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Over the previous years, Alfild had become a household name across Norway. Since her previous crimes against its people, she had tried her best to rectify her mistakes. She didn't wish to be infamous as the little girl who murdered many, but rather famous as a woman of strength. At thirteen, she'd been found and taken in by the warrior queen Brunhilde. Brunhilde had heard of the young girl and sympathized with her story. After all, she too had been through much and been called a tyrant for taking her revenge.
By seventeen, Princess Alfild was a strong shieldmaiden and had fought in many battles. She was intelligent and cunning, thinking of new strategies that neither her opponents or allies ever even dreamt up.
As her exploits continued and grew further in fame, Ivar The Boneless listened to every moment of talent and genius that came from the girl. She was only a couple of years older than him, and yet she seemed to be doing exactly what he had always dreamt of doing. He knew that he had to meet her. If she was as unique as the stories had told him, there was no way she could discredit him once she heard of his genius too.
Luckily for Ivar, he would soon be afforded such an opportunity.
"We're going to train mother, it's not the end of the world." Hvitserk had commented over his mother's current mood.
She sighed, giving a small shake of the head, "Fine. Train. But be back soon. We're having guests in Kattegat."
"Guests? Who?" Ubbe had replied.
Aslaug responded quickly and rather concisely, leaving all the brothers rather dumbstruck. "Queen Brunhilde and some of her warriors. I'm discussing an alliance in case we are attacked by King Harald."
"Queen Brunhilde?" Hvitserk had replied for his youngest brother, knowing that Ivar was far too shocked to reply. "As in Alfild The Merciless?"
Aslaug smiled, recalling how her sons adored hearing tales of the young girl. "I believe she will be here, yes." And with that, she left.
For the entire walk to the training grounds, only one name was on the lips of the ragnarssons. Alfild. She was strong, clever, beautiful. And she would be here by nightfall.
Each of the brothers had their own comments to make about the girl. Sigurd spoke of charming her. Hvitserk spoke of sleeping with her. And Ubbe was so starstruck, the concept of marrying her had crossed his mind more than once.
But the youngest son of Ragnar remained uncharacteristically quiet. He sat pondering what it would mean to meet the girl. All these years, he'd listened to every tale of hers. And now, he couldn't even think of a reason why. Perhaps he was like his brothers and fueled by lust for the girl, but to him that did not seem like the case. Rather, she was one of the few people on earth that the young man admired and respected.
She was a force to be reckoned with, but underestimated for being a woman.
He too was a force to be reckoned with, and yet underestimated based solely on his legs.
Together, he knew they could be unstoppable.
"Ivar, you've been unusually quiet. What do you think about Alfild arriving? Usually you can talk of nothing but her." Ubbe smiled to his younger brother.
The crippled prince gave a shrug, "I suppose I do not want to make a fool of myself like all of you."
This made Ubbe laugh, gently shoving his little brother in a friendly manner, "That is wise, brother."
For a few hours, the ragnarssons trained in their small clearing in the woods. They laughed and talked, each with a cup of mead in hand. And trained with varying weapons.
As per most days, Ivar and Ubbe practiced archery while Sigurd and Hvitserk used swords. The brothers were unaware of the watchful gaze that fell upon them from the young woman in the woods.
Her emerald eyes moved over each of the brothers, though her attention was soon focused on the youngest as she watched him fire his bow with excellent accuracy. Something about the boy intrigued Alfild, though she couldn't exactly place what it was as of yet.
"You're good with a bow, though I'd rather enjoy seeing you use an axe." Alfild spoke up from the shadows.
Suddenly, all the brothers jumped and turned towards the girl. She watched them all with a cold gaze, her eyes scanning each of them to gather all the information she could.
"And who are you?" Ivar spoke up, knowing the statement was directed towards him.
"I'm Princess Alfild The Merciless, and you're the sons of Ragnar." She replied with an invisible grin as she watched the colour drain from all the boys faces. "Pleasure to meet you."
