_{ever since cognition melded with memory, stories were
        woven into her very flesh, mesmerized & captivated as
        a child should be by such tales. it served as her education
        in the viking faith, an heirloom bestowed upon her from
        her own predecessors to share with generations to come.
        through her words, the Gods’ anecdotes would live on to
        caution & comfort as long as breath would fill her lungs.
        but in the instance of the young woman, her child & husband,
        those stories served as  p r o t e c t i o n.  suspicion was
        to be forsaken so revelry could flourish.} 

        _{one she had expected to remain astounded by her ruling
        to resolve the conflict was the man Ragnar had brought to
        their home from his first journey West. no matter his faith
        before his capture, the priest was eager to learn, to understand
        & his care for her children while she had been absent had
        forged bridge between them; one they were both free to
        cross on their own accord. whilst tending to the loom, Athelstan
        came into view, observed through the fine threads, addressing
        him as she appeared occupied rather than expose her own
        curiosity.}

                              _{❝ have you learned anything today ? ❞}

                                                                                 _{why not inquire? his thoughts
                                                                                 must have run rampant as her
                                                                                 verdict was spoken moments
                                                                                 before, one in favor of the
                                                                                 accused.}

                                                                  _{❝  ————-  S H I E L D   W A L L  !  ❞}

        _{in the heat of battle, the shieldmaiden’s voice would ring
        out among the clash of metal, the thud of wood & the chorus
        of combatants around her whilst her delicate frame took the
        place of the fallen. with her hair loose about her shoulders,
        Lagertha harboured a LIONHEARTED will as well as the duty
        of sacrifice, willing to perish for those at her side — her
        father among them.}

        _{& when the last of the opposing force was defeated, crimson
        littered her countenance, the spray of an enemy’s severed flesh
        tainted her own. the moment they could lower the weapons in
        their grasp, cobalt optics befitted with onyx around them, rushed
        to connect with the striking luminescence of Ragnar’s own sight.
        looming anxieties were put to rest, comforted to see he was one
        soul left standing as others awaited the flights of Valkyries to
        guide them to Valhalla.} 

        _{as quickly as her eyes may have found the younger Lothbrok,
        they were lead away, to survey the bodies which were scattered
        on the field around her. perhaps her glance had been to bait
        him to draw near but was it wise to tempt  f a t e ?} 

        _{the smile that illuminated features weary from her
        journey felt almost foreign. its genuine nature, the
        thought that there was no tyrant to strangle what little
        life or spark of enjoyment it contained; all began to
        sink into the recesses of her psyche. it was imperative
        to remember that what was felt was to be fleeting, for
        the moment Kattegat was Ragnar’s once more she
        would have to return.} 

                                                                    _{( there were moments she damned
                                                                      her honour & the shackles of obligation.
                                                                      although the moment she would see
                                                                      Aslaug the dull sting of humiliation
                                                                      & memory would emerge. )}

        _{greeting those she had parted with years ago was
        never an obligation, it was done out of joy sprouting
        from seeing them again after living with the burdens
        of longing.}

                                                  _{❝ —- Hello, Floki. ❞}

        _{such words were the meager warning to her impending
        embrace, arms ensnaring his slender frame of the man
        she had considered family.}