Re: Sigvard's Hall: Lagertha/Ragnar
So this was how he earned the obedience of his people. It was as Ragnar had suspected, seeing the weariness in their eyes, their refusal to quite meet his gaze on their way in. It was heavier in this hall and it was evident, by their silence, by no inhaled gasps that this was not unusual for Sigvard.
There had been once, when after he killed the bear and her hound, they had found themselves similarly. He had struck her, and she had hit him back so fiercely and quickly that he'd fallen on his ass, stunned for a second before he rolled out of the way of her fists and feet. He had never again hit her like that, not even in all the times they had sparred or outright fought, understanding as Sigvard didn't that his strength was not to be used against Lagertha, but that together they were stronger, as it was in the shield wall.
In the seconds that happened after, when she did not immediately strike back, Ragnar rocked back on his heels. Why did she wait? Looking around, he caught his answer -- these people, as their eyes lowered and the men slowly sank back into their seats. As he did with Lagertha, he did with them, lording his power over them.
Guðr caught his eye and gave a small shake of his head. The older man saw no wisdom in this fight. It was unwise to let this continue. Ragnar had not been here long enough to be cowed by the man they called Earl. Instead he stepped forward, boots quiet on the hard packed earth beneath his feet, one hand straying to his knife, the other to the sword on his hip. There was a sigh behind him, but more eyes followed as he went to Lagertha, one hand out, but otherwise silent.