(no subject)

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan slips quietly through the front door, looking tired and worn but still unharmed, and makes immediately for the Bar to collect his most recent letter from Ragnar.

Then he curls up in a chair by the fireplace to read it - and re-read it.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric comes in through his door, looking just as tired. It's been a very long night and not even close to over. "Bless Milliways and her kindness." He mumbles, coming straight to Athelstan.

He sits down at Athelstan's feet and rests his head on Athelstan's knee.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan immediately begins to stroke his hair.

"What's happened, my Sinric?" he asks softly.

[thewidewideworld]

"Nothing bad." He promises, all but purring under the touch. "Just a very long night which is far from over. I'm so very grateful she let me in to sleep."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Another one of the emperor's parties?" Athelstan guesses. "Or - no, you would count it something bad if he was sick."

[thewidewideworld]

"Party." He yawns. "Courting the Persians as allies. I managed to get through the poem without making any mistakes but the day started early and still going well after midnight."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Then you should rest here", he says, fingers combing gently through Sinric's hair, "as long as you need, and go back refreshed."

[thewidewideworld]

"That I hope to do. And bathe too, I feel quite grimy." He glances up to see the letter in Athelstan's hand. "Ragnar sends his love. His misses the you always."

[athelstanthescribe]

"How is he, truly?" Athelstan wants to know. "And the children?"

[thewidewideworld]

"The winter has not been kind. He was very hungry when he came and took a great stock or food with him when he went but all are well and yearning for Spring." He assures softly, resting a hand on Athelstan's leg. "Ragnar is determined as ever and in good spirits once his hunger was sated."

[patterns_bloom]

"Athelstan," Alana says as she approaches in a freesia print wrap dress. "Hi. Am I interrupting anything?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Nothing but the fourth read through", he says, looking up with a slight smile as he folds the letter in his hand. "Hello, Alana."

[patterns_bloom]

"Is that a letter from Ragnar?" Alana says, matching his smile. "I wanted to find out if your situation had changed at all."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It is. And - no, not as yet. But at least it hasn't changed for the worse."

[patterns_bloom]

"That's good at least," Alana says, nodding. "Has Ragnar made progress towards coming to get you?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"He says they must till the fields and gather allies, but that when that's done and spring is fully arrived, he will come."

[patterns_bloom]

"It's good that you have a date to look forward to now," Alana says, settling into a chair near him. "Are you still having nightmares about the event?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"At times." He looks away. "And I have - visions, some would call them, but they disturb me."

[soldier_blade]

Outside of the stables, Sonya spent her time in the library, trying to find anything that might help them in the invasion. She was just leaving when she saw Athelstan curled by the fire.

She headed over and sat down on the arm of the chair, focusing more on him than the letter. "Letter from Ragnar?" He was so focused on reading it, she could think of no other explanation.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", he confirms with a nod. "He says the time draws closer he will be able to come for me."

[soldier_blade]

She reaches and gives his shoulder a squeeze and a slow rub down. Even in milliways and with the letter, she could feel some tension. "Just focus on him getting to you and less on 'when."

Waiting till the time came, that had to be the worst. "You getting any sleep over there? Or is it something else?" He did't look like he was sleeping well: something she'd know all too well.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I retire late and rise early", he admits. "Sometimes it helps to keep the nightmares at bay."

[soldier_blade]

Her hand slid from his shoulder to clasp one of his hands. Athelstan and Olivier (maybe Sinric) were the few she could be this tactile around. "I do the same, even now." Of course, being in the military, she had the excuse of being an earlier riser anyway. "Same reasons."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods, wrapping his hand around hers.

"There's plenty for me to do, so I can fill as many hours as I choose."

[soldier_blade]

"Keeping busy is always a good thing, even though I know some who'd argue against it." Possibly because it was hard for her to take time off, and as much as she knows otherwise-relaxing isn't too easy for her.

Of course, keeping busy doesn't always hold back the nightmares, but atleast it kept them at bay during the waking hours. "Still working on the scrolls, then?"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"I think there would be enough there to keep me occupied for years." But he isn't going to stay that long.