Noise has gotten louder as the group moved closer to the Earl home. Five or six men surrounded a smaller group of women, leading them to learn their faith. Door was already open and the whole room was filled with men, women and children looking up to their lord. When they found themselves in front of the Earl himself none of the girls made a sound.
Ragnar sat in his usual manner, leaning to the right side, his eyes observing every move and every corner of the place. He glanced once or twice at his wife before paying his full attention to the girls. He called them up one by one looking at them, asking them a few questions before declaring them as slaves. Five of them were already at the other side of the room waiting for the remaining three to join them. As he called for another one, Rargnar shifted in his seat, bringing his left knee up to his chest. The hem of the entirely black dress swayed as a girl with her face covered with a cloak, walked up in front of him. He moved his head trying to catch the glimpse of her face, but the only thing he got was a strand of her hair. It bared the color of blood. When he was about to speak to her, girl's voice interrupted him causing him to smirk as he lifted his head up.
"Am I to be your slave too, Ragnar?" she spoke.
"Should I know you?" He asked, amused, leaning down trying to peak at her face with a smile on.
"I am offended that you don't remember me." She spoke taking off her cloak letting her wavy hair, braided in three small knots on her right side, fall to her mid back. She looked up and her piercing green eyes shot him a look with a smirk on her lips. Ragnar's smile disappeared with him shifting in his seat again, ready to jump up at any second. In a same moment it was replaced with a warm grin as the girl mirrored his expression. He got up hugging her tightly before moving away to look at her face.
"You look different. Better." He grinned widely holding his palms at her cheeks. When her eyes darted at the woman who sat next to him, Ragnar jumped up next to her to introduce her. "This is my wife, princess Aslaug."
Woman stood up standing about inch and half taller than her. Her eyes glowing and a smile on her lips as she seemed a little confused under her friendly posture. Ragnar kissed her cheek pulling the girl up to her.
"This is Dahlia. She grew up with us here. She is one of the oldest friends."
Dahlia bowed to the princess offering a smile, while the women gently hugged her. When she moved to sit back down Dahlia noticed she was with child.
"I wish you all the best." She said regarding her state.
"What brings you back?" Ragnar asked crooking his head to the left with a smirk on his face.
"Nothing that is going through your mind. I come, bringing gifts." She smiled devilishly.
"Should we speak in private then?" He moved towards the exit door and girl followed after bowing to the Aslaug once more before getting out. They walked through the market and Dahlia had her cloak up again not wanting to be seen by anyone else just yet. They walked towards the wood and away from the people, talking about small things. When they were finally alone she took of her cloak again and sat on the rock above Ragnar who sat on the ground.
"As I said, I bring gifts, to you and your crew." She grinned having a spark in her eyes as she reached into the bag attached to the belt of her dress. Ragnar eagerly awaited his surprise. She pulled out a piece of fabric, opened it and turned it to her friend. Ragnar's face lightened as he watched drawings. He took it from her hands and laid it on the ground before him. Dahlia slid down the rock and sat next to him, crossing legs beneath herself, looking at the drawing with the same expression on her face.
"Where did you get this?" He asked amazed.
"Not just that, I have many more of them." She giggled gripping her bag and biting her lip in excitement.
"Is this why you came back? To show me this?" Ragnar waved with the fabric in front of her face. "Nothing else?" He seemed interested in her every reason.
"Not just for that. As I traveled the world I came to hear about great Ragnar Lothbrok. They fear you and they respect you at the same time. You have changed everything by sailing west. I found these, all of them, through the southern empires. I brought them here because I want to be a part of it." Her eyes glistened as she spoke. Crackling fire that was always inside of her started to rage out through her eyes and it brought a smile to Ragnar's face to see someone who shared his enthusiasm with this.
"I will gather my crew tonight at the dinner, and you will be there to tell them all about this. Then we can decide whether or not you can come. But I believe there would be no problem with it." He said getting up. She smiled and followed after him.
"I wish to ask you another favor, one you can do right now." Dahlia raised her eyebrow looking at her friend. Shaking his head he waited for her question. "Six women came here with me. I don't want them harmed or enslaved. They've been loyal companions through my journey, even getting taken away with me."
"Done." He grinned and she thanked him.
As they returned to the village she watched people around her with joy in her eyes, feeling at home. Many familiar faces passed her, but not one of them remembered her. How could she blame them? She was away for a very long time.
"Ragnar?" She started still looking around. "Where is Lagertha?"
His faces changed a bit as it was unpleasant for him to talk about. Looking away for a short few seconds before he faced her, Ragnar blinked fast few times and smiled.
"About four years ago, she left me. We have been on a raid and Aslaug ended up having my son. I had to take care of my son. Around that time we lost Gyda to some illness. Lagertha left, and Bjorn left with his mother. About a month ago they came back, but she still refused to live with me. She is an Earl now. They live in the village, so Bjorn could be close to me and his brothers. She spends some time here and some time at her home." Ragnar's words saddened her deeply. Both Bjorn and Gyda knew her before she left.
"Could you take me to see them?" Dahlia smiled. "And Floki too?" She added remembering that silly man.
"You can see them all tonight at the feast. You should rest for now. Stay at my house, with your maidens. Till then, you can meet my sons with Aslaug."
As much as she looked forward to seeing and meeting everyone, Dahlia feared of how that dinner would go. It was not a fear for her safety; it was more of an internal shudder keeping her unease. She found some rest in the company of princess and Siggy. Most of her time though she spent having Ubbe and Hvitserk around. After being introduced properly to Ragnar's family, she went to find some silence in her dreams.
Night found Dahlia on her feet, getting ready for the rather serious night ahead of her. A dress rather similar in color to the one she had on earlier that day, had two knifes attached to its leather belt. The only thing standing out from the dark exterior of her clothing was a red string hanging in zig-zag over her upper chest and to her collar bone. When ready she took her drawings and made her way out to wait for everyone with Ragnar.
First face she met was his. He smiled, standing next to his first wife who awaited surprise he promised her earlier. When Lagertha turned, she never expected to see the girl who stood in front of her. In doubt of reality she reached out to Dahlia, who gripped her hand grinning widely.
"I thought we would never see you again." Blonde woman said hugging her old acquaintance.
"I thought so too, yet here I am." Dahlia began taking a step towards the tall blond guy behind Lagertha. "Bjorn?" she observed his stern face form a warmer appearance. "You are even bigger than your father is."
"It is good to see you again." Bjorn said in a tick voice.
"You were around nine or ten when I last saw you, I think." She offered a smile. "I am sure you shall be a great warrior."
Just as Dahila felt like at home again doors opened and the rest of Ragnar's crew chimed in led by Floki. Eccentric Viking had an insane grin on when a newly come woman caught his eye. Giggling he towered over her, looking down to meet her face. As soon as he walked up to her she hung herself around his neck letting him lift her up and spin her a few times.
"You are back!" He giggled wildly.
"I am back." She said burying her face in Floki's chest. Ever since she was a little girl, Floki held a special place in her heart. All she knew about their culture and faith she learnt from him. He hated the idea of her leaving even back then, but she still left.
"Oh this is going to be an interesting night." He cackled, amused. "After this you will come with me to meet my wife. She will love you." Floki said still in front of her. She nodded causing him to grin.
Doors were closed now, and when Floki moved on, sitting next to Lagertha, there was only one thing left to do. Face the fear. He just stood there million emotions over his face, dancing all at once. Rollo did not look much different. His hair got longer.
On the other side, he could not move. Since the moment he saw her behind Floki he stood buried in one spot looking at her. She changed a lot. Her hair was wilder then he remembered and those green eyes seemed even deeper now, for some reason. He noticed her black clothing hasn't changed. The more Rollo looked at her, the more his anger overpowered everything else he felt. Getting back to his senses he pushed pass her to his seat not acknowledging her at all.
Dahlia held her head high, not bothered by his attitude. When everyone was seated she found her place next to Ragnar. She observed all of the warriors in the room, glancing at Rollo once or twice before Earl spoke.
"Friends" Ragnar started grinning in his usual manner. "I wish to share an idea with you." He said struggling to find the words, lost in his excitement, looking back and forth between Dahlia and his warriors. "Today, I have been greeted by an old friend, with new ideas, that I wanted to share with you." Another grin followed before he got up. He stood next to Dahlia looking strictly at Rollo now widening his eyes and glancing at her. His brother showed no reaction to his movements.
"Tell them. Show them." Ragnar said gently stoking her shoulders as the same excited grin appeared on her face. She took a step closer placing the fabric on the wooden table. Floki was the first one to lean in and see the chart. His eyes widened and he let out a strange sound, looking up to Ragnar and Dahlia.
"That is just the one. I have more. All of them of places none of you had seen before." She spoke with passion, her eyes glistening. Floki looked amazed and so did Lagertha and Bjorn.
"How did you get these?" Bjorn asked.
"I have my ways." She smirked.
"This is fascinating. Some of these places aren't even mentioned in our books and scripts." His mother added.
"We are going to see all of those places." Ragnar announced with almost entire crew cheering and yelling. "But to get the maps, we have to agree on something, first."
At his words, Rollo finally took the fabric in his hands. He looked up at Dahlia, curious, then at Ragnar. He put the map back down and leaned back into his seat waiting to hear more.
"In order to go here, we just have to take one new warrior with us." Ragnar pointed to her with both his hands. Almost all of them agreed out of instant, hitting theirs mugs against the table. Floki giggled approving of her with mad grin and wide eyes getting up and palming the crook of her neck,
"This is going to be so fun!" he says glancing at Rollo. His face held resentment as he looked at the girl. Anger started to build up again and he clenched his jaw, leaning it and looking up to Ragnar.
"And you want to take her?" He said in low growl.
"I do." His brother answered happily with a smirk.
Rollo looked at her once again, displaying disgust and raising his eyebrow. He pushed the fabric away and got up. He pushed pass two of them and on his way out he sneered. "Fine then."
A/N: I would really like to hear what you people think, so I can decide whether or not to keep publishing.