Vikings: Au Week Day 3: Adversaries

A/N: So I posted this even though I'm not a huge fan of it.

The camp was alive that morning. It always was on days such as these.

The day that the hunter was chosen.

Every man, woman and child from the surrounding Clan's met to determine whose warrior would lead. Anyone was welcome to cast their hand into the ring, as long as they were able to fight and fight fairly. Every year the numbers grew, boys grew into men, certain that they could rise to the occasion. Many Vikings have stood to fight, and many of them fell.

Except for one.

One warrior from the Mikaelson clan, who had been her only competition for near five years. Now, on the cusp of a harvest moon they were to meet each other in battle once more. The final two to fight, and ascertain who would lead the forces this year. She had vowed that she would not fail. It had been a particular sting that he had bested her the year prior, and one she had no intention of repeating again.

She stepped into the ring, her armor strapped tightly to her body, her sword gripped tightly into her hand. He was already there, waiting for her, his sword hanging loosely at his side. That infuriating smirk twisting his lips.

"Ah, hello little love. I feared you had forfeited this year, finally realized that it was pointless to challenge me."

Caroline took cool calculated steps into the ring. Apart from Mikaelson's marked size advantage, he was slower than she was. He had also not learned that necessity for humility. His arrogance had been his downfall before, it would be his downfall again. "And rob you of the exercise? Why would I do such a thing."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, I happen to get plenty of exercise." His meaning was clear, and scowl at the lecherous grin that sprawled across his face. Winking at her, he shook his head in amusement as he lifted his sword lazily between them.

"Then perhaps I was hoping to further your instruction. With a little practice, you might even be a warrior." She taunted, watching his feet as he crossed his left foot over his right and took a calculated step to the side. She followed suit, mirroring his stance as they began to circle.

"Strange, I believe it was I that bested you last year."

She shrugged and brushed a thin curl out of her eye. "Yes well, even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut." Color stained the top of his cheeks as irritation settled upon his brow, she inwardly grinned. It was rare that she was able to penetrate her opponents reserve so quickly.

"Let's let the victor settle the argument. Here's to history repeating itself." And with that he flew at her. His sword soared through the air and she easily deflected the blow with her shield, dancing to the right in order to maintain the distance between them, circling, analyzing. It was not wise to strike first. He was headstrong, but it was a foolishly bold first move.

"At least you've learned how to use your sword, has your mother been teaching you?" His teeth gritted and he lunged again. He came too fast for her to dodge, so she dove to the side, rolling along her back and back up to her feet.

He was after her in a moment, sword flying for her steel to ring as it clashed against his. "Indeed, right after your husband, brought me my ale."

Fury raged within her as pushed hard against him with her shield before letting her blade lash out towards him.

"Oh, that's right. Who would marry the likes of you…" He continued.

They fought then, in earnest. The heel of Mikealson's sword bucking into her cheek bone. Her legs moving forward to buckle the back of his knee. With a well-armed swipe, he lost his shield, and he tossed his sword into his other hand as they circled.

"Pretty good for a girl."

She readjusted her grip, her head dipping to the side. "I could say the same for you." She lunged, and they fought anew. She had the upper hand, and she hit him heavy and hard. Her sword flying her shield pushing.

His crouched down in a whirl and kicked her legs out from under her. Her shield was inches to the side, but Klaus's was already raising above her sword positioned for the kill. She kicked her legs back and rolled onto her feet.

They moved as if swept into the sea, their bodies an endless sea of twisting and meshing. They fought for long, longer then they had every fought before. With renewed vigor they battled, sweat beaded upon her brow as her shoulders ached with the force of her blows. Klaus looked as winded as she, but if the sharp set of determination cemented on his jaw was any indication he was not going to give up without a fight.

His sword lifted up, swinging down at her. She brought her own sword up her sword vibrated by the assault. It held as he pressed down at her, and she knew, she knew that she was in the vulnerable position. He was taller than her, bigger, stronger, with sheer strength alone she would not win. A victorious smile gleamed into her face and she refused to accept it as her own defeat. With a show of strength, she did not know she possessed her left hand shot down grabbing her knife from her belt and flashing it to his throat.

The world stilled, the pressure from Mikaelson's hands above her lifted as the arena around them grew quiet.

He swallowed thickly against her blade.

Her lungs were heaving, but she was still able to speak. "Perhaps next time I'll get to fight a man."

She brought the knife away from his neck, letting her lips tug up into a smirk of her one.

To his credit he did not look as irate as she was sure he felt at that moment. He had been bested, and bested by a woman no less. He would have a lot to answer for when he returned to his clan. Instead he dipped his head to her, covering his heart with his fist in respect as he gave her a short bow.

She returned the gesture, sheathing her knife back into her waist.

She moved forward, the king was standing, waving his hands in appreciation. It was her duty to accept her new position before the representatives of the clans. She took a step, falling short as her opponent did not retreat to allow her through. She looked up at him, confusing arching through her as she registered the close proximity of their faces.

"I assure you," he said quietly, "the next time we meet, you will have no question on the state of manhood."

And like that he was gone, and she was left reeling as she walked to accept her prize.