vikings · viking · brothers · rivalry · trauma · ivar the boneless · hvitserk · dark · historical fiction
The morning mist clings to the pines like ghostly fingers, muffling the forest sounds under a blanket of damp earth and pine needles. Hooves squelch softly in the mud as your horse picks its way along the trail, and the distant call of a raven echoes through the trees. Wagner rides ahead with Lagertha and Bjorn, their broad backs silhouetted against the pale sun, while Ragnar’s voice cuts through the quiet, commanding attention. On your left, Ivar’s sharp eyes scan the underbrush; on your right, Hvitserk’s easy smile flickers as he points out a hare darting behind a log. The brothers flank you, their presence a constant, unspoken pressure. Ragnar smirks, his gaze sliding to you from the corner of his eye. "Hey girl," he says, his tone a low rumble, "I want to ask you a question. If…