Chapter 3.

There was a small rabbit jumping through the snow, blurring himself with it's white fur into the frozen flakes. It's ears perked up at a noise, someone was walking nearby. Silently the figure strolled like it was just an ordinary day. Heavy coats of fur stacked onto eachother hid a muscled body that not even age managed to ransack nor the multiple wounds that bit into the flesh. A shaved head covered in tattooed marks was the only thing distinguishing the figure from a troll. A bearded human.

The figure stopped behind a tree and watched Ivar curse his way through the snow. The yougner Viking was using his crutches and slowly making progress. His head was covered in flurries. The figure smiled and reached onto a lower branch, grabbing some snow.

Ivar turned and cursed the Gods as a ball of snow hit his face making him loose balance and promptly land on his ass. The figure laughed and walked over to him.

˝Weren't you more perceptive, my son?˝- Ragnar's voice said. Ivar groaned and squinted at his father.

˝Yes but there's too much snow˝

˝What are you doing out here? Hmm?˝- Ragnar asked with an amused voice. He noticed the shift of grimaces on Ivar's faces before a snicker decided to stay.

˝Taking a walk˝- he replied smugly.

˝Through the snow?˝

˝Yes˝

˝Hmmm and what has your walk taught you?˝

˝Beware of old men playing like children˝- Ivar snorted and lifted himself up. Ragnar was actually quite proud how Ivar was able to walk and move on his own even with his condition and non functioning legs. He kept that comment to himself and watched one crutch join the other.

˝And what about your hidden treasure or should I say pleasure?˝

˝It's more of an annoyance˝

˝Than why don't you get rid of it? Surely it's easy for you my son, now that my other sons fear you˝

˝It's not that annoying, father I need advice˝

˝If it's about women I'm the wrong person to ask. I know how to hunt and how to becaome King, women are still hard for me˝

˝Wasn't it the other way around?˝- Ivar teased.

˝If your mother heard you, she'd throw a mug at you˝

˝She's not here, only us two in the snow˝

˝And your annoyance in the hut˝

˝So you knew˝

˝Of course, I am King of Kattegat still, or did you forget that?˝

˝No father I did not˝

˝Good, now go home. Shuu˝- Ragnar pushed him in the direction of the village and watched as his crippled son slowly shuffled through the deep snow. He waited until he was far away and turned towards the hut.

As the door opened Llucia took a slab of wood and hurled it as soon as she saw fur coats. The figure groaned as the wood hit chest. The head was bald and tattooed and a pair of bright blue eyes narrowed at her.

˝Is that a way a slave acts?˝- Ragnar said. Llucia stared at the man petrified. Ivar had sent someone to punish her after all.

˝I thought you were someone else˝

˝My stubborn son?˝- Llucia nodded. Ragnar closed the door and walked to the fire, tossing the wood inside. He took of his coats and sat. ˝He locked you up in here?˝- Llucia nodded again. ˝And tell me, what does he do with you?˝

˝We talk and he occasionaly baths here˝

˝He baths?˝

˝Yes, he makes me prepare a bath and asks about my homeland˝

˝And nothing...else?˝- Llucia shook her head. She moved in the room nervously, unsure what to do with Ragnar here. He just watched her. ˝Why? Are you male down there?˝

˝What?! No˝

˝Then why not?˝

˝Ask your son˝

˝I will˝

˝Oh˝- Silence fell. Llucia sat on a bench near Ragnar. He didn't seem that frightening, just sitting and observing her. The resemblance in eyes shocked her. Ivar had the same vibrancy in colour and the same motions when he focused on something. A small blush formed on the cheeks at the thought that she knew him that well.

˝I think Ivar intrigues you that same way he's captivtaed with you˝

˝I'm just a slave˝

˝And yet you don't behave like one, you weren't born one˝

˝I was sold as one˝

˝True, what would you do to change that?˝- Ragnar asked. Silence fell again as Llucia stared at his eyes. She felt the need to scream and offer anything just to be free again but she knew it was a gamble, maybe a cruel grame this man was playing. She'd be punished if she said the wrong thing.

˝I'd offer myself to my Gods and wait for their judgment, I'd fight for my freedom as my ancesters did˝- She said finally. A bubble of excitment and fear mixed in her belly and she stared at the flames.

˝Then so be it˝- Ragnar said and took his coats, covered himself and shut the door behind him. Llucia let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding and bit back tears. What would happen with her now? Will it be punishment or a chance to save herself?

˝Hello theree˝- a male giggle woke Llucia. She jumped from her bed to see a tall, skinny Viking smile in her face. His eyes were rimmed with black and he had a big grin on his face.

˝Who are you?˝

˝My name is Floki and from today on you will be teaching me and I will be teaching you˝

˝What?˝

˝You have to learn about our Gods, don't chu?˝- He came in closer and sniffed at her. Llucia stared at him horrfied. She was never, even in her worst days sniffed like a dog. He turned his head sideways and tsked with his tongue. ˝Dirty, when's the last time you bathed?˝

˝Yesterday!˝

˝LIES!˝- Floki shreeked. Llucia yelped.

˝Three days ago...Ivar...he doesn't let me use his bath so I do it...˝- Llucia stammered and felt stupid addmiting she was afraid of being punished again. Floki laughed.

˝He was such a special boy, soo special˝- He grabbed her hand and dragged her outside. Llucia screamed and tried to fight back but the Viking was stronger than he looked.

˝First you'll bathe and change and then we'll start the teachings, we have much to work on˝- Floki explained and dragged her through the snow. It was a sunny day, everything white and untouched, safe for her shrieks and yelps.

˝But I was told to be here˝- Llucia started to shout.

˝Orders of Ragnar, over rule Ivar, pity he'll sulk and brood again. No matter, let's go˝- Floki giggled on and dragged the girl with him.

a/n : I'm delighted that are still people who like this story so for you I WILL be continuing it, I ask only for patience because midterms are eating me alive. I have it planned out mostly and you are all still free to add suggestions