I don't own Vikings.
Chapter 2
The next morning, Francine and Athelstan had awakened up. Ragnar quickly put to work for them. Athelstan folded up her wolf pelt and places them where they sleep and he took her hand as they get to work.
Francine seemed to be learning few words, but not all that great. It's a never ending work and Francine can't do heavy stuff like lifting and all that, but she plants on the soils and that was pretty much it. They have given a break at noon and have a portion of fish soup.
Francine drinks it quickly and not felt of burn in her throat and mouth which surprises Ragnar. Athelstan explains that she can be hungry as a wolf and not felt burnt from it. His son tried to do the same as she did, but burn his mouth and tongue. That prompts laughter around the table.
That evening, Francine is drowsy and ready to pass out. She never had thought working on a farm like that is hard, but at the monastery they often said that she must study on her books and writing and playing like a healthy child should.
Ragnar pour a drink of Ale, but Athelstan insisted that Francine is too young and should not be drinking. So, Ragnar gave her water instead.
"We don't like those in the house to go hungry and thirsty," All three drink from their cups.
"Now tell me about England," He demanded. "Has it only one king?"
"No there are four kingdoms and four kings," Athelstan told Ragnar. "You landed in the kingdom of Northumbria. The king of Northumbria is called, Aelle. He is a good king. A powerful king."
"If he is so powerful, why did his soldiers not protect your temple?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"Before you came, there was no need of it." Athelstan surprised tone. "We lived in peace."
"I would like to learn some words in your languages," Ragnar asked and he added. "That way I can help your child to speak ours more."
Days became weeks and weeks became months. Francine and Athelstan had gotten used to the routine and it's becoming part of their everyday lives.
In Kattegat, he has taken Athelstan, but not Francine because she caught a cold and needs plenty of bed rest. Largertha is taking care of her. In town, Ragnar notices that people are being agitated and fearful. There are some carrying swords and shields and more guards are alerted.
"Excuse me, but what is going on here?" Ragnar asked the Fishermen wife.
"You haven't heard." She looked surprised. Both men shake their heads no.
"Lately, there's been wolves coming around and more are attacking our sheep flocks, chickens and even taken our things. Such as clothing, boots and I saw one even took a dagger in its mouth. Earl had decreed to remain in doors before sunset and not come out. Also, the roads are dangerous now because they getting more and more pack of them. The other village and villagers are having the same problem too."
Fishermen's wife quickly walked away and went to her home.
Ragnar and Athelstan looked were the fishermen's wife door had closed shut behind her. They entered the great hall. The Earl is inventory the treasure among the warriors the treasure that his crew and himself gotten from west. That was meant to be they're shares!
Earl seemed upset because you want to know why. One of the wolves came in packs and taken a golden necklace from his daughter. One jumped onto his daughter and rips a necklace off of her neck and ran away with the rest of the packs. Two wolves had been killed and died, but seven escape the Earl.
When Ragnar heard about it from one of the stewards, he tried his best to laugh and smile about it. He wonders if the Gods did this for Ragnar or perhaps they wanted to laugh about it themselves.
They are making a deal which Athelstan trying to tell Ragnar that he was lying, but he swear to God that he didn't think he would be raiding those towns.
"Run if you want," Ragnar told him when he cut the ropes off of his neck, but Athelstan chooses not to because he needs to go back to his little girl.
They went back to the farm.
"I have permission by the Earl to raid again," Ragnar announce it. "I want to leave as soon as possible."
"And how soon?" Largertha questioned her husband.
"Tomorrow."
Before anymore to ask they heard the wolves.
AAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL.
They all stood quiet and calmly listen to them. That sounded like they are coming closer to the farm, but no attacks so far.
Athelstan quickly went to check on Francine and felt her forehead. She seems okay and getting better as he looked the crack of the growling sounds and movement that he quickly pulled away from there.
He checks it again.
He let out a sighed as it seemed to be gone.
Athelstan came back to the table. He assured to everyone that Francine is fine.
Largertha tell it to Ragnar, "Then we will make a sacrifice to Thor, so he may grant you safe passage."
"Are you not coming?" Ragnar smiled.
"But the farm and the children, you have just heard a wolf here." Largertha told Ragnar. She knew that a farm life can be hard to protect since wolves love to stop and find animals they could take.
"Bjorn is too young, although he can help on the farm." Ragnar smiled.
"But who is in charge?" Bjorn asked.
"I will leave the priest with the key," Ragnar decided. "He is a responsible man."
"Father! You can't place a slave above me!" Bjorn shouted in anger. "I'm your son!"
"I don't regard him a slaves." Ragnar said, "What do think, Gydia?"
"I don't mind. I like the priest. "Gydia said.
"Then it is decided." Ragnar announced as he left the table.
Largertha looked straight into Athelstan eyes. "If any harm befalls my children, I will tear the lungs out of your body priest."
Largertha and Ragnar left the next day and life on the farm seems quiet. Francine must remain in bed to make sure the cold is completely gone.
She has been hearing wolves howling many nights already. She doesn't know why, but they seemed to want something. She heard from Athelstan that wolves came into the towns boldly and taking stuff which is odd because wolves are tend to avoid humans and move on to find animals to hunt.
One can wonder what more could they want?
What she doesn't know is that Athelstan is thinking the same thing.
Athelstan saw few wolves standing the over side of the rivers looking and gazing where Francine is there at the hut. He wasn't sure, but he fears that they might hurt her. These are not the same wolves from back home, but northmen wolves and he doesn't want to find out.
He is having hard time with Ragnar son, Bjorn since he seemed like an upset boy, but at least he finds Gydia a good child.
Bjorn came inside the hut, but he is curious that little girl is awake or still asleep since she did eat her medicine.
He saw Francine sleeping calmly. Bjorn just wanted to see the wolf pelt closer, so like every curious boy he is he found it folded gently with care. Amazed as he thought when he gazed the beauty of it. This wolf was huge back in the priest homeland.
He wonders did one of the stories like Fenrir children breed with the wolves or are they descendent of Hati ('hate') and Skoll.
He looked at the face of it.
A flash on his eyes the wolf is growling and snarling at him. The black wolf attacked him. He freaked out with a gasp and drops the pelt in fear.
Bjorn fallen on his butt to the floor and breathing heavily. He looked around and there is nothing. Just Francine sleepy and everything looks like they stay the way it is. Bjorn looked at the wolf pelt in fear. Was that the vison that the Gods had given him?
He quickly went out and left the room.
Since then Bjorn is afraid of that wolf pelt and the girl wearing. He wonders can she turn into a wolf in that pelt. Was that the vison the Gods trying to tell him?
Ragnar came home with victory in his hands. He raided successfully, Largertha had killed Knut for trying rape an innocent and defend herself before he could do that to her. Ragnar is innocent at trial thanks to Largertha, but mostly to his brother Rollo.
He brought the crew to celebrate it.
His newfound freedom.
Francine was observing and looking around. There are so many people and they seemed to take on calling her wolf girl because she is wearing her pelt.
"To Ragnar! To Freedom!" Leif shouted as raised his cup.
"No," Ragnar objected. "To Friends and freedom!"
"But you will never be free of us!" Arne laughed.
The whole laughter came into the room. Bjorn looked drunk and ready to pass out because he drank too much Ale. Gydia is sober, but getting tired.
Francine seemed happy and never thought that Ragnar would be put to trial. She is glad that nothing bad happened to him and the family.
The door cracked opened fast and several men came.
"Ragnar Lodbrok?" one of the men asked.
"I am unarmed," Ragnar said standing. "Get the children." He instructed Largertha.
Largertha tried to step aside, nearly hit by one of the men. The friends of Ragnar attack the intruders and warriors had gone and killed all intruders.
The next morning, they put bodies of the intruders into the river. Ragnar also, saw the wolves standing the other side of the river in the forest. They watched and saw the humans put the dead into the rivers.
One grey wolf with golden eyes is bigger than the regular ones. It huffs at him like a scoff, but all wolves quickly turned at what is in front of them and quietly looked and gave a soft whine. Ragnar turned and saw what they were looking at. It is Francine wearing her wolf pelt.
Ragnar felt a chill in his bones. Francine looked like a proud alpha and she was not scared, but acts like they were her family.
"Francine," He called to and the girl was startled and looked at Ragnar. He kneeled down and looked straight into her eyes.
"How would you like to go on a spiritual quest with me?"
"Yes."
Ragnar was done chopping wood in anger that made Bjorn scared by his action. Ragnar brought his woolen blanket and taken Francine with her she is covering herself with wolf pelt. Ragnar had sat himself down and Francine follows his example. They both just stare at the ocean.
"What is Ragnar doing, sitting on hill?" Athelstan said at dinner.
Ragnar is preparing himself for battle.
Francine is connecting with the earth where the wolves prowling around the world. Behind the two is the whole army of them. They are logging around, sitting and watching her. The wolves are honoring her with their presence since after all she is her father's pup.
The following morning, Ragnar and Athelstan came home from fishing. Ragnar lay on his bed as Athelstan cleans the fish.
Francine is learning how to write and read their languages.
You be amazed that she isn't alone. Two wolves are laying and curled around her. Ever since that day, the wolves are being natural animals around the farm. As long as they don't eat the farm animals. It gave Largertha upsets and fearful of the children that could be harm by them. But Ragnar assured the family that it seem that they follow them home.
They seemed to obey only Francine. Like she simply said go on hunting or don't eat the people. They were like pets that enjoy being petted and starched belly's while wagging their tails.
Ragnar made a joke that now he has an army to overthrow the Earl.
"May I ask you something?" Athelstan asked.
"What is it?"
"Am I still your slave?"
"Doesn't it matter?" Ragnar said.
"It matters because I noticed that in your world slaves are treated worse than dogs," Athelstan explained.
"Do I treat you like a dog?" Ragnar retorted the question. Both wolves whine and looked up from laying their heads when they looked at Ragnar.
Ragnar looked at them, "Not you two." That seems to settle a misunderstanding as they lay their heads back down.
"That's not my point," Athelstan told him. "Legally, you could have beaten me to death…a man can rape a female slaves." Oh that was what he was worried, Ragnar thought as he looked at Francine reading while petting the wolves. True, but now she is well guard because the wolves will raise her as one of their own to bite off a man's crotch and ear.
The proper terms being raised by wolves seemed to fit her perfectly.
"It is true, that we distinguish between those we captured in battle and our free men and women," Ragnar admitted. "It's just the way it is. And why do you say, 'your world'? You live here now. And you never tried to escape."
"I think less of escaping less every day-even if I could Francine wouldn't survive out there alone," Athelstan said, "But I would like to be free man again and Francine can be a free woman."
Ragnar said nothing.
Athelstan said, "What are you preparing for?"
"What do you mean?" Ragnar questioned.
"I've watched you," Athelstan told him, "You have made yourself very strong."
"Not strong enough," Ragnar rebuked him.
"What do the Gods say?"
"What do you know about our gods-priest?" Ragnar shot back, "Now finish the fish in silence!"
Francine looked both at Ragnar and Athelstan with concern frown.
'Being grownups is confusing.' That is her thought about them.
The following day is slow. Ragnar is out hunting and trying to get a deer for dinner. Athelstan and Largertha are getting ready for lunch. Gydia is teaching Francine on tending the goats. Bjorn is helping the old man on fishing nets.
You probably wondering where the wolves are lately; they all left the farm and no sight of them either to hunt or gathering more grounds for them to make a den.
Francine isn't worried, but she wished that she can be a wolf just for one day.
Her ear had pick up something like a swooshing sound, she stop and cautiously walked to see what that noise is.
"What is it?" Gydia asked.
An arrow swooshed passed her and pinned at the wood.
Gydia screamed and grabbed Francine's hand and they ran out of there.
They are being attacked! Earl Haraldson has gone mad! He is fearful of Ragnar because of what the seer foretold him. The seer had told him.
Earl Haralson: Do the gods speak?
The Seer: Ah, they never stop!
Earl Haraldson: The gods have always been favorable to me.
The Seer: They allowed your sons to die.
Earl Haraldson: Do the gods really exist?
The Seer just laughs.
The seer: Fenrir daughter is living there.
The earl stands quiet.
The seer: Fenrir chains is breaking and when he does, the girl will be keeper of the forest law,
protector of creatures great and small,
became earl of the forest.
Earl Haraldson wonders if that girl is the daughter of Fenrir, the monstrous beast that killed the king of the gods. The riders charged forward; men, women and children alike are running for their lives.
Largertha grab the children and Athelstan are preparing for the outcome if the Earl decided on killing them. Athelstan is carrying Francine while she taken her wolf pelt.
It was a surprise attacked on them; the Earl has truly lost his mind!
Ragnar came in their door, wounded, but still standing strong.
"You're hurt." That was the first thing his wife said to him.
Ragnar said, "It is time to go." There is the hidden door below them. It's a secret tunnel they all went down then despite Bjorn protest that he doesn't want to leave his father.
They continue down the tunnels and went into the woods. Largertha thought to herself that maybe those wolves could have stayed to defend their homes. Francine looked around and shivers in fear while be held by Athelstan consoling her.
At the beach, Largertha and the children are in the boat while Athelstan pushed it to the waters. Francine hopes that Ragnar is okay. Largertha told her to lie on the boat flat so that no one could see them.
"Father!" Gydia shouted as they made their escape and saw Ragnar fallen from the cliff and splash into the waters.
Athelstan jumps in and swam to save him.
He carried themselves into the boat and Ragnar body is lifeless.
Athelstan rowed the boat while Largertha and Gydia are trying to save him. Francine ran after Bjorn to Floki's hut.
"FLOKI!" Bjorn shouted.
Francine called out as well, "Floki!"
The door opened and out comes a naked woman that Francine gaped at the sight. Bjorn covers her eyes because she is too young to understand.
"Who are you?" the naked woman questioned.
"I must speak to Floki," Bjorn continued, "Is he here?"
"Helga- who is it?" Floki came out with only pants on and no shirt.
"My father. He is dying, "Bjorn told him and that is Floki needed to know.
"Helga, get the garlic and sage! We will make paste to heal his wound," Floki announced, "But first we have to clean them-and the only way to clean them is fire."
What madness did they bring Ragnar for?
Well, that is chapter 2 finished! By the way the wolf that stolen the necklace are here:
Wolf Heart Pendant Necklace looks like My-shape-Celtics-Spirit-Wolf-Pendant-Necklace-Couple-Heart-Necklaces-Love-gift-Norse-Vikings-Wolf-Head_85382411-4386-401e-9d04-7cd2cdf85182_400x
It's attached with GOLD SARAH COV Necklace, 3 Strand Gold Metal Bead Necklace Stunning Vintage Gold Tone Sarah Cov Jewelry, Vintage Metal Bead Necklace looks like il_570xN.1449343511_hban
Okay we're good! Next time, Ragnar lives, Earl challenges Ragnar, he became the New Earl and Fenrir has broken off his chains!