Okay...so, I'm back. At least I hope I am. I am sorry that I have not updated since June-July, but after July, I was in a theater camp, and then school started, and then I got involved in a christmas musical that is currently being performed onstage every weekend. Also, I had major writer's block...and I still kinda do. This chapter is very thrown together, and doesn't have everything I originally planned it to have. The next chapter may be as equally choppy, but it is mainly because I want to get to "the good part" and I am a hoping to eventually catch up with the season that is currently being aired. Thank you to everyone who suffered through the wait. Even if no one cared about my story not being updated, I am still very sorry, and I will work my hardest to get a chapter out at least once a month. Thank you for waiting for this horrible, sloppy chapter.

-Kirsten

Chapter 10

All throughout the night, Inga tossed and turned. She couldn't seem to fall asleep, probably due to the fact that she practically slept the whole day away. So at the crack of dawn, she awoke and began to clean the house; picking up and cleaning dirty dishes, collecting all of the dirty laundry, and even cooking up some breakfast. And after what seemed like hours all to herself, someone finally awoke. It was Sigurd.

She almost didn't expect him to be up so early, and in a way, he appeared quite surprised to see her up as well.

"Good morning, Sigurd," She greeted him. He gave her a small smile before pulling a stool up to the dinner table and sitting down, "Are you hungry?" She asked him.

He gave her a simple nod, "I am starved. We practically ate nothing last night, just a ton of ale and a loaf of bread."

Inga laughed, "Yes, Ivar told me all about you and Ubbe last night. I take it you are feeling better?"

Once again he nodded, "Yes, I am feeling better, and thank the gods for that," He glanced up for a moment to see what Inga was doing, "So what did you make?" He asked her, eyeing the plate of food in her hands.

"Just a little something with the fish Ubbe bought for me yesterday. I hope it tastes okay."

"At this point, I don't care how it tastes; just as long as I can chew it and swallow it, I'll eat it." Eagerly, he took the plate from Inga's hands and he began to eat, a smile slowly consuming his face.

"This is delicious," He remarked, giving her a bright grin, "You should really be complimented on your cooking more."

"It's just cooking, it is really no big deal," she responded, "It is important that a woman know how to cook, especially if she plans on being a wife someday."

"Speaking of which…"

Upon the words coming out of Sigurd's mouth, Inga shot him a look, "If you are planning to say anything cruel about your brother any time soon, I will cut your tongue out," She snapped.

To her surprise, Sigurd just laughed casually and smiled, "I was just going to ask you a question." She nodded approvingly, but still stood with her arms crossed over her chest defiantly.

"Alright then, well…I wanted to know if you were hoping to marry Ivar someday."

Inga smirked, "And what if I told you yes?"

"Well, then I would ask you why. I would want to know what was so special about him."

"Let me put it simply," She replied, "I find Ivar to be a very attractive and an arousing man. He is intelligent, strong, and determined. He has fury inside him, which I enjoy, and we were quite close as children. He is everything I could ask for, and more."

"And what about me?" He inquired, trying to act as nonchalant as possible.

"You are jealous." She stated bluntly. "You are jealous, and you sit around being jealous of your crippled brother who has struggled through life," She spat, "You question why I do not have feelings for you, but it is as simple as that. You may be handsome, strong, talented, maybe even alluring, but your jealously overshadows all of that. You sicken me."

A cross look had become to appear on Sigurd's face as he stood up, "Once Ivar realizes the kind of commitment that goes along with being in a relationship, he will leave you behind. Once it happens, do not come crawling back to me all apologetic. I have given you many warnings."

"And all of them are shit."

Boldly, she snatched the plate out of his hands, and ousted him out of his seat, "Go wake Ubbe, I'll go tend to my lover."

Sigurd grumbled something under his breath and stomped away. Hopefully, this would be the last time that he ever bothered Inga, though she highly doubted his warnings would ever stop.

Relieving a sigh, she turned on her heel and walked towards the bed where an unconscious Ivar lay. For such a violent and pained young man, he appeared to sleep very peacefully and she almost wished that she could watch him forever.

She knew deep inside that he was very much able to care for himself, but staring at him in that instant, she realized how young he still was. Yes, they were both the same age, but inside he was still very vulnerable. It enlightened her to see him so calm and un-alert.

After a minute or so, she finally broke her trance and carefully walked to the side of the bed. With a gently shake, she attempted to awaken Ivar. At first he tried to pull away and go back to sleep, but eventually he realized it was her and turned to gaze at her with his piercing blue eyes.

"I see you are finally awake," She smiled.

He gave her a small nod before trying to pull himself up, "After the late night I had, I was very tired."

"I believe that," She smirked, "I made breakfast, why don't you go eat?" She asked him.

"Do you have anywhere to be today?" He wondered.

She shook her head, "Unfortunately, I do. I have some chores around the house I would like to do, and I think I am going to take a small trip through the woods. I figured that you may all need a day to talk and come up with a plan of revenge. I think it would be best that I not participate in whatever you plan, though. As much as I would love to, I do not want to draw too much attention to myself."

"When did you make that decision?"

She cast him a sad smile, "I have been thinking about it for a while. You see, I do not wish to get in the way. Getting revenge for your mother is your moment. I know how much you loved her, and well, you are a grown man. You do not need me. I will however, gladly help you formulate a plan if need be."

He nodded in agreement, "I must admit, we will need your clever mind."

She kissed him on the forehead, and then pulled herself up on her feet. "Well then, I best be off."

He smiled, "I assume I will see you later in the day?"

"Yes," She responded, "Oh, and Ivar?"

"Uh, huh?"

"Try not to kill your brothers yet, alright?" She teased.

He smiled, "I will try my best."

As the day dragged on, Inga did her work around the house as Ivar hashed out a plan for revenge with his brothers. Night was nearing quickly, and invitations to join the brother's cause against England had been sent. In several days time, men from all over the land would appear at shore. Now all they had to do was wait.

The day finally came when the ships arrived. Inga was sitting on the docks with Ivar when all of a sudden, a fleet of ships appeared out from the fog. Upon first sighting, Ivar's face lit up, which made Inga equally overjoyed.

"Tonight is the night," he told her.

"Your revenge?"

He nodded confidently, "Exactly. I will accuse her in front of everyone and even if an interference occurs and revenge is not carried out, I will have at least made a name for myself in the other men's eyes."

"If someone were to interfere, it would most likely be Bjorn," Inga noted.

"That is true, but he is gone."

"That does not mean that he will not be back."

Ivar grunted, "Well, even if he does show up, that does not mean anything. Tonight, tomorrow, months from now, one way or another I will get my revenge."

"Of course you will. You always find a way to get what you want."

Ivar gave her a nod, but deep in his eyes, Inga had a feeling that he did not truly agree with what he said. She soon began to realize the mistake she had made and was about to rephrase herself, when Ubbe strode up from behind and clapped his brother on the back.

"This is it," he said.

"An entire army. And they are ours to use; our little puppets."

Ubbe cast his brother a small grin, before turning and heading off. As he left back the way he came, Ivar turned to Inga.

"You will be attending tonight, correct?"

She nodded, "I will try my best to stay at your side, but also help keep an eye on those around us."

"And if people ask who you are?'

Inga giggled, "Then tell them who I am. 'The woman of your dreams'".

Ivar looked up at her, his eyes wide and full of confusion, "The woman? My woman?" He inquired.

A light smile spread across Inga's face, "Yes, Ivar. I am your woman."

So that's it. I know, bad right? But at least my story is still going and I didn't give up. Any predictions? Opinions? Comments? I take questions of all sorts, about me, my interests, and my Vikings preferences, so do not be afraid to show some love (even though I was gone forever...again...I AM SO FREAKING SORRY). Anyway, have a great day!