Tori watched the Vikings with the bags of loot they had stolen and the girls they were taking with them. "Let me go please." She felt a rumble of laughter under her stomach.

"No, if I do others take you and not for wife. I chose you for wife, honor for you." She remembered the other man he had stopped. She didn't want to be with him. What was going to happen to her? Would she ever see her home again?

H/?T ......................................................T/H

The ships set out to sea quickly. Tori found herself wrapped up in a warm soft animal skin, at the feet of her future husband. He was calling to his crew in his language. She watched him in the light from the small lamps that hung around the ship. He stood there, tall and strong. Muscled arms with gold bands around the upper arms. His shirt tight against his flesh, through the opening in the neck she could see the bronzed smooth skin. Strong legs braced against the deck as the ship moved.

Tori could hear other women aboard, some crying and others moaning.

H/T .....................................................T/H

Hunter looked over and saw that Tori was asleep. He rushed over and tried to wake her up, then stopped. "Guys, Tori went to sleep!" All of them rushed over to the sleeping girl. Dustin reached to shake her.

"Don't Dustin, that might be dangerous. I will have to join her. She could be in danger." Cam nodded.

"Good idea, Hunter. But you might need some help, like some of us, the rest can stand guard here."

"I'm going, Tori is my best friend."

"I'll go, to protect my bro....and Tori."

"Alright we have volunteers. The three of you sleep, and do what you can. The rest of us will be here, in case any trouble comes around.

Hunter lay down beside Tori, pulling her into his arms. Closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and willed himself to be with Tori where ever she was. The others weren't as quick to sleep, and Hunter was gone within a few minutes. What he found surprised him.

Hunter stood there on deck, feeling the sea breeze on his face. He knew she slept, he looked out and saw the other ships nearby. They had been very successful in their raid. Soon it would be winter and they would be home till the frozen waters ran again.

Hours past and Tori woke and it was still night. The animal hair tickled her nose and made her sneeze. Instantly the blond man was on his knees beside her. "You ill?

"No, hair tickled my nose." He reached up and pulled one of the bracelets off his arm and with one hand took her arm. He put the bracelet on hers, and he smiled. "Now everyone know... and not harm you."

He watched her and he liked what he saw. His father would be proud of him, his choice. He pulled the covers closer around her, to keep her from getting a chill. He hoped she could handle their harsh winters. Then he ran his hand down her hair, and he felt a shock go through him. Their eyes met and locked, both staring at each other.

They had traveled all night and the next day. Just as the sun was sitting the boats pulled up at their home. People stood on the landing waiting for them, Tori felt fear as she looked at the strange people. The blond man put a gentle hand to her arm. "Don't fear them, your people now too."

The Vikings began to unload the ships, and Hunter lead Tori off. He turned to her. "What is your name?"

"Tori."

"Tori.... I am Hunter." He led her across the grass towards a big building. "Come, we go home now." She walked with him, trying to keep up with his long strides. He slowed when he noticed she was having problems.

H/T

He opened the door and led her inside. A large room with tables, and benches along the walls. A large fireplace in one wall. Cooking pots and pans next to it. There were rushes on the dirt floor. The building made of rough logs and mud. It was large. Several women were cooking. One was working the dough for bread at a table, and another was cutting fish. Several small children ran around the room, playing with wooden toys.

Everyone looked up, including a powerfully build older man, and an older woman. "Hunter, you are back, welcome home." Smiled the woman.

"Mother, Father." He moved over and hugged his mother. Then he gripped the older mans arm in a Viking handshake. "I brought a bride home. Tori."

Tori felt the eyes on her, sizing her up."

"Welcome child. Hunter is a good man, will treat you good." Tori hoped that this woman was right about her son. But she had heard that Vikings were barbarians, so what would they call good?

"Hunter, did your raid go well?" The old mans eyes were sharp, and held pride in his son.

"Yes, father. The men are bringing it up." His mother got up and took the younger woman by the hand.

"Come with me, and we will get you a bath and clean clothes. Then food." She smiled kindly at Tori, then glanced at her son. Hunter watched her go with a strange ach in his stomach.

An hour later Tori was lead back into the main room, that was now full of people. She saw several girls she recognized from her village. Hunter stood up and walked over to her.

"Come, and eat." He smiled at her and led her to the table where he and his parents were sitting. Tin plates sat on the table, and spoons. Hunter took the ladle and took out a large spoonful of the stew from the large bowl on the table and put it in her plate.

Tori lifted the spoon, looking at Hunter. She began to eat, and found the stew was tasty. She smiled up at Hunter and he reached and touched her cheek. She felt eyes filled with hate watching her, she turned but could not find who it was.

H/T .................................. T/H

After dinner, everyone was getting ready for bed. The vikings were moving to other rooms, or leaving the building. Some of the girls she knew were dragged away, except for one girl who was giggling. Macy was never a good girl anyway, she knew her giggle. How many times had she heard it coming from bushes.

Hunter rose to his feet and took her arm."Come, time to sleep." She got up, and let him lead her to the hall going to the back. She was scared, and she wondered if she could get away. But then where would she go? He led her down the hall and into a room covered by a cloth curtain. Inside was a mattress and covers, several pillows. There was a small table where a candle sat, and a wooden chest, that was open that held clothes. Hunter turned to her. "This is our room." Tori looked up at him, and she looked at his mysterious, eyes to his dimples as he smiled to his mouth. Such a handsome face. His long hair hung to his shoulders, a bit messy but she wanted to run her fingers through it. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. "He seemed familiar to her, like she had known him before. But knew better, and the oddest thing, was that she felt something for him. She loved him. But how? She didn't even know him.

Hunter was looking down at her. She was beautiful, and delicate like a spring flower. He knew her face, from his dreams. He knew her, and he loved her. He did not question how, he thought that Thor had sent her to him. That was all he needed to know.

He pulled her close to him, and kissed her. He could tell she had never been kissed before. He pulled away and led her over to the bed, and they sat down. "We are married now, you belong to me. I to you." Tori's heart was beating wildly against her chest.

Hunter lay them down, and then pulled the covers up around them and pulled the covers up around them. He held her close, and she rested her head on his shoulder. He did not try anything else. He just lay there holding her, as he finally went to sleep.