Start the song. It's AnsuR by Wardruna.

Translations will be in bold at the end of the paragraphs. Correct me if I get anything wrong!

The harsh ocean waves slammed against the sides of the ship, making it rock dangerously. Tyler was shivering from both cold and fear as the men on the ship yelled to each other in a language he didn't understand. Josva tried to get him to eat three times a day, but he couldn't.

Sea-sickness was mixing with homesickness, and Tyler was drained. He'd been trapped on this boat with people who either spoke no English or only bits and pieces for days. Hardly anyone paid attention to him apart from Josva, who really only was trying to make sure he ate and didn't escape his fetters. The ropes only came off when he was given food, but his lack of appetite caused him to be tied up once again very quickly.

Tyler stared at the cage full of ravens. They stared back at him, making anxiety swell within him once again.

Snow was beginning to fall from the pregnant clouds that hung ominously above them. Tears stung at Tyler's eyes as he continued to shiver. He longed for his family and his home and his bed. There was no warmth here, and no comfort either.

He was too exhausted and overwhelmed to be afraid when his captor came back over to him. He set a plate of salted fish and seed bread down beside Tyler before untying his arms. Tyler made no move to pick up the food, only wrapping his arms around himself.

Josva eyed him for a moment before taking off the thick furs that were protecting him from the winter cold, wrapping them around Tyler instead. "It colder in Danmark," he told Tyler, his broken English more comforting than the loud foreign shouts around them.

"Colder than this?" Tyler asked pitifully, pulling the furs tighter around himself as he tried desperately to warm himself in case the Norseman took them away.

Josva nodded. "Ja." He pulled the furs up to cover Tyler's pink ears. "Eat."

"I can't," Tyler said quietly, shaking his head.

He couldn't move his hands out of the furs. It was too cold. Besides, he didn't feel very good. Still, Josva studied him before sitting down more comfortably in front of Tyler. He tore off a piece of the bread before opening his mouth, signalling for Tyler to do the same. Hesitantly, Tyler opened his mouth. Josh set the bread inside before gently closing his mouth for him.

"Tygge," Josva told him. When his request was met with silence and a fearful expression, he mimicked chewing. "Eat." [Chew.]

Tyler chewed the bread carefully, swallowing it down anxiously. It did taste amazing after days of eating nothing. The Viking watched to make sure he swallowed the food before giving him more. There was no annoyance or judgment on his face as he set another piece of bread between Tyler's lips.

"Cold?" Josva asked.

Tyler nodded, feeling humiliated by all of this. He had been kidnapped, tied to the mast of a ship like a dog to a fence, and now he was being fed like a child. The Norseman bundled him up tighter in his furs.

"Thank you," Tyler said quietly.

Josva nodded. "Fish?" He asked Tyler.

"Okay," Tyler said quietly. When Josva didn't move, he nodded.

The Viking nodded as well. He tore off a piece of fish, picking the bones out carefully before feeding it to Tyler. It wasn't the worst thing he'd ever tasted, but Tyler felt too sick to enjoy it. He remained quiet, listening to the Viking speak to him quietly in either his native tongue or broken English as he fed him.

"In Danmark, always snow and rain," he told Tyler through a thick accent. "Ice grows on water. In old days, ice grows into beasts. The beasts was named Jötunn."

Tyler was quiet, listening to Josva's broken English as he told him this story. As the man spoke, he fed Tyler carefully.

"The Jötunn come from Jötunheimr. The gods hate these beasts. The beasts destroy. De var ikke onde. De var kaos," he told Tyler. [They were not evil. They were chaos.]

Even some of the men rowing were becoming distracted as they listened to the story. Tyler wasn't paying attention to the cold or how much Josva was feeding him as he listened carefully.

"Before men, Jötunn rules Midgard. Jötunn is sons of Ymir. Ymir were killed by Great Odin, drowning many Jötunn in his blood. Other beasts become friends of the gods, to protect man. Ond jötunn eksisterer stadig. The gods protect man," he told Tyler. [Evil Jötunn still exist.]

Although Tyler didn't understand the story and many of the words, he watched Josva in interest. Whatever he was talking about, it was important to him. It was important to the other men as well. They went back to rowing when the story ended. The Viking smiled, his cheeks pink from cold beneath his beard.

"Those are your gods?" Tyler asked quietly.

"Odin, Thor, Hejmdal...many gods," Josva explained.

Tyler nodded, laying his head back against the mast of the ship. Now that the cold wasn't numbing them, his wrists were sore and raw. He rubbed them beneath the furs. The Viking seemed to notice.

"Hands," he requested, holding one of his hands out to Tyler. Weakly, Tyler took a hand out of the fur and held it out to the other man. "Du bløder." [You're bleeding.]

Since the words were lost on Tyler, he rested his head against the mast once again and closed his eyes. "Are we almost there?"

"Dette kan blive inficeret. Vent her." [This can get infected. Wait here.]

Tyler was surprised when the Viking stood, leaving him untied and sitting on the floor. He watched the man pick up a horn and fill it with sea water before coming back to Tyler. He sat in front of him, dipping the hem of his shirt into the sea water before beginning to wash Tyler's abused wrists. The sting of the salt made him flinch.

"Sleep," he was told despite the burning sensation.

"I can't," Tyler repeated anxiously.

The Viking sighed. He set the horn down on the ground before moving to sit right next to Tyler. "You are afraid." Tyler nodded. "Do not be."

"I want to go home," Tyler whispered shakily.

Josva didn't seem to understand that. "Home?"

"With my family," Tyler said quietly as tears nipped at the corners of his eyes. "My mum, dad, brothers, and sister."

"Mum is Mama?" Josva asked for clarity.

"Yeah," Tyler confirmed.

"Dad is...Papa?" He guessed. He smiled when Tyler nodded. "Home is where Mama and Papa are, ja?"

"It can be," Tyler replied quietly. When Josva didn't respond, he nodded.

"Hmmm," Josva hummed his understanding. "No Mama and Papa here. Home soon. I keep you."

As much as Tyler knew that Josva thought he was comforting him, that only made him feel worse. He wasn't going home. He was going North with a bunch of ruffians. It wasn't comforting to think that Josva intended to keep him. He wasn't an object.

"I just want my family," Tyler said quietly, sniffling ashamedly.

He wanted to hate Josva, but he couldn't. Josva was the one bringing him food and keeping him warm. For some reason, he just couldn't understand that Tyler didn't want to go with him.

"Family not here, Please." Josva sighed, and Tyler was surprised when the man guided him to lie down in his lap. "New family are in Danmark."

Tyler was too cold and tired to try and move out of the Viking's lap. Every muscle in his body ached from sitting for so long, but the change of position was a slight relief. Josva readjusted the furs to cover him like a blanket as the snow fell more thickly.

"Sne betyder land," he told Tyler.

"Land?" Tyler asked weakly.

"Ja. Snow means land," he repeated.

Tyler lifted his head tiredly, but all he could see was the harsh tides. The Norseman stroked his hair for a moment, making him oddly calm. He looked over at his crew.

"Frigør ravnerne!" He called.

A man with only one eye and a large scar down the side of his face went to the cage containing the ravens, pulling open the cage door. The ravens flew out instantly, and Tyler watched them disappear into the horizon with wide eyes.

"If ravens come back, no land. If not come back, land," Josva explained to him. "If not come back, family there."

There didn't seem to be a way to explain to Josva that Tyler's family wasn't here. He didn't understand why that was so hard to understand. He'd been taken away from everything. This wasn't his home.

The Vikings all waited in silence then, and it took Tyler a moment to realize that they were awaiting the return of the ravens. After five minutes, it was decided that they were nearly home. As soon as the shape of an island began to appear in the fog, the Vikings all cheered. Josva helped Tyler to sit up before standing excitedly.

"Vi er hjemme!" He announced. [We are home!]

A sick feeling crawled into Tyler's stomach, making him regret eating. Vomit burned at his throat as the anxiety set in. He would never be able to go home again.

The ship pressed forward until it was being tied up to a wooden dock. A lush forest surrounded them. The beach was rocky, and snow covered everything. Tyler was still shivering, even beneath Josva's thick furs. The Viking wasn't paying attention to him anymore though. He was helping the other men gather their treasure from the ship.

It occurred to Tyler that he could run, but where would he go? He'd never been to this place before. Maybe that was why Josva hadn't tied him up again. There was no need. Tyler wasn't going anywhere.

-----

Walking along the rocky shores of Denmark, still clothed in Josva's furs, Tyler felt more like a prisoner than ever. He trailed behind the Viking in silence, helping carry weapons and bundles. One by one, each of the other men had disappeared into huts, being welcomed by families and overjoyed dogs. Josva just kept walking though.

It wasn't until they reached a large, crudely built building that Josva smiled. "Home," he told Tyler.

This building was larger than all of the others, massive in comparison. All around the building were merchants and people, all of which greeted Josva excitedly in his garbled language. He seemed to be in a hurry though, not speaking to anyone for long. The closer he got to the building, the harder it was for Tyler to keep up with him.

As soon as they were inside of the massive door to the building though, Tyler understood why. Inside was a throne room, decorated with elaborate bronze sculptures, antlers, furs, and riches. Sitting atop the second largest throne was the most beautiful woman Tyler had ever seen.

Her eyes were a deeper blue than both the ocean and the sky that Tyler had seen so much of on the perilous journey to get here. Her hair was more beautiful than any of the gold the Norsemen had taken. She was absolute perfection, and her beautiful face lit up when she saw them enter.

"Josva!" She exclaimed, shooting straight out of her throne and running to him, having to hold up her long gown slightly.

She threw herself into his arms, and he caught her easily, spinning her around. The two of them laughed, kissing each other again and again.

"Jeg savnede dig," he told her in a soft voice, and she smiled wide. [I missed you.]

"Jeg savnede også dig!" She kissed each of his bearded cheeks. She then stroked them both with her thumbs. "My baby." [I missed you too.]

Tyler didn't even have time to question why she'd consider someone as intimidating as Josva to be her baby before Josva's eyes lit up. Excitedly, he asked her, "Hvor er mine babyer?" [Where are my babies?]

The woman smiled, looking so beautiful that Tyler's lungs momentarily stopped functioning. "Einar! Rasmus! Ellinor!"

Tyler didn't realize that the words she'd shouted were names until three small children entered the throne room. The oldest couldn't be older than five, and the youngest toddled behind her older brothers cheerfully.

Josva released his wife instantly, dropping down to his knees as the children ran to him. He collected them all up into his arms, hugging them tightly. He peppered each child's rosy cheeks with kisses.

"Papa! Så du vesten?" The oldest boy asked, shying away from his father's lips. [Did you see the west?]

"Ja! Thor guidede os over havet og førte os til at skatte," Josva told the children. [Yes! Thor guided us across the ocean and led us to treasure.]

The tiny girl looked up at him with eyes as dark as Josva's. "Fik du os gaver?" She asked shyly. [Did you get any presents?]

Josva laughed. "Ja!"

He stood, taking one of the bundles from Tyler. Josva's wife looked at Tyler then, her oceanic eyes surprised. Her husband didn't notice though. He was too busy unwrapping a small golden figure of a kitten. He handed it to the small girl with equally golden hair and warm eyes.

"En killing til min killing," he told her with a smile. [A kitten for my kitten.]

The tiny girl squealed, hugging him tightly around the neck. "Tak, Papa!" [Thank you, Papa!]

Josva chuckled, hugging her tightly before looking to the middle child. "Rasmus, min lille prins," he said softly. [My little prince.]

The small boy watched his father excitedly through dark eyes. Josva presented his son with a crown that Tyler immediately recognized to be the one his kingdom's young prince wore. What had happened to him? Anxiety nipped at him as he watched the crown be set upon Rasmus's dark curls.

"Einar, min kriger," Josva said proudly to his oldest son. [My warrior.]

He took another bundle from Tyler, unwrapping it to reveal a small dagger. There was no telling where that had come from. Still, the boy's blue eyes lit up.

"Tak, far," he said quietly as he examined the knife in amazement. [Thank you, father.]

Then Josva stood, ruffling Einar's blonde hair before looking to his wife. "Og, selvfølgelig, min smukke dronning." [And, of course, my beautiful queen.]

Tyler found himself being pulled forward, and he realized he was being presented to this woman. Her eyes scanned him as she smiled slightly. Anxiety rose inside of Tyler.

"Han er smukke," the woman told Josva as she tilted Tyler's chin up before feeling both of his arms. "Lille. Hvor gammel er han?" [He is beautiful. Small. How old is he?]

Having the woman examine him whilst speaking in a language he didn't understand made Tyler even more terrified. His hands were shaking.

"Jeg ved ikke." Josva studied his face. "Spørg ham. Han taler engelsk." [I don't know. Ask him. He speaks English.]

Tyler was taken by surprise when the woman asked through a thick accent, "How old are you, sweetheart?"

He tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "Nineteen."

She smiled sadly. "You must be so afraid. Do not worry. My husband and I will protect you. You are ours now."

"Han savner sin mama og papa," Josva said quietly to his wife. [He misses his mama and papa.]

"Oh, sweet baby. Do not worry. We will take care of you," she insisted. "My name is Jenna Dun. What is yours?"

"Please," Josva told her.

She smiled. "That is not a name, min elskede." [My beloved.]

"My name is Tyler Joseph," he said shakily.

"Oh. Tyler," Josva repeated, stroking the hair of his small daughter, Ellinor, when she hugged his leg.

"Well, Tyler, you need not to fear. You will be taken care of well. Just because you will be in allegiance to the king and queen of Scandinavia does not mean that you are a peasant. You are our family now," she told him.

"Family," Josva repeated, nodding in agreement.

"Now, come. You must be starving. We will get you something to eat and some fresh clothes. Some sleep might help as well." She looked to Josva then. "Er du sulten?" [Are you hungry?]

"Ja, men ikke kun for mad," Josva told his wife, making her grin. [Yes, but not just for food.]

He smirked, wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing her slowly. The kiss was so passionate that Tyler had to look away, a blush burning at his cheeks. The other servants in the room were unaffected, meaning that this was probably common behaviour.

"Du tog så godt vare på mine sønner, mens jeg var væk," Josva murmured against her lips. [You took good care of my sons while I was away.]

"Hvad er min belønning?" She murmured back, making him smirk even more. [What is my reward?]

Josva whispered into her ear, "Jeg vil give dig mange flere." [I will give you many more.]

Jenna blushed then, but Tyler didn't know why. What had the Viking said? She pecked Josva's lips before looking to Tyler.

"Let me make sure you both eat dinner before my husband becomes impatient. He has been away for a month, and he is hungry," she told him, a devious glint in her eyes as she glanced at her husband.

"So hungry," Josva repeated confidently, making her giggle.

"Come then, my babies. No one leaves my kitchen hungry for food. All other wants will be satisfied after, my love," Jenna said, smiling adoringly at Josva.

Then Tyler realized what they'd said to make each other so giddy, and he felt extremely out of place. Their children were too distracted by their new gifts to realize what they were talking about, though, or maybe they were just too young.

The blush on his cheeks didn't cease as he followed Jenna and Josva through what was apparently their castle. Jenna must have been preparing food all day, hoping that this would be the day that her husband returned. Even while Josva was eating ravenously, she looked at him as if he were an angel from Heaven.

More than once, she reached out to touch his face or hair, whispering, "Min elskede." [My beloved.]

More than once they'd say something to each other in their native language before glancing at Tyler conspiratorially. Every time it made his heart beat faster with anxiety, but all it took was Jenna reaching out to soothe back his hair and he was drawn back in.

"You look so small in my husband's furs, little one," Jenna told Tyler softly. "He promised you would be small-someone I can protect. I love my large husband, but he is overprotective. I want to be protective too, and now I have you. We both do. Our little man," she said fondly.

"What do you mean?" Tyler asked worriedly.

Jenna smiled, glancing at Josva before walking around the table and pressing her lips to Tyler's. His eyes widened as her lips moved against his, shooting fearfully to the large Viking beside him, but that man just smiled at him before taking another bite of his food.

"New family is here, Tyler," Josva told him when Jenna broke the kiss gently. "We will protect you from the Jötunn, and all else. Ja?"

"We will," Jenna assured Tyler gently, stroking his cheeks just as fondly as she had her husband's. "Eat now. You are so small."

Tyler really was hungry, and everything smelled so delicious, but his anxiety was still making him feel sick. When he made no immediate move to get food, Josva turned and looked at him.

"Eat, little one," he told him gently. "Little one is safe here."

"I can't," Tyler said quietly. It was even more embarrassing to have his eyes fill with tears when Jenna was here.

The Vikings looked at each other worriedly. Josva stopped eating then, standing and putting food on another plate. He smiled sadly at Tyler as he sat down beside him again. Just like on the boat, he opened his mouth, signalling for Tyler to do the same. Tyler's hands were shaking as he did as he was told. Josva fed him just as patiently as before while Jenna massaged his shoulders gently, pressing kisses to his cheeks occasionally.

"Little one is safe," Josva told him again. "Little one is family."

Homesickness still plagued Tyler, but it hurt his heart less when these people were taking care of him. Only Jenna spoke his language, but Josva could read his fears without hearing them. He shouldn't feel safe here, but he did. More than anything, he missed his real family, but at least this one was more capable of protecting him. They weren't his family, but maybe they could keep him safe until he figured out how to get home.