For Book_Keeper5

(Y/n) smiled at Ubbe and Hvitserk as their swords clashed. The pair moving effortlessly across the ground, as they did all they could to best one another. They had come to her father's home first thing that morning; bringing with them all manner of food for them to share. She laughing to herself, as they told her about what Ivar had been asking them both the night before; how they had refused to tell him anything and just smiled at one another. (Y/n) hating to think that they were teasing their brother; but for once she couldn't argue that Ivar deserved it. He had been cruel about her for no reason; even after her being there for him whenever he needed someone to listen, he had still said those terrible things about her to his brothers. Spoke about her as if she were nothing and no one; that she was less than a thrall. And anyway, it was not vicious teasing like Sigurd would do, not full of spiteful words and hatred, no. Ubbe and Hvitserk only hoping to make Ivar see that he was a fool; that they would think he had lost his mind if he did not finally confess that he really was in love with the silent beauty.

"(Y/n)........" The sound of her name being called, bringing her back from her thoughts of Ivar. A smile coming to her lips, as she saw Ubbe holding out a sword for her to take.

"You may be the best in Kattegat with a bow; but I want to properly see what you can do with a sword. To see if you are as good as your father always says you are........." The oldest son of Aslaug continued. Hvitserk taking her hand and pulling her up off the stump that Ivar would usually occupy, and pushing her slightly towards his older sibling. Ubbe happily placing the hilt of the sword in her palm, as she held out her hand. He only just bringing his own sword up in time, to block her unexpected strike.

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"Where are Ubbe and Hvitserk.........?" Ivar asked, as he dragged himself into the great hall. Sigurd pushing some bread into his mouth, as his brother pulled his body up into his chair.

"They have gone to see (Y/n)..........." Sigurd finally replied. Doing his best to hide his smile as he saw Ivar tense. He not knowing or caring why his older brothers had set off earlier that morning to see the silent girl, he just aware that the news would irk Ivar; and seeing Ivar bothered, made his day.

The night before, Ivar had followed his older siblings all the way back to the hall, asking them the entire way what they and (Y/n) had been doing since they left. Ubbe and Hvitserk just looking at one another and smiling; before Ubbe made some comment about the boatbuilder's daughter, that he couldn't hear, yet it still made his blood boil. The notion that his brothers might have even so much as kissed (Y/n), was enough to make him want to throw things. And now, to learn that they had gone to see her..........

"Why have they gone to see (Y/n).........?" Sigurd just shrugging at the question.

"Hvitserk said something about doing more of what they did last night.........." He replied, Ivar's eyes widening; the prince suddenly losing his appetite. He knowing that there was no way he could get to Flóki's cabin, by himself. That he would need Sigurd to carry him; but he knew that his brother wouldn't agree to that. Meaning that all he could do was take himself back to his rooms, and sulk. Was to sit there and imagine all the things that his siblings might be doing with the silent beauty, while his anger grew. Ivar dropping from his chair, not saying another word to Sigurd before dragging himself back out of the great hall.

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Ubbe and Hvitserk made their way back into town, laughing as they walked up towards the great hall. They had spent most of the day with (Y/n); all of them training together. It becoming quite clear that even though she was known for her prowess with the bow, Flóki had made sure that his beautiful daughter was also well trained with a sword. She having knocked the blades from both the brother's hands, on more than one occasion. And though she may lack their strength, she certainly made up for it, with her speed and agility. The training followed by a trip to the lake, were (Y/n) taught them more of the finger signs and gestures that she and Ivar had always used to communicate.

"Where have you been.........?" A voice called out. Ubbe and Hvitserk looking at one another before turning to see Ivar glaring up at them. He asking the question, despite already knowing the answer. Ivar just wanting to see whether his brothers would dare to lie to him about their day.

"We have been with (Y/n)......." Hvitserk said with a shrug, as if it were obvious.

"With (Y/n)........? My (Y/n)...........?"

"What do you mean, your (Y/n).......?" Ubbe interrupted, ignoring the harsh tone in Ivar's voice as he took a step forward.

"She is not your (Y/n). You do not own her, Ivar. She is not your wife, not a possession; she is a free woman. In fact, you were the one that said, just yesterday, that she was boring, ignorant and ugly. You were the one that said he was utterly bored of seeing her, and that you were going to ask Flóki to keep her away from you.......So, what do you care with who she spends her time with......?" Ubbe continued, throwing Ivar's words back in his face.

"(Y/n) is smart, funny and a gifted archer and fighter. And if a man cannot see passed the fact that she cannot speak, then he does not deserve a woman like her. As well as that, she is also beautiful; and such a beauty attracts the attention of men. You think that either Hvitserk or I would not take the opportunity to try and get to know her better now that you have made it more than clear that you are not interested...........?" Ubbe's words hitting their intended target. It obvious from the look on Ivar's face that he didn't like what he had heard. That he didn't like the idea of other men, let alone his brothers, anywhere near (Y/n).

"Now......if you will excuse us, (Y/n) has tired us both out; and I don't know about Hvitserk, but I need some food and cup of mead or two......." Those final words from Ubbe, causing Ivar to grip even tighter at the spikes in his hands; causing murderous thoughts to enter his mind. Hvitserk only adding to his anger, by winking at him, before he and Ubbe left Ivar, once again, with his own thoughts.