Rollo awoke before Edithe and was surprised to find her settled so comfortably in his bed, her leg tangled with his and her cheek pressed against his shoulder. Happily, he watched her for a while, relishing the closeness and thinking how horrified she would be to discover the way she nestled against him.

Deciding to keep this moment for himself, he carefully moved from the bed so as not to disturb her. He was certain she'd not enjoyed such deep sleep since leaving Briton and perhaps doing so would even her quick temper. But who was he kidding? Her temper was a torturous pleasure to him.

As he waited, Haedde arrived and began to prepare breakfast while he took the opportunity to sharpen his axe and oil the handle. It was ritual he usually did his first night home from raiding. Of course, returning home this time had been much different than what he was used to.

His plunder never usually preoccupied so much of his time and, for a moment, he pondered how much easier bachelor life had been. But it had also been lonely.

So many of the men he'd grown up with, including Ragnar, already had sons and daughters of their own. At first, he had not minded it. In fact, he'd enjoyed being unburdened by a wife and family.

But now those sons were getting arm rings of their own and training to be warriors. He wanted that for himself. He wanted to sit by the fire like he was now, showing his children how to sharpen the edge of a blade and how to wield it in battle. But for now, he would show Edithe. If she ever got out of bed.

It was mid-morning when she finally awoke, and Haedde hurried to tend to her in the bedchamber, while he could only eavesdrop on the gentle chatter of their voices. His home had never been so full of life, and he embraced the warmth of it wholeheartedly.

When they emerged, Haedde took her leave and Edithe hovered by the door, watching her go before hurrying to fetch her new sword and shield.

"We go fight?" she said, her pronunciation a little wonky but very charming.

"I was beginning to think you might sleep through your first lesson, Valkyrie," he teased, knowing full well that he would have waited all day if he had to.

Picking up his sword, he playfully tapped it against hers, "we go fight."

When he opened the door she hurried outside, breathing in the fresh air and exploring the streets of Kattegat with curious eyes. Rollo couldn't get enough of watching her. From her skirt billowing in the breeze to the way her hair shone like polished onyx in the dull sunshine. He might not have been King like Ragnar but in his opinion, he possessed the most beautiful creature in all of Scandinavia.

The usual sparring grounds were on the edge of town and almost immediately he regretted bringing her here. She didn't understand any of his directions. But worst of all, was the crowd which gathered to watch them and, though he usually revelled in the attention, this time he felt uneasy.

He could not help but notice the way they looked at Edithe. Some looked at her with hatred, she was an outsider, a Saxon. It had taken a long time for people to tolerate Athelstan and tolerating her would be no different. Others looked at her like he did, with desire, and he disliked them most of all.

He found it so distracting that instead of focusing on her, he was focussed on them. Leaving Edithe with the perfect opportunity to strike a heavy blow across his chest, causing him to stumble off balance to the tune of many laughs.

Even Edithe laughed and the joy of it was very becoming on her face. Her lips were made for smiling, kissing and all of life's pleasures.

"She's feisty," Gunnar said, circling Edithe like a hungry dog, his greedy fingers reaching out to grab her.

She slapped his hand away with her new shield, scolding him in her foreign tongue, her temper now burning brightly in her eyes.

"I wouldn't mind a turn humping her when you grow tired of it," Gunnar laughed, grabbing for her again.

Before Edithe could defend herself once more, Rollo lashed out his wooden sword, striking Gunnar across the wrist without restraint. The sound of the blow echoed like a crack of thunder and Gunnar yelped with both pain and surprise.

"If you want to lose a hand then try to touch her again!" he challenged. He would not allow someone to disrespect his woman in such a manner. Nor would he allow another man to even think about laying his hands on her. She belonged to him, and if his protection meant nothing, then Rollo was nothing.

"You'd fight me over this Saxon whore?"

Rollo held his temper steady, but the bear inside him raged for blood as it always did. "Call her a whore again and I would kill you for her."

Now, this was a matter of pride for them both and many people had died for less.

"My shield!" Gunnar demanded while Rollo cast aside his wooden sword in favour of his axe.

This was not the fight he'd expected this morning, but he would never shy away from an opportunity to defend his honour. Or Edithe's.

He grabbed her arm, pulling her to where Solveig was standing.

"Keep her out of trouble."

"And who will keep you out of trouble, Rollo?" Solveig asked, eyeing Edithe with disapproval.

Rollo laughed, "only the God's."

"First to draw blood gets to keep your precious Saxon whore!" Gunnar declared, goading him.

Confidence and recklessness were his virtue and his burden. Especially when his blood was racing as it was now. In moments like these, there was no stopping his stupidity or his axe. "If you can draw blood, Gunnar, then you can take everything I own!"

Gunnar pounded his axe against his shield, smirking. "Then you're a bigger fool than you look."

Rollo attacked and Gunnar dodged him easily. They had trained together many times and he knew Rollo would make the first move, just as Rollo knew he would favour his left side.

To win a fight like this he needed to calm his bloodlust and plan his moves. This was not a race and, if he didn't let bullheaded pride blind him, then he could outclass any man who stood in his way.

He breathed deeply, glancing to Edithe. Her face was filled with concern though he was certain it was not for his sake. But still, she was watching his every move and he enjoyed holding her attention. He'd said he would teach her how to fight and this was lesson number one. Never lose focus.

Rollo attacked Gunnar again, this time striking him in an old injury. After that, Gunnar moved slower and Rollo continued his assault, shattering Gunnar's shield until it splintered from his hands. Then he went in for blood. The edge of his blade carving a red river across Gunnar's chest. It was enough to signal him as the winner. But Rollo was the bear and his onslaught persisted until Gunnar was on the ground with Rollo's foot pressed into his neck.

All around people shouted for the fight to end. For Gunnar to be spared or for Rollo to finish him while Gunnar clawed for freedom and mercy, his face turning purple.

In the madness, Rollo's eyes sought only Edithe's approval. He was fighting for her honour, what did she want him to do?

Beside her, Solveig cheered, urging him to take the kill but Edithe was watching with quiet contemplation. Judging, waiting to see if he would finish the life of an unarmed man.

He smiled at her, releasing the pressure from Gunnar's neck and her eyes softened to his mercy. Perhaps if she didn't hold so much hatred in her heart for him, then she might have smiled back. But that was for another day.

"If you ever think about going near her again then I'll cut off your cock and feed it to the pigs," he spat at Gunnar, taking the time to slowly clean the edge of his axe on Gunnars tunic.

"Why did you not kill him?" Solveig demanded.

"Fate did not want to claim him today," he replied, reaching for Edithe. His bloodsoaked hand cupped her cheek, marking her soft skin. But more importantly, she didn't slap him away. She allowed his tenderness even if she frowned at it.

"Less than a week living with the Christian woman and already you are soft."

Rollo chuckled, "if everyone in Kattegat killed the men who wanted to hump their wives, then there would be nobody left to go raiding with." He knew that better than anyone.

"Home," he said to Edithe and she sighed with disappointment. He was disappointed too. He'd wanted play with her, to enjoy stolen touches as he showed her how to fight but that would have to wait for tomorrow.

Already he'd decided a better place for their training, a place he could have her all to himself.