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Talvi was wandering through the forest...always on the guard from something, that might frighten her! She was only 5, but she knew exactly, what was happening around her! Her parents abandoned her and left her alone! She was sad, confused and maybe even a bit angry, but she knew, that she needed to get away from them as quickly as possible! Days later, she walked through the gates of a village named ‚Eoferwic'...the people shot her confused looks, but she did not care! All she wanted was a place to stay and something to eat...she was dying of hunger and she definitely lacked some sleep! After a while, the doors to the great hall opened and a man with black hair tied up to a ponytail and ice blue eyes, walked out of it! He caught sight of Talvi and immediately walked over to her! She wasn't scared...she just hoped, that he was friendly and, that he would give her, what she was longing for...
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Kjartan:"Hey little one! Are you looking for something or someone?...(*Talvi nodded*)...you want to tell me what or who you're looking for?"
Talvi:(*she nodded*)"I'm looking for a place to stay and something to eat!...(*Kjartan tilted his head*)...my parents have abandoned me and now I don't know where to go and I'm so terribly hungry..."
Kjartan:"Normally I would've said that we could ask Earl Ragnar if you could stay with him, but he has already taken in two children!...(*Talvi lowered her head*)...but I guess I still have an idea: I'll take you in and you can live with me and my son! How does that sound?"
Talvi:(*her eyes widened*)"Would you really do that?...(*Kjartan nodded*)...thank you very much! What is your name, if I may ask?"
Kjartan:"My name is Kjartan!...(*Talvi smiled at him*)...and what is your name, little one?"
Talvi:(*she still smiled*)"My name is Talvi! It's really nice to meet you!...(*Kjartan also smiled*)...where do you live? Is it far from here?"

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Kjartan laughed and shook his head! Then he took Talvi on his shoulders and carried her to his and Sven's house! Sven shot his father a confused look, once he sat Talvi back down on the ground! Kjartan then explained, who she is and, that she will live with them from now on! Sven couldn't contain his excitement, of finally having a little sister and Talvi too seemed to be very exited, to finally have a real family!
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Sven:"Where did you find her, father?...(*Kjartan took a sip of his ale*)...and why does she look like she hasn't eaten in weeks?"
Talvi:(*she looked at Kjartan*)"He found me in a village very close to here!...(*Sven looked at her*)...and the reason I look like I haven't eaten in weeks is actually quite simple: my parents abandoned me and so I had nothing to eat..."
Kjartan:"And that's why, son, you now have a little sister!...(*he widely smiled at Sven*)...and for you Talvi: you may call me 'father' if you like!"
Talvi:(*she thought briefly*)"Thank you, father!...(*Kjartan caressed her right cheek*)...and thank you for letting me stay with you! I appreciate it very much..."
Sven:"Welcome to the family, little sister!...(*he widely smiled at Talvi*)...I promise you that I will be the best big brother and that I will do everything to make sure nothing happens to you!"

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Kjartan still smiled and continued eating his meat! A few days later: Sven and Talvi were walking through the forest, looking for some wood, Kjartan could use to make fire! When evening came, the two children were back home and brought Kjartan the wood, they have found! He proudly smiled at them and handed them both a plate, with meat and bread on it! Then he made fire and watched as the sky darkened...he loved doing that! Once Sven and Talvi were done eating, they went outside and joined their father...
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Talvi:"Father, why do you like watching the sky darken so much?...(*Kjartan turned his head*)... is it something special for you?"
Kjartan:(*he nodded*)"I used to do that with Sven's mother when she was still alive!...(*Talvi looked at Sven*)...I find it relaxing and I also find it relaxing to feel the air getting a little colder!"
Sven:"Did Earl Ragnar actually award you the lands you wanted?...(*Kjartan shook his head*)...why not? You have earned it!"
Kjartan:(*he sighed*)"Since taking in the two children, he has neglected to comply with his Lords' wishes!...(*Sven lowered his head*)...but don't worry my boy: I'll get my lands, no matter how I get them, but I'll get them!"
Talvi:"Is Earl Ragnar a nice man?...(*Kjartan nodded*)...does he have children my age?"
Sven:(*he nodded*)"He has a daughter named Thyra and I think the two children he took in are about your age too!...(*Talvi's eyes lit up*)...if you like we can go to their house tomorrow and ask if the kids want to come out and play!"

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Talvi nodded and clapped! That made Kjartan and Sven laugh and Kjartan gently ruffled her hair! The next morning: Sven woke Talvi up and together they went over to Earl Ragnar's house! Sven carefully opened the door and addressed Sigrid, Earl Ragnar's wife! He asked if Thyra, Brida and Uhtred wanted to come outside and play...after a while of thinking and looking for the mentioned children, Sigrid nodded! The children played for several hours...Uhtred and Talvi quickly became friends! Brida and Thyra weren't sure, what to think of Talvi but after a while, the three girls formed a pretty strong bond! After the day was over and nightfall came, Talvi just fell onto her bed and immediately fell asleep! A few months later: Sven and a few of his friends went out to the forest to play! Talvi helped Kjartan and therefore she wasn't with her big brother...it sucked! When Sven came back, visibly terrified, Kjartan immediately asked what the matter was! But Sven didn't say anything...not until Earl Ragnar knocked on their door...
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Kjartan:"Earl Ragnar, let me first say, he's a...he's a good boy!...(*Earl Ragnar's gaze darkened*)...please don't be too hard on him!"
Earl Ragnar:(*he showed Kjartan Sven's sword*)"He brought this sword onto my land!...(*Kjartan swallowed*)...I'll have words with him!"
Kjartan:"In time, he'll serve on your ship!...(*he lowered his head*)...he...he..."
Earl Ragnar:(*he got even angrier*)"He has offended me!...(*Kjartan's eyes widened*)...your boy has offended me, Kjartan!"
Kjartan:"He will honour you and he meant no harm, Lord!...(*Earl Ragnar tilted his head*)...I swear..."
Earl Ragnar:(*he hissed at Kjartan*)"He meant no harm?...(*Kjartan shook his head*)...he looked at my daughter's nakedness!"
Kjartan:"And he was punished!...(*Kjartan lowered his head*)...your Saxon slave cut him!"
Earl Ragnar:(*he took a deep breath*)"Shall I make a square of branches?...(*Kjartan lifted his head*)...are you gonna fight me for your son or fetch him?!"

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Kjartan turned around and walked to his house! Talvi and Sven were cowered inside, hearing how angry Earl Ragnar was! Once Kjartan opened the door and called out for Sven, Talvi grabbed her brothers hand and squeezed it! He shot her a warm smile before standing up and walking towards the door...
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Kjartan:"Sven!...(*Sven took a deep breath*)...come out here! Tell him what you have to say!"
Sven:(*he lowered his head*)"I'm sorry!...(*Earl Ragnar looked at him*)...I'm sorry, Lord..."
Kjartan:"He can't hear you!...(*Sven swallowed*)...you have to speak up!"
Sven:(*he spoke louder*)"I'm sorry, Lord...(*Kjartan nodded at him*)...for what I did!"
Earl Ragnar:"You laid hands on my daughter!...(*Sven looked up at him*)...you stripped her naked!"
Sven:(*he cleared his throat*)"Half-naked, Lord!...(*Earl Ragnar raised an eyebrow*)...she was not completely naked, Lord..."
Kjartan:"He is at an age, Lord!...(*Earl Ragnar looked at Kjartan*)...any boy his age would have done that..."
Earl Ragnar:(*he turned to Uhtred*)"Is this true?...(*Uhtred looked at him*)...half-naked?"
Uhtred:"Yes, Lord!...(*Earl Ragnar turned back to Sven*)...Thyra was terrified!"
Earl Ragnar:(*he exhaled*)"Then I shall only take his one eye!...(*Kjartan's eyes widened*)...does that sound fair?"
Kjartan:"No, Lord, please!...(*his voice trembled*)...please don't take one of my son's eyes!"
Earl Ragnar:(*he rammed the end of his sword in Sven's eye*)"Kjartan, you're banished from my land!...(*Kjartan got angry*)...I don't want to see you or your son here on my land any longer! I feel sorry for the girl you took in..."

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And with that being said, Earl Ragnar, Ragnar the younger and Uhtred rode off! Kjartan packed his stuff and helped Talvi pack hers! He gifted her a few things in the last couple of months and she was thankful everyday! But after Earl Ragnar's visit, Kjartan wasn't the same! He was angry nearly everyday and he hit Talvi once or twice a day...not on purpose, rather because she was inconveniently in the way! Sven was done packing his things and so was Kjartan! Talvi was done moments later and they brought everything outside to the horses! Then they rode off and looked for a new place to stay! 10 years later: Talvi was now 15 and Sven was nearly 17! Kjartan took over the fortress of Dunholm and decided to burn down Eoferwic one day! So Sven, himself and a few of his men did and they captured Thyra! Talvi felt bad for the red haired girl and brought her food and ale once or twice a day! Uhtred and Brida were now adults and Uhtred was now King Alfred's sword and shield!
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