Authors Note: Danni2016- Hey, I saw your question and I couldn't send you a PM. I haven't set Rollo's exact age in this story. Clearly he's older and more experienced than Edithe but everyone feels comfortable with different age gaps and some things are best left up to the reader's imaginations :)


In the morning Edithe woke before Rollo and for once he hadn't fallen asleep completely nude. So there were no sins to distract her and no excuse for her to look upon him, yet she gazed upon him anyway. Watching the rise and fall of his chest and listening to the gentle sound of his snores.

A lock of hair had fallen across his face and with every breath, it seemed to tickle his nose. So, without too much thought, she brushed it away. Just like she would have done with Nessie, who always crept into her bed at night to share warmth and whispers.

She missed the affection as much as she missed her little sister and perhaps that was why her fingers lingered on his cheek far longer than they needed to. If they hadn't, he wouldn't have caught her, his eyes springing open in one heart-stopping moment.

She snatched her hand away. But her escape was too late, as it often was with Rollo, who caught her wrist and held it firm.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice still laced with sleep.

So many nights she'd lain in this very bed wondering if he would reach over and violate her. Yet it was her doing the reaching, her invading his personal space.

"Nothing," she said, tugging away from his hold but he didn't relent.

He eyed her with suspicion before rolling onto his side, cradling her arm.

"I should go wait for Haedde."

"Stay," he whispered, nuzzling into the furs.

"But she'll be here soon."

"No," his eyes were closed, his words still slow and sleepy. "I spoke to her last night, she's running errands today."

He held her loosely now, giving her the option to leave if she wanted to and good sense told her to do it. But another part of her relented. The bed was soft, the room still dimly lit and she'd never really liked early mornings anyway.

Laying down she thought he would doze for a while but when her head hit the mattress his eyes peeled open and he smiled, their faces now level. Such intimacy would have frightened her a few weeks ago and in a way, it frightened her still. But only because it reminded her of their kiss and how soft his lips had been on hers.

"I've planned something for you today," he whispered as if they weren't the only two people in this entire house.

Now it was her turn to feel suspicious, "what?"

"You'll like it."

He was probably right. Rollo seemed to understand how to speak to the part of her soul which others always tried to repress. The lessons, the sword and shield, the warriors clothes. Things she had always desired and he had given them to her freely yet she paid for them in guilt.

He closed his eyes again and she studied his face. Wondering if he could feel the way she watched him.

Lying here he was so unguarded, so unlike the man who'd raided her village. But it was him, no matter how genuine his apology had sounded last night. She'd never imagined he would say sorry to her. She hadn't thought he would care or even think to care. So she was surprised and struck by an unexpected decision.

Could she forgive him? Did she even want to?

Forgiveness was a virtue she did not easily possess and he was a heathen, surely unworthy of any absolution from his sins. Yet holding onto her hatred was becoming much harder than she anticipated.

More than anything, Edithe was angry at herself and her own shortcomings. Her plans to escape had fallen somewhat to the wayside because, in truth, she was afraid. Afraid of what lay beyond the safety of Rollo's reach. Afraid she wouldn't be strong enough.

"I should get dressed," she whispered, forcing herself from the bed.

He didn't stop her, only watched as she gathered her things and headed into the other room. He even knocked before entering a short while later and when breakfast was eaten they headed out.

Today they didn't walk to the meadow. Instead, he took her to the sparring grounds and the uneasiness she'd felt on her previous visit remained just the same. At least today it was much quieter.

Besides themselves, there was only one other person there. She remembered his face well enough from the morning after the raid.

"I am Athelstan, Lady Edithe," he said. His voice soothing and his manner gentle.

"I know who you are." A priest of Northumbria dressed in heathen clothing was difficult to forget. She'd wanted to speak with him ever since landing in Kattegat and perhaps seeing him today was a sign from God. A sign she must resist Rollo and focus once more on returning home.

He smiled at her, "Rollo thought you would enjoy fighting someone you could better."

Edithe laughed, "then I'm afraid he must not think much of your skill."

"Or perhaps he thinks much of yours."

Pride welled quietly inside her and she wanted to say more. But with Rollo standing between them it was impossible.

He pulled her away from Athelstan, carefully checking over her weapons. A thing he had never done for their lessons. Perhaps he was worried for her, perhaps she should be worried.

"Do you think I can win?" she asked, nerves swirling in her stomach.

"Yes," he said without hesitation. "Just remember your stance, do not give away your ground. He will underestimate your strength and hesitate to strike first, use that weakness against him."

She glanced at Athelstan, sword in hand, "you make it sound so easy."

"Because I know what you're capable of."

As he stepped away to watch from the sidelines she felt a strange sense of duty wash over her. They'd spent so much time training and now she must prove herself.

"Shall we begin?" she said and Athelstan nodded.

Very quickly it seemed Rollo was right. Athelstan was hesitant to attack her and, when their swords clashed, his steps were unsure. His moves lacking years of practice. So different to what she'd become accustomed to with Rollo, who was fluid in his movements and never missed a beat.

She hadn't realised how much progress she'd made until now. Her arms felt strong, resilient and she anticipated his manoeuvres on instinct. It was like going from fighting a bear to fighting its cub and she didn't hold back.

She fought until her muscles burned and sweat pooled across her skin. If her parents saw her now they would be disgraced. But Rollo cheered for her, celebrating every little victory and she revelled in his approval. Even if he was a heathen, he was still the greatest warrior she'd ever seen.

With his support she felt like she could not lose, so she didn't. She knocked Athelstan to the ground and pressed the tip of her wooden sword into his chest forcing him to concede.

"You fought well, Lady Edithe," he said and she smiled, holding out her hand to help pull him from the dirt.

"I hope you weren't being too easy on me."

"I wish I could say that," he laughed, showing no shame in his defeat.

Glancing behind her, Rollo remained out of earshot so if she wanted to talk to Athelstan then this was her chance.

"Perhaps we could see each other again… in confidence," she said, suddenly feeling as though she was betraying Rollo even if he was the very person she was trying to leave.

Athelstan seemed conflicted, his eyes darting from her to Rollo. "I cannot. He would never allow it and you are always watched. Perhaps when you are married we will be able to talk freely. I would like that."

Married. Sometimes she forgot that was why she was here, Rollo never mentioned it and even Haedde had stopped. Perhaps that was why she'd let herself become complacent. But she couldn't think only of herself and what was easiest, she had to think of Nessie and if she was still alive then Edithe needed to find her.

"If I am married it will be too late. Please," she urged, sensing Rollo's presence closing in. "I need to return home. You're of Northumbria, do you not wish to return to her?"

Athelstan smiled sadly, "I am home, Lady Edithe and I'm sorry I cannot help you."

Watching him walk away she realised she'd pinned more hopes on Athelstan than she'd imagined. Her ideas of escape were always more favourable when she'd pictured another at her side. But, like Haedde, it seemed he would not help her. Yet it was not out of fear. It was clear Athelstan loved being Viking and embraced it wholeheartedly.

"You fought well, Valkyrie," Rollo whispered in her ear, startling her.

She turned to look at him, seeing the way pride spread joy across his face.

"Thank you," she replied, but her words were flat, her body feeling deflated.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm… I'm homesick," she admitted, it was the easiest emotion to describe. All the others were so conflicted. Usually she felt guilty for betraying God and her family and today she felt guilty for betraying Rollo. How was that possible?

He tilted her chin to look at him, his thumb brushing across her cheek, "I know."

For a moment she thought he might hold her and she wanted to be held, even it was him who had brought her here. But his hand fell from her cheek, leaving her cold despite the sunshine.

"Come," he said and she followed, pleased when he headed away from home and curious to see where he would take her next.

They walked along the docks, weaving between fishermen, traders and group of children who were running wild amongst the hubbub.

From Rollo's house, she often heard the sound of Kattegat's town centre, weaving its way through the streets to her lonely window. But it was more fantastic than she'd imagined. There were so many people, so many things to look at and Rollo walked past it all without interest. Of course, he had seen it all before.

Eventually the docks turned into beach and still they walked, the sun feeling hot on her neck and her shield feeling heavy in her arms. But the water sparkled and the pebbles crunched pleasantly underfoot so she endured the rest.

He finally decided on a place to stop and together they sat on the beach, watching fishing boats bobbing on the horizon while the gulls squawked greedily overhead.

"Would you like to learn how to sail?" he said, watching how she looked at the boats.

"I'm not sure I have the stomach for it."

He laughed, "you get used to it. Some take longer than others."

She looked at him curiously, "you?"

He answered her question with a laugh and she smiled, finding it hard to imagine his stomach or any other part could ever be weak.

"One day we can sail somewhere together, would you like that?" he said, his fingers working to unlace his boots.

Immediately she only thought of one thing, "to Briton?"

He smiled, humouring her, "maybe one day, yes."

"When?"

Sighing, he reached for her, his fingers brushing through her hair, "when you are truly mine, I will take you home. I promise."

She didn't ask him further questions, the beach was too beautiful to be spoilt by any unhappiness or disappointment.

Instead, she watched as he threw off his tunic and waded into the surf, pausing to flick water towards her.

She gasped, the coolness biting pleasantly against her skin.

"It's hot. Why not join me?" he grinned, scooping up another handful of water to splash over his torso.

She looked towards Kattegat, mulling over his request. Clouds were starting to creep across the sky but the air was thick and hot, and dust still settled on her skin from the sparring grounds.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she began to unlace her boots. As usual, he was embracing life barely clothed, but for her, it felt indecent as she slowly rolled up her trousers to reveal bare legs.

Ignoring the way he watched, she removed her leather tabard and untucked her tunic to let the sea breeze billow under the fabric. Already it felt refreshing.

Tiptoeing forward, the pebbles were cool and slippery against her feet and the water was sharp as ice on her skin but she persisted, slowly wading in until she was knee-deep.

"It's freezing!" she exclaimed while Rollo splashed around without care, his body glistening and his hair sticking in wet tendrils across his shoulders.

"Follow me," he urged and they walked parallel to the shore, leaving their belongings strewn across the pebbles. Before long the water didn't feel as icy, in fact it was almost warm.

"Do you know how to fish?" he asked.

Usually, she tried to guard every facet of her life from him as a way to keep more distance between them. But right now she was bare-legged and windswept and indulging herself in freedom. "My father said I was terrible at it. No patience."

He laughed as if he knew exactly what her father had been talking about, "he took you often?"

"Only once. I believe once was more than enough for both of us."

"Come, look," he said, climbing over a cluster of rocks and into a waist height pool of water.

Edithe watched from the outside. His waist height would be chest height to her and she had no intention of getting that wet.

He felt around in the water and produced a starfish, laying it on the rock in front of her. "My father used to take us fishing almost every day. I hated it. Hated the smell and their slimy little bodies,"

She stroked her finger across the starfish, it wasn't slimy, it was rough and hard. "Was he a warrior, like you?"

"No, just a farmer."

She was surprised. She'd imagined his father putting a weapon in his hand from the moment he was born. Just like she imagined Rollo would do with his sons, his daughters too.

"But I did like one thing," he smirked, reaching deep into the water, disappearing behind the rock.

Edithe waited with bated breath.

He emerged suddenly, holding a giant crab, its claws reaching towards her. She gasped, jumping back, slipping, falling, and splashing into the water.

She was drenched, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment while Rollo's entire chest rumbled with laughter. He could barely hold onto the crab squirming in his hands.

"You did that on purpose," she said, stifling her own laughter.

"How could I know you'd be so scared of a little crab?" he chuckled.

She flicked water at him, intent on revenge, "heathen!"

"Now you're all wet, you can come and help me," he said mischievously, throwing the crab back into the water and holding out his hands.

She hesitated before climbing up the side of the rocks. She could have ignored his outstretched arms but she didn't. She let him hold her, his hands on her waist as he eased her into the pool.

As soon as her feet touched the sand, she squirmed, suddenly imagining all the crabs creeping beneath the water.

"Oh, I can't!" she squealed, feeling faintly ridiculous but not enough to care.

Rollo laughed at her more as he rescued her, scooping her into his arms and sitting her back onto the rock.

"Now I can see why you've only been fishing once," he teased, turning back into the pool.

On the safety of the rock, she could have kicked herself for overreacting in front of him. Instead, she could only say, "I wouldn't call this fishing."

"No, this is more fun," he grinned, pulling another crab from the water.

This time she didn't react, she'd made a fool of herself enough for one afternoon.

By the time he was finished finding the perfect specimens for their supper, the air was growing chilly and the clouds were turning grey. They retrieved their belongs from the beach just as it began to rain and hurried home, arriving inside as the rain started to pour.

Rollo lit a fire, hanging a pot of water over the top to boil while she headed into the bedchamber to change out of her wet clothes.

He prepared the crab and she watched him from her seat by the fire, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, the rain hammering against the roof.

She realised this had been the first day she'd spent entirely in his company since their journey here. If she was honest with herself, she'd say she enjoyed it. Even if she'd spent part of it plotting to run away. It was effortless being with him, the hardest part was knowing he was Viking and even that wasn't apparent when they sat by the fire as they were now.

He handed her a cup of ale and she sank deeper into the chair, cradling it in her hands. He was telling her another fishing story. But she only half listened, her eyes catching sight of something in the rafters. Something she hadn't noticed before and in this house, she'd noticed everything.