The Red Queen (Editing)

The Plan

The food was running low, strangely. The hunting party never came back to York but you paid no kind of it, thinking they had stayed late to find more.

"So, the hunting party never returned today." Hvitserk said, trying to start conversation. While Ivar feasted, Hvitserk had barely any food so you chose to give him your plate.

Hvitserk smiled in thanks, relieved to finally have food as he shared a piece of bread with you.

Ivar, on the other hand, had ignored Hvitserk's words as he kept eating, sharing his food with you as well.

"I said-"

"I heard what you said." Ivar told him

"We are almost out of food." Hvitserk sighed again. "And there is sickness in the town."

Ivar sighed as he drank his ale, still not answering his brother as you pulled your hand away from his own, earning a glare of confusion from your lover.

"What are we going to do? We have to do something." Hvitserk says. "The Saxons are in their own country. They can be reinforced and grow stronger, while every day we just grow weaker-"

"What are you really saying, huh, brother?" Ivar asked in annoyance. "That I was wrong not to negotiate with the Saxons, and that Ubbe was right?"

"He's saying that we're weak and need food, Ivar. I personally agree with this." You spoke but the men ignored you, to caught up in their argument

"No." Hvitserk sighed

"No? Are you sure?" Ivar asked

"Ubbe was wrong. That's why I didn't sail with him."

"But now you regret it?" Ivar asked

"I just told you no." Hvitserk hissed. "Ubbe treated me like his little faithful dog. And I am no one's dog, Ivar."

Ivar sighed and nodded as he brought his goblet of ale back to his lips. Before he drank, he looked back to his brother and smirked. "Woof woof."

People laughed as Ivar snickered.

"ENOUGH!" You shouted after seeing Hvitserk's humiliated face.

You glared at an annoyed Ivar as you stood, grabbing Hvitserk and a basket of some food, leaving the church.

Only when Ivar saw you and Hvitserk leave did he regret his actions.

-

"How can you love him when he acts like that? He's a crippled bastard!" Hvitserk exclaimed as you two sat atop of the wall.

"Sometimes, yes. He can be. He needs to learn, that much it true but you two are brothers. Either way, you both need to try harder here." You sighed

"You still didn't answer my question. How can you love someone like him?" Hvitserk asked before taking a bite out of the meat you two were sharing

"Well, for starters, he takes care of me, makes sure I'm safe and treats me like a goddess. He is kind and gentle. Not to others, of course. He always told me that I was the first woman to see him as something more then a cripple. I cannot tell you for sure why I love him but I know that the gods meant for us to be together."

-

You lay asleep on the wall, laying beside Hvitserk as he looked to the stars.

"Lord Odin, did I make the right choice? Give me a sign. Help me. What is my fate?" A desperate Hvitserk pleads when suddenly, arrows flew at him. He ducked, hiding behind the stones

"Astrid! Astrid, wake your arse up!"

Jolting awake, you gasped.

-

You sighed as you followed your lover through the streets of York, Hvitserk following you both.

"I don't understand." Hvitserk sighed

"What is it that you don't understand, Hvitserk?" Ivar asked

"I don't understand why you pretend to burn the bodies of our dead." Hvitserk sighed as you watched people add more wood to a nearby bonfire.

"It's part of our plan." You chuckled

"Ah. What plan?" Hvitserk asked

Ivar turned with a sharp sigh. "Did you really think that Astrid and I did not have a plan? Huh? Of course, I have a plan. I'm a cripple, not an idiot."

With that, your lover turned around and continued to walk.

"We've found something out, Hvitty." You said. "The Romans were very clever. Our plan is based upon what we've found out."

"Well, what is it?" Hvitserk asked. "I need to know."

"And you will know, my brother. In good time." Ivar groaned as he continues to walk.

-

Late that night, you had all abandoned York, moving through the sewers.