vikingstrash

[vikingstrash]

A Loðbrók Magazine AU for your special day @ritual-unions 💕

#vikings #ingrid #aslaug #ubbe #hvitserk #vtrash edits #vtrash writes

[vikingstrash]

Not Alone

My third entry for @vikingsevents Valentine's Week, with the prompt First Date. And also for the Blind Dates OC Fest 2023 hosted by @mercurygray! It's a canon divergent fic after Season 2. Freydis/OMC, no smut. (2,8k fic can be found under the cut)

With Olaf gone, the threat against her life disappeared as well. Freydis had found herself living in a hut near Kattegat. It was nothing that she had imagined for herself, but surely needed. Being a mother was exhausting, she soon realized. Her knowledge of children was not as vast as her knowledge of combat and Freydis tried to form a timid bond with the people living near her. The elders loved Harald, cooing at him and handing him toys to play with every so often. Small puppets with friendly smiles stitched onto their faces or wooden figurines smooth to the touch. Freydis imagined that her own parents would do the same; love Harald just as much and her heart grew heavy knowing they would likely never meet their grandchild. 

She had yet to hear from her brother as well. The uncertainty of his whereabouts cruel to her lonely; for family yearning heart. Before her pregnancy Freydis had never felt this way, not so intensely. Her mother always said that a baby changes everything. It was only now, far away from home, that Freydis knew what she meant by that. From now on, she wasn’t the only one whose life was at stake when she was threatened, it was also her sons. A very different responsibility. 

For the first time in months, Freydis went to the market without thinking of her son's father. Harald was less fussy than he’d been the days prior and Freydis was glad about it. This was like a sign from the Gods that she was finally allowed to breathe. The tentative alliance with Ælfgifu and her son Sweyn was possibly only a short lived arrangement. Nothing was set in stone after all.

The smell of properly roasted pork made her mouth water the closer she got to the booth. An open fire was bristling; the skilled cook turning the meat as the fat dripping down into the fire made a sizzling tone. Freydis looked at Harald’s little face– eyes closed and fast asleep and softly kissed his forehead as she moved towards the booth to acquire a piece of the pork that had been taxing her with its scent ever since she stepped onto the marketplace at the  far side. She bumped against someone, which left her on momentarily unsteady feet. Usually people were considerate enough to give her room due to the child she was carrying.

When she looked at the person who’d thoughtlessly cut in front of her, Freydis felt heat rise up her face. Anger built up inside her while the man simply looked at her with a smile. The way it pulled at his lips reminded her of Harald and she quickly looked away; finding a new spot to purchase the food. “Where’s your husband?” the stranger asked amused after he noticed the baby fastened to her chest. “Shouldn’t he provide for his wife and child?” 

Freydis decided to ignore him, even though everything inside her wanted to shove him into the fire pit in front of them. She quickly gave him a once over but couldn’t find a cross around his neck. Although that didn’t mean he wasn’t a Christian. Freydis had to admit that many people in Kattegat were praying to a false God and those who weren’t managed to pretend to be of Christian faith well enough. She knew Ælfgifu was a pagan at heart and didn’t think she would have to fear for her life while she was instructing Sweyn on how to rule. 

With envy Freydis watched the man exchange a big amount of pork and stew for coin– two bowls full of food!–  and for a moment she wondered if he was here to gather something for his own family. She hadn’t even thought to purchase stew as well, her wealth not vast enough for great expanses yet. When he turned around he made a point of standing right in front of her before handing the bigger bowl of pork and stew to Freydis who had trouble reacting so fast. Of all the things to imagine that might happen, this was not it. He was licking the fingers of his now free hand slowly where the pork had briefly touched him. “Enjoy,” he told her with a nod and stepped around Freydis to leave. 

At a loss for words she looked down at her child, who was staring right back– awake and alert for the first time today. “What a strange man, hm?” she said to him, stroking his soft blond hair with her free hand before she found a place to sit and eat. Soon Harald would demand to feed– tiny fists balled and his face red from his effort to cry, she knew it well by now. 

The only free table appeared to be the one where the stranger was seated. All alone. Freydis squinted at him momentarily, but he wasn’t even looking her way. Or so it seemed. She timidly walked towards his table and sat down as far away as possible. “You did not have to buy my meal,” Freydis let him know as she poked around her bowl. “I can take care of myself.” The stranger nodded slowly, humming in agreement. He continued to eat as if Freydis wasn’t there and soon she followed his example. No need to waste a warm meal.

Her craving for meat almost made her moan in pleasure when she tasted the well-roasted pork. The last time she’d eaten like this was at her hut with Harald. Deep in the woods and near the mountains where there was always game to hunt, but here in Kattegat where it was loud and full of people everywhere, she could not hunt the way she wanted. Not with her child strapped to her chest. “What is your name?” Freydis asked, not looking up from her bowl as she ate, appearing as disinterested as possible. Sitting on the opposite side of the table, she had a better view of this man and noticed a long but faint scar at the side of his face. It was oddly shaped like a cross, but that could be a coincidence. 

Long moments went by that Freydis assumed he wouldn’t answer at all or hadn’t even heard her over the bustling people around them. “Tove,” he finally told her. With a sniff he leaned back and away from his almost empty bowl before he asserted Freydis carefully. “Tove the Wise.” he added, causing Freydis to frown. In turn Tove huffed amused. “It is true, you can ask around in the tavern.” When she didn’t respond right away, he finished off his plate, holding his cup up for a refill as soon as a servant walked by with their pitcher of ale. 

“I’m Freydis,” she stated. Green eyes captured her attention, their locked gaze only broken by his deliberate wink. 

Tove nodded sagely, “I know,” he replied, a smile forming on his lips. “Freydis Eriksdottir.” His knowledge of her should make her worry, but many people in Kattegat knew her or better said of her. Surely Tove didn’t plan to hurt her and Harald. Her sweet son who currently suckled on his own fist. “You’re a great warrior.”

Freydis quickly ate the rest of her meal so she could tend to Harald who was steadily growing fussy. “They should have called you Tove the Knowing,” she remarked. It was an intricate procedure to get the upper part of her dress moved to free her breast for Harald to feed while he was still fastened to her chest in the fabric wrapped around her. She carefully moved him around to lie comfortably in her arms as he immediately started suckling great gulps once he latched onto her. Freydis smiled proudly at her son and quietly addressed him, “There you go.” 

When Tove stood, Freydis assumed he was leaving without another word, but he only changed his seat. With his back to the table, he sat down on the bench next to her, watching the people around them that Freydis couldn’t see. “That would be a great exaggeration,” Tove responded, sounding calm. “I don’t know everything, but my choices are wise.” he made a wide gesture with his hand as if to present something. It sounded true enough for Freydis to accept. “For one, I do not know if you are married,” Tove said after a while and then looked her straight in the eye, “But I’m wise enough to assume you might be.”

She absentmindedly caressed Harald as she thought of the events of the past year. Freydis broke their eye contact to look at her son. “He is not here.” she simply said, unwilling to give away too much. It implied that he might be at their hut, or that there even was a husband to begin with. Neither was true. 

Out of the corner of her eye Freydis could see how Tove slowly nodded in understanding. He got up a second time, strategically placing his hand on her shoulder to make her look up at him. “You don’t have to be alone.” Tove said, squeezing her shoulder with care before he left her to her thoughts. 

It felt like she had pushed him away too quickly and she turned around, “Wait,” Freydis called after him. “I wouldn’t mind company.” she admitted, absentmindedly caressing Harald’s cheek with her thumb. Tove appeared to be contemplating her invitation. He spared the marketplace a short look and then went back to lean against the table. 

“Somewhere else, not here,” Tove said, nodding forward without telling Freydis which place he had in mind. “I need to wash. You can watch my belongings while we talk.” he said and Freydis knew this man could have ulterior motives of the worst kind. By leading her away from people, she could easily be ambushed. And yet, there was no fear inside her, no unease when she met his honest eyes. Perhaps she could trust him, if only for today. 

Once Harald was satisfied with his meal, Freydis held him up to let him burp. She quickly rearranged her dress before she followed Tove. The longer they walked the less people were around. Freydis knew where he was going and was aware enough people would be at the riverbank to wash their clothes or themself. “Have you always lived in Kattegat?” Freydis asked, noticing how he casually leaned his hand over his sword as he looked around.

Tove shook his head, “Far up north,” he told her. His expression had changed miniscule and if Freydis hadn’t watched him carefully she wouldn’t have noticed. Something within her told Freydis she should let it rest for now. The silence must’ve grated on Tove just as much as on her. “Is it a son or a daughter?” he asked, indicating that he meant the small bundle attached to her. 

She couldn’t help but smile, “A son,” Freydis answered, watching Tove nod in understanding. “His name is Harald,” she added without thinking and saw how her companion's eyebrow moved up in acknowledgement. She wondered if he knew that Freydis had been with Harald Sigurdsson and a small part of her wanted him to stay clueless. 

“A strong name,” Tove commented as they got closer to the riverbank. “Was he named after someone in your family?” he asked, but Freydis could tell that he most likely knew the answer already. He dropped his sword, not waiting for her answer, and soon his fur and belt met the same fate. It took Freydis a moment to notice that she was basically watching him undress and averted her eyes to look at her son. There was no one else at the river though.

She licked her lips, suddenly dry after her meal. “His father,” Freydis answered and looked up without thinking. Tove’s chest and shoulders were adorned by swirls and runes on his skin. It derailed her attention from the silver cross he was wearing around his neck, but not for too long. “You’re a Christian?” Freydis asked, involuntarily taking a step back. She didn’t know when she started to react this way towards them, but she had no doubt that Olaf’s hunt for her played into the fact. 

Tove let up from his breeches and reached for the cross. “Not always.” he told her, carefully taking the cross off and laying it on top of his tunic. “Not willingly.” Tove added much quieter. His eyes found hers and it was then that she knew he hadn’t gotten the scar on his face during battle. She had to look away due to the intensity with which she was met. His eyes told a story of great loss. 

By the time she turned her gaze back to him, he had already shed the rest of his clothes and waded into the water. Freydis walked closer to the water and sat down on the little pebbles. “Will you go back home one day?” she asked, unwilling to believe he could be happy in Kattegat. “To your family?”

He’d been scrubbing at his face and hair with the piece of soap he’d taken with him, dunking his head into the river to rinse it out before lathering up his hands again to wash his beard. Against her better judgment, she let her thoughts drift as she watched him get out of the water eventually. Freydis came to the conclusion that she found Tove attractive, a jolt of want hitting the pit of her stomach. Something she hadn’t felt in Jomsborg, not ever after parting with Harald. 

Every step he took was followed by her eyes, watching him closely as he sat down onto his fur to dry. With his knees up, he lay his arms on either of them and watched the water. “There is nowhere for me to go,” Tove told her, taking a deep breath before he looked up. “I was a pagan, viking.” he said and then reached for the cross to hold it up. “This is nothing but a piece of metal to me,” Tove explained. “It is armor against the Christians.”

Freydis furrowed her brow at the last bit, but Tove didn’t let her ask another question.

“I heard you were Jomsborg to hide?” he waited for her nod to confirm, “From what I know, the village I grew up in was much like it. Not visible for those who did not know where to look.” Tove explained and let the cross fall onto the tunic again. “One day they must have followed someone back to us.” he let his head fall forward, the water dripping from his wet strands. It was only when Tove righted himself that Freydis saw the tears. She kept silent, aware how painful it must have been for him. Not long after, he turned his attention towards her, his hand moving up to his face, softly following the scar. “A man named Gunnar cut me for I did not perish even after the third day of torture.” 

Freydis perked up at the name and Tove noticed. “Was this Gunnar with Olaf?” she asked, her hands automatically balled into tight fists at the thought of him. She could feel herself start to shake and tried to stop it, but it was no use. When their gaze met, Freydis could see empathy as Tove nodded slowly. “He came to Greenland,” she said briskly, averting her eyes when she felt hot tears glaze over hers. “He-...” she didn’t want to say it while she had Harald in her arms and swallowed. “I killed him.” Freydis said instead and quickly wiped the tears away before she looked back at Tove. There was no need to tell him what Gunnar did, she knew he understood perfectly well. 

“Good,” Tove replied to her last statement. He sounded delighted, something that had her warm up from the inside. Harald had never told her she’d done good, only Leif understood what she’d done and why. “I hated fighting alongside Olaf and him. I left and became part of Sweyn Forkbeard’s men.” He made a wide gesture as if to say and ended up with Olaf’s troops again. She could see how frustrating this must’ve been. 

Tove was mostly dry when he started to dress again and Freydis got to her feet as well. He was closing the belt around his waist when she cleared her throat. “You are welcome to accompany me back to my home, if you like?” Freydis suggested, knowing full well that he was aware of her ulterior motive. She did not care. Harald was not likely to come back to her and she was so utterly alone in Kattegat. Freydis needed to change this. 

There was a bashful smile Tove tried to hide, but he nodded in agreement. Maybe with him, she was not alone, even if it meant only for the time being. 

#vikings: valhalla #freydis eriksdotter #omc #vtrash edits #vtrash moodboards #vtrash writes

[vikingstrash]

On Second Glance

My entry for the prompt Red Rose of @vikingsevents Valentine's Week. I had actually planned something else, but suddenly these two were there and here we are. No warnings needed. (drabble under the cut)

-♡-

Gunnhild arrived late to the restaurant. Her girlfriend Amma made reservations and had been waiting for her. In her hurry, she didn’t spare the single red rose on the table more than a swift glance to acknowledge it, instead kissing Amma in greeting and apologizing for the delay. 

They were chatting about their day while eating the food and Gunnhild enjoyed the retro aesthetic more than she liked to admit. And Amma… her beautiful Amma, with her soft smile. Part of her wished they were at home, so she could take her in her arms until the stress she’d felt today would dissipate. The smile turned a bit mysterious and Gunnhild frowned in question. 

Only when Amma’s eyes flitted down to the rose between them– that Gunnhild had halfway declared table decorations in her mind– did she notice the silver ring around its green and thornless stem. For a moment Gunnhild was speechless. They usually weren’t the most romantic couple when it came to big gestures and this wasn’t big by a long stretch, but huge for their relationship. Gunnhild carefully took the rose in hand and tried to slip the ring off without bending the leaves too far they'd break. “Is there a chance this is just a Valentine’s present?” she asked, unwilling to misinterpret the situation. 

Amma wordlessly held her palm up for the ring and took Gunnhild’s right hand. “I heard it is the ultimate Valentine’s gift,” she told her. “A promise to spend every Valentine’s together until we get tired of each other.” Amma played with the ring, uncertain if she was allowed to slip it on Gunnhild’s finger. “The question is, if you want this…me.”

Gunnhild moved her hand so the ring would easily fit over her knuckles, “I will never get tired of you.” She leaned over their small table and carefully pulled Amma’s hand towards her to softly kiss her palm, resulting in a bright smile from her. They’d been friends for all their lives, had witnessed relationships, casual lovers and marriages of each other, same as the following divorce, before they finally got together. Gunnhild would be a liar if she said she never thought about marrying Amma before. Her girlfriend had simply beat her to popping the question.

Their relationship was like nothing she’d ever experienced with her exes. The comfort, deep love and trust was something Gunnhild had always hoped to find in her previous partners, only to get disappointed by the lack thereof. And even though she would love to skip all the failed relationships to be with her girlfriend right from the start– to have a fairytale love at first sight story– she knew they’d been valuable lessons and her and Amma wouldn’t have been too great for each other back then. Inexperienced and possibly too adventurous to appreciate the bond.

It was only fitting that she saw the ring on second glance, much like Amma. 

-♡-

#vikings #gunnhild #amma #vtrash edits #vtrash moodboards

[vikingstrash]

Some regrets will last a lifetime.

#vikings: valhalla #earl godwin #vtrash edits

[vikingstrash]

Safe

This is my last entry for @vikingsevents winter solstice. The Prompt was Body Heat. This fic is the longest with 1,8k for this week and of course it's a fix-it fic, lol. You can find the whole story on AO3, when you're logged in!

He sniffed in disappointment when he felt the cold radiating off of Hvitserk. Disappointment in their brother Bjorn, but also himself for letting this happen. Ubbe pulled his little brother close and onto his chest who instinctively wound his arms around him. The discomfort was bearable since Ubbe knew Hvitserk wouldn't stay cold for much longer. 

Many a night in winter, his little brother had found his way into Ubbe's bed ever since they had been children. Hvitserk always froze up quicker where Ubbe ran with heat. 

The tickle of Hvitserk's beard let Ubbe know that his brother's mouth was moving and he looked down to meet his half-lidded gaze. He didn't make a sound, but Ubbe could guess by the shape and movement of his lips that Hvitserk said his name in question. Ubbe let his fingers sink into Hvitserk's wet and greasy hair and held him closer than before, "I'm here,” he said, “you're safe." He added and met Amma's gaze when he kissed the top of his brother's head to emphasize his words. Much quieter and only meant for Hvitserk’s ears, he whispered, "Forgive me, brother."

#vikings #hvitserk #ubbe #amma #vtrash moodboards #vtrash edits

[vikingstrash]

Sweat

Naturally, the Prompt Sauna of @vikingsevents winter solstice could not have given me any other idea. Rated M. Teasing y'all just for fun. I'm not sorry. As always, only a little bit of the fic follows below, but the rest is on AO3. If you're logged in.

Hvitserk watched the small droplet of sweat cascade down Amma's throat and onto her collarbone. The little glassy pearl rested there for a second before moving further down her chest and into the black top she wore. 

They were on a family vacation– including plus ones. Only if there was a plus one, of course. Hvitserk had been single for the past six months after Thora up and left to support the protests in India. Or was it Indonesia? He wasn't really sure, because Thora started babbling and then she got angry at the situation somewhere that wasn't home and Hvitserk… 

He'd only stood there watching her pack up her bags, after her I think we should break up and It's for the best. At his retelling of the story, Ubbe had told him that he might've been in shock. His brother was usually right and Hvitserk was shocked at the break up coming out of left field.

#vikings #hvitserk #amma #vtrash moodboards

[vikingstrash]

The Oath

Don't ask me how I ended up writing Ivar/Heahmund for the fifth Prompt Furs of @vikingsevents winter solstice, it just happened. Full fic is available on AO3, if you're logged in.

When the morning sun filtered through the dull glass window in York, Ivar woke slowly, almost sluggish from his dream. He was rapidly losing the memory of it and frowned in irritation as he noticed the empty spot beside him in bed. 

His hand glided over the space once inhabited and he saw the dust sparkle in the ray of sunlight hitting the furs with the movement. It was warm, but Ivar couldn't tell if the morning sun had warmed the surface or his lover had only just left.

#vikings #ivar the boneless #bishop heahmund #ivar x heahmund #vtrash edits #vtrash moodboards

[vikingstrash]

Snowy Day

My third entry for the winter solstice event of @vikingsevents, the Prompt was Snow. Below is an excerpt of the fic I wrote, the rest can be found on AO3 if you're logged in.

Last night, when she’d looked out the window before heading to bed, the excitement almost didn’t let her sleep. Ubbe’s first snow was still a very fond memory to Aslaug and she looked forward to Hvitserk exploring this new winter wonderland in their backyard. He’d been confused this morning as to where the grass had gone and Ubbe had snickered and told him it was under the snow.

Now, Hvitserk did know the general idea of what snow was from tv shows or movies, but the concept of it happening here was still illusive to him. Something on tv didn’t necessarily have to happen in real life. He was bright enough to realize Santa wasn’t real, although Aslaug had an inkling Ubbe had told him. Either way, he still looked forward to receiving presents now that he was old enough to notice what Christmas entails for him.

She quickly slipped into her own winter boots and threw her thick cloak on before opening the backdoor for her boys to enjoy this snowy day. Aslaug had her camera in hand to preserve these memories forever. 

As soon as the door opened, Ubbe rushed out in the easy excitement of a four year old and was quick to scoop up a handful of snow. He must’ve gotten this idea from the daycare he’s in, when he was about to throw it at his brother. Aslaug immediately told him off and earned the snowball to her thigh instead. “We want this to be a nice thing for Hvitserk, alright?” she said to her eldest, crouching down to be somewhat on eye level. Ubbe reluctantly nodded and then went to their swingset to moodily sit on it. 

#vikings #aslaug #hvitserk #ubbe #vtrash moodboards

[vikingstrash]

The Rightful Queen

My entry for @vikingsevents Prompt Holly of their winter solstice event. Margrethe deserves much more love and therefore, have a little drabble for this beauty.

Her husband was still in England, when Margrethe decided to use what she had at hand to accomplish her desire to be queen. The Seer called her mad and perhaps she was. But if Margrethe knew anything, it was that mad men were always in power. She took it as a compliment. If the time she'd been a slave had ever taught her anything, it was how to survive in a hostile environment. And to do what had to be done. She had no love for Kattegat's new queen, Lagertha. It was her fault Ubbe wasn't king after his mother's death, but Margrethe would change that. She would be the leader Aslaug used to be. She started gathering holly- knowing of its magic. Many a times Margrethe and the other enslaved women would eat just one of the berries and be too sick to be used for their bodies. It was a simple remedy and if one learned how to suffer through it, the sickness was almost a relief. Margrethe poisoned both Torvi and Lagertha with a few berries a day hidden in their food, until they were too weak to fight back a simple pillow pressed to their faces. She was not a shieldmaiden after all and had to use tricks to her advantage while her beloved husband was away. When Ubbe finally came back to Kattegat- his heavy heart at the loss of Hvitserk visible, Margrethe was already waiting for him on the throne. Hali and Asa still in her care, seated near her. She told her husband that she avenged his mother, and his gratitude was unmeasurable. There was something akin to hope growing in his eyes. Come Yule- her belly full of life- she wore her holly crown with pride. After all, she was The Rightful Queen of Kattegat.

#vikings #margrethe #vtrash moodboards

[vikingstrash]

Story as old as Time

This was created for the winter solstice event of @vikingsevents with the Prompt Stargazing in mind. The quote was generously borrowed from True Detective S1. Info for visually impaired people: the quote I used in the moodboard will be readable in this accompanying drabble and give you a sense of what is pictured.

"Tell me a story, Ubbe!" Hvitserk demands, his smile audible. They've been at the beach all day to soak in the sun one last time before winter and didn't feel like going home yet. His older brother chuckles low.

"There's only one story. The oldest," Ubbe replies and when their knuckles brush against one another's, Hvitserk takes hold of his brother's palm, squeezing his fingers momentarily. If to signal Ubbe that he was listening or maybe just in comfort, he hadn't given it much thought.

"What's that?" Hvitserk prompted when Ubbe was still pondering his words carefully.

His brother frowned at the sky full of stars and then caught Hvitserk's gaze with a barely visible smile. "Light verses Dark."

#vikings #hvitserk x ubbe #hvitserk #ubbe #vtrash edits

[vikingstrash]

- I don't want it back, I just want you.

.

None of the pictures are mine.

#vikings #hvitserk x ubbe #hvitserk #ubbe #vtrash moodboards

[vikingstrash]

I loved you first: but afterwards your love - Christina Rossetti

You can find the Ubbe and Hvitserk edit I used here. It was born out of one of @underragingwaves gifs.

#vikings #hvitserk x ubbe #hvitserk #ubbe #vtrash edits

[vikingstrash]

My moodboard/art entry for the @vikingsevents Summer Solstice prompt Honey. Ubbe and Hvitserk as Beekeepers.

#vikings #hvitserk x ubbe #hvitserk #ubbe #vtrash moodboards

[vikingstrash]

Hvitserk and Ubbe

- photo at the top right via Alison Burton, gifs from @underragingwaves except the one on the right, that's mine.

#vikings #hvitserk x ubbe #hvitserk #ubbe #vtrash edits #vtrash moodboards

[vikingstrash]

Recuerdo by @doctorwhoandfairytaillover in collaboration with @vikingstrash, coming to @vikingsbigbang this November!

#vikings #ubbe #ofc #vtrash moodboards #vtrash edits

[vikingstrash]

A Game at Chess by @encomium-emmae in collaboration with @vikingstrash coming to @vikingsbigbang this November!

#vikings: valhalla #king canute #emma of normandy #vtrash edits

[vikingstrash]

No one will make me feel inferior.

#vikings #aslaug #yidu #ingrid #vtrash moodboards