"He's a fool........" Ubbe said, as soon as the door to the hall closed behind them.

"Ivar, is a fool........"

"He's right.......our brother is a complete bonehead...." Hvitserk said, agreeing with Ubbe, as both of the older boys looked at (Y/n).

"I am sorry that you heard Ivar say those things about you today. Despite what he might say, he lets Sigurd get too much into his head, and he ends up saying and doing things that he doesn't necessarily mean. And I know he did not mean it when he called you, boring, ignorant and ugly........."

"Though I want you to know that I did mean it when I said I do imagine what you would be like in bed. And if you are not interested in Ivar anymore........"

"Hvitserk.........!"

"What.........?"

"This is not the time, nor the place......." Ubbe scolded. Shaking his head as his brother winked at the blushing (Y/n).

"Well, if you would stop talking about Ivar, I'm sure (Y/n) and I could find a place........." That comment resulting in Hvitserk getting a smack around the back of the head from his older sibling.

"Stop. We are out here because we are going to make Ivar see the error of his ways. So, shut up........but, if (Y/n) agrees, we can make Ivar think that she is no longer interested in him; because you are interested in Ivar, aren't you, (Y/n)......?" Ubbe asked, as he turned his attention from Hvitserk to the silent young woman. The older prince smiling as she nodded. (Y/n) looking up as Ubbe placed his palm under her chin.

"I want you to know, that I don't think that deserve you, (Y/n). You are too good, too kind and too loving for Ivar; but I know that he needs someone like you. And that despite what he says, despite the way that he has been treating you, he loves you, just as much as you love him. So, if you will help, we will make Ivar finally admit to just how much he cares about you; and maybe quiet Sigurd, too........" Ubbe placing his arm around her shoulder, as she nodded at him once again.

"Good. Now, I think you, me and Hvitserk should go for a walk..........."

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

Ivar chewed at his bottom lip; his eyes not having left the doors of the great hall since Ubbe, Hvitserk and (Y/n) had left, some time ago. He had been surprised when she had walked into the hall on her father's arm; surprised and hurt, but he knew that he should not have been either. Not surprised that she had looked so beautiful, because she had always been beautiful. Ivar able to recall how, when they were still young and Flóki had told he and (Y/n) about Freyja, he had asked the boatbuilder, if his daughter was in fact the goddess. Flóki just giving him one of his usual strange giggles, before merely winking at the youngest son of Ragnar. Ivar believing for so long that (Y/n) was indeed the great goddess; and even when he had stopped believing that; he still thought that she had been sent by Freyja. Sent by the wife of the allfather to be his friend, to be the one girl that truly cared about him and loved him. And, he should not have felt hurt, because he didn't deserve for (Y/n) to look at him, to smile at him and talk with him as only they could, after what he had said about her. His anger at himself only growing, as he realised more and more that Sigurd had once again got in his head. That for some reason, he still felt the need to defend himself, when his brother teased him, even though he knew he shouldn't care; and that in doing so, this time, he had hurt the only girl that had ever meant anything to him. Ivar determined to say something when (Y/n) got back. To apologise and try and explain himself. But (Y/n) had to come back before he could do any of that; a sudden thought taking him. A sudden realisation that (Y/n) was out there, alone with not just Ubbe, but Hvitserk too. Ivar well aware of his brother's ways with women; how with just a smile from Ubbe, and a wink from Hvitserk most eligible women in Kattegat, would happily find themselves in the nearest bed, or up against a wall. Ivar quickly dropping himself to the floor and dragging himself from the hall. Ignoring Sigurd, as he left the festivities behind, hoping, praying to any god that was listening, that he hadn't pushed (Y/n) into the arms of his older brothers. That she had not given herself to them, when she was meant to be his.

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

"What are you doing..........?" A demanding voice called out. Ubbe and Hvitserk smiling at one another, as they heard Ivar's spikes dig into the wood of the dock, before he dragged himself to join them.

Up until that point, Ubbe had been explaining to (Y/n) how they were going to make Ivar see sense, as the trio skipped stones across the top of the moonlight fjord. Both men coming to see why Ivar had always liked to spend so much time with her. For despite the fact that she couldn't talk, she had still had them both laughing; still been able to make them both feel happy about just sitting there with her. The boatbuilder's daughter, even teaching them some of the signs that she and Ivar would use so they could talk.

"We have been enjoying (Y/n)'s company, haven't we, Ubbe......." Hvitserk replied. He and Ubbe laughing, as she made a few of the signs that she had just taught them. Ivar growling under his breath, as (Y/n) got to her feet and kissed both of his older brothers on the cheek. Flóki's daughter wishing them both a good night, before walking right past Ivar, as if he wasn't there.

"Well......I don't know about you, Hvitserk; but after all that, I need a drink......." Hvitserk nodding in agreement, as he and Ubbe got up and started on their way back to the hall. Pretending not to hear Ivar, as he called out.

"After all what............?"