athelstanthescribe | (no subject)

"Exactly those," Ragnar says. "It also means the stakes get higher, of course. Not just for the gods betting on us."

"If you fail", Athelstan agrees slowly, " - perhaps not against Jarl Borg, but certainly against the king, the consequences will be heavy."

"For all of us," Ragnar says. "Which I can't allow."

"So it's try to avoid the situation... or don't fail." He studies Ragnar's face. "I know which you'd choose, if you could."

"While the gods are busily herding all of us to where I don't want to go," Ragnar nods, "laughing into their mead all the time."

"I'll be here", Athelstan says suddenly. "If - when - you free me. You know I won't leave, don't you?"

Ragnar stops again, and turns to him.

"I hoped so," he says, "but in the end, it has to be your choice -- to stay with us, to go to the gods, to leave for a chance at your old life."

"Then make it my choice." It's quiet, but intense. "Give me my freedom, so I can prove it to you. My old life is gone, along with everyone in it."

"I will," Ragnar says. "As soon as I return from that Jarl Borg job."

He makes it sound as if he'd been asked to clean out somebody else's latrine ditch.

Athelstan blinks, with the beginnings of a blinding smile.

"Really? Well, I'd better get on with learning to fight, then."

"You should," Ragnar says. "You'll be able to hold your own, at least, by the time I get back. I'll be a while."

He sighs, making a face thinking of that metaphorical latrine ditch. It's a long one.

"It's a long way to Gotaland", Athelstan agrees. "And that's if the negotiations don't drag on."

"Which they will," Ragnar says, "as reportedly, Jarl Borg isn't quite in his right mind, and might even have overshot his wrong one. Somebody to tread quite carefully but firmly around."

He grins at Athelstan.

"You'll have time to train and get it right."

"I learn fast", he says with a grin in return. "Who will you take with you?"

"Rollo," Ragnar says. "Maybe Floki. Perhaps even Björn, if he really, really begs me not to be left behind because he's a man now."

He grins again.

"He won't be able to help you learn to fight, in that case. On the other hand, you'll have him out of your hair."

"He hasn't been so bad lately", Athelstan offers mildly. "Perhaps he's coming to like me after all."

"That would be sensible, because you're here to stay," Ragnar says.

"He's halfway between boy and man", he points out. "Sensible doesn't come into it."

Ragnar laughs.

"I'm still hoping that eventually, it will," he says.

"Eventually, no doubt. With you and Lady Lagertha to guide him, he should be a fine man."

"He should be a fine man by his own better judgement, without any guidance, eventually," Ragnar says. "And I'm sure he will be."

"But we never forget the guidance of childhood. It's of the highest importance."

"He's at the point where he gets to make his own choices," Ragnar says. "What guidance he needed, he's had already."

Beat.

"Hopefully."

Athelstan nods.

"He is, though not quite ready yet to be out in the world on his own."

"That's why I might take him with me," Ragnar says, grinning. "Because he'll be out in the world with Floki, Rollo and me."

Marginally saner and more responsible people, that is.