OOM: Returning Eunuch

[bigarmy_strangepants]

It is late in the day, and Ragnar is lounging in his room, talking to Athelstan.

He could spend eternity just talking to Athelstan, and then an eternity again with all the other Athelstan-related things.

But they never run out of things to talk about, it seems.

"... will turn seawater into potable water, like making salt, just the other way around," he is saying.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"You can't settle in his land if he's not amenable", Athelstan points out. "Sooner or later, he'd destroy you."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"So I hope he is amenable, and will talk rather than fight," Ragnar says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"If not, we'll just have to look for somewhere else as good for farmers."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Which would be so much easier without King Horik!" Ragnar says. "Both parts, really."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan looks down.

"King Horik will have nothing to say about it when we leave."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"No," Ragnar says. "Nothing. Just now, when we deal with Ecbert in England, he will still be there."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm sure you and Lagertha between you can keep him in line, king or not."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I hope so," Ragnar says. "Remember what he did the last time? Say one thing, do the other."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And more dangerous things than that."

He hasn't forgotten running through the woods with arrows flying.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"If I left him behind," Ragnar says, "he'd take Kattegat while I'm gone, and feel fully justified."

[athelstanthescribe]

"He can't take what's already his. In his eyes, I'm sure, you're only governing it for him."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Take it away from me and my family, give it to somebody else," Ragnar says, "hurting even more of my friends in the process. I can't stand for that."

[athelstanthescribe]

"So there will be more blood", he says, resigned.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar reaches out to take his hand. "There will always be more blood," he says, "the only thing I can do is keep it restricted to those who fight back, people who are trying to kill us."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I know. And you can't change your whole people." Athelstan looks up at him. "But I've seen enough of it for a lifetime."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Then you will not have to see it, if I can help it at all," Ragnar says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Thank you." He knows he can't ask more than that, and even that is asking a lot.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar takes both Athelstan's hands, stroking his fingers.

"I love you," he says, plainly. "Give me a kiss, and then let's call Sinric back in here."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I don't know why you put up with me." He leans in for the requested kiss.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar kisses him, very tenderly. "Because I love you," he whispers against Athelstan's lips.

[athelstanthescribe]

He doesn't answer, because he doesn't feel worthy - but he knows Ragnar will only feel he has to argue if he says that.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar kisses him again, lightly. "Shall we call Sinric back in?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", Athelstan agrees. "Sinric!"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar picks up his mug of tea again; it's cooled down by now, but still drinkable.

"Sinric!" he adds his voice to Athelstan's.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric joins them after a moments delay, not looking much more polished. His hair has been brushed to a shine and bound up in delicate braids. His eyes are dark with kohl and his tunic fresh and pretty.

Either dressed up for them or to meet his doctor. Or both. "My beloveds." He kisses each of them in turn, scented sweetly and seeks out his abandoned tea.