GREATNESS
— 8. Revelations

    After Ylva had killed the Mercian soldier Æthelwulf had questioned, the group still decided to make camp there for the night.

Ylva was sitting alone, away from the Saxon soldiers when Æthelwulf made his way over to her.

He sat down beside her and Ylva turned to him, watching him hold out a flask to her. She shook her head, smiling slightly as she held up her own.

"To our alliance, then," Æthelwulf spoke up as he lifted his flask.

"To our alliance," She repeated after him as they clinked their flasks together.

She took a large sip, only to turn to see the look he was giving her. He was curious about her and he had every reason to be.

"What is so special about your God?" Ylva suddenly asked Æthelwulf as she turned to him, "That makes you Saxons so devout to your faith and so willing to die for it? Your god seems unfair and unable to accept change."

"My God is forgiving. He loves all his devout followers. He is merciful, too," He began to explain to her and Ylva began to smile at the thought.

There was a long moment of silence between them before Ylva turned to him. "Though I believe because of our difference in gods, the alliance between our people will not last long," Ylva commented, breaking the silence between them.

"My father intends—" He began to say, only to watch as Ylva leaned her head back and groaned loudly.

"Your father, your father, your father," She mimicked the man in an aggravated tone, "Athelstan is right. You're nothing more than a daddy's boy," She complained, earning an offended look from Æthelwulf, "How old are you, boy? Huh? Do you always do what your father tells you to do? You're a grown man. Shouldn't you have your own opinions and feelings, other than that of your father's?"

"I am simply doing my duty and what is right," Æthelwulf argued in a stern tone, earning a loud scoff, "For my country, for my king, and for my god."

Ylva began to laugh once more, earning a weird look from Æthelwulf. "No, I believe you do it to impress your father, and guess what? He's using you," She informed her, causing Æthelwulf to frown in confusion as she pressed a finger against his chest, "He doesn't care about you. It's so obvious. Why else would he send you to do all his dirty work?"

"That is not true," Æthelwulf argued defensively as he shook his head.

"Then why is it he sent you to fight in Mercia with us Northmen while he gets to go farming with Athelstan, not risking his life in the slightest?" Ylva asked him, a smile forming on his lips, "You mean nothing to him. You're disposable. In fact, he loves Athelstan more than he loves you, his own son. I can see it. Why can't you? Your own wife loves Athelstan more than you too," She paused, turning to give Æthelwulf a mischievous look, "I can't be the only one who sees the way your wife looks at Athelstan."

"Athelstan is a holy man," He argued in an offended tone.

"He spent time with us Northmen, Æthelwulf. We Northmen have no problem loving both our Gods and the 'sins of the flesh' as you people call it. Our gods encourage it. And I'm quite sure Athelstan does as well," She explained with a smile on her face, "We have no guilt about it, no remorse. And I'm sure Athelstan won't either when he spends his time fucking your wife while you're away."

Æthelwulf stared at Ylva, shaking his head in disapproval. "That is a sin," He reminded her and Ylva smiled at him, "You are full of sin, just like the rest of the Pagans."

"Well, at least I don't lie to myself about what I want. Like my people, if I see something I want, I take it. That is the Viking way. The only way to truly enjoy life," Ylva explained to him as she moved closer to him, a taunting look on her face.

"So it is the Viking custom to jump into bed with whoever you please?" Æthelwulf retorted in a venomous tone and a small laugh escaped Ylva's lips.

"If that is what you wish to do, then yes. Free will is important to us, you know," Ylva told Æthelwulf, who stared at her closely, finally realizing she was talking the way she was because she was drunk, "It should be important to everyone, even you Christians. But instead, you'd rather spend your nights praying to your god and having sex only to breed heirs instead of for pleasure and satisfaction."

He looked both offended by what she was saying, but also a bit interested.

Ylva leaned closer to Æthelwulf, her face just inches away from his. "What, Prince Aethelwulf? Afraid you'd like it as well?" She asked him in a seductive whisper.

Aethelwulf muttered something under his breath that Ylva could not understand. Though she did hear a part about him mentioning God and forgiving.

Just then, Æthelwulf leaned forward and attached his lips to hers. Ylva allowed him to have his fun for a moment before pulling away, a smirk on his face. "It seems you're just as much a sinner as the rest of us, Æthelwulf," She told him, an amused look on her face as she stood up and walked away, laughing.

He frowned as he watched her walk away, realizing she had no intention of doing anything with him. She was testing him, manipulating him to see just how far his loyalty to his god would take him.

  Bjorn looked down at Ylva as he stood in front of her, an angry look on his face after she told him what had happened. "You have lied to me for years!" He snapped at her angrily and Ylva gave him a weird look.

"It was just a kiss. It meant nothing. I was simply taunting him," She tried to convince him, since it was the truth, but she also knew back then, Bjorn had been suspicious about why every time he had gone to  speak with her during their time in Wessex, Aethelwulf seemed not too far behind.

Of course, Ylva had just been being friendly whenever she spoke to him, but it wasn't like any of their people, not even Ragnar, had been befriending the Saxons they were fighting alongside. Only Ylva did that and clearly, Bjorn took it the wrong way.

"We weren't even married at the time. I didn't think it was necessary to tell you because it meant nothing," Ylva reminded him and Bjorn scoffed as he shook his head.

"Clearly, it meant something if Æthelwulf dared to mention it to Ecbert," Bjorn snapped at her angrily as he glared at her, "I can't even look at you right now. It's not even that you kissed him. It's the fact that you allowed it to happen with a bloody Christian!"

Bjorn shot Ylva a glare and stormed off, causing Ylva to sigh in defeat. "Bjorn?" She called out, but Bjorn continued to walk away, "Bjorn!"

_____

That evening, Ylva made her way outside to find Freya. She soon spotted the girl standing with Ivar, speaking to him in a hushed tone.

She made her way over to the duo. "Freya. May we speak alone?" She asked the girl, who nodded and walked away from Ivar to speak to her privately.

"I'd like for you to come with Bjorn and I to the Mediterranean when we leave," Ylva informed her daughter, who had an unreadable expression on her face, "What, have other plans?"

"No, no, of course not," Freya quickly replied as she forced a smile onto her face, "I'd love to go."

Ylva opened her mouth to speak up, only to watch as Freya walked away without another word said and made her way back over to Ivar. She sighed defeat, watching as Freya whispered something to Ivar, which led to the boy turning to look at Ylva.

She sighed in defeat and walked away, having the feeling that Freya wasn't going to join her and was just saying that to shut her up.

Just then, Bjorn appeared in front of her, causing her to sigh in frustration. "Come to snap at me more about a meaningless kiss that happened almost fifteen years ago?" She asked him with an attitude and Bjorn shook his head.

"It doesn't matter anymore," Bjorn sighed as he looked down at her and shrugged, "You're right. It's nothing to get worked up over."

Ylva frowned as she stared up at Bjorn, not understand how someone as stubborn as him, was able to get over something like that after practically boiling with anger not too long ago.

Bjorn noticed the look on her face and sighed. He grabbed her hands and held them, pulling her closer to him. "Do you care for him?" He suddenly asked her and Ylva stared up at him, trying to keep a straight face.

However, she couldn't help herself and let out a loud laugh. "Are you serious?" She replied, looking absolutely amused by his question, "You think I'd love a Christian? Have you gone mad or something?"

"You spared him on the battlefield," He reminded her and Ylva nodded.

"I pity him," She admitted truthfully, a soft smile on her face, "He is used by his father constantly to gain power. It reminds me of when Erik used to use me for power. That is all. Not to mention, it would benefit us to keep Æthelwulf alive," She informed him, raising a brow at Bjorn, "He is easily manipulated. If he were to die before King Ecbert, it would mean one of his sons would become King. I do not wish to fight against a mere boy who'd have his advisors ruling through him, advisors we know nothing about. At least we know Æthelwulf and his way of thinking. He'd be easier to defeat."

Bjorn sighed at Ylva's words and simply nodded, wondering if he actually believed her.

____

That evening, Ylva walked into the bathing room alongside Ecbert. He turned to face her and Ylva held out two blades and Ecbert was quick to take the small one.

He glanced down at it for a long moment before looking back at Ylva. "Thank you," He told her softly and Ylva simply nodded, "You are not like the others around you, you must know that."

"You're right, I'm not," She replied, her lips curling upwards into a smirk, "I'm much worse."

"No. You're better. Behind that hard exterior, you are kind and compassionate," Ecbert informed her and Ylva groaned in annoyance.

"I will not speak of this," She argued in a stern tone and sighed in defeat, "I hope you find peace in your heaven."

"I doubt it," He admitted and Ylva gave him a curious look at his words.

She stared at him for a long moment before she took a deep breath. She turned on her heel and with that, she left the room without another word said.

____

That evening, a feast was held outside Ecbert's Villa. Ylva sat in between Ubbe and Bjorn while Ivar sat on one end of the table while Freya sat at the other with Hvitserk and Sigurd.

It wasn't long before Bjorn picked up the horn and blew it, gaining everyone's attention. He stood up, drinking the rest of his cup of mead before turning toward the crowd.

"Friends..." He began to speak loudly to the crowd, "No one will ever be able to doubt what we have achieved! An army of all our people, and we have defeated not one, but two English kingdoms!" He shouted out and the crowd cheered as they stood up from their seats, "For us, the sons of Ragnar, our first duty was to avenge our father's death. And that we have done. But also, we have achieved my father's dream. We have the legal right to the land, and to farm here! It is up to all of you to use this opportunity to send over new settlers and young families!"

Bjorn turned, grabbing Ylva's hand. She gave him a puzzled look, but watched as he gestured for her to stand up.

She sighed and rose from her seat to stand beside Bjorn. He placed a hand on her back, turning to address the crowd once more. "Unfortunately, my wife and I will not be here to see this new settlement grow and thrive. Our fate will take us elsewhere. She and I always knew we had to return to explore the Mediterranean Sea. And now we feel free to follow our destiny. But, my brothers and Princess Freya will be here for you. Skol!"

The crowd smiled, raising their cups. "Skol!"

Bjorn and Ylva turned to each other, exchanging a smile before they sat back down.

"I will be here but not to settle down and plow!" Ivar announced loudly, "Who wants to be a farmer now? Hmm? We have a great army and we should use it. There many other places that I want to attack and raid! And those of you who feel like I do, you should come with me and Freya."

Hearing Ivar's words, Ylva's eyes widened and she turned to her daughter, watching as the girl smiled and nodded in agreement.

Freya had lied to her. She had no plans of joining her and Bjorn. Not for a second.

"And those of you who don't, ask yourself, 'Who can stand in our way now?'" Ivar continued in a loud tone and the crowd began to shout and cheer.

Hearing Ivar's words, Ubbe turned to frown at his younger brother. "You cannot lead the army, Ivar," He complained and Ivar turned to look at his brother.

"I don't want to, Ubbe. All I'm saying is that, for those who are still brave enough to raid and find adventure, then I will lead them and Freya shall stand alongside me," Ivar informed his brother, causing Bjorn and Ylva to exchange an uneasy look, "You can put on an apron and settle down if you want."

"It will take a great man, Ivar," Hvitserk spoke up with a mouth full of food, "To stake a claim here. Defend it."

"Ah...That does not sound like yourself, dear brother," Ivar smiled as he shook his head, "The Hvitserk I know, he loves to raid. He's a real Viking. What you just said, that is not the Viking way. So..." He trailed off, turning to address the crowd once more in a loud tone, "Who among you will follow Freya and I? Who will follow us into battle? For the love of fame and for the love of Odin, our All-Father?"

The men cheered, louder than ever before as Freya and Ivar shouted alongside them.

"Don't do this, Ivar," Sigurd warned his brother as he leaned forward in his seat, "We are all the sons of Ragnar. We have to stick together. Freya and Ylva along with us."

"Frankly, dear Sigurd, I don't care what you say. The truth is, I wouldn't even piss down your throat even if your lung were on fire," Ivar retorted as he spilled his drink on the ground, causing Freya and the crowd around them to laugh.

Angered, Ubbe slammed his knife down and gave his brother a scolding look. Hvitserk continued to eat while Freya was smiling in amusement.

Bjorn and Ylva, on the other hand, rolled their eyes, sick of the rest of the group's immaturity.

"Well, maybe that's because you're not really a man," Sigurd commented as he turned to his brother, "Are you, Boneless?"

Freya's smile faded, just as Ivar's did. She looked uneasy and Ylva watched as Ivar's eyes immediately went to Freya as he heard Sigurd's words.

"So, who is going to stay and farm?" Bjorn spoke up, changing the subject.

Harald stood up from his seat, raising his cup. "I would like to stay. But I have other plans. Skol."

Next, Halfdan stood up. "As for me, I want to go with Ylva and Bjorn," He announced, which caused Harald's eyes to widen in surprise, "I want to see the Mediterranean."

Bjorn inhaled sharply and stood up from his seat. He climbed over the table and turned to Ylva, holding his hand out to her. She grabbed ahold of his hand and he helped her over the table.

With that, they both made their way over to Halfdan. "Then it seems, the only thing..." He trailed off as both he and Ylva hugged Halfdan, "That really kept the sons of Ragnar together was the death of their father."

"Poor Bjorn!" Ivar spoke up in a mocking tone, "It is you who doesn't want to keep the army together. It is you and your little queen who wants to go away to sunny places. Everyone else can follow me and Freya."

Ylva and Bjorn turned to each other, rolling their eyes at the fact that Ivar had called her Bjorn's bitch.

"I do not want to follow you, Ivar," Sigurd suddenly announced as he stood up from his seat, "You are crazy. You have the mind of a child."

"And all you do is play music, Sigurd!" Ivar growled at his brother angrily.

"I'm just as much a son of Ragnar as you are," Sigurd argued with an attitude.

"I'm not so sure. As far as I remember, Ragnar didn't play the oud. And he certainly didn't offer his arse to other men!" He shouted at Sigurd as the crowd began to laugh in amusement.

As they stood near Harald and Halfdan, Ylva and Bjorn rolled their eyes, already knowing the whole scene was about to end badly.

"You make me laugh. Just like you do when you crawl around like a baby," Sigurd commented as he leaned closer to Ivar.

"Shut your mouth!" Ivar growled as he glared at Sigurd hatefully.

"Enough!" Bjorn scolded his brothers, causing Ivar to turn his head to shot him an angry look.

"This has nothing to do with you!" He snapped at Bjorn furiously.

Bjorn rolled his eyes and turned to Ylva with a bored expression on his face. Without a care in the world, they walked away together, not in the mood to deal with Ivar and Sigurd's usual bickering.

Before Ylva could react, Bjorn had lifted her and threw her over his shoulder, causing her to laugh as he carried her away.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked him, continuing to laugh as they both ignored Sigurd and Ivar arguing in the background.

"Somewhere more private. Being surrounded by so many others at all times is not ideal when a husband wants to bed his wife," He informed her in a teasing tone and Ylva laughed as he gave her a rough slap on her backside.