"Stop complaining you big baby........." Loðinn grumbling, as his mother pulled a brush through his fur.

"We have to look at our best. It isn't every day that you get invited to a feast, and by the king himself............." She added, shaking her head as Loðinn dropped onto his back and wriggled around, messing up all her hard work. It obvious that Ragnar's title meant little to him.

"Fine, be scruffy, see if I care. Just be on your best behaviour, alright. So that means no growling, no fighting, no stealing anyone else's food and making smells. And most off all......no mead......." The no mead proving the last straw for Loðinn, who banged his large paw on the floor to show his disapproval.

"I mean it.....no mead. But if you are good, I will let you play with Flóki. I'm sure Helga won't mind......." The sound of the boatbuilder's name appearing to make the notion of no drinking, slightly better.

"Now......what do you think........?" (Y/n) continued, showing off the dress that Ragnar had been kind enough to send her for the evening. Her shoulders slumping as her child shook his head.

"Alright, I know its not something I would normally wear, but its only for one night, and Ragnar was kind enough to send it to me; so, I really should wear it......." The Mother of Bears looking down at herself, as she took a seat on the corner of the small bed. Normally, she found dresses impractical. Long skirts not really conducive with hunting, fishing and gathering from the forest. But tonight, she wanted to shine a little. She wanted to look nice for Ragnar; to have all his attention on her, even though she knew that she should not wish for such things. Especially given that he had married again and had another four sons.

Once, it seeming so long ago now, she had fooled herself a little by having dreams that one day he might ask her to be more than friends. That the most handsome boy in the world would ask her to be his; but it wasn't to be. He had instead chosen Lagertha, and she had chosen to move away from town when her mother died. The loss of Aðísla, and the notion of seeing the boy that she had loved, have a life and family with another woman, making the decision to go, far easier than she had thought. Not that she hated Lagertha for having what she had wanted, it just that she had been jealous; and she knew that jealousy could lead to terrible things. So, it had been better for her to make her own way; to create her own little kingdom. But the gods loved their jokes; and Ragnar had eventually found her again. His little visits to her cabin, not occurring frequently; but when they did, it was a glimpse of what life could have been.

"Well, it seems like we are both going to have to put up with things. You won't let me make you look neat, and you hate the dress. But it's too late now to change anything, so, let's get to the hall before it's all over........" (Y/n) ruffling the fur on Loðinn's head, then heading for the door, with her son not far behind her.

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

Ragnar kept looking to the doors of the great hall; ignoring Aslaug's gaze that seemed to be burning into his flesh. The king having better thing to concern himself with than his wife's jealousy over a woman that she had never met. After inviting (Y/n) and Loðinn to the festivities and having them shown to a cabin for the night, he had made his way into the hall to find Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd telling Ivar and their mother, all about the strange woman that they had just met. Hvitserk having to add that he thought she was beautiful, before explaining about the large bear that she had told them was her son. Ivar's eyes lighting up at the notion; yet as soon as the queen had seen the smile on her husband's face, it was obvious that she was less than pleased. And even more so once Ragnar had explained who (Y/n) was, and that she was invited to the celebrations that night. The Northman having no intention of arguing with his wife about his decision, so he had left Aslaug and the children, and gone to speak with a woman that could furnish his old friend with a dress for the evening. And now he couldn't wait to see her; to see how beautiful she would appear. Not that she wasn't always beautiful when he found himself at her home; even the passing of years not seeming to take its toll on her face and form. A part of him believing that when he stepped into the clearing next to the river where her cabin stood, he left behind the normal world, left behind Midgard, and moved into Alfheim. (Y/n) being part of the realm of the light elves, not as farfetched in his mind, as it may seem.

Suddenly, all those in the hall fell silent; Ragnar looking back to the doors to see (Y/n) and Loðinn standing there. The king sitting up in his chair, when he saw the healer; his heart frantically beating against his ribs, as she and her child made her way inside. All eyes on the pair, as she came to stand in front of the main table, where the royal family sat.

"My king............" (Y/n) bowing respectfully. Ivar letting out a squeal of delight, as the huge bear by her side, followed suit. A smile coming to the healer's lips, as she looked at the wide-eyed youngest son of Ragnar.

"We would like to thank you for your kind invitation. Loðinn has promised to be on his best behaviour. Though I am afraid I cannot say the same for myself....." She added with a chuckle. The world seeming to fade around her, as Ragnar laughed along. The mischievous sparkle in his eyes, only getting brighter, as they continued to look at one another..........

"You are welcome..........." (Y/n) turning her gaze to the woman that had spoken. The disdain evident in her tone, as she looked (Y/n) up and down. It obvious that this was Ragnar's second wife; the Princess of Götaland. And though she was a pretty creature; there was something about her that made her ugly.

"And you have my thanks for your help with healing my husband........" The emphasis on the word, my, not escaping (Y/n).

"There is no need for thanks, my queen. Any loyal servant would have done the same for their king.........." Came the reply. The air thickening between the two women, until (Y/n) felt a hand on her shoulder, and heard a familiar giggle.

"Why don't you and Loðinn come and join Helga and me........?" Flóki said. (Y/n) nodding at the boatbuilder and bowing to the queen before allowing him to lead her and her son, over to where a smiling Helga sat.