Finan: *looking At The Ship They'll Take To Bebbanburg* Shouldn't We Take Something More... Agile?

Finan: *looking at the ship they'll take to Bebbanburg* Shouldn't we take something more... agile?

Uhtred: We have you.

❤️❤️❤️

Having internet friends is an experience. Did you eat today? I can't believe your sister hasn't apologized yet, what a bitch. Drink a glass of water right now. Want to see a cat picture? I love you. I know you better than your parents. I don't know your name. I'm having a rough day, can you talk to me about your favorite videogame? I love you. Good morning means good night means good afternoon means go to sleep. Here's a doodle I made in class. I'm stealing your clothes as we speak, they're so pretty. I love you. I love your pet. What does your hair look like? I'd love to see that weird leaf. I love you. I'm making you your favorite food. Thank you for holding my secrets for me. I love you. We're having a coffe date. I love you. I'm giving you a screen-sized hug. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Actually I just realized, his son did call him priest killer in 04×01, so...

I'm honestly surprised that Uhtred never got called Uhtred the Priest-slayer by anyone.

In Sickness & Health | Sihtric x OC One Shot

For my dearest Anon! Wherever you are 🥺🥺

Based off OC from here and here

There comes a time when all warriors must lay their swords to rest.

Though he is certain she does not wish to do so, Sihtrics' wife had promised to rest her blade for good.

Almost losing her was too much. He begged her for the rest of their journey that her days as a shieldmaiden were numbered. It was time for her to return to their family and care for their children. She was determined to keep fighting... But after the stressful Siege of Winchester, Astrid finally agreed.

Not soon after, Uhtred moved them all to Rumcofa.

So perhaps now was the time for blades to be placed down for all of them.

They didn't fight as much as they used to. River raiders would rear their ugly mugs from time to time, but dealing with them was nothing compared to the things they had been through in the last decade. Which meant most of his days were spent without the heavy layers of his armor, and instead in lighter tunics watching the dock with Finan.

When he was not working for his Lord, Sihtric would spend time with his family.

Mainly, his children.

"You can do it, Cynlaef!" His eldest daughter, Siggy, yelled from the sidelines as she cheered for her little brother. 

Cynlaef was his second son, but his first with Astrid. He did not think after all that happened with his first wife that he would get the chance to have these moments ever again. Sihtrics' children were his world, and being able to raise them to be strong and brave was all he ever wanted.

He trained with his sword almost daily, and when he was not training with his father, Cynlaef trained with Lord Uhtred and Aethelstan, the young royal bastard currently in Uhtred's care.

The two boys had become fast friends, which was good in Sihtrics' eyes.

Brotherhood was important, and his son was surrounded by sisters.

"Come on, Cynlaef! Use your strength! Strike Father down!" Siggy cheered and shouted from the sidelines.

"Go Cynlaef!" Randi; his third born, added, copying her older sister's excitement.

Sihtric smirked at his son's annoyance, tired of his sister's voices calling out to him, "Men will use their voices to intimidate or distract you, Cynlaef, you must learn to block out the noises."

But they're so loud, Father!" Cynlaef groaned, standing straight as he let the frustration get the better of him.

Sihtric chuckles, knowing his boy was young and it was harder for him to concentrate. With his training staff resting on his shoulder, Sihtric walks over to Cynlaef and ruffles the boy's hair.

"Your father is right, Cynlaef," Astrid's voice calls out as she approaches them, "Should you find yourself on the field of battle one day you cannot let anything distract you, even sisters."

"Mother!" The children all shout simultaneously as they run to her side, hugging at her legs.

Astrid smiled at her children as they surrounded her. 

She did not think she would ever settle down from her life as a warrior, but Astrid is taking motherhood in strides. Her desires for war and blood have simmered down immensely since moving to Rumcofa, especially after they learned Astrid was pregnant for her fourth and final time.

Another girl, of course, but Sihtric did not mind.

He loved his children all the same.

"How does the healer say you both are fairing?" Sihtric asks his wife as he approaches her, giving her a kiss on the temple and then placing another on his youngest head.

"I am well, as well as Sigrid, here," Astrid smiles at him, looking down at their youngest, "She is a little fighter, this one."

"After all the trouble she gave us, I am not surprised," Sihtric chuckles, taking the baby from Astrid's arms.

They did not think Astrid would be able to conceive again after his wife's near death experience, and when she did they realized quickly this pregnancy would not be like the rest. It was hard, and the baby came sooner than anticipated but in the end, they would both be okay.

And it was all thanks to the healer in town, Asger, and his sister, Ingrith.

"I think Finan fancies her," Astrid spills to her husband with a smirk on her face as they start to return home with the children, and when Sihtric does not respond, she clarifies, "Ingrith? The healer's sister?"

"The Dane?"

Astrid snorts, shaking her head at him, "That is what you remember?"

"I do not pay much mind to other women," Sihtric tells her with a smirk on his face.

His comment gets a laugh from his wife, "As kind as that is, you are allowed friends you know?"

"I have friends-"

"Other than Finan and Osferth, Sihtric," Astrid counters as they walk the street side by side, "Besides if I am right about Finan, we shall be seeing a lot more from Ingrith than my weekly visits to the healer."

Sihtric says nothing more of it. She's right though, he has shut himself off from making friends and does not show as much kindness to strangers as he did in his youth. Before his prior wife broke his heart, he was a much more approachable person.

Now that he and his family are settled in Rumcofa, he should work on being more open again.

"I will try to be more… approachable," Sihtric tells her with a clear of his throat, "if that is what you wish for."

"Simply trying will bring me joy."

The following morning Sihtric awoke to the smells of his wife cooking their family breakfast on the first floor of their home. Whatever she was making smelled incredible, and got him to rise from the bed with haste as he made his way downstairs to find the children playing with toys on the floor.

It is little moments like this that made all the days away from his family… battles fought and blood spilled worth everything.

"Goodmorning, Father," Siggy smiled, being the first to realize he had come down from his room.

"Goodmorning, Siggy," Sihtric smiles back as he passes her, rubbing the girl's head as he heads for his wife, "What are you making?"

"Why? Does it smell like shit?" Astrid asks with a smirk.

"Not at all," Sihtric tells her with a kiss on the cheek, "it smells incredible."

"Well I am no cook like you are, but I do try," Astrid tells her husband, turning to give him a real kiss on his lips.

Just as they connect, a loud repetitive knock is heard at their door.

"Who is it?!" Siggy calls out, being the closest to the entrance of the home.

On the other side, Finan calls back, "Sig, it's me! Open up!"

Siggy rushes to the door and attempts to pull off the bar, only to struggle and need Sihtrics' help, who chuckles as he assists his daughter in lifting it. Once the bar is off, Siggy opens the door and smiles.

"Uncle Finan!"

"Mornin', Sig," Finan tells the girl with a smile, getting a big hug from the girl, "Jesus, Sihtric, this girl weighs more than you do!" 

Siggy laughs as Finan lifts her off the ground with his hug, and to their side, Sihtric simply glares.

"Do not enter my home just to tease my husband, Finan," Astrid scolds from where she cooks, "Or you will be having breakfast elsewhere."

Finan puts Siggy down and flashes Astrid a cheeky smile, "Ya know I only tease out of love, Astrid. This wee twig is the best friend I got-" Sihtric goes to hit Finan for his comment, but he's quick to jump out of the way, and heads to the kitchen to help set the Dane's table for breakfast, "'Sides, I'm in a good mood this mornin'. Don't wanna ruin it by being pummeled by this bastard-"

"Finan!" 

"Language, I know!" Finan puts up his hands to defend himself from Sihtric.

"So what is it that has you in a good mood so early in the day, Finan?" Astrid asks him as she finishes cooking; both men how to help her bring food to the table.

"I am planning on asking Ingrith to marry me," Finan tells them both, to Astrid and Sihtric's surprise.

Astrid shoots Finan an excited smile while Sihtric looks confused, "You're in love with her? Ingrith?"

"I am."

"And she knows this?"

To this, Finan does not answer, making Astrid and Sihtric breakout into heavy laughter. The kids settle at the table, confused about what brought on their parents' reactions as Finan glares at them with an annoyed look on his face.

"Not funny, Sihtric-"

"Does Ingrith even know you exist?" Sihtric questions the Irishman as he sits down between Cynlaef and Randi.

"We've talked... in passing- forget it, I am not explain' myself to the likes of you!!"

"What have I done!?"

"Enough teasing him, Sihtric," Astrid tells her husband, playfully swatting at his shoulder, "Or have you forgotten there was once a time where you also had forgotten how to talk with a woman."

"Father did not know how to speak to women?" Siggy questions, the child trying to follow along with what her parents were going on about.

Astrid glanced in Sihtric's direction, and the usually stoic Dane threw her a smile. Once upon a time, when they were younger, more reckless fighters, Astrid was a follower of Bloodhair but realized with haste that her lord was a coward and would never bring his warrior's glory.

Uhtred Ragnarsson, however, was a notorious warrior with plenty of fame to his name.

Dane Killer or not, Uhtred proved himself the man to follow, and Astrid did follow. Helping his man when he came to spy on the mighty Dane camp Bloodhair had formed with the help of Cnut and Brida, and assisting him in the capturing of the seer, Skade.

Ever since Astrid had been by Sihtric's side. It had taken them a while to fall in love, but every moment they shared was always worth it.

"I found my way into your heart," Sihtric clarifies with a shrug, "It simply took time-"

"And harassment..."

"Is that what you need us to do to help you win over Ingrith's heart?" Astrid asks Finan with a smirk, "Harass you?"

Finan gives them both a cheeky smile and then shrugs, "If ya think it'll help."

When breakfast is over, Finan offers to take the kids out of the house and down to the docks while Astrid and Sihtric clean up.

Truthfully, Sihtric thinks he plans on using his children to get women, but if it gets them out of the house then he cannot be bothered to care.

He watches Astrid with careful eyes as she cleans. Always worried she'd overwork herself, or something would happen to her. There is never a moment he isn't worried about his wife. 

In Sihtric's eyes, that's just love.

"Stop stalking me with your eyes, it's creepy," Astrid finally tells him, smirking as she cleans the dishes her family used to eat.

"I am not creepy-"

"You are when you stare and do not use your words," Astrid replies, turning her head to face him, "What's going on in that mind of yours, Sihtric?"

He isn't sure why, but Sihtric cannot help but to spill his question out, "Do I make you happy, Astrid?"

She stops cleaning almost instantly, letting whatever is in her hand drop into the sink as she turns to face her husband, "What gives you the idea that you don't?"

"I don't- I am just asking..." Sihtric shakes his head and looks away, "Forget I asked-"

Astrid wipes her hands on her dress and then reaches out to touch her husband's cheek and smiles, "I do not know what I did for Odin to bless me with such a loving husband, but I thank the Gods every day for finding me worthy of you," She smiles as she closes the gap between them, their bodies near flushed together, "I also will never know why the woman before me broke all the promises she made to you, but know that when I say I will love you no matter what till the end of my days, I mean it. We are bonded, Sihtric, always."

Sihtric nods, pulling Astrid into his arms as he hides his face in her shoulder. Nuzzling his head into her neck and taking a deep breath.

"I know you are a man of few words, dear husband, so let me say it for the both of us," Astrid squeezes him a little tighter and says, "You are my happiness, Sihtric. You provide for me all the things any woman could ever desire. Love. Protection... You are watchful when I am in good health and you hover when I am unwell," Her words make him laugh, her body shaking with his chuckles, "I could not dream of a better man to spend my life with. I love you."

Sihtric lifts his head and stares at Astrid for a few moments, before leaning in and giving her a long, deep kiss. When their lips part, he rests his forehead against hers and smiles, "You always know how to say all the words that spin through my mind. It is why I will love you even beyond my final moment."

Astrid leans forward just enough to rub her nose against his and chuckles, "I know, my love. I know."

TAGGED:

@solinarimoon @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie @mrsalwayswrite @lauwrite1225 @emilyhufflepufftlk @trenko-heart @saint-helga @93xdiagonxalley @magravenwrites @illjustgositinthecorner

Klaus: Aw, come on! Give me a hug. For old times' sake.

Five: Old times are overrated.

The Northmen thoughts

something about The Northman that people are missing is that it's not about who is right or wrong, who is the hero or isn't. is toxic masculinity the problem? is it the hubris of men? none of it matters because that's not what the movie is about, though that's a valid lense of analysis we can adopt.

(spoilers underneath)

The Northman is not about what should happen, it's about what ought to happen. what has to be for a greater good that is not the choice of anyone but The Nornes themselves. The Nornes spin and weave everyone's destiny, and Amleth finds himself tied in their thread. It is not his choice, and he doesn't fully understand the thread's direction until Olga is with child, and still he does not fight it.

he does not fight destiny, he does not fight the Nornes, he complies with it because trying to escape throws him right back into it.

This is a recurring theme in the Sagas; destiny has to be fulfilled. it's there and it won't leave you, it might hide in the corner but that doesn't mean it's leaving you, it's waiting for the right time to show itself.

In the Volsunga saga Sigmund lived in peace for a long time after avenging Sinfjötli, but then his lands are attacked and he fights Odin himself [in disguise], who destroys his sword in shards, shards that will be passed onto Sigurd, his son. His fate was to die, so his son could have his sword's shards and create from them a new weapon that will then slay the dragon Fafnir.

The individual destiny fulfills two goals, essentially:

healing or bettering your ancestor's line.

making sure you pave the path for the next generation.

In The Northman, at the end, his destiny is fulfilled because he made sure his lineage could continue, whilst also ending the cycle of violence that was plaguing his bloodline. What does that make him? right? wrong?

the movie is not trying to make a moral point, nor it's trying to tell you who to side with, though it chooses to tell Amleth's story. all the movie is doing is adapting an epic story in a visual format, a work of translation from written to visual form. it presents to you in a straightforward way Amleth's story, a story that is written exactly like it would have been told by the skalds of his time with a focus in the themes relevant to his time.

as this post says this is not a story for us, it does not live in our world and while we are tempted to drag it here it will never fit.