Archive of Our Own ^beta

" I loved Athelstan because the Holy Spirit lived through him and this is why Ragnar loved him . I watched Ragnar die and i saw the Holy Spirit moving in him ! "

King Ecbert

In his last seconds before dying...Yes, Ragnar suffered from the attack of the deadly snakes. But that's not worth all he endured. Torture, but none of his cries to express his physical suffering because it was nothing. Nothing is worth the psychological pain that has been slowly killing him for so many years. His death will be pure freedom. Even in nothingness. At last he's going to die. But he didn't expect Ecbert to witness his death dressed in...these clothes...these monk's habits. it belonged to Athelstan. If only that. In his last moments, Ragnar forgot the pain and could only look at Ecbert, who also looked at him with sadness and compassion, standing like a pure monk.

It was then that Ragnar felt something inside him. In all his body, in all his soul, in all his heart, and his eyes, which used to express suffering, now showed only fullness and relief. His eye became a sparkling blue. And Ecbert saw and felt it too. This love...this spirit. Athelstan. Ragnar felt Athelstan inside him to relieve him of the pain, and to allow him to finally leave this world free of all misery. Ragnar's eye fell like he was falling asleep, leaving Ecbert in his turn to suffer and feel Athelstan leave him now, fulfilling his mission for Ragnar.

All is dark around Ragnar. But he simply felt free and loved. Athelstant's spirit is within him, but he cannot speak. Nor can Athelstan. They feel each other and are one. What's going to happen now? He felt himself slowly descending and he let himself go, feeling younger and younger. He opened his eyes and slowly returned to his former self, from old man to king to Earl and to farmer. But throughout his journey, Ragnar could now see this white light guiding him even further down. Athelstan has become a holy spirit, a bridge between two worlds, who , by love, accompanies him where he has always been destined. Athelstan never leaves him. Ever. Since their first meeting. Their bond beyond religion keeps them together until Ragnar feels himself resting gently on warm sand. Then he sees the Valkyries . So beautiful, circling around to welcome him and acknowledge the spirit of Athelstan. Not even Odin can deny Athelstan, knowing how much his descendant loved this man. For his person, not his faith.

Ragnar then looks at this magnificent light and smiles happily. Athelstan has done what he had to do for his soulmate and sends him these words in his thoughts :

“Welcome to Valhalla Ragnar. Be happy. As I promised you, all that matters to me is where you go. I will always love you. “

Ragnar in turn sent him these words in his thoughts too:

“I love you too, Athelstan, always. Thank you....Thank you for everything.”

And he closes his eyes again, feeling Athelstan fly off to Heaven, while Ragnar turns into sand and then into a golden light on his way to Valhalla. Both white and golden lights leave at the same time.