The Son Of Ragnar



Rogaland was going to be one of the busiest places because Rugalf made it so that he invited as many people as possible as this would do them good from an economical standpoint. 

He knew the pull the name, Ragnarsson, had and who in their right mind would not want to see the boy that conquered death?

The day progressed without much trouble but Rugalf kept his plans for Tyr leading the expedition to himself for now.

He wanted Tyr to focus entirely on his daughter and guests had already started pouring in from all around. 

Men of prominent status and political pull from various kingdoms graced them. 

All were eager to see Tyr but Tyr was to spend the day alone in his room and away from Estrid, as she was also subjected to the same fate. 

This was tradition and Rugalf had every intention of following said tradition. Besides, not seeing Tyr as soon as they came only made them more curious.

Increased curiosity is a good thing but Rugalf knew about the man he was waiting on the most. 

A King he respected like no other and that was King Ragnar but it was King Askild with his escorts that arrived first. 

This escort happen to be composed of Lagerha and Bjorn, both were giddy as they immediately began to look for Tyr as they walked with Askild but there was no luck. 

"King Askild, it is an honour that you have accepted my invitation!" King Rugalf was ecstatic as he embraced the King of Kattegat like they were old friends despite this being the furthest thing from the truth. 

"I am glad to be here, King Rugalf. I would not miss the union for the world…" Askild said and both men laughed.

"The other Kings are there," Rugalf said, pointing to a hall where cheers and celebrations could be heard within. Askild went on ahead without Lagertha or Bjorn, they could not enter seeing as they are not Kings. 

"Lady Lagerha, you look well! This must be a joyous day for you!" Rugalf was excited and he did not even attempt to hide it. 

He embraced the current situation with open arms as he planned to make the best out of it. 

"WHERE IS TYR!?" Bjorn butted in, forgetting he was before a King but Rugalf did not mind this behaviour despite Lagertha apologizing on behalf of her son.

"I am afraid you will not be able to see your brother until tomorrow, the couples will spend a night alone as this would be the last time they would be regarded separately for marriage will make them one!" Rugalf exclaimed.

It was surreal, Tyr was getting married at such a young age but he was of age for such a commitment.

"I do not see Ulf…" Rugalf said as his eyes shuffled through the remnant of the people that had tagged along. He noticed Lagertha's body language change. 

Rugalf immediately knew this was a sensitive subject and thought it best not to press on. 

"Are you Bjorn Ironside?" A voice called out and Rugalf looked over his shoulder to see Thorgard with Vegard seated around his neck. 

"Who is asking?" Bjorn responded with a raised brow thinking this was someone that had a problem with him. 

"Thorgard Gardsson requests that you speak," Thorgard said with Rugalf standing awkwardly in silence. This was not how Thorgard spoke on a normal day and knowing his younger brother, he was about to start something. 

"Am I supposed to know who that is?" Bjorn asked.

Vegard gasped dramatically from where he was seated.

"Big brother, he does not know who you are," Vegard repeated. 

"I HEARD HIM!" Thorgard raised his voice before clearing his throat and theatrically pointing at Bjorn. 

"Bjorn Ironside, I am Thorgard Gardsson, brother to King Rugalf and I want to welcome you to the Gardsson family!" Thorgard said.

Thorgard was an upbeat person, he was friendly and got along with most people evident with his initial interaction with Tyr and now Bjorn. 

"That is awesome!" Bjorn responded as Rugalf watched both boys take their conversation elsewhere.

"Lady Lagertha, I hope you found your journey here easy?" Rugalf began small talk with Lagertha. 

"It could have been worse. I must say, Rogaland is a lot more beautiful than I imagined…" Lagertha said; she was more interested in how they were all disarmed at the entrance and thoroughly searched regardless of their status. This was Rogaland's ironclad rule. 

"You honour me, Lady Lagerha. We should get you somewhere to rest," Rugalf said, whistling as Lagerha was soon surrounded by multiple shield maidens that would take care of her every need. 

Rugalf was the host, he could not spend too much time conversing with a single person.

-

"Bjorn Ironside! I have heard a lot of great things about you!" Thorgard was excited to meet him. 

They were approximately the same age yet Bjorn had so many accomplishments under his belt. 

This was a recipe for envy but not for Thorgard, he admired Bjorn for this very reason. 

Bjorn and Lagertha left their unit in Lagertha as Kattegat was also conscious of anyone trying to do what Birger did again. 

"You flatter me but yes, I am impervious to attacks," Bjorn bragged, folding his arms in the process. 

"Awesome…" Thorgard knew that was why he had the name Ironside but Vegard, who was seated around his neck pointed and said. 

"Why do you have wounds if you are impervious to attacks?" 

Both Thorgard and Bjorn paused with silence filling the atmosphere. Bjorn thought of so many excuses as to why he had scars but Thorgard moved to defend the boy he admired. 

"Those are not scars! They are the birthmark of a true warrior!" Thorgard exclaimed.

"Y-Yes! These are birthmarks!" Bjorn followed up with the lie.

"Woah! That is so cool!" Vegard being Vegard believed without much convincing.

The Ragnarsson family just expanded and Bjorn was loving it already or was it more accurate to say that he liked both Thorgard and Vegard?