(Y/n) looked out over Kattegat, as she sat on the steps of the Great Hall, doing her best to ignore her brothers. Ivar and Sigurd were arguing as per usual; Ubbe doing his best to stop the pair, as Hvitserk grinned at the whole thing, eating whatever it was that he had managed to get his hands on this time. And , well Björn just sat by her side, his hand holding onto hers, as she lay her head on his shoulder.

It was a strange thing. Even though she was the youngest child of Ragnar and Aslaug, it was as if she had a closer connection to the oldest of her father's sons. That she was more like Björn than any of the others. That despite her love for her other siblings, she cared for the older boy more; and he in return, adored her. (Y/n) well aware that he had lost his own sister, Gyda, long before she was even dreamed of.

She had been told that it had been strange for all when she had been born. Ragnar and Björn had thought that she was a gift from Odin. That the allfather had given them a second chance. But Lagertha had been beside herself. Angry that her child had been taken from her, while the undeserving Aslaug had been given this most precious of creatures. Yet as (Y/n) had grown, it had quickly become quite obvious to everyone that she would never be like her mother. That she wanted to be a great shieldmaiden like Lagertha; and now, Björn's mother felt more like hers, than her own. Not that (Y/n) would ever tell her other brothers that. The youngest child of Ragnar, well aware of what Ivar in particular would think.

"You seem distant..........." Björn suddenly remarked quietly. (Y/n) moving her head so that she could get a better look at him.

"You seem to have been distant, distracted for some time. Is something wrong? Do you feel alright, (Y/n)..................?"

"Nothing is wrong, Björn, really. And I am well; there is no need to worry. Its just..............I am a little bored that is all. I am more than ready for another fight. To sail off and see the world." (Y/n) replied, squeezing her brother's hand. Hoping that her explanation for her losing herself in her thoughts, was a convincing one.

In part it was true. She had grown a little bored of a seemingly quiet life. She yearned for a battle, and to feel the wind blow through her hair, as the ship sailed to find new worlds. But to be completely honest, most of it was due to a man; but if she were to say that, it would have been enough to see Ivar and Sigurd's argument stop, and all of them instantly become armed to the teeth, before making their way through Kattegat to find said man. Probably to tell him in no uncertain terms that he was not good enough for her, and he was to stay away. After all, it wouldn't be the first time. But this time, it wasn't just any man. This time it was her father's friend, Athelstan.

She had always liked the former monk. The man that had been taken as a slave by her father from the Lindisfarne Monastery, had the gentlest way about him. He was kind, sweet and sincere. When she was able to get some time alone with him, he would tell her all about his god, and she in turn would tell him of theirs. Tales of Odin and Thor with his mighty hammer; of Frigga and the trickster god Loki. The Christian always appearing far more interested than she would have thought. Yet despite all the things that they would speak about. Despite all the things that they had learned from one another, she had never been able to say what she really wanted to say. Never able to tell him the one thing that she had wanted to tell him for some time. The daughter of Ragnar often feeling as though she wasn't a real woman; that she wasn't a real Viking, given that she couldn't tell a man that she wanted him. That she would happily be his and give him as many children as he wished. But perhaps there were just too many differences between them. Perhaps his god, or hers, did not approve of such a match; and that was why she had never been able to say anything. That, and she doubted that the handsome man felt anything for her but friendship.

"That, and I am sick of listening to Ivar and Sigurd argue. I swear that one day, Sigurd's words will get him killed. And Ivar will be the one to strike the blow." (Y/n) added, kissing Björn on the cheek, before she slowly got to her feet and made her way down the steps.

"Where are you going...........?" Ivar suddenly enquired, as he stopped spitting venom at his older brother for a moment.

"Why? What does it have to do with you.................?"

"I, we are your brothers. We need to know where you are. That you are safe." Ivar retorted, as all the rest of her brother's turned to look to her.

"Exactly! You are my brothers, not my fathers, nor my husbands, thank the gods. I am the daughter of Ragnar, not a thrall. I can do what I want, when I want and I do not have to answer to you...........any of you. Now if you will excuse me........." (Y/n) told Ivar, before turning and making her way down the street. The young woman off to practice, hoping that fighting against all manner of imaginary enemies would take her mind off the former monk. Quickly making her way to her cabin to retrieve her weapons, before making her way to the practice area. The princess not knowing that she was being watched. A pair of grey eyes watching her every move. Making sure that her brothers were nowhere to be seen, before a man stepped out of the shadows and followed after her.