She was sure that she had never had so much fun. (Y/n) had of course been to feasts before, with her father and mother, so this was nothing new; but she would normally sit with or near Ivar, and even though he was not averse to enjoying himself, he did not have fun in the same way as Ubbe, and definitely not Hvitserk.

All evening, she had laughed and drank. All evening she had ignored Ivar and enjoyed the attentions of not only the two oldest sons of Aslaug, but also other men in the Hall; this making her wonder whether people didn't want to know her because she was a foundling that some still said should have been left with Odin, or whether it was all down to Ivar; (Y/n) knowing that many feared his reputation. A reputation that had begun when they were still children.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself................." A voice suddenly called out. (Y/n) turning to see Sigurd smiling at her.

She had never liked Sigurd, not even when they were children; and she liked him even less now. His favourite pastime was being cruel to Ivar, it was to tease and undermine his younger brother until his rage became too much. The word "cripple" seeming to be Sigurd's favourite word. (Y/n) was well aware that Ivar had his faults, some of them glaring. That he could be cruel and to some........sadistic; he was even often childlike in the way that he acted, but until recently, she had always been by Ivar's side, and he by hers. He was her friend; at one point feeling like her only friend. So, even though he had said what he had said, she would always defend him against Sigurd. (Y/n) sure that the blondes seemingly innocuous comment, would be followed by one of his usual attacks against his sibling.

"I am, thank you...................."

"Of course (Y/n) is enjoying herself, she is sat next to me............." Hvitserk added, with a cheeky smile, before taking another drink of the honey sweet mead from the horn in his hand.

"Yes.........It must be you or Ubbe, as she never smiles that much when she is sat next to our brother..............nor does she laugh so much........" Sigurd continued, before himself taking a drink. His eyes looking over the top of the rim of the horn, at Ivar, whose face was twisting in annoyance. Ivar picking up a knife and stabbing it into the table.

"And what are you trying to say..................?" Ivar enquired harshly, as he looked over at Sigurd.

"Ivar don't....................."

"Stay out of this, (Y/n). This is between me and Sigurd................" Ivar spat, as he turned his attention to the foundling for a moment, before looking back to his brother.

"Don't talk to her like that. (Y/n) hasn't done anything................" Ubbe interjected, as he gripped her hand.

"This has nothing to do with you either, Ubbe. If our brother has something to say, I want to know what it is................" Ivar continued. His voice low and menacing, as he kept his eyes on Sigurd.

"I am merely saying that your dear little foundling, seems to be having a better time with our brothers, than she ever does with you. But I suppose that that is like every other woman.............." Sigurd explained. His smile getting broader as Ivar banged his fist on the table.

"Do you think I care..............? If Ubbe of Hvitserk want her, they can have her. I don't need a whore................." Ivar shouted. His words loud to stop the festivities. All conversations ending, stories ceasing, as all those present, turned to look at the table. (Y/n) getting to her feet and looking to Ivar; if his words from earlier had broken her heart, then these new ones had shattered it.

"First I was ugly, and no one was interested in me; and now I am a whore that your brothers can have if they want.........you should really make up your mind, Ivar............." The foundling said, as she looked to the youngest son of Ragnar; Ivar refusing to look at her.

"(Y/n) he didn't...................."

"No, Ubbe; Ivar does not need to be defended by you. He knows perfectly well what he is saying. Thank you for inviting me tonight. For you and Hvitserk trying to cheer me up. But the night has taken a turn for the worse, and I want to go now.............." (Y/n) continued, smiling to Ubbe, before pushing back her chair; holding her head up high as she walked past all the others, and made her way out of the door. Ivar merely sitting back in his chair and taking a drink.

"I'll go after her.............." Hvitserk said, as he got to his feet. Ubbe shaking his head as he grabbed his brother's arm.

"There is no point. She will be going to see Odin; I doubt that she will be back until morning. But she is right about the evening, it has taken a turn and I don't want to be here either.............." Ubbe told his brother, as he himself got to his feet and left the hall. Hvitserk finishing his drink and following suit. Sigurd smiling broadly at Ivar, before he and everyone else began to disperse; until Ivar sat alone in the great hall.

                                                   >>-------------------------------------<<

(Y/n) ran, as fast as her legs would carry her. The only thing that she could think was that she had to get away. She had to get as far from Ivar and Kattegat as she could. Normally she would go to the allfather, ask him to guide her; but not this time, this time she knew what she must do. And even though it would hurt her and her parents, she would have to go; to where she had no idea, but anywhere would be better than this, especially after tonight. The foundling doing her best to control her breathing, as she quietly pushed her way into the cabin that she shared with her mother and father; glad to find it dark. Hoping that she could collect all her things and get away, before anyone could stop her.