Ragnar sighed, as (Y/n) placed the hot poultice to his back; between her awful concoction and this, he was already feeling much better than he had done just earlier that morning. The Earl sure that the woman who had begun to cook an evening meal, while working around Loðinn who had decided that he would rather spend the night next to his mother's fire, than out by the front of the cabin, was truly gifted by the gods; and he couldn't be more thankful for her.

"Why do you not live in Kattegat...........?"

"Why do you not live more out here........? Would save you a journey every time you are doubled over in pain.........." (Y/n) retorted, as she stirred another large pot. Ragnar's mouth already watering at the smell.

"(Y/n)..........."

"Fine.......I do not live in Kattegat, as I do not like being surrounded by all those people, you should know that. I feel comfortable surrounded by the woods; and it means that I do not have to go far to get what I need for my potions. That, and I cannot imagine that the people down there would appreciate Loðinn just walking around town. No, I am better here; I am closer to the gods..........."

"Don't you get lonely...........?"

"What, you think that my life is missing something because I don't have a man getting under my feet..........?"

"You have a bear getting under your feet....." Ragnar retorted. Loðinn grunting at the remark, as he munched on a large parsnip.

"Loðinn, is different. When I tell him to get out and not come back for the rest of the day, he doesn't pout like a child and go and get drunk with his friends or find some other woman that is willing to lift up her skirts........so, to answer your question, no, I do not get lonely. The gods give me all I need and Loðinn looks after me.......so I don't need a man.........especially one like you, Ragnar Lothbrok.......you are nothing but trouble........."

"You have such a low opinion of me..........." (Y/n) shaking her head, as she looked over to see him smiling at her.

"Ha! You have more trouble brewing behind those blue eyes, than Loki himself. You are just fortunate I have known you for so long, and despite myself, I quite like you............"

"It is alright for you to admit that you want me, you know.....I won't let anyone know you are getting sentimental in your old age........" The warrior laughing at she picked up a turnip and threw it at him.

"I am not getting sentimental.......and what do you mean, old? You are older than me............." (Y/n) retorted, as she carried the pot over to the small table, before making her way back to the bed where Ragnar lay.

"Now, lets get you up, old man.............." Ragnar grunting slightly, as the healer removed the poultice from his back and helped him sit before making their way to the table. A smile coming to his lips as he looked at the woman that was so close to him.

He had known her since they were children, and even before he had become interested in girls, he had liked (Y/n); there something about the strange yet beautiful child that had drawn him to her. Even then, she and her mother had lived on the outskirt of everything; the pair only coming into town to sell the things that they could grow and the tinctures that her mother could make. The other children always teasing (Y/n) for having been born with hair as white as winter snow; the little girl often hiding behind her mother's skirts, holding onto the bear toy that had been sewn for her from scraps of material, as she watched the others play. Yet it was not until she had had the bear taken from her, that Ragnar had first spoken to her. He becoming angry as she had cried at the loss of her favourite toy. Ragnar going after the boy that had taken it, and punching him square in the jaw, before recovering the bear from the dirt and handing it back to her. The two smiling at one another, as she had looked between him and the toy. Ragnar sure that he had never seen a smile quite like it. And from that day, they had been the strangest of friends. The two always finding one another when she was in town; and as the years passed, he had not been blind to how beautiful she had grown; how much of a woman she had become, and he had to admit that he had lusted after her, desiring very much to be with her. Yet with the death of her mother, (Y/n) had left the home that they had shared, and made her way some distance from Kattegat, finding an old, abandoned cabin and making it her own. The white-haired woman making quite the reputation for herself in the art of healing, just as her mother had. And now, as she helped him sit comfortably, Ragnar couldn't help but feel those old desires once more stirring inside him.

"Well......how do you feel.........." She asked, shaking his train of thought.

"Better than earlier today, I hope........" She continued, as she went and grabbed two bowls and spoons. Kissing Loðinn on the snout, before making her way back to her patient.

"I am sure that it is not as good as the food you are now used to, being an Earl and all; but it should fill your belly. The chicken was still running around the pen this morning, and everything else comes from my little plot of land. Eat as much as you want and have the bread too..........." (Y/n) told him, as she spooned a generous amount of the stew into his bowl, before pushing the loaf in front of him.

"And when you are finished, I will help you wash up if you need it; and then you can have my bed.......I will sleep next to the fire with Loðinn........" She continued, placing a kiss to Ragnar's nose, before taking a seat across from him, and spooning some of the food into her own bowl.