I will be brief, because this is a LONG chapter, that I have had to split up. When I started writing it, I had so much to say and show, and so much of it is essential to the rest of the story.

Also, since I missed posting on Sunday and yesterday, consider this my apology. I'll try to post the second part of this tomorrow. This first part is in Athelstan's perspective, which is the longer portion, and the second part will be in Lilith's perspective.

I'm slowly but surely changing the story, but we'll see how it goes.

Read on!


Memories

The Spring rains couldn't come fast enough. That was what Ragnar said every time a new day of the winter months came and went. When that day came, he said it would be time to start preparing for the Summer raids. It seemed like every waking moment of the winter was spent waiting for Spring, and every day of Spring would be spent preparing for the Summer. And it wasn't only Ragnar who was anxious.

As the Spring neared and the air warmed enough for them to open the windows and doors of the long house, Lagertha seemed intent on doing just that. Her pregnancy progressed slowly but surely, and she became happier with each new day. Everyone in town had to know the status of the babe inside her, and graciously, she always obliged. The children also bombarded her with questions every morning, and they had already begun asking about names.

Lagertha told them the same thing whenever they asked.

"A name will be chosen when your father returns from England," she said on a particularly early morning when Spring was so close they could taste it. "For I am certain those two things will occur only days of each other."

Gyda and Lilith were disappointed as they usually had been, but they had no choice but to accept Lagertha's answer as it was. They both knew now that it was tradition for the Father of the Child to name them and welcome them into the family upon birth.

"You two should not worry over such things now," Lagertha said to them across the breakfast table. "You still have chores, and your father has already begun his preparations for the summer raids. You will need to keep up with each other more often now, and I want you both to know where your companions are at all times. We're almost finished with breakfast. Go on and find them so you can get to Elisef."

The girls only waited a moment, picking up their cloaks they had brought with them and rising from the table to do as Lagertha said. Once they were gone to the kitchens, Athelstan sighed to himself.

Since having Þórunn and Edda to spend time with, as well as Amma and Gerda, Gyda and Lilith had been busier and happier than he'd seen them in months. But they were also more anxious than he'd ever seen, Lilith especially because she had never been around a baby before. He knew she was nervous.

"I worry over what might happen with them while Ragnar is gone," Lagertha said, surprising him.

Athelstan turned to her. "Why?" he asked.

She sighed softly. "For many months now, they have been free to do what they will, and Ragnar and I have allowed it because they did so on the farm for many weeks. But when Ragnar leaves, I fear we will both be very busy keeping them out of trouble. They have companionship at night, but soon, we will all have extra responsibilities. Ragnar will expect all his children to be taken care of until he returns."

Before he could respond, Gyda and Lilith hurried out of the kitchens with Þórunn and Edda, and he watched them leave the long house before turning back to Lagertha.

"I've tried as much as I can these last months to have as much of their time filled as possible," he said and sighed the way Lagertha had. "Þórunn and Edda have both become able companions to Gyda and Lili. Amma and Gerda as well. But you're right. The next several months will not be easy."

Lagertha laughed softly, drawing his eyes to hers. "Perhaps we should have gotten you a companion as well," she prodded.

Athelstan blushed so easily that Lagertha rose from her side of the table and moved around to his side, sitting in front of him and taking his hand in hers.

"I'm teasing you, my friend," she giggled. "Well, maybe only a little. You work so hard. Perhaps you need someone to help you, now that Þórunn and Edda are with my daughters between breakfast and supper. There are a few male servants who are close to you in age. Perhaps we should speak to them."

Athelstan took a deep breath, glancing back to see Ingrid coming from the kitchens to collect the left-over food. "I have enough companionship," he assured Lagertha. "And taking care of the girls and Bjorn is enough to fill my days. Besides, I've seen nearly every servant you inherited from Earl Haraldson. None of the male servants seem particularly happy about a foreigner being in charge of them. I don't want to make anything more difficult than it already is."

Lagertha began to speak, stopped when Ingrid spoke first.

"My Lady," she said and bowed her head to Lagertha. "We are low on grain and milk for breakfast. I request permission to see the miller and purchase more for the coming weeks."

"Of course," Lagertha said and nodded. "Take Athelstan with you, and also go by the servants' quarters to find a new male servant for the kitchens. Someone to help Tait with supper."

Ingrid glanced at Athelstan before she bowed her head again, motioning for him to go with her. Then she smiled at Lagertha. "Thank you, My Lady."

Athelstan bowed his head to Lagertha then, following Ingrid out of the long house and tying his cloak around him as they stepped outside. He helped Ingrid with her cloak, and once it was in place, she glanced at him with a small smile.

"I must commend you, Athelstan," she said as they walked. "You have adapted to your new responsibilities well. I must also express my astonishment, if I may."

"Why is that, my lady?" he asked, a little surprised.

"Please, call me Ingrid," she requested. "I am not a lady, even by courtesy. And because, you were right about the girls. They have taken to their new responsibilities as well as you have. Edda is especially content in her new duties with Lilith. They seem to get along quite well. So I must thank you for making that possible. It's not a common thing for a slave to have such a companion."

Athelstan returned her small smile, sighing gently. "I was only doing what I thought would help," he admitted. "And I am glad as well, that it has turned out as well as it has. I know Gyda and Lilith are especially happy with the company. I only hope it helps them stay out of trouble while Ragnar is away."

She took a step closer to him, lowering her voice. "You are very devoted to those girls, and I am certain that if you do everything you can, then they will stay safe. And I know Earl Ragnar and his wife value you as much more than a slave. Whatever you need to keep their children safe will be provided to you. All you need is to ask."

He bowed his head, still smiling. "You have been very helpful, Ingrid," he praised. "Any time I have needed something, you have not hesitated to assist me. I could not ask for a better guide."

For a moment, she was speechless. He watched her face change from embarrassment to acceptance slowly, and then she smiled again, looking up at him. "You flatter me, Athelstan," she insisted. "I have merely been doing my duty to you. You are Earl Ragnar's steward, and you are above the rest of us. Some of us might not be accustomed to that, but eventually, they will. It's my responsibility to assist you in that. Now, are you ready to deal with the miller? You'll remember he can be a bit of a stickler."

Athelstan laughed softly. "Well, after the last time, I doubt I can do much worse."

She nodded, laughing just once as they continued on to the market.

The coming of Spring was celebrated with a large feast that the entire town was invited to, and Ragnar announced his plans for the Summer raids. As Ragnar's steward, Athelstan was expected to be beside him through the entire celebration, who along with Lagertha would be expected to make a sacrifice to the gods for success in the coming endeavors. It was meant to be an honor. That was what Athelstan kept telling himself as they prepared the animals.

Athelstan was no stranger to the slaughtering of animals, at least for food in the monastery, but he'd never killed an animal himself. He couldn't say he was looking forward to doing it in front of the entire town, including Lilith and Gyda.

"I have never seen you so nervous," Ragnar teased as he stood beside Athelstan. "Surely, you have seen animals killed before."

"Of course I have," Athelstan said and bowed his head. "Every winter, the butcher would slaughter animals for us to hang and store. But I never did the killing myself. It is against everything I believe."

Ragnar glanced at Lagertha as she stood on his other side, her hands protectively covering her belly. Then he whispered to Athelstan. "Then do this in the name of your God," he suggested, causing Athelstan to look at him incredulously. "It is for you and my family that I do this. For our survival and our prosperity. Do this for your family. And don't think of it as killing. Think of is as a process. Do not let him see the blade and the gods will do the rest."

Athelstan took as deep a breath as he could, drawing Lagertha's attention and prompting her to move Ragnar so she was between them. She gave her husband an admonishing glare before taking Athelstan's arm in her hand.

"Listen, Athelstan," she whispered. "If you are nervous, the animal also will be. This is a small offering, and the more you tell yourself that, the more you will believe it. Say it."

He looked at her, and she shook him gently. The animals that turned out to be three male goats were led into the town square then, and Athelstan turned to watch them.

"This is a small offering," he said softly, and Lagertha squeezed his arm encouragingly.

"The knife will do most of the work for you," she assured him. "Under the chin, just behind the jaw. You will feel the blood, and you will lay him down so they may collect the offering."

He took another deep breath as the men leading the goats stopped at the center of the square and waited. He recognized the men as servants from Haraldson's household who had been inherited by Ragnar and Lagertha. The two older men didn't look very familiar, but Tait from the kitchens stood there as well, nodding for Athelstan to come forward.

One at a time, Athelstan, Lagertha and Ragnar stepped into the square, standing with the goats and the men, and Ragnar raised his hand, bringing everyone's attention to him.

"Tonight, on this Spring Eve," he announced and glanced at Lagertha and Athelstan, "we prepare ourselves for new adventures and new lands. We ask the gods to bless us with new fortune and new knowledge. We sacrifice these offerings in their names in the hope that we shall all prosper and share in their wealth. For this is our future, my friends. And now we command ourselves to do their bidding."

The first man who looked to be many years older than Ragnar pulled a knife from his belt and passed it to his Earl, bowing his head once it was done. Ragnar took the knife and nodded to the man, whispering something to him before taking the goat's harness.

"In the name of the All-Father, Odin," Ragnar called to the people watching and waiting, "I make this sacrifice."

With two quick movements, Ragnar sliced the goat's throat and knelt to the ground, laying its head over the waiting receptacle which turned out to be a large bowl.

Athelstan thought he might be sick as he watched the blood fill the bowl, but he looked into the crowd instead, finding Lilith and Gyda as they watched with Bjorn. He took another deep breath, telling himself he was doing this for them. Not for his own God, whom he hadn't really prayed to in nearly three weeks. To the gods of this land who would be better capable of protecting these children he cared for so much. And he would do it for Lagertha and her baby, whom he already cared for as much as he could given the circumstances. And he did it for Ragnar, no matter how much the man still insisted on teasing him and prodding him for knowledge.

Once Ragnar was done, he stepped back, nodding his thanks to the man in front of him. Then Lagertha glanced at Athelstan and stepped forward to the man holding the goat she would sacrifice. He was a little younger than the first man, but still a little older than Ragnar and Lagertha. He bowed his head to her and passed the knife on his belt to her.

"Thank you, Arvid," she said so softly that only Athelstan and Ragnar could hear her.

"I make this sacrifice in the name of Njörðr," she called in a clear, powerful voice, "the god of the sea and the wind."

Again, with two quick movements, she cut the goat's throat and knelt to the ground so the bowl would collect the blood as it spilled from the animal.

Once that was done, she stood up and nodded to Arvid. He glanced at Athelstan, his blue eyes somewhere between severe and sympathetic. Lagertha turned her own gaze to Athelstan, nodding toward Tait and then covering her belly again.

Another deep breath followed, and Athelstan stepped forward, stopping in front of Tait and nodding. Though they had not spoken much in the last several months, there seemed to be an understanding in Tait's young green eyes as he passed the blade to Athelstan and then the harness. Athelstan took the things offered to him, gripping the handle of the knife and lifting his chin so everyone would hear him.

"In the name of Thor, the god of thunder and lightning," he proclaimed, stronger than he'd expected, "I make this sacrifice."

It took every bit of strength he had not to close his eyes as he swiped the sharp edge of the blade forward against the goat's throat, slicing through skin and muscle, and then back, separating the muscle from the bone within. Hot blood poured from the wound, and Athelstan knelt quickly, holding the animal's head over the bowl as its blood filled the reservoir. Tait knelt with him, balancing him and taking the animal with a nod.

Athelstan stood up then, taking a step back and then another until he was standing beside Lagertha. She touched his arm, and he looked at her, watching her face turn from proud to concerned. Passed her, Ragnar was grinning, satisfied as he kept his hands tucked into his belt. It wasn't until Tait lifted the bowl and carried it to be in front of Athelstan that he realized he was shaking. He tried to wipe his forehead, but Tait shook his head to stop him.

That was when a völva from the town came with her staff, stepping up beside Tait to dip her fingers into the blood and flick a good amount of it over Athelstan's face. He flinched without meaning to, but Lagertha held him steady as the woman came around to do the same thing to her and Ragnar. Once that was done, Tait and the other two men left with the bowls, and Ragnar spoke again.

"May we all be blessed by the gods," he shouted, obviously happy by what he had just witnessed. "And soon, we will all reap the benefits of a long-awaited and successful journey. Don't everyone celebrate too hard!"

He laughed then and motioned for the children to come forward. Bjorn immediately went to his father, and Gyda ran to her mother with a wide smile on her face. Lilith hurried to Athelstan, wrapping her arm around his waist as he draped his arm over her shoulders.

"You're as white as a sheet," she commented. "But you did well. I am proud of you, Athelstan."

He took another deep breath, holding her closer. "For the first time," he squeaked out, clearing his throat as softly as he could.

"But not for the last time," she commented, indicating that she had heard him.

He reached up to wipe his face again, but this time, Lilith stopped him.

"Don't do that yet," she commanded. "Gyda says it is an honor. And you have earned it. Who cares what anyone says?"

Athelstan couldn't stop the smirk that creased his left cheek, and when Gyda came to embrace him, he returned her gesture easily.

"Now you really are like Family, Athelstan," she giggled. "One day, soon, I hope, Father will make it official."

"Come, my daughters," Lagertha called. "Many more things to do before tomorrow."

Lilith and Gyda both hugged Athelstan once more before they followed Lagertha back to the long house. Bjorn followed them, glancing over his shoulder at Athelstan and having something that resembled a smile appear on his face.

When they were all gone, Ragnar stepped over to Athelstan's side. "You have honored me with your actions," he said very formally. "That is why I know I have not made a mistake in making you my steward. You remember Earl Haraldson's steward, Svein? He was that pudgy man who was always so full of himself and was rumored to kill boys for his master. And then Rollo buried an ax in his chest, and I knew I would have to replace him. Of course, nothing made me happier. He was an insult to our people for his crimes. I don't even think we buried him. But you," Ragnar said and turned to Athelstan.

"You give the word steward a new meaning. You are as honorable as a warrior, and you command the highest respect as naturally as you breathe. With no expectation of anything in return. It is true that I cannot make you a free man as of yet, but I will give you as much responsibility as I can. Then when the time comes, I am certain that you will earn that right on your own."

Athelstan couldn't hide his astonishment, silent as he listened to Ragnar. "My Lord?"

Ragnar took one step closer, laying his hand over Athelstan's shoulder and glancing around before he lowered his voice. "You have given me the gift of knowledge, my friend. We have spoken on many things, and you have helped me to not only understand your King but also your land. And in return, I will place you in as high a position I can until I return. When I leave, you will help my wife as she needs you, but you will also oversee every servant in my household. My children will be your children. Their companions will be your companions, and they will respect you because I command it. We made a bargain, after all, and I plan to fulfill it."

"I am overwhelmed, My Lord! And honored. Of course I will do what is needed to keep the children safe. And I will do what I can to help Lagertha. You are all my family."

Ragnar grinned, squeezing his shoulder and nodding for him to follow Lagertha back to the long house.

Athelstan didn't hesitate, doing as Ragnar had bid him to do, and he turned Ragnar's words over in his head as he walked. It was almost too much to process, especially now that nearly a year had passed since he and Lilith had been brought here. He'd watched her flourish as she adapted to the world around her, and it was more than he'd ever wanted. Now it felt like he was doing it too. Had he finally adapted? Was this place now his home?

The next morning marked the beginning of a flurry of activities that were only meant to aid Ragnar and the men he had chosen to go with him to England. Many of the male servants were assigned to do these things, taking them away from the animals needing tending and the planting needing to be done. Athelstan had a little trouble finding other female servants to help with the left over chores, but Ingrid helped, and amazingly, so did Tait. He still hadn't spoken to Athelstan in so many words, but they had an understanding. It was more than he could have hoped for.

As the boats were prepared, the warriors traveling with Ragnar sparred every morning. Many of the men leaving came to sit in the Great Hall at night, making it necessary to keep Lilith and Gyda in the long house more often than usual. Athelstan worried something might happen to them in town, so sometimes, he collected them from Elisef himself, garnering a proud nod from Leif as the man came in from sparring on the beach. Athelstan became very accustomed to seeing Leif's face, and he hoped one day that they would speak again.

Summer arrived before anyone was ready for it, bringing with it the tide and the winds needed to make a successful journey across the sea. Ragnar was ready when that day came, as were many of the men traveling with him. Athelstan was not ready. Despite having the knowledge that this would all turn out to be a good thing, he could not reconcile with how it was coming about. In order for them to survive, others would be made to suffer. He prayed the night before Ragnar was meant to leave even though he wasn't sure what to pray for anymore.

The boats were stocked and the men were gathered before Ragnar collected his own pallet and his new cloak that Lagertha had made for him. He had his sword and his shield, giving it all to Arvid who had come to assist him in this very thing, before he turned to his family as they waited.

He and Lagertha shared a kiss and a knowing look before he grasped onto Bjorn's shoulder to pull him into a short embrace. He looked in Bjorn's eyes, not speaking, waiting until his son nodded to smile and move in front of Lilith and Gyda. Finally, he spoke.

"My daughters, I will miss you terribly, but I know you will be safe. Look after each other and listen to your mother. And listen to Athelstan."

Gyda answered him by wrapping her arms around his shoulders and holding him as tight as she could. He kissed the side of her head and held her against him while still claiming Lilith's shoulder. When he stepped back, she mirrored Gyda, embracing Ragnar and not letting go until he released her.

"I will pray for you, Father," Lilith said softly.

He caressed her cheek as gently as ever. "Then I know the gods will be with me."

He turned to Arvid without another world, nodding for the man to follow him and leaving the long house swiftly.

The horns sounded shortly after Ragnar left, signaling that the boats were leaving, and Lagertha sighed deeply, rubbing her hands over her belly protectively.

"He will be all right," she said, though it sounded like she meant to convince herself more than anyone else.

Gyda took her mother's hand to console her. "Of course he will be. He has Leif and Arne with him. And Torstein and Floki. Even Rollo has gone with him. They will all be all right."

Lagertha squeezed her hand and then lifted her eyes to Athelstan, smiling a reassuring smile. "Well, for today, I will allow you all to do what you wish. Tomorrow, we will all have our turn in the bathhouse. After that, our new responsibilities will begin."

Gyda took Lilith's hand immediately, and they hurried off to the kitchens to find Þórunn and Edda. Bjorn turned to face his mother and Athelstan then.

"I will be down on the beach with the men who did not go with father," he announced. "One of them said he would show me his bow."

Lagertha squeezed his shoulder and kissed his forehead, which he promptly wiped away and turned to leave without saying anything. She laughed as soon as he was gone, still covering her belly.

"He becomes more of a man every day," she lamented. "Soon, my little boy will be gone, and he will be a grown man, giving me grandchildren. And then my daughters will get married and fill my life with beautiful granddaughters."

She glanced at Athelstan as she spoke, waiting for him to react, and when he didn't, she stepped closer to him.

"That does not worry you anymore?" she inquired. "Lilith growing up and getting married? Having children?"

He took a deep breath, knowing the prospect did not fill him with joy as of yet, but he knew that day was coming sooner than he wanted it to. He was no longer afraid of it, even if he tried not to think about it. "I know she's growing up," he confessed. "And I know I cannot stop it, no matter how much I want to. I do not want her to grow up too fast. She is still a child, and I want her to be a child for as long as possible. But, mostly, I want her to be happy. And as long as she is, who am I to say how that happens?"

Lagertha linked her arm around his, gently kissing his shoulder before she spoke again. "You are so wise and so innocent," she marveled. "Are you sure you are not a god, Athelstan?"

He blushed about as deeply as he ever had, and she leaned up to kiss his cheek.

"Go see about supper. The days may yet be long, but we still must keep up with our own schedule, even in Ragnar's absence."

Athelstan nodded as she released him. "Of course, My Lady."

The day after the ships left, Lagertha had new chores and responsibilities ready for all three of her children, as well as Athelstan even though his duties revolved around assisting her with the townspeople and their need to have a new gathering as soon as possible. There were many offenses that had to be dealt with while Ragnar was away, and it was now her responsibility to make sure the decisions she handed down were fair to everyone involved.

Most of the offenses were land disputes, and most of them were easy to resolve, especially since the people involved wanted the resolutions to be as simple as possible. A few of them involved stealing, and one man brought in his wife, claiming she had bore a child that did not belong to him. Lagertha settled that in a clever way that did not settle well with the man, but the woman looked grateful to Lagertha for being firm with her husband for the sake of her child.

Many of the disputes caused Lilith to have questions during their lessons before bed, and even though Athelstan did his best to explain what he could, there were some things that Lagertha had to answer to keep her from worrying.

"Everything we do is the will of the gods, my daughter," Lagertha said during one such lesson. "And it is my duty to listen to the people who come to me for judgement. But some men especially do not like our laws that allow their wives to have the same rights as they do. Those men want to have power over us, Lilith, but we must not allow that. You must never allow a man to have power over you in that way. You are just as valuable as he is, and you have the same rights to defend yourself as he does."

Lagertha took her under her arm then, lifting her gaze to Athelstan as he watched them and nodding just once. He returned her gesture, giving another stone to Edda as she waited to take them away to be cleaned.

"So, what happens when someone does something they cannot atone for?" Lilith asked after a minute.

"What do you mean?" Lagertha asked.

Lilith lifted her eyes to Athelstan. "What happens when someone is hurt like I was? Or when someone is killed?"

A soft sigh passed Lagertha's lips as she squeezed Lilith's shoulders gently. "Well," she began, "if something like what happened to you also happened to child here, then that child would be placed with another family who would not repeat the same actions. The ones responsible would be punished in the same manner they chose to take on the child."

The frown on Lilith's face surprised Athelstan so much that he moved around to sit with Lilith as she spoke.

"You mean, they would be hurt in the same way I was?" she asked, and it sounded like she didn't understand why it would be that way.

"Well, not like you were hurt, my dear Lilith," Lagertha amended from what she had said. "However they abused their child, they would endure the same thing. If they were allowed to go on without punishment, they would likely do it again. We have to ensure the safety of everyone, and this is the best way to do that. No one should ever endure what you did, for years or months or even days. But the punishment must fit the crime."

Though her expression didn't change, it looked like Lilith understood a little better. She looked up at Athelstan, another question forming in her eyes before she spoke again. "What about when someone is killed? What happens then?"

Athelstan looked up at Lagertha as she looked at him again, and he immediately thought back to when he'd seen the monks hanging in the town square in those first weeks after they had come here. He knew it wasn't the same, but he still didn't want Lilith to be exposed to that so soon. Lagertha seemed to see the fear in his eyes, and she hesitated for a minute before she looked at Lilith.

"That depends on many things," Lagertha said vaguely. "Many things have to be considered before we decide those things. And with any luck, we will not have to deal with anything so serious while Ragnar is away. It is nearly time for you to go to bed. Go on with Gyda, and we will have many more things to do tomorrow."

Lilith sighed the same way Lagertha had, rising from the table to kiss the two of them goodnight before she and Gyda both left the room alone. Athelstan watched and waited until she was gone to exhale the breath he'd been holding in, feeling Lagertha's hand on his shoulder before he glanced back at her and stood himself to finish with the stones.

Bjorn didn't stand up until his mother looked at him, nodding for him to follow his sisters to bed. He did so slowly, speaking softly. "Why did you not tell her the truth?"he asked, looking from Athelstan to his mother. "If she is my age, should she not know these things? Father had me watch so I would be a man when I received my ring."

Athelstan began to speak, but Lagertha did instead.

"Lilith has already seen enough hardship," she told him. "All her life, and she is still learning of this place. When the time comes, we will help her. And if memory serves, it was your father who 'chose' to take you to the Thing so young. If it had been left to me, another year would have passed before I allowed it. So by my counting, she has a few months more before then. Now, go to bed."

Bjorn didn't argue, turning and leaving despite not getting the answer he expected.

Athelstan waited until he was gone to stand up and move around to where Edda still waited. He helped her with the remaining stones, sending her to the kitchen and watching before he spoke without looking in Lagertha's direction.

"Thank you," he said softly.

Lagertha stood slowly, her belly somehow bigger than it had been a week earlier when Ragnar had left. She lay her hand over his arm, consoling him as he waited for Þórunn and Edda to leave the kitchens.

"Lilith is obviously a bright child," she commented. "But she is also very curious and sensitive to others. I would not want her to suffer unnecessarily, as I am certain you do not as well. She will decide when she is ready for such things, and we will be ready to teach her. You did the best you could with the restrictions placed on you. Now your resources are virtually limitless. But your pupil is still adapting. We can do this together, Athelstan. It is obviously the way the gods wanted it."

He glanced at her, overwhelmed as he absorbed her words. He had cared for Lilith alone for so long that it was still difficult to accept others helping him, and Lagertha especially had taken on the responsibilities as no one else ever had. "Again, thank you," he said softly.

She began to speak when Þórunn and Edda came out of the kitchen with Gerda and Amma, and instead, she sighed gently. He did as well, leaving her side and joining his charges to get them to bed here Gyda and Lilith had already retired.

"Athelstan," Edda said as they walked.

"Yes, Edda?"

She hesitated, and he glanced back at her, seeing that she was afraid and moving to her side. "What is it?" he asked her as gently as he could.

She glanced at the other girls, pushing out a heavy breath before she spoke again. "I wanted to ask you if you would walk to the butcher with me tomorrow," she said and took another breath.

"I wouldn't mind," he conceded. "Why do you want me to go with you?"

Edda hesitated again, putting her head down like she was ashamed, and Athelstan began to speak again when Amma spoke over him.

"She is afraid of the boys who bother her when she goes," she said curtly. "And I have told her not to be afraid of them. They see her afraid, and they bother her more."

Edda bowed her head further, tucking her chin to her chest, and Athelstan gave Amma an admonishing look before he turned to Edda.

"I'll go with you," he told her, waiting until she looked at him and nodded to let the subject drop.

"Go on to bed, all of you," he said and nodded to the room they shared with Gyda and Lilith.

None of them argued, and Athelstan waited for them to be safe inside the room to go back to the main room of the long house that was now vacant of anyone else. He finished putting away the writing materials, clearing the table and moving to put another few logs of wood on the hearth when he heard footsteps coming from the back. He looked up to see Lagertha there alone, rubbing her back with both her hands.

"My Lady, are you all right?" he called to her.

She looked up to see him there, remembering his continued presence. "I require assistance sleeping," she said softly. "He is very active tonight."

It took Athelstan a minute to realize she meant the baby, and he sighed, relieved. In just two movements, he left the hearth and strode to her side. "Of course, My Lady. I would be happy to help."

Together, he and Lagertha moved back to the private rooms and then her bed with Ragnar. She needed no instruction, climbing into the bed and reaching for Athelstan to do the same. He hesitated still, taking a deep breath as he sat over the blanket and then scooted close to her.

"What do you wish of me?" he whispered softly.

"Talk to me," she replied and settled in next to him. "Tell me about your sister."

Athelstan thought for a moment, slowly remembering details and speaking softly to keep from disturbing the girls' sleep since they were close.

Once Lagertha was asleep, Athelstan stayed next to her, remembering when she and Ragnar had approached him and how terrified he'd been. He realized now that it wasn't only because of how scared he'd been at the prospect of doing anything like that but also how horrified he'd been at actually considering what they offered him. He had prayed all night after they had left him, and he still caught himself praying whenever he heard them together now. With Ragnar gone, it had been blessedly quiet. He wondered if it was even appropriate for him to be doing this now.

Eventually, Athelstan fell asleep as he sat up in the bed still wearing his clothes and boots, and he woke up laying under the furs in the bed by himself. When he looked around for Lagertha, he saw his boots and his jerkin laying over the nearby chair. She emerged from the side door still wearing her nightgown, and he stood up as quickly as he could, stumbling a little when he did.

Lagertha hurried forward as quickly as she could. "Athelstan, be careful," she cried.

"I'm all right," he insisted. "I just stood too quickly."

She sat him down on the bed and held him there when he tried to rise. "From now on, you will not be required to rise when I enter the room. It is a ridiculous formality, and I will not have you obligated to do such a thing. Understand?"

He sighed heavily. "Of course, My Lady."

Lagertha pushed out a sharp breath, cradling his face before she moved away to gather her clothes for the day.

Athelstan made sure to leave before Asa came to help Lagertha dress, finding Edda in the kitchen and waiting for her to be ready so they could walk to the butcher's hut.

"Does this happen every time you come to the butcher, Edda?" he asked as they walked.

"Just about," she exhaled, clutching the basket in her arms as she glanced around.

"What are their names?"

"Egil is the eldest," she explained. "He is the worst of them. The other is Helge, and he is younger."

The names sounded familiar, but Athelstan had only had regular interaction with Tait and the women in the kitchens. Even the new servant Roald didn't speak to him very often. It was possible neither of these slaves had been in the long house since Ragnar had become Earl.

As they wound through the path to the butcher's hut, a familiar young man saw them and began following them. Athelstan tried to stay as far ahead of their shadow as the path allowed, but soon, the young man was just behind them. They made it to the butcher's hut before he could do whatever he was planning, and though the butcher tried to haggle them over the hens and pigs, he finally settled on a price and helped them pack everything into the basket Edda had brought with her.

For a short time, Athelstan forgot about the young man who had followed them, at least until they left the butcher's hut and discovered him there waiting with another young man about the same age.

Edda was immediately afraid, taking Athelstan's arm in her hands as the two men came closer to them. They were both taller than Athelstan and they both looked stronger, more than likely having done hard, manual labor all their lives. Athelstan knew he'd gotten physically stronger the last year of his life working in this place, but he still didn't have the kind of strength Ragnar wanted him to have.

"Good day to you, Priest," the first man sneered. "If you'll release your hold on our girl, you can be on your way."

Edda held his arm tighter, taking in a sharp breath as she hid further behind him.

"That doesn't appear to be what she wants," Athelstan countered, standing his ground as best as he could.

"And how would you know what she wants?" the other man demanded. "You're not one of us, Priest. You have no right to speak for any of us, let alone tell us how to do our work."

"Your Earl disagrees with you, so you should go about your day and leave this girl alone. She clearly doesn't appreciate your advances."

The first man didn't like being told that, and he glanced at the other before they moved closer together. Athelstan pushed Edda behind him completely, backing away until her back met the wall of the butcher's hut and there was nowhere to go.

Athelstan deduced that the first man was clearly older, and the other one was simply following along with his harassment. He glanced back at Edda, seeing how terrified she was and knowing it was his responsibility to keep her safe.

"Egil," he said, remembering how Edda had been more afraid saying his name and watching the first man react to hearing his name. "If you do not leave the girl alone now, I will have Earl Ragnar's wife, Lagertha, assign you to the worst possible work in the fields. And I have the authority to do it, since she listens to me more than anyone else. If you both walk away, this will be the last you'll see of this girl and of me. And I won't tell Earl Ragnar what you have done. I can promise his punishment will be a thousand times worse than anything Lagertha can come up with."

Egil sneered again, stepping closer and staring down his nose at Athelstan. "You think you can threaten me? Priest," he spat. He reached out before Athelstan could react, grabbing his throat and shoving him back into the wall. "I could split you in half if I wanted to."

"You're going to want to stop that, Egil."

A loud, commanding voice startled him as he still held Athelstan's throat, and he glared, turning his head in the direction of the voice. Athelstan could barely breathe, gripping Egil's arm to push him away. Over Egil's shoulder, he saw the man from their sacrifice in the Spring, the one who had helped Ragnar.

"This has nothing to do with you, Halldor," Egil spat.

"Actually, it does. You're threatening the Earl's steward, and I have been charged with protecting him as well as anyone he sees fit. That includes that girl you keep harassing. Let them go."

Egil didn't let go of Athelstan, squeezing his hand around his throat. Athelstan's vision began to turn white, and his fingertips tingled from losing oxygen.

"You're killing him," Edda cried. "Stop! Please!"

Egil glanced at his friend, and the man moved toward Halldor with a small ax in his hand.

"Helge," Halldor warned, gripping the hilt of his sword and squashing that move with just a look.

Someone grabbed Egil then, and his hand let go of Athelstan's throat a second before he fell to the ground holding his other arm. In his place, Arvid stood with a bloody knife, watching Athelstan with a blank expression.

Air rushed into his lungs, filling them quickly as he coughed roughly and falling to his knees when his legs gave out. Edda knelt to his side, taking his hand when he reached out for her. Halldor knelt beside her, taking Athelstan's shoulder.

"Take deep breaths," he commanded in English, startling Edda. "You're all right, boy."

It took a few more minutes for Athelstan to catch his breath, and in that time, Arvid collected Egil and Helge, keeping them out of the street but not out of view so everyone who passed knew what was happening. Halldor helped Athelstan to his feet, holding him steady as he got his bearings back.

"Are you from England?" Athelstan asked him in the Northern tongue so Edda would understand them.

"Originally," Halldor replied. "I was exiled to Francia and from there, I roamed through the wilderness until I was captured by the Rus. They bargained me for money from Haraldson, and I came here about ten years ago. Are you all right now?"

Athelstan took a deep breath, glancing at Edda as she still held his hand and then up at Halldor. "I am. Thank you, Halldor. Thank you both. I am in your debt. We both are."

Halldor glanced at Edda, his eyes falling on her hand in Athelstan's before he glanced back at Arvid. "We should take you to a healer," he suggested.

"No," Athelstan said. "To Lagertha. She will want to deal with them first."

It only took a moment for Halldor and Arvid to agree, and they all left the butcher's hut to go back to the Great Hall where Lagertha was holding another assembly. There weren't as many people there this morning, but when Athelstan came in with Edda, they gave all their attention to him. Lagertha was at attention immediately.

"Athelstan," she said urgently. "What has happened?"

He glanced at Edda as she kept her head down. "My Lady, Edda was just harassed in the street as she performed her duty to your household. These two young men, Egil and Helge, are responsible, and I humbly ask for you to punish them accordingly. I witnessed this myself, and one of them assaulted me as well."

The surprise on her face turned to fury immediately. She looked at Arvid and Halldor as they held Egil and Helge away from everyone else. "Arvid, Halldor, is this true?"

Both men glanced at Athelstan and Edda before they responded.

"It's true, My Lady," Halldor assented.

Arivd nodded. "Yes, My Lady."

Lagertha clenched her jaw, reaching for Athelstan and Edda. They both climbed the steps in front of her, and she spoke to Edda first.

"Dear girl, are you all right?" she pleaded.

Edda glanced at Athelstan and gave him a small smile before she turned to Lagertha and spoke. "Yes, My Lady. Athelstan protected me."

Lagertha took her hand and held it just a moment before she looked at Athelstan. "Are you hurt?" she asked, reaching for his neck where he surely already had a bruise forming.

"I am fine, My Lady. Just a little out of sorts."

She took his arm and comforted him just a little before she nodded for him to sit at her side with Edda. He did as she commanded, and she turned all of her attention to the men who had assaulted them.

"Arvid, Halldor, bring them forward."

Neither Egil nor Helge resisted, but they both glared at Athelstan as he sat above them.

"Tell me," Lagertha demanded. "Why have you done this? Why have you attacked your Steward and a handmaiden to my daughter Lilith?"

"He is not my steward," Egil spat. "He is a foreign dog who goes around marking every female in this town, and they all bow to him like little bitches."

"That is not what I asked you," she shouted over him. "Say another word against him, and you will receive the most severe punishment I can think of for your attitude. Now I ask again, why did you attack him? Why did you attack this girl?"

"Because she is a slave and I am a slave, and she has no more right than any other slave to refuse. And he got in my way. And I would have gotten him out of my way if your guard dog had not stopped me."

Lagertha took as deep a breath as she could, her nostrils flaring as she glanced at Athelstan again. "You are mistaken, Egil, in saying that she is a slave. Edda is not a slave. She is my daughter's handmaiden, which places her station far above yours. Under these circumstances, I could very well marry her to a nobleman. Like my Steward. You, on the other hand, are only a slave, and I will treat you accordingly."

The glare on Egil's face morphed from anger to fury, and he barely contained whatever retort that threatened to leave his mouth.

"Helge," she called, and Arvid pushed him forward. "Why did you help Egil do this? You know Athelstan is higher above you, and merely speaking out against him has dire consequences. But if you were not an active participant, your punishment will not be as severe as Egil's."

The blank expression on Helge's face did not change as he stood there, and it looked like he wouldn't speak at all until Lagertha looked up at Arvid.

"I have been a slave all my life," Helge stated. "And I have been told all my life that I will never achieve freedom, even after I marry and have children, and then they might not even have freedom. And this foreigner, this Christian dog comes to my home and consorts with my women like he has any right to even speak to them. I look at him now holding her hand, and it sickens me. Every one of them that he has touched is tainted now with his Christian God, and if I could, I would take all of them to Freyr for a sacrifice."

As she sat next to Athelstan, Edda hid her face behind his shoulder, more terrified than he'd ever seen anyone. He tried to comfort her, looking up at Lagertha as she still clenched her jaw. She took many cleansing breaths, turning back to Arvid and Halldor.

In an instant, her mind was made up. "Take these men to the town square. They will be chained to the stockades until I feel enough people have seen them and know that if anyone speaks against Earl Ragnar's steward or lays a hand on my daughters' handmaidens, they will receive the same punishment."

The sky boomed with thunder then, and lightning filtered through the clouds that had already begun to gather over the town. This immediately pleased Lagertha as she stood up to face Egil and Helge.

"It appears the gods agree with my decision," she proclaimed. "And I will have both of you know that if either of you attempt anything like this again, you will not be chained up in the square for everyone to see how you have betrayed your Earl. You will not be alive to experience such humiliation. Because you will both be dead." She turned to Arvid and Halldor, nodding for them to take Egil and Helge out of the Great Hall.

When they were gone, she returned to where Athelstan still sat with Edda. "Both of you go on to the long house. Elisef is with the girls now, and she will give you something for your injuries."

Athelstan didn't hesitate, taking Edda under his arm and leaving the Great Hall. The people around him no longer glared at him, but there wasn't any kind of appreciation in their eyes either. In that moment, Athelstan didn't care what looks they gave him. He only cared about keeping the girls safe.

Until Egil and Helge were taken out of the square, where they stayed for about a week, Athelstan accompanied Edda to the butcher every morning before his lessons with Gyda and Lilith. After having heard Athelstan's mother tongue, Edda began to show an interest in learning, and after asking Lagertha, he began to teach her as well. Lilith was happy to have another person to speak English with, and it seemed to bring the two of them closer together as friends.

A few days after Egil and Helge were dismissed from the household, they received two new visitors in the form of Earl Haraldson's remaining family. Athelstan had not seen Siggy since before the beginning of Spring, and even then, it had only been in passing. Thyri, on the other hand, had a tendency to spend time with Roald in the stables with the horses. Athelstan had seen her talking to him on many occasions, and they seemed to be involved.

"My Lady . . . Siggy," Athelstan said as soon as he saw her in the front entrance of the Great Hall. "How might I help you this morning?"

She stammered a little, looking at her daughter and taking a deep breath before she stepped forward. "I wish to speak to Earl Ragnar's wife," she requested. "My daughter and I both wish to speak to Lagertha."

Athelstan was a little surprised, but he bowed his head and turned for them to follow him. He walked passed Ingrid as she cleared away the breakfast table, and she looked passed him at Siggy and Thyri. When she didn't say anything, he bowed his head to keep going back to the private rooms where Lagertha had disappeared with Bjorn and the girls.

"You are wearing your Earl's colors now," Thyri said as they walked. "The Black of the Raven."

Athelstan glanced at the black jerkin he'd only just begun wearing, and he sighed softly, remembering when Lagertha had presented it to him not long after he'd protected Edda in town. He'd insisted on continuing to wear his white tunic, since he was still technically a servant, but she had told him she would soon be replacing that as well.

"So I am," he replied to Thyri's statement.

The partition to the back rooms opened quietly, revealing Lagertha as she puttered around the table and the children as they sat around the card table playing a board game. Amma and Gerda were helping Lagertha while Þórunn and Edda sat behind Gyda and Lilith putting their hair up for the day.

"My Lady Lagertha," Athelstan said, bringing all their attention to him and the two women with him. "I hope you can find it in your heart to speak to the wife and daughter of the late Earl."

Lagertha didn't hesitate, moving around to greet them. "Of course," she said graciously. "Please. Come, Siggy. Thyri. Sit down and join us."

Bjorn stood up quickly, moving to where they all stood. "Wait," he pleaded. "Earl Haraldson tried to kill my father."

Lagertha sighed softly, glancing at Athelstan and then looking at her son. "I know," she acknowledged. "And if he had succeeded, I would be standing where Siggy and her daughter are standing now. So what would you like me to say to them?"

Bjorn looked at Athelstan as well before he glanced behind him at Gyda and Lilith. Then he turned back to Siggy and Thyri. "I would ask them to sit down."

Siggy sighed then, relieved. "Thank you," she said and glanced back at Thyri, gesturing for her to sit. They took the seat away from the table, and Lagertha glanced back at her children.

"Amma, my dear, take Gerda, Þórunn, and Edda to Ingrid and see if she has anything to help with until it is time for Gyda and Lilith to go to Elisef."

For once, the eldest of them did not argue, gesturing to Gerda and then Þórunn and Edda so they could all leave.

"Mother," Lilith said, and Lagertha looked at her, "may Edda stay with me? I just started this game, and she's helping me and Gyda to beat Bjorn."

Lagertha sighed and nodded. "I suppose so," she agreed. "The rest of you go on."

Amma left with Gerda and Þórunn, and once they were gone, Lagertha sat across from Siggy and Thyri.

"I see that your lawful daughter had adapted quite well to you and her new family," Siggy commented. "I always believed she would."

Lagertha sighed as she got comfortable in her chair. "Yes, well, she was in need of a mother's affection, and she and my natural daughter have become inseparable. But that is not why you are here today. What can I do for you, Siggy?"

Siggy glanced over at Athelstan and the children before she spoke. "It is what I can do for you," she said to Lagertha. "I want to serve you, and your family."

Athelstan looked up from the wine he had begun to pour, looking at Siggy and seeing that she was absolutely serious. Lagertha looked over at him, breathing deep as she still adjusted the way she sat. He moved in quickly with a pillow she had begun using during Assembly, sliding it behind her and receiving a grateful smile before she looked back at Siggy.

"That really is not necessary," Lagertha said. "We have enough servants already, and I would be afraid you would not have much to do. And besides, I know you are already staying with Rollo. Would you not prefer to remain there for when he returns?"

Siggy glanced at her daughter, wringing her hands tightly. "Right now, I must think of the safety of my own child. I know she is already a woman grown, but even if Rollo returns, she is not his responsibility. She is mine, now that her father is gone. You are fair, and the people already respect you and your family. I have come to respect you as well, and it would be my honor to serve you."

Athelstan set three cups between the women, bowing his head to them and noticing that Thyri was grinning at him before he moved back to where Bjorn had sat back down with the girls. He noticed that Lilith was squirming a little, and when she looked at him, she pushed out a heavy breath before speaking.

"I'm all right," she assured him. "I'm just not so sure about her."

"About who?" he asked her, glancing at Siggy. "Siggy is all right. She was gentle with you when we first came here."

"Not Siggy," Lilith said, still squirming.

He glanced back at Thyri as she now held her eyes on Lagertha. "Why are you not sure about Thyri?" he asked quietly.

She opened her mouth to speak when Lagertha called him to her. He looked back, seeing her with her hand up to him. She waved him over to her, and he sighed, leaving Lilith to sit at Lagertha's side.

"Athelstan," she said and looked to Siggy andd Thyri. "You have become quite knowledgeable of our household, and you speak to Ingrid on a daily basis. Do you think we would be able to take on two additional women anywhere in the long house?"

He turned his attention to Siggy and Thyri, noticing the grin had reappeared on Thyri's face and glancing back at Lilith before he spoke. "Of course we could," he said and nodded. "Perhaps not in the kitchens, but Asa has said she will need more help with you when it is time to have the baby, and Kindra and Tova have told me they need more assistance with the clothes and the bathhouse. And anything else can be decided later on when Earl Ragnar returns."

Lagertha sighed again, holding her belly protectively. "If it's really what you want," she said to Siggy, "then I accept your offer of service."

Siggy gasped softly, moving forward quickly and kneeling before Lagertha. "Thank you," she exclaimed.

Lagertha claimed her shoulder and smiled gently. "You and your daughter Thyri are now under my protection, and you will work in my household. But I promise you that I will never treat you as a servant."

Siggy bowed her head, almost kissing Lagertha's hands before they all stood up together. Thyri followed them, and Lagertha took both of her hands as well.

"It will be time to begin supper soon, but if you would both like, you may familiarize yourself with our household again. You will find many of the women who help me will also help you. And if you need anything, you need only ask me or Athelstan, as he is Ragnar's steward and my partner in these matters until Ragnar returns."

"Thank you," Siggy said again and bowed her head again.

Thyri nodded as well, smiling as she glanced in Athelstan's direction. "Thank you, My Lady."

Lagertha laughed softly and reached for Athelstan's shoulder. "My steward will show you where Asa is, and he'll find you a proper place to sleep."

Athelstan bowed his head then as well, gesturing outside of the private rooms for them to go ahead of him and glancing back at Lilith as she sat with Edda. He could see she was still uncomfortable, and he knew he would have to find out why now that Thyri would be around the long house much more than before.

For several days, the other servants in the long house slowly became accustomed to having Siggy and Thyri in the house again. Ingrid and Asa adapted the quickest, and even though a few of the others had trouble not bowing every time they saw their former masters, for the most part, everything went on like normal.

Siggy became most useful to Lagertha, keeping her occupied as she neared the end of her pregnancy and became increasingly uncomfortable any time she had to sit down for longer than a few minutes. They frequently stood together in front of the loom, making new clothes and sometimes, Athelstan saw them talking softly. Asa still helped Lagertha in the mornings and with her baths, so there was no clashing between them, which Athelstan was glad for.

Thyri helped with the materials to make the clothes and the linens for the bathhouse. Anytime Athelstan saw her, she was spinning thread outside the kitchens, no doubt waiting for Roald to finish his duties with Ingrid and Kindra. Every now and then, he would catch her staring at him, and he would remember how uncomfortable Lilith had been just seeing Thyri again. It was several days before he had a chance to find out what was wrong, and it wasn't what he was hoping.

The summer storms got stronger as the days passed, and many of them spent days inside to stay dry. Most everyone was fine doing that, and Athelstan made sure every bed had extra blankets for the damp nights they had to endure. One such instance caused him to catch Thyri and Roald in the middle of one of their involvements, and he quickly left them alone, hearing the sounds they made fade into the background until he couldn't hear them.

He sat at the hearth that was currently vacant, which was strange until he realized how late it was, and he added another log to the hearth before he pulled a chair up to sit in and lean back. Thunder shook the house as he sat there, followed by lightning and then more thunder, and Athelstan found himself muttering softly.

"Oh, Thor, son of Odin and Earth, God of Thunder. My Friend, and Guardian of my family. Thank you for blessing and protecting my family, my house, my life. Hail Thor, I praise you. May you always watch over me and my family and my friends. Mighty Thor, grant me your strength and be with us all these blessed summer nights."

There was only a brief pause before a booming voice spoke to him. "I'll have to think about it."

Athelstan opened his eyes, discovering a broad-shouldered, leather-clad, blond-haired man sitting across the hearth from him with piercing blue eyes, much like Ragnar's. He blinked a few times, uncertain where this man had come from, and that's when he noticed how different the hearth looked. It was supposed to be rectangular-shaped and filled to the brim with burning wood. It wasn't supposed to be a circular fire pit with just a few heavy logs to keep them warm. He looked around, realizing that the long house was gone, replaced by the forest around them as dark and foreboding as ever.

"What is this?" Athelstan demanded. "Who are you?"

The blond man smiled, holding his hands over the flames. "Do not panic, Athelstan, son of Wilfred. I only wish to speak to you."

Still blinking, Athelstan thought he was drunk or hallucinating. He hadn't drunk any ale since Ragnar had left, and yet, he was imagining this. He had to be. Didn't he? How did this man know his father's name?

"You're a very curious one, Athelstan. Much better suited to the clever one, Loki, but I had to see what all the fuss was about."

Athelstan scooted forward in his chair. "Who — Who are you?"

"Well, I'd have thought it would be obvious by now," he said just as the sky lit up with lightning and boomed with thunder.

"Thor?" Athelstan whispered and then gasped, widening his eyes as far as they would go.

"Well, of course it's me! I don't usually allow a prayer to me go unheard, especially from such an unsuspecting little man. Now, curiously enough, I've also had quite a few people praying to me about you. Sometimes about how you don't belong here and should go back across the sea. Some of them even want to see me drown you, but that doesn't seem fair after everything you've done for me. That's why I wanted to talk to you myself."

"I'm dreaming," Athelstan deduced. "I must have fallen asleep by the hearth. That's the only explanation for this."

The god of thunder chuckled as he poured a large cup with ale and upturned it into his mouth in one gulp. "If you say so, Son of Wilfred. But that just makes this all the more curious for me. Most people bow to me when they see me. I must admit this is quite the change, and I can't say I don't like it. Now, to business. Why do people here still want you gone? You've sacrificed to me. You've all but pledged yourself to protecting them. You've even allowed that child who is like you to become one of them. It looks much to me like you've already adapted to this world. So surely, they must accept you eventually."

Athelstan sighed, still believing he was dreaming but listening to the words being said to him and knowing exactly why people wouldn't accept him. "It's because I will always be a foreigner in their eyes," he almost spat. "It will never matter to them how much I adapt or how much I sacrifice from my old life. I am a Christian, an outsider. That's all I'll ever be in their eyes."

"Not all of them," Thor said. He finished his ale and stood up, as tall as a mountain and glowing like the sun, moving round to sit at Athelstan's side. "There are hundreds of people in this town. Many of them speak ill of you, but I only care about the precious few who pray to me for your safety and prosperity. My brothers and sisters like to play with Midgardians, but I want to prove your worth. And right now, you are doing me a great deal of good, son of Wilfred. You just keep protecting these people you care for so much, and I have a feeling you will always be blessed by the gods."

He clapped his hand over Athelstan shoulder, chuckling and shaking him so violently than he almost fell forward into the hearth. When he sat back up, Athelstan found himself sitting in the long house with the brightly lit hearth in front of him. Beside him, he saw a large cup that still had a few droplets of ale in the bottom.

Another hand on his shoulder caused Athelstan to lift his eyes and see Olaf above him with a solemn expression on his face.

"Surely there are better places to sleep for the Earl's steward," he commented even as he sat down on Athelstan's other side.

"Sir, forgive me," Athelstan pleaded, attempting to rise but stopped by Olaf.

"Sit down, boy," the old man commanded. "I'm no longer in charge around here. I do not command such respect. I merely saw you sitting here, and I felt it was my duty to keep you company. I heard from Arvid that you had some trouble in town with Edda. She's a sweet girl. I hope you understand that."

Athelstan couldn't speak for several seconds, listening to Olaf's words and realizing. "You were in charge of the other servants while Earl Haraldson lived here," he announced loudly.

Olaf brought his finger to his lips. "Quiet your voice, boy." He sighed heavily. "But you are right. I was in charge of them all before Haraldson died. Although, after he lost his sons and had to kill one of his own men after tricking him into bedding his wife, Haraldson wasn't the same man. But you are quite different from the people here. Is that why you're sitting out here instead of back there?" he asked and pointed to the private rooms.

Athelstan huffed. "No. I was . . . trying to give someone privacy."

"Ah, yes, Thyri and her plaything. I saw them as well. With the summer coming along well, I'm sure that will become much more frequent."

"That plaything's name is Roald," Athelstan said through clenched teeth. "And you make it sound like she's using him."

Olaf shrugged. "Oh, she is. It's what she does. And she visits the healing house afterward. When her father decided to marry her off last year, he forbid her from continuing her extracurricular activities. She didn't like him doing that, so she started visiting Roald in the stables. But I'm not here to talk about her. I'm here to talk about you. You've adjusted quite well to your new position, Athelstan. One would think you might have been meant to do it all along. Especially with as well as you've gotten on with the children, particularly the girls."

Athelstan blushed, looking away and putting his head down.

"Oh, don't worry, my boy," Olaf said reassuringly. "It's part of your responsibility to do so. But because you are young, it does cause a bit of a problem with the male servants, as you have already experienced. Those same two boys did the same thing to Tait a few months ago after he assisted you at the sacrifice. But there will always be boys like that everywhere. Best not to let them get the better of you, I say."

Every time Athelstan thought about Egil and Helge, he touched his neck, remembering how close he'd been to losing consciousness. He remembered Edda screaming, and he remembered all the vile things Egil and Helge had said about how he'd been favored by the female slaves almost as soon as he'd become Ragnar's steward. He'd told himself it was because he wanted to be kind to them and show them as much respect as he could. But now, it had been observed by someone who obviously didn't believe that.

"I am only trying to keep them safe," he said of the girls in his care. "I have been charged with their safety, and if anything happened to them — "

"Nothing would happen to you," Olaf said. "Not only because you are the first slave, but you are also the Earl's steward. Those two things afford you quite a bit of privilege. If I were you, I would use that to ensure that people respect you. It is what they are obligated to do."

Athelstan leaned forward with his hands clasped together. "I do not want to obligate anyone to respect me. Respect must be earned, and it does not matter where I am. I will always feel that way."

It was quiet a minute before Olaf leaned forward as well, speaking more softly as he did. "Then it will happen eventually. I find we have much in common, Athelstan. I suppose we will see exactly how much more that becomes apparent."

Athelstan didn't have a ready answer for Olaf, so he said nothing, staring into the fire and thinking of these two odd conversations he'd just had that neither made any sense but made everything make sense all at once.


I wondered if putting the sacrifice in was too much, but when I wrote it, it made sense to me, so I kept it. Same thing with the "dream" of Thor. I hope you all like it.

Again, I'll do my best to post the second part of this tomorrow, since it will be considerably shorter but still important.

Thank you to everyone who's reviewed, followed and put this in their favorites. I appreciate it more than I can say!

Until next time!