Re: Sigvard's Hall: Lagertha/Ragnar
His pose remained one of outward calm, hands splayed over his wide belt, feet flat and shoulder length apart on the rough floor of the hall. Wiser, less drunk eyes would understand that Ragnar was waiting. But for what? To see more of this drunk Earl?
No. Sigvard would be dead before he left this place, this Ragnar already knew. If Lagertha did not wish to return to Kattegat, that would be her choice, but this man was no longer worthy if ever he had been. Ragnar wanted a measure of the men that remained, the women that bowed their heads as whipped dogs.
But their eyes still moved to Lagertha, strength drawn in that connection. Ragnar's mouth perked up into a smile.
"I followed her here, to your home. She told me many stories of you, of your lands, the wealth of your home and how you cared for my son. I wanted to give thanks to such an Earl. She did not know I was here until shortly before we entered your lands." A lie, but Ragnar doubted the old man was sober enough to see it for what it was.
And he was right.
But as Lagertha moved forward, watery eyes followed and Ragnar did not let his own gaze stray from Sigvard to follow his ex-wife. His mouth twisted, then eased as some thought came to the fore of his muddled mind. "You are not wanted here. You will leave in the morning. But you, wife, will come and attend to me."
So he thought to make shame burn within Ragnar at seeing how much control Sigvard had over Lagertha? Ragnar nodded his head, mouth curling only slightly. "That is all I ask. I will be gone in the morning." A night's rest, a warm meal -- his eyes briefly met Lagertha's as he turned to take a seat at one of the long tables.