In this, the reader character is Skuld, one of the norns.

Ivar could not sleep. Tomorrow, there would be another battle. One of the many that had been fought between him and the Christians; one of the many that were perhaps still to come. There were thoughts going through his mind; thoughts about himself......about so many things. Ivar laying there, just looking up......looking at nothing in particular; he slowly sitting up and reaching for his crutch, moving his legs over the side of the bed before rising and making his way outside. The night crisp, cool, nipping at his skin; but he didn't care. He needed air, he needed to think. It as if something was gnawing away at him; something he couldn't explain......well, not yet. But he knew that it was something that he was meant to do.......would do......that it was his fate to do. Ivar shaking his head, frustrated by his own thoughts and the fact that he didn't seem to be able to make sense of them.

It was then that he saw it.....something that should most definitely not be there. No one else seeming to notice the table upon which sat a chess board, set up for a game; nor the cloaked figure sat at it. Ivar reaching for his dagger, sensing that it was not one of his men; not one of the shieldmaidens.

"You play, do you not..........?" A beautiful voice asked from under the hood of the cloak. The soft sound feeling as though it was caressing him. It was drawing him in, as if it wanted to hold him.

"Who.......who are you......?"

"Ah yes....who am I......? What am I......? Am I friend, or.......foe.......? Well, you will have to sit and play me, before I answer your questions, Ivar the Boneless. Sit and play and we shall speak........." The woman told him. Ivar looking between the unoccupied chair and the woman waiting for him to sit. Ivar's brows furrowing for a moment, before slowly moving towards the chair, and taking a seat.

"There.......now, is that not better.......?" The dark, cold night disappearing as she spoke once again, to be replaced by hills of swaying grass and a tree, greater, higher, wider than any Ivar had seen before. Its glorious canopy shielding he and the woman from the warmth of the sun that hung high in the sky.

"Where.......where are we......? Where have you brought me........?"

"Do you not know? Did all the stories that the boatbuilder told you, mean nothing........? Surely a good Viking would at least be able to guess........" Her words sounding a little amused, as she sat back in her chair. Her long fingers picking up and toying delicately with one of the pieces. Ivar looking back at the ash tree, at its roots; realisation suddenly dawning.

"Y........Yggdrasil. And you.....you are.......fate.........a norn......" Ivar feeling his heart beat faster than it had ever before. Not knowing what to think, what to say. His mind reeling all the more, as the woman slowly reached up and removed her hood. What she revealed was like nothing that he had ever seen; her beauty unrivalled by any woman that had ever existed.

"I am one.......I am 'that which shall be'; I am 'she who is becoming'. I am......Skuld......." The beauty explained, as she placed the piece back on the board.

"Now, as we have been introduced; I believe that it is my turn to move first...." Skuld reaching for one of the other pieces and placing it on another square.

"What....what do the norns want with me........and why now......?" Ivar asked, as he moved his own piece. Not sure what else to say to the goddess that sat across from him. His questions causing her to chuckle slightly.

"The norns; I, my sisters, are concerned with all; with gods and mortals alike. But I have to confess that of all mortals, you have always been one of my favourites......." She confessed, as with the slightest of movements with her fingers, a simply thread appeared, that stretched between the two.

"We are they that weave the threads of destiny. We are they whose actions determine the length and nature of every life. Even Odin, the great Allfather himself, is shaped by our will. This.....this Ivar, is your thread. I can recall the first day that it was woven into the tapestry of life. We knew then that despite all those things that would be set against you, you Ivar, son of Ragnar, would be truly great. Yet, your thread, its time in the tapestry is coming to an end; your image finished, woven in it for all time. And all that is to be decided, is how you meet that end. But, as I have always favoured you, I have determined that the choice will be yours. Whether you will try and fight us and eventually die for nothing in this endless cycle of war that your life has become; or you will accept your fate, and make the ultimate sacrifice for one whom you love. So that they, as their thread continues, may know and live in peace. May have a better life. So that when their times comes, their figure will be woven right next to yours........"

"Hvitserk........." Ivar suddenly said, knowing exactly whom the beautiful norn was speaking of. The brother, that despite everything; that despite how complicated and tumultuous their relationship had been, still shared a bond with him that had been born of the hardship that they had faced together. This bond resulting in Hvitserk believing that his younger brother, was his soulmate.

"Yes......Hvitserk. What are you willing to do for him, after all things that he has faced with you. Do you love him, as he loves you......?"

"When must I decide.......?" Ivar asked, as he looked at her.

"You will know when the time is right......." Skuld told him, as she got to her feet and made her way around the table to where he sat. Ivar looking up at her, as she placed her hand on his cheek.

"And when it is, do not be afraid; for I will be there to bring you to Valhalla......" She leaning down, pressing a soft kiss to his temple.

"For now.....go.........."

Ivar woke, gripping at the furs atop him; sweat covering his forehead. The once cool dark of night, and scent of camp fires, replaced by the light of a new day and the odour of impending battle. Ivar once more reaching for his crutch, before moving his legs. He knowing that today was the day they would face the forces of King Alfred, and his fate.