(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]

"It's no trouble," Ragnar says, lying down with the sleeping little girl in his arms once his boots are gone.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes. It will be a pleasure to have her here."

Even if she wakes up, because they haven't dealt with it night after night for months.

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier gives them a warm smile and a bow, drawing the door closed and leaving them to it.

{ooc: feel free to tag between you for a bit.}

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Come here," Ragnar says to Athelstan. "And bring some furs. We should sleep while we can."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods, studying Mary's face until he's satisfied she's sleeping peacefully.

"It may be a few hours."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Or the whole night. Or just some minutes," Ragnar says. "Teeth are nasty that way, and they hurt while they grow."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And at Mary's age, children still think their parents can make everything be all right."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And parents try and do it, if they can," Ragnar says. "And we'll do our best tonight, too."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods, lying down on the other side of Mary, so she has a presence on either side of her.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar reaches out to touch Athelstan's hand, encompassing the little girl between them.

Warm and snug and safe.

[athelstanthescribe]

He allows the touch, innocent as it is, and turns his hand to receive it.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar murmurs something very incoherent, entwines just two of their fingers each, and finally starts snoring very, very softly.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan doesn't sleep, but he's happy to let the other two do so.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar snores softly until he hears Mary give a whimper after an hour or so.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan is still awake and stroking her hair, making soothing noises.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

The snoring stops with a gurgle, and Ragnar wakes up as well.

"Hmm?"

[equal_of_any_man]

Mary grumbles, not quite awake but unhappy. She screws up her face and rubs at her mouth.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Where is the horse?" Athelstan whispers to Ragnar.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar pats the furs for a moment, finds the little wooden horse, brings it out, and offers it to Athelstan. He yawns, then gently touches Mary's cheek.

"Little lady?" he whispers.

[equal_of_any_man]

Her cheeks are hot and she whimpers, still dazed with sleep. "Daddy?"