Raid - Part 1: Escape

(A/N: I know I'm verrry late with the next update... *sad face* . But new chapters are coming ASAP!*happy dance!* )

Enjoy! R&R!

It was serveral days since Ragnar was released as a free man. The happy celebration was destroyed when Haraldsons men came and attacked. A great friend and warrior was taken from Ragnar that night. The War Band will greatly miss Erik, and Lief would never forget what the Earl took away from him. He loved his father dearly, and it pained him to see his mother grieve over the loss of Erik.

Illyra had paid many visits to Eriks widow. Bringing her meals that Lagertha had made, and Bjorn would often ocompany his aunt to help with any work that was needed to be done. Lief would notice Illyra when she would visit, and would find himself admiring her gentleness and beauty. He was grateful for the kindness she has shown his mother in these trying days.

One evening back at the farm, Illyra was standing outside looking up at the stars. Her eyes were closed, and she gave prayers to the Gods for her familys good health. She also gave prayer for Eriks family, and hopes that they will heal their broken hearts. Illyra felt tears prick her eyes as she remembered her own husbands death.

From behind her, Illyra heard a door shut and she turned around to see Athelstan. Illyra tried to manage a smile at the Priest as he approached her.

"What is the matter?" Athelstan asked, his voice full of concern.

Illyra shook her head, and said nothing. She turned her face away from Athelstans.

"Illyra?" Athelstan reached for her, turning her head to face him. "If there's anything that troubles you, you know you can confide in me."

"I know, Athelstan." Illyra smiled at the Priest. She gave him a light hug.

Athelstan put an arm around Illyra, resting his other hand in her red hair. "What is it?" he insisted.

"It is grief." Illyra sighed. "Grief hangs off Eriks widow like rotted flesh."

Athelstan ran his hand through her red locks. "In this life, pain and grief is inevitable. It will take time, but I am certain Lief and his mother will heal. Sometimes people must deal with their grief on their own, without the aid of others."

"We cling to what is gone." Illyra raised her ice blue eyes up to Athelstans, she felt a tear roll down her cheek. "Is there anything in this life but grief?"

"There is love." Athelstan wiped her cheek. "And there is hope. Hope that you will find something worthy, and that this life will lead you to some form of joy and peace. And even after everything, this life can still surprise you."

"But, is that enough to live on?"

Athelstan smiled, "I believe it is."

Illyra smiled and hugged the Priest once more. Whenever she is distressed, he always has a way of calming her. Illyra sighed, and his scent filled her nostrils. The steady beating of his heart soothed her worries.

Athelstan continued to hold Illyra in his arms, He had developed a certain 'attachment' to the Red Lady since she arrived at the farm. Illyra had opened up to the Priest on many subjects of her life, and he would always listen intently. She had also heard many stories from the Priest about his life back at the monastery. Stories of his childhood, playing with the Brothers and his studies. There were times when Illyra could still see the pain in his eyes as he remembered such times.

The next day, Athelstan had spent the morning with Ragnar fishing on the lake. When they had returned to the farm, Ragnar had laid down and allowed the Priest to clean the fish that his wife would later cook for their meal.

There had been a question on Athelstans mind for many days now, and finally had the courage to seek an answer.

"May I ask you something, Ragnar?" The Priest cleared his throat.

Ragnar turned his head to the younger man. "What do you want?"

"Am I still your slave?"

Ragnar grinned. "Does it really matter?"

"It matters to me. I have also noticed that in your land, slaves are treated worse than animals."

"Do I treat you like an animal?"

"That is not my point." Athelstan sighed, putting the knife he was using to clean the fish down. "According to your laws, you could beat me to death, and there would be no penalty."

Ragnar chuckled. 'If I were to beat you to death, Illyra would never forgive such a thing...' He thought, but said nothing.

"Everyone else in your land in subject to the law. A man can rape his female slave, but not a free woman."

"That is just the way of it." Replied Ragnar. "It is very true that we distinguish between those captured in battle, and our own free people. In any case, why do say 'your land'? You live here now. This is now your land, and I have never seen you try to escape us."

"I find myself growing less and less interested in trying to escape now." Athelstan lowered his eyes. "I have been here for so long..."

"And what of my sister?" Ragnar asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Illyra?" Athelstan was a bit surprised.

"Yes, Illyra." Ragnar grinned again. "I've notice the amount of time the two of you spend together, talking quietly with each other."

"Yes," Athelstan cleared this throat, choosing his next words carefully. "Illyra has become my friend, and I greatly value her friendship and trust."

"I do not think I need to tell you that if you were to harm our sister, you will suffer for it." Ragnar said a little too fiercely. "She has been through more than enough to last a lifetime."

Athelstans eyes widened. "I would never do anything to Illyra that would cause her pain..."

"Good," Ragnar smiled. "Then I have no issue with your friendship with her."

Athelstan swallowed the lump that was in his throat. "But, I would still like to be a free man."

"Does it truly matter so much to you, Priest?" Ragnar began to play with the fire from a single candle that burned next to him.

"I does." Athelstan insisted.

Ragnar said nothing, and Athelstan knew he would not get what he wished. The Priest bent down to put more food on the fire.

"What is it that you are preparing for?"

"What do you mean?" Ragnar looked back at the Priest.

"I've watched you, you're about to do something. You've made yourself very strong in just a matter of days."

"Perhaps not quite strong enough."

"What do the Gods say?" Athelstan smiled, and leaned forward.

Ragnar raised himself up, and glared at the Priest. "What do you know of our Gods, Priest?"

Athelstan said nothing, shocked by Ragnars sudden anger.

Ragnar stood up, towered over the younger man. "You will finish the fish, and in silence!" He commanded.

Athelstan stood up, and resumed his work on the fish.

In Kattegat, Earl Haraldson had been preparing himself also.

He had gathered up his 50 best killers, and was readying himself for battle. He had a new blade made for this fight, and he was looking forward to watering the grass with the blood of a certain Viking.

"Are you sure about this, my love?" Siggy handed her husband his shield.

"Yes," Haraldson took the shield from his wife. "It will end today."

"And what about her?"

The Earl turned to his wife and glared at her. He gave no reply as he left her sight.

Siggy felt her lip tremble...

Back at the farm, Bjorn was helping the older men with the repairs on the fish traps. He had seen Ragnar off earlier that morning as he left for a hunt. Illyra had gone down to the river to get fresh water for the boil, leaving Lagertha and her daughter in the house.

Athelstan entered the home with wood for the fire. Gyda caught his eye, and the Priest gave her a small smile. Gyda averted her eyes from the Priest, and felt her face grow warm. Lagertha took notice, and gave a quiet chuckle. She knew her daughter had developed child-like affection for the older man, and it amused her.

Illyra had entered the home with two full buckets of water. Athelstan stood up and took the water from her, both exchanging shy smiles. Lagertha had been chopping veggetables, and saw the looks that Illyra and Athelstan gave each other, and she felt joy for her sister. Illyra had been with her family for many months now, and it seems like she is finally moving past her grief.

Screams were suddenly heard from outside. Lagertha stopped chopping and ran to the window to see what the commotion was. The cries were becoming louder, and Lagertha gasped.

"We are under attack." Lagertha moved from the window.

Illyra raised a hand to her mouth. She moved to Gydas side, and placed a protective arm around the child. Lagertha handed her daughter the knife she was previously using.

Lagertha turned to the Priest, "Get Bjorn!" She commanded.

Athelstan ran out of the house in search for the boy.

Lagertha gave Illyra a knife, then drew herself one of Ragnars swords. Bjorn was quick to return to the house with the Priest immediatly behind him.

"Take this!" Lagertha gave her son a weapon. "Get back!"

Illyra pulled the children together behind their mother.

"Athelstan!" Lagertha shouted to the Priest. "Take this." She handed him an axe.

The Priest had never before in his life held a weapon in his hands, it was a strange feeling. Athelstan moved to stand next to Illyra and she gave him a worried look.

"What are to do?" Bjorn asked. "Are we to run away?"

Lagertha picked up her shield, "No, we will stay. Your father will be back soon."

Bjorn felt himself begin to panic. "But there are too many of them!"

"Stand strong, my son." Lagertha smiled at her boy. "Everyone, be ready!"

The sounds of the battle continued for what seemed like ages. Screams were heard throughout the entire farm. Men, women, even children. All cries of mercy, fear, pain... The fight was getting closer to the little house.

Illyra felt her body begin to tremble as she held Gyda close to her. The children were fearful, but Lagertha stood firm and strong as always.

Ragnar suddenly burst through the door. He was covered in dirt and blood.

"Father!" Bjorn ran to his fathers side.

"You are hurt!" Lagertha quickly examined her husband. He had an arrow in his upper chest, and a gash on one of his legs, causing him to limp.

"We have to go now." Ragnars replied, his beathing becoming labouring.

"What is happening, brother?" Illyra asked.

"It is the Earl and his men." Ragnar began searching for the the escape tunnel he built for under the house. "We have to get to the boat."

"Are you not coming?!" Demanded the Shield Maiden.

Ragnar opened the door to the tunnel. "You must go." He motioned for his wife to take lead, then turned to his children. "Quickly, Gyda!"

Gyda went into her fathers arms as he lifted her up, and placed her down into the tunnel.

"Father, I will not go without you!" said Bjorn.

"I will be right behind you, my son. Now hurry!" Ragnar took his son and hurried him into the tunnel. Bjorn crawled down after his sister.

Illyra put her knife in her boot.

"Hurry, sister! There is no time!" Ragnar held his arm to Illyra.

Illyra stepped into the tunnel, then stopped. She turned to her brother and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Be safe, brother." She whispered before releasing Ragnar, and crawled down after the children.

"Go, Priest!" He ordered.

Athelstan obeyed, and followed behind Illyra. As soon as Athelstan crawled into the tunnel, Ragnar sealed it closed.

Illyra spun around and was about to call for her brother when Athelstan put a hand to her mouth.

"Shhh!" The Priest pleaded. "Ragnar is doing what he must to ensure our escape."

"But..!"

"Please, Illyra..." Athelstan brought his hand to touch the side of her face, and leaned closer to her. "Have faith." he whispered.

Illyra, reluctantly nodded, and turned to follow the rest of her family.

Ragnar opened the door to his home, and leaned against the frame. He closed his eyes and gave a silent prayer to Odin for strength. Outside his home stood Earl Haraldson, and his men. All had their weapons drawn, waiting for an excuse to finish Ragnar Lothbrok.

Slowly, Ragnar made his way to stand in front of the Earl. Each step seemed more labored than the previous step. Blood was seeping from his wounds, and Ragnar was loosing strength. Finally, he could not support the weight of himself on his legs, and collapsed to his knees. Ragnar dropped his axe at the Earls feet.

"Will you accept that you are a devious criminal?" The Earl smiled down at the man at his feet. "That you are worthy of nothing but defeat? Worthy of only death?"

Ragnar groaned in pain. "I will accept my fate..." His voice quivered. "Please... Let me speak with my God..."

Haraldson smiled, and stepped back. He knew he had won his victory of the broken man before him.

"Lord of Lords..." Ragnar began, "My father, I ask for your help. Give me your strength.." He looked up at the Earl and smiled. "To kill those who threatened my family!"

Ragnar grabbed his axe, and jumped to his feet. He knocked the weapons from the Earls mens hands with ease, blocked every blow. Ragnar fought as though he was filled with renewed strength.

Ragnar threw his axe at one of the last few standing men, and jumped on a horse. Kicking it into a fierce gallop, sped away.

Haraldson shouted to the remaining men to pursue Ragnar Lothbrok.

Lagertha kicked through the side of the tunnel, and led her family outside into the woods. Gyda had latched herself onto her mothers arm. Athelstan had offered Illyra his hand as she crawled out of the tunnel and hadn't released it as they ran through the woods towards the river. Athelstan kept a firm grip on Illyras hand.

Lagertha had stopped in her tracks, and ordered everyone to duck down into the bushes. Ahead of them were 3 of the Earls men.

"Mother," Gyda grasped her mothers arm. "What are we to do?"

"Hush child, I must think." Lagertha looked around for a way to the boat. The men were blocking their only escape. How was she going to get her family to safety?

Illyra saw the distress on her sisters face. If they remained in the bushes for much longer, they would without a doubt be discovered. The boat was so close... Illyra knew what she had to do...

Athelstan felt Illyra release his hand, and went for the knife in her boot.

Illyra turned to the Priest. "See that they get to the boat..." She whispered.

"Illyra... No...!" Athelstan felt himself begin to panic.

"I must or we will all die here."

"We MUST stay together!" Athelstan whispered.

Illyra took the Priest's face in both her hands, and leaned close. Athelstan felt his face grow warm under her soft touch. Illyras face was only inches from his.

"Have faith..." Illyra whispered. She leaned closer, and planted a light kiss on Athelstans forehead.

Before another word was spoken, Illyra rose from the bushes and ran towards the men. Her step was light and quick, and the men didn't realize until it was too late. Illyra had dug her knife in the back of one of the men, and brought her blade across the side of another man.

The Earls men were surprised by the sudden attack of the smaller woman. The first man fell to the ground, instantly dead. The second man collapsed to his knees in agonizing pain.

"Filthy bitch!" Shouted the third man. He knocked the small knife from Illyras hand, and began to approach her.

Illyra turned on her heel and ran.

"Aun-!" Gyda tried to call out, but was silenced by her mother.

Lagertha, Athelstan, and the children watched as Illyra ran off. Followed by the one she wasn't able to kill. There was nothing blocking the way to their boat.

Lagertha lead the children and Athelstan down the bank, and crawled into the small boat. Athelstan untied the boat, and looked around for any sight of Illyra.

"Athelstan! Come!" The Shield Maiden ordered the Priest.

Athelstan jumped into the boat, and it began to drift down the river.

(A/N: The next chapter will be sooner than the last. :) Don't forget to leave a review! )