Chapter 13: Brothers in Blood

Norway, 974 AD

The spring thaw had barely begun when Magnus sensed the change in his mother's magic. At six years old, he had grown tall for his age, his training with Mikael honing his young body into that of a warrior. Now he stood in the shadows of their home, violet eyes tracking Esther's movements with careful consideration.

His mother's pregnancy had been different this time - her magic more controlled, her demeanor more guarded. The loss of Freya had changed how she approached motherhood, though whether for better or worse remained to be seen.

"You watch her like a hawk," Mikael observed, coming to stand beside his eldest son. "Your instincts tell you something?"

"Every child changes a family," Magnus replied carefully. "I simply wish to be prepared."

Mikael clasped his son's forearm, their foreheads touching briefly. The gesture had become more frequent since Freya's loss, a reminder of what remained and what they had sworn to protect.

Two-year-old Finn toddled over to them, his serious expression a mirror of Magnus's own. Without hesitation, Magnus knelt and shared their gesture with his younger brother, modified to account for Finn's smaller size. Mikael watched this interaction with pride, noting how his eldest had taken the warrior's greeting and transformed it into something that bound their family together.

When Esther's labor began, the entire village seemed to hold its breath. The loss of Freya still hung heavy in everyone's memories, and whispers of curses and ill fortune followed the family like shadows.

Magnus stood guard outside the birthing room, his enhanced senses monitoring every sound, every fluctuation in magical energy. Finn sat beside him, unusually quiet, while Mikael paced with barely contained energy.

The birth itself was quick, almost as if the child was eager to enter the world. When the first cry rang out, Magnus felt something shift in the air - a sense of significance he couldn't quite explain.

"Another son!" the midwife announced joyously. "Strong and healthy!"

As they entered the room, Magnus studied his new brother intently. The infant looked back at him with dark eyes that seemed to hold unusual awareness, much like Magnus's own had at birth.

"Elijah," Esther said softly. "His name is Elijah."

Magnus approached the bed carefully, Finn holding tight to his hand. When he looked down at Elijah, something clicked into place - a recognition of sorts. In his past life, Elijah had been his favorite character, the noble brother who tried so hard to hold his family together. Now, looking at the infant who would become that man, Magnus felt the weight of responsibility settle more firmly on his shoulders.

"Would you like to hold him?" Esther asked, watching her eldest son carefully.

With practiced ease - he had helped care for Finn often enough - Magnus took Elijah in his arms. The baby quieted immediately, those dark eyes fixed on Magnus's violet ones with remarkable focus.

"Welcome, little brother," Magnus said softly, his voice carrying a hint of the ancient power within him. "You are safe with us."

Mikael's hand came to rest on Magnus's shoulder as he looked down at his sons. "He seems to know you already."

"Brothers know brothers," Magnus replied, carefully adjusting his hold so Finn could see the baby better. "We are bound by blood and something deeper."

Later that night, after the celebrations had died down, Magnus stood over Elijah's cradle. With infinite gentleness, he reached down and clasped his new brother's tiny forearm, touching their foreheads together in the gentlest version of their family gesture.

"I will make you strong," he whispered. "I will help you become the noble warrior you are meant to be. And I will never let you carry the weight of this family alone."

From the doorway, Mikael watched this interaction with growing wonder. There were times when Magnus seemed to know things he couldn't possibly know, see things others missed entirely. But whatever mysteries surrounded his eldest son, Mikael knew one thing with absolute certainty - Magnus would reshape their family's destiny through sheer force of will if necessary.

The night deepened, stars wheeling overhead as Magnus maintained his vigil. He had failed to protect one sibling, but he would not fail again. Elijah would grow to be strong, noble, and above all, he would never have to shoulder his burdens alone.