we are aching bones and wasted years; lagertha / any

[magnus]

His attention is diverted as the young girl joins their group, and he turns toward her with his usual stoic demeanor, although his gold-flecked eyes flash kindly. He was always good with children. “Hello there, Sette.” The name of her mother sets off an alarm in his mind, but he cannot remember why at first. His days of recruiting were often full with the faces of strangers, and he was not the best at remembering names and faces, although he did his very best to remain polite. It just wasn’t his natural gift.

“I can understand that,” is all he says when she mentions that the Queen would want to know what benefit the kingdom would gain from an alliance. Magnus knows full-well that he is not coming to a kingdom with a bountiful offer to lay at their feet, and he hates it. It puts himself and Heaven in a position where they are relying on the good graces of other kingdoms; he much preferred to be in the position of power. “But sometimes the advantage is just knowing that you’re fighting for what’s right.”

It was something that he believed in his heart of hearts.

The conversation, however, is cut short when the mare and large cat break through the brush, and his heart lurches for a second at the sight of the jaguar. He knew that it couldn’t be the same animal that roamed the kingdom when his mother was Queen, but the resemblance was uncanny. His heart broke a little when the cat winked and then left, and his smile was soft with nostalgia when he met the Queen’s gaze. “An old friend,” he explains, although he knows that can’t be the truth. At least not the full truth.

By then though, he realizes why the name had sound so familiar, and his scarred smile grows a little at the recognition of the iron mare. Their meeting in the field had certainly been unusual for recruiting. “You again,” he says in his husky voice, tossing his head a little to remove his inky forelock from his sight. “It’s good to see you, Lagertha.” He pauses for a second, considering the question. “I want to say that I am well, but that’s unfortunately not the case—especially when my kingdom does not fare so well.” He rolls his scarred shoulders, honest to the bone. “I am sure that does not surprise you though. How are you?”