She sighed heavily, squeezing through crowds of gathered people. They formed a circle around Ragnar. They had not expected him to return after ten years. It was not expected at all. She came to the center, surveying the surroundings. People from the village whispered. Some with curiosity, others with disgust or fear. Ragnar spoke to his sons – there was no doubt about it, she remember their names very clearly - and his voice rose loudly around the village.

First to catch his attention was Ivar, a cripple. She remembered the story of a boy whose Ragnar wanted to leave but could not, and sentenced him to a lonely life. His icy blue eyes looked at his father with adoration.

"Hello, Ivar. There's no mistaking you." he smiled looking at him. "It appears my return is not welcome. You have obviously made your mind up about me."

She sensed much in his voice. Pain, despair, amusement, but also creeping up request.

"So now boys, who's going do it then? Who's going kill me?" He looked at the brothers, looking for answers. She moved quietly, imperceptibly along circumference of a circle. "I don't mind. Go ahead. Please."

She had known him for ten years and certainly was not going to let him die now. Not like this, not at this point.

"What about you, Hvitserk?" he asked approaching him. "You think you're a man now. I dare you put me out of my misery. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it!"

Ragnar behaved like a child, she seemed perfectly aware of this. His tone of voice, body movements and words showed it. The last sentence was screamed, causing several people to squeak in fear and made Hvitserk shuddered.

"Look at these people" he approached the center of the circle."They no longer support me. Why would they? I am your leader and I just left! What kind of leader does that? What kind of king abandons his people? What kind of father abandons his sons?"

He embraced the crowd with a look. His eyes seemed to specifically avoid her figure, covered with dark colors. She buried her face in the hood, her back warmed by skin of a wolf. The head of the animal hung freely near her neck.

"So who wants to be king? You know how this works. If you want to be king you must kill me." He took out his sword and began to offering it to assembled men. Madness took over. "Take it. No? You?"

His movement was quick, when he came back to his sons. He stuck his sword in the ground, then shouted:

"Who wants to be king?!"

He walked around stuck blade toward his son.

"What about you, Sigurd? Do you want to be a king?"

Sigurd clenched his jaw, his eyes looked sharp. Ragnar didn't stay long with him. His interest was piqued by a man next to Sigurd.

"You want to be king Ubbe." he said with certainty. "Kill me and you will. King Ubbe!"

He turned to the audience, a wide smile on his lips, his eyes met hers. Before woman could react, Ragnar palm landed on his son's cheek. The crowd gasped.

"What are you waiting for?" Ragnar repeated the gesture, provoking eldest son of Aslaug to attack. Both of them ready to blow a fuse. "Are you afraid? Be a man."

He took a deep breath and then let it out. Grimace appeared on his face. He snorted, then stroked hair of his youngest son. She tilted her head to one side, the question evident on her face. Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd got a chance from him to prove themselves, but Ivar was neglected. She understood why, but it surprised her how easily Ragnar did so. He was Ivar's father for crying out loud!

The youngest couldn't hide disapointpent and misery that have appeared on his face. The woman pursed her lips, not wanting to make her contempt visible. She felt it not only for Ivar, but for her master too. The king walked away slowly and she was ready to follow him toward the exit of the Kattegat, however Ubbe moved. He was hesitant, a little bit scared, although it didn't meant he was any less dangerous. Her body tensed like a string and she was about to jump between the men, but Ragnar stopped her with smile.

He turned and spread his arms, his eyes almost pleading. He walked to his son, his steps firm. He pulled him close and hugged tightly. Ubbe hesitated for a second, but then his hand released the sword and tightened on his father's clothes. Her features softened. Nothing could harm Ragnar right now and that's all that matters. She moved to look at younger brothers of Ubbe. Each of them wore a shock that grew even more when they see her.

Sickly sweet scene was broken by a man walking through crowd. His shoulders were broad, blonde hair long and involved. He folded his arms across his chest.

"Why did you came back?"

His tone expressed everything. Now he ruled here. Ragnar reached out to her. She dutifully fulfilled his silent order, while removing the hood. She allowed them to observe her red, slicked to the back crimped hair. Black marks on her hands and dark colors surrounding her eyes and forehead in the form of the unknown for them makeup.

"Come, Haukea" he putted his hand on the small of her backs. "We need to talk with my sons."