It was hard to not get noticed, to be the shadow against a darkness that took over whole Kattegat. Despite you were a fighter to, you weren't there when things got down. You weren't there to see how Ubbe may kill Hvitserk or the other way around. You stayed in Kattegat, waiting, lingering ... to see who would come back a king or queen. It didn't took long, you were plunching the tip of your sword into the dirt when queen Lagertha, Bjorn, Ubbe and the rest came back, hurrying to get their things together en leave. So Ivar won. You should be happy, you were Hvitserk his girl, despite the big amount of time you didn't saw each other. They grabbed horses, supplies and they left as soon as they could. You looked from the way they came but there was nothing, not an army, only wounded and broken men. You put your sword away and grabbed your horses, following the runners to a hiding place. You felt for them, Ubbe was always a friend. Those brothers always were close and Ivar his ambition for vengeance and power tore that apart. You were like a painting against the hill, watching from a distance to were they sat camp. You stroke your fingers through your horse his manes before you turned him around and went back home.

Everything was different, you felt the change hanging in the air now Ivar was a king. Soldiers of Rollo were fighting and drinking in their victory. You pulled your black ape closer around your body while heading to the great hall. Your eyes went to a poor goat, wearing a crown before it got place on the throne. It had been months since you last saw Ivar, thinking it couldn't get any worse ... you were wrong. Your eyes went searching for the only thing that kept you here, Hvitserk. You found him with a cup against a pillar, the mixed feelings over his expressions as he smiled, but it wasn't a smile that reached his eyes.

You made sure Ivar didn't noticed you as you sneaked up on Hvitserk from behind. You slightly rested your chin on his shoulder.

'You should be more happy, you won.' You whispered. He froze, looking towards his shoulder where he met the soft concern smile on your lips.

'You stayed.' His eyes went towards his brother before he looked back to you.

'Time won't tear us apart Hvitserk nor the side you choose.' You said softly. Ivar his eyes went up and you pulled away from Hvitserk his shoulder. You nodded outside before falling back in the dancing shadows of those drunk man. It didn't took Hvitserk long to follow you.

'Did you follow them?' He asked, looking around like if somebody would follow him. He knew you so well. You nodded, looking up to him as he came to stand before you. He studied your face, tracing a finger over your lower lip as it curled into a smile. 'By the gods, Y/n,' he didn't finish his sentence as he placed his lips against yours. Your fingers tangled into his braids as you opened your lips. It was a taste you had missed, the way his tongue explored your mouth like it was the very first time. His fingers kneeded in you side and you pulled back, stroking your nose against his as your foreheads still connected.

'Did you fight one of them?' You asked sofly.

'Yes Ubbe, he spared my life. Are they safe?' He asked on his turn.

'They are for now.' You reassured him. You looked down to your hand that rested against his chest, a feeling that was so familiar and yet so strange.

'Hey,' he titled your head back up with a soft gesture of his finger under your chin. 'What is it?'

'You know that Ivar will kill them right? Your brother, Lagertha, even Bjorn. We need to get them out of here, safely.'

'I can't get in the middle, if Ivar finds out,' You stopped him, seeing those mixed feelings on his face again. He wasn't sure of the side he took.

'I will handle it.' You promised him. He breathed slowly out, snuggling his lips under your ear for a kiss.

'Can I have you tonight?' He whispered against your neck. You hummed, looking up to the stars.

'You can have me the rest of your life.' You smiled, pulling him back while giving him a warning look. 'Ivar can't know.' You said. Hvitserk couldn't keep his hands to himself, playing with your braid as he looked into your eyes, nodding.

'I will be quiet.' He joked charmingly. You bit your lip, grabbing him behind his neck for another kiss. He moaned silently and you couldn't resist a smile.

'I missed you to.' You said in between kissed. He pressed you against one of those wooden houses and you looked up into his eyes. 'You didn't had another in your bed while you were away?'

'Y/n, you should know how many times I wished you laid alongside of me.' He muttered against your neck. You smiled, glad to have him back home. His war wasn't over, but at least he had you as his back up, his comfort, his love.