#kattegat

[stompin]

[barefoot-treeperson]

Being in His Life

Ivar the Boneless x Blacksmith/Shield maiden reader she/her pronouns

Fluff/Semi-slowburn

Warnings: blood and murder, kissing, main events of the series ‘Vikings’

Summary: You have always been by Ivar’s side, along with the rest of the Ragnarssons. You were his best friend, his defender, his sense of logic. He needed you. But eventually he had to live without you. Which taught him a lesson, he didn’t want to.

Word count: 5.8k

You’ve been a family friend of the Lothbroks since you were a child. You had been one of the few children in Kattegat to be able to develop a strong friendship with Ragnarssons, and the only one to stay.

Your father was the main blacksmith of Kattegat, he didn’t have any sons, you were his youngest daughter but his only child that showed any interest in his trade. One day he decided to bring you to work, the day he made a delivery to King Ragnar Lothbrok.

You and your father arrived at the longhouse. Your father carried a newly forged sword wrapped in cloth, he carried it to the couple sitting on their thrones. You and your father both kneeled before them, Ragnar unwrapped the sword and inspected it.

“Well done, blacksmith,” Ragnar gestured for you both to stand. “You are a great craftsman. I hope you pass your skill on to the next generation.” He smiled down at you then patted your head.

“She’s looking forward to learning more about the trade and skills,” your father smiled proudly.

“Really?” Ragnar crouched down to your level. “Well, to know how to make the perfect weapons, you need to know how to handle them,” you nodded as you listened. “My boys are out in the woods training right now. Why don’t I bring you to train with them and inspect the weapons?”

You looked up for father’s approval. He nodded. You looked back at Ragnar and agreed.

Ragnar brought you to where his sons were training, he introduced you then left. Hvitserk and Ubbe stopped sparring to stare at you, Sigurd flipped his dagger and rolled his eyes, Ivar sat on a stump holding a bow and arrow. You just waved.

As the three older brothers continued to trade off turns sparring, you walked over to Ivar on his stump. He ignored you as he shot his arrow, he missed by a long shot. He growled in irritation. He got ready to shoot again, but before he could you stood behind him and adjusted his positioning.

“Go ahead,” you encouraged.

He shot. He finally hit the target. Ivar fully turned his head to you and smiled. He decided then and there that you were going to be his friend. You didn’t have a choice.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Ivar got bigger his brothers weren’t able to pull him around in his box anymore. He was stationary again for the most part, having to pull himself everywhere with his arms. He was getting stronger, building muscle in his arms, which he liked. What he didn’t like was that he couldn’t run with the other children, feel the wind in his hair, get his energy out.

Even though you were still young and just starting to learn to hone your skills, you wanted to build something to help Ivar get back to this feeling. You asked your father for his help, showing him your designs. Though they were poorly drawn, he understood the concept. At night, during his usual time off, you and your father would be in the shop working on your project for Ivar.

A few weeks later your father rolls you into the longhouse on a light metal cart. You call out for Ivar in a sing-songy voice as Floki and Ragnar giggle. Ivar and his brothers came out from the back room, you hopped off the cart, presenting it to Ivar. “For you, Prince Ivar,” you rolled it over to him.

He smiled at you. As you held it still he pulled himself into it, taking a seat, “Why?”

“So you can keep up with your brothers when they run,” you smiled down at him.

His brothers started to giggle and look over the cart. Ubbe took the handle, pulling Ivar, “it’s so light. Let’s go try it out for real.” Once Ivar nodded in agreement, Ubbe pulled him in the chart straight out of the longhouse with Hvitserk and Sigurd following. You ran out after them. Queen Asluag yelled out, worried, but none of you heard what she said.

You all ran through the village square, you did your best to keep up while not knocking anyone down. Ubbe ran a full speed while pulling Ivar, Ivar giggled uncontrollably, gripping the sides of the cart. You all eventually stopped when you reached the edge of the woods.

Ivar looked up at you, “Y/N, thank you to you and your father. I love it.” You nodded and smiled. Ivar got to play with his brothers a little longer because of your design, that’s all you wanted.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once he became a teenager the ridicule got so much worse. There was no more sympathy for the small broken child, he was now seen as a disgrace, a curse to his bloodline. People in the village looked at him with disgust, they were scared of his anger. Anger that his very own brother, Sigurd, loved to fuel.

“You can’t do anything, Ivar! You are just a lowly cripple,” Sigurd takes a sip of his mead. “Less than human.”

Ivar grinds his teeth together, “Watch your mouth, brother.”

Sigurd chuckled, he was a bit tipsy from the mead. “What could you ever do to me? You can’t even walk.”

“I’m capable of many other things,” Ivar gripped his horn tightly.

“Yes, you are very good at slithering around like a serpent,” Sigurd grinned.

Ivar threw his horn of mead, hitting Sigurd square in the head. “Boys, stop fighting,” Aslaug said in a quiet but irritated tone.

Sigurd stood up, “you’re the reason Ragnar abandoned all of us, Ivar! He knew he was cursed once you were born and his failure in Frankia proved him right! You never should’ve been born!”

Ivar used the chairs to lift himself up, he stalked towards Sigurd while groaning in pain, “you’re going to pay for everything you’ve ever said about me, brother.”

“Ivar, sit down before you get hurt. Sigurd, apologize!” Ubbe started to stand up, but he entered the conflict too late.

Singurd pulled the chair out from underneath Ivar, causing him to fall flat on his face. He screamed out in anger and in pain.

Sigurd stormed out of the longhouse, bumping into you, almost knocking the axes and sword you were carrying out of your arms. When you walked into the longhouse you saw Ivar still on the ground, being comforted by his mother. You rolled your eyes as you handed the weapons to Ubbe and Hvitserk.

You moved to Ivar and knelt down in front of him. Aslaug left his side, he looked up at you, tears in his eyes. You pulled him up by his arms, “let’s get you up.” You lifted him to his feet and placed him in a chair. You placed his food back in front of him, then sat down next to him. His brothers and mother were no longer in the room. “You know I’m going to drag Sigurd back here when you’re calm.”

Ivar scoffed, “for what?”

“You’re brothers, you two have to talk and apologize to each other.”

“I don’t have to apologize for anything,” he shoved his food in his mouth.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” you leaned back in your chair.

Ivar hit his fist against the table, “excuse me? He called me a serpent? How could I owe him an apology?”

“You two have been arguing since you were young children. Over the years it has just escalated. It's going to get to a boiling point soon enough, where neither of you can return from.”

Ivar rolled his eyes and pushed his plate away. He grunted as he got out of his seat and crawled away from you.

A few hours later you went into the woods in search of Sigurd. You found him throwing axes at a tree. You knew he was just stubborn as Ivar so you weren’t going to talk him into talking to Ivar. You crept up behind him and put him in a headlock.

“Argh! Y/N, what are you doing?” He struggled against you.

“You and Ivar are going to have a talk!” You start to drag him while you walk.

“Did he send you?” Sigurd scoffs.

“No, I came on my own accord.”

You drag Sigurd all the way to the longhouse, where Ubbe and Hvitserk are standing over a hog tied Ivar. You threw Sigurd down, Ubbe and Hvitserk tied him up also.

“Now talk. We’re not leaving until you do.” Both Sigurd and Ivar groaned.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ubbe, Hvitserk, and Sigurd had all been with Margrethe, a beautiful thrall that worked for the family. Ivar believed she was the right of passage to lose his manhood. He wanted her, at least once. He told his brothers, and they came up with the plan. They set Ivar and Margrethe up in a small hut in the outskirts of the village.

You knew nothing of this plan. If you did it wouldn’t have happened. You would’ve brought logical thinking to the situation, and the Ragnarsson couldn’t have that. But you found out about it when you overheard Margrethe.

“No wonder he’s called ‘boneless’,” she giggled with her friends. “He started to tear up. I should’ve been the one crying,” they continued to laugh.

You took out your knife and grabbed her hair. Her friends went silent. You cut off the length of her hair. She gasped. “I know it’s a long shot but maybe less men will want to sleep with you now,” you then hand her your knife and the sheath they kept it on your hip. “Protect yourself. I know it wasn’t your choice to be with him.”

You go up to the Lothbrok’s hunting cabin, opening up the door to Ivar sitting by the fire. “Go away,” he was carving a block of wood.

“Not going to happen,” you sat down on the floor next to him.

He growled in irritation.

“Tell me what happened,” you took the knife and wood out of his hands.

He sighed, “I couldn’t get it up. So I wasn’t man enough to satisfy her.” You rubbed his back as he continued to rant. “I kept trying and trying. I was hurting her. I didn’t want to hurt her! That was the opposite-” his voice cracked. You pulled him into you as tears reached his eyes. “I’ll never be man enough.”

“Ivar, it was your first time. You cannot let it define you. Many men fail their first time, and they don’t have your condition.”

He pulls away, “either way she’s spreading it around. Every woman in Kattegat knows about what happened.”

You take Margrethe’s braid out of your satchel, “she’s done talking for now.” You hand him the braid, he clutches it, “one day her words will fade and you’ll either find a woman that hasn’t heard them or doesn’t care.”

“Do you care?” His icy blue eyes bore into yours.

“Ivar, I’ve been your friend since we were young children. I couldn’t care less,” you smiled warmly at him. And that’s when he cracked. Ivar grabbed the sides of your face and kissed your lips roughly. You gripped his shoulders and pushed him back. “Ivar, you’re upset. You do not care for me in that way. You need to heal from what happened with Margrethe, and using me will not help.”

Ivar sniffled but nodded, “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. It will never happen again.”

“It’s alright. Let me bring you back home.”

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Okay, we wait for Bjorn,” Ubbe leaned up against the fence of the hunting cabin.

“No, we wait for Ivar first,” Sigurd spoke up.

You’ve been standing at the end of the dock since the Saxon ship had been spotted. Ivar and Ragnar were on their way back from England, and you had to inform them of the death of Queen Aslaug and the new rule of Queen Lagertha.

The ship docked, but the only one you recognized was Ivar. You helped him onto the dock, he looked miserable. “Where is Ragnar?” You asked before you two even said ‘hello’.

“Dead. My brothers already know. Odin should’ve visited them as he visited me,” you nodded in understanding and led him to a horse with a cart attached. “Where is my mother? Why has she not come to greet me? She was worried when I left.”

“She is not coming to greet you,” you lifted him and placed him in the cart.

“Why? Is she preparing for Ragnar’s funeral?”

“I don’t know if I should tell you this or if I should wait for your brother’s to,” you looked down at your feet.

He grabbed the collar of your tunic, “you tell me.”

“Asluag is dead. Your mother was killed by Lagertha. She is now the queen of Kattegat,” Ivar let go of your tunic, his face turned into a blank expression. “Your brothers are up at the hunting cabin.”

The entire ride up to the cabin Ivar was completely silent. When he entered the lodge he and brothers argued about what to do about Lagertha. Eventually they acted mostly on impulse and threatened Lagertha. Thankfully Bjorn came home in time. Everyone lowered their weapons and declared a truce. A truce that Ivar did not want to agree to.

The night that Queen Lagertha refused to fight Ivar in single combat he had requested to spend the night in your home. When you were children you’d spend nights in the longhouse with the Ragnarssons, but Ivar only came to your home when he was exceptionally upset.

Once the sun had set, Ivar chugged his mead and crawled into your bed. You sat next to him and he laid his head in your lap, immediately sobbing into your nightgown. All you could do that night was hold him.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Great Heathen Army had been assembled and sailed to England. It was time to fight against the Kingdom of Northumbria. They listened to Ivar’s strategies. He rode his chariot into battle for the first time, feeling like a true viking. Throughout the battle you would hop onto his chariot and use it to cut Saxon warriors down, laughing behind Ivar.

“Why do you use me so?” Ivar chuckles.

“Are you telling me not to be resourceful?”

“No, but a good shieldmaiden doesn’t need to use a cripple for a ride.” You shoved his head as you jumped off his chariot. “That’s what I thought!” He yelled out after you.

After the battle ended the Ragnarssons captured King Aelle and blood eagled him that night. In York the brothers argued about what to do with the Great Heathen Army next, things escalated between Sigurd and Ivar again.

“Ivar, you are crazy,” Sigurd stood up and stalked toward Ivar.

Ivar grabbed an axe, quickly, without thinking, he threw it at Sigurd. It landed in Sigurd’s chest. He fell dead.

You ran to Sigurd’s side, trying to wake him up while keeping blood from pouring out of his wound. You stared up at Ivar, your eyes blown wide, “Ivar, what have you done?!”

Ivar had almost made it up to Ubbe and Hvitserk, he apologized for killing Sigurd, he said his anger got the better of him and Sigurd was just fueling the fire. He had cried into your arms again. The apologies had won his brothers over but not you. You could tell he was starting to slip.

One night he came to you with an idea, metal braces to make him walk. You started right away on the designs. Spent your days and nights forging these braces and a crutch for him, until they were finally done and you were sure they’d fit him perfectly.

Ivar laid down on the walk way as you tightened the braces around his legs. Once he got up to his feet on his own and walked over to his brothers for the first time, he pulled you into a tight embrace. “Now they won’t look down on me,” he kissed your temple.

Ivar was starting to become sole leader of York, he was no longer running things by his brothers. He was becoming arrogant instead of just angry. You didn’t know why but it happened after he freed a young, pretty, blonde thrall that he had asked into his quarters. You didn’t know what she would have to do with any of it.

After the Saxon attack on York and the Viking victory, the Great Heathen Army split again. Ivar sat on a boulder on the shore as Hvitserk stepped off of Ubbe’s ship and walked to Ivar.

“See, no one is with you, Ubbe,” Ivar patted Hvitserk’s back and whispered into his ear, “where is Y/N?”

“There,” Hvitserk pointed out to the ships where you stood stoic.

Ivar clenched his jaw and yelled, “Y/N, what do you think you are doing?!”

“You cannot lead Ivar! I’ve seen that, and I refuse to see you slip further into this madness you’ve created.”

“I am not mad!” He clenched his fists, “you said you were my best friend! You’re supposed to stay with me! By my side! Not Ubbe’s!”

“Goodbye, Ivar,” you and Ubbe waved.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When you settled back into Kattegat, Queen Lagertha offered you a position as one of her personal shieldmaidens as well as the blacksmith of her weapons. You accepted. For months you stood by Lagertha’s side and provided weapons to the rest of her shield maidens. You loved your new responsibilities in Kattegat, and respected Lagertha as Queen, more than you ever did Aslaug. Everything was perfect.

Until King Harald’s army approached. Ivar led them, and he saw you fight by Lagertha’s side. To him, you had betrayed him. You had already chosen Ubbe over him, now you were choosing Lagertha even after what she had done to his poor mother. King Harald’s army retreated, they were overpowered by Lagertha’s army and her Sami allies.

Lagertha was outsourcing for allies, so could Ivar. He contacted his Uncle Rollo and gained support from the Frankish army. This battle was bloodier, Ivar made sure of that. Lagertha, Bjorn, Heahmund, Ubbe, and Torvi had fled Kattegat. You were supposed to come with them but Ivar had given multiple men the mission of finding you during the battle. He was not going to let you get away again.

Once Ivar arrived in the longhouse and declared himself to be king of Kattegat, his first order of business was to visit you in the dungeon. You were chained to the wall, sitting down. Your wounds from the battle were still open and oozing blood, you were weak. Ivar limped his way over to you. He ordered his men, “go get healers! I want her alive!” His men ran out in a rush to get the healer.

Ivar leaned over, he grabbed your hair and tilted your head up. Your face was bashed in. He huffed, “what did they do to you?”

You smirked, “you mean the men you sent after me?”

He nodded, “I’m so sorry, Y/N. I didn’t want them to hurt you.”You spat in his face. He dropped your head, you laughed manically. Ivar started to pace around the room. He wiped his face, “you never should have left me, Y/N. Because now you’re never going to be able to leave.”

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You’ve been Ivar’s thrall for a few weeks now. He put you to work for him the moment you were fully healed. You were the one to serve him all his meals, he had you stay in the room with him while he ate. You sat at the foot of his throne during meetings, he even put your bed in his chambers. He had to have an eye on you all the time. And to make sure you couldn’t get away, because he knew he couldn’t break your spirit as easily as other thralls, he kept your feet and hands chained at all times.

Ivar dragged you everywhere he went, at least until she showed up again. In some ways you were thankful for Freydis, she took away Ivar’s attention. In other ways you wished she never showed up, she made Ivar believe he was a god. He believed he should be sat with Odin and Thor in the Aesir, all you could do was roll your eyes as you saw everyone else in Kattegat fall for his words. Everyone except for Hvitserk.

When Freydis was almost due to give birth, Hvitserk came to you in the middle of the night. You were no longer sleeping in Ivar’s chambers but in the throne room on furs on the floor. Hvitserk shook you awake.

“Huh?” You sat up, “Hvitserk, what?”

“Shhh,” he started fumbling with your chains. “We’re getting out of here. We don’t belong here since Ivar has gone mad.”

“Took you long enough to come to your senses,” you stood once he undid your chains. He huffed at you as you both snuck out of the longhouse.

In the early morning Hvitserk stuffed you in a cart with livestock for you to hide under. He was stopped at the gates of Kattegat, questioned relentlessly by the guards. The sun was about to fully come above the horizon, and you knew Hvitserk wasn’t going to be able to talk his way out of the walls before Ivar woke. You both jumped onto the ground and swiftly attacked the two guards, killing them before they could even make a sound. You both hid the bodies, opened the gates, and rode to the outskirts of Kattegat. There you met with Ubbe, Bjorn, Torvi and Lagertha. You met them all with tight embraces.

Lagertha put her hands on both sides on your face, “more of your spark is gone.” She moved her hands to hold your raw wrists, “he really did want to keep you, didn’t he?”

You nodded, “he kept me shackled because he knew he couldn’t break me.”

For days you all planned how to fight against Ivar’s defenses, trying to find out ways to get through the walls of Kattegat, neither you nor Hvitserk knew of ways in other than the main gate. But one day a miracle walked into the tent. Freydis.

“There is a secret opening in the wall, in case Ivar ever needed to escape. I will show you and leave it open to let you and your men in for when you’re ready to attack,” you noticed Freydis looked broken when she spoke.

“How do we know we can trust you?” Bjorn questioned her.

“He killed my baby. I cannot trust or love a man like that,” Freydis turned, “also Hvitserk, Ivar had Thora and others burned.” Then she left the tent, leaving a frozen Hvitserk.

You stormed out after her, grabbing her shoulder and turning her around. You shoved her against the tree. “Are you serious? You made him this way, put the thoughts of him being a god in his head. You let those people burn!”

Freydis rolled her eyes, “what is your point?”

You wrapped your hand around her throat, “my point is, you’re a manipulative woman and if Ivar doesn’t kill you when he finds out you betrayed him, because he will find out. I will kill you slowly and painfully. Ivar isn’t the only tyrant of Kattegat that needs to be dealt with.” You let go of her.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You didn’t reunite with Ivar until the death of his brother, Bjorn Ironside. Before you stayed in Kattegat doing your best to get Hvitserk sober, but you kept losing that sneaky bastard. When he was banished after killing Lagertha you went back to blacksmithing as your main trade. Only being a shieldmaiden if defense was needed. And it was needed sooner than you thought.

You stood on the front lines as Bjorn weakly raised his sword, his torso full of arrows. As he finally fell dead off his horse and the Rus started to retreat, you charged. You threw down your sword and shield so you could run faster. You hopped onto Ivar’s chariot before he was even able to turn fully around. You grabbed the collar of his tunic and slammed his back into the wall of the chariot.

“You ever come back to Kattegat I will make sure it is the last day you live!” You spat as you yelled in his face.

Ivar nodded silently, frightened. It confused you. There was something different about him. You had expected him to laugh in your face like a mad man. A laugh that would drive you crazy until you eventually snapped and punched out his teeth. But this Ivar looked up at you with eyes full of sorrow, as if he was sorry.

You dropped him, then left the chariot.

Even with your warning Ivar and Hvitserk still came back to Kattegat. They were accepted by King Harald and the people, especially after Ivar purposefully humiliated himself by throwing his crutch and falling over to prove he didn’t think he was a god anymore.

That night you found Ivar and Hvitserk sitting on a platform by the water. Once Hvitserk left and Ivar stood up, you grabbed him from behind and held a knife to his neck. “Hello, Y/N,” he grabbed your arm, pulling the knife out of your hand. “You hesitate too much.” He pulls you to face him.

“Of course I hesitate. You were my best friend for years, I had cared for you since my childhood,” tears started to fill your eyes.

Ivar kept your arms pinned against your chest, “then why did you leave me?” His voice broke.

“You thought you were a god, Ivar. You slipped away.”

He shook you gently in frustration, “I don’t believe that anymore, I don’t know why I ever believed that.”

“Because she poisoned your mind, and you let her.”

“I-I loved Freydis, she was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he let go of your arms. “She was beautiful, she loved me.”

You cupped his cheek, “sweet Ivar, no she didn’t. She was a delusional woman who believed she could use your passion to gain power for herself.”

He leaned into your touch, “I was mad before her.”

“I know, she knew. Why do you think she chose you? It was easier to push you where she wanted you to go.”

He leaned against you, putting his head in the crook of your neck, “why do you see everything so clearly? Even now, after being without her for a year I still think she was the love of my life, no matter how manipulative she was.”

You wrapped your arms around him, “maybe that’s what love is, I wouldn’t know.”

He wrapped one of his arms around the small of your back and pulled you against him, “you deserve to know. You’re the only one that keeps me sane.” He mumbles into your neck, “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I missed the real you, Ivar.”

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ivar and King Harald’s army were once again in Wessex, England. You came along as a shieldmaiden, you had missed fighting, and living in Kattegat had become too mundane for you. You spent your days with Ivar and Hvitserk, they were bickering and joking like brothers again. You didn’t know what happened over the year they were with the Rus, you didn’t need to know, you were just happy things felt normal again.

Ivar had the idea to cripple the Saxon army with traps. You were assigned to design them, help build and set them up. You were setting a foot trap up when Ivar came to check on you.

“How’s it going?” He stood above you in your crouched position.

“Good. Ahead of schedule. Then everyone can come see where they are and help hide them,” you stood up.

He nodded, “good, good.” He turned to walk back to camp. He didn’t get far until his crutch got caught on a root, he started to fall, his face and whole body were about to get ensnared in multiple spiked traps. But suddenly he wasn’t on the ground, but in your arms. You had ran to him and caught him. He didn’t understand how you were holding him so easily, or how you got to him so fast.

“We’ll clear the roots,” you smiled at him, still not putting him down.

He nodded and looked down, “your foot.”

You looked down to find your foot in a trap, spikes embedded into your calf. “It’s fine. I haven’t felt anything in that leg for a few years.” You threw Ivar over your shoulder and carried him off the field, the trap still attached to your foot.

Back at camp, you were treating your foot, Ivar was sitting with Hvitserk but he was staring at you. Hvitserk smacked Ivar’s arm, “what’s your problem?”

“I used to think I never knew what love felt like?” Ivar continues to stare at you.

“What do you mean?” Hvitserk raised an eyebrow.

“Mother only cared for me because she felt guilty for giving birth to me. You, Ubbe, and Sigurd, teased me my entire childhood, and I tortured you all one way or another as pay back. Freydis made me insane for her own good, and became pregnant by another man. Katja, I don’t know what she wanted, but it wasn’t me.” Ivar sharpens his axe.

“Ivar, why are you telling me this?” Hvitserk whispers.

“I was wrong. Y/N loved me my entire life,” Ivar sighed.

“Yes, I know,” Hvitserk agrees.

Ivar’s head snaps up to face him, “what? You knew?”

“I thought you knew?” Hvitserk gestured at him, “she made you a cart when we were kids, then your leg braces. Whether it’s as friends or more, she has always loved you. She left you because she loves you and she knew she couldn’t help you where you were.”

Ivar huffs, “I’m an idiot, aren’t I?”

Hvitserk pats his back, “always have been.”

During the first battle Ivar stayed on the platform, the entire time. He watched you. Watched you fight. Watched you move swiftly across the battlefield. He laughed every time you brutally killed a saxon. He was captivated by you.

The camp was lively that night, you danced around the fire with other shieldmaidens. Ivar admired you while he drank mead from a horn. And he kept drinking, and drinking. Eventually you grew tired and sat down next to Ivar.

“You’re beautiful,” Ivar grins widely at you.

“Thank you. Are you drunk?”

He shushed you, “you fight and dance like a true goddess, Y/N.”

You chuckled, “I’ll take that as a yes.”

He moved impossibly close to you, wrapped his arms around you and rested his head on your shoulder. “I should’ve married you instead of Freydis. Have a child on the way with you instead of with Katja,” he mumbled.

“Ivar, you cannot say such things,” you looked down at him to find him asleep on your shoulder. You carried him to his bed, next to Hvitserk’s.

Ivar had forgotten about what he said to you, but you didn’t. You lingered near him to see if he’d show any feelings to you while he was sober. Instead you just overheard a conversation between him and Hvitserk.

“Ivar, your eyes are blue,” Hvitserk leaned forward. “You remember what that means, don’t you?”

Ivar’s jaw clenched.

“It means you’re in danger of breaking your bones. Remember what we would say, ‘not today, Ivar. Not today.’ So not today, Ivar,” Hvitserk patted Ivar’s shoulder and walked away.

“I remember,” Ivar whispered.

You sat down, taking the place of Hvitserk. “I need you to be careful today, Ivar.”

Ivar scoffed, “I don’t need your pity.”

“I’m not giving you pity, I just don’t want you to die.”

“If I die in battle I get to go to Valhalla,” he said through gritted teeth.

“You’re an idiot.”

“Excuse me?” His eyes widened.

“Dying in battle isn’t the only way to get into Valhalla. Those that go are personally chosen by Odin. If you die an old man of natural causes but you are still a legend he would still choose you. And not every Viking that has died in battle over the centuries is in Valhalla, not all of them have enough honor.”

Ivar let out a long sigh, “you were the only one that ever really paid attention to Floki and his teachings of the gods.”

“If you paid more attention you wouldn’t be trying to die in the next battle.”

Ivar smiled warmly at you, “I promise I’ll be careful.”

He didn’t keep that promise. During the last battle Ivar was stabbed in the abdomen, he was bleeding out in Hvitserk’s arms. When the fighting stopped you ran to them and dropped to your knees, covering his wound with your hands. “Put pressure on it, Hvitserk!”

“Y/N, he’s gone,” Hvitserk sobbed.

“No!” You ripped off his armor, then his blood drenched tunic. You saw he was still breathing, you still had time.

Shieldmaidens formed a small shieldwall around you and Hvitserk, other vikings rolled a cart up to you. You took your tunic off and tied it tightly around Ivar’s torso. Multiple men lifted Ivar and Hvitserk into the cart and wheeled them off the battlefield. You were left facing King Alfred.

You kneeled before him, “King Alfred, we surrender. We are retreating from England and will not return. If you send your men to watch our departure we will not attack in any way. I personally apologize for laying siege to your kingdom.”

King Alfred stood above you, “we accept your surrender. I expect to hear word if Ivar the Boneless survives or not.”

You stood and nodded, “of course, your Majesty.”

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ivar woke up in the bed at the hunting cabin. “Where am I?” You entered the cabin, carrying in firewood. “Y/N?”

You dropped the logs and rushed to his side, “you’re awake.” You cupped his face in your hands.

“I thought I was dead. Why am I not dead?” He wiped away tears that were streaming down your face.

“I couldn't let Ivar the Boneless die yet. You have so much more to do,” you grabbed his hand and kissed his knuckles.

“You saved me? Of course you saved me. You always save me,” he held your chin. “Y/N, I know I’ve told you this before but I need you in my life. I’ve finally realized you’re the only one I have ever truly loved. You’re good for me. You keep me sane. You keep me safe.”

“I’m going to stay with you as long as I can. I’ve always loved you.” Ivar pulled you to him and your lips met in a soft, tender kiss.

[master-muffinn]

Netflix Vikings, random relationship

Ragnar, Bjorn, Floki x g/n reader

Hello! There's not enough fanfiction of the Vikings series so i thought of making these! I hope you like them too! ^^

Ragnar

🪓 He is very protective over you and takes your safety very seriously! You’re important to him and he would gladly take an arrow for you! 

🪓 Ragnar is not really the ‘jealous’ type so you can talk and become friends with anyone in Kattegatt. He trusts you, but he is a pretty curious person so he might ask you what you were talking about? He wants to know too! Is it something interesting? :O

🪓 If you are interested and ask him to teach you to defend yourself Ragnar would gladly do it! But of course not without teasing you about it first. Unless you already know how to fight, then you will train with each other to get stronger together.

🪓 His love language would probably be words of affirmation. Ragnar is pretty good with his choice of words and thinking before talking in order to avoid stupid fights. Whenever you do something nice for him, you will know. He’ll tell you how much you mean to him, how glad he is to see you if you two have been a part and how f**king gorgeous you are! 😏

🪓 If you have kids, he will talk about them more than you, praise them more than you and probably love them more than you! 😅 But see it on the bright side! If you're tired he will look after the kids, “No problem love, go and get some rest! I will take care of the kids!”

Bjorn 

🐻 Is a touch starved, cuddle bug and loves any kind of physical affection! Bjorn is a big dude and holding you from behind is one of the things he does the most. Warming you up in the cold weather whenever you two stand around and listen to people talking in the crowds, or when you're home and have no work that needs to be done and you two can just lay around and cuddle. 

🐻 He also loves to lay his head on your lap and have his hair stroked. It always calms him down from a long day of work. Bjorn also got the best and comfiest bearhugs! 

🐻 Bjorn is a worry wart and constantly worries about your safety if you're not together. Sometimes he asks his mother or father (if they are nearby) if you will be alright, just to calm his nerves and mind down when they tell him: “Bjorn they will be fine!”.

🐻 If Bjorn is out in battle he is always thinking about you and that he will survive to see your beautiful face again. If you're in the battlefield with him, holy shit! He knows you're strong of course, but his overthinking ‘what if’ worry will still be there the whole time and he will be keeping an eye on you a little too much, almost putting himself in danger! It wouldn’t surprise me if you saved his ass instead. Probably what many of your fights are going to be about. But he loves you! Can you blame him?  

🐻 Totally would give you his food if you're hungry <3 “No I don't mind, your health is important to me! I will manage, please have some!" 

Floki

🛠️ Will often confuse you because Floki changes his mind easily, he has probably decision anxiety sometimes. He is unpredictable and you will never really know what he is thinking.

🛠️ Gift giving would be Flokis love language. Floki loves to build objects and wood carve details on his hard work afterwards, which will always leave him so proud! So everything he's making for you is made thoughtfully after what he knows that will make you happy and with enough details so that he will catch you staring and touching whatever perfect object ‘he’ made for you! ✨

🛠️ If you are down he will say funny jokes and move around, make weird faces and make himself look silly. If you still aren't laughing then he will tickle you until the room is filled with laughter! “Hihihi Oohoh y/n i sure do love to hear your beautiful voice! Your laughter fills my heart with joy! A song I want to hear for the rest of my life!”

🛠️ Of course if you're very sad Floki will sit down hug you and be sad with you until you're feeling better. Afterward he tells you how important you are to him, if that will make you happy and smile again. Floki isn't a man who will take your love for granted.

🛠️ Floki doesn't understand why you love and want him in the first place, he questions himself quite often, sadly. You have to be stubborn and patient and also tell him how important he is to you as well! But also give him time and space, because that’s what he needs.

Thank you for reading! Reblogs are very appreciated <3 Have a good day/night! :3

Post made by: @master-muffinn

[mads-weasley]

Summary: The daughter of Torstein, the loyal friend and warrior of Ragnar Lothbrok, meets Hvitserk Ragnarsson and sets a course for both of their lives that neither would ever see coming. Will it lead to ruin or salvation?

You'll have to read and find out :)

The following is the story of Eira Torsteinsdottir and Hvitserk Ragnarsson through seasons 5b-6b!

A/N: While this story was originally published here on tumblr, I have since finished it and moved it to Wattpad. You can find the finished book on my Wattpad page linked below. Thank you to everyone who has followed this story since I first started writing it!!

Mads-Weasley Wattpad

[devilfokke]

Berndt Lindholm - View of the Kattegat

[silverbeard1969]

[alwayswonderingandwandering]

lookout

[fantasydreamland]

New Friend

leif eriksson x fem reader

Summary: You quickly become good friends with a man you have just met. His crew is set out for battle and in need of your healing skills. As you accompany them on the journey you grow even closer to your new friend.

Notes: 18+ only!!! Mostly fluff, we love a man who yearns, some smut, spoilers kinda, mini chapters.

word count: 3.6k

masterlist

Chapter 1

“Who is that?” Leif asks Freydis, staring toward the ships docking.

“I do not know. It looks like a returning merchant ship.” Freydis responds. “Why?”

Leif shrugs in response and walks off stealing glances in your direction. He watches you from the other side of the dock and when your bright (e/c) eyes connect with his he doesn’t look away. It surprises him when you hold the eye contact and give him a bashful smile. He smiles back before you turn away continuing on with unloading the boat.

Later that night there is a feast in the main hall. The room bustles with loud conversation and laughter as everyone enjoys their food and drink. Leif occasionally glances around the room in search of you.

“Who are you looking for?” Freydis asks.

“What?” Leif says caught off guard. “No one.” He shrugs and looks down as he eats his food.

The night goes on and the tables become less crowded as the ale puts to sleep those who over indulged. Leif finally notices you on the opposite side of the hall. He frowns when he sees you sitting alone looking tired and sad.

“Excuse me.” Leif says to the table before getting up.

He casually wanders his way over to you. Your eyes meet his as he cautiously approaches the table and sits across from you. You look at him with a confused smile and questioning eyes.

“Hi.” He finally says. “I’m Leif. Eriksson.”

“Hi.” You smile. “(y/n).”

He gently shakes your hand, your soft fingers brushing against his calloused ones.

“You looked so lonely over here.” He says almost as a question. “I felt I needed to come and check on you.”

“Well, thank you sir.” You smile even warmer at him.

Your smile made his heart swell. He nearly missed what you said next because he was so hypnotized by it.

“My supper companions… have found company for the night.” You say jokingly rolling your eyes.

“Are you merchants?” He asks.

“Better healer than a tradesman I’m afraid. But I travel with the merchants usually. It’s a good way to see some of the world, and they are always in need of a healer.” You instantly begin to open up to him, not really understanding why.

“So you are from Kattegat then?”

“Yes, I was born here. My mother died of illness not long ago… I never knew my father. It will always be home but I want to go out and live my life, you know? We only have so much of it…”

You take a sip of your drink to hide your blush when you realize you’re over sharing to this total stranger.

“I am sorry to hear about your mother.” He places a hand on yours.

You simply nod in response as you choke back the incoming tears.

“So, where are you from?” You ask him, desperately wanting to change the topic.

“Greenland.” He simply says.

“What brings you to Kattegat?”

“I am just passing through.” He lightly shrugs.

“Oh? And how long are you staying?”

“We leave in two days.”

You try to hide your slight disappointment but Leif notices the change in your face.

“We… are in need of a healer.” He suggests. “If you would be willing to come.”

“Where are we going?” You phrase the question as if you’ve already decided.

“That is um… complicated. It would be best if you did not know.” He hesitates.

“Ok…” You furrow your brows at him. “Is it far?”

“No. Not far at all. We are traveling by foot but we also have some horses. Myself and a small crew. It should only take us a few days to get there.”

“Ok… and why are we going to this mysterious place that I shall not know of?” You ask, your expression unreadable.

“There is a battle to be had…” He says lowly.

“Ok…” You say once again. “…and what is this battle?”

“It um- would be best if you did not know that either.” He knew how it all sounded so he did not expect your next words.

“Well… in that case I better go and sleep off this ale. If there is to be a battle, I have much to prepare before we depart.” You say as you stand from the table.

“I- uh- ok. Ok great.” Leif says in surprise. “I can walk you to your house?”

You nod with a smile and take his arm before leaving the hall. Leif makes light conversation with you as you walk the short path to your small house. Your arm fits around his so comfortably but the feeling makes your cheeks burn. You let go once you arrive at your door.

“Goodnight then, Greenlander.” You smile. “I shall see you in the morning?”

“Yes. Yes, see you in the morning.” He smiles back. “Goodnight, (y/n).”

—

Chapter 2

You meet with Leif the next morning and he introduces you to the small crew.

“This is Harald Siguredsson… And my sister, Freydis Eriksdotter.”

You get acquainted with everyone as they welcome you warmly. You discuss medicines and other things you may need for the travels. Leif keeps his eyes firmly on you as you talk with the others but you pretend not to notice.

“I shall see all of you tomorrow then.” You say to the group once you’re finished, eyes lingering on Leif.

They say their goodbyes but Leif catches up to you as you turn away.

“Do you need help with preparing anything?”

You smile warmly at him and nod. “I could certainly use some help, yes.”

You walk back to your house and Leif follows you inside. He looks around your small but cozy space. The small kitchen has a large table in the corner covered in different herbs and flowers and multiple mortars scattered about it. There was curtains hanging in the doorway to a small bedroom. Through the crack he caught a glimpse of your bed and a tub in the corner. You begin to organize the messy table as you make your preparations.

“What can I do?” Leif walks over to you.

You smile up at him. Each time you smiled at him it made his heart skip a beat. You hand him a mortar and pestle along with some plants.

“I need you to grind these up for me. As fine as you can please, the leafs will start to form a paste.”

He simply nods and begins crushing the herbs before him. As you both work with busy hands you ask more about him and his life and he tells you of Greenland and of his family. He then asks you about yours and you tell him how you grew up on a small farm at the edges of Kattegat with your mother. She taught you all about plants and healing mixtures. After she died you moved to a smaller place and began the occasional travel with the merchants, making coin with your healing skills. You enjoyed the escape but you always returned home.

It felt oddly comfortable to open up to Leif. The conversation seemed to flow between you like you had known each other for years.

“When did she die?” Leif asks.

Your hands pause and you frown looking down.

“6 months ago.” You choke out as you hold back tears.

“I am sorry…” He places his hand over yours.

Tears still in your eyes, you give him a soft smile and squeeze his hand in response before resuming your preparations. After that you mostly work in comfortable silence, occasionally giving Leif a new plant to grind and him asking questions about what they do. Then there were the silent glances and smiles that made your heart beat a little faster.

Once everything was finally prepared the sun had begun to set. You say goodnight to each other as Leif gets ready to head back to the inn.

“Thank you so much for your help today.” You say as he stands in the open doorway. “You have helped me more than you know.”

“Anytime.” He simply smiles and heads out the door. “See you tomorrow!” He calls behind him.

“See you.” You say under your breath.

—

Chapter 3

The next morning you wake and gather up your things for the trip. You walk down to the inn that the majority of the crew were staying at. You see Freydis outside and she waves you over with a smile.

“Good morning!” She smiles as she grabs your bags from you and hands them to another man loading the cart.

“Thank you.” You smile. “And good morning.”

You see the whole crew on the move preparing for the trip. Until someone was sick or wounded there was not much else for you to do.

“Can I do anything to help?” You ask Freydis.

“Hmm, uh, yes actually! Can you go and wake Leif?” She asks. “He is still sleeping and we are leaving soon.”

“Uh, yes sure.” You nod.

“Thank you, he is in room 3.” She gestures her head to the inn. “Down the hall, last door on the left. Please be quick about it we are almost ready.”

You nod again and quickly make your way into the inn and find room 3 down the hall. You fully expected Leif to be asleep in his bed so you open the door knocking lightly. Your eyes nearly pop out of your head when you see him standing there shirtless. Your eyes quickly trace over the tattoos on his muscular back before he turns around and notices you. You catch a glimpse of his bare hips as he pulls his pants up. Your eyes dart back up to his questioning ones. You have to focus to stop your eyes from wandering back down to where his hands were lacing up his pants, also bringing attention to his toned abs.

“I- uh. Sorry. We- uh. Um. We- uh.” The heat rises in your cheeks as you stand there feeling like a stuttering idiot.

You clear your throat and finally get the words out. “We are leaving…”

“Ok, I am ready. I was just getting dressed.” He says nonchalantly as he pulls his shirt over his head, clearly not noticing how flustered you are.

You follow him out of the building and join the rest of the group as you head off for the journey.

—

Chapter 4

You walk all day with the group, sharing stories and laughs along the way. Considering you did not know where you were going or what battle awaited them you felt safe with your companions.

Once the sun begins to set you find a spot to camp for the night. You eat supper around the campfire chatting away to Freydis sitting beside you. Occasionally you would catch Leif watching you from across the fire.

The temperature drops as the night gets later. Everyone begins to say their goodnights and retreat to their tents. Soon you and Leif are left alone sitting across each other. Your eyes meet in glances causing a soft smile from Leif. You stare back into the fire to hide your blushing. Shivering a little, you pull your cloak tighter around yourself.

“You look cold.” Leif breaks the silence.

“How observant of you.” You playfully tease. “That would be because I am.”

“Why don’t you come over here? We can keep each other warm.” He smiles.

You meet his eyes for a moment before crawling around the fire and cuddling up beside him as he wraps his arm around you. The heat radiating from his body warms you instantly. You both sit in comfortable silence looking into the fire. After a moment he rests his head on top of yours making your heart swell. As soon as you rest your eyes you began to drift off to sleep. Leif could feel your body beginning to go limp and held you tighter.

“Hey…” He whispers to you as you wake again. “Why don’t you go and get some sleep? I’ll help you to your tent.”

“I am fine.” You say shaking off your sleepiness. You did not want to go back to your cold tent alone you just wanted to remain in his warm arms.

“Do you not want to sleep?” He pulls back to raise his eyebrow at you.

“I just want to remain here with you.” You sheepishly admit.

Leif can’t help the wide grin that comes to his face.

“Well, we cannot sleep out here in the cold.” He begins to move to stand.

“Leif-“ You grab his arm, making him sit back down.

His confused eyes meet yours but then soften when he understands the unspoken words behind your eyes while you stare deeply into his.

He leans towards you, eyes briefly glancing to your lips. He moves at a pace that causes the anticipation to ache in your chest. Finally, his lips brush against yours in a soft tender kiss. You could feel the sparks the second your lips touched like fireworks had just gone off inside you both. He pulls away softly and smiles to you before placing a kiss on your forehead.

“We should get some sleep. We could continue to keep each other warm?” He says standing up and holding his hand out to you.

You nod and take his hand as he pulls you up to stand. He continues to hold onto your hand as he leads you to his tent, which was slightly larger than yours.

Once inside you shed your cloak and top layers, placing them in the corner. Leif does the same until you are both left in your thin shirts and bottoms. You crawl under the furs and cuddle up to him for warmth. He pulls you in close, wrapping both his strong arms tightly around you. Your heart races as his embrace feels so unfamiliar yet so comfortable. You close your eyes to sleep. He kisses the top of your head causing a smile to form on your lips. His steady heartbeat thumping against your ear causes you to quickly drift off into a peaceful sleep, more peaceful than either of you have had in a long time.

The next morning you throw the rest of your clothing back on and crawl out of Leif’s tent after your bladder had woken you up. You jump when your eyes are met by a single Viking already starting up the morning fire. Harald gives you a knowing smirk and raises his brow at you, glancing between you and Leif’s tent. You give him an embarrassed smile before you hurry away into the woods.

—

Chapter 5

You and Leif had not had a moment to speak alone as you traveled with the group for most of the day. You did not think you were acting any different but the others could sense something had shifted. When you finally stop to make camp you suggest that you and Leif should try to find some fish at the nearby river.

“How did you sleep?” Leif asks as you walk together.

“Very well.” You smile at him. “And you?”

“Very well.” He smiles back.

“I believe I can take some credit for your peaceful sleep.” You wink.

“I suppose I could do the same.” He smirks.

“I have never met anyone quite like you Greenlander.” You smile adoringly.

“I have never met anyone quite like you, (y/n). I think I-“ He pauses.

“What?” You turn to him as you both stop walking.

“I think I am in love with you.” He admits.

“Leif-“

Before you can respond he boldly grabs your face and captures your lips in a passionate kiss. You freeze for a moment of surprise before relaxing against him and throwing your arms around his neck. The kiss continues and his tongue slips in to gently caress yours. He is gentle and passionate and all you can think is how you love this man too.

“Leif…” You whisper when your lips part.

Your eyes meet and he looks at you with pure adoration.

“We have fish to catch…” You say and he nods removing his hands from your face.

“And…” You move your hand to brush his cheek with your thumb. “I think I am in love with you too.”

He grins widely and places another quick kiss to your lips. You hold his hand as you make your way to the river to catch some fish for supper.

—

Chapter 6

As soon as the sun began to rise so did the crew. You rush around with them as they pack up camp. They needed to continue traveling as soon as possible, they planned to reach the battle today.

They soon stop again to make one last camp in preparation for the battle. You had a tent set up with a large work table and you begin to prepare everything you may need following the fight.

Leif steps into your tent to say goodbye. He quickly cups your cheeks and gives a firm kiss to your lips. You pull him close as you kiss him back.

“Please do not die.” You whisper as your thumb strokes the hand on your face.

“I will do my best.” He places a final kiss to your forehead and walks out of the tent. He could not bear spending long to say goodbye to you knowing it could be the last time.

-

You had been pacing for hours now waiting for everyone to return from the battle. Waiting for Leif to return. The more time that passes the more you worry. There was a very real chance he may never return. A very real chance he had been killed. The thoughts swirl around in your mind and cause your chest to tighten.

Finally, you hear the commotion outside of people returning. You run out and desperately search around for Leif. You spot the rest of your crew and your heart sinks. You begin to walk over to Freydis but before she spots you a hand grabs your shoulder. You spin around to see Leif standing behind you shirtless, covered in blood and dirt, with wild messy hair. His face expressionless.

“Oh Leif!” You throw your arms around him not caring about the blood now staining your clothes. “I was so worried I had lost you for good… Are you hurt?” You pull back and examine him frantically for any noticeable wounds.

“I am fine. Can we go inside?” He says flatly.

You raise a brow at his tone but then nod and follow him into the tent. Once the curtains are shut you turn to Leif.

“Are you alright?” You barely get the words out before his lips are on yours, pulling you into a ferocious kiss that takes your breath away.

“No.” He mumbles against your lips. “There were moments… I thought I would never… see you again.” He says between kisses.

He cups your face and kisses you hungrily like a starved animal. The air is filled with a mountain of different emotions as you kiss him back with a burning passion. His tongue demands entrance and you happily oblige. The metallic taste of the blood on his lips makes you pull him closer to you, the fear of nearly losing him today too much to bear.

Suddenly he lifts you up and throws you down onto the table causing a bunch of things to clatter to the ground. You pay no attention to the fallen items as he starts kissing and nipping at your neck. You feel his hardness pushing against your core and it lights a fire within you. Your hands wander all over each other as your lips connect again. You run your fingers over his bloody chest and strong biceps as he moves to grab your breasts through your shirt.

As things become more heated you begin to tear at each other’s clothes. He shoves your skirts up to your hips and grinds harder against you, making you gasp into his mouth. He begins pulling the laces of your top as you frantically fumble with the strings of his pants. Your body felt electric from how desperately you needed him right now. Your mind was completely blurred by the feeling him.

Before you could get any further Freydis bursts into the tent startling you both.

“Oh… I- uh- I am sorry…” She stutters in surprise. “But we uh- need our healer out here.”

“Yes, of course of course. Apologies...” You quickly scramble to your feet and straighten yourself out.

Freydis gives you a nod and a knowing smirk to Leif before leaving the tent. You turn to Leif who’s now holding a damp rag. He gently wipes off the bit of blood from your face and neck. It was a sweet gesture although you knew you would be covered in blood again in a moment once you helped the wounded. His eyes meet yours and he smiles down at you before kissing your forehead.

“Go on.” He gestures his head to outside.

“I am so glad you are alive and safe.” You grab his hands and kiss his lips once more.

He did not need to respond for you to know exactly how he felt. You smile and gaze lovingly at each other before you move to gather your supplies, including those now on the floor, and exit the tent. You tried not to let the overwhelming thoughts of him cloud your mind while you worked. You could not help but count the minutes until you could have privacy with him tonight.

—

masterlist