His steady hooves galloped through the mud was the only sound in the forest as you returned towards the settlement. After a battle as the one there was days ago a little silence like this felt good. The sound of the forest, the steady wind eased your tired mind. You had observed for so many days, watching York as you scouted his weak and strong points before returning to the settlement. As soon as doomed up you pulled your horse to a walk, gazing over the ships, the tents until you noticed him sitting under a tree, gazing over the water. You stopped the horse, looking how Ivar stroke his hands over his loosen hair, in your opinion it wasn't a sight, his hair but you ignored it, just as you ignored his mood and walked the horse further into the settlement. People were gathering their stuff and you knew it was for the travels of Björn. You stopped the horse aside the tent and looked down to Hvitserk.

'Y/n.' Ubbe greeted you, walking out of the tent. You jumped from the horse and gave it to one of the man. 'What did you find out?' He asked practical. Ivar asked you to investigate York, while Ubbe wanted you to look for the armies of Aethelwulf. You sided with Ivar but didn't tell.

'That your brother is pouting under a tree.' You stated with a grin, following them back inside. Hvitserk poured you a cup and you took it with a thankful nod.

'He wants to be the leader.' Ubbe explained. You sat down on the edge of the table, tilting your head a little.

'Do I need to go talk to him?' You asked, knowing you had a little more influence on him.

'And what are you going to say, sorry Ivar you can't be the leader of the great Heathen Army?' Hvitserk chuckled. You rolled your eyes, bringing the cup to your lips before drinking the cup empty, stroking your hand over your mouth.

'He is angry, he killed Sigurd, Floki is probably leaving.'

'You siding with him now?' Ubbe asked.

'I understand him and by the way,' you gave Ubbe the cup and stood up, looking up to him. 'didn't he bring you victory?' You asked with a little smiled. Ubbe studied your face, grabbing your chin slightly.

'What did you find out?' He asked.

'That you should listen to Ivar, it's solid.' You reacted. Ubbe nodded, because he had to before letting you go. You tapped your hand against his chest and you smiled, walking out.

'Be careful Y/n.'

'Always am.' You said with a wink.

He was still sitting under the tree, gazing over the water as you walked over to him. He looked aside and rolled his eyes knowing you were planning on making a mocking comment.

'Pouting, are we?' You stated, smiling.

'Rather tell me what you found out.' He snapped. His blue eyes looked over you as you stood still and crouched down beside him, gazing at his terrible hair before looking to him again.

'That you were right, York is for the taking.' You said. A small smile spread over his lips and he looked back in front of him over the water. You studied his face, enjoying the satisfaction that was on there before you destroyed it with your next comment. 'Why were you pouting, not getting the crown you so badly want?' You asked a little amused. He took in a very deep breath, giving you a warning look in the corner of his eyes, you chuckled. 'You know Ivar,' you stood up, kicking against a little rock that laid in the way. 'you are already the leader in your own mind, you just need to convince everybody else to think that to.' You stated, turning around to him. He looked up to you, frowning his eyebrows like you just talked something stupid. 'You seriously need me to give you a pep talk?'

'You are doing good so far.' He stated amused, sitting up, crossing his hand in his lap. You looked over the water for a while before turning around to him.

'Take York, make some own choices, do what you want to do, show them your independence. And do something about your hair, or the fact you can't walk.'

'These won't magically start to work again.' He pointed to his own legs, angry at you for teasing him.

'True but there is always a way.' You suggested. He squeezed his eyes together and you walked over to him, crouching down aside him.

'What are you suggesting?' He asked intrigued, bringing his head closer to yours.

'I have a brother, he is a blacksmith, he,' you felt silent, tugging on his tunic before looking back up into his eyes. 'he could build you working legs. If we are in York.' You explained with a challenging look. Ivar breathed in, looking over your face before he smiled slowly. After years of friendship you knew you could count on each other. Yes, Ubbe was the leader but Ivar had you fully.

'Something else?' He asked, lowering his eyes to your lips, licking his own.

'Do something about the hair.'

'Why?'

'Can I braid it?' You asked him almost teasingly. He chuckled, pulling his head back away while shaking it.

'Why?' He asked.

'Because it would be fun.' Your hand reached out, grabbing his hair into your first while smiling down to him. He clenched his teeth together when you pulled it slightly before you pushed yourself up, ignoring the hunger in his eyes. 'Stop pouting about your brother and Floki, show a little more power.' You advised him, walking away from the tree he was sitting underneath. You smiled a little, biting your lip before shouting him a last gaze, he was shaking his head, giving you that possessive grin of him.

Every scout out of York that crossed your path you killed, going back to the camp without anybody knowing that the Heathen Army was coming, to drunk to notice their soldiers missing, to ignorant to think they were safe and sound, far away from enemies greedy hands. Your axe dripped with blood as you galloped into the camp, jumping from his back as you stopped him aside Ivar his tent. He sat on the edge of his chariot, cleaning his helm.

'Are we ready?' He asked you with a short look.

'Yes, they are drunk, they are praying, we are good to go within this and an hour.' You nodded to him, laying your axe aside him on the chariot. You were looking to the way he cleaned his helmet before he signed and looked aside to you.

'Fine!' He threw the helm aside and looked to you. 'You can braid my hair.' He gave in. You petted your hand on his cheek, gesturing him to go inside. He dramatically signed before following you inside, pulling himself onto a seat. You went to stand behind him and stroke your fingers through his hair, he hummed and you smiled, starting on braiding his hair.

'If we win, we gonna celebrate.' He stated.

'There isn't an if in all of this, we will win, we always win with Ivar The Boneless to command the armies.' You said with a promising voice, tugging his hair a little. He didn't reply on it, but you saw the focus in his eyes getting stronger while you braided his hair. Making him not the boy, but the true leader to an army. When you finished the braid you walked around him, admiring how grow up he looked by it. 'You look ready for battle.' You nodded in approval. He grabbed you around your hips, pulling you towards him. You chuckled as you sat down on his lap, letting your fingers scout in between his braids. 'Don't let your brothers judge, they will side with you in the end.'

'As long as you side with me.' He whispered, his blue eyes gleaming dominant.

'Always.' You smiled, placing your lips on his. He groaned, pulling you head closer as he kissed you passionate. You felt his hunger through that kiss, not only for you but equally as much for the battle that was coming.