The Story of Brae Lothbrok

The boats filed one on top of the other. The wind from the west pushed them at great speed. In the main boat, my mother, Ubbe, and Ivar stood proudly and fearlessly. Behind her waved different flags of blue and yellow crosses. One flag was just yellow, one I'm not familiar with. 
"Those are King Svend's flags..." Ingrid explained. "Your mother's father's kingdom has come to join us!" I stood in amazement as the boats kept filing in. On the flank side of the ship waved the flags of Ubbe's kingdom of Iceland. 

My mother step forward holding the axe of Ivar firmly in her right hand. "I'm Queen Yrsa, the true Queen of Kattegat, Queen of London, and Mother of Norway!" Her voice echoed.
"I'm the wife of King Ivar and Prince Hvitserk, mother of King Brae Lothbrok, and Prince Ivar of London!" Her voice became furious.
"Who are you to steal our lives?" "Who are you to say I will go quietly?" "We are true Vikings! We are proud people! Proud of our countries and proud of our lands!" She rose the axe to the sky.

People all around roared and cheered for my mother as she spoke. "King Erik, Son of King Harold, your father once said this is not our way! I'm giving you the chance to surrender, or face the wrath that is stronger then the Great Heathen Army!" My mother stood for a moment as a body was flung over to her ship. It was a sign that Erik will not surrender.

She rose her axe again, "Skol!" She screamed as everyone around us repeated. The sky began to clear as we saw our enemy in better eye sight. Some people gasped in horror as we saw our enemy for the first time in day light. The sky was blue and the sun was bright. To beautiful to shed blood. Ropes were suddenly thrown across the water and onto the giants. Some were tossed over trees for people to cross over to land.

I look at Ingrid as she nodded, she instructed people to do the same. I put Lilja back under the ledge and I began to climb the rope across. My mother was already on land. People were screaming and giants voices roared across the way. Others were firing arrows from the ships. Lilja and Ivar joined each other as they worked together to steady the boats.

When I reach land with Ingrid, many were already dead. Some of them were so mangled that they were unrecognizable. There had to be at least ten giants and some were already takened down. I felt optimistic. I swung my axe at one leg and I began to swing again; cutting down one like a tree. It finally fell as I climbed over the large beast and impelling it in it's heart. Blood splattered on my face and some spurted out like an ocean. With one victim I was already drenched.  

I put my head to the sky and shouted in a war cry. I then looked down as Ubbe climbed over the giant to see me.
"My Nephew..." he said, gripping my head and bringing it to his. He was already covered in blood as he laughed.
"Uncle, glad to see you!" I shouted.
"Your mother wanted to be here with you!" I turned to see my mother hacking away at a large giant.
"We have the advantage!" Ubbe said.

From a distance, as the fog cleared more, I saw another giant just sitting on what appeared to be a small hit. Easy enough for someone like me to climb. He sat with pain and frustration. He held what appeared to be a staff in one hand and a large crown upon his head. It was King Erik and he was not ammused. 

I scoffed, what a loser. "King Erik," I spoke in Norse, "Do you know who I'm?" I laughed hysterically, "I'm King Brae Lothbrok! Grandson of Ragnar Lothbrok! Son of Yrsa, Ivar, and Hvitserk!" "No matter what you will do to me, I will rise!" I heard a gruff as he did not bother to move. 

Thunderstorm clouds began to hover over as the water became choppy and the boats began to rock. I looked up questioning why the Gods have turned the weather against us. I turned to Ubbe who has ran back to my mother. She has become wounded and I also felt the need to rush to her. I was suddenly picked up as I fought desperately to be free. Things turned very quickly. I looked around to see our first group was takened down as I tempted Erik. Our fleet was being torn apart by rocks being thrown. I could hear Ivar sending out the call to retreat. It is for the best. 

I looked up to see Erik had his grip on me. He brought me up to his yellow eyes as he gestured his hand out, "You may be the son of some of the most famous Vikings, but I'm the God among Gods! Your world will end and your child will be my slave!" 

That's all it took. 

I started swinging myself back and forth until I gained enough momentum to swing up and onto his arm. Everything became a blur as I suddenly felt possessed. I'm not possessed by an evil ghost, but a warm and inviting spirit. I looked into the reflection of Erik's eye to see not myself, but Ivar. 

"Father?" I gasped.

I'm here, my son! 

The thunder clapped bring my head to the sky and back down. My arms that held my sword swung across Erik's eye. He roared in pain as I heard Hvitserk's voice,

Jump, Brae!

I was too high up as I jump slicing my sword through Erik's chest, using it to travel down the canal. I turned to see Ubbe and my mother have retreated underneth a rock as the storm became violent. Erik still stood though, I didn't know what else to do. 

You are the grandson of Ragnar Lothbrok, you come from a long line of smart men. Great men, who were revered in history. 

"Brae! Brae!" King Arthur cried, he pointed to the sea to see the water rising above the clouds. I nodded as I rushed to higher ground. Yet again, Erik grabbed me but his grip was weak, signaling he was dying. 

"I'm the true King of Norway!" Erik cried desperately.

"NO!" A voice came. Young Prince Igor jumped from the rocks and sliced Erik's arm down the bicep. 
"King Brae is!," He shouted as he came down along with Erik's arm. Igor landed on the ground; he died on impact. It distrughted me because how he loved Ivar, but now they are joined together in Vallhalla. 

Brae, run! Echoed Ivar's voice in my head. I began to run as Erik became dizzy and began to fall over himself. I saw Ubbe ahead of me frantically gesturing me to join him and my mother under the rock. I began to topple over what seemed to be guts mixed in with water and blood. Then, I suddenly disappeared in a large pond. By now, I'm too exhausted to fight. The muffle sounds of men fighting could be heard above the water. Loud thuds of giants falling on the ground vibrated underneth the water.

A blue light appeared in front of me and women on white horses began to emerge from it. Valkyries. I was not ready to die and say goodbye to my life, but the light was comforting and calm. It didn't seem like I was dying. As I looked closer at the riders, I then saw they were members of my family. Sif, my beloved wife, got off her horse and apporached me as a white shioultte. She brought her lips to mine and pulled back with a smile. I could not talk only to receive the love and messages.

Hvitserk got off another horse and gave me a hug. He looked young and vibrant, he seemed so happy and I knew he was telling me to give my mother his blessings. Ivar then came up to me and kissed my forehead. "You...were...there...every...step." 
Ivar smiled at me and grasped my shoulders, "As promised..." "As I will always."
"As we will always, my love," Sif said, grasping my arm. 
I looked over to Hvitserk who glared at me with a wide smirk, "Long live King Brae, Giant slayer."