Hey, Everybody! Welcome to Part 2 of my Vikings story!

I have been working hard of this, and though it is still being written, I'm finally ready to show it to all of you. I wanted to have a little time between finishing the first part and then posting this one.

Again, this is mostly canon-compliant, except for the obvious changes you should notice when they happen. With everything that happened in part one, I tried to have these changes feel like they would work better this way. There will also be new characters to fit into the story, and some of the characters might even be a little different than you remember them.

I'll save the rest of the notes for the bottom, so enjoy!

Return

October 795

When Bjorn came back from Götland by himself, Athelstan knew something was wrong with Ragnar. He and Lagertha had been doing everything to help the town recover from losing so many people to the sickness that had swept through the valley, and they had only just gotten back into a normal schedule for Lilith and Gyda. Þórunn and Edda were helpful in that as much as they could be. Siggy was helping more often, now that she couldn't stay alone in her house with Rollo being gone. Every now and then, Athelstan would feel her watching him, but she never spoke to him about that day he and Lagertha had left. He hoped he never had to explain any of that to anyone, especially Lilith.

When Bjorn explained what had happened with Jarl Borg, the man who King Horik had sent Ragnar to deal with, Lagertha had wanted everyone important to her present and no one else. So they sat at supper that night and listened to him. Jarl Borg had set an impossible demand upon Ragnar, and ultimately, it was a wasted trip that would end in a battle. Ragnar had obviously sent Bjorn home before the fighting had begun, but there was no way of knowing when everyone else would return. Bjorn was mostly quiet after that, even though it was obvious he wasn't being completely forthcoming.

"My son, please tell me what is bothering you," Lagertha said softly, even as she looked up at Athelstan and then the girls who sat across from them.

She lay her hand over his shoulder and squeezed gently, nudging him so he would know it was all right for him to speak.

"I do not wish to cause problems between you and Father," he said finally. "He is my Father, and I cannot be disloyal to him. But you are my mother, and I do not want to lie to you."

She glanced at Athelstan and then Siggy who was sitting behind her. "Bjorn, you can tell me anything. I swear. You will not be disloyal to your father." She nodded encouragingly, holding him closer.

He bowed his head, leaning over the table. "There was a woman in Götland," he began. "Her name was Aslaug. She said she was a princess. Father said her mother was Brunhild, the shieldmaiden. And Arne said it was just harmless. Father said he loved you, and he said it would never happen again."

The gentle expression on Lagertha's face fell immediately, and the hand she had on Bjorn's shoulder clenched until he had to pull away from her without wincing. She huffed loudly, glancing at Siggy and then Athelstan, but once she did, she took a calming breath and turned to the table. For half a minute, she clenched her fists and then her jaws, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Is that all?" she asked Bjorn.

He was already frowning, his eyes sad as he looked at Athelstan and his sisters. "Yes. He said they would fight after that, and once that was over, he would be home. But he did not say how long it would be. I am sorry, Mother."

It took her another minute to look at him and wrap her arm around him. "No, it is all right. You're home, and we have all missed you. There is so much we need to catch up on, and now we can do that. Finish supper, and then Athelstan will help you with your lessons."

Bjorn nodded without saying anything, and Lagertha squeezed him again, more gently this time as she looked at Athelstan one last time. He nodded his agreement, remembering what Ragnar had said before leaving Uppsala and wondering if Bjorn would remember what they had been learning the last time he was with them.

After supper, Lagertha left to be alone, though she bid Athelstan to sit with Lilith, Gyda and Bjorn at the table to give them a lesson before it was time for bed. Even though Bjorn clearly wasn't interested in whatever Athelstan had decided to show them, he still sat at the table with them, quietly sulking by himself.

"It can't be that bad, Bjorn," Gyda called from her place next to Lilith. "We're so happy you're home. Lili and I have so much to tell you."

"Gyda," Athelstan said softly. "It's all right. Your brother is probably tired from his journey. Remember, you and Lili were tired when you came back as well."

She sighed and looked up at him, turning her attention to the parchment in front of her even as Bjorn spoke.

"What could you possibly have to tell me, Sister?" he demanded. "What could more important that our Father fighting a battle he might not win? More important than him cheating on our mother?"

"Bjorn," Athelstan chastised. "That's enough."

Bjorn looked at him, almost sneering. "And why is that, Priest? Why can I not have more important things to worry over than some small thing my sisters have gone through? What? Did some other pitiful, little man come in front of my mother complaining about his wife having another man's child?"

"Bjorn!" Lagertha yelled from behind him.

They all turned to see her there alone, and Athelstan sighed softly even as Bjorn huffed and stood to face his mother.

"Well," he demanded. "Am I not allowed to be upset? Is that it? Father and I have been gone so long that a slave is now more important than we are?"

Her hand swung out and hit his cheek before a second passed, and she grabbed his arm even after she realized what she had done.

"You will not be disrespectful to anyone here," she hissed at him. "And you will not be disruptive now that you are home. Not anymore. You will apologize to Athelstan and your sisters this moment. Then I will tell you what all has happened while you and your father have been gone."

She set her jaw then, giving him a hard look before he put his head down and turned to face Athelstan again.

"I am sorry," he said meekly.

Lagertha gripped his shoulders and sat him down. "Now, you will listen to me. I will send a messenger to your father now that you are home, but I will also be telling him what happened. My son, your arrival is very timely, as just two months ago, this entire town was struck by a great sickness. Many of our people have died, including Siggy's daughter Thyri. And . . . your sister Gyda might have been one of those to fall were it not for your sister Lilith — and Athelstan."

His face scrunched up quickly as he shook his head. "What do you mean? What did they do?"

"Lilith gave her own blood to revive Gyda," Lagertha said as plainly as she could. "I don't know how it worked, but one minute, Gyda was gone and the next, because of Lilith, she was awake. And now she is stronger than ever."

Bjorn looked at his sisters, and it seemed like he understood. Then he glanced at Athelstan. "What of the Priest?" he asked. "What has he done? It sounds like Lili was the only one who gave up something."

Lagertha turned to Athelstan then as well, reaching for his hand that still had the scar from where she had cut him. "Athelstan also gave something to the gods," she said as a small smile creased her cheek. "And it is because of his sacrifice that we are all well again. If it weren't for him, I don't know how I would have gotten through such an ordeal." She squeezed his hand and then turned back to Bjorn. "You are allowed to be angry with your father. He behaved selfishly, and he put you in the middle of all of this. And that was wrong of him to do. But you are home now, my son. No one here expects you to forget what he did, whatever that was, but we need you to try. Try to understand that we only want you to be happy here again."

Athelstan didn't mean to blush, even if it wasn't because he was embarrassed. Lagertha made it all sound so innocent, and maybe for a time, it had been. But these last few months, as she had been healing, her mood had also been improving. She did not push him, but she was no longer shy about wanting to be around him or sit with him while he taught Lilith and Gyda their lessons. And she was always sure to tell him before they went to bed every night that she loved him and Lilith as much as she loved Gyda and Bjorn, and Ragnar. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, he couldn't help but feel like she meant something different now.

He glanced at Lilith and Gyda, moving around to their side to sit across from Lagertha and Bjorn as the boy lifted his eyes to Athelstan and pursed his lips.

"I am grateful you and Lili were here to help save as many people as you could," he said almost grudgingly. Lagertha nudged his arm, and he huffed. "And I am sorry we were going to sacrifice you to the gods at the festival. Everyone thought it would be a good thing. I only found out when we arrived, so I did not know until the Seer said we could not sacrifice you. But if Mother says you have made a sacrifice to the gods, then that is enough to me." Lagertha nudged him again and nodded to Athelstan. "Thank you, Athelstan."

Not a second passed before he leaned over the table and reached for Bjorn's hand. "I will always do what is in my power to protect you and your family. Because it is also my family. Whatever it is for me to do to help you, I will do it. I swear, Bjorn. You can trust me when I say that."

Bjorn nodded just once, and Lagertha held him again, kissing his cheek.

After that, Bjorn was a little more receptive to reading, and Athelstan was glad to discover that the few months he'd been with his father had not caused his skills to suffer. Before Athelstan sent them all to bed, Bjorn even learned a new phrase in Latin that he then began to recite over and over.

"Veni, vidi, vici. Veni, vidi, vici. Veni, vidi, vici!"

Gyda and Lilith grumbled as they followed him with Þórunn and Edda behind them, and Athelstan smiled to himself as he collected the parchment and quills to put them away.

"You will make a good father someday," he heard and turned to see Lagertha there as she pulled her hair down. "You will make a very lucky woman very happy one day, Athelstan."

He blushed slightly. "Who knows what the gods have in store for us now?"

She moved to the table and sat down so she was facing him, looking up at him as he stopped and looked down at her. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. "Do you really believe in our gods now?" she asked. "After everything that has happened, and after everything we tried to do to you."

Athelstan pushed out a heavy breath, sitting down in front of her. "When a man tries to know the way of his God, he will be blind before the sun even touches his face."

Her eyebrows knit together slightly. "What?"

He shook his head. "It's nothing. Just something I've been thinking since I arrived here so many years ago. I once asked God if it was his will that Lili and I were here with all of you, and it took some time, maybe a few months before I knew the answer was yes. I know all the bad things that happened wouldn't have, but you can't appreciate the good things with having the bad. Without Lili here, I wouldn't have been able to understand that. So I no longer try to understand what any gods or God has in store for me. They know their plan. I am only following it."

She moved forward and kissed him before another minute could pass, and he was so surprised that it took him a minute to stop her.

"Lagertha, please," he whispered.

"Forgive me," she begged as she lifted her hand to his cheek. "I do not mean to make this anymore difficult for you or me. But I will never be accustomed to the way you say these things. Not even Ragnar is so forgiving."

"I understand," he assured her. "I do. But it's because of Ragnar that this can't happen again. Please. After what happened at Uppsala and what I said to him, he can't know of this."

She tried to kiss him again, and he moved away a little. "He will not care," she insisted. "You have helped save Gyda, and he will be grateful. And besides, he would not blame you for what the Seer said. He didn't even want you to be sacrificed at first. He had to be convinced of it by the rest of us. Ragnar would never hate you, Athelstan. He — "

"What?" he asked, catching what she had said of Ragnar being convinced to make him their sacrifice. "What do you mean, he didn't want me to be sacrificed?"

Lagertha blinked, leaning away from him quickly. "Well, of course he didn't. Not at first. That is why he never told you. He knew if he did, you would accept it. Because it wasn't only about us, it was about Lilith. She was already a part of our world, of our people, and by sacrificing you, we all believed she would be protected along with us. Ragnar had to be convinced it was the right decision, even when he knew we were right. We could not have known what the Seer said, but it is of no consequence now. You are here. Lilith is here, and I am grateful for you both. If you had not been here, Gyda would be dead. Athelstan, it is all right. I assure you it is."

Athelstan had to look away, thinking back to what Ragnar had said before they had left Uppsala.

"I did see. I did know."

He stood up then, carrying the parchment and quills to their trunk before he spoke to her again. "I must leave for a moment. Excuse me," he said quickly and then turning to leave the long house. She called to him, but he didn't stop, running through town until he found himself at the beach that was currently empty.

He sat down without making sure it was just him, pulling his legs up to his chest.

That was what Ragnar had meant the morning after the sacrifices. And he'd told Athelstan that one day he would understand. And now Athelstan understood. What Lagertha said was only partially true. If it had kept Lilith safe, Athelstan probably would have done anything, but even if he'd known, he never would have agreed. He knew that now.

He sat on the beach a long time, long after it was too cold for him to be sitting there, before he finally got up and returned to the long house as it set quiet. He didn't go to his bed, instead sitting in front of the fire before he eventually found a cot out of the way and fell asleep with all his thoughts circling around his head.

Ragnar had been betting on Athelstan being so angry for being chosen that he would react exactly as he had. And it had worked. And then everyone had known that Athelstan had been aware of their choice. How was Athelstan supposed to process this? Had it all been worth it for Ragnar just for Athelstan to be alive now when so many were dead?

All these questions had to wait until Ragnar came back more than three months later. When the two ships carrying what was left of the men who had gone to Götland was spotted in the fjord, the horns were sounded, and they all gathered on the docks to welcome the travelers from their journey.

Lagertha hadn't tried to have any more private talks with Athelstan since the night Bjorn had come home, but she still bid him to follow her to greet Ragnar. He gathered up Lilith and Gyda as soon as she told him what was happening, walking with everyone else to the docks behind Bjorn as he followed his mother.

"What do you think took Ragnar so long to come back?" Lilith asked.

"Well," Athelstan said, "he's had to fight for King Horik. And he will more than likely be tired the same way we all were when we got back. So let's try not to bombard him with questions. Hmm?"

He looked at her as she looked up at him, and she nodded before he did.

They joined Lagertha on the docks, and before the boats were moored, she turned to Gyda and Lilith.

"Girls, let your father rest a while before we tell him about Lilith's gift," she requested. "He has had a long journey, and we do not want him to overreact. Yes?"

Gyda looked at Lilith, and together, they nodded before she leaned forward to kiss their foreheads.

She stood up and met Athelstan's eyes with hers, questioning and sighing, relieved when he nodded so she could turn back to face the boats.

None of them expected Floki to be carried off the boat on a stretcher, watching as Helga wept over his body. Even more, they didn't expect Rollo to be dragged from the boat in chains, still bloody from whatever battle they had endured as Torstein pulled him through a crowd of hecklers. Ragnar led them through the crowd until he was standing in front of Lagertha with a somber expression about his face.

At first, he greeted her with a small smile, but then he looked passed her at Bjorn who didn't look any happier to see his father than he had been three months previous. Athelstan watched Ragnar's eyes change from relief to suspicion and then acceptance even as he leaned in and held Lagertha against him. Once that was done, he moved around her to where Athelstan was standing with Gyda and Lilith.

"My daughters," he said so softly they barely heard him. He beckoned them forward and took them both in his arms, holding them as tightly as he ever had. "I am so happy to see you both. The messenger could not have come with good news at a better time than he did. Words cannot express how much joy it has brought me that you are both safe and alive."

He squeezed them against him and kissed their heads before he released them and looked up at Athelstan. They exchanged no words, but Ragnar nodded all the same, claiming Athelstan's shoulder as he moved passed him to take Rollo to a cell.

Lagertha moved to Athelstan's side as he took Lilith and Gyda in his arms again. "We should talk to him after he has had something to eat," she suggested. "And . . . I will still ask him about releasing you from your service to us. You should be a free man, Athelstan. In every sense of the meaning of it."

He opened his mouth, though he wasn't sure if he meant to argue or not, but she stopped him before he could say anything.

"You have earned it, my friend," she insisted.

Athelstan looked at the girls, seeing them both smiling, and it was clear they agreed with Lagertha.

She nudged him on without saying anything else, reaching back for Bjorn so they could all walk back to the Great Hall together.

Even though he seemed as somber as he ever had been, Ragnar still wanted his family around him after they made it back to the Great Hall. Despite their disagreements, that now apparently included Athelstan even though he was still technically a slave. Lagertha cleared everyone out of the Hall, sending Kindra to bring food for Ragnar, and she seemed adamant that they give him time to rest and get reacquainted with his children. Even through all of that, Ragnar was compelled to speak.

"King Horik never intended to compromise his position," he said a little annoyed, "even after Floki told him of our troubles with Jarl Borg. We should have talked more to come to an agreement that would benefit them both, but instead, we were compelled to fight." He stopped and huffed, taking a moment to eat before he began again. "And we fought all day. Jarl Borg would not give in. Nor us. Many died. One-eye died," he lamented as he looked over at Siggy who currently sat away from everyone else.

"Arne!" Athelstan exclaimed and glanced at Siggy.

"Rollo killed him," Ragnar said accusingly in her direction before he turned to everyone else. "And Floki may not survive, for he is so badly wounded. In the end, we had to offer Jarl Borg a part in our alliance to raid England when the time comes." He paused again and looked at Lagertha. "Your messenger did not tell me the specifics of this sickness. How did it come to infect so many of our people?"

Lagertha sighed softly, glancing at Gyda and Lilith. "We still do not know how it was spread," she began. "Not everyone who was exposed to it became sick. I never became ill, and neither did Lilith, thank the gods. But we nearly lost Siggy and Gyda, and Athelstan also became ill after he had helped many people. We did not even know of the sickness until Siggy became ill from it.

"Helga helped cleanse the town, and we had to make a sacrifice to Odin to stop it from spreading to more people. We have only just begun to learn the extent of loss, but many of our young people are gone. It will take us many years to recover, especially if what you say about this fight with Jarl Borg is true." She took a deep breath, glancing at Athelstan and then Bjorn. "There are many things we must speak about, but I want you to rest before then."

He eyed her only a little suspiciously, also looking at Athelstan and Bjorn before he went back to his food.

For another half hour, Ragnar ate the food that had been provided, not speaking or even really looking at anyone else. Athelstan couldn't tell if he was angry or just tired. The longer the silence went on, the more nervous everyone else became until Siggy stood up and left the Hall without saying where she was going. She glanced at Lagertha and then Athelstan before she left, but she said nothing then either.

Tova came to replenish Ragnar's food, but he waved her off, setting down what remained of his first meal and bringing everyone's attention to him.

"Now, the three of you," he said and pointed to Lagertha, Athelstan and Bjorn, "are going to tell me what has really been going on, because right now, the only two here who can look at me are my daughters who have not seen me in so long."

Athelstan glanced at Bjorn before he looked at Lagertha, and she in turn looked at Gyda and Lilith before putting her ale down and moving closer to Ragnar so she wouldn't have to speak so loudly. She motioned for them all to come closer, waiting until her children were all within arm's reach before she spoke.

"No one but us here knows of this," she began. "It is not safe for anyone else to know, but you are the father of my children, as well as Lilith's father by law. So you must know this. The illness was stronger than we were, Ragnar. It not only took Siggy's daughter and many others. It also took our daughter. And somehow, when Lilith discovered this, she took it upon herself to change it. I do not know how. Athelstan and I have only been able to discern that it was by the gods that Lilith was able to give her own blood to save Gyda's life. Do you understand?"

At first, Ragnar's face remained blank as he listened. Slowly, his brow furrowed, and he glanced at Athelstan before he reached for Lilith as she sat over Athelstan's leg. She went without hesitating, holding onto him as he held her close.

"Lilith, dear child," he said softly, "you gave your own blood to save my daughter?"

"Of course I did," she nodded. "She's my sister. I've never had one before, and I wasn't going to lose her. I was only glad that it worked. I wasn't sure if it would."

Ragnar glanced at Lagertha, and she nodded before he looked at Athelstan and Bjorn. "You both know this as well?" he asked them just to confirm they did.

Bjorn nodded silently, and Athelstan lifted his hand to the boy's shoulder, squeezing gently as he looked at Ragnar.

"I found Lili and Gyda right after it happened," he explained. "They were both weak, but then they both woke, and Lagertha realized what must have happened. Now Gyda is as strong as ever, and so is Lili."

Ragnar held Lilith closer to him, looking between her and Gyda. "How did you know to do this, if you were not certain it would work?" he asked her.

"Well, I had done it before," she said and looked at Athelstan. "Before we went to Uppsala, I found a bird in the woods that had died when it fell out of a tree. I only had to hold it in my hands, and it came back to life. The bird was so much smaller than Gyda is. She was so cold, but when she took a breath, I knew it had worked."

Ragnar looked Athelstan, tilting his head just a little and waiting until he nodded to reach for Gyda as well. She sat on his other leg, facing Lilith as her father held them both tighter.

"I am astounded," he said and shook his head. "I am overwhelmed, and I cannot say how much happiness and joy this brings me. I have never been happier than I am now holding you both in my arms. I have missed you both so much. And while I am grateful that everyone here is safe and healthy, thanks to the gods, I am humbled by this as well. Lilith, my child, you have done something I never expected you to do, and I will never be able to show my gratitude for this gift you have, that you have given to Gyda, your sister." He leaned up and kissed her cheek, cradling her head and laying his own against it before he turned to Gyda and did the same thing. "I am so blessed to have you both. And you, Athelstan," he said and looked at him. "I am grateful to you for this as well. Especially after everything we have been through together."

Athelstan shrugged. "As I said to Bjorn when he came back, I will always do what is in my power to protect your family. You are all my family, Ragnar. And this place is my home now. Just as it is Lili's. It will never be in question where my loyalties lie. I promise you that."

The grin on Ragnar's face was unmistakable even as he kept Gyda and Lilith close, and Athelstan smiled as well, bowing his head even as Lagertha spoke up again.

"There is also something else I wish to speak to you about, husband," she said, smiling herself as she glanced at Athelstan. "He has been in our service for so long, and we have relied on him for so much. He has never hesitated to do anything we have asked of him, and if it weren't for him, for Lilith, we would have lost our own daughter. That is why I would ask you to make Athelstan a free man, in every way possible. He has earned it. Would you not agree?"

The grin on Ragnar's face faded, morphing into a thoughtful expression, almost uncertain. Athelstan felt his own smile fall, and he reached for Lilith without saying anything to Lagertha or her children. It was quiet for too long, and in the time they all waited for Ragnar speak, the fear that he would not agree with Lagertha grew in Athelstan's gut until he almost couldn't handle it. Lilith held onto his arms as his hold on her tightened a little the longer they waited. It felt like an eternity passed before Ragnar grinned again.

"Of course I agree," he said and leaned forward to speak to Athelstan more directly as he took his hand. "And I swear to you, my friend," he affirmed laying his other hand over both of theirs, "that from this day forward you will always be considered a member of my family. I know it has not been an easy journey for you, and I must claim some responsibility in that even if I always had the best intentions once you were here. You are strong, and you have become much stronger than I believe anyone gave you credit. So it will be my pleasure to grant you this honor. Lagertha is right. You have earned it. And we should celebrate this as we always have. There is only the matter of my brother that I must first deal with, and then, I promise you. We will have a Thing, and then you will become a free man."

The smile on Athelstan's face slowly returned until he was laughing softly, and he lifted his eyes to Lilith as she sat on his leg now. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing the side of his face before he leaned up and did the same to her.

Gyda laughed then as she sat on Ragnar's lap, and she looked back at Lagertha as she did as well. Even Bjorn had a smile on his face, and for a moment, they were all happy.

For the first time since coming to Kattegat, Athelstan truly felt like he was a part of their family, and he had never been as happy as he was in that moment. When he'd been in the monastery, he had been lucky to have those who were older than him to guide him, and he in turn had done his best to guide Lilith. In this new world, Ragnar and Lagertha had been his guides, as well as Bjorn and Gyda, and he had always wanted to be accepted by them. Now it felt like he was.

But then just as easily as the moment had arisen, it slipped away as Bjorn frowned and lifted his eyes to Ragnar.

"What will happen to Rollo?" he pleaded.

Ragnar pushed out a heavy breath, nudging Gyda up and leaning forward with his hands over his face. "I do not yet know," he admitted. "I cannot judge my own brother. So I will have to think of a better way for him to answer for what he has done. Until I decide what to do, I do not want any of you to bother him. I know this has not been easy for any of us, but I want things to be normal again. I want you all to be safe."

He looked at Bjorn pointedly, and once the boy nodded, Ragnar took another breath, still rubbing his forehead the way he did when he was worried.

They only had to wait two days for Ragnar to decide what he would do, and even though he had not wanted his children to be around Rollo, he allowed them to come to the assembly he arranged where the lawgiver would determine Rollo's fate. In all the years Athelstan had been with Ragnar, they'd never done this, because honestly, no one had ever done something so horrible for it to be necessary. And it seemed like the townspeople adjusted to it, even if they also seemed to want Rollo's death more than they wanted it to be fair, which was clearly Ragnar's intention.

Athelstan stood with Lilith and Gyda, as well as Edda and Þórunn, just behind Ragnar and Lagertha as they all stood beneath the Law Rock where the lawgiver took his place above everyone who had gathered. The crowd behind them jeered and heckled as Rollo was brought through them and then knelt to the ground. He was still chained and covered in the same blood from two days before, and Athelstan worried about the girls being afraid of him. Lilith held his hand in hers the whole time, but she never spoke. Gyda watched the same way Bjorn did, silent as she held her sister's other hand.

When the lawgiver decided not to have Rollo executed, nearly everyone protested, including Torstein, who was obviously still angry about losing Arne and rightfully so. Ragnar was not surprised by these turn of events, and when it was over, when he turned to leave with Bjorn, he looked Athelstan in the eyes and then grinned so slightly that it was almost imperceptible. But Athelstan saw it, and he knew Ragnar had done something. He had done something to spare Rollo's life, even when everyone in town wanted him dead.

They all left the assembly together, but Ragnar went off on his own, leaving Bjorn to lead Lagertha, Athelstan and the girls back to the Great Hall where they would able to eat. Lagertha gestured to Gyda and Lilith for them to come to her, and once they were at her side, she whispered to them softly. They both glanced at Athelstan before taking hands and hurrying off with Bjorn and their companions, and Lagertha stepped back to his side, taking his arm in hers.

"I told them to get ready for the ceremony," she explained. "Since Ragnar will want to have it tonight before we eat. And I also said that I needed to speak to you alone."

Athelstan began to argue, but she stopped him.

"Relax, my friend," she said softly. "I will respect your decisions, and once you are a free man, so will everyone else. I only wished to make you aware of what Ragnar and I have spoken about since he returned."

He sighed and bowed his head. "What have you and Ragnar spoken about?" he asked.

"You will remember that I was not . . . happy when I was told of my husband's infidelity. And I wanted to confront him about it the moment he was home. But I thought about what we did, even if I believe we only did the gods bidding, and I knew it would be selfish of me to expect him to be faithful. Even if he does not know what we did. So I tried to be forgiving the way you are, and I waited until he had time to rest to speak to him about it."

She paused, and he looked at her, still walking with her to the Great Hall.

"And what did he say?"

She pulled in a deep breath, clenching her jaw and squeezing his arm in her hands gently. "My husband has confirmed to me that he did have relations with a woman named Aslaug. But he says it only happened once, and it will never happen again. He says he did not love this woman, but in all honesty, that did not make it any better."

"So what will you do?"

She lifted her eyes to his, slowing her pace a little. "I want to forgive him," she insisted. "I do. But my husband and I have not been on the best terms since we lost our unborn sons, and I think this is what the Seer meant when he said the gods wanted to take something from me. At first, I thought it was Gyda, because if she died, it would have broken whatever love I still had for Ragnar. But she survived, and I had hope for us. Now this. I thought my husband would come back to me, and we would go back to the way things were before. But I'm afraid we're now too different for that to happen."

Athelstan stopped, turning to her as she faced him. "He does still love you, Lagertha," he assured her. "I can see it when he looks at you."

She smiled sadly, lifting her hand to his cheek. "My dear Athelstan. So innocent even after everything you have been through. I know my husband loves me. I am the mother of his children. But I am afraid that it has been some time since he was in love with me. And the more days pass, the more I realize it is the same for me. I love him, so dearly, but too much has changed."

He sighed again, bowing his head. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, caressing his cheek before she nudged him along so they could get back to the Great Hall.

"I have always appreciated that about you," she said to him, squeezing his arm again and smiling slightly. "This world has not been as kind to you as it could have been, and yet, you still try to see the good in it. I admire you for that. And yes, I love you for it, Athelstan. I don't think we would have been able to share our sacrifice if I didn't care about you as deeply as I do. I hope we are always friends, and family."

Athelstan couldn't stop himself from blushing, and she wrapped her arm around him to hold him against her as they walked the last few steps to the Great Hall as it filled up.

"Come," she said and pulled him back to where the loom was put away. "I have something for you to wear."

Already, there was a new dress being made, with blue and white threads, but behind that, Lagertha lifted a dark green tunic with golden threads along the collar and the cuffs of the arms. She held it up with a smile on her face as she presented it to him.

"What do you think?" she posed and then handed it to him.

Athelstan couldn't stop from smiling, taking the tunic and turning it around to see a small raven over the left shoulder. "This is beautiful, Lagertha. Thank you."

She bowed her head. "You're welcome. And thank you. And until I can finish the belt I am making, your old one will have to do. But once you are a free man, you can purchase your own, if you wish. Go ahead and change," she gestured, stepping back and folding her hands together.

He glanced at her for just a second, feeling a little self-conscious but not enough to be embarrassed as he reached back to unwrap his belt and then pulled his old tunic over his head. The new one was smoother and softer, made of better material that was also warmer, and it fit him better than any of the others had. He struggled with his belt, and Lagertha stepped in to help him.

"I wish we had time to do something with your hair," she commented. "If anything, for you to be as presentable as possible, but once this is done, you can have it anyway you wish."

She finished and turned him to face her, and he blushed a little before she nudged him away from the loom toward the front of the Great Hall.

"Go find Bjorn," she instructed. "Ragnar will return soon, and then we will all celebrate."

The Great Hall was already full when Athelstan stepped back through the partition, and he couldn't keep from being nervous as he found Bjorn and sat on the bench next to him. It was the first time that anyone had made a big deal about a milestone in his life, and he wasn't sure it was necessary.

"Are you ready to become a man, Priest?" Bjorn asked.

The grin on his face was almost teasing, and he laughed softly, nudging Athelstan in the shoulder.

Of course it was all symbolic. Athelstan knew that most boys received arm rings around twelve or thirteen, and here he was, nearly ten years older than that as he was given the same privilege as all of them. But Bjorn looked happy enough, so there was that at least.

"I suppose I am as ready as I will ever be," he said to Bjorn.

"Soon after this, it will be time for you to choose a woman," the fifteen-year-old teased. "And though I'm sure Father would want to help you in that, you will have to do it yourself."

Athelstan didn't mean to blush, but when he did, Bjorn laughed again and nudged his arm a little harder.

Lilith and Gyda came through the crowd then with Edda and Þórunn, all wearing new dresses that Athelstan hadn't even known Lagertha had made for them, and they all sat over the steps in front of the platform for the Earl and his wife. They smiled at him just before Ragnar and Lagertha came to sit in their chairs before everyone else.

Ragnar only glanced in Athelstan's direction before he gestured for Bjorn to join them and then stood up to bring everyone's attention to him.

"Friends! We have all gathered here for a very important occasion. For it is always a monumental thing when a boy becomes a man, or when a slave becomes free. And today, I am glad to bring you all to this Hall to celebrate both of these things. Athelstan," he said and nodded for him to come closer. Once Athelstan was in front of him, Ragnar lay both his hands over his shoulders, addressing both him and everyone watching. "I am aware there has been some confusion about our journey to Uppsala and the identity of our sacrifice we wished to give to the gods. I know you all had concerns when this man returned with my wife and daughters, and I must assure you that this was the will of the gods.

"Athelstan survived because he was meant to survive, and now, he has helped us survive this sickness that nearly destroyed our town. For that, he has earned his place among us, and in that, he shall have the same rights and privileges as the rest of you. I will hear no more of him being an outsider, and we will all accept him as not only a man, but a free man. If you are all in agreement, we will proceed."

Athelstan couldn't hide his astonishment when nearly everyone in the Hall shouted their agreement. The only one who remained silent was Ragnar, but the instant the people in the Hall spoke, he grinned again and nodded.

"Kneel," he said to Athelstan and gestured to the steps between them. Once he did, Ragnar turned to Bjorn and nodded to the space behind his chair.

Bjorn stood from where he sat, producing a sword that he handed to his father before he stepped over to the table between Ragnar's chair and Lagertha's where two bowls set. From within them, Bjorn took a pinch of each substance inside them that turned out to be a bit of earth and a bit of salt. Ragnar lifted the sword so that the blade was flat, presenting it to Athelstan as Bjorn dropped the earth and salt onto the steel.

"What was your father's name?" Ragnar asked softly.

Athelstan glanced at Lilith, remembering how young he'd been when she had come into his life and how until then, he'd recited the names of his father, mother, and his five siblings so he wouldn't forget them. After just a second, he looked up at Ragnar. "His name was Wilfred."

Ragnar smiled and nodded. "Athelstan, son of Wilfred, My friend. Accept this gift of earth and salt, to remind yourself that you belong to the land and to the sea." He lifted the sword so Athelstan only had to bow his head a little, and though it would have normally repulsed him to have dirt in his mouth, today, Athelstan did so more gratefully than he ever thought he would. He remembered taking his vows so many years earlier, giving his life to serve Father Cuthbert and how overwhelming it had felt. Now, here, he had never felt as free as he did in this moment, able to take Ragnar's offering because he wanted to, and not because he felt he had to.

Once the salt and earth touched his tongue, he lifted his head to look at Ragnar, and he glanced at Lagertha with a pleased grin before turning to where Bjorn was waiting with a new arm ring in his hands.

"This arm ring binds you in loyalty to me, your Earl," Ragnar said, taking the arm ring and presenting it to Athelstan. "Any oath you make upon this must be honored and kept. Do you swear and agree to this?"

Athelstan did his best to keep the smile on his face as minimal as possible as he nodded. "Yes, Lord."

"And do you freely swear fealty to me, your Earl?"

"Yes, Lord," Athelstan agreed and nodded, barely containing his smile.

In one smooth movement, Ragnar passed the arm ring to him. "You may put on the arm ring," he announced.

Easily, Athelstan took the arm ring, surprised at its weight even as he lay it over his left wrist so it was secure on his arm. Almost immediately, a weight was lifted off his shoulders, and Ragnar gestured for him to stand. For a second, he thought it was finished until Ragnar nodded back toward Lagertha as she now sat uneasily in her chair.

"One last thing to do," Ragnar teased.

Athelstan felt almost all of the dread he'd been pushing away for the last several months drop into his stomach the moment she stood up and extended her hand to him. They hadn't been so close like this since Bjorn had come back, and for every step he took, he worried someone would notice. Someone would notice that he wasn't doing this for the first time. Ragnar would notice. The servants would notice. Maybe even Lilith or Gyda would notice.

Lagertha seemed to sense his hesitation, taking his hand and laying her other hand on his shoulder to calm him. Her smile was happier than he expected as she lifted her hand to his face and leaned in until their lips were perfectly aligned. He didn't flinch like he did the first time, didn't really react at all, since this kiss lasted barely a breath before she leaned away and squeezed his shoulder.

The cheer from Torstein startled Athelstan so much that he almost stumbled down the steps, but Ragnar caught him by the neck and wrapped his arm around Athelstan's shoulder, holding him up.

"Now we will celebrate!" Ragnar shouted over everyone in the Hall, and they all cheered louder.

Athelstan had never felt his heart racing so fast even as Ragnar released him and moved back to the platform to collect cups and ale. He knew it wasn't just because he was happy. Athelstan knew it was partially out of fear. But just this once, he would not allow it to taint this moment. For once, he wanted to be without his fear.

Even if it returned the following morning.

The first noticeable change should be the reaction Lagertha has to Ragnar's infidelity, and I'll only say I just thought they should both act like adults in this situation since that's what they are among everyone else.

Also, I wanted to have Athelstan be given his freedom now, since it plays into the rest of the story.

I hope everyone likes it! I'll have the next chapter ready hopefully by Sunday to get into a regular schedule.

Until next time!