Chapter 13

Ragnthor

He got home around 2, almost 3 weeks after leaving Windhelm. As he walked through the plain of Whiterun he could tell that spring was starting. There was only an inch or so of snow on the ground. He smiled and started singing a homecoming song.

It was around noon when he got to the farm. He walked over to the stable and Ahearn saw him and whinnied. He walked over to the gate and Ahearn stuck his head out.

Ragnthor laughed and rubbed his head. "So you did miss me. Here I thought you would welcome the break from work. Now where is Black Moon? Off to town I take it?" Ahearn nodded. Ragnthor laughed and kept rubbing his head for awhile then walked over to a small shed and pulled out a hoe.

He shrugged off his pack and coat and walked toward the closest field and started turning the snow into the earth. As he worked his mind wandered. He could feel in his bones that it was going to be a good year on the farm. He regretted he wouldn't be there for most of it.

"Damn this Dragonborn business. Is it too much to ask that a man be given a small measure of peace on this earth?" He shook his head and tore into the earth with a fierce anger.

2 hours later he was starting to work on the field across from the first one, still working with speed born of anger towards the gods for forcing this fate upon him. Little by little he calmed down til he was working with his usual happy mood.

Soon he looked up on saw it was growing dark. He walked over to the stable and threw some hay in for the animals and put the hoe back in the shed. He picked up his coat and pack, put them in the house then walked around back to get some wood for the fire. He was surprised to find that the wood was almost gone. He grabbed an armload, leaving not all many left, and brought it inside to get a fire going.

As soon as it was roaring he went out back, picked up his axe and walked into the woods at the back of the house. Soon there was a crash and he was walking out dragging a large log.

He was hard at work splitting firewood straight from the log when he felt something brush his leg and felt something sharp press against his back, followed by a voice. "What are you doing on this land? Speak quickly or I will drive my sword through your spine."

Ragnthor sunk the axe into the log, raised his hands. "I know I have been gone for almost 6 months but I would like to think you still recognized me. It's me, Ragnthor."

He felt the sword drop. "Is it really you Ragnthor?"

He turned around. "Yes little one, it's me." Lydia dropped he sword and hugged him.

As he wrapped his arms around her he could feel the tension and worry leave her.

As she pulled him tighter he thought Maybe I did the right thing sending those gifts. Let's just hope she doesn't find out how much some of those cost.

He smiled down at her. "Let's go into the house. There is a fire going. And don't worry that there isn't any warm food. I still have traveling rations and I don't think I can fit in more than a few bites. Traveling takes the urge to eat out of me." She nodded and they walked into the house.

30 minutes or so later Ragnthor was stripping off his shirt as he got ready for bed. As he sat on the foot of his bed he thought about what he needed to do as he rubbed his side. He smiled and shook his head. The axe blow was healed but he still had phantom pains from it.

As he slid into the bed he smiled, feeling good to be back at home, for however long he may be, and not having to earn a living by tearing the life out of strong men and women. He woke before the sun and got to work. By the time the sun was up he had finished with the second field, finish cutting the fire wood and fed to horses.

Slasher had come out with him and was laying in the lane watching him. He took a break to watch the sun rise. He smiled as it broke over the mountains and was enveloped in by a deep sense of peace. He shook his arms, feeling the tension leave his body. He bent down and picked up his hoe and went work. He worked straight through the rest of the day, relishing in the honest back-breaking work.

Lydia can out around the middle of the day but he ignored her, not wanting to talk about what had happened during the war. She sat on the fence for 30 minutes, watching him, then got up and walked away.

He felt bad for not going over to talk but the work needed to be done and the solitude was soothing. He worked until well after dark but had finished tilling the ground. He tossed hay to the animals, left his hoe by the door and walked into the house.

There was a bowl a soup sitting on the table and he smiled as he sat down. It was cold but he ate it with relish, being the first true meal he had eaten in weeks. As he finished he put an armload of wood on the fire then went up the stairs to bed.

He woke at a more normal time and walked down and made a fire. Soon Lydia walked out of her room and sat down at the table, watching him make breakfast. It was a simple stew, thick and hearty. He placed a bowl in front of her and then sat down as well.

"Soon we will need to go to Riverwood. The next step in helping the Greybeards is there. But this farm needs to be up and running, at least on a small scale. So for the next short while, 2 weeks at the most, I am taking a break from every important thing that I need to do. And if you don't mind getting those warrior hands of yours cover in dirt, your help would be welcome."

Lydia smiled. "My warrior hands? I grew up helping on a farm, same as you. This very farm in fact." Ragnthor laughed and they started to eat.

A short while later Lydia spoke. "What happened during the war? I want to…"

Ragnthor held up a hand. "Stop, Lydia. Please stop. I have no desire to talk over war. Just know that the Empire still counts Skyrim among her countries."

Lydia put her spoon down. "Why won't you tell me? Haven't I earned the right to know?"

Ragnthor dropped his head. "You have earned the right. But do you really want to know?" She nodded.

Ragnthor laid his arms on the table and stared into his stew. "The first, I don't know, maybe half of the war was like every small campaign I have ever done. The fighting was hard but nothing out of the ordinary. But as the war stretched on the fighting grew worse."

He sighed and looked her in the eyes, his own hard. "Have you ever cornered a wolf? One of the most dangerous things you can do. It knows it's going to die so it loses any caution it had and attacks with a blood mad fury. The Stormcloaks were like that. They neither accepted nor offered quarter. So we were forced to put them down. So many killed due to the folly of one man." He shook his head.

He continued in a low voice. "I killed him, you know. Ulfric. He called me a disgrace of a Nord then said I was dishonored my father by following his footsteps. So I buried my dagger deep in his chest. I may well have destroyed our best chance to defeat the elves." He slammed his fist into the table.

Lydia looked at him with unfathomable eyes. She sat by him and put her arm around him, as much as she could.

"I think I understand how you feel."

He broke away and glared at her. "You understand how I feel? The last time some said something like that was you and I almost killed you and I did break my fist. How could you understand that? And how many men have you killed in the 8 years I was gone? I would guess 100, maybe 150 if you are lucky. I have killed twice again that many in the eight months I have been home. And you presume tell say you understand." He saw her recoil and his anger faded.

He grabbed her and pulled her close. "I'm sorry Lydia. I shouldn't have snapped. The war has worn me down to a nub. Give me a week or so and I shall be close to my old self."

He grabbed her hands. "Until then I will try to be better. Now do you want to go to town? I need to get that seed." She nodded and gave a guarded smile and Ragnthor cleaned up the dishes and away they went.

Lydia

They left right after breakfast. They drove quickly and in silence, neither knowing what to say to the other.

Lydia was wondering why he had snapped at her Maybe all the fighting did wear him down. Or he is this way because fighting was easier than leaving. She shook he head and banished the thoughts, she was just happy that he was home.

When they got to town, Lydia was surprised at how Ragnthor shopped. First they stopped at the general goods store where Ragnthor spent 30 minutes bartering over the price of grain.

Lydia pretending to look at things around the shop but focused on what was being said. Ragnthor was a vicious barterer but managed to do so in a way that made the other person think they were getting a great deal. At the end Ragnthor knocked the price down to 5 gold per bushel. Then Ragnthor walked out of the store.

Lydia caught up quickly and asked "Why didn't you get all of the seed there?"

Ragnthor laughed. "When have you bought a good potato from inside a building? We are going to the vegetable stall. And we will most likely buy them all." Lydia nodded and they walked over to the stall.

"Greetings Carlotta. Do you have any potatoes today?"

Carlotta looked up and smiled. "Well hello Ragnthor. I do have some. How many are you looking for?"

Ragnthor put his hands on the counter. "Well most likely all that you have but at least 15 bushels."

Carlotta's eyes grew wide. "Well that is all my stock. How much are you willing to pay all that?" And Ragnthor started to barter with Carlotta but there was a difference this time.

For the grain Ragnthor had fought hard for the lowest price however this time he fought for the highest possible price. And it seemed much harder because Ragnthor had to tread careful for Carlotta did not like charity. The battle wager on for an hour before Carlotta threw up her hands. "Alright, alright. 2,500 for all of it."

They shook hands. "I have never charged so much in my life."

Ragnthor laughed and reached down to pick up a bag when Carlotta asked "Ragnthor, could you do me a favor."

Ragnthor nodded. "What is it?"

Carlotta nodded toward the Bannered Mare. "The bard in there, a Nord by the name of Mikael, has been bothering me about courting. I have asked him to stop a few times but he persists. I would like someone to talk to him before he tries to press things farther. You're our Thane, he might listen to you."

Ragnthor nodded. "Of course Carlotta. It is my job to keep the peace. I will be back when I am done. You're welcome to come or stay and talk, Lydia." Lydia nodded and followed Ragnthor into the inn.

Ragnthor

Ragnthor didn't know what the lad looked like so he sat down at the bar and bought Lydia and himself a drink while they waited for the lad to sing. They were halfway through the second bottle when Ragnthor heard a song strike up behind him.

Ragnthor turned and saw a tall, thin man with shortish blonde hair. He waited until the man finished his song and turned to talk to some young women. Ragnthor walked over and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Mikael. Carlotta would like you to stop pestering her."

Mikael turned and glared at him. "I would take it kindly if you would stay out of my affairs, friend."

Ragnthor slapped him on the shoulder. "Carlotta asked me to talk to you, friend. Surely you will respect a ladies request, won't you."

Mikael laughed. "And what will you do if I say no."

Ragnthor took his hand off Mikael shoulder and smiled. "Why I guess I will feed you your teeth."

Mikael smiled and swung. Ragnthor blocked and gave him a short jab to the throat. As Mikael's hands flew to his neck Ragnthor slammed his fist into Mikales gut. As he bent over Ragnthor wrapped his arms around his neck and slammed his knee into Mikael's gut, hard. Mikael went limp so Ragnthor let him slide to the floor.

As Mikael lay on the floor gasping Ragnthor said. "Leave Carlotta alone or you will get worse." Ragnthor turned and walked back to the bar to finish his drink.

He saw Lydia's eyes go wide and she opened her mouth when suddenly something broke over his head. He fell to the floor and put his hand on the back of his head. It came back bloody. Ragnthor stood and turn and saw Mikael standing there holding a broken chair.

Ragnthor laughed. "So you want some more. Alright laddie, bring your best." And then they tore into each other.

For a small man Mikael wasn't a milk-drinker like everyone thought. They stood and dished out at each other for 5 minutes until Ragnthor made a break. He took a blow to the chest as he grabbed Mikael's arm and slammed him though a table. Mikael managed to get up so Ragnthor grabbed his shirt and slammed his fist into Mikael's face 3 times then threw him against the wall. Mikael hit the wall hard and slid down it. He sat there, dazed, for a few moments then shook his head and started spitting out blood and teeth. Ragnthor hunkered down in front of him.

"Have you had enough lad?" Mikael nodded.

"Good. If I hear you are bothering anyone again I will drive you out of town on your knees." Mikael nodded.

Ragnthor slapped him on the knee. "Good lad."

Ragnthor stood and walked over to the bar. As he picked up his bottle he saw his hand. They were bleeding.

"Damn. Must have cut myself on his teeth." He ripped a strip off his shirt and wrapped it around his hand.

"I can pay for any damages, Hulda."

Hulda smile and shook her head. "The man has made a pest of himself for a while now. Nice to see someone put him in his place."

He turned to Lydia and smiled. "First act as Thane and it ends with a bar fight and me taking a chair to the back of the head."

Lydia had a worried look in her eye and she turned to Hulda and was handed a piece of cloth. She walked over and started to clean the back of his head. He reached his hand up to help and she slapped it away.

"You know this could use some stitches. If you want I can put some in when we get home."

Ragnthor nodded, and got hit. "That would be nice, thank you." Soon Lydia was done and they left.

As they walk out of the Bannered Mare Ragnthor was starting to get stiff. In the middle of the square Jon and Ysolda were having a fight. Ragnthor didn't pay much attention until Jon walked up.

"Well it would appear that me and Ysolda are finish. How would you like to join me for a drink to wash the…What happened to you?!"

Ragnthor shrugged his shoulders. "Mikael."

Jon looked surprised. "That little milk-drinker did all of this?"

Ragnthor smiled and nodded. "Carlotta wanted me to talk to him and get him to lay off of her. Well he didn't want to listen to we had a fight. I won the first round. He won the next round by breaking a chair on my head while my back was turned. Then we stood toe to toe and had a slug fest. I left him laying against the wall spitting up blood and teeth. He is not quite the milk-drinker you think he is."

Jon nodded. "I see."

Ragnthor slapped him on the shoulder. "I need to get home before I get sore but you are welcome to stop by. It was good seeing you Jon." They shook hands and Ragnthor and Lydia walked over to Carlotta.

"What happened to you?!"

Ragnthor laughed. "Mikael. We had a little brawl. But he won't be bothering you again nor any other woman. Now I need to get home before I get totally stiff."

As he bent to pick up a sack she said. "But don't you want anything?"

Ragnthor shook his head. "It felt good to help."

Then he started hauling the bags out the city to the wagon. Soon he had all they had bought to the wagon and they were on their way home.

"Why did you haggle up for potatoes?"

Ragnthor laughed. "Because they were all she had. She feeds herself and her child with what she makes at that stall and most people haggle down. I have given her enough that she won't have to worry about when the next shipment or meal is coming from for some time. And if she manages it well she will have enough for a dowry for her little one when the time is right. Most people will haggle down to invest in themselves. I chose to haggle up and invest in that family's future. It's one of the little things I can do to make life better for everyone."

Lydia nodded. "I can understand that." Ragnthor laughed and swung the wagon down the lane to the house.

Lydia

When they got to the house she helped Ragnthor haul the grain and potatoes into the cellar, not wanting him to make the cut on the back of his head worse.

Ragnthor brought a bushel inside and set it by the table. He then started to walk over to the fire when she put her hand on his arm.

"No. I will light the fire. You go and sit down. As soon as I am done I will stitch up the cut on the back of your head." Ragnthor looked at her a moment then did as she said.

As she was walking back after lighting the fire she saw he was cutting the potatoes into chunks. She pulled a needle and thread out of her pack and a bottle of wine from his.

"Brace yourself" she said as she poured some of the wine on the cut to clean it.

As she started to sew he asked "You do know what you're doing, right? Because if not just leave it. A bad job will make a nasty scar."

She hit him on the back of the head. "I wouldn't offer if I didn't know. Now sit as still as you can."

Ragnthor stand straight. "Yes Ma'am." She suppressed a giggle as she got back to work.

Soon she was done. It had been quick and easy because Ragnthor had hardly moved, apart from the occasional flinch as the needle went through the skin. As she sat in front of him she saw a pile of cut potatoes.

"Are we having them for dinner?"

Ragnthor laughed. "No little one but if you want some I will get more from the cellar. You need to cut potatoes in order to get them to sprout faster."

She was intrigued and asked "Can I help?" Ragnthor nodded, wincing, and slid her a knife and a few potatoes.

"Now there is a bit of a trick to it. The goal is to leave not more than 3 eyes on each slice but to leave enough fleshy part that the young plant can have food until it can get it from the soil."

They working in silence for an hour or so, enough time for Ragnthor to try and get another bushel and Lydia to stop him and get it herself.

"Well this is a fair start for one night. This might be enough to plant a half or so of the first field. We will do this all tomorrow, if you don't get too bored. That should be enough to plant 2 fields. After that I will have to leave them on the roof of the stable for 3 to 4 days so they start to sprout before we put them in the ground. During that time we should plant the grain and some corn I brought from Cyrodiil. I want to see if it will grow up here. If it does I will have a corner in the market. And if you mix grain and shelled corn it makes wonder horse feed. By then we should be able to plant the potatoes. Does that sound fine to you?"

Lydia nodded. "That sounds just fine. So long as you don't pop any stitches."

Ragnthor smiled and stood, munching on a raw potato. "About that. I don't think I have thanked you for that." He walked over and gave her a kiss.

He tasted like potato with just a hint of stew. Very pleasant. She was blushing by the time he finished.

"Well little one, is that payment enough or do I need to pull out my coin pouch?"

She smiled and shook her head. "That was fine."

Ragnthor smiled down at her. "Well in that case I must beg my leave. That fight today took a lot out of me." She nodded and watched as Ragnthor walked up the stairs then threw an armload of wood on the fire and went to bed.

-Author's note: Round 13! And here it is. The long awaited next installment. And sorry it took so long to come out. Had family over after Christmas and then went on a family vacation where I forgot my laptop at home. And then after not writing for two weeks it took awhile for the creative engine to turn over and start running smooth. And this one is one the shorter side of what I write. Shoot it might be one of the shortest I have done. And then next one might take awhile as well. Never wrote a farming sequence before and I need to get it right so no farmer yells at me for doing it wrong.