The sons of Ragnar sat at the table, the celebrations for the Midwinter Solstice already in full swing around them, yet their eyes were trained on the door to the Hall. Flóki and the very mysterious (Y/n), were still to make an appearance. All wondering what their father, what their mother would make of the breathtaking creature. If they would be able to get the truth about the woman from the boatbuilder. A truth that they had all failed to get when they had made their way, earlier that day, to Flóki's cabin.

Suddenly, the doors to the Hall opened. Those present shielding themselves as a blast of frigid air, and a flurry of fresh snow filled the expanse. All staring in disbelief, as the bitter chill subsided; and there, in the open ingress stood a woman with hair as white as the flurry that had announced her arrival. Flóki smiling broadly, as he came to her side. A murmur going around the group, as the pair stepped inside the Hall. Aslaug looking to her husband, as Ragnar rose from his seat and stared at the beauty that was surveying the crowd. A small smile coming to her lips, as she saw the four young men that she had met earlier that day.

"Flóki.........!" Ragnar called out, gesturing for his old friend to come over. The boatbuilder wrapping his arm around the woman's waist, before escorting her through the still silent and stunned crowd. The king stepping forward, ignoring the obviously unhappy sound that came from his queen, as he made his way to Flóki and the woman that had deprived him of his breath, as soon as he had laid eyes on her.

"Flóki.........." The king said again, as the boatbuilder relinquished his grip on the woman and hugged Ragnar. Ragnar looking over his friend's shoulder, at the exquisite newcomer. A smile pulling at the corners of his lips, as he looked her up and down.

"And who is this.............?" Ragnar continued, his arm resting over Flóki's shoulder, as they both looked to the woman. The boatbuilder holding out his hand for the Hamingja to take. Pulling her closer to himself and the king.

"Ragnar.........this is (Y/n)............" Flóki announced proudly, as he drew her to his side. His arm once more wrapping around her waist.

"(Y/n)............? You are not from Kattegat. If you were, I would most certainly remember. So, how do you know one another.........?" The king enquired. His eyes never leaving her, as Flóki began to laugh.

"You would not believe me if I told you..........." The boatbuilder replied, before kissing (Y/n) on the forehead.

"Oh, I think I would.............." Ragnar countered. Flóki chuckling as he began to explain who and what (Y/n) was. How she had come to be in Kattegat, and that she was now his woman. The king not blinking an eye, as he learned that the beauty he could not stop looking at, was in fact the creation of Loki. The Hamingja of Flóki's family line. It likely to sound fanciful to most others; just something that crazy Flóki had made up. But Ragnar knew better; he knew his old friend, better. Well aware that if anyone would be gifted by the gods in such a way, it would be Flóki.

"It is an honour to welcome you to Kattegat, my lady.............we are indeed favoured by the gods....." Ragnar finally said, as he gestured for one of the thralls to bring over some tankards of mead. The king handing the drinks to Flóki and (Y/n) before taking his own. His smile slipping, as he heard Aslaug's voice come from behind him.

"Are you not going to introduce us.........husband............?" The queen asked, a small, thin smile coming to her lips, as she joined Ragnar, Flóki and the woman. Aslaug taking a step backwards, as the woman turned her eyes to her. The jealousy that she had been feeling towards the visitor, instantly leaving her, as she recognised the creature before her.

"I........I have seen you in my dreams. You are a child of Loki; fashioned after Fenrir. You are the Winter Wolf........you are Hamingja..........." The queen announced, her voice cutting through the celebration that had finally started again. Ragnar once scoffing at his wife's claims that she was a völva; but after the birth of Sigurd, he had come to think better. And now he knew that what his old friend had told him, was true, that they were in the presence of a Hamingja. Another murmur going through the crowd, at the news that with them was a guardian spirit. A spirit that should only appear to one in their sleep, as an animal. A spirit that decided the luck and happiness of the person that they followed. All those present hoping that this was a good omen for Ragnar's next raids. That it was a good omen for their fleet. That Flóki's luck would come to all of them. The boatbuilder laughing, as a cheer went around the men and women present. His beautiful woman being honoured, by the king and queen, as she was escorted to the table where the family sat. Flóki taking a seat next to Ivar. The youngest Ragnarsson looking to the older man. The boatbuilder placing a hand on his shoulder.

"See Ivar, I was telling you the truth..............."