—Sorrow stung at her eyes as she took in the sight of the other woman. That he could do this to Lagertha, to his love, made her want to be sick all over herself. The feeling was shoved back like the bile that burned at pearled teeth. Lagertha was not one for pity or useless anger.
"He may claim relation to Odin but he is not immune to a blade to the stomach." Helga finally managed, trying to play the statement off as a jest. It fell flat. How could she tease at a time like this?
Hands fell into the dip of her lap, dirt spreading over the smooth skin of her legs as she sat and stretched. Helga nodded to the space beside her, golden locks falling about her face. They would drink the night away if the decision was up to her. She did not wish to be sober at the moment, not when the bitter taste of distrust and anger rested on her tongue.
"How is Bjorn?" It was a desperate attempt at a change of topic she was not sure she wanted. Helga would much prefer to plot the demise of their once loved Earl. Well, her once loved Earl. She was sure Lagertha still loved the man with cloudy, bloodshot eyes. She was not sure she could even hold it against her.
humiliation had created wounds far beyond those which
marred flesh, causing unrelenting pain & doubt to poison
the very viscera of her heart. it was said that time was meant
to heal all wounds but was that truth or more than just a folly?
the princess carried his child, the sons the seer had promised
long ago, the sons Lagertha was not able to give them. what
prayers & whispers flowed in soft breath and every thought fell
on deaf ears, seemingly disavowed by ƒяєуנα and cursed by
the dark dísir.
the jest lightened the heaviness for but a moment,
solemnity hastily invading the azure wisps of her irises,
the alabaster that bordered them now harboured a pinkish
hue, a minuscule sign of what the entire circumstance has
done.
❝ —— no man is perfect.
… i did not know she was carrying his child though. ❞
defeat and bemusement could be noted in her tone as she
lowered herself to accompany Helga. it was imperative to
not begin to wonder what whispers were traveling through
Kattegat, of what her people thought knowing it would drive
her mad. his suggestion in the presence of them all the night
before had left her to wallow in the possibility that her fate
was not to be woven with that of her husband.
❝ he is not happy. he believes Princess Aslaug brings difficulty. ❞
& he was right, though she was not all to blame;
most would lie on Ragnar’s shoulders. what the
shieldmaiden had gone through left her wishing
for the ability to detest him, to loathe him with every
part in her body but her heart would not allow it.
not when foolish love remained, remembering how
life had been, how content they once were.
( … so much had changed now. )