fics that involved crossover fandoms, so the lists are Sacrifice/Saga universe fics only. They are listed from oldest to newest posted. I’ve tried to tag writers whose tumblr handles I know/could find, but if anyone sees this and wants to either be tagged or untagged here on tumblr, please let me know!
Thanks for reading these rec lists! If you get the chance, go show those writers some love in the comments!
ETA: I want to strongly encourage readers to actively support fic writers while they are here in this small fandom. Most of the fics in this list have only a handful of comment threads! Comments can encourage writers to keep writing and stay in fandoms. Even a small comment like, "hey, I enjoyed reading this!" can make a difference.
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1. Wish for the Future by SheiGriffin / @sheigarche (G, Senua/Thórgestr, 1k words)
When night comes, Senua and Thorgestr have the chance to talk by the campfire.
A lovely scene in Thórgestr's POV, set between Bárðarvík and Borgarvirki. It's nice to see Thórgestr trying to do his best to understand Senua and to move away from fear to reason. And the two of them hold hands! I'm a sucker for that.
2. Mirrors by FancyLadySnackCakes / @brimbrimbrimbrim (E, Senua/Thórgestr, 9k words)
Thórgestr is brought back to Sjavarrisi to heal from his wounds, while Senua avoids him by the sea. As a storm rolls in, she finds herself alone with him in the longhouse, where she decides that the Northman is everything else but what he once was, and there is room in her to feel love again.
This is a really beautiful fic set in Bárðarvík, post-game. I love the flowing, evocative way that Senua's headspace is written, and the Furies are perfectly audible to my inner ear. There are also details in the fic that I find fascinating in their implications-- a line about Áleifr turning to stone, Thórgestr knowing about the dark rot and having feared it. Very good!
3. Animal Soul (translated from French) by jusToxy_more / @alty759 (Not Rated, Senua/Thórgestr, 3k words, French fic is here!)
"She startles and seems to suddenly be out of her torpor. Her big blue eyes roam the landscape, her eyes falling over the ridgeline above them as well. Good reflex, he thinks. Then Senua turns to Thorgestr, meeting his gaze. He thinks the blue of her eyes doesn’t stand out as brightly as it did now that her face isn’t drenched in blood anymore. They were piercing during their confrontation on the beach. The corners of his lips twitch.
“Who taught you how to fight?”, he asks, in order to engage conversation."
________________________
Many days of walking await Senua and her group after they leave Bardarvik in direction of Borgavirki. As they set off for the last step of their journey, it gives Senua and Thorgestr the opportunity to get to know each other.
It is in this wild nature, in those expanses devoid of any human presence, in the shadows of night, that Thorgestr, little by little, realizes the extent of the affection he feels for the young woman.
A really sweet fic featuring some revelations about Senua's past, some flirting about fighting, Thórgestr making promises, and then the two of them falling asleep together in the dark. I'm so happy this got translated and I got the chance to read it.
4. Stop Thinking And Feel It by SheiGriffin / @sheigarche (T, Senua/Thórgestr, 6k words)
Senua returns to Borgarvirki to find Thórgestr almost fully healed, but things don't get any easier because of that.
I love seeing Senua be welcomed by other people in the aftermath of Saga. Delighted to see Fargrímr here too, watching out for Thórgestr and Senua both. Senua and Thórgestr spar and then talk a little bit about what the future holds for them next. It's such a bright fic. Lovely.
5. A Ray Of Light by SheiGriffin / @sheigarche (G, Senua/Thórgestr, 977 words)
Immediately after the end of Hellblade 2, Senua sees Thórgestr… alive.
Everyone's favorite "he didn't actually get impaled" theory rendered in a very sweet fic!
6. The Calm Between Storms by SheiGriffin / @sheigarche (M, Senua/Thórgestr, 5k words)
After the Draugar attack on Bárdarvik, Thórgestr has a hard time calming down, while Senua is still overwhelmed by everything else. When they bump into each other, in the heat of the moment, they both decide to give in to their instincts.
Classic post-battle tension boiling over into banging! Very fun!
7. The Unspoken Journey of The Northman and The Mad Woman by FocusAndTheFuries / @focusandthefuries (M, Senua/Thórgestr, 9k words, WIP)
Things had changed between the two of them, Thórgestr and Senua. They could both feel it. An unspoken feeling had attached itself to both of them. It was pulling them closer but would it be strong enough to bring them together? The Northman and The Mad Woman? They did not know, and with their fate hanging hinging on a battle of giants and the Björg, even their lives were uncertain.
The start of a long fic set in Bárðarvík during Saga, right after the storm-giant is defeated. It's nice to see the POVs of Thórgestr, Senua, and even Fargrímr in parts. Fargrímr also attempts some sly matchmaking and that made me laugh!
ETA: heads up for an untagged trigger warning for chapter 2 of the fic, in Thórgestr's backstory, he was in a relationship with a woman who died via miscarriage and he has some overt memories about finding them!
8. Seiðkona by kingjjon (G, Senua/Thórgestr, 1k words, Russian fic is here!)
No summary.
This is a deeply atmospheric first-person narrative fic featuring Thórgestr reflecting on his relationship with Senua after Saga's events. The premise of this was so cool to read, it felt like Thórgestr as an older chieftain speaking with his children around a hearth fire about how important Senua is and has been to him. Very cool fic that still lingers in my head.
9. held by bearcvck / @bearcvck (G, Senua/Thórgestr, 2k words)
“Why are you not sleeping?” She asks, voice soft.
Thórgestr blinks, and meets her eyes. “The nights are cold,” he shrugs. “My knee aches with it.”
Oh, she thinks. Oh.
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Or, one cold night on the way to Borgarvirki.
Gap fill fic set during Saga events! I love the tenderness and physicality between Thórgestr and Senua in this one.
Thórgestr observes the battle between Senua and Goði
The tags call this "Thórgestr's 'Ode to Senua' Flash Fic" and that is true! And it's GREAT. I love the way this weaves in the words of Heilung's "In Maidjan", the intensity of it, and the focus it has on Senua. Short but sharp! Delighted to get to add this to the list. :)
It's a cold morning in Borgarvarki. Luckily, Senua is there to warm Thórgestr up.
This is a very sweet fic, featuring tender morning sex during the first winter in Borgarvirki, post-Saga! A lovely read.
12. tempest by Linnea_Ancalime / @linnea-ancalime (G, Senua, 100 words)
Most tempests happen in the same way; only we change.
Yay!!!! A drabble about Senua's path from Sacrifice through Saga. This is lovely!
13. The Shapes in the Fog by Skullsz / @in-our-veins (G, Senua, 215 words)
Senua is struggling to find her friends and leave the haunted Járnviðr…
A heartbreaking little fic based around uncertainty over whether or not Senua's companions are real people or hallucinations, especially in the twists and turns of Járnviðr.
14. A Power to Give by Skullsz / @in-our-veins (T, Senua & Thórgestr, 226 words)
Thórgestr is afraid of the woman who tied him up…
Senua and Thórgestr exchange names on the way to Freyslaug in this one and I found it delightful.
15. Light Leaks Through by Skullsz / @in-our-veins (G, Ástríðr & Senua, 473 words)
Senua cannot save enough, and her friends care about her well being…
After the draugar raid on Bárðarvík, Senua's friends (Ástríðr in particular!!!) comfort and reassure her. I absolutely LOVED seeing the gentle, encouraging side of Ástríðr.
Thórgestr overhears Senua and Fargrímr conversation…
A really interesting little look in Thórgestr's head after Freyslaug while Fargrímr tells Senua about the giants! What if he doesn't believe them!
17. Let Love Conquer Your Mind (Warrior, Warrior) by Ichabodjane / @ichabodjane (E, Senua/Thórgestr, 2k words)
It is a rainy day in Barðarvik. Senua and Thórgestr take some time for themselves.
There are not adequate words to express how happy this fic makes me!!!! Senua and Thórgestr have a house in Bárðarvík and they have a dog named Birna and Thórgestr is still making dumb little jokes and it is SPRINGTIME and they are HAPPY!!!! I love this fic and I'm so honored to have had my fic inspire it even a little. Yay!!!! <3
18. Í Myrkri Fundin by m7udo (M, Senua/Ástríðr, 2k words)
The sword at Senua’s throat is not the only thing between them.
Very excited to see a Senua/Ástríðr fic in here!!! This is a beautifully written character study of both women and how they could come together on the road to Borgarvirki and discover each other's secrets.
19. The Warmth of Winter's Edge by firebird_writings (E, Thórgestr/Reader, ~6k words)
Your soon-to-be husband has kept you waiting, and it has you anxious. What happens when he finally visits you.
I think this is our first Reader fic in the fandom which is an exciting addition to the ecosystem! This is a interesting look at Thórgestr and a childhood sweetheart-now-betrothed just before Thórgestr leaves for the Orkney raid. Mind the tags on this one, a fair amount of rough stuff is implied.
Is it enough that Thórgestr lived when he should have died? Is it enough that Senua lingered when she should have been gone a long time ago?
Another multichapter WIP has been posted and I could NOT be more excited about it! As of writing this comment and adding this fic to this rec list, there has only been one four!!!! chapters posted, but I think it is a deeply intriguing start and very wonderfully written. Set in Borgarvirki at the very beginning of winter, it seems like Senua and Thórgestr are going to be feeling out the connection that was forged between them through Saga.
21. Voices Heard Above the Stream by aereona / @aereona (T, Senua/Thórgestr, 100 words)
The Furies and their incessant chattering are not helpful when fishing.
LOVE seeing this drabble in our fandom. (I am someone who will die on the "drabbles are 100 words exactly" hill, so I deeply appreciate the word count!) A cool little glimpse into Senua's head while fishing with Thórgestr. Check out the tumblr post for some formatting that didn't make it to AO3.
