Fighting a spoiled little brat like Ivar always made the other one anger somewhere, just like he did now. Despite he wasn't all that spoiled and little anymore, Ivar lived by his reputation of being a fearless pagan king. He and Hvitserk sided not so long ago and yet here they stood before each other. Ivar mocking him and Hvitserk getting angry over it. He could hide it all he want but you saw the strength he putted in his strikes, the manor how he clenched his fingers around his sword as Ivar grinned in satisfaction. You looked a little worried, standing there against that tree while your man was fighting his brother. Ivar got a change and he took it, wiping Hvitserk his legs from right underneath his body, causing him to smack on the ground with his back.

'Is that all you have big brother?' Ivar mocked. His eyes shifted and he looked at you, tilting his head because he saw your angry glares. 'What, he doesn't need your protection, or does he now?' He looked down to his brother who got up, wiping the dirt from his sword by stroking it over his trousers before he shoved it back in his belt, not giving his brother a single. 'Don't start pouting brother.' Ivar grinned. You shifted your eyes towards Hvitserk who walked your way. His eyes darker, more dominant and angry.

'Don't let him get to you like this.' You whispered when he was in reach. You laid your hand against his chest to stop him from walking by, he signed.

'He should be thankful I'm standing on his side.' Hvitserk answered boldly. Ivar changed him, he became more fierce, darker and when you looked up in those eyes you so much loved you saw a certain dominance you liked. It wasn't much but it was there. Hvitserk wasn't a boy anymore, he was a man and people should fear him, his brother should on occasion fear him.

'I'm thankful for you standing on his side.' You confessed. Hvitserk looked a long time down to you before he nodded, stroking his fingers over your temple down to your cheek. 'Let's go to the feast tonight. Drink a little, forget a little.' You advised him.

'Have you a little.' He followed, you smiled on the little playful smile that broke open on his face.

'If you ask politely.' You winked. He grabbed the side of your neck and pulled you closer, you smirked, opening your lips to his desire. You distracted him for the bigger problem, that raging fire on the inside that was ready to explode.

Your head rested on your fingertips, lightly and gracious as you always tended to be in public.

'Y/n.' You turned your head and looked into those cold blue eyes of a king.

'Ivar.' You greeted him, throwing Hvitserk a look from across the other side. He was having fun, he was calm and enjoying himself, it was a long time ago since you saw him smile like that. What happened, between the brothers ... it changed them.

'King for you.' He dragged his cripple ass in the seat beside you. You shifted your eyes and looked back to him.

'I'm not easily manipulate as all your loyal subjects around here.' You pointed out. If he wasn't treating you with any respect why should you. He laughed, enjoyable.

'You are really a serpent, all beautiful and gracious on the outside but lethal in your words and acts.' He leaned over the chair rest and stroke two fingertips over your cheek. You pulled away, tilting your head while pointing the finger around your cup towards him.

'But you are the most poisonous snake of all Ivar. I'm not sitting here for you, I'm here for Hvitserk.' You made a subtle point and he clenched his teeth. Just as he was planning on saying anything Hvitserk walked over, placing his cup with delicacy on the table.

'I was just telling your girl the meaning of obedience.' Ivar smiled joyful. Hvitserk rested his eyes in a moment on him before he looked at you and you just gave him a reassuring glare back.

'She doesn't has to obey you brother, she is mine.' He stated neutral. You cocked up a little smile and looked back to Ivar.

'And she fights for me. Maybe I should learn her a lesson or two, the hard way.' Ivar hissed. He couldn't bare the idea his brother had a strong woman at his side. And in a way Hvitserk didn't believe it either, otherwise he wouldn't grab his brother at his tunic and pull him harshly over the table.

'Hvitserk!' You warned him as Ivar smacked with his back against the wooden floor of the great hall. Everything was so silent in that moment, everybody stopped moving around as Hvitserk pulled his dagger.

'You don't get to speak like that brother.' Hvitserk warned him. And just something in his voice even scared you. He sounded so far away, so coldly and you froze in your movements as he pinned Ivar down underneath him.

'Come on brother, kill me. What is stopping you, I killed Sigurd, I scared Ubbe away, you even lost sweet lovely Margrethe.' Ivar whispered to him. You rushed over the table as Hvitserk pulled the dagger a little back.

'Hvitserk,' you grabbed the sharp edges of the dagger, falling aside him on your knees as the pain stung through your body. 'You don't want to kill him. You are not him, you are not Ivar.' You started. Blood dripped between your fingers to the floor but you didn't released it, because he even wasn't looking to you. 'Look at me.' You said softly. Hvitserk looked away from his brother and his raging eyes met yours. 'This is not you, I know things are hard on you but don't let it affect you. There are others ways of dealing with it just,' you bite your lip as his grip softened and he let the dagger loose. 'just don't forget that I'm here, I'm always here, the little light in the darkness. Don't ban your brother away because he is hurt himself.' You followed. Hvitserk released a breath and looked back to Ivar who was still pinned down underneath him. 'I'm yours, I always will be.' You promised him. And with those words he came from his brother without saying a word. You could swear to see Ivar breath out in relief as you stood up and walked after Hvitserk out. Only when the door felt shut you heard the great hall restart his feast slowly.

'I hurt you.' Hvitserk murmured, walking his way home without looking over his shoulder to you.

'You didn't.' You reassured him. He turned around, grabbing your wrist before you even had the change to pull back.

'What is this then?' He asked pained.

'This is me protection you. I meant it Hvitserk, I'm here, I'm yours.' You looked up from the large cut in your hand to him. He was battling his demons, you saw it in his eyes. 'I wouldn't never leave you for him.'

'I can't,' he swallowed and cupped your face. His eyes got so vulnerable so fast. He signed, pressing his forehead against yours. 'I can't lose you. You are the only one.' He swallowed and closed his eyes. You wrapped an arm over his shoulder and he wrapped his around your body. 'I'm sorry.' He whispered.

'There is nothing to be sorry about, Ivar crossed a line.' You reacted back. You pulled yourself back and stroke your hand over his jawline. 'If you would ask me to marry you I would be able to stronghold you, to show the world that you are not alone. I love you Hvitserk, let me help you in the fights to come.' You stated with a weak smile. He looked a long time into your eyes before his dark cloud faded a little.

'Marry me?'

'Yes.' You answered. And his smile widened, pressing his lips onto yours in a longing.

'Let's go celebrate that.' He whispered in the crook of your neck. You laughed, enjoying the feeling he gave you.

'There he is again.' You praised his love, his hunger, his playfulness. He never would be as lost as Ivar was sometimes, that was because he had you to pull him from out of the darkness into the light.