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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]

"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."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I know." He clasps Ragnar's hand for a long moment, as long as any other man might. "And I, you."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Let's go," Ragnar says, "separately, as we came, before Horik either thinks we're conspiring against them, or casts aspersions at your manliness for being in the forest with me."

Both true, in a way. Athelstan is playing a high-stakes game on both accounts, and both for Ragnar's sake.