Rollo was more of an arrogant fool than Edithe first thought. But if he would teach her how to fight then so be it. She would not resist such an opportunity especially since it was one she had always longed for. Her father might have given her a small dagger but learning how to sword fight like her brother was always out of the question no matter how many times she asked.

Now, with the heathen gone, Edithe could allow herself to smile. Happily grabbing a broom and helping Haedde who was already sweeping away the dust and cobwebs which coated every inch of his wretched house.

"It is nice to see you in better spirits now, my Lady."

"Hm," Edithe laughed. "If you teach me how to speak like these heathens and he teaches me how to fight like them then I can feel freedom is already within my grasp."

"Please don't say these things," Haedde sighed. "I'm trying to help you and believe me, you should not do so much to displease him."

"Pleasing that heathen is not my concern and I hope it never will be."

"Don't be so careless, child. Do you want to be a slave? Or be taken by another man who would not be so gentle?"

"Gentle?" Edithe mocked, "he's a barbarian. Last night he took off all of his clothes and forced me to lay in the bed with him."

Haedde dropped her broom and hurried towards Edithe, cradling her tightly in a mother's embrace. "I did not know," she soothed, stroking Edithe's hair. "I promise the first time is always the worst. It will get better but if he is too coarse with you then there are remedies to help you heal."

"No. No... he didn't do... that." From the way Haedde was holding her, and for the simple fact that she was a slave, Edithe felt almost ashamed to admit the truth of last night. "He only… held me."

She released Edithe from her embrace, frowning, "nothing more?"

"No, but-"

Haedde held up her hand, "then he is gentle and treating you kindly, Lady, and you should not complain."

Edithe straightened her spine, there was no shame in wanting her freedom and she could not allow this old woman to cloud her judgement. "I cannot say why he has not harmed me yet but he will. It is only a matter of time. I saw the way he looked when he killed my brother, he enjoyed it. He is brutal and takes pleasure in hurting people."

"Yes, he's a warrior but these Northmen are good to their wives. They live as equals here and you have a chance of being a free woman. You should not squander it for stubborn pride."

"These people are godless, Haedde. I will not have you defending them to me and accusing me of pride."

"Please, forgive me, Lady Edithe. I just do not wish you to be ignorant of the luxuries you have here," Haedde held onto her arms affectionately, her face filled with concern. "You will not be the first woman to marry a man she does not care for. Let him put his babes in you and you will find love and happiness with them. There is nothing more loving than a child no matter who its father is."

Edithe smiled weakly. Just like last night, it was clear Haedde was too afraid to even consider freedom and any conversation on the matter would only end in circles. But Kattegat contained other Saxon slaves and even the priest she had seen the morning after the raid. Surely one of them would want a chance of freedom with her. If not, she would find a way to do it alone.

She was only glad she'd stopped herself from attacking Rollo in the night. Though it was difficult to resist hitting him with the hammer, her sensible side had been right and biding her time had brought her greater opportunity. Now she had a chance to prepare herself properly and, though she did not want to give him any credit, it seemed perhaps Rollo was not going to force himself on her just yet.

When the house was more orderly Haedde spent the afternoon teaching Edithe Norse and by the time she left, Rollo still hadn't returned.

Feeling frustrated, she found herself idling by the window at the back of the house. Quietly watching the empty street while her fingernail slowly eroded a path in the wattle and daub.

When Rollo had set out this morning she'd assumed he would return quickly to begin their lessons. But it had been hours. What if he'd already forgotten about their pact? What if she'd spent the whole day excited at the prospect of learning to fight and he'd not given it a second thought?

Then the front door opened and she rushed towards it, prepared to give him hell if he had changed his mind. But it was not Rollo. It was Ragnar.

Her heart thundered in her chest and, for the first time, she wished Rollo was here.

"What do you want?" she asked, cautiously edging her way around the fire so it stood between them.

Ragnar smirked, before perching on the end of a chair like a cat ready to pounce. "I noticed my brother did not bring you to the feast yesterday. I wanted to see that you are well."

The hammer on the table rested under her fingertips if she should need it. "Well, now that you have seen, you can go."

He chuckled, settling more easily into his chair, letting the room fill with his presence as they silently studied each other.

"Rollo will be back soon," she said, no longer able to stand the tension.

"No, he won't. I asked him to go on an errand and it will take him most of the day."

Danger prickled over her skin like fire. "No matter, Haedde will be back before long and I-"

"Haedde belongs to me. She only comes here with my permission." Ragnar stood now, stepping around the fire until they were only inches apart. He was much shorter in stature than Rollo, so his bright blue eyes were more level with hers and she dared not look away from them.

"Rollo thinks I want to steal you from him. He doesn't trust me."

Edithe didn't trust him either. It was Ragnar who had led the raid on her people making him the only man she hated more than Rollo.

"Would you like to be stolen from him?"

"Not by you. Ragnar," she said his name with disgust but his eyes lit up with mischief.

"Loyalty is good," he smiled. "You will be a good wife to my brother."

Edithe was confused. Was this some sort of test? Because if it was, he was asking the wrong questions. "I would rather marry a pig than a heathen Viking."

Ragnar laughed. "I can see why he has chosen you, Lady. You are fierce and my brother needs a strong hand to keep him in check. You will do this well I think."

He picked up a handful of dried cranberries off the table and threw one of them in the air, catching it in his mouth as he backtracked towards the door.

"You're leaving?" she questioned, feeling surprised. Was that all? She had feared this man and he'd done nothing but take a handful of fruit.

"Yes, I wish you no harm Lady Edithe and maybe one day you will have a chance to tell my brother that I would never take what is rightfully his," he looked at his handful of stolen fruit and laughed.

Unlike with Rollo, Edithe could tell Ragnar exactly what she thought and it was difficult to hold back. "Tell him yourself, I'm not your messenger and I won't be staying around to marry your heathen brother. He's teaching me how to fight and when he does I will have vengeance for my family."

Ragnar laughed again, "spoken like a true Viking."

He left, leaving the door wide open so she slammed it behind him, hating him more now than ever before. His laughter boiled her temper but one day it would work in her favour, these heathens would underestimate her and she would use it to her advantage.

When Rollo finally returned it was dark outside and before she had a chance of saying anything, he smiled and presented her with a freshly painted shield.

It was striped black and white and much lighter in her hands than the ones on the wall, as if it had been made for her. Deep down Edithe knew she should not accept such a precious gift but she couldn't resist. Having a shield of her own delighted her. But she did not thank him or allow a smile to touch her lips. He deserved none of her happiness.

Next he showed her a wooden sword, and she looked at the weapon with far less enthusiasm. "What is this?"

He chuckled, saying something she didn't understand before flipping it over, so the hilt was towards her reach.

Edithe took the sword unhappily. It was more like a child's toy than a weapon and certainly not what she had in mind for her escape.

Unperturbed, Rollo moved to the fire and lifted the lid on the broth Haedde had prepared, taking a spoon and testing it before serving himself a bowl.

"When will you teach me how to fight?" Edithe said impatiently, trying out the words Haedde had taught her.

Hearing her speak in his native tongue made him smile, and he replied happily in words she did not fully understand. Haedde had taught her a few phrases, but it was not enough to understand a language.

"I want to go outside," she told him and he smiled even broader. It reminded her of the way he had smiled on the longboat, the same deep crinkles lighting up his face. But of course, he was happy. His belly was filled with food, and he was home with a warm fire and a woman he had trapped under his control. Why should the heathen not smile?

Hate tempted her into doing something reckless, but she swallowed it down while he pointed to the window and said a single word, his hand arching through the air like the sun rising. Then he said the word again.

"Dawn," Edithe repeated. But it occurred to her that before morning there would be night and when the food was finished there was little else to do but ready for it.

Rollo removed his tunic and boots, stretching his long limbs and rolling his shoulders until they crackled.

Edithe remained seated, her throat dry and her palms sweaty.

In the firelight, the markings on his chest and abdomen seemed to spring to life or maybe it was just the way his muscles moved under taut skin.

'He killed your brother, he is the devil,' she told herself, tending her hatred just as Rollo tended the fire.

The way his bare toes wriggled against the straw floor seemed a stark contrast to how she imagined the devil would behave but that did not mean he was not evil. Evil had many faces and she would not allow herself to be seduced by it.

"Edithe," he said, holding out his hand to ease her from the chair.

She ignored his offer, standing on her own before moving to make herself comfortable on one of the benches.

Strangely he almost seemed offended at her reaction but, she would not spend another night in his bed. Last night she had allowed it simply for the chance of killing him, but now she was forming better plans.

"Edithe," he said again, his tone more commanding now as he held out his hand.

"Goodnight heathen," she told him before settling herself down and rolling onto her side, so she was facing the wall.

His hands grabbing her were not a surprise and he threw her on the bed with little care, smiling as he kicked the door closed.

"I hate you," she said and his smile did not fade.

He began unbuckling his belt, watching her, waiting for her to react but she would not give him what he wanted. She lay on the far edge of the bed and squeezed her eyes shut. Last night in the dark, she had seen enough of his heathen body and cared not to see it again.

Or, maybe just a little peek? It had been so dark, and she had never seen a man's body before. She chanced a look, but he was already moving around the bed, and her opportunity was gone. But her only disappointment was in herself.

What would her mother think? What would the Lord think? All her life, she had been taught to remain modest and to keep her eyes only for her husband. Of course, that had been easy with no opportunity to look. Being in Kattegat would be a test of her faith and unlike the heathen priest, she would not be swayed from a righteous path.

She said a silent prayer and Rollo flopped on the bed beside her.

Tensing she expected him to wrap her in his arms but he lay still, his breathing slow and steady. She was facing away from him so could not see if he was sleeping but eventually the tension left her shoulders and her own eyes grew heavy.

Edithe would not say she felt safe. But at least with Rollo beside her, no other Viking would stand a chance of harming her. So there was some safety to be had in Rollo's bed. How long it would last she could not say. But for now she could look forward to dawn and her first lesson in single combat.


Authors Note: Thank you to everyone who has favourited and subscribed and especially those of you who have taken the time to leave a comment. I read them all and I'm so happy to know you're enjoying this story :)