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miss-madness67 · 6 months

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What is a Viking? (Ubbe)

Prompt: When Ubbe follows Floki’s trails to the new land, he finds more than he expected: you. Slight AU, Ubbe’s not with Torvi.

The tall grass caresses your hands softly. The seagulls dance in the sky. A shiver runs through your body, the sea breeze is cold, especially at the peak of the cliff. From your position, you have visibility over the coast. Waves crash on the rocks to your left, and at your right, a vast sandy beach extends. You have been here for hours, it is your favorite spot. You love the land that you live in, even if recently there have been certain curious developments to your routine. Some time ago, from this same cliff, you were the first one who spotted him. The crazy man that spoke another language and crafted wood. He was in bad shape, malnourished, when he arrived at the shores in a tiny boat. You had taken him to your mother, Pekitaulet. Despite the cautiousness, your people welcomed him. Nevertheless, all of you were a bit on edge, he could not have been alone, could he? So you waited for the rest of his people to arrive. Waited and waited, until one day, another boat docked.

The first few days, your tribe was careful. They left the newcomers alone, just to see what they would do. They were less than you, after all. You could defend yourselves if something were to happen. Your mother, knowing how curious you were, forbade you to go near them. She did not want you to make the same rash decision you did with Floki, the mad man. It certainly took all of you not to approach them, but you managed. However, you could not help looking at them from afar. Just like Floki, they were fascinating. They wore so different clothing and acted even more so. You wanted to learn more about them. Still, that interest in their culture was nothing compared to what made you feel specifically one of them. You saw him in your first illicit exploration, he carried himself as the leader. Tall, with broad shoulders, light hair, and eyes a color you have only seen on Floki. Yet, they were a different shade, much brighter. Blue eyes. Your mother had told you before that blue eyes meant danger. But what a beautiful danger he was. You were so utterly entranced by him that he almost caught you once. You swear that he saw you; your eyes connecting with his. But then he left. Maybe he did not see you after all.

It was a few days later when they found your camp. They were following the traces your people placed for them, and they bought it. You still remember the wary look in their eyes when they saw your people. You still remember the look in Ubbe’s (you learned his name then) eyes when he saw you. He was smitten. You knew then that he had indeed seen you before. You wanted to question why he did not say anything, but you could barely understand him. That would be something for you to ask once you could communicate more.

To be honest, that first meeting was a little tense, both groups expecting attacks. It was until the little girl pulled the old man's facial hair that everyone laughed and ate. You could barely take your eyes off Ubbe. Not that he was doing a better job at concealing his interest in you. After they left, your mother chastised you. She wanted you to be friendly with them, but to be careful.

The second meeting went smoother. Their people invited you back to their camp and showed you around. You sat with your sister-in-law, Nikani, and a woman named Torvi, while you braided your hair. Torvi appraised you once you finished, though the result was a poor attempt to duplicate her hairstyle. On the other side of the camp, you saw your brothers Peminuit and We'jitu have an aim contest with Ubbe and the other men. Shortly after that, Ubbe sat with you by the fire. He wanted to tell you something, but just like you, he did not know how to express himself without words. Yet, he was stubborn. He looked you in the eyes and murmured, “du er vakker.” You smiled, although you had no idea what he meant. However, it was like no words were necessary to express each other’s feelings because, after that, he rarely parted from you. That evening, you took his people to Floki’s house.

Slowly, you learned the way of his people and he learned yours. You would dry fur for him to wear and sew beads for necklaces. He accepted all of your gifts happily and returned some. He gave you meat he hunted and a beautiful fluffy fur he brought along with him. Languages were exchanged, and you began to understand better what he said. One of those times, when Torvi was teaching you a few words, you asked what ‘vakker’ meant. Knowingly, she responded that it was ‘beautiful’. You blushed, remembering all the times Ubbe had called you that. Even so, the relationships between tribes were still fragile when one of them killed your brother We'jitu. Your family was devastated. For a moment, you thought everything accomplished would be lost. That you would have to forget about Ubbe and whatever blossoming relationship you had. Luckily, Pekitaulet was wise and wanted no war. She granted the foreigners a chance to redeem the loss. But even when they killed the murderer, everything remained tense. During the punishment and funeral, you were not able to look at Ubbe in the eyes. You were too lost in grief. And even after that, it took a while for things to settle down, for you to spend time with him again. Once you did, though, you realized him coming here was destined.

“Are you still up here?” a voice calls you softly from behind. You glance back, your husband is making his way towards you. His blue eyes shine bright in the sun. He smiles charmingly. “I thought Pekitaulet told you to be careful and not to climb the cliff for a while.”

Your guilty laugh echoes through the abyss, “I’m feeling much better now, don’t worry. Why don’t you sit beside me for a bit?” Ubbe hums but does as requested. Once settled, he takes you in his arms in a gentle embrace, placing you between his thighs.

It took more than you would have liked to learn the Norse tongue. In fact, Ubbe learned faster your language. Nevertheless, that was no barrier for your love to thrive. Steadily, the two of you became closer. You would often exchange lingering gazes, smiles, and soft touches. Everyone could see the love blossoming between the Viking and you. Soon, he asked your mother for your hand in marriage. Despite past events with his people that lead to the death of We'jitu, Pekitaulet recognized that Ubbe was a good man. She blessed the union and you became one heart.

“So,” Ubbe murmurs into your hair. He places a sweet kiss in your temple and continues, “are you going to tell me what are you doing up here?”

A few days ago, you started to feel lightheaded while in the woods. You took a nasty fall because of it, managing to injure your ankle. The healer warned you about going out until it was healed. She was about to leave when your mother requested to know the cause of your dizziness. It was no surprise what the healer responded. In fact, it was more than welcomed news. You have not told Ubbe yet. As far as he is concerned, your ankle has not healed yet.

“I just wanted to see the sundown, it is a beautiful time of the day, is it not?” You respond, gazing lovingly into your husband’s eyes.

He stares back and smiles at you. “You are beautiful.” You blush, making his smirk grow wider. He inclines and captures your lips in a small kiss. “Tell me what is it, wife of mine,” he says once he parts from you, “I know you now well enough to notice that there is something you are keeping from me. And it is not the beauty of the sundown.”

You exhale, well, it seems like you won’t be able to keep it a secret much longer. The only ones that know so far are your mother, Nikani, and Torvi (whom you befriended). You place your hand on his, softly tailing his wrist tattoos. “First, I would like to ask you something that I never had the chance to do before.” He regards you curiously, but nods. “The first time that you saw me, it was not in my camp, was it?”

Ubbe looks away sheepishly. “No. I saw you first in the woods.” He seems embarrassed, “I know you saw me too, we locked gazes.”

“Then why you say nothing to your people?” You ask.

A faint blush colors Ubbe’s cheekbones as he responds, “We had just landed, we were thirsty, and there you were, in the middle of greenery nature, all gorgeous, like a true goddess.” He peers back at you, and confidently admits, “I thought I was seeing things, losing my mind.” The hand that is not encased by yours lifts and caresses your jaw. “When I saw you again at the camp and I realized you were real…” He leaves the sentence incomplete, but you know what he means. You know too well, after all, you felt it the first time you saw him.

His utter honesty must be compensated. He needs to know the secret. “My love,” his eyes shine at the nickname, “you are right, there is something you should know.” You bring his hand slowly to your lower belly and place it there with a light squeeze. The breeze plays with your hair. You smile shyly, looking at him through your eyelashes. Ubbe inhales sharply. There is no need for words to be said, he knows what you mean, just like he always knew what you wanted to say even when you could not speak his language nor his yours. And yet, you want to say it because it is the best news ever. “Jeg er gravid.” And you know, by the look in his eyes and the smile on his face, that it is indeed the best news. He places both hands in your face to bring you closer. This time, the kiss is full of hope, love, and happiness. You can swear, to his gods or yours, that this moment, right here, was destined.

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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Vikings Season 6 Episode 20 Review: The Last Act

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This Vikings review contains spoilers.

Vikings Season 6 Episode 20

“I left when the sadness became too much.”

There’s a certain sadness that accompanies the moment we must say goodbye to the beloved characters of a television series that captivates so much of our emotional capital and also demands we examine our own spirituality and moral principles. Vikings has reached the end of its run, and while some may find the conclusion somewhat dissatisfying, the acknowledgement that the past must be left behind resonates powerfully not only throughout the series finale, but the entire back half of the season as well.

Some fans of the series left after the death of Ragnar Lothbrok arguing that the writing suffered and the remaining characters lacked the ability to carry the narrative. I am not among them. As a reviewer, I tried to judge each episode on its merits within the context of the overall series, not against the historical accuracy it may or may not have achieved. That said, like many series’ finales, “The Last Act” brings with it a bittersweet close to the glimpse we’ve had into the gradual transformation of the Vikings during the latter stages of the first millennium. Nevertheless, Vikings creator and writer Michael Hirst leaves viewers with three story arcs that reach natural and compelling closures.

Even though viewers have much more investment in the exploits of the sons of Ragnar, the situation in Kattegat bears examination and a bit of praise. With Harald, Ivar, and Erik now dead, Queen Ingrid’s rise to power is now complete, and if the cries of “Long live the queen” are a true indicator of the people’s feelings towards their new leader, we can only speculate what changes lie ahead in Kattegat. We have no doubt that Gunnhild would have successfully led the village into the future, but the question we’re left with is whether the witch Ingrid not only deserves to wear the crown but possesses the wherewithal to carry out the duties the people deserve. Will she rule through fear or love? Have her experiences and those of her freed slave partner given them the insight and compassion to rule for the good of the people? I guess we’ll never know.

We don’t really need to go to the history books to know how the battle in Wessex is going to turn out, but this chapter of the Vikings saga is as much about the growth of King Alfred as it is about Ivar the Boneless and his brother Hvitserk. When Ivar requests a parley with Alfred and admits “we are still fighting like our fathers did,” there’s a brief moment when we think this might turn out differently than expected. Interestingly, before giving his answer to Ivar, Alfred looks to Elsewith as if he’s not certain how to respond. She’s made plain her feelings about her husband’s apparent weaknesses, and whether her steely stare buoys his spirits or not, his refusal reminds us that this is the man who eventually carries the label “the Great” along with his name.

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A good portion of the episode is devoted to the battle with Alfred’s Saxon army, and while there’s nothing new here, Hirst, once again, delivers a solid action sequence that makes judicious use of slow motion and quick flashbacks that provide a call back to pivotal moments in the characters’ lives. However, it’s the moments of doubt both Alfred and Ivar struggle with that stand out as they question whether their god is truly with them in this life and death encounter. Ivar remembers the pain of Hvitserk’s desertion to Ubbe only to have his older brother jump ship at the last moment to stay with him in Kattegat. Though he fears the All Father has abandoned him here, we see he still holds out hope that the tide of the battle will change with Divine intervention.

The Lothbrok brothers have enjoyed a tenuous relationship, but as both sense death just around the corner, we’re given a moving exchange when Ivar tells Hvitserk to leave the battle and save himself. This simple gesture is likely the catalyst that propels Hvitserk onto his new path, but it also appears to give Ivar the strength to make his last stand. As he cries out “I will live forever,” it’s difficult to forget the similar ravings of Prince Oleg just before his death at the hands of his nephew. And even though we really don’t need the explanation, it’s a nice touch to have Hvitserk recount that “one day everyone will know of Ivar the Boneless.”

Entering this battle we are fairly certain King Harald doesn’t plan to return alive to Kattegat, and while Ivar’s death doesn’t come as a complete surprise, it’s narrative execution does. We see his leg and will give way several times during the battle, but it’s his final stand that’s a bit puzzling as he allows a young Saxon soldier free rein to kill him. “Don’t be afraid,” Ivar tells the man, but the complexity of this brief scene also includes Alfred who witnesses the event from mere yards away. Despite viewing the Vikings as savages, Alfred watches the tender scene as Hvitserk holds his dying brother in his arms. “Just leave me here with my brother for a moment,” he tells the now kneeling king, who is so moved by what he sees that he immediately crosses himself. As the camera zooms out to an aerial shot looking down on the three men and Alfred’s burning cross, we can’t help but view this as the Christian God and the Norse gods looking down on these brave soldiers.

However, the larger twist to come out of the Wessex battle occurs when Hvitserk talks to Ivar’s grave and tells him to “enjoy Valhalla, brother, while it still exists.” While leaving the old ways behind has clearly been a central theme of the episode, this statement acknowledges that even their religious beliefs may need to be re-examined. We get our first hint that something’s afoot with Hvitserk when we see him brought to Wessex on a cart after his wounds have clearly been carefully dressed by Alfred’s surgeons. The flash forward to his decision to embrace Christianity and leave the Norse gods behind fits nicely with his father’s curiosity of faith. And how perfect that Alfred tells Hvitserk that from now on he’ll be known as “Athelstan, our brother in Christ.” The call back to Ragnar’s relationship with his Christian friend just works.

And while matters in Wessex and Kattegat get settled, at least for the time being, it’s Ubbe’s new world that holds the most promise moving forward and ends up as the most compelling aspect of the saga. We finally learn Floki’s fate, and while there were likely logistical reasons for Gustaf Skarsgård’s (Floki) absence during the last season, Hirst comes through with a perfectly acceptable explanation while at the same time giving Ubbe a hand in learning to live with the Native American tribe that welcomes them. However, it’s once again the tie-in to Ragnar that can’t be overlooked. “This is what he [Ragnar] was searching for,” and Ubbe understands that they cannot continue in the old ways.

Nevertheless, when Naad asks about gold, we know where this is headed, and Ubbe’s response to the murder of the young tribe member is sure and unambiguous. What’s left to ponder is how the leader Pekitaulet (Carmen Moore) will react to this violent act. There seems to be no question the punishment will be swift and severe, but the initial choice of the Blood Eagle contradicts Ubbe’s desire to move forward rather than look to the past. Had he carried out the punishment, its savage brutality and cruelty may have had the opposite effect Ubbe intends. Fortunately, he changes tact and slits Naad’s throat instead, calling on the “eye for an eye” system of justice. It’s a wise decision.

With Ubbe and Torvi at the helm, it seems likely that the two groups will not only peacefully coexist but actually thrive as they openly share their collective knowledge. Still, it’s wise that Pekitaulet explains her stance in no uncertain terms. “When we said you were welcome to this place, we did not mean you were welcome to possess it.” Even so it’s what happens next that shows the untapped potential inherent in this land. So moved by her words, Torvi hugs Pekitaulet with such emotion that it’s clear, not only do the two women understand each other, they’re in total agreement. It’s a truly beautiful moment.

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We knew Vikings would eventually bring an end to its various story arcs, and has typically been the case, “The Last Act” seamlessly blends the three Viking tales into a coherent whole. Perhaps Floki’s advice to Ubbe says it best: “Let the past go.” And so we shall.

The post Vikings Season 6 Episode 20 Review: The Last Act appeared first on Den of Geek.

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