Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla Recs!
Phew, it's been a minute since I've done one of these. Now back with a new design and additional fandom! Keep in mind that this rec list is my personal taste and yours might differ. I managed to read twelve fics despite the year I had and I think twelve fics for twelve months is a good number. (list below the cut)
Crossing the Abyss by @northernxstories - E - Multi - 23,6k
A beautifully written Space AU with polyamorous pairings. The relationships between the characters are just as interesting to read about as the bigger story of their journey. And I don't think I'm biased in the least, just because I made part of the art. This story is a whole treat!
Summary: The Kattegat was a unique vessel, designed to cross the expanse of space known as the Abyss. Once a ship enters the Abyss, the stresses surrounding the vessel increased exponentially and there was no known means of navigation in the starless void. Captain Bjorn Ragnarsson, known as Bjorn Ironside for his ability to survive seemingly impossible battles, has relied often on his brothers, Ivar, Ubbe and Hvitserk, and his sister, Gyda, to crew his ship.
Ivar was determined to defeat the impossible Abyss and has heard of a scholar who has invented a method of navigation that might be able to accomplish the task. Gyda and Ivar came up with a plan to get this information and if necessary, kidnap the scientist. Once on board the ship, the scientist is faced with unexpected challenges and rewards. However, before they can attempt the journey, Gyda must face her past.
October Rust by @bouncehousedemons - T - Ubbe/OFC - 1,9k
Wonderful imagery throughout the whole fic and and a great continuation of Salt of the Earth and Sea, which I also highly recommend to read! Summary: Ubbe assumes his lover has met a grisly demise, until an unexpected reunion with his brother proves otherwise.
polish the blood and the bruise by @underragingwaves - M - Hvitserk - 4,7k
Soldier Hvitserk, veterinarian Ubbe and a kitten. All very strong points to sell this fic, but please, it is so much more! If you like military themed stories, are a sucker for angst and family bonding this fic will hit all the right spots. I love it dearly and I'm sure so will you. It's also a nice crossover with Vikings: Valhalla characters.
Summary: Hvitserk came home from war, or so they tell him. Most days, he begs to differ about whether he ever made it out of the desert.
Reactions of your Kind by @ulfrsmal - E - Ubbe/Hvitserk - 3,1k
A bit of forbidden action in a hot spring and very nice mental images being painted along the way. Kudos to the lovely author!
Summary: Plagued by thoughts and desires he shouldn’t have had, Ubbe retreated to the hot springs outside of Kattegat… and had his bath interrupted by the one person he’d hoped wouldn’t see him so weak.
Sleepy Mornings by @ritual-unions - E - Ubbe/OFC - 7k
This is a story that reads like devouring your favorite food, while savoring it for as long as possible. Tender and electrifying and Ubbe is so very in character, I love it.
Summary: Winnifred lives a sheltered life as a Christian woman in King Alfred’s court. Not truly understanding the meaning of sexual pleasure her new husband, Ubbe Ragnarsson, is more than willing to show her the path.
I wish I knew how to quit you by @niishiki - E - Ivar/Heahmund - 1,2k
To make it short, if you love the naughty forbidden church sex, old/young pairing and Ivar being a little shit, this is a must-read.
Summary: Bishop Heahmund is a man of God - yet, he finds himself unable to resist temptation time and time again.
Til the light comes back by @naps4bats - T - Emma/Canute - 5,4k
I really liked how canon was translated into modern day AU and how well it worked! It's a lovely story with all the characters we like and don't like but still love to read about.
Summary: Emma and Canute enjoy a brief romance during a power outage. A couple of weeks later, they find their real lives intertwine.
Summer Days, Summer Nights by @encomium-emmae - T - Emma/Canute - 3.5k
An absolute lovely read for this pairing, set in a modern day AU. I like me some competitive Emma and Canute duo!
Summary: During a week of mandated vacation at a beach resort, Emma encounters a dark-haired stranger. Too bad he turns out to be a first-rate jerk.
Lost Amongst the Meadow by @emma-ofnormandy - M - Emma/Canute - 1,5k
A canon compliant piece that fits perfectly like a missing scene!
Summary: Canute wakes to an empty bed and sets out to find his wife in the early summer dawn.
to look at me and think of conquest by @mercurygray - M - Godwin/OFC - 2,5k
Absolutely adore the OFC Edith and her chemistry with Godwin. This 'verse has a few more little stories on tumblr and they are definitely worth checking out in the authors #edith eadig tag!
Summary: Godwin of Wessex knew how to be useful. He’d been Aethelred’s advisor before he’d been Edmund’s; before the Danes had left he’d made himself invaluable to Canute, too. And now that the first wife had taken up residence, it looked as though she, too, was availing herself of Godwin’s offered expertise.
Godwin has also never been a man who needed help - but he won't be able to deceive the Queen on this particular matter alone.
I Will Join You by @shelivesinhermind - Gen - Leif & Liv - 641 words
Missing scene potential. Wonderfully written and the respect Liv deserved to receive after her death.
Summary: A funeral for Liv.
The End of the Beginning by toughtobeashamgod - T - Freydis/Harald - 1,1k
Directly set after Freydis kills Kåre and even though it's rated T, it's a little bit gory due to the description of blood everywhere. Nevertheless, this fic was a nice little read and fits seamlessly into the canon 'verse.
Summary: They had come so far into this new world, only for it to end so quickly.
Read and share, share and read, loves! ❤️