Bonnie sighted a cloaked figure sitting upon a boulder overlooking the harbor. With absolute certainty and without discernment from her sorcery, she knew the figure. Ivar. She hadn't spoken to him since the night before when he'd questioned her about Enzo. Her first mind told her to leave well enough alone. Ivar would no longer be part of her fate. Attempting to explain anything of her past to him at this point would be nothing more than pandering to his pride. Yet something within wouldn't allow her to sail away without righting things between them first.
She handed Blida her basket. "Take these things to the boat. Tell Bjorn I'll be along shortly."
Blida nodded and continued to the harbor. Bonnie detoured and took the path which led her up to the hills into the cliffs. At the top of the overhang Ivar sat with his back to her. She watched him for a moment as she tried to work up the nerve to approach him. Her mouth opened and closed several times without the benefit of a single word crossing her floundering lips.
"Have you come to say farewell, my love," he said, without turning to look at her. "For I will be sailing away with my father in two risings time."
She rounded the boulder to stand in front of him. Pain darkened his gaze and shadowed his features. Her heart infinity knotted within her chest. Although, she'd loved before, she'd never been struck, consumed, and overtaken by an unconditional devotion which spurned her strength of will and comprehension. Ivar was a tsunami for which she never planned. She could only pray, when the waters finally returned to the sea he'd leave enough behind for her to rebuild.
"I wanted to see you once more before I go," she said, running her gaze over his face, committing every distinct and not so distinct characteristic of his features to memory. Out of nowhere liquid pain filled her eyes and brimmed her lower lids. "Because, I'm gonna miss you and it hurts to think about when the tides will see fit to bring us together again. It also fucks me over to believe things may never be the same between us again." She forced a smile, turned her face to the sky, and closed her eyes. Silently, she pleaded with her tears not to betray her. "This is stupid right…I know." She turned her back to him and pretended to be considering the harbor below, while she covertly wiped the salty wet evidence from her face. Deciding she wasn't getting anywhere, she put on her Jackie O RayBans.
"I don't understand," he said, grabbing her arm and gently turning her to face him. His face scrunched as he eyed her sunglasses. "Why do you believe things will no longer be the same between you and I?"
A blend of hurt and anger burned her chest. She scoffed. "You wouldn't understand, Ivar. Ever since I've arrived here you've never seen me as anything more than a means to an end. You have no genuine feelings for me. Not anything beyond the impassive flirtations you so idly bestow upon me in passing. When in truth you probably wish I never bothered you at all." She tossed her hands up and threw her head back to glare into the sky, before resettling the burden of her scorn back on him. "But I only have myself to blame since you did ask I keep my distance. Well you can forget everything I just bitched up and whined about. Well everything except for this!" She placed her hand on her hip, while jabbing a finger in his face. "Because this is me granting your wish."
Bonnie spun to march away, but a firm grip on her wrist snatched her backwards. She tumbled into a granite solid chest. The glasses were ripped from her face. Bands of chorded muscles wrapped around her as soft lips and a determined tongue laid claim to her mouth. Her hands rose to tangle themselves in the short strands of hair at the back of his head. His grip around her body tightened. A moan burst from her mouth as she burrowed deeper into his embrace and gave more of herself over to their kiss. When they tore their mouths apart they both panted harder than an entire pack of dehydrated dogs.
He cradled her face in his hands as he pinned her to the spot with his gaze alone. "Oh, how I love you so, my love. You must know that your leaving distresses me. For the past two full moons this moment is the one I've dreaded most. If I were able to wish for anything it wouldn't be for your departure nor even normal legs. I'd wish that you never leave my side."
"You love me?" she whispered, running the pad of her thumb over his eyebrow.
He placed an enduring peck on her lips. "Of course." He glanced around. "Do you know where we are, my love?" A small, closed lip smile took possession of her lips as she shook her head. "The place where we'll marry. Whenever my faith in us is unsettled, I come here to remind myself, fate has already decided upon you and me. I only need to be patient and wait for it all to come to past."
"Show me?" She rested her forehead on his.
"No, my love." He smiled, pulling her even closer. "Some things must remain a surprise."
"I should go before Bjorn sends warriors to collect me," she said, not yet ready to leave him.
He took a deep breath and exhaled. "Alright."
His arms fell from around her, and she stepped back. She turned to leave and thought better. Once more she rushed back into his arms and her mouth crashed into his. After a few more moments of oral exploration, she broke the kiss.
"I love you too, Ivar," she pecked his lips and peppered several more kisses along his jawline. "Take care in England, learn what you must, and then come back to me. We'll figure out the rest together, alright?"
"Alright, my love, but you have to vow to do the same," he said, while running his nose along the side of her neck. "You must come back to me."
She kissed him once more before breaking away. "You have my sacred vow, Ivar Conqueror of my Heart."
When she turned, she nearly collided with Ragnar. Not knowing what else to do, she nodded and continued on her trek to the ships. Once she made it down to the harbor, people who knew her stopped to bid her a farewell. Others, who wanted to garner favor pushed baskets into her arms, while a few random people she can't remember seeing before pushed and shoved each other to lick her palm. Moments later a group of warriors surrounded her, barricading her away from the horde who'd gone from adoring to Stanatics.
A pair of slender arms wrapped around her waist. When she glanced down, she found Guthrum smiling up at her. Hali who'd squeezed between them, managed to enfold his tiny self around her leg. She grinned and reached down to lift Hali into her arms and wound an arm around Guthrum's shoulder.
"While I'm gone I expect you both to keep up with your reading and writing," she said as she walked with them to the end of the harbor. "Attempt to work on your math, but it's okay if you find yourself having trouble. We can go over it when I come back." After pushing a few stray locks from Guthrum's eyes, she cupped his cheek. "Do you remember how I showed you to get into my keep?"
Sadness filled his gaze as he bobbed his head. "Yes, I remember. I wish you didn't have to go, at least not until I reach my raiding summer."
"We'll be back by the end of the summer," she said, while placing Hali on his feet so she could kneel next to Guthrum. "And because you have a calendar, you know exactly when that'll be. Just mark the boxes off the way I taught you and you'll be able to keep track of our journey."
"Okay," he said, still having the look of someone experiencing the worse day of their life.
"Now, watch this." She stood and plotted a vacant space of water.
Lifting her hands, she allowed her sorcery to bring the largest object she'd ever requested through time. A cloud of sorcery mushroomed out to reveal Klaus' 75ft ocean crossing yacht which he'd christened as 'The Original'. Wow, she didn't think it would work! Guthrum gasped and Hali squealed. Shrieks and yells came from the gathering crowd. She grabbed both Guthrum's and Hali's hands so they wouldn't be lost in the shuffle of bodies.
"No, no, no!" Floki appeared at her side as if he'd teleported there. "Put it back in the 21st century."
"What do you mean? I brought this here so we could all be comfortable while we sail to the Mediterranean Sea. Hell, we'll even arrive there in half the time," she said waving her hand at the yacht. "It has four cabins, two full bathrooms, and a living area, and…" holding up a finger, she pointed to the deck equipped with a jacuzzi. "Helga can lay out next to the hot tub and sunbathe."
Bjorn bogarded his way through the crowd with Torvi at his side. "What is this?"
"A yacht built for crossing oceans in a matter of risings," she said, eyeing the delicious slice of days to come technology with pride.
He studied her for a brief moment before swinging his gaze to Floki. "Will this, ya-hot succeed in getting us to the Mediterranean?"
A smile lifted the corner of Floki's mouth. "If the weather is agreeable, but if we're met with unfavorable winds and waves it'll more than likely be over turned."
"Ack!" Bjorn waved his hand at the yacht as if wishing it away. "We shall journey within the ship Floki has built for us. His boats are more than capable of bearing winds and treading waves." With that Bjorn turned and stalked away. Torvi frowned after him, and then turned to entwine her arm with Bonnie's.
"Floki, you know very well that boat is capable of weathering a hurricane if need be," she said, whirling on him.
Floki leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "There is a time and place for that monstrosity which is neither here nor now. Let us keep the air and waters in this Era as clean as we can for as long as we can, hmm?" With that he to walked off, but not before saying, "Put it back!"
"You are aware that you're the Most High?" Torvi chuckled next to her.
"Yeah?" Bonnie allow her sorcery to replace the yacht back in its correct place in time. "You try telling your husband and Floki that."
She shrugged. "Why not join us in matrimony and we'll tell him together?"
"Hmm, maybe having a sister wife could have its benefits," Bonnie said, allowing Torvi to guide them back to the boats she and Bjorn would be taking.
Torvi cut an eye at her. "Oh, there'll definitely be benefits."
"Torvi," Bonnie lifted a brow, while a smirk laid claim to her mouth. "I think you may have stumbled upon a weakness of mine. Perhaps a trial marriage between us three would be in order for the coming winter."
Torvi's grin turned flirtatious. "Guthrum what do you say to having your favored girl as a second mother."
"I say no!" Guthrum's out of character callous tone snatched both of their attentions. "I'm going to love and protect Bonnie the way Bjorn loves you. So, she can't be my second mother if she is my wife in my heart." He then turned and disappeared into a horde of people.
"Oh, no, Bonnie. My son is in love with you," Torvi said staring after him.
She waved Torvi off. "Calm down, Torvi. It's just puppy love. A little crush, all boys experience at one time or another. He'll get over it. Bet it'll be out of his system by the time I return." She picked Hali up and kissed his cheek before handing him over to his mother. "Now go say your farewells to Bjorn while I go and look for him."
"Bonnie!" Ubbe called out to her from a few paces away. He looked as if he hadn't slept, and his shirt still had splatters of blood on it from the night before. "Can we speak for a moment?"
"What is it? Would you like to threaten and blackmail me again before I sail away?" She snapped as she stopped in front of him.
"I'm sorry for how I've mistreated you since entering our courtship," he said, gazing into her pupils with eyes brimming with sincerity. "Time and time again I've hurt you and there's no explanation for my misdeeds. I accept responsibility for my actions. So, know I release you from your vow. You no longer need to marry me upon your return."
She placed a hand to his cheek. "Ubbe, our vow stands. If you remain true to me while I'm away, then I'll marry you." His face brightened as he tried to pull her into a hug. "But if you betray me then someone who holds you dear will perish." A frown scrunched his brows. She cradled his face in her hands and stared into his Lothbrok blues. "My beautiful Ubbe, this isn't a curse, but a simple truth as I've seen it. So please beware." She produced a picture of her Damon had claimed for himself while she was stuck in the prison world. When she placed the frame in his hands, he almost dropped it. His mouth flapped open and closed. "Something to remember me by while I'm away."
She pressed a kiss to his lips, before walking over to where Queen Aslaug stood with Sigurd and Hvitserk. When he saw her, he closed the distance between them and lifted her off her feet. He kissed her long and hard before releasing her. "Valkyrie, you had better have returned by summers end. One rising too late, and I swear I'll come for you."
"No worries, My Devoted Savage. I'll be back here by summer's end wearing bells and tooting whistles," she laughed giving him one last peck on the lips.
He tucked a curl behind her ear. "I believe this subject may require privacy."
She hugged him once more, before turning to Queen Aslaug. "My Queen, I do believe it has been an honor and privilege to have known you. Until we meet again."
Bonnie held out a hand to her, and Queen Aslaug pulled her into a hug. "The honor and privilege has been mine Most High." She rested her forehead on Bonnie's. "Until we meet again." For a second time that day, tears flooded her eyes.
"Until we meet again," Bonnie uttered once more. She smiled despite the storm gathering in her eyes.
As she turned to walk away, she spotted Lagertha with Guthrum at her side. When she approached, the earl halted. "Supreme."
"Call me Bonnie, Lagertha," she insisted. The former shieldmaiden nodded. She glanced around to be sure they weren't overheard. Once she was certain they could speak freely, she lowered her voice just the same. "I know you plan to overthrow Queen Aslaug and take control of Kattegat."
Lagertha's eyes flared. "Are you opposed to this?"
"No," she shook her head, "I only ask you not harm any of Ragnar's sons in the process. Do whatever has to be done to keep them safe and out of the way during the pursuit of your conquest."
Lagertha nodded her head. "You have my word, Bonnie."
Bonnie nodded and dropped her gaze to Guthrum who studied the ground. "Jedi, may I have a word with you for a moment?" He glanced up at her with his wide blue eyes and reached out to take her hand. "Give us just a moment," she told Lagertha who nodded and stepped away. She kneeled to be eye level with Guthrum.
"I'm almost twelve summers, Bonsie. I know my mind and my heart," he said staring up at her as defiance glistened in his eyes.
A sad smile trembled at the corners of her lips. "I know and I didn't ask to speak with you to disregard your affections. Merely, allow me to say this, a wise woman once told me, there will be many loves a person will encounter in their life. You will meet one woman who makes you feel perhaps one or even two of these loves, but you must not lose your heart to this woman. Because there's a forever woman who'll make you feel them all and she will be the one who's worthy of your heart." She rested her forehead on his. "Do you understand?"
"I understand, Bonsie," he said throwing his arms around her neck.
She exhaled a sigh drenched in relief.
"Bonnie, it's time," Bjorn yelled from their long boat.
"Okay," she yelled back. "Remember what I told you about your lessons and don't allow Wilber more than one bowl of honey a rising. Oh, and never permit him to have it before slumber. It gives him night terrors. Kiss Asa for me. Tell her about me every night so she won't forget me."
Guthrum laughed even as his eyes developed an extra shine. "I remember, Bonsie."
"I know you do," she kissed his cheek, "It just gives me an excuse to linger a little longer. Take care of Hali, Asa, and your mother. You're the man of the keep until your father returns."
He nodded and she looked to Lagertha who watched them with the same shiny eyes as Guthrum's. She hugged him and kissed his cheek once more before hurrying away. When she made it over to the long boat, Bjorn plucked her from the harbor and placed her next to him. Once inside, the ship began to pull away from the dock. As she watched the people she'd come to adore grow smaller, her heart grew heavier. This trip marked the end of peace and snatched away a comfort zone she'd come to crave. For the hands of change had begun to turn. Kattegat would never again be the same.
"Are you still not speaking with me?" Floki asked as he sat down on the other side of Helga.
Bonnie released a sigh. "I'm not ignoring you, Floki. It's just hot, I'm sweating like a pig, I'm uncomfortable, Hvits won't stop asking stupid questions," Hvitserk glared at her over his shoulder, and she answered him with her best and what expression, "On top of all of that, Bjorn won't even let me go for a swim."
"Aw, you'll get used to sailing," Helga patted her hand. "Just give it time."
Bonnie nodded, before getting up to go join Bjorn at the head of the ship. He huddled over his cloth map, scanning the coast for any distinctive landmarks. "Where are we?"
He looked up and gave her a hitched smile. "Frankia."
Floki scoffed, before side-eying the hell out of Bjorn.
"Are you going to try and contact Uncle Rollo?" Hvitserk questioned.
She rolled her eyes. Another dumb ass question! Goddess, he was killing her. "No, Hvits. Why ever would he contact your Uncle Rollo when he can simply say excuse me to his navy and sail on by?"
"Why are you being so ornery?" Bjorn backed her into his arms, before wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Why is Hvitserk behaving so hollow headed?" She countered. He nipped at her neck and she snickered.
Hvitserk's face folded in on itself. "I think I'll beat you at least once every new moon once we marry."
"And I think I'll set your bed on fire while you're sleeping," she said, staring him directly in the pupils.
"Bjorn, speaking with Rollo will be a mistake," Floki said, leaving his place by Helga's side to join them at the head of the boat. "He's betrayed his people more times than one man should be allowed and still permitted to breathe."
Bjorn exhaled. He then pressed a kiss to her neck and released her. "Then what else do you advise we do Floki? Fight our way through or turn and go back? For the map offers no other choices."
Floki opened his mouth to say something smart no doubt when Rollo's navy bust a turn around a cliff and began rowing there way. Hvitserk stood and stepped in front of her. His actions surprised the hell out of her considering they were not vibing at all since operation Seduction-Gate.
"Conversation it is," Bonnie said, peeping around Hvits arm.
They were led into the throne room of Rollo's castle. Soldiers lined the walkway up to the thrones and not one among them were supernatural. The only ones under her dominion was Rollo, and his children. Everyone else were untouchable if unprovoked, less she start a war with nature. Hvitserk slipped his arm around her waist, and then pulled her closer into his side.
"Would you look at how well betrayal is paying now," Floki said as they approached the thrones. "Whoring oneself out has never appeared so prosperous."
"Floki, please. Don't say or do anything witless," Bjorn hissed under his breath.
"Calm down, Bjorn. Everything is going to go as expected," Bonnie assured as they came to a halt several feet from the throne. "Besides, Floki's wits are like American Express, he never leaves home without them."
"Finally someone other than Helga who understands me," Floki said, waving a hand at Bonnie. "And wits or not I'd rather die than consort with the likes of Rollo."
Oh it appeared Mr. Drama King was ready for the stage! "Well I don't, I f-ing hate dying! Besides, no one is gonna die, Floki. Rollo is actually happy to see you all. He misses you, Bjorn."
Bjorn skewered her with an over the shoulder narrowed eyed glare. She raised her hands to let him know she was out of it.
"Wife, meet my old friend, Helga and her husband Floki. He never cared for me over much," He shrugged as he rose from his throne. "The big, impressive man is my nephew Bjorn and the not so impressive one is Hvitserk."
She shot Rollo a unit bred to kill. Hvits was impressive to look at he just was a little unsure of himself at times. She slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest.
"Don't be afraid," Hvitserk said, rubbing tiny circles into her stomach.
This drew Rollo's attention to her. His head tilted as he walked closer. "Now this one, I never knew."
"I came to Kattegat after your departure," Bonnie supplied, meeting his stare with a steady one.
His eyes flared and Queen Gisla shifted on her throne to get a better look at her. "You speak Frank?"
Hmm, apparently so. Bjorn turned to look at her, while Floki gave her a look of strict disapproval. Harald hit her with the same sneer he'd been giving her every time she had the misfortune of looking at him and Halfdan was busy glaring holes in Hvits.
"Yes," she said, hoping like hell it translated.
"Are you a slave?" He questioned with a quirked brow.
She side-eyed the hell out of him because she remembered what he liked to do to slaves. "Do I have the look of a slave?"
"You don't have the look of my people," He said, moving closer. The interest in his eyes apparent. "Name yourself."
"Bonnie Benn-," Floki placed his hand over her mouth.
"Bonnie speak no more," Bjorn said, stepping in front of her to sever Rollo's view. "We're here to ask for safe passage through your waters."
Rollo's brows crashed together. "Safe passage? Where are you going?"
Bjorn bent down to grab the map from his boot and the soldiers lining the aisle almost loss their damn minds. Rollo raised a hand to settle them.
"Here!" Bjorn pointed to the aqua waters on the map.
"May I see this?" Rollo plucked the map from his fingers.
"No," Bjorn went to snatch the map back.
Once again the soldiers spring into action this time drawing there weapons and plunging them in their faces. One guardsman even placed the point of his sword to Hvitserk's throat, drawing blood. Before she knew it she smashed the heel of her hand in his nose. The sword slipped from his hand. She caught it by the handle and had it aimed at his chest before he even realized the fucked situation of his position.
The air vibrated, and then crackled to life. Bonnie's eyes rolled, "Relax, my chosen was threatened, and your child drew blood without provocation. By respect and law he's now mine to deal with as I see fit, but I'm willing to forgo my right, if you're willing to back down as well."
The air thickened and became humid, before returning to its natural state. Bonnie came back to awareness.
"What language does she speak?" Rollo demanded, standing shoulder to shoulder with a group of soldiers who'd encircled her with swords aimed at her.
"Tell them to lower their swords," Bjorn bellowed as he bucked against the hold of at least six men only half his size.
Bonnie glanced around the throne room. Things had devolved. Guards were beating the Valhalla out of Halfdan and Harald, while they pinned Helga to the floor. Another guard forced Floki to his knees and placed his blade to his throat. Hvitserk stood in front of her with his ax in one hand and sword in the other.
Pissed beyond the point of pissivity, her glare snapped to Rollo. "Enough! Shut it down, Rollo! Or so help me I'll do it for you. And I swear before the goddess that this castle will be nothing more than a pile of ashes for future generations to gawk at by the time I'm done razing this bitch to the ground."
He gaped at her for a moment before waving his hands. The guards stared at him like he'd been bewitched, but still did as ordered and released the others. The guards who had their swords trained on she and Hvits lowered them.
"Escort my wife and children to our chambers," Rollo said, pushing one of the guards who stood next to him towards the thrones where his wife and children stood.
The guard bowed, then rushed to do his bidding. Gisla wasn't having it. She snatched away from him and began giving the poor man the business end of a hellified read. The children used their mother's distraction to break away from her. Rollo's eyes rolled as he opened his arms to accept them, but they bypassed him and ran to Bonnie.
The guards damn near cut their own hands off attempting to get their swords back up. William leaped into her arms, while Marcellus wound his arms around her waist and little Celsa clung to her leg.
"Hello, William, Marcellus, and Celsa," she said, swaying from side to side. "I'm Bonnie Bennett of Mystic Falls. It's an honor to meet you all."
William pressed his palm to her cheek, while staring into her eyes. "Will you stay?"
"No, there are things I must do, but whenever you need me most I'll be there for you. You have my sworn vow as your Supreme, William of Normandy," She rested her forehead on his, and then placed him back on his feet.
She kneeled to give Marcellus and Celsa hug, while also whispering blessings and protection spells over them all. Once done they ran back to join their mother who waited for them with wide terror stricken eyes. This time when the guard tried to lead her out, she permitted him. In fact, she damn near dragged him with her. After she snatched her leave, Rollo dismissed the other guards.
When they were alone he turned to her. "My only crime is obeying the will of the Gods."
"Ack!" Floki scoffed, being sure to give him an eat shit glare. "The gods no longer recognize you betrayer. You bring shame to them, your name, and your people. Just look at him! He even has the look of a Christian."
"Which matters not," Bonnie said, giving Floki a pointed look, "I'm not here to persecute anyone for their religious choices or beliefs. We're here because my protector wants to sail to the Mediterranean Sea and your navy is in the way. Will you allow us to pass?"
"This map is part of a larger one," Rollo began.
Damn, she hated reruns. "Of the Roman Empire, right? How far away is the librarian your sending for?" His jaw dropped. "You know what, never mind. Answer me this. Is his visit really necessary when we both know he's gonna say whatever you tell him to?"
Rollo released a laugh which lacked comfort but brimmed with awkwardness. "I only sent for the librarian because he knows a great many things pertaining to the Roman Empire. If there's something more to know about this map, he'd surely have such knowledge."
"That may be so," Bonnie placed her hand over the small prick at Hvitserk's neck, healing the tiny wound. "But there's something more you want. Go on and make your offer." She moved on to Helga who had a small bruise on the side of her face.
"You told my son, you're his Supreme. My son's a Christian. He knows nothing of my former religion," Rollo said, looking more uncomfortable with every person she healed.
Floki scoffed and muttered. "Sins of the father."
"Which matters not. Your energy flows through your children. This alone places them under my dominion as well as you. Regardless the religion you practice." She stopped in front of Halfdan. Cupping his face in her hands, she allowed the potent sorcery to pour from her palms. "Yet, none of this is neither here nor there. Rollo, you're stalling, and we'd very much like to be on our way. Either ask now or forever hold your peace." Once she'd healed Halfdan, she bypassed Harald to approach Rollo. Standing on the tips of her toes, she angled her mouth next to his ear. "Because of the wrongs your guards just committed, we no longer need your permission to pass. I have leave to simply blow your boats out of the water if I so choose. So let's get on with it shall we, I have a schedule to maintain."
"Well," Bjorn waved a hand at Rollo, "What is it you want?"
Rollo gave her a measured look before turning back to Bjorn. "I'll allow your ships to pass unmolested if you'll permit me to sail with you."
When the soldiers on horseback finally passed, Ivar exhaled a soundless breath. He pulled himself up in a sitting position, then looked to his father who did the same. "I bet you wish you never brought your crippled son along." When he didn't get a reaction from him in either respect he continued. "Bet you wish I would've died in the woods you left me in when I was a babe."
"Only when you have the mind of a crippled," his father said, while smacking clumps of dirt from his clothing. "I left you there because I thought to do you a kindness. The world we come from doesn't allow for any weaknesses. Not weakness of the mind and certainly not the body. Back then to me, your legs were just that…a weakness."
His father's words provoked anger and resentment to smolder within his chest. For all of his miserable life he'd been treated like a burden they each were obligated to bear. "Hmm!"
"Now I see I was wrong," Ragnar continued. His tone took a pensive turn. "Your legs have given you a strength. A strength not even your brothers possess (S/O Michael Hirst). It has given you a strength of mind which will one day lend assistance in saving us all." Anguish painted shadows in his father's eyes. "I see that now. Bonnie…,"
He sat a little straighter at the mention of his love's name. "What of her?"
"You love her." Ragnar cast his gaze away to consider something unseen in the distance.
He studied his father for a moment, attempting to discern his interest of Bonnie. "She is my love. How can I not?"
"She feels the same for you. I can tell by the way she speaks of you and how her gaze falls upon you," Ragnar glanced down at his hands, inspecting them as if he'd never seen them before. "I've seen her look that way before." He laughed as his hands clenched in a fist. "She called it crazy in love." His gaze returned to Ivar's. "Now she feels that way once again…for you…my son."
In that moment Ivar knew. Ragnar loved Bonnie. Though his father probably once loved his mother and Lagertha, something within Ragnar's eyes and tone of speech disclosed nothing he'd ever felt for the other two women could rival the eternal flame which still blazed in his heart for Bonnie. Yet, factual as the revelation was it still remained senseless. How could he love Bonnie so? He didn't know her.
"The first time she walked into the great hall at Kattegat I knew fate had gifted her to me. Then and there I vowed not to claim her until I was worthy of her." He pointed a finger at his father. "And make no mistake. That's what I intend to be…worthy of her. She'll be mine and we will marry. For I've seen it, just as I'm seeing you right now."
"Calm yourself." Ragnar laughed and pushed his finger down. "I may have meant once to filch her away from you. Yet things have changed now I know her mind and heart. I pilfered away my destiny long ago. And the only thing that's guaranteed to a foolish old man like me, are regrets. That is all life owes me…that is all fate owes me. I made my decisions long ago. Now…it's time for me to learn to live with them." He turned to glance back out at the landscape. "She was once my treasured and now you have inherited her. Promise me, you'll cherish her always."
"I swear it upon my sacred arm ring," Ivar said, meaning those words with every pounding beat of his bloody heart. "She is safe with me…always."
"Well," Bjorn looked to each of them. They still stood in Rollo's throne room, minus Rollo. "What do you think? Should we allow him to come along to gain passage through his channel?"
King Harald and Halfdan stared at each other. Both having a silent communication. After a moment he glanced at Bjorn. "Do you think it wise to allow your uncle to journey with us. He's an enemy to our people."
"He's a slaughterer of our people!" Floki called himself correcting. "We can only assume what happened to the soldiers and shieldmaidens you left behind in his command Bjorn. Do you truly believe he allowed them to assimilate into his fair city? Ack! Of course not, he killed them, every one of them! How else would he have proven his loyalty?"
Halfdan's head tilted in reluctant agreement. "Floki has a point. Families from Tunsberg are still inquiring over their kin who remained behind."
"Rollo betrayed us," Bjorn said releasing an exhale that looked suspiciously like a sigh. "This we know, yet are we willing to forgo our voyage to the Mediterranean Sea to appease our sense of pride? Besides, it will take several risings to sail to the Mediterranean. Many unforeseen accidents can befall an unsuspecting warrior between here and there."
Hvitserk smirked as his sneaky little eyes dance with devilment. "I hear it's common for a warrior on a long voyage to sometime meet their end at the bottom of the sea."
"Really, Hvits?" Bonnie snapped from her perch on the throne.
King Harald scoffed. "Disrespectful little-,"
"Say it a little louder for the people in the cheap seats, Harald," she said leaning forward to level him with a visual challenge. "I haven't had to smite anyone yet. I'm dying to see how that works out."
"You're not a god," King Harald growled in his twenty pack a day for the past twenty years smoker's voice. "You bleed like any other woman. And I say if you bleed like any other woman, then you'll die like one."
"Well boot the hell up, Harald! Don't threaten a woman with a good time and bitch up when it's time for you to follow through. Or do you have issues with," she raised an index finger and wiggled the digit, "performing?"
Helga laughed, but attempted to cover it with a gasp. "Bonnie!"
"Bonnie, enough," Bjorn said, trying to maintain a stern expression. "It is settled. I'll inform Rollo of my decision."
Floki raised his chin to stare down his nose at Bjorn. "Which is?"
"That he may sail with us," Bjorn said, before leaving the room.
"Two sons of Ragnar Lothbrok," Astrid said as she smiled at Sigurd from across the table, "How privileged we are."
He tore his gaze away from her to stare at Margrethe. Things were coming to past just as Bonnie claimed they would. By the rise of next eve's moon his mother would be dead. His thoughts drifted back to their earlier conversation.
"Lagertha's just sent a messenger inviting Ubbe and I to Hedeby," Sigurd said as he approached his mother's throne. "Will you attempt to flee."
Instead of answering him, she just stared at him. A hint of a smile trifled with her lips. She studied him as if she'd never seen him before. "With every passing rising you look more like my father your namesake." Finally the smile had its way with her mouth and pushed back the corners, managing to dimple her cheeks. She nodded her head. "There's greatness in you, and even with all of my visions and premonitions, nothing could've prepared me for what I did not see when I cast my gaze upon you."
"You never saw me, because it was always Ivar who filled your sight." There was a time when he would've spoken those words with so much rage and heat, they would've rivaled the interminable flames of Helheim. Now the truth crept from his mouth not troubled with passion or even concern. "Yet, that no longer matters to me. What's done can never be undone, Queen Aslaug."
"Yet, here I sit attempting to bargain with my regrets," Tears filled her eyes despite the brilliant smile which lit her face. "Sigurd, you will always be the one she loves and trust the most. Your hearts will always beat in concert with each other's. The role you'll play in her existence is crucial, more so even than Ivar's or Hvitserk's. She'll speak to you of her sins, and given time there will be many, but you must eat them and absolve her. That's your sworn duty as her confessor, and it will also be your burden."
She said nothing he hadn't already considered before he pledged his very life to the only woman he cared to exist for. No burden could ever be found in being one with Bonnie, only honor. No longer willing to delay the inevitable with remorseful speeches, he restated his question. "Will you attempt to flee?"
A subtle scoff disturbed her maudlin expression. "No. Like you, my son. I too must assume my role in this well-plotted grand scheme. If we're to be victorious then I must be convincing in my defeat."
"How many of there are you?" Astrid questioned with a smile he was sure she meant to be coy.
Instead of answering he just stared at her wanting nothing more than to bury the blade of his ax between her eyes. For he hadn't forgotten what she'd done to Bonnie. So, yes he may be required to attend this farce of a meal, but he was not inclined to engage in hollow banter with the bitch who'd love nothing more than to see his Valkyrie dead. Astrid buckled under the weight of his glare. She shifted in her seat, and then looked to her mistress.
Lagertha cleared her throat. "No one can ever really know with a man like Ragnar, but I know of one for sure."
"Yes," Ubbe gave him a disapproving stare, "May the gods be with Bjorn, our brother Hvitserk, and my beautiful wife to be Bonnie."
"Skol," Astrid said, while sparing him cautious glances. "Ubbe, I didn't realize you and Bonnie were still betrothed. Thought I heard it spoken she backed away from your betrothal."
"Then you probably shouldn't indulge everything you hear spoken," Ubbe pierced her with a sharp glare. "Bonnie and I will marry as soon as she returns from the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, Floki has already built the altar."
Everyone around the table began to take sips from their chalices and find interesting things to look at on the walls. All in attendance knew at this point, Ubbe might as well had been wishing for the sun to have and to hold. For he had better odds entering in matrimony with the fiery ball which resided in the heavens than he did with Bonnie.
"Aw," Lagertha said with wide patronizing eyes, "It's a pity she's not here to see what Floki created for her."
"Yes, it is a pity she's not here," Astrid agreed bobbing her head, drink in hand, "but you know who is here? Margrethe!"
The slave girl entered the room, scrubbed, laundered, and flowered. They'd gone to inconceivable lengths to enhance the thrall's attractiveness. Even now after everything the senseless twit tried to do, Ubbe still looked upon her with more than just passing interest. How foolish could one man be? Seriously? Again, Bonnie foretold it!
"That is what the messenger told us, and we didn't understand why," Ubbe explained, while unable to tear his eyes away from Margrethe. "Surely, you've heard what she attempted with me and my brothers."
Lagertha stood and walked over to Margrethe. "Which is one of the reasons she's invited you here. She wanted to offer you both her apologies and tell you how much she loves you both. You'll have to decide amongst yourselves."
Sigurd's face folded in on itself. He'd rather lay with a hound than Margrethe. The other rising he'd passed the stables and caught her canoodling one of the stallions. As of late, she'd truly taken leave of her wits. Half the village had witnessed her keeping her own counsel, rather loudly.
"Unless you both decide you can share," Astrid said with a knowing laugh.
"No need to bother making decisions as if what we have before us is a treasure," Sigurd said, raising his chin so he could look down his nose at them all, "Ubbe can have her, because I wouldn't plow Margrethe even if Odin came down from Asgard and demanded I do so. I'd forfeit my place in Valhalla before I enter the fiery gates otherwise known as her malodorous muff."
"Oh," Margrethe's bottom lip trembled.
Ubbe raced around the table to be at her side. "Sigurd!"
"What?!" He snapped, before taking a swig from his chalice. "She is disgusting, and so are you if you're entertaining spending even a moment within her."
Lagertha and Astrid glanced at each other with anxious expressions. He rolled his eyes. Simple bitches! "It's my plan to drank myself to slumber. Wake me when the sun is halfway across the sky next rising." He stood, snatching the tankard of ale from the center of the table. "Which lodgings will be mine for the eve?"
"Sigurd!" Ubbe yelled as he attempted to shake his brother awake. His heart beat at his chest so hard he felt the vibrations in his throat. How could he be so stupid to betray Bonnie for a third time? Now this time there would be consequences. Grave consequences! "Sigurd, wake up!"
"What, Ubbe?" His younger brother growled as he rolled over to glare at him.
Ubbe began to pace, nervously raking his hand back and forth over his head. "I fear we may have been led to Hedeby under false pretenses."
"Really, what gave it away, Ubbe?" Sigurd chuckled to himself as he unfolded his body from the wooden bench he'd slept upon. "The slave girl who was a surprise guest of honor or the fact they've locked us in a room that's guarded by an army of shieldmaidens?"
"Save your disdain for when you will truly have use of it, brother," he said, sitting down on the bench next to Sigurd. "For my betrayal will surely deserve a majority of whatever contempt you have to spare.
"Fear not, Ubbe," Sigurd clapped him on the shoulder. "My stores of contempt runneth over. There's more than enough condescension to contribute to whatever mindless situation that may arise."
Bonnie allowed Bjorn to pull her back into his chest and cuddle her close. He rested his palms on the flat of her stomach, splaying his fingers to cover the entire surface area of her abdomen. She knew what was on his mind without him even having to say a word. She saw it in his eyes every time he watched her holding Asa and Hali or when she cared for Guthrum. He wanted her to bear his children. Yet, that was the one destiny fate would never allow them.
"Torvi told me you'd consider attempting a trial marriage with us this winter," he whispered next to her ear.
Bonnie gazed out at the beautiful waters of the French coast. "Did she also tell you Guthrum hated the idea more than Wilbur loves honey?"
"Ack! The boy only feels that way because he thinks himself in love with you. It's merely a child's desire which will go away once you're my wife and officially his second mother," Bjorn said as he began to rub soothing circles into her stomach.
She leaned her head to the side to look up at him. "That may be true, but you shouldn't be so dismissive of his feelings just because he's a child. How would you have felt if Ragnar or Lagertha treated you in such a way when you were Guthrum's age?"
"They wouldn't have," he said leaning down to graze his lips with hers, "I was advanced for my summers. Ragnar treated me as a man because I behaved as such. Guthrum is not the same. The boy's quiet. He keeps his own counsel and he's not interested in doing things as the boys of his summers does. No, he'd rather follow you about, picking flowers and learning to draw runes."
She slapped his forearm. "They aren't runes, they're letters! And for your information, Guthrum is very intelligent. He learns almost as fast as I can teach him and he's quiet because he knows it's better to observe. To learn his surroundings and weed out any potential threats or enemies. What's the use in blustering about when you know absolutely nothing? Doing so will only leave you looking as foolish as King Harald."
"See, this is the issue! You and Torvi both coddle the boy-,"
"We're clear of Frankish waters!" Floki yelled from his place right behind them.
Bjorn released her and smirked over his shoulder. "Draw the sails and drop anchor!" His gaze flicked to Rollo. "Fetch the ropes and bind him."
Rollo laughed to himself but remained silent. Floki settled back with a pleased expression, while Helga's features danced more along the lines of concerned. Hvitserk appeared excited to witness a possible drowning. Across the way on the other ship, King Harald had the judgmental look of a presiding justice of peace as Halfdan stood off to the side appearing beyond bored. Bonnie mentally shook her head, because she knew all of this was nothing more than a waste of time. Bjorn could no more kill Rollo than he could off her.
"Toss him over," Bjorn yelled after Rollo's hands and feet were secured.
Without further urging the men pushed Rollo into the ocean. His body of course still secured to a rope tied to the boat. Bonnie exhaled and sat on the edge of the bough. Bjorn allowed time to tick slowly away. Ninety seconds in, he growled. "Pull him up!"
"Pull him up," One of the ship hands parroted him.
Floki scoffed as Rollo's water logged body hit the bottom of the boat. For a full five seconds he didn't move, and then he began to vomit ocean water. In the midst of water spewing from his mouth he laughed. Bonnie squatted, angling her head sideways to stare at him face to face. He gazed up at her wearing a foolish grin.
"It's not the bathing and grooming I would've given you, but somehow this one works," she said, before patting his cheek, and then rising.
Queen Aslaug sat at her vanity staring at herself in the mirror. She'd always knew this day would come. In the name of Odin, she'd foreseen it and the seer had confirmed her fate. Yet, she'd always believed knowing would somehow make the moment easier to bear. Hmm, the foolish notions of the young. Nothing about the hour of her demise was easy. She was afraid and she didn't want to die. However for everything she loved and held closed to her chest, she knew there was no other way. If they were to win, then she had to lose. It was the only way Ivar would become who he had to be.
"They've arrived, Queen Aslaug." Asta's reflection appeared behind her. "Just as you said they would."
A hint of a scoff disturbed her indifferent expression. How fitting that her now cleansed third sight would return in time to foretell her end. "Thank you, Asta. Did you bring what I asked you for?"
"Yes, m-my Queen," Asta said, while raising the wrapped object she held in both hands.
Queen Aslaug turned on the stool to look at her. The young serving girl stood before her with tears in her eyes. She rose from her seat and closed the distance between them. She placed a hand to her cheek. "Thank you, for your many summers of loyalty to me and my family. From this day forth, you're no longer a slave. Your freedom is yours to do with what you will."
She gave the girl another smile, before taking the object from her and placing it on her vanity. The soft cloth wrapped around it, fell away to reveal Kattegat's household sword. Her reflection flashed back at her from the brilliant gleam of the polished blade. She admired the weapon that would someday be coveted by many. The blood shed for the magnificent steel would rival oceans and she'd be the first. Carefully, she removed the sword from the cloth. Turning, she left her chamber to meet her fate.
As she left her quarters and traveled through the great hall, her household guards fell in step behind her. Outside, waves of memories washed over her. The first time she arrived at Kattegat pregnant with Ubbe, she did so under the guidance of her visions and the gods. She didn't know what to expect. What reception she'd be met with. No, she had a destiny to claim.
It mattered not that she didn't love Ragnar. It mattered not, that he held a great affection for his first wife. And it mattered not that the first sight of Kattegat turned her stomach. None of it mattered, more than the babes who would be born of them. The babes destined to save creations very existence. So yes, she'd answered Fate's call and done her duty as would any faithful daughter of the Vanir. Broken hearts and wounded affections be damned. May Ragnar and Lagertha find each other in Valhalla with her blessings.
As Queen Aslaug approached, she noticed how the people of Kattegat cheered Lagertha. As if the very same woman hadn't just slaughtered their family, friends, and children. Yet, she'd turned Kattegat into the largest trading epicenter in Scandinavia and they barely stood when she entered a room. The irony of the circumstances was almost amusing.
With a pleased smile, Lagertha watched her as she drew near. Slowly, she walked to the earl and soon to be queen with sword in hand. Her destiny was now fulfilled. Now her time had arrived to past from that life to the next. Although afraid, she embraced the finality of the conclusion. She exhaled, and gazed to the right, where she knew the Seer would be. The final confirmation.
"I knew the rising would come when you'd come to claim what you so carelessly gave away," Queen Aslaug said as she studied her rival's face, "Still, the blood shed was unnecessary. I would've happily stepped aside and returned from whence I came. For you see, my purpose here is done. The prophecy foretold Ragnar would have many sons and I have given him those sons."
Lagertha lifted her chin as she sheathed her sword in her scabbard. "I never gave you anything. You came to these shores and took everything from me. Everything I treasured, you made your own and then you stand there with the audacity of a woman who knows no wrong. Telling me what is unnecessary. No you, Queen Aslaug," the once shieldmaiden and future queen sneered, "were unnecessary! You did no more for Ragnar than a slave girl could've done. A slave girl of my choosing might I add."
"Lagertha, I didn't take Ragnar he made a decision. A decision you yourself accepted," Queen Aslaug released a humorless laugh. "If ever there was a time to fight, it was then before regrets had the opportunity to be conceived. Yet, for years you did nothing, because you'd rather languish in the memory of his love than know the truth of his rejection. For you and I both know he didn't choose you." Nevertheless, he didn't choose her either. Truth of it was Ragnar chose himself. Something he still continued to do, habitually.
"That's because you bewitched him," Those words fell from Lagertha's mouth with ease. As if she'd found comfort in saying them over the passing summers.
Disbelief flared Queen Aslaug's eyes. "You say that as if you don't done the mark of our Supreme upon your head who herself is the eternal witch. As if your blood does not share the same hint of sorcery as mine." She scoffed. "I never bewitched Ragnar. How could I? Whether dormant or not, the mystical energy which resides in him would never allow it. And well you know!" Her anger flared and she took a deep breath to calm herself. "Yet, that's neither here nor there. For Ragnar is dead."
"You lie!" Lagertha said, her hand going to the hilt of her sword. "You don't know that!"
Queen Aslaug glared into the former shieldmaiden's eyes. The pain there appeared long suffered. "And yet you do know. You can feel that his end draws near just as I. I've even dreamt of it."
"And I've dreamt of taking back my home," Lagertha said her tone drenched in defiance, "If I have to fight you for it, then I'm prepared to do so."
"Lagertha," Queen Aslaug gave her a closed lipped smile and nodded. "Did you not attend me afore when I said, I'll not fight you for Kattegat? I'm not my mother nor my father. My part in this is done." She swept her gaze over her people. "I now renounce everything. I renounce my place in Valhalla in favor of serving my Supreme, Bonnie Bennett, in this life and in the next." Incandescent ultramarine bands of mystical energy exploded from Queen Aslaug's body. A sense of liberation flooded her system. In that moment she felt a freedom she'd never known. "All I ask is you allow me to seek my leave unharmed. To do so will dam the sea of calamities that will surely follow if you call for blood to answer for your injured pride. You must think Lagertha, for what you do next will seal the fate for us all."
Tears added a shine to Queen Lagertha's eyes as a smile pushed at the corners of her mouth. With a slight nod of the head she spoke, "I understand."
Aslaug nodded. "Thank you."
With that Aslaug, queen no more, walked away with her head held high. Yet, life was no longer hers to hold. For she heard the wisp of the arrow cutting through the air long before it struck her in the back. As the barb pierced her heart a smile graced her face for her destiny was now truly fulfilled.
"Aslaug, arise," A very beautiful and very powerful witch who had the look of Bonnie reached down and took hold of her hand.
The former Queen's spirit took leave of her body. She climbed to her feet, feeling weightless and unbound. Once on stable footing she glanced down at the lifeless husk of herself. "So, she chose calamity over an existence free of strife. Her decision will haunt her, for it was wrong."
"The shieldmaiden understands her part as you understood yours. She wasn't at liberty to decide because there was no decision to be made. Only a role to be portrayed and a deed to be carried out. Excellent aim, Shieldmaiden," The witch praised Lagertha who in turn inclined her head in a bow. The exchange discovered Aslaug unawares. "Come young, Seer. There is much we should discuss, and you should learn before the war."