How To Become a Viking M/F

Postby LordNelson » Tue Jul 14, 2015 2:01 pm

On the wrinkled coast of Norway, nestled into one of the fjords, there is a small village. In that village is young man. It has been so long since anyone in the village has called him by his real name that no one remembers it. Even his parents call him “Viking”. Ever since he was old enough to stand up and wave a toy sword he has wanted nothing else but to join the men as they set sail on the longships to raid and pillage.

As Viking walks through town with his two best friends he tries hard to hide his disappointment. The first thing that bothering him is the fact that they are holding hands.

Leif has been like a brother to him since they were both barely walking. Even though the rest of the village ridicules him Viking remains his true friend. Leif is as big and as strong and as handsome as any other but he has taken a different path through life. He embraces poetry and music. He paints pictures and picks flowers. He will never be a warrior.

Kristine is the daughter of the fiercest drenge (warrior). Her father Erik has led the men into battle for many years. Viking and Leif have been playmates of hers since starting school together. When they were children they were often invited over to Kristine’s house by her mother Helga to play together. Kristine is very pretty with long straw colored pigtails. Her most notable feature is her generous bosom, a family trait passed down from her mother.

Viking and Leif had turned eighteen this year and Kristine had just turned sixteen a few weeks ago. These are significant ages to the Norse. At eighteen the boys are considered men and can go to sea. At sixteen the girls are expected to take a companion. In many cases the girl has no choice as the arrangement is made between the families by the fathers. Some fathers will, such as Erik did, consult with the daughter.

Kristine chose Leif. She likes that he writes her poems and sings her songs. He plays his lute for her and takes her on picnics. While the other boys were training to become warriors he was taking long walks with her. Since Leif is of the Jarls (upper class) Erik and Helga gave the union their blessing. The alliance of their two families would make them very powerful.

Viking didn’t like her choice but respected it and said nothing.

Viking is in love with her. He has been in love with her for many years. When she chose Leif over him he was crushed but not surprised. The three have been best of friends for a long time but she has always had a connection with Leif that Viking can’t compete with.

The second thing on Viking’s mind is much more serious. The boats had just sailed. When they returned home a month ago the positions of the ones who had fallen in battle had been filled. He wasn’t chosen.

He had been training for years. He was as strong and as fast as any who had been taken. His skills as a sailor and a warrior were unrivaled. And yet here he was walking the street while lesser men sailed off to glory. When Leif and Kristine decided to walk among the flowers in the meadow Viking declined their invitation to join them. He knew where he wanted to go.

Helga is the one who watches over the lads as they train. She is one who’s opinion Erik values most when choosing replacements for his crew. In her day she had fought side by side with him in countless battles. She was as fierce a warrior as any man. She even continued to pillage when she was pregnant but in Norse tradition she gave up the sword when Kristine was born to stay home and raise a family.

Viking had been to the house many times. When he knocked on the door he knew he would be greeted warmly. She often called him son as if he were her own. He wondered if she would be so welcoming once he confronted her.

He knocked hard and she called out ‘just a moment’. When she answered she smothered him with a hug and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Come in, come in’ she invited as she hustled back to the fire pit where a steaming pot of Havregrøt (porridge) bubbled.

He looked at her. She wore the loose drab floor length dress of a housewife. It had been many years since she had worn the sleeveless tunic and short kilt of a warrior but Viking knew what was under that shapeless garment. The mother of the most desirable girl in the village was the most desirable woman.

He had never seen her in her younger splendor but had heard the tales of her youthful beauty. All men desired her, as Kristine is desired now, but Erik claimed her as his by virtue of his status. Age had not diminished her attractiveness.

Helga stirred the pot and said ‘You must stay for lunch. Tell me what brings you here?’

‘Why was I not one of the chosen?’ he asked bluntly.

She could see that this was a serious visit. She removed the pot from the fire and motioned for him to come take a seat. He remained standing by the door. It would be considered unacceptable for her to go to him given her elevated position in the community but she crossed the floor anyways. He is as close to her as her own children and his question had to be answered.

‘As you know when Erik is away he relies on me to be his eyes and ears. You know that I watch when you train but what you don’t know is that I listen also. I talk to your family and friends and trainers and teachers at the school. It takes more to be a Viking than to use a sword or to rig a sail. Situations have to be evaluated and decisions made.’

‘I have been told that you have a different way of thinking. That you don’t see things the way that the others do. I wasn’t sure if you could be relied upon on the battlefield or on a stormy sea.’

‘I’ll admit that I do find it more difficult to learn’ he admitted ‘but I work harder at it and in the end I know as much as anyone. I have passed every test the others have faced and done better than most of them. It doesn’t come as easy to me but in the end I get it done.’

‘I was going to come to you with two challenges’ Helga told him. ‘The first you just passed. It was to see if you were man enough to admit that you are different. I am proud of you for telling me without being pushed to do so.’

‘The second challenge will be harder than anything your have ever done before. It is not a physical challenge you can overcome with strength. It is not an intellectual challenge you can defeat with cleverness. It’s a challenge of your heart. Go now and when you return be prepared to tell me what makes a man a Viking.’

He had more to say but now it was pointless. She had issued her ultimatum and there was only one thing she wanted to hear. He left feeling confused and unfocused and angry. These were emotions that he dealt with every day and they were the reason he was different. He had taught himself to control these urges but it took time and concentration. Through the muddle of emotions one thing was clear, he would find her answer and he would return.

As Viking walked home Helga’s question burned in his brain. None of his schooling and none of his training could help him to find the solution. It had to come from inside of him.

When he arrived home his mother had a bowl of hot brennesle suppe (nettle soup) waiting for him. Afterwards he sat and had a few ØL (beer). The company of his family was soothing and his brain had calmed but he was no closer to the answer.

That night he lay in bed, sleepless, staring at the ceiling. He knew he was trying too hard and until he could clear away some of the clutter in his mind a solution would not come. He thought about Kristine, the image of her always soothed him. Then suddenly he found what he was looking for. He got out of bed.

The full moon that helped him find his way would also betray him if anyone were to be out. It was very late and the sun would be up soon as would most of the villagers who rose at dawn and toiled until sunset. He moved cautiously staying in the shadows. He meet no one else and soon reached his destination.

The window was open to let in the evening breeze. He climbed in. She lay sleeping peacefully. The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow. Her pretty face was radiant in the silvery light. He stood over her for a moment and then reached out.

He put his hand firmly over her mouth. She woke and tried to pull it away. Her tiny hands could not budge his strong grip. She looked up and recognized him. He put a finger to his lips to tell her to be silent. She stopped struggling.

He held a wadded piece of cloth in front of her face. She knew what it was for but she was confused as to why he was doing this. He took his hand off of her mouth and she opened wide. He pushed it in. Then he tied a wide strip of rawhide over her mouth to hold it in and knotted it tightly at the back of her neck.

Viking pulled the blankets off of her. She wore a thin white satin nightie, one of the many beautiful things from far away that her father brought her from his raids. The fabric shimmered in the moonlight as it clung to her curves like a second skin. He took a moment to appreciate her beauty and then rolled her over face down.

He lashed her wrists behind her with a long thin strip of rawhide and then tied her ankles the same way. He rolled her onto her back again. He sat on the edge of the bed.

Helpless she looked up at her friend. He could ravage her, he could kill her; he could do whatever he wanted. All he did was to look at her, he was waiting. He gently brushed the golden hair from her face. Her big blue eyes were bewildered. He waited.

Before long the rooster crowed and the morning sounds of life stirring in the next room. Helga was up starting the day’s chores. Viking picked Kristine up and put her over his shoulder. He carried her out into the room where her mother was.

The fire was on and the kettle was warming up. Helga was at the table slicing Flatbrød (barley flat bread) for the morning meal. She turned when she heard them enter.

‘By the gods what are you doing?’ she exclaimed.

‘A Viking is a man who takes what he wants’ was all he said.

‘Your answer is correct’ said Helga ‘you have passed my challenge.’

Helga had always wanted Kristine to choose Viking and was disappointed when she picked Leif. This moment gave her hope but there was a problem.

‘You are not yet a true warrior until you have been in battle’ she said ‘so you have no right to claim a bride. The choice is still up to Kristine.’

‘I know that. She has made her choice. That is why I am taking her to Leif. They love each other and there is no reason for her to be living under your roof anymore. Leif and Kristine are my friends and I want whatever makes them happy.’

He turned and left. Kristine looked up at her mother as he carried her out. A tear was running down her cheek.

Re: How To Become a Viking M/F

Postby LordNelson » Tue Jul 14, 2015 2:02 pm

I would like to thank Viking for proof reading this and making several corrections and suggestions. He has been a good friend since I joined this site and this is dedicated to him.

Re: How To Become a Viking M/F

Postby zack889919 » Thu Jul 16, 2015 1:59 pm

I really like the viking aspect of the story! Keep it up.

Re: How To Become a Viking M/F

Postby viking » Sat Jul 18, 2015 7:37 am

great story bro, and thanks for making it :) this was a really cool thing you did.

cheers
Once a scout, always a perverted pyromaniac with a fetish for knives and duct tape