Hedvig slowly started to gain back her consciousness, however she couldn't open her eyes, she was well aware of her surrounding, the rocking ship underneath her, the muffled voices around her, and the burning sensation in her throat. The urge to cough was unbearable, she rolled to her side coughing uncontrolably, spitting water. When her breathing eased she looked around herself. The battle was still on, the vikings were retreating, smoke filled the air from the burning ships, painful screams could be heard,  everything smelled like death.

Panic rose up in Hedvig, this chaos truely frightened her. Her breathing became uneven, until she felt a hand on her back. She looked beside herself and saw Halfdan crouching there, trying to soothe her. Hedvig couldn't hold back her tears anymore, she throw herself into his arms and buried her face into his chest. Sobs shook her shoulders, bringing back the aching pain in her arm from the arrow. Halfdan didn't say anything, he was just there comforting her and this meant the world to Hedvig.

Soon the towers were way behind them and Hedvig's cry slowly died down, but she didn't want to leave the safety his hold offered her. She felt herself whole again after a long time. They lost this battle and she had a bad feeling about the following days, something said to her this raid won't end well after this failure.

Hedvig took a deep breath, calmed herself and pulled away from Halfdan. Embarrasment filled her after her behaviour, so she avoided his gaze.

"I am sorry... I didn't mean to... I..." Hedvig stuttered, but Halfdan silenced her.

"Don't worry Hedvig. It happens sometime. We don't have to talk about this." He casted her a smile and started to stand up.

"Thank you" Hedvig called after him, gaining a chukle from him.

"Anytime, Hedvig, anytime" he glanced back at her with a promising look. Hedvig's stomach fluttered after that look and a blush spreadt over her cheeks as sinked back to her thoughts about the following battles.

***

a.n.: sorry it is so short, i didn't planed it, it just happened xD