Chapter Text
The sea had howled since before dawn. Long before any lookout cried alarm, the fishermen of Northumbria heard the sound beneath the wind. It was the steady beat of oars cutting through gray water.
Mist clung low over the sea as dragon-prowed longships emerged. Their sails swelled like the wings of monstrous birds, black against the sky. Every stroke of the oars carried them closer to England's lonely shore.
At the prow of the foremost vessel stood their Chieftain Erling Haaland. He looked far too young to command such a fearsome fleet, until one met his gaze.
Barely twenty three winters old, the Viking chieftain stood well over six feet tall, broad-shouldered and powerfully built. Years of rowing longships, wielding weapons, and surviving harsh northern winters had hardened his body.
His pale blond hair, almost silver beneath the gray sky, was combed back and tied at the nape of his neck. It revealed a strong brow, sharp features, and a clean-shaven face. Thin scars crossed one eyebrow and marked his cheek, reminders that he had already survived battles many older warriors had not.
His eyes were a cold, pale blue. Calm and watchful, they rarely revealed emotion, though they carried an intensity that made people fall silent.
A thick wolf-fur cloak rested across his shoulders, fastened with two bronze brooches linked by a simple chain. Beneath it he wore a lamellar cuirass of overlapping iron plates riveted to hardened leather. The armor was scratched and dented from years of use.
A wide leather belt secured the armor at his waist, while leather bracers protected his forearms. Dark wool trousers disappeared into sturdy knee-high boots.
He kept looking ahead and scanning the darkness for immediate danger. When realizing there were none, his calm voice cut through the crisp air.
"We land here," he said.
His second in command, Martin Odegaard, grinned beneath his scarred face.
"England has recovered since last summer."
"They always recover."
"And we always return."
The warriors laughed, lifting their axes. Swords slid from their scabbards with metallic whispers.
The first longship scraped against the pebbled beach.
"Hold nothing back!" Martin roared.
The Vikings surged ashore.
*****
The village bells rang frantically. Smoke already curled from thatched roofs as terrified villagers fled inland. Chickens scattered through muddy lanes while mothers clutched crying children. Elderly priests dragged holy relics from the small stone church, praying desperately as armed men rushed toward the shoreline.
Farther inland stood Dunmere Hall.
King Harry of Northumbria had been breaking his fast when the messenger burst through the doors.
"The Northmen!"
The king rose so quickly his chair toppled backward.
"How many?"
"Twenty ships, Your Majesty."
Harry’s face hardened.
He was nearing forty winters, streaks of silver threaded his dark beard. Unlike many kings, he still wore armor into battle.
"Sound every horn."
Within minutes the courtyard erupted into organized chaos. Knights tightened saddles. spearmen formed ranks, archers gathered bundles of arrows.
Among the bustling servants hurried twenty year-old Jude. Lean and dark-haired boy struggled beneath the enormous weight of King Harry’s mail hauberk. His tunic was patched in several places, his hands rough from years of labor.
"Careful!" barked Sir Declan.
Jude nearly stumbled. "Sorry, my lord."
"You'll carry His Majesty's spare shield. Stay behind us."
"Yes, my lord." Despite his fear, Jude nodded obediently.
*****
The armies met upon windswept fields overlooking the sea. The Vikings had formed a massive shield wall, round shields locked together. Spears jutted forward like the quills of a monstrous beast. Behind them stood towering warriors carrying axes large enough to split oak trunks.
Across from them, King Harry’s forces spread into disciplined ranks.
Sunlight finally pierced the clouds, flashing across hundreds of helmets.
Neither side moved. Only the wind howled.
Then Erling lifted his axe.
Author´s Note: If you want to imagine what Erling looks like in this story, this is him. This story was born because of this image which is a screenshot from the video below. They made these videos for FIFA world cup 2026. I just changed the Norway flags.
https://youtube.com/shorts/zBSEnTMTJF4?is=vRXFCspLH3Lm3sV2