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He had told Blue Willow to wait for him just at the edge of Ravensblood Forest and had departed from her when she had agreed figuring it would be easy to accompany her back to the Plateau than it was to try to find the pack on his own; besides it would save time and Ragnar did not want to chance the possibility of missing the birth of his and Thistle’s children. He had given her the rough time estimate of meeting her before the sun set and Ragnar intended to keep it, not wanting his brief goodbye to stretch on for longer than it needed too. The Viking understood as he followed the familiarly worn path to the birthing den he shared with Thistle that she would probably - if his suspicion was anything to go off of - come with him and that if she wanted too though she was the only proof he had that the words he would speak to Crete’s family were truth that he would try his damnest to talk her out of it. It would be a couple days journey and he did not want to put her on the line of fire and scrutiny for while she was as just to blame as Crete she did not deserve that. He did not want her to hear it or feel it if they directed their anger at her since Crete had seemed to have fallen off the edge of the earth.
She heard her name being called and she woke up blinking blearily looking all around. Realizing it was her mate she got to her feet and walked blinking out and nudged his shoulder gently. "What's going on Ragnar is all okay?
Ragnar watched as Thistle emerged from the shadows, watching the awkward - at least that was how it looked to him - way in which she walked, carrying the weight of their children in her womb. Ragnar wondered, as he had several times already, how many she was carrying, he wanted to guess quite a few given her size but then again he was reminded that his wife was small and that likely even a single pup would probably make her womb appear to be large even so. Ragnar didn’t really care how many babes they had, only that they and Thistle were healthy and strong during the whole process - from their time in the womb to their birthing. He realized when he felt her touch against his shoulder, the brush of her muzzle against the platinum silver fur that grew there that he had probably awoken her. Most of the time he did for she seemed to be napping frequently, which Ragnar felt unsure if was a good thing or a bad thing - Dagmar’s pregnancy had never progressed this far and he had nothing else to go off of.
Thistle listened with rapt attention and grumbled under her breath Well dash it all She had completely forgotten for a moment that he had a family elsewhere what if they wanted the pups? Ahh ragnar what if they want to try and take them? An irrational fear gripped her and her eyes got very wide as she thought about it. They were not many in the pack and she did not wish to cause a rift but she would be darned if anyone tried to take the babes from her.
She backed up and looked away from him for a moment to collect herself her mind racing fast and wide. She looked at him sharply when he spoke of the small lie. and she snorted Ragnar if I had been with you in the first place I would not have been with him I am not some wanton Jezabelle throwing herself at everyone you know. Although it might work to explain to them that and it was my first season and I hda no females really to talk too at the time. She was by no means being mean she was just thinking and some of her words were rolling off her tongue without thinking them through.
As she sat thinking wondering if she should go too she remember Pump Wait Ragnar Pump said you were not to go I and she were. I don't want you to get in trouble on my behalf.
Her look was sharp at his admittance of his lie, listening to her words, his ears laying down to his skull as she lectured him upon it.
Just so long as Pump understood that when she no longer had the Beta position to hold over him as leverage - meaning that she chose someone else or took the prospect away from him that Ragnar would be gone and he’d take Thistle with him and without her leash constraining him he would no longer care about her morals. The Viking’s wings were clipped but it was only a matter of time before he broke free and took flight. Whether it was with Pump or against her only the fates would reveal.
Thistle listened to him calmly and blinked softly ALright Ragnar if you think you need to go you should go. And it does not matter to me if they are your blood or not their yours regardless. She spoke the last part gently.
Thistle looked at him and licked his muzzle when he came towards her. Then lowered her eyes for a moment Why do you think I should stay here? She did not mind that and she was thinking about staying on her own anyway, but she wanted to know his reasoning, and if it had anything to do with Crete or if he just desired to make sure she was safe.
It must have been very shocking of her, Ragnar considered as he heard her sharp intake of breath at his conspiring whisper, to hear him speak in such a sinister manner when speaking of his favored God, but Ragnar knew of no other way to say it so she might believe him; that he would kill anyone who tried to take their children from her, including his own God. Odinn and Ragnar had already talked about what the Allfather had done wrong and the Viking was confident that the Allfather would not again take the lives of Ragnar’s children, yet it was good to remind even Gods of their wrongs so they did not forget.
Ragnar made a contented noise - a soft groan that hung in his throat - when he felt her tongue glide across his muzzle and responded with a kiss of his own. There was a part of Ragnar that was surprised she was not fighting to go along with him, and yet another part of him that was intensely relieved that she was not gunning to go. She was too pregnant, and Ragnar only wanted her safe. He did not know the Plateau wolves, did not know if they would insult her, judge her, attack her even.
She chuckled at him gently, I do not see Pump all that often dear heart. She smiled softly at his admission of not wanting her to think he abandoned her and she nipped at his shoulder in gratitude and love. I will miss you. With those words she decided not to go. She did not wish to do anything to harm the lives growing in her womb. She knew that stress and long walking could induce labor early and she refused to do that.
She hummed softly in contentment at his kisses. She tilted her ear and leaned against him gently, but did not put all her weight on him for the simple fact that she was no longer small as she had been. She was actually quite large as of late, she was willing to bet there was at least 2 pups if not more laying within her. Okay Ragnar I will stay, but you come back to me or I will hunt you down. She teased the last part, but she was extremely worried for him. She did not know how the wolves would react and without her to support his claim they may not believe him and attack him on sight.
The sound of Thistle’s chuckle and admittance that she did not see Pump that often allowed the Viking a little relief though not much.
He could see the worry brewing like a far off storm in the azure pools of her eyes, beautiful and captivating as they held his icy oceanic gaze. Ragnar suspected that nothing but his return would truly erase her worry. He did not understand where her worry stemmed from, unaware that she was in love with him and that it was that love that housed her worry. When it came to the matters of the heart Ragnar was unknowing and inexperienced. He drew in a careful breath and let it out.
She tilted her head at him and backed up so he could detach himself better from her. She watched him get ready to go and she thought to herself Good god what am i to do when the man starts to raid and pillage again. It would not be good that much she knew, she may have to go with him just to make sure he did not die.
She could have told him she loved him she thought about it. but this was not the time nor the place and she did not even know how he would take it let alone if he would. So she kept that secret to herself a burning ember in her chest. She would tell him someday, but not before he was about to leave just so that sounded as if she was saying it just because he was leaving.
There was nothing easy about leaving his family even if it was only for a few days time; and Ragnar reasoned it wasn’t like he was going to be in nearly as much danger as he was every time he had raided. The Berserker and Jarl - one side of the same coin that was Ragnar Loðbrók - neither of them feared death, would even have embraced it if it were with Odinn to come and claim him into the hall of Valhalla. But Ragnar found that he feared for Thistle if the that were to happen. Of course, it probably wouldn’t be that bad realistically since the pack was already charged with ownership of their children - she would have hardly been alone in raising them. A soft shake of his head was given to dispel those dark thoughts. He had no intentions of this turning ugly, though he went to them with little proof and what would sound to be an accusation though he hoped Blue Willow would at least testify on his behalf. If things went south with this Ragnar was sure Pump would keep the Beta position away from his for good or have his head on a silver platter. But things had changed and Ragnar had answered the Plateau’s Beta’s call.
It was only right that he saw it through to the end.