Ivar sat bolt upright, his eyes darting around the room. He was no longer in the bright and airy, foliage covered room; he was back in his dark cabin. The embers in the hearth still glowing enough to fight off the chill in the air. The heart of the dark prince dropping as he realised that (Y/n) was no longer by his side; no longer in the bed wrapped in his arms, her head resting delicately on his chest.

It had been real; he was sure of it. He could still feel her arms, her legs wrapped around him. He could still smell her; still taste her on his lips. He could still hear her voice in his ear as she told him how good he felt, as she had moaned and begged him not to stop taking her. He could still feel the exquisite sensation of what it was like to cum with a woman, because of a woman. And none of that could be a dream, could it..............?"

"Are you getting up today............?" A voice called out, as he door to the cabin burst open and Hvitserk made his way inside, before taking a seat on his brother's bed.

"What's wrong with you..............?" He continued, as he saw the far away look in Ivar's eyes.

"I...........I had........I think it was a dream, but it wasn't.............."

"That's nice......now, are you coming? I'm hungry..........." Hvitserk replied, as he got to his feet again, and grabbed Ivar's shirt. Ivar finally shaken from his thoughts, as his older brother threw it into his face.

"I'm serious.............."

"So am I. I'm starving. Now hurry up............." Hvitserk continued, as he took a seat in one of the chairs, and watched as Ivar pulled the shirt over his head.

"Did you see Nótt when you came in..........?"

"Who..........?" The older son of Ragnar asked, as he picked up a stick and poked it into the embers. Not sure what Ivar's dream had been about, but it seemed to mean that he wasn't making any sense that morning.

"Nótt. She's an owl. Did she fly past you when you opened the door.........?"

"Ivar......there was no one and nothing in here, but you......." Hvitserk replied, as Ivar pulled the furs from his body, only to feel an immediate sense of sadness and anger loom over him, as he looked down at his legs; legs that no longer worked. Legs that were no longer as strong as an oak. The dark-haired prince moving his lifeless limbs to the side of the bed, so that he could put on the brace, and grab his crutch.

"Finally............now come on........." Hvitserk continued, gesturing for Ivar to hurry up. Ivar resisting the urge to throw his crutch at his brother's head, as he made his way to the door.

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

Ivar sat at the table, as the others ate, once again lost in his thoughts. He hadn't said anything to Ubbe, and most certainly not to Sigurd. Ivar only able to imagine what he would say if he were to mention Nótt, were to mention (Y/n). If he were to tell his brothers about what it had been like with the exquisite maiden. How he had been able to stand; how he had been able to love her. And most importantly, neither had Hvitserk. Ivar just hoping that his brother hadn't actually been listening.

"So......... Nótt? When did you get a pet owl............?" Hvitserk suddenly said, as he swallowed down his latest mouthful of food. Ivar wishing that he hadn't been thinking about what had happened. Sure, that his brother had been able to read his mind.

"What..........? What owl...............?" Ubbe joined in, as he looked over at an obviously displeased Ivar.

"I went to wake his lazy ass up, and all he could do was talk about a dream that he had had, and an owl called Nótt.........."

"She is not my owl. She just comes to see me when I can't sleep.............."

"And how do you know that it's a she...................?"

"It probably pulled up its feathers to show him. Not that he could do anything about it. Just like he can't with any other female..........." Sigurd quickly interjected. His eyes ablaze, as Ivar threw his cup at his head. Ivar grinning broadly, as Sigurd got to his feet and started to make his way over to his brother. Ubbe and Hvitserk about to try and stop the inevitable fight, until something came flying through the doors. Sigurd screaming and shouting, as he found himself attacked. Talon's, beak and feathers flying, as the blonde prince did his best to fight off the attacker.

"Nótt................" Ivar called out. The bird making one last attack, before flying over to Ivar, and taking a seat on the back of his chair. The owl glaring at the man that was wiping the blood away from his face. Ivar pulling out his dagger and pointed it at Sigurd, as his brother tried to go for his night visitor.

"If you want her, you will have to go through me." The dark-haired prince warned. The look in his eyes assuring his brothers that he meant what he was saying.

"Ivar, why don't you and your........friend go back to your cabin........." Ubbe said, as he looked between his younger brother's and the still glaring bird. Ubbe not sure what to think. Not sure why this creature would come and protect Ivar as it just had.

"It will be my pleasure.........." Ivar replied, as he got to his feet. Nótt jumping onto his shoulder, before the two made their way out into Kattegat. Leaving, Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd to look at one another. None of them sure what had actually just happened.