GREATNESS
— 1. Destiny

     It had come to a shock to both Bjorn and Ylva when Ragnar had arrived in Kattegat ten years after leaving following their horrendous defeat in Paris. They had talked about it many times over their years, wondering how they would react if Ragnar ever came back. They never thought it would happen though, especially not after ten years. Yet it did.

The sons of Ragnar were unhappy about their father being back, but Ylva was just confused. Why now?

The group now sat in the woods with Ragnar, all but Ivar. Bjorn was quick to bring up what he had learned from Thorhall.

"It would appear you have another son. His name is Magnus. His mother is Queen Kwenthrith," Bjorn explained as Ragnar began to laugh in utter amusement, "And he lives in King Ecbert's villa in Wessex."

"Ah, how told you that?" Ragnar asked his son, smiling in amusement.

"A warrior who was fighting in Wessex," Ylva answered in a calm tone, "He was quite sure that it was true. I mean, why would they lie about something like that?"

"Was he also the one who told you two about the settlement?" Ragnar questioned, raising a brow at the duo.

"What do you think?" Ylva retorted and Ragnar nodded in understanding.

"I came back..." Ragnar trailed off, groaning as he sat up from his seat against the tree, "I came back because I wanted to see what has become of my sons."

"And?" Bjorn questioned as he raised a brow at his father.

"And I'm going to England," Ragnar informed the group, causing Bjorn and Ylva to turn to each other to exchange an amused look since they didn't take Ragnar seriously, "And I thought that you all might want to join me. You too, Ylva, Freya."

Ragnar glanced around, waiting for one of his sons to respond. "What do you say, Hvitserk? Ubbe?" He asked and Ubbe shook his head, "Sigurd? What about you two? Freya? Ylva? When have you ever refused to come on a journey with me?"

"There's a first time for everything, it seems, Ragnar," Ylva admitted as she gave him an apologetic look.

Ragnar sighed in defeat and turned to Bjorn next. "I can see in your eyes that your answer is also no, Bjorn," He spoke up in a calm tone.

"This is why," Bjorn complained as he lifted the rolled-up map he held, "This is part of a map of the Roman Empire. Ylva and I found it in Paris. In this map is the Mediterranean Sea," He explained as he walked closer to his father and placed the map down in front of him, "And around that sea are many wonderful people and places and towns. We want to go there!"

Bjorn turned on his heel and walked back over to Ylva, taking his original seat next to her.

"So..." Ragnar trailed off as he leaned forward in his seated position, "How far along are the two of you with your plans?"

"Floki is building the boats," Bjorn informed his father confidently, "Hvitserk has agreed to come with me as well as King Harald, his brother, and Ylva's brother Sihtric."

"What about you two?" Ragnar suddenly asked, glancing between Sigurd and Ubbe, "Why are you not going with your brother and Ylva?"

"Kattegat has changed since you went away," Ubbe told his father as he exchanged a look with Freya, "It's a major trading center in the region. As is Ashton. And many other kings we know regard both with envy. We want to stay and protect our mother."

"And what about you?" Ragnar asked, looking directly at Freya.

"And what about me?" Freya retorted in a calm tone as she stared back at him.

"You love to raid and explore. Why are you not going with your mother and my son to sail to the Meditteranean?" Ragnar questioned Freya, who smiled at the question.

"Freya has decided to remain with us, watch over Bjorn and Ylva's children while they are away," Ubbe informed his father, but by the look on Freya's face, Freya wasn't actually going to watch the kids while remaining in Kattegat.

"You are right to think of family," Ragnar commented as he glanced between Freya and Ubbe.

With that, Bjorn and Ylva stood up to leave. The boys followed and left with them, all but Freya. Ylva frowned, turning to give her daughter a puzzled look before she continued to walk away.

____

      That night, Ylva returned to her shared bedroom with Bjorn after putting their youngest daughter, Thyra, to sleep. She stripped from her day clothes before placing on a nightgown. She sat down on the bed and it wasn't long before Bjorn entered. He sat down near her, the two of them immediately beginning to talk about Ragnar.

"He feels his need to avenge what happened in England is the most important thing in life," Bjorn spoke up, sighing deeply in defeat, "In everyone's life."

"Isn't it?" Ylva asked, causing Bjorn to turn and shake his head.

"Everything was always what he wanted. Even you must see that," Bjorn replied as he looked downwards, "Everything was always for him. Those days are gone."

"You're right. They are gone," Ylva replied as she moved closer to Bjorn and grabbed ahold of his hand, kissing it, "But if sailing to England is what he wishes to do, we must accept that. We don't have to go with him, but we should do everything within our power to make sure he is able to do that. He is still your father, after all, and if the roles were reversed, I'm sure he'd do it for you."

Bjorn nodded his head in understanding. He turned, watching as Ylva sighed before placing her head on his shoulder. "You're still worried about Freya, aren't you?"

"Aren't I always?" She retorted as she let out a scoff, "She hasn't come home in two days. She joined me in Ashton for the day and we sparred but after that, she returned to your brothers and now, I suppose she plans to stay the night there."

"Freya can take care of herself. You know that." Bjorn assured his wife as he cupped her face in his hands, "You have no reason to worry about her."

"She doesn't even want to come with us to the Mediterranean," Ylva complained in an annoyed tone, "When has she ever refused the offer of going raiding and discovering new lands?"

Bjorn remained silent, knowing she had a point there.

"What is keeping her here?" Ylva asked in a whisper as she looked down at the ground in disappointment.

____

    It was morning time and Ylva in front of a table with Bjorn, staring down at the map of the Mediterranean Sea. "We'll have to travel here, along the coast of Frankia," She informed Bjorn, running her finger along the coast.

"It will be hard not to be detected," Bjorn commented and Ylva nodded in confirmation.

She walked away from him and sat down, letting out a large sigh. "Floki's new boats will be able to outsail anything the Franks put out to sea. I'm sure of it."

"We cannot be at sea forever, Ylva. Rollo has a new kingdom on the coast. We've talked about it," Bjorn reminded her in a calm tone, "I don't see any other way."

"Because there isn't one," She admitted in a soft tone, "But I think you already know that. As do I."

Bjorn sighed in frustration as he walked around the table before taking a seat across from his wife. "We could talk to Rollo," He suggested and Ylva scoffed loudly.

"Talk to him? After what he did?" She asked him and at first, she didn't take him seriously, but she soon noticed the look on his face and realized he was being serious, "Is that wise?"

"Of course not. But do we have any other choice?" Bjorn confessed and Ylva sighed in defeat, "We must be practical, Ylva. It is the best way. It is our way. We shall send messengers to him and if he kills them, we will know where he stands."

"But then he will know where we are," She reminded him and Bjorn nodded.

"He would found out anyway," He pointed out and Ylva leaned back in her seat.

"You have a point there," She replied, smiling slightly as she stood up.

Bjorn looked up, watching as Ylva slowly made her way toward him. She dragged her finger along the table and stopped when she was standing directly in front of him.

"Now..." She trailed off, wrapping her arms around his neck as she took a seat in his lap, "No more talking about our journey. We don't know how many months we may be at sea. And there is something we will not be able to do on a ship filled with warriors."

Bjorn smirked, grabbing ahold of her waist. He attached his lips to hers and roughly kissed her. Not breaking the kiss, he lifted her and placed her down on the table.

____

    It wasn't long before the ships began to arrive. Ylva stood on the docks beside Bjorn, who had one arm wrapped around her while he used his other to place a hand on Thyra's shoulder as he stood in front of them. Gyda, Rorik, Halig, and Erik stood alongside them as well, smiling since they knew their uncle Sihtric, Torvi, and their children were one of the boats, King Harald and his brother Halfdan on another.

That evening, a celebration occurred and as she watched Sihtric arrived, Ylva laughed loudly and rushed over to her brother. She rushed to hug him and Sihtric wrapped his arms around her, lifting her.

Moments later, Bjorn and Ylva were walking toward the door when Lagertha arrived with some shieldmaidens and Astrid.

Bjorn smiled widely and walked over to his mother. "Mother!" He called out to the woman as he made his way over to them alongside Ylva, "And Astrid. What has brought you to Kattegat?"

Lagertha smiled, glancing between the couple. "I have to watch my son and his wife, the woman who has always been like a daughter to me, depart for their destiny together," She informed them with a large smile on her face, "How could I stay away?"

Bjorn chuckled and Lagertha wasted no time kissing them both on the cheek before hugging them.

  With that, Lagertha walked away with Astrid. It wasn't long after that that Harald and Halfdan entered with some of their men. "Halfdan. King Harald," Ylva and Bjorn greeted the two men.

"Bjorn Ironside. Ylva the Dread," Harald greeted the duo as he patted them both on the arm, "It's been a long time."

"Come," Bjorn encouraged them to follow him and Ylva through the great hall, "You have not been idle. We have all heard of your exploits. That you captured Rogaland and overthrew King Arnarson and Earl Eyjolf."

"And also King Svein," Halfdan pointed out as Ylva poured the group some ale.

"Then it would seem you are closer to your ultimate ambition than ever before, my friend," Ylva commented as she patted the man on the back, "Of being King of Norway."

Harald chuckled, shaking his head at Ylva's words. "I think it is impossible, Ylva," He replied as Ylva handed him a cup of ale, "How can I ever overthrow King Ragnar? Or you, for that matter. After all, you are Queen of Ashton now."

"That is the thing. You can't," Ylva boasted as Bjorn quietly laughed at his wife.

"As for you, Bjorn, I want to say we believe in you," Halfdan spoke up as he placed a hand on Bjorn's shoulder, "We believe in this journey. And we believe that the gods are with you and your wife."

"Indeed," Harald agreed with Halfdan as Ylva and Bjorn glanced between the brothers.

"Come meet my brothers," Bjorn told Halfdan and Harald as he and Ylva led them over to the boys and Freya.

Hvitserk and Ubbe were bickering about something unbeknownst to the group when Bjorn and Ylva walked over. Ylva had roughly tugged on Ubbe's braid. "Ubbe!" Bjorn exclaimed and Ubbe gave Ylva an offended look while Bjorn continued to introduce the rest of his brothers, "Hvitserk, Sigurd, and Ivar. And of course, you know Freya."

Harald and Halfdan turned, their eyes widening at the sight of Freya, whom they hadn't seen in ten years.

"Freya!" Harald exclaimed, smiling at the sight of the girl, "You have grown into a beautiful woman since the last time we saw you. Are you coming with us to the Mediterranean?"

"Sadly, she is not," Bjorn answered before placing a hand on Hvitserk's shoulder, "But Hvitserk will be coming with us."

"I remember you," Harald replied as he pointed at Hvitserk, "I remember all of you! But how you've all grown tall. You're not boys anymore! And Freya is now a woman, a girl no longer."

"We can all agree on that," Hvitserk muttered under his breath and Ylva gave him a scolding look since she knew he was talking about Freya. Hvitserk gave her an awkward smile while Sigurd and Ubbe began to laugh.

"I am so much taller when I stand up," Ivar spoke up from his seat in between Freya and Aslaug.

"I'm sure you wish you could come with us," Halfdan commented and Ylva and Bjorn shared an uneasy look.

  Ivar smiled, lifting his cup. "Go to hell," He replied, causing the group to laugh.

"I like him," Harald admitted as he patted Halfdan on the shoulder before Floki arrived.

Several moments later, Bjorn and Ylva had separated from the group and it wasn't long before King Harald spoke up. "A toast!" He suddenly announced loudly, causing the coupe to turn, "Reunited and stronger than ever! Skol!"

"Skol!" They shouted together, smiling as they watched Gyda made their way over to them. Ylva smiled and wrapped her arm around her daughter, beginning to make conversation with Torvi and Sihtric as they walked over to her and Bjorn.

______

   That night, the sacrifices occurred in preparation for Ylva and Bjorn's journey through the Mediterranean.

   Ylva stood with Bjorn, Gyda, Rorik, Sihtric, and Bjorn's brothers, all except Ivar, who was somewhere with Freya, like always.

Aslaug walked past them, splashing blood on a brush at them. Ylva closed her eyes and smiled, feeling the blood drip on her.

   Ylva turned her head, only to groan in annoyance when she saw Freya kneeling next to the entire in front of the sacrificial bowl alongside Ivar. They were dipping their hands in the blood and spreading it across their face.

"Freya!" Ylva scolded her daughter and after rolling her eyes, Freya turned to her mother, "Stop it!"

Despite her mother's scolding, Freya laughed and continued to cover her face in the blood alongside Ivar, earning an eye roll from Ylva before she continued.

____

     The moment Ylva arrived home that night, she became concerned when she heard Freya screaming in rage while Gyda was crying out in pain. She immediately rushed to the girls' room, shocked when she found Gyda lying on the ground, beaten and bloody while Freya was punching the girl repeatedly in the face.

She rushed over to Freya and roughly grabbed her by the arms, prying her off of Gyda. "Freya! Freya, stop it!" She shouted as Freya struggled in Ylva's grip.

"Get off me! Get the Hel off me!" Freya screamed out and Ylva shoved the girl to the ground before climbing onto her, pinning her arms down.

Freya tried to shove Ylva off of her, but Ylva continued to push her back down. "Get off me! Let go of me! Get the fuck off me!" Freya continued to growl as she continued to try to fight back.

"Stop fighting," Ylva demanded as she tried to calm Freya down and snap her out of her fit of rage.

"No! Screw you! Get off me!" Freya snapped at her as she tried to shove Ylva off once more.

Ylva grabbed ahold of Freya's arms and tried her best to keep her pinned down. She turned to Gyda, who was standing up and watching the scene occur. "Go! Now! Get out of here!" She insisted as Freya struggled in her grip.

She pinned Freya's arms against her chest and looked down at her as Freya kicked her legs. "Stop fighting! Just say the words and breathe. What are the words?"

"Fuck the words!" Freya growled at her mother in a low, threatening tone, "I'm not saying shit. Get off me!"

"Say the words!" Ylva screamed at her and at that moment, Freya couldn't control herself and screamed in rage.

She stopped fighting for a long moment and Ylva finally stood up. She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. Freya's screams of rage continued to echo through the home and Ylva closed her eyes, beginning to cry.

Freya's rage and episodes were only getting worse as the years passed.

She made it into the main room, where the rest of the children were staring at her in fear while Gyda was trembling, bruises scattered across her face alongside with blood.

She sighed, moving closer to Gyda before she hugged her. "Let's get you cleaned up, alright?"

____

   The following day, it was time for them to leave for the Mediterranean. Ylva had hugged Lagertha and Torvi goodbye. She glanced around, however, sighing when she saw Freya nowhere in sight.

Bjorn noticed her actions and grabbed her hand. "I don't think she's coming, my love," He told her and a shameful look on her face, Ylva nodded.

   Together, they walked over to their children, hugging and kissing each of them before they stopped in front of their oldest, Gyda and Rorik.

"Be strong and safe," Rorik told his parents with a smile on his face.

Gyda smiled as well and Ylva sighed, knowing the girl felt uneasy about staying in Kattegat and so close to Freya. She was more afraid of Freya than she had ever been before. Even though Freya claimed long before that she'd watch over them, Ylva knew the truth and so did Bjorn.

Freya would be staying with Bjorn's brothers and never even attempt to see her siblings until the day Bjorn and Ylva arrived back.

   It meant Torvi would be responsible for the children and Ylva was fine with that. She trusted Torvi with her children, a lot more than she used to trust Aslaug when she was forced to leave Gyda and Rorik with her when she and Bjorn raided Paris with Ragnar and the others,

"You better bring something back for me," Halig complained, causing Bjorn to chuckle at his son.

"We will, my son, I promise," Bjorn assured the boy, playfully messing up his hair.

"Take care of your brothers and sister," Ylva told Gyda in a soft tone and hugged her, "And stay clear of Freya. For a while, at least. She's not in her right mind."

"She's mad, Mother," Gyda argued with her mother as she glared at her, "She'll never be in her right mind. Why can't you see that?"

"We're not talking about this right now," Ylva ordered and she turned her head to see Torvi kissing Sihtric goodbye from afar.

She turned again, only to freeze when she saw Freya. However, she was hugging Hvitserk goodbye, and even when she did lock eyes on her mother, she didn't attempt to walk over to her. She stared down at the ground in disappointment and walked back in the direction of the Great Hall without another world said.

"Let's go," Bjorn told Ylva softly, wrapping his arm around her.

Ylva sighed in defeat and nodded. With that, they got onto the boat and Ylva felt uneasy, unable to stop thinking about Freya.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

First chapter! I hope you liked it!!