It had been days since Ivar had seen (Y/n) properly, after what she had told her wolf about him. The dark prince only catching glimpses of her, as she would make her way through town; the crowd parting ways, as the shieldmaiden would pass by, with Myrkr closely by her side. Since that afternoon, he had been unable to think of anything but her; anything but the words that she had spoken. Yet as much as he wanted to talk to her about all those things, as much as he wanted to tell her that she was right; the words just didn't want to come. His mind going over all the ways that he could tell her that he cared, yet nothing felt right; and he wasn't about to speak to his brothers about it. Ivar only able to imagine how Hvitserk would laugh, and how Sigurd would hold his inability to talk to the only woman that cared about his, other than his mother, against him for the rest of his days. But he had to do something. He had to show her that he at least appreciated her friendship, her loyalty; even if he couldn't voice the fact that he had feelings for her. Strong feelings, that would keep him up at night; that would make him dream of the young woman that had been born under the Wolf Moon.

"Where are you going?" Ubbe called out, as Ivar let out a huff, and dropped himself from the tree stump.

Again, his youngest brother had been too preoccupied to practice. Ivar lost in his thoughts, as he had been since (Y/n) had come to the clearing that day, with her huge, black wolf. The youngest son of Ragnar not appearing to have heard his older sibling, as he just dragged himself away; muttering quietly under his breath as he went.

"Those two were made for one another......." Hvitserk chuckled, as he came over to join Ubbe, placing his elbow on his brother's shoulder. Neither of them having to be told what, or should that be, who, was causing Ivar to act as he was.

"They are both as crazy........"

"You think (Y/n) is crazy............?"

"Well, what else would you call a woman that walks around town with a huge wolf by her side?" Hvitserk shrugged. Ubbe finding he could only nod in agreement.

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

(Y/n) and Myrkr, made their way towards the lake. It was a warm day; the sun creeping through the leafy canopy high above her head and heating her skin, as the pair hunted. Having the wolf with her, had certainly made things easier; the great black beast flushing out the prey, while she finished it off with a well aimed arrow. And even though Myrkr would occasionally keep a little something for himself; (Y/n) would always return with enough meat to fill the pot for a few days. The shieldmaiden even catching enough some days, to be able to sell her extra kills; today proving to be no less bountiful. Yet she now felt the need to cool down. The young woman dropping her collection of not just rabbits, but birds too, to the floor, as she and her wolf got to the edge of the body of water. (Y/n) removing her tunic and then her trousers; heat leaving a thin film of sweat on her skin that she felt the need to wash away. The shieldmaiden sure that despite the warmth of the day, the water would still be cool. (Y/n) not worrying her nakedness, as she wadded into the lake, sure that Myrkr would put off anyone that might wish to spy. The young woman too preoccupied with the feel of the water all around her, to see that her new friend had taken the clothes that she had left by the water's edge, and wandered off with them, back into the woods.

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

Ivar looked up, as a shadow moved over him. The dark prince holding his breath, as his eyes met those of (Y/n)'s wolf. He had to say that Myrkr was a strange animal. Wolves were wild, vicious creatures that should be avoided at all costs, if he was to be asked; yet this one.......this one had not caused any trouble since it had come to live with the shieldmaiden. Yes, he had seen it growl and look menacing if someone got to close to (Y/n); but other than that, he had just clung to her side, and would go where she would go. So, Ivar finally releasing his breath; he couldn't help but think that perhaps he shouldn't be as afraid of the beast, as he was.

"Myrkr." Ivar greeted. The prince looking around as the wolf continued to stare at him. Ivar expecting (Y/n) to come out at any moment and tease him. Yet as the wolf continued to stand in front of him, there was no sign of the shieldmaiden. The brows of the young Ragnarsson furrowing in confusion.

"Where's (Y/n)?" Ivar asked. Sure, that he must sound like a fool for talking to a wolf in such a way. For asking it a question that it could not give an answer to. Ivar having a feeling that he had been spending far too much time around a certain boat builder. Yet when Myrkr turned and moved down the path, Ivar couldn't help but follow. Not sure where the wolf was leading him; but if he took him to (Y/n), then he wasn't about to complain. Though when the wolf finally stopped, the sight before Ivar proved to be one that he could only have dreamed of.