The Red Queen (Editing)

Murder Most Foul

You walked out of the back room in a fine dress that Ivar had gotten for you, smiles glued to your faces as the feast continued.

A chair was brought up for you to sit in for your throne was not yet ready.

When you and Ivar sat down, you noticed many were looking toward you both. Your smiled faded as the sight of Hvitserk and Margarethe. While you were happy that Hvitserk found someone to care for, you hated Margarethe. Glaring at the woman, she hid behind Hvitserk, causing you to chuckle.

When you saw Margarethe laughing, you grew suspicious. For what did she have to be happy about? When you saw her glance at you and Ivar, you realized why. She was talking about Ivar.

"I'll be back in a moment, darling." You said as you stood and walked over.

Margarethe's giggles went silent, her face going pale. "What is so funny, slave?" You ask

"I am no longer a slave." She dared to hiss

"Hmm. Well, you certainly don't look like a free woman." You said before you made your voice go quiet so Hvitserk and Harald couldn't hear. "Don't forget that I shall soon be Queen and will have the power to both kill you, or make you a slave again."

You stood and walked back over to Ivar, sitting beside him with a smile back on your face after seeing Margarethe's fear.

"What was that about?" Ivar asked with a smirk

"Nothing to worry about, my love." You smiled

-

The feast was now over, leaving you, Harald, Hvitserk and Ivar in the great hall. Hvitserk had drunk to much and passed out, sleeping on the floor as Harald stood, seeing you and Ivar whispering quietly as you both chuckled.

"May the gods smile on your happiness." Harald said after you had both saw him.

You and Ivar nodded in thanks as Harald began to walk out of the hall, glancing down at Hvitserk and stepping over him along the way.

"I think it's your bedtime, Hvitserk!" Ivar loudly said, watching as his brother jumped up in shock

Hvitserk clumsily stood and stared at Ivar. "You know what? You insult the gods!"

"What? The gods love me!" Ivar exclaimed with a laughed. "I know that!"

Hvitserk proceeded to stumble out of the hall while you chuckled before making Ivar look to you. "I want you." You whispered

"Mm." Ivar said with a tilt of his head.

-

Now, you and Ivar lay in bed, kissing each other passionately. You slid your hand down his chest, underneath the blankets.

"Wait." Ivar said, stopping you. "Don't. I know you want children but I can't give you any, my little dove." Ivar said

"Ivar... even if you and I cannot have children together, we can always adopt. But for now, trust me like you have before." You said

"Astrid-"

"Ivar..." you whispered, kissing his cheek. "To me, you are a god in every way. Above all others. The gods made you, Ivar. I swear that one day, I will have your child." You promised

"My little dove, the gods have never had children with humans." Ivar whispers.

"You are wrong." You smiled. "Odin conceived a son with Rind. That son was Vala, who killed Hod, in the revenge for the murder of Baldur."

With that, you rolled over and grabbed your knife from your bedside table.

"You are a god." You smiled, tracing the knife down his chest gently. "All you have to do is believe."

Reaching over, you grabbed his hand. "By your blood I will bear you a child." You said, cutting a line of his hand, watching as he winced. "A son. And he to, will be a god. Like you. And he, the embodiment of my   will always be by your side in times of peace, and war, and in time of treachery."

With that being said, you licked away the blood from his cut, placing a kiss on his hand all while Ivar watched in amazement.

Ivar grabbed your neck, forcing you to look at him before he placed a harsh kiss on your lips, both of you breathing heavily.

-

A week later, you had told Ivar the great news. You were giving him an heir. You were pregnant with his child. He was over the moon at this, and you had been officially married that night.

It was nearly identical to your parents wedding. You had come in on a boat. When you arrived at the docks, Ivar helped you off the boat.

You smiled, walking alongside him. "You look beautiful, my darling Astrid." He whispered

"Soon, I shall be your wife." You grin.

Standing across from each other, the ceremony began. The entire time, you couldn't stop smiling. By the time the swords were exchanged and rings were given, you were nearly in tears.

It was actually happening.

The crowd erupted in cheers when the two of you kissed. It lasted a good minute or so before you pulled away for breath. Ivar kept you cradled against his chest as you smiled in happiness.

When you pulled away, you took off your flower crown and put it on your husbands head, watching him chuckle.

-

You walked into the back room where Ivar sat with Hvitserk and Harald. Ivar smiled upon seeing you. You wrapped your arms around him and placed a kiss on his cheek. Hvitserk seemed deep in thought but Harald's face was blank.

"What were you men talking about?" You ask

"I was just telling them the good news of our son." Ivar smiled

You smiled yourself at his words but glancing at Hvitserk, you saw him already staring at you in confusion and sadness.

Confused, you remained silent as you lay in Ivar's arms.

-

It wasn't hard to find Margarethe's hide out. It was Ragnar's old cabin and you had no doubt Hvitserk took her here.

She jolted awake in the dead of night seeing 3 men around her. "Who are you?" The mad woman asked as she sobbed. "Why don't you go away?"

When the men didn't answer, she tried running when she finally noticed you. One man threw a knife at her back, another throwing a knife at her chest. You moved to stand before her as she cried.

"Please, Queen Astrid. Don't kill me. I love Ivar! It's not worth killing me! I'm harmless!"

You said nothing until you crouched in front of the injured woman. "I know you want to be Queen. You wanted to kill me. To gain the throne. Have Hvitserk kill Ivar." You said

"No." Margarethe sobbed

"Yes. You tell people that Ivar cannot produce children yet I have his son growing inside me as we speak. I told you. I said that if you told anyone, you would die. But you didn't listen." You said

With that, you stood and slit her throat, watching as she choked on her blood before falling to the ground, dead.

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