(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{From here}

Sinric leads Athelstan back to their rooms, through a door behind the stairs. Their rooms are neatly kept and clean. It's clear Sinric has been very watchful about his duty to keep their rooms. He brings a chair over for Athelstan before heading off to run him a bath.

"Are the painkillers helping? I can fetch stronger ones, if you need them?"

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"I would only leave your side tonight if you needed the space." He offers lightly, aware that Athelstan is still healing and some scars are not the visible ones.

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods, all too aware of the unspoken as well.

"They... they tell me sometimes I've cried out in the night. So if I struggle against nothing...."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric slides back into the pool to reach for his friend, offering him the comfort of his arms. "As do I. We can struggle with our demons together."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan leans into the embrace.

"I'd spare Ragnar that if I could. But I know he wouldn't understand if I won't sleep a night with him."

[thewidewideworld]

"He will understand more than you expect. And every if he doesn't understand, he will give you whatever you need if only you ask him." He brushes Athelstan's hair back from his face. "He loves you, heart and soul. There is nothing he wouldn't do for you."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It's going to hurt him so", Athelstan says sadly, "that he can't make my wounds heal."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then together we will make him understand that he is making heal. By giving you time and strength. And by understanding when you also need space."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods.

"Without Milliways, and access to Ragnar through it, it would be so much harder."

[thewidewideworld]

"As it would have been for me. Without both of you, it would have broken me utterly. And for every day since, I give thanks."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And I know he'll come for me. More than my faith in him, which might be overcome by despair, I have his promise."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric takes Athelstan's hand lightly in his, kissing the skin of his inner wrist between the two ends of his armband. "He will come for you."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan looks at the armring, his eyes softening.

"When I was... when they were... they tried to take that from me with my clothes, but I couldn't let them. I kicked, I hit and scratched, I think I may have bitten one of them. And I remember looking at it, when I was... raised up."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods, letting him talk as he cups the armband and Athelstan's hand, keeping the contact.

[athelstanthescribe]

"It helped me to stop screaming", he whispers. "To remember I had earned it, and I was a man of the North."

[thewidewideworld]

"A proud warrior of the North." Sinric smiles, although sadness fills his eyes. "A true Viking." He understands some of the implications of the word from the Varangians.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And a good Viking, following Ragnar's example. One who may steal, but doesn't set out to kill the defenceless."

Lindisfarne was - a mistake, in that way, as the raiders didn't expect to find men not ready to fight. But for Athelstan, speaking of himself, it's an attempt to convince himself he's not a bad person despite the death of the young monk.

[thewidewideworld]

He nods. "That tallies with what I know of the Varangians of court. They value honour above riches so fight only those who are worth the fight."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Your Varangians are the best of the North, then. Not all can say the same, but then, that's true of every people... I'd like to meet Gunnarr the Proud, one day."

He's still leaning into Sinric's touches, drawing every scrap of comfort he can from them.

[thewidewideworld]

"It is only the best whose service is selected by the court. Many Varangian serve in the army but only those highest in valour and skill are selected to serve the Emperor's household."

"I too hope I will see him again. He stayed on, in my Emperor's service when Leo was sent away but chose to take his people and household west to the Rus lands when the Prince returned to court. He gave me a beautiful gift before he left. A pendant made of crystal set in silver. He said any of his town would know it as his should I ever seek him."

He massages Athelstan's scalp again, finding the places that ease rest and relax body and mind.

[athelstanthescribe]

His eyes are half-lidded, but he's still awake.

"Do you keep it here, where no one can take it from you?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I haven't but I will. I have not been back since I came in the night if the Frankish ambassador's reception so I have only my collar of stars, my Sun mask and the clothes I keep here. When next I return I will bring back my things for safe keeping."

He kisses Athelstan's temple. "I should finish washing you so we can move to the bed."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm in your hands", he murmurs. "As ever."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric kisses his shoulder and starts to wash his hair and skin, carefully to keep the soap from stinging his wounds.

He moves into the edge of the bath and guides Athelstan to lay back on the cushioning towel again, combing the knots from his still wet hair with a practiced hand.

All then while he sings, soft and gentle.

[athelstanthescribe]

His hair has been neglected, and the tangles are many, but he doesn't complain as Sinric gently combs them out.

"Thank you", he says softly.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric leans in to kiss him softly. "There is nothing you need thank me for." He whispers, doing a final comb through to be sure. Most of the birds have long hair and they're good at looking after each other without pulling on knots.

"Come, let me dry you and rebind your wounds before you sleep." He holds out a hand to help Athelstan up.