With that, Hvitserk chased the guards holding Tessa through Kattegat. The sun rose over the city, as his heart beat hard in his chest. This was his fault... he had started this with Tessa , and now she would incur that wrath of his menacing little brother. Hvitserk did not fear Ivar, his adrenaline pumping as he ran. But he was too late- she disappeared into the Great Hall with the guards. Hvitserk caught his breath, holding onto a nearby pile of wood. He cursed angrily under his breath, suddenly realizing he was still half drunk from the night before. The world around him spun a bit. He approached the doors of the Great Hall with determination.... this was the place he grew up, he did not fear now , whether it was under Ivar's control or not. Shoving through the doors, his eyes searched the hall for his brother. But saw only empty tables and chairs and long-since melted candles, from the night before. 

"Hello brother.... " a hauntingly serene voice came from the throne at the far side of the room. 

It was only the break of dawn, but Ivar was already fully dressed. "What a pleasant surprise." Ivar grinned, and as Hvitserk approached in the dimly lit room he realized that his brother was not alone. Two guards (not that of Kattegat but more so henchman of Ivar) stood on either side of him, one with Tessa held close to his chest and a large hunting knife to her throat. Hvitserk approached, face stone cold and hand on his axe.

 "What can we help you with?" Ivar continued, the mere look on his face a challenge. Hvitserk glared back, refusing to respond to Ivar's obvious taunt.

 "Hvitserk, go-" Tessa spoke steadily, as the guard tightened his grip.

 "No Hvitserk....please stay, let us discuss this matter as a family. Let us discuss what made you think I was stupid enough to not see what was going on..... Or maybe you have forgotten that I am not our brother Ubbe,eh? I understand that you had an agreement to share HIS wife- but I am CERTAIN we did not have such an agreement." Ivar feigned a confused look, his voice rising slowly in volume.

 Hvitserk narrowed his hazel eyes. "You are a disgrace to the gods, Ivar ...." he began. 

"I am a disgrace?" Ivar laughed. "Well Hvitserk , let me make this plain. I think you both know that I cannot simply let the two of you run away and live happily ever after. ." Ivar explained. "....so here's what I'm thinking... Tessa-you will spend your days in a prison cell I've arranged especially for you, my beloved. Hvitserk, my dear brother, I have no choice but to send you away.... I believe you can be far more useful elsewhere. Besides, I cannot risk you so close to my wife, here in Kattegat." Ivar informed them, resolutely.

 His exterior was cool and collected, but his blood boiled.

 "I am not leaving Kattegat, this is my home. I am as much a son of Ragnar as you, Ivar." Hvitserk shrugged, defiantly.

 "Let me rephrase this. Brother you WILL be leaving the city - it is no secret that Bjørn and Ubbe have been massing forces against me... and there is no doubt they will be here soon. I want you to seek out King Olaf, he and his men could be great allies in defending Kattegat, and I believe you can help in gaining his support." Ivar lifted his chin, Hvitserk's lips tightened into an angry line. "And please do not worry about Tessa- she will be kept very well in the cell I have prepared for her."

 "Fine. I will go." Hvitserk closed his eyes tightly. "But it is important you know one thing little brother- Tessa is with child. Do not mistreat her." He finished.

 Ivar's arrogant face quickly turned. His icey blue eyes shifted from menacing to cold in an instant, as his brother turned on his heel to walk out. He had always wanted a child. He had never thought it possible. He swallowed hard, staring at the floor before him. And before Hvitserk reached the doors, Ivar was soon hit with the realization that this child might not be HIS child. And his blue eyes filled with rage-fueled tears.

 "Then you had better hope, Hvitserk...." he began, through gritted teeth. "That this child ...is MY CHILD!" Ivar roared, exploding , and throwing the axe he held in his brothers direction, just missing his head. Hvitserk hardly flinched, turning once to look at Tessa. She didn't speak, she just watched him leave.

 "Take her-" Ivar waved his hand aside, more overcome with feeling, than dismissive. The guard holding Tessa pulled her away to their chamber at once. She was to be kept there under lock and key- it was better than a cell, but she was still in bondage. Ivar became lost in his own swirling memories.............. to 4 summers prior. The year Tessa had come to Kattegat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"She is a brilliant fighter" Floki exclaimed, sitting beside Ivar in the wood.

All of Ragnar's boys were training, with the new addition of Tessa. She kept up with them fairly well, considering she was so new at being a shield maiden. But it was in her blood. She laughed, cheeks flushed, as she blocked a strike from Ubbe.

 "Well done!" He exclaimed, piercing blue eyes full of joy.

"It is a rare gift to see a woman who possesses both beauty and strength .... a gift from the gods, Ivar ." Floki smiled encouragingly at Ivar, nearly his own son. "That is a woman you could hope to marry one day, Ivar. Or bare children with...." Floki mused.

"I don't know that that is possible for me" Ivar looked at the ground. It was true he had never had a woman.... and was unsure if his affliction would be a deterrent in his having heirs someday. He often tried not to think of it.

"Anything is possible, Ivar Ragnarsson. You are loved by the gods.... anything is possible." Floki smiled, squinting in the sunlight

.Ivar smiled, unsure of his full meaning, but continued to watch the sparring intently. In his own mind he was two steps ahead of their every move, wanting to jump in and show them all up. 

"You are getting good!" Sigurd laughed, dodging a blow from Tessa

."For a girl? Or for a warrior?" She teased

."Both!" Hvitserk exclaimed, sticking out his tongue playfully, as he practiced with Ubbe.

 "Join us, Ivar!" Tessa beckoned him. She flashed a wide grin, her light hair a tussled mess. He smiled a bit shyly. He was never intimidated by his brothers, but a beautiful girl was uncharted waters. Floki gave him a playful shove. Ivar crawled quickly to a nearby log, sitting to get the perfect position to fight. Floki threw him an axe, and he began joining to spar with the group. But even without the strength of his legs, he outshone them all. He was quick, he was strong, he was fierce..... he really was two steps ahead of all of them. Tessa approached him fearlessly, challenging him with her sword

. "Ah!" She yelled, laughing, as his strike threw her to the ground. She fell hard. He quickly pushed himself to the ground.

"Did I hurt you?" Ivar spoke concerned, for once unbothered by his brothers yards away, who continued to practice

. "No Ivar the boneless.... you can't hurt me" Tessa caught her breath, leaning up on her elbows. He smiled sweetly at her

. "Oh no... not a fierce girl warrior like you" he teased, mockingly. Flirting with her came natural.... it felt like home

.Tessa's heart raced. Floki looked on proudly. He had hope in that moment for Ivar .... scourge of the world.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hvitserk was having memories of his own, as he walked defeatedly back to his hut in a daze. Though less pleasant ones. Flashes. Flashes of moments all flooding back to him. The second winter Tessa stayed in Kattegat. A grand dinner with many guests from nearby lands.... loud music and song. A feast to feed one and all...

. "What about Margarethe?" Ubbe nudged Hvitserk at the long table, the sound of voices and song nearly drowning him out.

 "Yes, she is pretty" Hvitserk smirked, sipping his ale. 

But he was half listening .... his eyes were intent to further down the table.Ivar sat, with Tessa on his knee, arm around her protectively. He made a comment, she laughed hysterically. He kissed her shoulder lovingly. Hvitserk's stomach turned. If only he had been quicker. Ubbe continued to try and distract his brother, much more interested in the hunt for women to conquer than the hidden feelings of Hvitserk. "I love you" Hvitserk watched Ivar mouth to Tessa, smiling up at her. His eyes were drunk with love and passion.... her face softened. Hvitserk watched her lean in to kiss him passionately. "I love you too" she said against his lips. Hvitserk quickly looked down at the table. Determined now more than ever to get drunk. To block this reality out. Suddenly his tunnel vision returned to the commotion around him and he turned to Ubbe with a forced smile. 

"Shall we?" He mustered a mischievous grin, nodding toward to young women nearby

. -Hvitserk's memory's suddenly flashed to a very different time. A more recent time. Nearly 6 months ago

-"Tessa! Tessa!" He called,  chasing her down the hallway where she headed for she and Ivar's chamber. It was late. Dinner had concluded, and only Harold and a few others stay drinking by the fire and telling stories. Ivar had long since gone to sleep.... 'long day pretending to be a god, I suppose'...Hvitserk thought, jokingly to himself.

 But Tessa had looked upset that night. Ivar had been ruthless at dinner, picking fights with many around him. Even her

. "No no no, you're not going to sleep are you?" Hvitserk grabbed her arm, his face hopeful and boyish

. "I must go to sleep.... I want this day to be over" she confessed, her face drained, much in contrast to his. 

He pulled her down a side corridor careful to make certain that no one had seen them. No one would suspect ill anyway, right? Hvitserk was Ivar's brother after all. Within seconds, he pressed her against a wall hungrily

. "Please don't go to sleep, I will miss you." Hvitserk smirked playfully, staring down into her green eyes. She smiled finally, wrapping an arm around his neck. Somehow the look in his eyes always brought her back to life. Especially recently

. "You will live, Hvitty ......I'm sure there are many women in Kattegat that are ready and willing" Tessa teased, raising her eyebrows and laughing

. "There are" he grinned back, eyes creasing at the sides. ".... but they are not you." His face grew more serious

. With that, she kissed him. Deeply. She tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him close. She glanced around quickly, always afraid they were one step away from someone catching on.... but all was dark, and all was calm. Only Harolds low singing down the hall could be heard

. "I have so much I want to tell you" Tessa broke free from his kiss. 

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

 "Tell me" he spoke, low and husky. 

He was getting brave... he refused to fear his little brother's wrath. Besides, Ivar hurt all those around him... including Tessa. What was so wrong in loving the woman? In claiming the woman? 

"I cannot say it out loud" Tessa shook her head, whispering up at him

. "Tell me" he repeated insistently, gripping her waist tighter

."I think I am falling in love with you, Hvitserk." She spoke softly, uncertainly.

His heart lept into his throat. He had been many things in his life.... a womanizer for one. But he had never felt this.

 "Well this is great news because I have always loved you" Hvitserk laughed, in a half whisper. 

His face was ecstatic. They kissed again, this time with confidence and fearlessness. It was risky. But there in the quiet hall, he pulled up her skirts and they had each other. Each second that passed was a risk, but it didn't matter. He held a hand to her mouth playfully, to keep things quiet. Just a few doors down, Ivar slept soundly.

"Let's do that again" Hvitserk whispered , breathlessly. 

Tessa laughed."I must REALLY go to bed this time..." she protested, smiling, and tying her dirty blonde hair back up. She started down the hall, but he stopped her.

"But- I love you." Hvitserk smirked, unwilling to let the night end. "Plus he's asleep and I'm awake." He shrugged. 

The night's ale had made his tongue not only honest, but playful.

 "Hvitserk- goodnight" Tessa spoke firmly, smiling and planting a soft kiss on his lips

. He swallowed hard. She drifted down the hall, he caught his breath against the wall in a euphoric state. Making his way back to Harold and the others, he picked up a fresh cup of ale. 

"Having fun, son of Ragnar?" Harold laughed heartily, at Hvitserk's disheveled state

. "Skol!" Hvitserk raised his glass, keeping his secret and joining the group to song and story. He eyes still burned with love

. ——THIS was a happier memory. ——

-As he reached his hut, Hvitserk collapsed onto his bed and shut his eyes tightly. He tried to figure out his next move, and there in the silence, let hot tears stream down his face.