Summary: Ubbe wants to pay a visit to Ivar and so he sails with Asa, his wife, and their daughter, Dagmar. He expects to find Moyra standing by Ivar's side as he reaches the docks, but he discovers Moyra died in childbirth, taking her daughter with her.
I wrote this based on a headcanon an anon reader sent me as an ask some weeks ago:
After catching up on Alpha and Omega, I started thinking... Moyra still died in childbirth and Ubbe comes back with Asa and baby Dagmar and sees Sigtrygg holding the gift he gave his unborn nephew, which is his favorite: the wooden wolf. Sigtrygg watches how it could have been to have a family and cries at night. Ivar holds him until he falls asleep.
Warnings: Grief/Mourning, Referenced original character death, Family issues, Referenced child death, Death in childbirth. These are the warning I thought about. If someone wants to suggest others, I’ll include.
Image credits: I have the photos saved on my computer for years and I have no idea where I found them. However, the most recent is the edited picture of Ivar with a beard. Link.
As the ships approached Dublin's port, Ubbe gasped, marveled at the sight of how much Ivar's kingdom had grown. He noticed a large fleet of ships in the harbor and imagine how many different shores they sailed to since his departure. He heard horns being blown in the distance announcing they had been spotted and the harbor slowly became crowded. Warriors coming out of their houses, wearing armors, holding spears, arrows, shields. The ones wealthy enough were wielding swords. Asa gasped at the sight and Ubbe pulled her to his chest, kissing her forehead.
“Don't worry!” Ubbe muttered, inhaling into the scent of her hair.
“So many warriors!” Asa stuttered and Ubbe nodded in agreement, “I thought his reign was an impressive trade center. But there's war!” Ubbe gulped, noticing the way Asa was looking down at Dagmar. He could feel the way his wife's body was rigid against his, her lower lip quivering as if she was about to suggest they should turn and leave. Apparently, Ivar found a way to increase his army. There seemed to be even more warriors than when Ubbe left sailed to Orkney.
“There is always war wherever Ivar goes. You shall see his hunger is not easily appeased.” Ubbe admitted meekly, running a finger over his daughter's cheek. Dagmar squirmed, but remained asleep.
“We should…” Asa looked up at Ubbe, taking a deep breath.
“We should greet my brother. That's why we came here. Ivar must have his reasons to be cautious, but he wouldn't hurt his family.” Ubbe smiled and leaned down to kiss Asa's trembling lips.
Ubbe pulled away, “See? There he is!” He caught sight of Ivar standing on the dock. A smile appeared on his lips when Ubbe realized Ivar was not alone.
It was so difficult for Ubbe to show confidence on his face. His feelings about Ivar were conflicting. Ubbe wished his brother's success, but he also feared being around Ivar for too long. Ubbe hoped Ivar had found a way to at least lessen his cruelty and selfishness now that he was a father.
Ubbe feared without guidance, or willingness to accept words of wisdom and experience coming from others, Ivar was still the volatile man he knew.
Ivar watched in silence as the boat reached the dock, until something unexpected shifted his attention from Ubbe's arrival. A sweaty, soft hand grabbed his calloused one. Ivar gulped and gently squeezed the little fingers, unable to look at the wide indigo eyes that were fixed on his face.
