(no subject)

[equal_of_any_man]

{From here}

Olivier opens the door into a pleasant spring day. The sun warms the first buds on the trees and the freshly tilled earth in the fields beyond smells rich and warm.

They are in the woods just beyond Athelstan and Ragnar's holding, stepping out of a circle of stones.

"I should have known it was a doorway." Olivier smiles. "Perhaps the ancients of this land knew the bar too."

Mary squeaks with delight as a butterfly passes them, wriggling in Athelstan's arms to be put down.

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar leans back, stretches, and goes "Ahhhh!"

He breathes in the fresh air, and smiles at the little girl.

"She already knows her plants!"

[athelstanthescribe]

"And by their proper names too", Athelstan agrees, with a proud smile for her. "She'll make a herbalist like her father."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Perhaps. She insists on helping me in the workshop so I thought it best she know her plants. If only so she knows what not to touch or taste."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Clever little lady!" Ragnar says, approvingly. "I love it when kids pick up what they like when they're still so little."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It's the easiest time to learn new things, I think", Athelstan says with a nod. "Languages, facts, anything really."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Alas yes." He follows his daughter's toddling steps toward the Northmans' farm. "She picked up a few words in Arabic I shouldn't have said in front of her. Fortuitously Ermina doesn't know what they mean."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"The things I'm not supposed to teach any kid in Norse?" Ragnar guesses, grinning.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And the sort of words any child will pick up, given half a chance, however hard you try."

He didn't, but his upbringing wasn't typical.

[equal_of_any_man]

"Quite probably." Olivier flashes a smile, scooping his daughter up to se her on his shoulders.

As they turn the corner in the path, the farmhouse comes into view. Olivier has put a bit of working into suring up the shed roof and wood had been neatly stacked against one wall.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"That already looks like a home," Ragnar says. "Complete with our well."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And wood ready for the burning when we need it", Athelstan says with a small smile.

[equal_of_any_man]

"The winter was mild and the coppicing plentiful. We had more than enough for everyone." Olivier nods, pulling a face as Mary tugs on a fistful of hair. "Mary helped carry it too."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"She thought we should have some, in case we came here?" Ragnar says. "To her, we must be like people from a tale. A myth."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Not any more. And one day, we'll be in her life all the time."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Uncles!" Mary declares kindly, as if that explains everything.

Olivier has to twist to keep hold of her as she tries to launch herself at Athelstan.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Hey, better not jump off a moving steed!" Ragnar says to her, laughing and holding out a hand in case she does.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan had started forward to catch her, in case she falls, but his foot tangles in a tough bit of grass and he has to concentrate on catching himself instead.

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier moves to catch Athelstan and they all manage to go down in a heap. With Mary somehow miraculous on top. The little girl giggles, assuming this is all part of the game.

Prepare to be tickled, uncles!

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar laughs, and flops down beside them.

"Anybody in need of untangling?"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan peers up at Mary.

"I think we've been claimed as a castle."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Mine!" She plants a big sloppy kiss on Athelstan's cheek, parking herself on his chest.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar grins at Olivier.

"What must I do to get Athelstan back?" he stage-whispers. "Will she take ransom?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Too late", Athelstan says almost cheerfully. "But perhaps she'll share."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Ransom!" Mary declares at Ragnar. "Kisses!"

Olivier sits back, long legs tucked under him as he watches his daughter tie knots around the Vikings.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar leans over and delivers a few big kisses to Mary's cheek.