Thank you to the following people for reviewing:
ShadowSpears - I am glad to hear you liked how I gave the sons some closure for Ragnar's death. I think they needed something. Thank you once again for reviewing
MinhaJubsFavourita - Thank you for reviewing! I am flattered you thought the previous chapter was amazing, I hope you enjoy this one also.
Gale Lover - Thank you for saying you liked the chapter, Was a little nervous about the changes I made, but they seemed to be well received. So thankyou! At this stage, she is going to keep her options open with the Pardon from Bjorn, but never say never hey!
Guest - Glad you liked the chapter, thanks for saying something! Enjoy this one.
BlueEyedPisces - Haha ,don't worry about the late review, you managed to in the end and I appreciate it very much!
Angelabella5656 - Thankyou for your kind review, I hope you love this chapter also. I hadn't thought of wattpad, the thought of being to add pictures and gifs is very enticing. Hopefully my writing is enough to give you a image in your head for the time being though?
ReadlikeHermione - Thank you for your review, pleased you like the chapter.
Thank you for following! Without much chatter from my end here is the next chapter.
They made their way up river towards the town of Repton, Mercia. The boats floating up the channel with ease. It was nice to not be out on the open seas, it made for much easier rowing. Not that Kadlin had to do such things, as the women who brought closure to the son's of Ragnar she didn't have to do much at all. Everyone seemed rather pleased with her.
Kadlin was just grateful that the brothers had listened to her and now had their blood revenge on Aelle. Her mood had improved much more on this journey than the last, mainly due to the fact that Ivar had insisted she travel with him. This boat was much more interesting, no women talking about how to best sew or weave. Talk of the upcoming battle against King Ecbert seemed to be the main topic amongst most of them.
One of the only other women on board the boat was Floki's partner Helga, and their adoptive daughter Tanaruz. Kadlin had not spoken to the girl overly much, but she did enjoy speaking with Helga. Helga and Floki had acted like a sort of adoptive set of parents for Ivar. He was very fond of them, having told Kadlin that his mother Queen Aslaug had asked Floki to teach Ivar what it meant to be viking. Kadlin assumed this must have been when his father went away. It certainly explained why Ivar was close towards him and valued his opinions more than others.
Helga told Kadlin tales of how Ivar was when he was a child, not having had many friends apart from his brothers. His mother never seemed to give him much space and smothered him with more affection than any of the other boys had received. Hearing Helga speak of such things, made it apparent to Kadlin why Sigurd seemed the way he was towards Ivar. Kadlin had assumed it was hatred but now understood it as jealousy toward his younger brother. It seemed that Aslaug was too busy with Ivar to have bothered with her other sons. Learning things like this, helped Kadlin to understand Ivar and his brothers better, which in turn made it easier when she spoke with them. Careful to avoid certain topics so Sigurd and Ivar wouldn't clash and argue.
When Bjorn was satisfied with where they were, they landed the boats. Once again they left the boats and made camp. The ground was very muddy and she was grateful when someone had put down strips of wood for them to walk across. She didn't fancy slipping on her ass in the mud. Having most people pleased with her, she didn't have to set up her tent this time either, nor was it on the other side of the camp to Ivar's. Reaching her tent, she noticed there was still much more to come off from the ships.
"Ivar can I use your chariot?" she asked as he sat down with some of his brothers who were starting to roast some meat upon the fire.
"For what?" he questioned her.
"I want to help with the supplies" she answered simply.
He nodded and she sat back on top of the chariot and led the horse back towards the boats. Kadlin then stepped down from the chariot and helped fill the chariot with supplies needed to get them by. Many of the people were happy to see her helping and she noticed that people were much friendlier towards her now, than they had been in the past. Once the chariot was filled as much as it could hold, Kadlin went to climb up on to Ivar's horse. There was no stirrup for her to place her leg and she was unsure how she would get up. Resigning her self to the fact she would need to hand lead the horse back, she was surprised to see a familiar face there to help her.
"Erland, It is nice to see you did not fall in the battle."
"Your concern is touching, would you like some assistance?"
"If you do not mind. I cannot get my leg over"
Erland laughed at her, "Perhaps not the best word to use? But I understand. Here" he cupped his hand, and she stood on it. Lifting her leg up over the other side of the white horse.
"Thank you Erland. You must come drink with us later" she said to him once she had mounted the horse comfortably.
"I would be glad to. Until then, Good bye Kadlin"
Kadlin gave a curt nod towards him, and she shook the reigns, indicating to the horse to move onwards. How could that man be so rude the last time they met and a complete different person this time? She supposed it had something to do with how she had spoken to him at their last encounter, at least she had made it clear she was not interested in him.
Arriving back at the other side of the camp, many of them were happy to see Kadlin had brought more food with her. The fires were roaring and ready to cook. She herself felt famished, she had no idea when she had last eaten a properly cooked meal. Sliding her self off from the horse, she took a handful of food and a pot and made way back to where she left the brothers. Asking one of the men, to bring the chariot and her horse over to her when they were finished unloading.
Sigurd had taken to cutting pieces of meat of the animal they had been roasting, it looked to be ready to eat. Placing the pot in the fire she sat down close to it to warm herself. It was much colder here than it had been in Northumbria. She was grateful for her furs, wrapping them around herself tighter she listened to the brothers speak.
Once again they were arguing. It seemed all they did most of the time. Ivar spoke of how the Saxons had left and seemed afraid of them all. How they ran away at the sight of their boats. The brothers did not agree with him, they seemed to think that the Saxons that had left, had been simple farmers, women and children not soldiers or warriors who defended the land. Not that Kadlin said anything aloud, she happened to agree with Bjorn and the others. These were not the people which they would fight, these were people like tended the farms and crops. Much like her own mother and sister at home.
Kadlin was grateful when Ubbe spoke and reminded Ivar of such things. Moments later Sigurd spoke again, he certainly seemed to like to get a rise in Ivar. Telling him that he had fought as many battles as he, but not from the seat of his comfy chariot. Ivar glared, and Kadlin saw his anger bubbling to the surface.
"Ivar if you break up this brotherhood" Bjorn began. Telling him that they didn't need him. Ivar continued to remind them that it was their father who asked him to come with him to England. It would be he who would have made sure their father was avenged.
Bjorn picked up the head of the dead animal they were roasting, placing it in front of his face. "If that's what you want to believe Ivar"
Kadlin looked over and saw Floki sitting close to them, listening to the brothers. Hoping he saw the look on her face as a sign for help. He nodded and thankfully he understood.
"So this is what the grunting of the little pigs was about?" Floki said as he walked off.
Kadlin decided it was time to leave also, standing up "Ivar are you coming?"
"No, I will meet with you later"
Excusing herself, she wandered over to where her tent was. The make shift village was very busy, people coming and going it was like a mini Kattegat. Nearly arriving at her tent ,she whirled when she heard a scream. Her hand going to her belt, where Ivar had given her back her dagger instinctively. Seeing the commotion up ahead, she stepped over to investigate.
King Harrald had killed a man. A man named Vic, who was married to the women he dreamed of marrying. Kadlin was unsure of all the details, as she had only heard gossip of it floating around. It seemed that the princess told Harrald she would marry him when he became a King, and then went and married someone of a lower standard without him knowing. Looking at Harrald as he cleaned his axe with the blood of the dead man, Kadlin became acutely aware that this man was incredibly dangerous. Not only was he willing to kill other Earls, for no reason apart from marrying the women he cared about but he was the real threat towards the Son's of Ragnar . He wanted to be the king, not a king and the brothers stood in his way. As long as Lothbrook blood still flowed, his reign would not be supported.
Once the battle of Ecbert was over, Kadlin would need to speak with Ivar about him, she was worried that he may one day try to take what was Ivars. Of course , not that it was entitled to Ivar, as the youngest son he had a low claim to his fathers throne. A throne which had been taken from his mother by Lagertha. That was another problem they would need to face when they returned. Kadlin was certain that Ivar would not let Lagertha go unpunished for murdering his mother. Perhaps she would speak to him about it tonight, thinking that maybe Harrald and Lagertha could in fact be useful. One threat could rule out the other, it was something to think on anyway.
The rest of the day passed by in a blur for Kadlin. Deciding to spend the remaining time by herself in her tent, she wanted to try looking through different visions again. She wasn't sure if it would happen a second time or if it truly was a gift from the gods to witness Ragnar's death. Lying her head down upon her bed, she closed her eyes and held the necklace in her palm. This time, she thought of Aslaug. A women she had never met, but felt as if she knew. Ivar had told her many stories of his mother, and it was clear he loved her very much. Relying on the things she had been told, she saw flashes of blonde wavy hair and a bright smile. A woman holding a baby wrapped in cloth covering his legs, her sitting on the throne staring at her children playing in front of her. Aslaug sitting on the floor playing games with Ivar.
"How did she die?" Kadlin said aloud to herself.
Her mind wandering to the centre of Kattegat. The village centre filled with people, Aslaug walking up to Lagertha. She was wearing a fine gown in a shade of red that looked stunning against her complexion, her blonde hair braided perfectly on top of her crown, with the rest in curls at her shoulders. Walking with a regal prescense, her palms upturned and a sword flat against them, as if she was presenting it to the other women.
Kadlin watched with anticipation as she saw the two women exchange words, Aslaug admitting aloud that she would never be able to beat Lagertha in battle. Dropping the sword casually at her feet. Renouncing her claim to the throne, on the condition that Lagertha leave her be to live out her days elsewhere. Kadlin watched Lagertha agree and let the other women pass her. Aslaug walked with her head held high, a look of triumph and relief on her face. Until the arrow struck her in the back.
Dropping the pendant from her fingers, Kadlin looked up to the roof of the tent. She didn't understand why Lagertha had killed her. Sure she understood that the women hated each other but she had renounced her and her son's claim. She wondered how much Ivar and his brothers knew of the death, did they know their mother had surrendered?
After her visions of Aslaug, Kadlin then thought on the upcoming battle. It would be the first of so many and she knew which of those they would win and the ones they would be defeated in. By now Prince Aethelwulf would have found the priest they let live, and he would know they were coming. Closing her eyes once more, she saw archers upon a hill side standing side by side, running back and forth, and them running through the forest. She wasn't overly clear what it meant, but this was what the gods wanted her to see so this is what she would tell Ivar.
Looking out the fabric of her tent she saw night would soon be starting to fall upon the camp. The men gathered around drinking and laughing with one another. The thought made Kadlin's lip curl. The last time she had drank she felt awful afterwards. Well, that wasn't completely true, she hadn't felt awful when she had been with Ivar. Smiling to herself as she thought back to the first time his hands touched her. Feeling a need to go and see him, she pulled on her coat and shoes and made way through the muddy camp to speak with him.
Arriving at his tent, she saw him sitting on the floor sharpening his axe.
"May I come in?" she asked, as she poked her head through the fabric.
Ivar looked up to see her, a smile on his face. "Of course."
It was then that Kadlin noticed that he had a mat on the floor, she supposed it was so he didn't have to crawl around in the mud. Grateful to whoever had thought of such things, she slipped off her shoes and sat down next to him.
"I am here to speak about the battle against Ecbert"
"Well, speak" he told her, a bit colder than she thought necessary.
She told him of what she had seen in regards to the battle. He did not know what to make of what she had said either. Ivar sat there with a concentrated look upon his face.
"What did the battle field look like?" he asked her.
"Well, it is hard to say, there was many different images I got. Sometimes you were here, and sometimes you were there. No fighting though, not until you got to the valley"
Ivar continued to sharpen the blade, Kadlin content to just sit there and watch. After a few minutes Ivar spoke.
"Kadlin, would you mind going to get Bjorn? I need to speak with him."
"Of course, I will be back soon"
Quickly pulling her shoes on, she hurried out to find Bjorn. He was seated with some men that Kadlin did not know. Walking up to him, with a smile upon her face.
"Bjorn, can I borrow you a moment?"
Bjorn nodded and stood up.
"Only a moment hey? You don't want longer?" one of the men called.
"As tempting as that is, I'm sure my brother wouldn't approve. Until later my friends" he turned and followed Kadlin to Ivar's.
"Ah, Bjorn. Thankyou, I did not want to crawl around in the mud to come find you" Ivar said jokingly.
"What is it?"
Kadlin stepped outside whilst the brothers spoke. She was feeling hungry, and thought perhaps Ivar might be also. Making way over to the tables to make herself and Ivar something to eat. When she had made a bowl for both of them, she saw Bjorn leaving Ivar's tent. She hurried over to see what was happening.
Walking inside she saw Ivar dressing himself, and tying up his boots. "Where are you going?" she asked him.
"Bjorn and I are going to see the battle field. After what you told me, I think we need to fight in a different way to surprise them. Your vision proves this, but Bjorn and the others will want to fight in the normal way. Shield wall and all that. I want to go see for myself where the battle will be, and how we can surprise them"
"Can I come with you?" Kadlin asked him softly.
"No" he replied as coldly as he had spoken earlier.
"Ivar what is the matter, I know I can see things, but I truly do not know what is wrong with you today?" Kadlin said getting slightly frustrated.
Ivar glared at her, and pulled himself out towards his chariot. She followed him, waiting for her answer.
"I thought perhaps, you were here to see me. Not just talk about the battle. But then I remembered I am a cripple and why would you want to" With that, he shook the reigns of his horse and they were off. Riding away to where Bjorn was sat upon his own horse. Watching them ride off to the battle grounds of tomorrow to come up with a strategy that would lead to the vision Kadlin had seen.
Returning inside to Ivar's tent, she sat back down and ate her food. What was Ivar going on about, she thought. She had come here to speak with him about the battle yes, but he had sent her off to get Bjorn. Although when she had arrived at the tent the first time, he did look happy to see her. She wondered if perhaps he wanted more than he said out loud. Unsure of what to do now, Kadlin looked around his tent. It was very simple, not that she expected too much. They were moving regularly so luxury items weren't brought with them. Glancing over at the sharpening tools, Kadlin took out her own dagger and used them. If she had learnt anything it was to always keep your blades sharp.
Whilst sharpening her blade, Kadlin couldn't stop her mind from thinking. Trying to keep about the battle, and the future but it always came back to Ivar. She was hurt that he thought that about her, hadn't she proved to him that she didn't care about him being a cripple? Obviously not, she thought to herself. So she would have to show him. Running her finger across the blade, it felt much sharper. Satisfied with what she had done, she packed up the tools and put them away. Not knowing how long it would be until Ivar returned she decided it was best to get some sleep.
Taking off her cloak she placed it over the end of the bed. Looking down at her clothing she wore, she felt slightly jealous of the princess she had seen earlier that day. Not because her husband had been brutally murdered in front of her eyes, but of the gown she wore. The fabric looked softer than Kadlin had felt, the colours vibrant and clean and the cut flattering to her body shape. Kadlin had nothing like that, usually it did not bother her, today though it did. Deciding that no clothes was a better option than muddy, dirty travelled stained clothes, she stripped down to nothing and climbed into Ivar's bed. Lying there it was colder than she had originally thought, but she pulled the covers around her tighter. Closing her eyes, she waited with anticipation for when Ivar returned.
