(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]

"Is she ever," Ragnar says. "She's a princess, and that says it all."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan falls silent, out of things to say.

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier notices Athelstan's silence and changes the subject. "Perhaps it's time to go up? You both look like you could do with a good night's sleep."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Shouldn't we just stay here with the sleeping little lady?" Ragnar says. "Or do we take her upstairs and curl up with her so you two get a solid night's uninterrupted sleep?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes, we could do that. With all her energy, I'm sure you need it."

[equal_of_any_man]

The look of hope and relief on Ermina's face is unmistakable. "Would you mind if she slept with you tonight? Even just for a little while?" Please!

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"All night, if she wants to stay," Ragnar says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"If she wakes again, we can sing her back to sleep."

[equal_of_any_man]

There is nothing but love in Ermina's expression. Love and gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you so much." She rushes in to hug Athelstan and Ragnar in utter relief.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar hugs her back. "Don't wake the little lady," he says, still holding her.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan leans in, for once.

"Has she been giving you such a difficult time?"

[equal_of_any_man]

"The last few weeks," read: months, "Yes. She hasn't slept well at all. No matter how much Olivier tires her out."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Then she can wake us, for once," Ragnar says. "What was wrong, or is it just growing pains?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"She's had nothing to really frighten her, I hope. Apart from the usual fears of the dark and such things."

[equal_of_any_man]

"I suspect more of her teeth are coming in." Oliver frowns tightly, hating to see his little girl in pain. Especially when there's nothing to do. "Most often when it wakes her, she cries bitterly until she can sleep again."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Don't you have any herbs you can put in a little linen bag she can chew on?" Ragnar says. "Elisef does those, and they helped my kids."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"Or a poultice of some kind, for the places where her gums are most sore."

[equal_of_any_man]

"I do but I don't like her to have them when she sleeps, lest she choke on them."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Tomight, she has us," Ragnar says. "She can chew my fingers if her gums hurt."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Or our clothing, if she chooses. Whatever makes her feel better."

[equal_of_any_man]

"She has a toy horse she likes to chew on." Ermina explains, rising to help them with her. "I can fetch it for you." She gestures at the stairs, ready to go up if they are.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar stands, with little Mary still asleep in his arms, shifting the child expertly as he moves.

"I am ready," he says.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan sets his knife on his empty plate and stands in turn.

"So am I."

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier leads them upstairs, Mary happily asleep in Ragnar's arms. The room they stayed in last time is ready for them - the bed spread with thick furs and a fire warm in the hearth. A cosy room and a welcoming one.

Ermina joins them a moment later, carrying a soft wool blanket and a little wooden horse rubbed with oil of cloves for her to teat on.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar sits on the bet, and tries to kick off his boots without wiggling too much, or using his hands. He doesn't want to wake Mary, after all.