(Y/n) made her way up the long path through town that led to the great hall, Loðinn close beside his mother. The two had spent the morning with Flóki; the boatbuilder spoiling Loðinn, terribly. That obviously why the big flush ball had wanted to join her on her journey to the town. Flóki, over the years, always indulging her children with more treats than they should have. Yet she could never stop him, nor herself from smiling as the boatbuilder would giggle happily during his interactions with the bears. And even the seer, who as always had spoken in his usual riddles, had joined her, when she had left him. The disfigured man placing his hand into the fur of Loðinn's head and whispering something in his ear. Loðinn letting out a huff, before getting to his feet and moving to her side.

The sun was already high in the sky as she continued on her way; Kattegat felt like a much different place than it had under Haraldson; she disliking the old Earl long before he had had his men attack Ragnar's farm, and her old friend had shown up at her cabin, severely injured. Not that Haraldson had always been so bad...well, he had always been a little paranoid that someone or something would take his power and position from him; but when his two sons had been murdered, their heads taken from their bodies and placed at their backsides, in shallow graves, the old Earl had truly taken a turn for the worse; and in turn, so had the town. (Y/n) only wishing that she could have been there when Haraldson had accepted Ragnar's challenge; and when he had bled to death in the dirt.

"What is that...........?" A voice suddenly asked, (Y/n) not realising until that moment that she had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't known she and Loðinn had already got to the great hall. Her brows furrowing slightly as she looked at the three boys that were focused on Loðinn.

"What does it look like..........?"

"A bear.............."

"Then you have answered your own question. And he is not a what, he is Loðinn, and he is my son. And I would be careful about what you say around him, he likes the crunch of little boys............" (Y/n) replied to the oldest boy, before moving up the steps to where they stood.

"How can he be your son......? People cannot give birth to bears..........."

"Is that so.......?" Her attention turning to a slightly younger boy.

"Then how did Loki give birth to Sleipnir. How did Angrboða have Fenrir and Jormungandr...........?"

"Because Loki is a god, and Angrboða is a giantess............."

"And how do you know I am not either of those things......little one........."

"Why do you have white hair..........?" Her attention caught by the third, and youngest of the trio. She not blind to the child's strange eye as he looked up at her.

"You all ask a lot of questions; but perhaps you should tell me with whom I am speaking, before I answer any more...........?"

"I'm Ubbe........" The oldest boy began.

"These are my brothers, Hvitserk and Sigurd..........."

"We have another brother, Ivar; but he is with mother, as always.....his legs don't work......." Hvitserk informed her, with a small smile. Ignoring his older brother looking at him.

"You're very pretty.........."

"Hvitserk.........."

"What.......she is........." Hvitserk told Ubbe, defending his words. The young boy smiling up at her again, as she crouched in front of him.

"Well, Hvitserk, that is very kind of you. And you are very pretty too..........."

"Ubbe............" (Y/n) and the trio turning their attention to the doorway of the hall. The mother of bears, smiling as she saw Ragnar.

"Why don't you take Hvitserk and Sigurd inside to your mother........."

"Yes father..........." Ubbe replied, before taking his brother's hands and pulling them into the building. (Y/n) chuckling slightly, as Hvitserk waved at her before disappearing.

"Father........? of course, I had heard rumours that you had a new wife, a Götaland princess, is she not? News like that even makes its way up to my little part of Midgard. But I had not realised until now how long it has been since I last found myself in Kattegat........" (Y/n) mused, as she stepped a little closer to the king.

"You are very fortunate, Ragnar. Björn would be son enough for many men; but four more......and such handsome things......the gods have truly blessed you." She continued, before reaching into the bag that she had slung over her shoulder and pulling out a leather flask.

"This is for you, for the next time you are in pain. It will save you the trip to see me........"

"What if I like coming up to see you.......?" Ragnar countered, as he took the flask; his fingers ghosting over hers.

"Despite your snoring, I like seeing you too, but it would appear that your place is here with your children.......and your wife, not with me in my little home. Now, I really should start back, it will be almost dark by the time that we get there........So, until we meet again, King Ragnar.........." (Y/n) bowing slightly, before making her way down the steps to join Loðinn.

"Stay..........!" Ragnar called out, quickly following her.

"There is a feast tonight, and I would like you to join us.........."

"I don't belong in Kattegat, Ragnar, I never did. That, and I am sure that the people would be far happier if Loðinn wasn't here........"

"I don't care about what the people want, or what anyone might think......I want you there. Please, (Y/n)........." (Y/n) looking down as she felt his large, rough hand take hers. The pair standing there for a moment, just looking at one another.

"Is Loðinn invited too.....? He would never forgive me if he was left out of a feast........Though we have to make sure that he doesn't get his paws on the mead." Ragnar chuckling while nodding his head.

"Well then, it would appear that we are staying, for at least the evening........"