Watching Over You - Chapter 18
Title: Watching Over You - Chapter 18
Author: Bluespire
Pairing: Ville/Bam, Ville/Migé
Summary: Ville is a Viking warrior, eldest son of Kari, a Viking Jarl. Bam is a slave (called a thrall). What happens when Ville pays Bam's slave price and moves him from the kitchens into his bed?
Rating: NC-17 for the series
Disclaimer: While Ville, Bam, Migé, Kari, Dunn, Burton, Missy and some of the others mentioned within this story are real people, the events that take place in this work of fiction are not real. No harm or offense is meant by the characters and events depicted within.
Author's Notes: It's been a long time. Thanks to my loyal readers still sticking with this one.
Kari
Kari Valo watched his firstborn Ville as he directed a group of both warriors and thralls in preparation for the upcoming raid. He had no concerns stepping down as head this raiding season. Ville was still young but more than prepared to lead the men in this voyage. Kari shook his head. Ville seemed older than his years. Of this Kari had always been proud but recently he'd begun to question the wisdom of pushing his son in his responsibilities. Lately Ville had seemed subdued. Kari worried that he was not happy.
As Kari watched, the warrior Burton yanked a rope tangled around Ville's feet and tripped him. Ville's face contorted with surprise and he flung his arms gracelessly as he fell, caught by Burton's strong arms at the last moment. Ville's surprise turned to mirth as he righted himself in Burton's hold, then pulled away and cuffed Burton about the head. Kari enjoyed seeing Ville's grin. It had been too long, he realized, since happiness has graced his son's features. Almost immediately, though, Ville's gaze fixed on something beyond Burton's shoulder and the smile dropped from his face.
Kari watched Ville's expression fill with longing and want and then slowly transform to grim determination before going blank. Kari followed Ville's gaze. He seemed to be watching the kitchen thrall that Kari had allowed Ville to purchase for personal service. Kari had understood that Ville had been dissatisfied with the thrall and had sent him away to work with the blacksmith. Kari was surprised by what he'd seen on Ville's face. It had definitely not been dissatisfaction. Kari continued to observe his son watching the thrall for a moment or two before leaving the landing in consternation.
***
Dinner had been delicious and Kari's belly was full. It gave him a mellow feeling. He reached for Anita and she came immediately to his side. She was a good wife but more than that, Kari loved her, had since they first courted. He was lucky to have found a partner with whom he wanted to build his life because the responsibility would have been his either way. His thoughts brought him back to his first-born. Kari had talked with Ville about marriage and Ville knew that he was required to bring the next generation of the family into the world. Kari knew that Ville dallied with many a maiden and he'd waited for Ville to show an interest in one over another but it had never happened. Kari thought about the way that Ville looked at the thrall this afternoon, the flash of longing that he'd seen in Ville's eyes. Just then the subject of his thoughts approached the table.
"Father," Ville bowed his head as he gave a cursory smile. "I believe that all our preparations are complete. We leave at first light."
Kari smiled and gestured to the place next to him at the table. "Sit. Talk with me."
Ville eased onto the bench and turned to face his father.
"I'm proud of you, Ville," Kari went on. "I have no doubt that your raiding will meet with success."
"Thank you, father." Ville's cheeks blushed with pleasure at the praise.
"Tell me of your plans." Kari listened while Ville outlined the raiding party's preparations, which warriors would participate, the number of boats they would require, and their route. Much of this he knew but it was reassuring to hear it all summarized. "And do you bring thralls?" he asked.
"Only the blacksmith Dunn and his apprentice."
"His apprentice? Is that the kitchen thrall you purchased from me?" Kari asked in surprise.
"Yes," Ville answered gruffly, shifting in his seat.
"If you are unsatisfied with his performance, why do you bring him on the raid? You will certainly not want the extra burden of keeping him on task," Kari pointed out.
"Why do you believe I am unsatisfied with his performance?" Ville asked, surprised.
"You sent him away from you? Why would you purchase him only to send him away unless you were unsatisfied? I was actually surprised that you did not come to me to seek recompense and send him back to the kitchens."
"He has performed admirably. He's a good thrall." Ville frowned and looked at his hands folded in his lap.
"Then why?" Kari asked, watching his son's face closely.
"I... I just thought working with the blacksmith, maybe he could learn a skill that would serve him." Ville fidgeted, and his cheeks blushed again.
Kari drew his eyebrows together. "Do you wish him to bring you income, working as a blacksmith once the trade is learned?"
"That was not my plan," Ville admitted.
"Then why?" Kari asked again.
Ville sighed and shook his head. "I don't really know, father." Ville looked up and his green eyes seemed to burn into Kari's. "At first I just wanted him. And then I wanted more for him. I wanted him to have a future."
"A future... for a thrall?"
Ville nodded, head down. "I have an idea of setting him free but he must be able to make his way," Ville continued in a quiet voice.
"Set him free?" Kari questioned gently. "Why would you do that? And even then, why go out of your way to make sure he is cared for?"
"It seems the right thing to do." Ville shrugged, turning his hands palm up as if he himself did not really understand. Ville was quiet a moment before uttering a gruff explanation. "He is a good man. He deserves a future... to be able to marry and guide his life as he sees fit."
"He's a thrall," Kari argued in a soft voice, his gaze pinned to Ville's face. "He deserves nothing."
Ville looked up again, his eyes intense with emotion. “I'm not stupid father, I know that every thrall can not be set free. But I thought you would understand, after Burton's father..." Ville let the sentence hang.
"He earned his freedom."
"I want to give Bam the chance to do the same thing."
"Bam," Kari murmured, then smiled at his son kindly. "Tell me Ville, you are 20 now, are you any closer to choosing a wife than the last time we spoke of it?"
Ville's eyes widened in surprise. "No, I... I thought I had time... years to make that decision."
"I can give you time, Ville. That's not my point in discussing this now."
Ville nodded but continued to look concerned.
"We must all meet our responsibilities. There is no escaping it,” Kari began.
Ville nodded again.
"But we should not sacrifice happiness in doing so. Joy is an essential part of life that balances the more serious duties required of men."
Ville remained silent.
"I have been very lucky. Your mother is a good mother and wife. She runs this household with skill and that is one of the most important secrets to my success. Intimacy with her still quickens my blood after all these years such that I never desire another. But most importantly, she fills my heart with light and joy. Without that, I think I would be only half the man I am now."
"I'll look for that in my own wife then, father," Ville spoke quietly.
Kari smiled sadly. "My luck is not the lot of many. There is no shame in finding the one you love elsewhere, outside of the connections that responsibility require. There is no shame in keeping that person close to you."
Ville stared at his father as if trying to understand what he was really saying.
"I saw you with Migé, when you were 16. I thought you two might be closer than you are. But it was not to be. Still, if there was someone else who brought joy to your heart, the way that your mother does to mine, if you found someone like that, whomever they were, I would expect you to do what you must to keep that person with you. I know that eventually you will find a wife. But I speak now of something different. Do you understand what I am trying to say to you?" Kari waited, hoping fervently that he had not mis-read the situation, that he was offering the guidance that his son so desperately needed without insulting or offending his masculinity.
Ville stood suddenly, his face flushed as if he'd been training, his eyes turned downward. "I must go... see to preparations," he mumbled quietly and ran from the room.
Kari sighed and shook his head. He may have failed his son when Ville needed him the most.
***
Something changed in Ville after his father’s speech. Later whenever inclined to fits of self-exploration, he would attempt to understand what it was but he never really pinpointed it. He went to bed upset and confused but slept well and woke early with the feeling of sun on his face and a sweet taste on his lips. He thought maybe he’d dreamed again of Bam. His body felt light as he rose from his pallet. It was surely a good day to go a-viking.
***
The wind was a steady pressure against Ville's face and shoulders as he rowed in rhythm with the others. It brought with it the cool salty smell of the ocean. Ville closed his eyes and let the scent soothe him, even as his strong arms continued their work.
The raiding party was only one day into their voyage. Ville knew from experience that they could make land in two days more if weather cooperated but they planned to go further down the coast this year before stopping to raid. They would meet with richer and less prepared villagers if they spaced out the attacks.
As had happened more times than he could count already, Ville's eyes were drawn to Bam who sat two rows in front of him to the boat's aft. Ville had noted how easily Bam had picked up the art of rowing. He was more than pulling his weight. Bam' s strong arms are as asset to this voyage, Ville thought with pride as he watched the muscles ripple beneath the skin of Bam's shoulders and back.
Even though it had only been a day, Ville had found it challenging to be near Bam like this. Just looking at him engulfed Ville in a wave of longing that he found difficult to ignore. Migé had caught him watching Bam on more than one occasion. Usually, one disapproving glance in Ville's direction from Migé was enough to fill Ville with shame, make him turn away, but today he felt impervious to Migé’s censure. Bam was his responsibility. He was on this raid because Ville had allowed it. It was Ville’s job to take care of him. That, at minimum, could not be argued.
Ville's thoughts turned to the night previous when the warriors had been preparing to bed down. Ville and Migé had shared blankets every summer save one so there had been no question about Ville sharing with Bam. It would have been unseemly anyway, with Bam's status as thrall so much lower than his own. Ville had watched Bam and Dunn unfurl their blankets, laying one on the deck and reserving the other as a cover, and had felt envy curl in his belly. His eyes slid meanly over the blacksmith, who truly did nothing to deserve Ville's derision, then shook his head and looked to his other responsibilities.
Later that second evening, Ville approached Bam who had paused at the ship's side looking out over the water. Resting his hands on the gunwales, Ville took in the vastness of the ocean spread before them. The sun was making its journey to the other side and its light played on the water in gold wisps that kissed the crest of each wave.
“It’s beautiful,” Ville finally spoke when the light has sunk beneath the horizon, his voice soft in the quiet night.
Bam looked up, surprised. His blue eyes examined Ville’s face a moment before moving back to the now darkening waters. “I have rarely seen a more beautiful sight,” Bam agreed.
Ville allowed a small smile to touch his face. “You are doing well,” Ville complimented, turning so that his hip rested against the wood, his eyes brushing over Bam in the dim light.
Bam raised an arm before him and pulled at his elbow, stretching his shoulder and groaning involuntarily before moving to stretch the other. Ville’s eyes slipped closed, remembering a similar sound in a different context.
“I’m feeling it heavily. My body is unused to the movement.”
“It will pass. A massage is good to ease the tightness. I… I can’t offer that to you but perhaps Dunn…,” Ville let his words trail off helplessly. He wanted to put his hands on Bam, to rub the soreness he knew all too well from Bam’s muscles but he could not.
“I will be fine. I should be offering relief to you,” Bam commented.
"You serve me no longer but.... remain my responsibility still," Ville responded stiffly, wishing desperately now that it was otherwise. Ville watched the gladness that had lit Bam’s eyes moments ago drain away and searched desperately for words that would bring it back. “Bam…” Ville signed and turned again to face the water.
Bam waited obediently, his presence solid at Ville’s side.
“I have been rowing for many years. My muscles don’t need massage,” Ville almost cringed at the inadequacy of his response.
Bam nodded and bowed his head. “If you’ll excuse me, I must see to my bedroll.”
“Oh course,” Ville stepped away and refused to watch as Bam and Dunn spread their blankets and settled beneath.
***
Chapter 19 - Raid
Author: Bluespire
Pairing: Ville/Bam, Ville/Migé
Summary: Ville is a Viking warrior, eldest son of Kari, a Viking Jarl. Bam is a slave (called a thrall). What happens when Ville pays Bam's slave price and moves him from the kitchens into his bed?
Rating: NC-17 for the series
Disclaimer: While Ville, Bam, Migé, Kari, Dunn, Burton, Missy and some of the others mentioned within this story are real people, the events that take place in this work of fiction are not real. No harm or offense is meant by the characters and events depicted within.
Author's Notes: It's been a long time. Thanks to my loyal readers still sticking with this one.
Kari
Kari Valo watched his firstborn Ville as he directed a group of both warriors and thralls in preparation for the upcoming raid. He had no concerns stepping down as head this raiding season. Ville was still young but more than prepared to lead the men in this voyage. Kari shook his head. Ville seemed older than his years. Of this Kari had always been proud but recently he'd begun to question the wisdom of pushing his son in his responsibilities. Lately Ville had seemed subdued. Kari worried that he was not happy.
As Kari watched, the warrior Burton yanked a rope tangled around Ville's feet and tripped him. Ville's face contorted with surprise and he flung his arms gracelessly as he fell, caught by Burton's strong arms at the last moment. Ville's surprise turned to mirth as he righted himself in Burton's hold, then pulled away and cuffed Burton about the head. Kari enjoyed seeing Ville's grin. It had been too long, he realized, since happiness has graced his son's features. Almost immediately, though, Ville's gaze fixed on something beyond Burton's shoulder and the smile dropped from his face.
Kari watched Ville's expression fill with longing and want and then slowly transform to grim determination before going blank. Kari followed Ville's gaze. He seemed to be watching the kitchen thrall that Kari had allowed Ville to purchase for personal service. Kari had understood that Ville had been dissatisfied with the thrall and had sent him away to work with the blacksmith. Kari was surprised by what he'd seen on Ville's face. It had definitely not been dissatisfaction. Kari continued to observe his son watching the thrall for a moment or two before leaving the landing in consternation.
***
Dinner had been delicious and Kari's belly was full. It gave him a mellow feeling. He reached for Anita and she came immediately to his side. She was a good wife but more than that, Kari loved her, had since they first courted. He was lucky to have found a partner with whom he wanted to build his life because the responsibility would have been his either way. His thoughts brought him back to his first-born. Kari had talked with Ville about marriage and Ville knew that he was required to bring the next generation of the family into the world. Kari knew that Ville dallied with many a maiden and he'd waited for Ville to show an interest in one over another but it had never happened. Kari thought about the way that Ville looked at the thrall this afternoon, the flash of longing that he'd seen in Ville's eyes. Just then the subject of his thoughts approached the table.
"Father," Ville bowed his head as he gave a cursory smile. "I believe that all our preparations are complete. We leave at first light."
Kari smiled and gestured to the place next to him at the table. "Sit. Talk with me."
Ville eased onto the bench and turned to face his father.
"I'm proud of you, Ville," Kari went on. "I have no doubt that your raiding will meet with success."
"Thank you, father." Ville's cheeks blushed with pleasure at the praise.
"Tell me of your plans." Kari listened while Ville outlined the raiding party's preparations, which warriors would participate, the number of boats they would require, and their route. Much of this he knew but it was reassuring to hear it all summarized. "And do you bring thralls?" he asked.
"Only the blacksmith Dunn and his apprentice."
"His apprentice? Is that the kitchen thrall you purchased from me?" Kari asked in surprise.
"Yes," Ville answered gruffly, shifting in his seat.
"If you are unsatisfied with his performance, why do you bring him on the raid? You will certainly not want the extra burden of keeping him on task," Kari pointed out.
"Why do you believe I am unsatisfied with his performance?" Ville asked, surprised.
"You sent him away from you? Why would you purchase him only to send him away unless you were unsatisfied? I was actually surprised that you did not come to me to seek recompense and send him back to the kitchens."
"He has performed admirably. He's a good thrall." Ville frowned and looked at his hands folded in his lap.
"Then why?" Kari asked, watching his son's face closely.
"I... I just thought working with the blacksmith, maybe he could learn a skill that would serve him." Ville fidgeted, and his cheeks blushed again.
Kari drew his eyebrows together. "Do you wish him to bring you income, working as a blacksmith once the trade is learned?"
"That was not my plan," Ville admitted.
"Then why?" Kari asked again.
Ville sighed and shook his head. "I don't really know, father." Ville looked up and his green eyes seemed to burn into Kari's. "At first I just wanted him. And then I wanted more for him. I wanted him to have a future."
"A future... for a thrall?"
Ville nodded, head down. "I have an idea of setting him free but he must be able to make his way," Ville continued in a quiet voice.
"Set him free?" Kari questioned gently. "Why would you do that? And even then, why go out of your way to make sure he is cared for?"
"It seems the right thing to do." Ville shrugged, turning his hands palm up as if he himself did not really understand. Ville was quiet a moment before uttering a gruff explanation. "He is a good man. He deserves a future... to be able to marry and guide his life as he sees fit."
"He's a thrall," Kari argued in a soft voice, his gaze pinned to Ville's face. "He deserves nothing."
Ville looked up again, his eyes intense with emotion. “I'm not stupid father, I know that every thrall can not be set free. But I thought you would understand, after Burton's father..." Ville let the sentence hang.
"He earned his freedom."
"I want to give Bam the chance to do the same thing."
"Bam," Kari murmured, then smiled at his son kindly. "Tell me Ville, you are 20 now, are you any closer to choosing a wife than the last time we spoke of it?"
Ville's eyes widened in surprise. "No, I... I thought I had time... years to make that decision."
"I can give you time, Ville. That's not my point in discussing this now."
Ville nodded but continued to look concerned.
"We must all meet our responsibilities. There is no escaping it,” Kari began.
Ville nodded again.
"But we should not sacrifice happiness in doing so. Joy is an essential part of life that balances the more serious duties required of men."
Ville remained silent.
"I have been very lucky. Your mother is a good mother and wife. She runs this household with skill and that is one of the most important secrets to my success. Intimacy with her still quickens my blood after all these years such that I never desire another. But most importantly, she fills my heart with light and joy. Without that, I think I would be only half the man I am now."
"I'll look for that in my own wife then, father," Ville spoke quietly.
Kari smiled sadly. "My luck is not the lot of many. There is no shame in finding the one you love elsewhere, outside of the connections that responsibility require. There is no shame in keeping that person close to you."
Ville stared at his father as if trying to understand what he was really saying.
"I saw you with Migé, when you were 16. I thought you two might be closer than you are. But it was not to be. Still, if there was someone else who brought joy to your heart, the way that your mother does to mine, if you found someone like that, whomever they were, I would expect you to do what you must to keep that person with you. I know that eventually you will find a wife. But I speak now of something different. Do you understand what I am trying to say to you?" Kari waited, hoping fervently that he had not mis-read the situation, that he was offering the guidance that his son so desperately needed without insulting or offending his masculinity.
Ville stood suddenly, his face flushed as if he'd been training, his eyes turned downward. "I must go... see to preparations," he mumbled quietly and ran from the room.
Kari sighed and shook his head. He may have failed his son when Ville needed him the most.
***
Something changed in Ville after his father’s speech. Later whenever inclined to fits of self-exploration, he would attempt to understand what it was but he never really pinpointed it. He went to bed upset and confused but slept well and woke early with the feeling of sun on his face and a sweet taste on his lips. He thought maybe he’d dreamed again of Bam. His body felt light as he rose from his pallet. It was surely a good day to go a-viking.
***
The wind was a steady pressure against Ville's face and shoulders as he rowed in rhythm with the others. It brought with it the cool salty smell of the ocean. Ville closed his eyes and let the scent soothe him, even as his strong arms continued their work.
The raiding party was only one day into their voyage. Ville knew from experience that they could make land in two days more if weather cooperated but they planned to go further down the coast this year before stopping to raid. They would meet with richer and less prepared villagers if they spaced out the attacks.
As had happened more times than he could count already, Ville's eyes were drawn to Bam who sat two rows in front of him to the boat's aft. Ville had noted how easily Bam had picked up the art of rowing. He was more than pulling his weight. Bam' s strong arms are as asset to this voyage, Ville thought with pride as he watched the muscles ripple beneath the skin of Bam's shoulders and back.
Even though it had only been a day, Ville had found it challenging to be near Bam like this. Just looking at him engulfed Ville in a wave of longing that he found difficult to ignore. Migé had caught him watching Bam on more than one occasion. Usually, one disapproving glance in Ville's direction from Migé was enough to fill Ville with shame, make him turn away, but today he felt impervious to Migé’s censure. Bam was his responsibility. He was on this raid because Ville had allowed it. It was Ville’s job to take care of him. That, at minimum, could not be argued.
Ville's thoughts turned to the night previous when the warriors had been preparing to bed down. Ville and Migé had shared blankets every summer save one so there had been no question about Ville sharing with Bam. It would have been unseemly anyway, with Bam's status as thrall so much lower than his own. Ville had watched Bam and Dunn unfurl their blankets, laying one on the deck and reserving the other as a cover, and had felt envy curl in his belly. His eyes slid meanly over the blacksmith, who truly did nothing to deserve Ville's derision, then shook his head and looked to his other responsibilities.
Later that second evening, Ville approached Bam who had paused at the ship's side looking out over the water. Resting his hands on the gunwales, Ville took in the vastness of the ocean spread before them. The sun was making its journey to the other side and its light played on the water in gold wisps that kissed the crest of each wave.
“It’s beautiful,” Ville finally spoke when the light has sunk beneath the horizon, his voice soft in the quiet night.
Bam looked up, surprised. His blue eyes examined Ville’s face a moment before moving back to the now darkening waters. “I have rarely seen a more beautiful sight,” Bam agreed.
Ville allowed a small smile to touch his face. “You are doing well,” Ville complimented, turning so that his hip rested against the wood, his eyes brushing over Bam in the dim light.
Bam raised an arm before him and pulled at his elbow, stretching his shoulder and groaning involuntarily before moving to stretch the other. Ville’s eyes slipped closed, remembering a similar sound in a different context.
“I’m feeling it heavily. My body is unused to the movement.”
“It will pass. A massage is good to ease the tightness. I… I can’t offer that to you but perhaps Dunn…,” Ville let his words trail off helplessly. He wanted to put his hands on Bam, to rub the soreness he knew all too well from Bam’s muscles but he could not.
“I will be fine. I should be offering relief to you,” Bam commented.
"You serve me no longer but.... remain my responsibility still," Ville responded stiffly, wishing desperately now that it was otherwise. Ville watched the gladness that had lit Bam’s eyes moments ago drain away and searched desperately for words that would bring it back. “Bam…” Ville signed and turned again to face the water.
Bam waited obediently, his presence solid at Ville’s side.
“I have been rowing for many years. My muscles don’t need massage,” Ville almost cringed at the inadequacy of his response.
Bam nodded and bowed his head. “If you’ll excuse me, I must see to my bedroll.”
“Oh course,” Ville stepped away and refused to watch as Bam and Dunn spread their blankets and settled beneath.
***
Chapter 19 - Raid