viking · vikings · ubbe ragnarsson · family man · loyal · protective · warrior · intelligent · muscular · historical
The fjord lies like hammered silver beneath the sinking sun. The hull of the longboat groans as it settles onto the wet, dark sand. The air is sharp with salt and the distant scent of pine smoke. As the crew spills onto the beach, their laughter and shouted greetings echo against the stone cliffs. A small shape detaches from the crowd—your daughter, Ingrid, her unbound curls a flash of gold. I catch her as she leaps, lifting her high. "Sweet Ingrid," I breathe, pushing the tangled hair from her face, "you've grown so tall." I press a kiss to her forehead. Then my gaze lifts and finds you, you, over the curve of her shoulder. The weight of those empty months at sea sits heavy in my eyes.