"You are annoying me.........."

"And you are annoying me too, Ivar, so that seems to make us even; doesn't it?" (Y/n) retorted as she got up from her chair and made her way door.

"Irritating women.........!"

"Horses arse............." (Y/n) shouted back before throwing open the door to the Great Hall and making her way outside.

"Why do you always do that........?" Hvitserk enquired, as he picked up his cup and drained the last of the ale from it, before calling for more. A woman quickly making her way over to the prince and topping up the cup, before scurrying away again.

"Do what........?" Ivar replied, acting as if he and the shield maiden had not just been at one another's throats yet again.

"You know what Hvitserk is talking about......(Y/n); why do you always treat her like that...........?"

"Because he's a spoilt, petulant child........." Sigurd chimed in before picking up some of the venison from his plate, ignoring the burning glare from his younger brother.

"That is true; but I think it's more than just that.........." Ubbe proclaimed, deciding to join in the conversation. Ivar's brows furrowing as he turned his attention to his oldest brother.

"What are you talking about, Ubbe...........?"

"Yes, brother, what are you talking about. Do enlighten us............" Ivar said, interrupting Hvitserk. All of the brothers now looking at the smiling Ubbe.

"Ivar likes her........." Ubbe stated. His smile getting broader as Ivar began to protest, and Hvitserk and Sigurd laughed at the notion. Both aware that Ivar and (Y/n) had been arguing with one another since they were children. The pair never seeming to be happier than when they were disagreeing over something or other.

"(Y/n)? Our (Y/n)? Ubbe, she would eat him alive........" Hvitserk continued to laugh. Wiping the ale from his clothing that had shot from his nose at Ubbe's words.

"Chew him up and spit him out, more like. She can be a little terrifying........."

"Only to you and small children, Sigurd" Ivar scoffed. Not in the mood for any of this conversation. The thought that his brother might think that he could like (Y/n), hitting quite a nerve. Not that he would admit it. 

"Well, I like her. What's not to like? She's beautiful, funny, smart. She's one of the fiercest shield maidens I have ever seen. Better than even Lagertha, if you ask me..........."

"And the only shield maiden that needs the bind her tits, so they don't get in the way when she fights or uses the bow........" Hvitserk added to Ubbe's list. The younger brother having to admit that he had often thought about getting lost between her breasts. Sure, that if he were to die any place other than on the battlefield; he would like it to be by getting smothered by (Y/n)'s more than ample bosom.

"Well, if you two like her so much; you should share her instead of Margareth......" Ivar said with a roll of his eyes.

"He is only saying that because he's jealous. If Ivar can't prove himself with a thrall; what chance would he have with a woman like (Y/n)........

"And you think you could.........?" Ivar growled, his knife digging into the top of the table, as he looked at a smirking Sigurd.

"Well, between the two of us, only one is a real man. The only thing your cock is good for, is pissing out of." Sigurd retorted, as Ivar banged his fist on the table.

"That's enough, you two. We can't even talk about a woman without you going for one another's throats." Ubbe chastised. Just wishing that for once, they could have a conversation without Ivar looking like he was going to kill someone. Ivar grumbling under his breath as he sat back in his chair. Ubbe looking over at his youngest sibling, as he crossed his arms and did his best to ignore Sigurd.

No matter what Ivar might say, no matter how Hvitserk and Sigurd might laugh, Ubbe knew that he was right. He knew that Ivar had feelings for (Y/n); and if truth be told, he believed that the shield maiden liked Ivar too. Though they both always did their best to conceal the fact.

(Y/n) was the same age as Ivar. A girl born under the Wolf Moon; many able to recall the night that she had come into the world, as the wolves had kept everyone that called Kattegat home, awake until the new sun had finally risen. The event, along with the crescent moon birthmark on her right hand, had been proclaimed a blessing from the gods. That she would not only be a force for destruction and chaos; but also, loyalty and protection. Some even saying that Odin had come to (Y/n)'s mother, and impregnated her, while in the shape of a great wolf. But whatever the case, she had most certainly grown to be quite the most formidable woman. And even though they would do nothing but fight, (Y/n) had always been strangely loyal to Ivar. The shield maiden never once having referred to him as a cripple; never once having underestimated him, because his legs did not work like others. Ubbe sure that if they could finally admit the feelings that they had for one another; then the pair would make quite the most formidable duo.

Ivar looked at the door of the Great Hall. Was it that obvious? So obvious that Ubbe could see it. He had done his best to always hide it; to hide the feelings that had grown since he and (Y/n) would sit and listen to the boatbuilder's stories about the gods. For what would a woman like her, one that had been touched by the gods, care about someone like him; someone who could not even call themselves a man. Yet that didn't mean that a part of him still didn't hope; and it was this foolish hope that seemed to fuel their arguments, on his part. Ivar often chastising himself for his stupidity; just wishing that the shield maiden would find herself a man, and he could try and persuade himself to forget about her. But as it was..............Ivar calling over one of the waiting thralls that held the jugs of ale and mead. The dark prince knowing that the only way to avoid the thoughts of (Y/n), was by drowning them.