Summary: When Harald and his brother arrive in Kattegat, they are there to meet Halfdan’s wife to be. She isn’t the fierce shieldmaiden he wanted and she can see that. She wants to prove him wrong but finds that she is too scared to do so.

Characters: Halfdan the Black x Reader

Meanings: (Y/N)= Your name

(Y/L/N)= Your last name

(Y/F/N)= Your friend’s name

Warnings: Mentions of alcohol

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As I stood beside Ragnar and his family on the docks, the sad, anxious feeling began to increase within me. Aslaug and Ragnar had taken me in when I was a child after my father, a close friend of theirs, died in battle. They raised me well, his sons becoming close friends of mine, almost like younger brothers. I remembered most of my childhood here rather than with my actual father. However, that didn’t mean I had escaped from arranged marriages. My father had left me his riches, seeing as I was his only heir, making me more ‘desirable’ to men wanting power. And one man had finally taken the chance to have my hand in marriage.

“Deep breaths (Y/N), I promise that you will be happy and safe with this man.” Alsaug laid a hand on my shoulder.

“I’m trying. It’s just….it’s just so scary.” I admitted, looking up at her.

Her face twisted in sadness.“I’m sorry you could not choose your fate.”

“(Y/N), Halfdan is a good man. Mother tells the truth.” Ubbe comforted me.

Sighing, I looked back out to the see, shocked that they were already docking. Was time moving faster than normal? My heart started to beat faster and faster until I was sure that it would burst out of my chest. As soon as I had heard that Ragnar agreed to this marriage proposal, every night I had prayed to the gods that this man would be kind to me. There had been so many stories of young women such as myself being trapped in awful marriage, abused daily. It frightened me, I’d rather go into battle.

Two men stepped off the boat first, before others followed them. These just have been them. King Harald and his brother. I could tell because of how fine their clothes were. The man with long, dark hair in a plait approached Ragnar.

“Ragnar Lothbrok, it has been far too long.” he chuckled as they embraced before nodding to his wife.“Alsaug, looking beautiful as ever. And my, how your sons have grown.”

I tried to stay respectful but I couldn’t help my eyes wandering over to my soon to be husband. Just by looking at him I could see why people thought he was scary. His eyes were cold, there was no expression on his face; he was also very tall and well built, it was easy to see how intimidating he was.

“(Y/N) (Y/L/N), it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” Harald stood in front of me, bowing slightly.

“The pleasure is all mine.” I curtsied, trying to give my best smile.

“This is my brother Halfdan. I’m sure you two will get on well.”

We said nothing to each other, only bowing out of respect. After that I didn’t look at him. My hands started shaking, my breath becoming uneven. Who was I marrying? How was I going to get through this?

Later that evening, a feast was held in honour of the New arrivals. The only time I had seen the brothers was at the beginning of the feast, when the speech was made about our engagement. I felt a relief as he walked away, ignored me. Escaping from Aslaug, I found (Y/F/N), hugging her tightly. Suddenly I broke down, desperately trying not to cry.

“How are you feeling?” She asked as we sat down, pouring me a big cup of ale.

“Awful.” I simply answered.

“I can’t believe they are making you marry him. I’ve heard some terrible things about him.”

“Like what?”

“Like how he is a ruthless killer, he has no emotions, how violent he is…” her words trailed off as he saw my horrified face.

“I’m marrying a monster.” My head dropped into my hands.

“Perhaps he is not so bad. They may just be rumours from people that fear him.”

“Everyone fears him! Why would they marry me with him?”

“They care for you, they wouldn’t leave you with a man who would hurt you, Aslaug would never allow that.”

“Power overthrows emotions.”

The night dragged on and I did everything to avoid Halfdan. It wasn’t as if he was coming after me, but I didn’t want to be near him. For a moment, I was sat by myself, my mind clouded by what the future would hold. Glancing to the door, I thought about escaping, maybe I could hide in the hunting cabin.

“(Y/N), may I sit with you?” Harald suddenly appeared.

I nodded, the nerves creeping back up.

“You have not spoken to my brother since we arrived.”

“I just haven’t found the time.” I lied.

“No, you are scared.”

“I do not mean to offend either of you. I have heard….things.”

“About how fierce my brother is during battle?”

“Something like that.”

“My brother is not a bad man. When he has killed, it is for a good reason.”

He was trying to make me see differently.“Even if he wasn’t like that, I would still be upset.”

“Why?”

I didn’t want to get on the wrong side of the king but I couldn’t help scoff.“Because I’m being married off to a stranger.”

He leaned in closer, intimidating me.“It is not just you that is being forced into this. My brother was reluctant too. So not act like the victim. But believe me when I say that you will be safe with my brother.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The wedding day came quickly. Aslaug had helped me prepare, her motherly side coming out as she tried to keep me calm. Whenever she looked to me, the fake smile came out, a part of me knew that she didn’t believe me. As we made our way to where the ceremony was taking place, I felt like I was going to be sick. I just hoped that I wouldn’t do it in front of everyone.

The ceremony was a blur. This would be the second time Halfdan and I spoke to each other and they were our vows. A chaste kiss was shared between us, the eruption of cheers making me jump. At least someone was happy today.

A feast was held again that night. Everyone else but Halfdan and I seemed to be having a good time. We sat next to each other amongst his brother and my second family, still no conversation being passed between us. Nibbling on bits of food, I drank more than I ate, knowing that I would have to be very, very drunk to survive the night. I saw one of my friends waving me over, wanting to dance.

As I went to stand up, Halfdan grabbed skirts and pulled me roughly down into my seat. He looked over to me.“No. You stay here.”

His hand was still gripping my skirts.“Why? I want to be with my friends.”

“Because I am your husband and I said so.”

I glared at him, the alcohol giving me a slight confidence boost.“I want to dance with my friends.”

“Too many men have been watching you, I don’t want you out of my sight.”

I huffed, sitting back in my chair. Grabbing a jug of ale, I poured another huge cup to myself, chugging most of it back. I could feel my husband watching me but I couldn’t care less. Carrying on drinking, angled myself away from him, forgetting everything Aslaug had taught me about being a lady.

Ragnar suddenly stood, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room.“I think it is time for the husband and wife to share their first night together.”

The noise escalated again, making me wince. Halfdan stood, holding a hand out to me. I looked to Aslaug, seeing that she looked guilty. Trying not to burst into tears, I took my new husband’s hand, trailing behind him slightly as we walked through the crowds. Halfdan received pats on the backm, the men roaring as encouragement. The harsh breeze of the night was a horrible contrast to the warmth of the hall. He kept a hold of my hand, though not in a tenderly way; as if I would run off, which I probably would.

I walked into the house first as he opened the door for me. There was no escaping now. Sighing, I took off my cloak, expecting him to grab me and drag me to the bed. Instead, nothing happened and out of my peripheral vision, I saw him starting up the fire.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“What does it look like I am doing?” he stood up again, dragging a chair over to the fire.

“Don’t you want to get this over with?” I stumbled towards him.

“I prefer to not force myself on free women.”

“Only slaves then?”

His eyes narrowed at me.“Besides, you are in no fit state to bed.”

“I did this for both of us. I made it easier.”

“Is that right?”

“Well, if we aren’t doing anything, I’m going back to the hall.”

As I went to turn around, Halfdan slowly got out of the chair, not needing to rush due to my drunk state. He leaned back against the door, watching as I struggled to walk straight.

“Let me past please.”

“The only place you’re going is to bed.”

“I thought you didn’t want to bed me.”

“I don’t. But there’s no way you’re going out there and embarrassing me.”

I said nothing to him, knowing I wouldn’t win this. Instead, I sulked away, disappearing into the bedroom. Before closing the door, I heard a smash and a grunt, almost making me scream. He had spared me tonight, but how many other nights would I be left alone? As I slid into bed, all of my emotions took over. This wasn’t the life I wanted, this wasn’t the life I deserved.

But now I was stuck in it.