A/N: Thanks for your patience everyone! I'm finishing up my MA, hence the lack of updates. I appreciate you sticking with me :). So, this was supposed to be a much longer chapter, but I have limited time to write & edit, so I decided to post the first half. The second part will be chapter 5 and that should be up within a few days.

She took his breath away. Gone was the shy girl who sang as she picked wildflowers and whose eyes grew wide as he recalled the tale of David and Goliath. She was tall, almost as tall as he was. Her wavy blonde hair fell to her breasts, which he tried not to notice. Her crown was a golden circlet encrusted with light blue jewels that matched the color of her eyes. It sat regally upon her head. Gyda walked gracefully towards her brother, until her noble restraint gave way to nerves and enthusiasm. She ran the last few feet and threw her arms around his neck. Bjorn laughed and picked her up so that her elegantly adorned feet were lifted off the ground.

Athelstan felt a rough hand smack his shoulder and he looked to Halfdan, who motioned to his mouth. He realized his jaw was agape and that he was staring like a fool. His heart began to beat faster as Gyda was introduced to her new family members. Bjorn's wife Valka kissed her cheeks and embraced her warmly. Refil squirmed above him and Athelstan bent down to let the boy run to his aunt. He joined his older brother, Erik, who held their younger sister, Lagertha. Gyda beamed as she met her nephews and niece, and Bjorn swelled with pride as he showed off his children.

Old Floki, still as spry and mischievous as he was in his youth, patted her head and pinched her nose. He leaned forward and whispered something in her ear. She smiled gratefully, and Athelstan knew Floki had told her how pleased Ragnar would have been to have his daughter him once more.

Halfdan approached her next. Athelstan could not hear what he said, but Gyda grinned and Athelstan suddenly wanted his friend to step away from her. Athelstan had never been jealous of Halfdan, despite the younger's man charm, but watching him make Gyda laugh made him sick to his stomach. Halfdan may have been adopted by Ragnar, but he was not Gyda's brother by blood. Fortunately Ivar, Ragnvald, and Sigurd stepped forward to meet their half-sister. All of Kattegatt fixed their gaze on her then, to see her reaction. The boys, aged ten, eight, and six, were the sons of Ragnar and Aslaug. Gyda greeted them with smiles and hugged each of her brothers. Everyone present let out a sigh of relief.

As Gyda met each new person, she was moving closer and closer to Athelstan. He could hear what was being said now. Refil was practically bouncing up and down as he spoke to his aunt. "…and we live in the Great Hall. Grandfather built it and now you'll live there with us and-"

Bjorn picked up his son and slung him over his shoulder, "You must not talk her ears off, or she will sail back to Burgundy," he jokingly warned his son.

Refil blushed and Gyda insisted she was pleased her nephew was so informative.

Athelstan just stood there like a fool, watching her interact with her family, unable to make his feet step towards her. Come to me, he willed her. Finally, she lifted her gaze and locked eyes with him. He felt his heart slam against his ribcage. She too, looked startled, but he supposed it was only because he had changed so much.

Her mouth parted as if to say his name, but no sound came out. Instead she walked toward him with a soft smile on her lips and tears in her eyes.

"Athelstan," she breathed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he gently hugged her back. He could not help but close his eyes and inhale deeply. She smelled of flowers and the sea.

"I missed you," she whispered into his ear. A tingling sensation washed over his entire body.

Before he could reply, their moment was interrupted by Refil, who yanked at Gyda's dress. She stepped out of their embrace and turned her attention to the little boy, who grabbed her hand and led her away, animatedly resuming his speech about its history and structure. Athelstan did not see it, but as she looked back at him before turning towards the road.

Though Athelstan had been reluctant to let her go, he was grateful for the opportunity to regain his composure. He lagged behind as the party made their way towards the Great Hall. Halfdan lightly smacked his arm, raising his eyebrows and grinning suggestively.

"I see you're glad Gyda is home," he said, not in even attempting to hide the laughter in his voice.

Athelstan glared at his friend, not wanting to hear how this woman turned him into a mute statue. "Watch your tongue," he warned.

"You watch yours," Halfdan countered. "Make sure it stays away from Gyda's, or Bjorn may cut it out."

Athelstan rolled his eyes and punched his friend's shoulder. The two slowly followed the others, walking in silence. That sick feeling would not leave Athelstan's stomach. It's lust, he told himself. You've gone too long without a woman, that is all. But in his gut, he knew this was not the case. Gyda had bewitched him, and he was not likely to be released from her spell anytime soon.

Please review! I'm drowning in thesis revising and reviews make me so happy! :)