𝐕𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐬, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐦 𝐞𝐬𝐭－ 𝖫𝖾𝗍 𝗎𝗌 𝗅𝗂𝗏𝖾, 𝗌𝗂𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗐𝖾 𝗆𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖽𝗂𝖾．

𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖫𝖠𝖲𝖳 𝖪𝖨𝖭𝖦𝖣𝖮𝖬
⚔️

Ingrid woke up feeling worse than she did last night, she could feel every pot hole her horse went over, her body ached and her head felt like it was about to burst. She was hot and clammy but looked pale to the touch with blue lips, everyone was aware of how she looked and everyone was worried.

Leo had disobeyed Ingrid's orders and stayed close to her side, looking up at her every so often when she would wheeze or cough.

Uhtred kept glancing over at her with a deep frown and she could only imagine what Finan was looking like behind her. Chewing his nails, begging to check her temperature but they wordlessly pushed on, Osferth kept wanting to stop but Shitric just shushed him.

Skade was at the back of the line but her head kept poking up around the men in front of her as she tried to get a glimpse of Ingrid. Skade had nothing to do with her illness and that made her even more nervous as she could not control what was happening to Ingrid.

Ingrid leaned over to the side of her horse and she didn't even bother covering her mouth and belched out blood.

"That's it we're stoppin'," Finan said and Uhtred couldn't agree more.

"No, I'm fine it's just a," she trailed off before her eyes grew heavy and she suddenly felt of balance. Ingrid tipped to the side and fell with a loud smack against the grass, Leo ran over from the other side of the horse and made a loud mewling noise.

"Ingrid!"

"Lady!"

Uhtred halted the line as he lifted her head from the floor, Finan and Shitric were quick to follow whilst Osferth stood rubbing Leo's back comfortingly.

"It's the witch," Uhtred gritted out but Ingrid showed her head with the strength she had left, "no- it's something else."

Skade urged her horse closer and looked down at Ingrid who had her eyes shut, she chewed on the inside of her mouth in slight panic. She felt herself wanting to hold her but refrained, the men surrounding her would probably have her head- regardless of the curse that she needed to renounce.

Finan looked up to see Skade hovering over and glared dangerously at her, he didn't like her one bit and his hands were itching to take his sword.

He wanted her to die.

⚔️

Ingrid was being pulled in a cart when she awoke to the feeling of a hand pressed against her cheek, she opened her eyes and saw a shadow hanging over her.

She had to focus her vision but at the sight of Leofric, her closest friend who had died on the battle field was suddenly standing over her still wearing the same clothes he did that day with the same bit of scruffy stubble and dark brown eyes.

"You're not looking so good little bear," Leofric grumbled.

He sounded exactly the same with his deep and brutish voice, it nearly brought her to tears, "I always look good," she managed to say.

Leofric chuckled and Ingrid so desperately wanted to reach up and hug him tightly, beg him to not leave her again. But she didn't even have the strength to even sit up properly.

"You have to fight this," Leofric held her shoulder as he was crouched down, "you need to fight."

A wave of nausea washed over her, "I don't even know what I'm fighting."

He sighed, "it's a test from the God's- prove them wrong. Fight it!" He shouted the last part and Ingrid woke with a start.

It had all been a dream, Leofric was dead and he was never coming back you stupid girl, she thought. The God's where challenging her, why? He wanted her to fight and she would always listen to him, she took her hand and placed it on one of her swords with a shaky breath.

The next time she opened her eyes she was no longer in a cart but on the floor with a large tarp over her, Uhtred was sitting at the base of her feet with his back to her as if keeping watch. Leo was on her left with his head laying on her stomach, she tried to turn her head but to no Advil.

Finan had been looking over every minute with broth in his hand, whilst Shitric had been trying to distract Osferth for he had been pacing up and down.

She let out a low groan and Uhtred instantly turned to her and held her hand, "we are close to Ragnar sister." Ingrid went to speak but found she could not only her throat made a small humming sound, though it seemed to depress her brother further.

"Broth for the Lady," Finan crouched over the bear and sat round by her head as he held the back of her head gently whilst placing the cup to her lips. Only a mouthful of the warm substance made it down her before she leant her head backwards to tell him she didn't want anymore.

Ingrid let out a low shaky breath, Finan and Uhtred shared a look before the Irishman spoke once more, "I wager you feel like your back on that slave ship," his face was pale and eyes bloodshot. She wanted to hold him tightly and reassure him but no movement was made, not even a twitch of her fingers.

"You got past that nightmare, you can get past this,"he took the other hand that Uhtred was not holding and squeezed it tight, "you have to get past this,"she heard his voice crack slightly.

"I can help," Skade called out from where she was seated, far away from Ingrid.

"You will stay right there witch," Uhtred snarled back and Ingrid wished her brother took that back, broth and ale wouldn't help her- she needed something a lot stronger.

"Osferth said you have a great fever, it will pass in time," Finan took off his cloak and wrapped it snug around her, lifting Leo's head softly so he wouldn't wake.

Ingrid only grunted one more with her hold on his hand weakening and eyes shutting already, "Ingrid I swear if you dare leave me I'll kill you myself." She found it in her to manage a small laugh that seemed to brighten Finan a whole lot more than a grumble.

Before sleep overtook her once more many hours had passed before it became nightfall and she felt herself growing weaker every time she was startled awake.

"You're brother has done you wrong Ingrid," Leofric appeared to be walking to her slowly, Uhtred had left to be sat by the fire as the cold was bitter. Leo had still not moved from his position, "you should leave him."

"He is my blood, I will never leave him," her words had caught the attention of those around her who stayed quiet as they listened to her pause and speak.

"Oh but you must," Leofric mused, "for he is the reason I am dead and he will be the reason you will die!" He knelt down to her and looked at the animal laying atop her, "this bear will meet the same fate as I did all because of Uhtred!"

"You know nothing," she spoke louder this time, "he is your friend," Ingrid pleaded for him to remember.

Uhtred went to walk over to her but Skade said, "she is being tormented by the Gods- she needs my help," Skade said for the tenth time that same day.

"You will be quiet!" She huffed in disdain and continued to watch Ingrid as she shuffled round more, waking the sleeping bear on her.

"No!" Leofric barked at her and she flinched with the feeling of a weight sitting on her chest, "you cannot escape who you are, you are destined for something far beyond just Bebbanburg!"

He took both of her shoulders and she felt her blood go cold, "your brother will be your undoing as he was mine!"

"You are wrong!" Ingrid used her strength to push him off of her, "leave me alone!" Her throat ran dry quickly and she began to cough heavily. Leo could only sit by her as the men rushed up to her with their arms outstretched.

Uhtred was first their settling her back down with gentle shushes, "it's alright," he used his sleeve to wipe the small trail of blood that went down her chin.

"You need to eat Ingrid," Osferth softly said as he stood outside the tarp.

"What she needs is proper shelter," Finan was wracked with worry as he watched Ingrid's pained breathing. "Tonight, Lord."

"We should get going," he started and turned to see Brida stood before him.

⚔️

Ragnar felt sickly when he saw his sister being rolled in by a cart and his brother looked sullen, they moved Ingrid to a bed with a fire and thick furs. But she had not woken up like before so, Brida tried herbs, she lifted a strong smelling paste to Ingrid's nose and it worked well.

"What is that?" She scrunched her face up.

Brida smiled, seeing her closest friend made her brighten up dramatically, "drink this," she took a cup from the bedside.

Ingrid did so without argument but held her breath just in case the smell out her off entirely, she downed it in one and was feeling better. Her voice had returned and she was able to stand but she still held a hand to her chest as if she'd been punctured.

"Here she is," the familiar and warm voice of her eldest brother said when she hobbled in with Brida taking a seat besides him.

"Her I am," Ingrid said and Ragnar laughed throwing his arms round her and lifting her in the air as he spun. Hoots went round the hall as the Danes watched brother and sister reunite after many years.

She winced and hit his shoulder, "sorry, I forget you are our fallen soldier," he smiled to her with a softness in his eyes. Uhtred was sat down and watched them with a grin of his own, "I thought my brother here would be taking better care of you."

He slapped the back of Uhtred's neck who grimaced whilst holding the already redding skin, Ragnar had a hard hit.

"More like she takes care of him," Finan patted the space in front of him where he wanted Ingrid to sit.

Ragnar made an of course face before pulling her chair out so she could sit down. "The famous Lady in Red, I did not think I would have the pleasure of meeting her," a tall ginger rose from his seat which had been next to Ragnar's.

"Who are you?" She looked him up and down that he paid no mind to before taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

"I am Cnut."

Finan snorted, "you're a what now?" But Uhtred was busy glaring at the man who held his sisters hand.

"He's my cousin," Ragnar said and pulled Cnut back by the shoulders before giving him a pointed look for his flirting.

"Hm," Ingrid hummed before looking around the room and could not see Skade anywhere, "where is she?"

Brida pointed over to the outdoors, "stables she can't throw curses here." Ingrid stood and went to leave when Ragnar held her shoulder.

"You can get to your woman in a minute," she rolled her eyes with a small smile, "now you have returned home," he trailed off giddily with his eyebrows wiggling.

"I am,"Ingrid started quietly before lifting her fist in the air shouting, "a Dane for life!" Those around her boasted with shouts of their own and Ragnar couldn't be happier. He had his family reunited at last and now they'd take back everything they were owed.

Ragnar pulled her into a hug that she easily relaxed into, Brida pulled her eyes away from the two and looked at Uhtred who was looking slightly torn. It made her blood boil slightly.

"Your bear has not left the stables since we didn't allow him with you," Finan said with a small tut of annoyance.

"Quick be back soon for tonight," Ragnar had an arm round her shoulder as he held his hand up and clear for everyone to see, "we drink!"

Cheers went round and she kissed his cheek softly before squeezing Brida's shoulder in thanks and quickly left. It was only a sharp right to the stables, there was a man waiting outside who she nodded to leave.

"I cannot leave Lady," he said with his head down and spear in arm.

"Brida won't even know your gone," Ingrid promised and he nodded before practically sprinting over to the ale house.

She took a deep breath before stepping into the stables and was met with the sight of Skade leaning against the wall with Leo curled up by her side. She was awake and when she saw Ingrid her feelings overtook her actions as she stood and went to walk over to Ingrid.

But Leo was quicker and barrelled past Skade at top speed before crashing into Ingrid and she used all her strength to stand with a low groan. "I'm alright Leo," she chuckled lowly as she ruffled his fur when he curled into her, luckily he wasn't standing in his hind legs or he would've toppled them over.

"Your beast was awfully sad," came Skade's dreamy voice as she watched the two with a interest.

Ingrid smiled slightly before hiding a pained grunt when he nudged his head into her ribs a little to hard, "go play with Ragnar he has a gift for you," she pushed him towards the door. He looked unsure with his eyes flickering back and forth from her to outside, "go," she urged softly and he stumbled away with his paws leaving prints in the mud.

Ragnar might as well have been the happiest Dane in the entirety of his people to see the bear, he might as well have known the bear as long as Uhtred. Ragnar welcomed Leo with open arms and when he found out about the armour Ingrid had made for him he rejoiced in wanting to see how it looked on him first.

Ingrid walked over to the blonde and took a seat besides her whilst cringing in pain as she held her stomach. Once settled against the wall to match Skade she looked over at her, "I said to my men you didn't curse me- I would hate to be wrong."

"I did not," she quickly assured, "I thought about it but I couldn't," Skade said in a sincerity that Ingrid couldn't help but believe.

Shade continued when she saw the dark haired girl wince as she adjusted herself, "but i am able to help you."

"And how would you do that seer," her tone was that of a low melody instantly soothing Skade's racing heart.

"With a kiss."

Ingrid stared back into her eyes with a glint in them and it only made Skade bolder in her movements, placing a hand on Ingrid's chest she leaned forward completely focused on those ruby red lips.

"I accept your help," Ingrid uttered and the two shared a small smile before Skade pressed her own lips to Ingrid's.

Ingrid felt her head growing lighter and would've thought she wasn't getting any better if it wasn't for the warm feeling that spread from her chest all the way down to her toes. She hoped the witch couldn't hear her heartbeat but she was sure she could bloody well feel it underneath her hand. 

Skade pulled away first with a small tug to her bottom lip before looking up at Ingrid, "feeling better, my lady?"

All Ingrid could do was wordlessly nod as if in a trance until she hear Skade giggle lightly, "I thought Brida stopped your magic."

She rolled her eyes at the mention of the Dane, "I can't reach far but it appears that I am still able to help you."

Ingrid chuckled and ducked her head before seeing the chain clasped tightly around her wrist, she'd never felt this good in herself before. She took a dagger that had been wrapped around her thigh and swung it down making it release with a loud snap.

"Don't go too far, love," was all Ingrid said before getting up off the floor and left the barn. Yet, she saw the goats head on a spear that must've been constricting Skade's magic and looked round before shoving the spear out of the ground.

Skade still laid with her back against the wall before grinning to herself with her fingers lightly brushing against her lips.

⚔️