Beginnings
She was small and thin, easy to lose in a crowd, and far too curious to be kept still as his father had told her. Long brown hair trailed behind her as she weaved and ducked her way through people and animals, scouting the whole area of the market of Kattegat like it was some sort of complex maze. “Little rabbit, come back here before a wolf steals you away!” Ragnar chuckled as he scooped her up, her childish squeals and giggles filled his ears. He watched as his father chased the smaller human up to the Great Hall where he and his family lived.
“Husband, who is this?” Aslaug asked as he greeted her. “She was wandering the roads. No family claimed her at any of the villages we passed.” Ragnar looked at the girl, his blue eyes seeking answers that he could not find written on her. “Where is your family, little one?” Aslaug asked her as she made her way over to the girl, hiding behind her husband’s leg. The small thing shook her head swiftly behind hiding farther behind Ragnar, her feeble hands gripping his clothing as though someone was going to rip her away from what seemed to be her only sense of comfort and security.
“She does not speak. I do not know if she even knows how.” Ragnar patted her head softly. “Nonsense. I am sure she speaks. The poor thing must be scared.” Aslaug cooed as she slowly coaxed the girl over to her. She sat in front of Aslaug who was seated on her throne. Her fingers brushed through the girl’s impossibly long hair. “You are very beautiful, little one.” Aslaug told her sweetly. Though she was silent, when she glanced up at Aslaug, the little girl’s cheeks tinged pink and she looked down at her dirty feet. Aslaug smiled before beckoning the girl to follow her, getting her cleaned and in proper clothes.
“She is small and weak.” Ubbe snorted, looking at the small girl as she left the room with his mother. “Ah, and you are so mighty, huh boy?” Ragnar scolded his son. The teen’s cheeks reddened before he scowled. “She’s pretty.” Hvitserk commented casually, his mouth filled with food.
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Six months later
“Raise your arm higher!” Ragnar growled at his son. Sigurd raised his shield higher just in time to deflect his father’s attack. Unfortunately, the blow was much stronger than the seventeen-year-old boy was capable of. “If you cannot fight you will die.” Ragnar scowled. Sigurd sighed in defeat as he slowly stood up. The slicing of a sword drew their attention to behind them where the girl stood, sword drawn in hand. “Lorelai! Don’t hurt yourself!” Hvitserk gasped as he made a move to run to her before his mother hushed him, “She holds it properly Hvitserk. Let her fight.”
Ragnar had a pleased smile as he watched her walk to the circle he’d drawn in the sand, positioning herself in the proper stance. He lunged at her to which she ducked and turned, swinging her sword in a tight arch before lifting her shield over her head to stop his blow from hitting her. Blades clashed as she held her own against the king. The muscles in her arms tightened and twitched and all Ivar could see was her once calm and blank hazel eyes now ablaze as she fought his father the way a true shieldmaiden would.
It took several moments before Ragnar managed to knock her sword out of hand. At first, he thought she’d quit but when she bashed her shield against his, his face lightened with a large grin as he braced himself for her surprisingly strong hits. “Strong little thing you are.” He grinned teasingly at her. Ivar watched as she held her own against his father, his blue eyes watched in pure amazement. Not too long after, Lorelai’s shield splintered to pieces before she threw the shattered scraps to the ground.
Just as she moved to fight hand to hand, Ragnar stopped her “That is enough for today. You’ve done well little shieldmaiden. I am proud.” “Who taught you to fight, little rabbit?” Ubbe asked her as he ruffled her long hair. “Villagers.” She whispered behind her hands. “You did amazing.” Aslaug told her proudly as she made her way over to her adoptive mother. They made their way back to the Great Hall as Lorelai seated herself in front of Aslaug. The older woman made quick work of braiding the left side of the girl’s head, leaving the rest down the way she liked it.
After thanking her softly, the girl made her way throughout the large house. A door was open and upon looking in, she was met with those striking blue eyes that belonged to none other than Ivar. “Ah, little rabbit. Won’t you come in?” He smiled at her as she peeked her head around the door shyly before stepping into his room.
She walked quickly to his side before curling up on his bed just as she always did. It was no secret to anyone that the girl held a special space in the cripple’s heart. None of the young boys dared to come near the beautiful girl at the risk of angering Ivar and risking his wraith. Though all the boys were protective of the girl, Ivar was by far the worst. “You were beautiful today, my little Valkyrie.” Ivar praised the girl as he stroked her head in his lap. She hummed softly before moving herself to sit in his lap, her eyes drooping a tad as the day had caught up to the young girl.
“My beautiful little rabbit.” Ivar cooed softly in the sleeping girl’s ear.
