Raid - Part 3: Time Is Running Out.

It was several days since Haraldson attacked Ragnars home, and Ragnars wounds were finally showing signs of healing. With each day that passed, his strength slowly began to return. Floki's art of healing amazed Lagertha, and was so very thankful to him. If she had lost Ragnar, all that would have remained of Lagertha would be a shell of her former self.

There was still no word on Illyra. No one knew whether she was alive, or if death had claimed her. There was also very little information about Rollo or the War Band.

The sun was slowly setting over the mountains as Athelstan breathed in the cool air. His thoughts kept returning to Illyra. He missed her greatly.

Her smile.

Her laughter.

The way she was able to take her warmth into someone and held them until everything cold and distant melted away...

Athelstan sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. He didn't even notice Lagertha standing behind him until she let out a small cough.

"My Lady?"

"Will you help me gather more wood for the fire?" Lagertha motioned at the pile Bjorn was working on earlier that day.

"Of course." Athelstan followed his mistress.

Lagertha began picking up wood that would burn the best. Fall was beginning to end, and the cold days of winter would soon arrive. She looked over at the Priest and knew his troubled thoughts.

"We will get her back." The Shield Maiden smiled, handing over a few logs to Athelstan.

Athelstan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

"Assuming she was taken by Haraldson, the Earl will not harm her. She is too valuable to us."

Athelstan nodded. "I pray every night for her safe return. I pray to God to keep her safe..."

"You care a great deal for her, don't you." Lagertha remarked.

"My Lady," Athelstan began, trying to find the words. "I do care for Illyra. I value very much her friendship and the kindness she's shown me. But, I am a Priest."

"You were a Priest." Lagertha corrected him. "You have been away from your land these many months now. You were a Priest when you arrived, but now you are just a man."

"My Lady,"

But Lagertha interrupted.

"You may not know your true feelings just yet, but I see them." She smiled at the younger man. "I truly believe that Illyra feels the same way."

Athelstan felt his face grow warm.

"I've seen the way she is around you. Ragnar and I are in your debt, Athelstan."

"I do not understand." The Priest was confused.

Lagertha bent down to pick up another log. "After everything that happened to her, you were able to return our sister to the living."

"When I first came to this land, I was indeed terrified." Athelstan confessed. "But, with Illyra I found myself accepting my fate. She is the one who saved me."

Lagertha smiled and patted Athelstan on the hand. "When you see her again, you should tell her that."

Athelstan smiled back at his mistress. "I believe I shall..."


Later that evening a visitor arrived at Floki's small hut, and he was most welcomed.

"Torstein!" Floki embraced the man like a brother. "Come see Ragnar."

"He is still much weak, but his wounds are healing nicely." Lagertha stepped forward.

Torstein bent down next to Ragnar. "How are you, my friend?"

Ragnar gave a small grin. "You must save me from these people."

Torstein chuckled.

"How did you know where I was?" Ragnar asked.

"I didn't." the other man explained. "All I know is that Haraldson is looking for you. Rollo was the one who said if you were alive you would be here."

"Why did he not come himself?"

"The Earls men are looking for him also." Torstein turned to the other. "The whole crew is also being watched. But I was certain no one followed me."

"And of my sister?" Ragnar asked.

Torstein sighed. "I do not know."

Ragnar swore softly and averted his eyes.

"Let us all eat!" Floki announced, and began serving bowls of stew.

"I am sorry your home was destroyed." Torstein remarked, taking a steaming bowl of stew.

"Haraldson also killed all our livestock." Replied the Shield Maiden, her voice filled with anger. "We now have nothing left."

"You are still alive." Floki smiled. "So are your children, and Ragnar. Homes can be rebuilt."

"We also need to eat, and we have already began to eat your winter supplies, Floki" Lagertha squeezed the mans shoulder. "And for that, I am ashamed."

"The Gods will provide all." Floki gave his usual grin.


Illyra was staring out the small window in her room. It was a cloudy day, and the sun had not shone at all. Large white flakes were beginning to fall freely to the ground, and the air had a harsh chill to it. Every morning and evening Illyra would send out prayers to the Gods for the safety of those she cared for.

They were alive.

She was very certain of it.

There was a knock on the door, and Thyri entered the room.

"My Lady." The younger girl bowed to the Red Lady.

Illyra smiled at the girl. Thyri was unlike her father in every way, and she was grateful for her visits.

"Hello, Thyri."

"Would you like to take a walk today?" Thyri asked.

"No," Illyra frowned. "I have no desire to go anywhere only to be followed by your fathers soldiers."

"He only sends them for our protection." Thyri sat next to the Red Lady.

"He only sends them to make certain I do not try to run away." Illyra shook her head. "Let us speak no more of it."

Thyri nodded.

"Tell me of your soon to be husband."

Thyri felt her stomach turn. "He is old and hideous. Mother has been trying to convince father to pick another man for me." She averted her eyes from Illyra. Embarrassed of the tears that were forming. "He will not be moved."

Illyra reach out and gave the younger girl a hug. "I am sorry..."

"I always thought that the man I would marry would be a handsome, large man. Someone who would be kind to me, and I could grow to love." Thyri looked out the little window, "I would never have thought I would be wife to an elderly man. The mere thought of him next to me in a bed makes me nauseous."

Illyra's heart went out to the poor girl. She wished there was something she could say that might ease her fears.

"Come." Illyra rose from her seat and held her hand out to the girl. "Let us go for a walk."

Thyri gave a puzzled look. "But the soldiers?.."

"We both need the fresh air." Illyra pulled Thyri to her feet. "I will deal with having the men beside us."

Thyri smiled and went to get some warm cloaks for them to wear.


Rollo was walking around Kattegat. He had heard whispering rumors that the Earl was hiding his sister somewhere's and he would find her. Once found, he planned on taking her out of Kattegat and rejoin their brother.

But he was not alone...

Rollo knew he was being followed. A frown formed on his face as he stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly, Rollo turned around and saw many men stepping from their posts.

At least 10 men surrounded Rollo, and began to close in on him.

"You are to go with us Rollo Lothbrok." Ordered one of the men.

Rollo scoffed. "I will not."

A man raised his arm and swung at Rollo, but was easily blocked. Another man much smaller than Rollo struck him on the back which angered him greatly. Rollo turned and knocked the smaller man to the ground. Another man charged Rollo only to be tossed into a pig pen.

Earl Haraldson's men regrouped from behind and attacked as a ground. Taking Rollo completely off guard, he was knocked the ground beaten. Men had pinned Rollo and dragged him away covered blood and covered in dirt...


Illyra had just returned from her walk with Thyri and found her place at the window. The snow was beginning to fall and now stick to the ground. A large fire now burned in the corner of her room.

Thyri picked up a small comb and approached the Red Lady.

"Shall I brush your hair?" She asked

Illyra giggled and shook her head. "You do not have to, Thyri. You are not my maid."

"I know," Thyri picked up a section of Illyra's dark red hair. "This is something I would do for my mother, and when you are married to my father, you will be my step-mother."

Illyra tensed, and grabbed Thyris hand. Moving it away from her hair, she turned to face the younger girl.

"I will not be your step-mother, Thyri." Illyra said, firmly. "My brothers will come for me, and I will remain my own mistress. I have absolutely no intentions of marrying anyone, ever again."

Thyri bit her lip, not knowing what she should said.

Illyra took Thyri's hands in her own. "I like you, Thyri. I would very much like us to be friends."

Thyri smiled, and nodded. " I would like that very much."

A knock a t the door, and Earl Haraldson entered.

"Father!" Thyri was surprised, and bowed to her father.

"Leave us, daughter." Haraldson ordered.

Thyri glanced at Illyra, and removed herself from the room.

"What do you want?" Illyra demanded.

Earl Haraldson moved towards the Red Lady, and brought his face very close to hers. His eyes never leaving hers.

Illyra felt very uncomfortable...

Haraldson noticed and took a step back.

"I have something to show you." He said.

"What is it?"

Haraldson grabbed Illyra by the arm and pulled her from the room.

Haraldson led Illyra to another part of the great house, and opened a door to another room. Illyra entered the room, and gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth.

Lying on a table was her brother, Rollo. His arms and legs were bound to the table, and was unconscious.

"Rollo!" Illyra ran to his side. His face was beaten and swollen. "Please, brother...!"

Rollo groaned in pain as he opened his eyes.

"I found you..." He muttered weakly.

Illyra felt her eyes prick with tears as she tried to smile at her brother. "...Yes... You found me..."

Haraldson pulled Illyra away from her brother. "You see," He grinned at her. "There is no one left to come for you."

"You bastard!" Illyra hissed as she tore herself from the Earl.

Illyra balled her fist and swung at the Earl, but he blocked it and grabbed her arms. Pulling her against him, he sought her mouth with his. Illyra fought Haraldson, and brought her knee to his groin. It wasn't a hard blow as she wanted, but he released her and ordered his men to remove her from the room.

Haraldson turned towards Rollo.

"She is a feisty one, your sister." He bent down so Rollo could hear him better. "Some say she is still a maiden. I look forward to our wedding night..."

Rollo began to struggle against the chains that bound him.

"Where is Ragnar Lothbrok?!" Haraldson demanded.

Rollo grind his teeth, and refused to answer.

"Where is he?"

"He... is dead..." Rollo breathed.

"Are you certain?" The Earl asked.

Rollo began to laugh.

"You told me once that you always tell the truth. " Haraldson motioned to one of his men, and was given a large knife. "I have my ways of getting the truth out. One way or another..."

Haraldson began to cut into Rollos face...


Lagertha was applying ointment to her husband wounds. They were looking much better, but was still not completely healed.

"When will father be better again?" Gyda's small voice asked, helping her mother tend to her father.

Ragnar sighed. "It is taking too long.."

Lagertha ignored him. "In a few weeks more weeks, your father will be completely healed."

"You must have patience, father"

Ragnar turned to his son. "You shut up." He scolded.

Athelstan felt a smile on his lips.

The door to the hut opened, and Floki entered. Carrying Torstein who was barely able to stay on his own feet.

"I found him wandering around the marshes." Floki explained, helping the man next to the fire.

"I was lost." Torstein placed his hands next to the fire for warmth. "I was visited by Earl Haraldson's wife, Siggy. She had told me that her husband had played a trick on your brother, Rollo, and has arrested him."

"Go on, my friend." Ragnar said, handing Torstein a hot cup of drink.

"He is trying to find out where you are." Torstein breathed deep. "Then, he tortured him."

There was a silence in the hut.

Ragnar leaned close to Torstein. "He tortured my brother?"

"Yes." Torstein nodded. "I was told the Earl means to kill him, because he refuses to say where you are."

Lagertha placed her hand in her husbands and gave it a tight squeeze.

"And there is still more."

Ragnar cocked an eyebrow.

"Earl Haraldson has your sister. " Torstein continued. "He plans on making her his second wife after he kills Rollo."

Athelstan felt his heartbeat quicken.

Ragnar felt anger flow through his veins like white, hot fire. He rose from his seat and slowly walked towards to the door of the hut. Rain was coming down very hard that night. Ragnar closed his eyes and listened to the rain.

He knew what he must do.

"Floki."

Floki stood next to his friend. "What is it, Ragnar?"

"I have one more favor to ask of you."

Floki listened intently to what Ragnar was asking of him... He would do this for his friend...

(A/N: The holidays are finally done/over with. :) I can now get back into writing, :) Season 2 starts in just over a month, so expect more updates. I want to finish this before the next season starts. )