A/N: So…I can't apologize enough for taking two weeks off I appreciate those of you who have gotten in touch with me, worried that I had given up or something. But fear no more! Like I said in the last chapter, I wasn't sure when I was going to get this done; I had written the prior chapters before school started and was at a loss for this chapter when I got to it. My muse ran away, and I'm not even sure if she's fully back yet but here's some reading before we get to the heavy stuff! The next few chapters have been written and I will be posting again on Friday. Please let me know your thoughts, and I hope you're not too upset with me!

All you need
Is some peace
While you are here
Just let go
I'll be it all, dear

-Lana del Rey

"Happy birthday, Finn," Athelstan greeted his son in the early morning light, a smile illuminating his face.

The little one grinned back at his father, tackling him on the large bed and giggling in delight as Athelstan tickled his chubby belly. "Papa!" he exclaimed as he tried desperately to move Athelstan's hands away.

"What is all the noise in here?" Helena questioned as she joined her boys in the bedroom after having put some bread into the hearth to bake.

"We're celebrating Finn's birthday by playing," Athelstan answered, letting his son go so that he could snuggle into the warmth and safety of his mother's arms. "Did Lagertha say if she and the family would be joining us today?"

"She did. They'll be by this evening for dinner." She looked down at Finn who was twirling the ends of her hair around his fingers. "To believe that a year ago I was in pain and about to deliver you; sending your poor papa into the bitter cold and snow to fetch Lagertha and Gyda to help me! How you've grown in that time."

Finn garbled back as if he was recalling his end of the deal and his parents bit back their grins so as not to make him feel embarrassed.

"Is that so?" Athelstan asked. "My, what a terrible ordeal you went through! I'm so happy to see that you decided to stick around even though we put you through that."

Both Finn and Helena smiled and laughed at him before he snatched his son out of Helena's arms and continued on with his tickling attack.

"Come in! Come in," Helena welcomed the Lothbroks into the home. They all shuffled in from the cold; there was no snow on the ground, unlike the year prior, but the wind was bitter nonetheless.

Finn clapped his hands together as he saw the loving, familiar faces of their friends, waving hello to them. Gyda bent down and scooped him into her arms, showering his soft cheeks with excited kisses. He squealed with amusement, leaning into her affections.

"Happy birthday, Finn," Lagertha greeted with a kind smile as Ragnar made his way over and tickled the boy's ribs. She walked to Finn's room and laid Sigurd down as he was fast asleep, lightly snoring away. After Ivar had observed his brother's settling, he went about investigating the house until instructed to sit down for dinner.

"How is married life treating you, Bjorn?" Athelstan asked with a twinkle in his eye, setting the meat platter down on the table as the newlyweds and family sat down.

The others laughed as Dalla blushed from the tips of her head to the neck seam of her dress. Fingers picked at the food offered and Ragnar gulped heavily from his chalice.

"We've enjoyed our honeymoon but it's nice to get out of the house," Bjorn answered, his mouth full of chewed chicken.

"I remember feeling the same way," Athelstan replied and Helena rubbed his back affectionately. "Helena was just happy to air the house out."

The group laughed, Finn and Ivar joining just because everyone else was doing so. After the table was cleaned of its remnants, Ragnar grabbed a small, pointed gift that had been hidden in the corner by the door. Finn watched with curiosity as it was brought closer to him, revealing a tiny wooden sword.

"Happy birthday, Finn," Ragnar said, smirking at the little one's wide eyes. "Now you can be a warrior like your papa."

Athelstan gave a weary look to Helena, but she passed on a reassuring smile and they both grinned as Finn gently took a hold of the sword. He whined and wiggled his way out of Helena's lap, swinging the sword around and babbling as if preparing for a war.

"We have a gift as well, Finn," Bjorn announced, bringing forth a small belt that had a loop attached for holding the sword. As if even possible, the child's blue eyes grew even more before he giggled with excitement. "Stay still so I can put it on."

Finn watched as Bjorn fastened the belt and showed him how to put the sword inside. He clapped before taking the toy back out and running around the house with it high in the air, Ivar on his heels and also yelling his battle cry. The adults enjoyed their entertainment, Athelstan taking Helena's hand in his and bringing it to his lips for a kiss.

"I have a gift for Finn as well, but I am sure that he will not love it as much as a sword," Gyda explained, ducking her head as she brought forth a blanket. "I thought that he could use something warm for the winter so that he does not catch so many colds this season as he did the last."

Helena took the soft material in her hands and held it close to her chest. "I'm sure that he will adore it because it's from you, Gyda."

"I agree," said Athelstan, getting up from his seat and hugging his dear friend, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Thank you, sweet girl."

"Did you hear?" Ragnar piped up, catching everyone's attention. "Our Gyda has an admirer."

"An admirer?" Bjorn asked, taking a drink of his ale. "Who is this admirer?"

"Calm down, love," Dalla said, rubbing a soothing hand on her husband's arm.

"His name is Gunnar, son of Dragen."

"Has the boy traveled with us before?" Athelstan questioned, the name ringing a bell.

"Yes, last summer was his first."

"How did you meet?" Helena asked Gyda, excited for the young woman.

Gyda turned a pretty pale pink. "At Bjorn and Dalla's wedding. He asked me to dance and then just recently asked Father if he could court me once the weather let up."

"And you agreed to this?" Athelstan asked, turning his attention back to Ragnar, weary of the idea of Gyda possibly marrying so soon.

The older man shrugged. "Gyda said that she felt that Gunnar may be good husband material, and so I will let him court her and if she likes, marry her at some point. Unless, of course, he gives me reason not to like him."

"Gunnar is a good man," Lagertha argued as she came back from getting a fussy Sigurd. "But Gyda will let us know otherwise, won't you child?"

Gyda nodded, and Athelstan could see that she wished to have the attention off of her already.

"So we fared well with the harvest?"

Ragnar grunted. "Yes, well enough. I hope to get some snow to make the grounds better for spring but we will see." He took a gulp of his drink. "I know you would rather stay behind and tend to the fields than come raiding with us, but I cannot guarantee anything just yet."

"I appreciate anything that you can do for us, Ragnar, including letting me provide for my family. I understand if we cannot manage me staying behind but thank you for remembering."

Finn came out from exploring his room for the enemy with Ivar, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He reached up for Athelstan to take him.

"We should be going," Lagertha announced as she noticed how tired Ivar was becoming as well. "Thank you for having us for dinner and happy birthday again, Finn."

Athelstan glanced down at his son to find him fast asleep in his lap already, his grip on the sword unwavering. "Thank you all for joining us, and for his gifts."

He and Helena walked the family to the door, waving goodbye as they disappeared into the dark. Closing the door behind them, Athelstan took Finn to his bed, tucking Gyda's blanket around him. He tried to put the sword away for the night, but his son kept his grip on it and eventually he gave up. Going back out to the dining area, he found Helena scrubbing the pots before setting them down to dry.

"Is he okay?" she asked without turning around, drying her hands on her apron.

"Sound asleep, holding on to his toy," Athelstan snorted, wrapping her into his arms and breathing in her scent. "Thank you."

"For what?" she laughed, leaning back to look up at him.

"For our son. I know I've said it before, but he really is a precious gift and you're a wonderful mother to him."

She gave him a chaste kiss. "And thank you for being a wonderful father to him. We're very blessed."

He nodded as a yawn overtook him. Helena smirked up at him.

"Let's go to bed, old man."

"Hey! I was the one looking after Finn today while you prepared the dinner; he's got quite a lot of energy since we're stuck inside!"

She just smiled and dragged him to bed, the two of them falling asleep instantly, curled up together.

As spring sprung up, Athelstan and Helena decided that a trip to the market place in Kattegat was necessary for more supplies. The winter had turned out to be moderate and so they needed to stock up as they prepared for planting the harvest. They waved to those they knew in passing, the familiar faces chuckling at Finn. He sat high and proud on his father's shoulders, twirling his sword around and babbling, only a few of his words intelligible.

"Watch where you're putting that, little one," Athelstan warned as he was almost hit in the face for the umpteenth time.

Finn giggled before putting the sword into his looped belt. Athelstan and Helena stopped to speak to Arne and his new wife.

"I see you are expecting, then?" Helena asked, taking in the woman's growing belly with a grin. Though they had had their differences, since Arne's turn of attitude towards Athelstan, the three had become close confidants.

"Aye," Arne replied with a bright smile, wrapping a protective arm around his wife's middle. "We have been told by the end of the summer season the babe should arrive."

"Congratulations to you both," Athelstan said, shaking hands with Arne.

"And Finn," Arne said, turning his attention to the child, "I see that you have attained quite a mighty sword there."

Finn's face lit up, his hands going to his toy and bringing it forth for Arne to see it better. He raised it high and did his normal garbling when doing so.

"And I fine warrior you will be as well!"

Finn covered up his delighted laughter with one hand, the toy getting in the way of his other hand. The couples departed for their own destinations shortly afterwards.

As Athelstan and Helena began their walk towards the food stands once again, they ran into the couple that had taken on the orphaned child Athelstan had brought back, Arnfríðr.

"How have you all been?" the young mother asked, hugging Helena and thanking her once more of the gift she had been given.

"Very well, thank you," Helena answered. "We celebrated Finn's first year over the winter months. How about you?"

"Arnfríðr has been adjusting very well and we celebrated her first year as well." The woman turned her attention to her husband with a knowing smile. "We have been informed that we are expecting."

"Oh how wonderful!"

Athelstan shook hands with the man as Helena went in for another hug. "I'm pleased to see that Arnfríðr is doing so well and that you will have a chance at a child of your own blood as well."

"Thank you," the man answered. "For everything."

Athelstan nodded and the families went their separate ways. Once they had finally had a chance to gather the food that they needed, Athelstan and Helena decided that it was time to head home before they were caught up in more conversation and walking back in the dark.

Turning towards the road home, they failed to notice the dark brown eyes that glared at them, ready to pounce and begin their destruction.

A/N: Sorry so short but it's meant to be a filler chapter. If anyone has a tumblr, please feel free to follow me and I'll follow you back if you let me know that you're a fanfiction reader! blog/nurse-cait See you all next week!