28

MIA

Her journey to Merrik seemed to last forever. The entire ride there she remained silent. There were a few times where Bergit attempted to speak with her, but she refused to acknowledge the other woman. Eirik, the tall blonde who had taken her from Kattegat was a pretty quiet man as well. He said a few words here and there to Bergit, mainly about bathroom breaks or how far away they were to Merrik. For the most part, she was grateful they didn't force conversation. She had no desire to even give them the satisfaction of hearing her voice.

They did not physically harm her and she silently accepted water and food when offered, but nothing more. During their journey to Merrik she had time to contemplate her next move. She was sure Ragnar was already plotting how to save her. Yet, she knew it would be no use for him to save her if she wasn't alive to be saved. She had to survive.

As they arrived in Merrik, she was brought to the longhouse where the Earl clearly was waiting for her. Eirik pushed her passed the people drinking in the dining hall, seeing that they were preparing a feast for the return of their men who had gone to attack Kattegat. She was sure it would fill up more in the next few days with the arrival of their warriors. To her surprise, she barely saw any women. It seemed odd, especially those who went to fight were mainly men. Where were the women? Why had Ragnar never even mentioned Merrik?

She couldn't stop the thoughts racing through her mind as she was guided towards the side living quarters where another man was waiting. He sat on a chair, appearing better dressed than the surrounding servants or others nearby. "Hello Queen Mia. My name is Jorrbin. I am the Earl of Merrik," he announced as he stood to take hold of her arm and dismiss Eirik. Sticking to her plan, she remained silent. They probably wanted her for information, and divulging what she knew would only end in harm to Kattegat and her family. Divulging she didn't know what information this Jorrbin was seeking would likely result in her death. It seemed like her best bet was to keep silent as long as she could.

"Do not be afraid of me, dear Mia. I am sure you must be tired." He brought her closer to the table in his small living quarters. "I can give you nourishment first, then you may rest. I am sure it was a tiring journey." He forced her to sit down in a chair next to him. "While we eat, let us get acquainted with one another."

She stared down at the tray of food without answering. Her objective was to buy herself time. With the little fighting skills Ragnar had taught her, she knew that she didn't stand a chance at escaping on her own. Besides, she was not confident she would be able to make it back to Kattegat on her own, let along go in the right direction.

Her continued silence had begun to irritate the Earl. He was quickly becoming inpatient with her. "Very well, if you chose not to speak, I will just be upfront with you. Pleasantries are just a formality." He stood to begin pacing in front of her. "I did not capture you from your precious King Ragnar," he spat out his name, "for nothing. Everything I have done up until this point has been for a very important reason. You see, my niece Bergit has been kind enough to inform me of some details regarding your husband's raids west. It was, of course, very interesting. The prospect of an ally against Kattegat was a blessing from the gods," he held his hands up in praise.

"Merrik has never had beneficial dealings with Kattegat, so I am sure you understand the history between myself and your husband. While he may think we are a small village of little importance, just another pawn under his thumb, that is not the case. Merrik was once great trading partners with Kattegat, and served completed allegiance to the Earl of Kattegat. That was before Ragnar killed him, eventually becoming King many years later." Mia couldn't help the gasp that escaped her at the revelation of how Ragnar had risen to power. It was not something he enjoyed speaking about, and so she never knew the specific details.

Earl Jorrbin continued to ramble on about Kattegat not really acknowledging Merrik as a valuable partner in trade or including the men in the raids. Apparently, Jorrbin had taken it quite seriously. So much so, that he inflicted an attack on Kattegat while scheming with Wessex to eventually overthrow Ragnar. "And so, how do you weaken a powerful King?" he seemed to be expecting her to answer. She only raised her eyebrow in defiance. "You take what matters to him most. Ragnar may be a powerful King with a growing influence and rule, but his family is closer to his heart than his title or Kattegat. That much I know. You, Mia, are his weakness."

It had been two weeks since she was taken from Kattegat. Each night she would cry, worried that Ragnar would not come. She missed him so much, wondering why he hadn't saved her yet. Did he think she was dead? Had something happened to him that night? She never thought it possible he could actually be killed. He always came back from the raids as promised, even though sometimes beat up or injured. His presence was so strong and confident in her life she didn't think anything would ever happen.

The thoughts of worry and concern enveloped her mind every minute of the days that dragged on. What was taking him so long? Would he ever come? Would she ever see Nik and Björn again? Her nights were spent in Jorrbin's bed instead of her own with her husband. Though he did not touch her, he liked to give the illusion to his people that he did. Over the course of the few weeks she'd been held captive in Merrik she had not been allowed out of the longhouse. Jorrbin kept her locked up, under his eye the entire time. He made a few passes at her, stealing a forced kiss here and there, but never attempted to have sex with her at night. She was not allowed to sleep anywhere but in his bed, yet he hadn't forced her to move things further than that. She was grateful she'd been spared having to be intimate with him, but was no fool either. It was only a matter of time, and she was definitely on borrowed time.


RAGNAR

Two weeks. Two long weeks since Mia was taken from him. He grew angrier each day they waited in the distance of Merrik. They had to trail behind the wounded men returning to Merrik who were injured from attacking Kattegat. Knowing he and his warriors defeated and drove the Merrik men out of Kattegat, they were moving quite slow. Letting the men retuning to that bastard Earl Jorrbin know that Ragnar was onto them would be a big mistake. He feared if Jorrbin knew Ragnar was on his way, or knew how Ragnar ran his men out of Kattegat, Mia would likely be killed. It only made sense. She was the Earl's only bargaining chip. If Ragnar was in his position, it's what he would do.

The painstakingly long journey through the hills to Merrik was a test of patience for Ragnar. Each night he had nightmares of what Jorrbin was doing to Mia, or if she was already dead. His heart ached at the possibility that Nik would never see his mother again…at the possibility he would lose another wife. His mind tortured him every night, but when the sun rose and his thoughts cleared, he was once again focused on saving Mia and destroying Merrik.

He had to remind himself that finishing off Jorrbin and Merrik was only part of what needed to be done. Merrik was a small piece of the bigger picture. Once he had Mia back, because he had to get her back, he would move to destroy Wessex. He still had time before the ice came to attack Wessex, and finally kill King Ecbert. The bastard King Ecbert, who had caused so much distress and anguish in the years he'd travelled west. Failed agreements, attacks, his son betraying him and their agreement, he had countless reasons. With Wessex and Ecbert finally destroyed, his people could prosper. They could send over people to farm the land, expand their knowledge and presence in the world. Most importantly, justice and honor would be restored at the death of the cowardly Ecbert. However, none of this could be accomplished until he had his Queen back by his side. Merrik, and therefore Earl Jorrbin, were a small rodent that needed to be killed quickly. Only then, could he slay the wolf.


MIA

Bergit had come to visit her a few times during her stay, but Mia ignored her. She wouldn't give the bitch the satisfaction of her attention. Bergit betrayed not only her, but Kattegat. It would never be forgiven. It could not be forgiven. Her resentment for Jorrbin grew stronger, and she was starting to plan how she would survive here if Ragnar could not come. Her options were limited, and the thought of a permanent stay made her sick. Yet, she would be stupid to not plan for the worst. She'd survived her accidental land in Kattegat, she could survive Merrik as well.

Jorrbin had grown pushier with each passing day. He forced kisses from her on a daily basis, not taking 'no' for an answer. Every touch from him emanated a sour feeling in her stomach. One she could not shake. She had taken to hiding in his living quarters, as he tended to be busy during the day. At least she had that time to herself.

One evening she was seated at the small table in the side living quarters. Jorrbin was in the dining hall, likely getting drunk with the other men. Weeks past her arrival, there still was a very small population of women she'd seen. Perhaps they were confined to their homes, she was unsure. All she knew was there were very few even seen in the longhouse she was confined to.

An hour has passed until Jorrbin stumbled into the room, drunk. He saw her off to the side, purposely avoiding the bed located at the opposite side of the living quarters. "Mia, come to bed." He continued to run into things as he staggered to the bed.

"No," she sternly answered and remained seated.

"No? You say 'no' each night. Get over here. Now," he commanded.

"I will not," she muttered, barely above a whisper. That must have struck a nerve with Jorrbin because he started to storm over to her.

"If you lay one hand on her, I will make sure to drag your death out as long as possible," a voice called from the entrance to the room. Mia instantly recognized it as Ragnar's. Absolute relief flooded through her body at the sight of her husband.

"Ragnar," she whispered as the tears of joy started to pool in her eyes. Ragnar smirked at her, that knowing smirk that she knew held mischief behind it. He had not forgotten about her, he was alive and well, and he was there to rescue her. To bring her home.

"What in Odin's name do you th—" Jorrbin stopped mid-sentence as screams and chaos could be heard within the longhouse. Ragnar's smirk turned into an outright knowing grin. Jorbbin's eyes widened in fear and surprise. "You…y-you…"

"I am here to kill you. And kill your people. And burn your miserable village to flames," the King spoke with a careful and focused voice. "You took my wife. To return the favor, I will take everything you have. I will take everything your men have. I will take your entire village." He approached the Earl, slashing his axe into the man's knee to force him in a kneeling position.

The noise outside grew louder, and Mia knew that they were wreaking havoc on the village of Merrik. "You think killing me will s-solve your problem?" Jorrbin slurred.

"No. I know it is much bigger than some piece of shit like you. You need not worry, I will finish the job. I will cut off the head of the snake," Ragnar answered with his millisecond smirk. He raised his axe, but Mia stopped him.

"Wait!" she called, lurching forward. Her husband glanced at her with a curious expression. "I wish to end his life," she whispered. Ragnar nodded in respect, handing over his axe to her extended hand as he then gripped Jorrbin's hair to steady his head. She was surprised at how heavy the axe felt in her hands. Looking down, she saw how well-worn it was. She idly wondered how many other lives the axe had ended at Ragnar's hand. How many were significant and what the purpose of each kill was. She hoped that Jorrbin would be one of great meaning, and one that she would not regret.

Raising the axe in an unfamiliar manner, she started Jorrbin straight in the alcohol-blurred eyes. "You are a sick bastard. I hope you burn in hell," she said through gritted teeth before slicing the axe through his neck. To her surprise, the Earl keeled over dead. The axe dropped from her grasp and hit the wooden floor. She paused, staring down at the man she'd just killed. Her hands started to shake as she brought them towards her face.

"Come here," Ragnar's voice sounded as he brought her into his arms. She broke down, so happy that he was there. She didn't know if she'd ever feel the warmth of his arms around her again, or the heat from his neck as he cradled her head into his. She never knew if she'd feel the rumble of his voice when he spoke into her ear that it would be okay.

"Ragnar," she choked out as he held her close. She couldn't form words she was so overwhelmed with emotion. The noise of the attack was drowned out as they reunited. He pulled her face back to look her in the eyes, and she reached up to touch his neck. His hand caressed the side of her face as his other wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I-I thought you wouldn't come. I thought something terrible had happened," she managed to say.

"I will always find you. I promise I will always come back, don't I? What makes you think I wouldn't travel to the ends of the lands to find you, huh?" She gave him a shaky smile as he leaned in to kiss her. She cherished every moment of that kiss, not wanting to let go. He broke away to then kiss her forehead. "Mia, I am proud of you," he whispered against her forehead before looking down at her eyes once more. She knew he was referring to her survival with Jorrbin, and the fact that she had killed him with Ragnar's axe.

"Björn? Nik? Are they alright?" she frantically asked between sniffles.

"Björn is here with us, and yes he is fine. Nik is in Kattegat, safe."

"Brother," Rollo's voice interrupted them, causing the couple to break apart. "Most are dead or dying. A few groups have fled to the south." Before either of them could answer, Floki appeared in the doorway as well.

"It appears you are now the King of both Kattegat and Merrik," the boatbuilder squealed. Mia saw her husband show his signature shining smirk in victory. Not only had they rescued her from that pig, but they gained more land in the process. It was going to be okay; they made it.