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[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan has been watching Ragnar all night, waiting for a chance to get him alone before he leaves.

They need to talk.

Finally, he spots Ragnar heading into the woods towards the river, and - by a different route, so no one will think twice about it - follows.

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar is going to the river in order to put his head in the cold water and think.

How could things go so wrong so quickly??

But first, he's taking a piss at a tree-trunk when he realises somebody is moving through the wood laterally, as if to intercept him without following.

He reaches at his back for his seax, in case it's one of Horik's men meaning to dispatch him.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan emerges from the trees into his clearing and stops so Ragnar can clearly see him without being near enough for anything they'd both regret.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Oh," Ragnar says. "It's you."

[athelstanthescribe]

There's a flash of hurt on his face at that response, and he almost turns back the way he came.

...but then he doesn't.

"Yes. It's me."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar takes his hand off his seax, and finishes what he was doing.

"Athelstan," he says, sounding unhappy.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I wanted to talk to you", he says hesitantly.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar shakes his prick, and puts it away.

"You are a free man, and you took a sensible and rational decision," Ragnar says. "But yes, I want to talk to you, too."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Was it the right decision?"

It's blurted, suddenly.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"It was a sensible and rational decision," Ragnar says again, "and as a free man, it's your right to take it. I just know that I'll miss you terribly."

But that's no reason not to do it. Ragnar is used to missing people terribly -- he missed Lagertha often enough, when only one of them went off to raid.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Ragnar - " Athelstan is staying where he is, more uncertain than he's been in Ragnar's presence for a long time. "Do you understand why I made it? Really?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"No," Ragnar says, glumly. "I wouldn't trust Horik as far as I can throw him, not after the war he made me start that cost Arne's life. But if you assume that he is a rational and capable leader, your decision makes perfect sense. He asked for you to stay as his interpreter, and you agreed, because without an interpreter, all the negotiations I started are forfeit."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And if I hadn't stayed", Athelstan says quietly, "there would be no hope whatever for the negotiations. I have to believe there still is hope, because Horik can't win."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You're doing it for me," Ragnar says, "so my goals will stay represented, and the expedition will not descend into wild looting, pillaging, burning, and raping?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Of course I'm doing it for you", he says as if it went without saying. "Floki is going with you, and who else would speak for what you want?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Let us just hope that Horik will listen to what you say when you're not translating," Ragnar says, still glum.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll say it, whether he listens or not. And if the battles go as badly for him as I think they would..."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Well, yes, that is a serious consideration," Ragnar says, trying to keep the acid out of his voice.

"What are you going to do then?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Whatever I must. It may be that Horik himself will fall, perhaps even Erlendur with him, and then... well, then, I think the others would be more open to ending things peacefully."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"That is rather a long game," Ragnar says. "But a good way of thinking, if a risky one. Give him a sword to stick in his foot, and continue the journey on a much saner path."

He can't help but admire that strategy. It's something he might do himself, one day.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll get you your colony, Earl Ragnar." It's a promise. "Just as you want, one way or another."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Come here," Ragnar says, beckoning.

[athelstanthescribe]

He takes a step closer.

"Are you upset with me?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I will miss you," Ragnar says, reaching out for him. "But you are a free man, and your decisions makes a lot of sense."

Pause.

"I'm grateful you're taking that risk for me, but I don't have to like it in here."

He puts his other hand on his heart.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll miss you too", Athelstan says quietly. "But I know you don't need me to fight Jarl Borg, the way your plans need me here."

(When he said 'Whatever I must', he meant it. But saying outright he's prepared to kill the prince for Ragnar, should his father get himself killed... seems unwise, where anyone could be listening.)

[bigarmy_strangepants]

They can't know if there is anybody listening to this, so even a simple farewell kiss might be too much.

Ragnar instead takes Athelstan's hand and murmurs, very quietly, "I love you, you know."