years, it had been.
He’d only just begun a lengthy recovery when Lagertha had left. The way of things in Kattegat had not changed substantially, nor had the ways of the woods. There are always certain occupations to keep his hands busy, and his mind is seldom idle. Helga is with him more often than not, and slipping into her ever-present company had been as easy and comforting as the warmth of a fire on a deathly cold night.
not that it matters.
there was a time when Lagertha and Bjorn both were family to him.
they still are.
The trickster answers the embrace by slipping his arms around Lagertha in turn, a genuine smile pulling at his lips. Where he was expecting a fight, a small war even, there is this. It’s a soothing balm to fresh wounds. And a relief, if he’s honest, to know that there’s yet time. “You have been away for too long.” His fingers curl slightly, catching at the armour she wears, and then he is stepping back to get a better look at her. Lagertha has ever looked most natural when she is as this.
”How long will you stay with us?”
before she had departed, their revered ship builder &
resident trickster was on his feet, wounds beginning to
heal as many prayers were muttered to Freyja & Eir in
the hopes that they would be answered. she was glad
to see the goddesses had not forsaken her completely.
once barely clinging to life, Floki was brimming with it,
exuding it in his own off-kilter manner. her absence had
inflicted wounds that would not part flesh but something
beneath the skin that was far more precious.
( of course, he had to know Lagertha
had to follow her own path, to remain
true & faithful to herself after suffering
her once husband’s humiliation. it was
the unbeaten path she had to travel, to
accept her fate. )
home was where the heart felt it belonged, where it was
tied to & here among those who had observed her exit
years ago, welcomed her once more. this was home. it
was cruel that soon enough she would have to suffer absence
from it once again.
❝ My son and i are more than happy to come to Ragnar’s aid. ❞
weighted thoughts were to be eradicated
as her embrace was returned then quickly
left under his exploratory gaze, her smile
steadfast.
❝ —— as long as we are needed. ❞
( WE, it was always ‘we’.
she & her son. )
❝ are you well? you look far better than last i saw you. ❞