Gisla was casually sitting on the couch, her legs buried under notebooks, books and her laptop, working on her next essay – not that she was in a hurry since the assignment had been given that same day. She was sipping coffee while checking her e-mails, hoping that the scandal surrounding her father was not as bad as it had been once, many years ago when her mother just died. The life of a politician was not easy. Gisla wished for his fight to become prime minister to succeed. It had been Charles' dream ever since he was a child. And it became hers too.
Kwenthrith entered the room, smiling, her eyes locked on her cellphone. She sat on the couch and scrolled her pics as Judith came back from the kitchen with a large bowl of tea and sat beside her.
Gisla grumbled. She hated being disturbed in the middle of her homeworks – not that she was doing them anyway. She wanted to be alone. She had always been alone. And it suited her well.
"I took so many good pics today!" Kwenthrith said a smile on her face. "The women here are so fine looking and beautiful!" then, she looked at her roomates. "The foreigners too."
Judith blushed.
"If you want to have sex with either one of us, now is not a good time." grunted Gisla. "I am extremely busy and Judith needs to finish an assignment."
"You are always busy." Kwenthrith sighed. "Why can't you just chill a bit? You are driving us all crazy in this house!"
"Oh really?" Gisla said as she turned to look at Kwenthrith. "Says the one who is always storming in a room full of people like she was on the catwalk! Says the one who insists every day to take pics of our outfits! Between you and I, I wonder who is the one who drives the other crazy!"
"Girls." Judith sighed. "Stop this please, you're giving me a headache."
"Sorry." Kwenthrith said.
Gisla grumbled some vague apologies and went back to her e-mails. Kwenthrith scrolled again her instagram and twitter before she put her phone on the table and took a fashion magazine. Bored, she stopped reading after a few minutes.
"What are your mail about?" she asked Gisla leaning to see her laptop screen.
Gisla let out a sigh of annoyance. "Something relevant to my father. Advices I give to him. The situation is complicated."
"What does your father do?" Judith asked.
"He is campaining to become Prime minister. He is a senator for now." Gisla said.
"Why is the situation complicated?" Kwenthrith asked.
"Well," Gisla said raising her eyes to the ceiling searching for words. "it is complicated because... okay, you know this new thing called the 'Fake news'?"
Judith and Kwenthrith nodded, sighing with dismay in front of this absurdity that was this new thing.
"Well we have it in France too." Gisla continued. "And my father's political opponents are spreading lies about him and hidden accounts in Luxembourg, Switzerland and Bahamas. But my father is innocent. I know this because I often check our accounts. I know everything he owns and he cannot hide any secrets from me. This rumors keep growing and spread like poison. We cannot do anything against it because everyone is against him. Politicians are wolves ready to devour the others. My father is the victim now but as soon as he is devoured another will take his place."
"That is a hard world." Kwenthrith said. "You said you have proof he is innocent. Can't you expose this truth?"
Gisla gave a mocking laugh. "Like the public would believe it!" she snarled. "No. If people wants to believe something they will and no proof will tell them otherwise." she looked again at her laptop screen. "And the public's opinion is so important nowadays to be elected. As if it determined someon's competence and skills." she finished gloomily.
Judith and Kwenthrith gave her a sorry look, understanding her condition and the implications of this scandal on Gisla.
"Why do fathers have to have such an influence on their daughters they feel compelled to be dutiful or to escape their claws?" Kwenthrith sighed. "Why do our lives have to revolve around them?"
"I love my father." Gisla pleaded. "He is the only family I have since my mother died. I love and respect him for everything he sacrificed for me and to give me a good life. I respect how he battled to become such an important man. He went from an unloved child to a great man. He sacrificed so much for me. It is only natural that I help him as a thanksgiving gesture."
"That is gentle and kind of you." Judith said. "Amazing how in spite of the ice surrounding you you are as warm as an hearth."
Kwenthrith gave a small gentle laugh. "Are you a poet now?" she asked Judith.
"I am an artist." Judith said. "Which means I see the beauty and poetry everywhere. Besides, I love words and this guy I know taught me something about poetry."
"Aethelwulf?" Gisla asked, brows furrowed. "I did not know he could be a poet."
"Not him." Judith said, suddenly blushing. "Another guy. An English guy. I met him at the ERASMUS welcome party."
"Oh." Gisla said, nodding.
"What's his name?" Kwenthrith asked, thirsty for gossips.
"Athelstan." Judith said.
"Yet again a Saxon name." Gisla sighed. "What is it with people naming kids like that? Were they all History nerds or what?"
"I guess." Judith shrugged. "Our names fit period dramas, not real life."
"Yours fits, Judith." Kwenthrith said. "It is modern. Kwenthrith is not. I'd rather be called Kwen than any other thing."
"Same for Gisla. If my father had called me Gisèle, that would have been better. But I am not sure that Gisèle is a good name for our time period. He shoud have called me Marie, like ninety percent of the French girls." Gisla said.
"There are more and more people to name their kids after TV characters. You know how many little Khaleesi there are in the US? I mean... that is pretty, but what on Earth?" Kwenthrith said. "And you bet that with this new show about the vikings coming up this summer there will be loads of women naming their daughters after the female characters."
"I don't mind." Gisla shrugged. "So long as they do not favor a character over the others, I am fine with it."
"I did not know you were a nerd." Kwenthrith teased.
"I am not." Gisla voiced. "I just enjoy good entertainment."
"Because you have time to watch TV with all the work you do?" Kwenthrith teased again.
"Sometimes... when I am bored. And if a show is truly well written." Gisla said.
"Oh!" Kwenthrith suddenly said. "I just remembered I have an important announcement to tell you."
"What is it?" Gisla defiantly asked.
"You know it is almost Halloween now, right?" Kwenthrith said. "And with the classes and all, we've all been pretty busy. Two friends of mine are organizing a party; They're Danish and Swedish and they are like, so nice! They live in a large house and they asked me if I knew anyone to invite to that party so I thought of you two. What do you say? Wanna party with me?"
"So long as it has Wifi and I am not forced to talk or drink with people I don't like, it's fine by me." Gisla said. "I guess I'll just have to finish my homeworks on time."
"Neat!" Kwenthrith exclaimed with satisfaction. "And you, Judith?"
"I am afraid I can't. Aethelwulf doesn't like going to parties with me. I do not want to bring him with me."
"You can take him." Kwenthrith said brushing the air with her hand. "And if you desires him to be away from you, I'll be there to keep him away. I really want us all to enjoy a good time together. Girl's night."
"Then if you are here to take care of me, I guess I am in." Judith said with a gentle smile.
"Awesome!" Kwenthrith exclaimed. "Okay, the party is in a week. Choose your costumes carefully."
"Why?" Gisla asked defiantly.
"If you wanna have sex at the party or after, you ought to be well dressed." Kwenthrith said supressing her laughter looking at Gisla and Judith blushing.
"I have no time for such silly actions." Gisla said. "Time for sex is time I should use to work or help my father."
"At least I will get to take pics of your costume." Kwenthrith said. "I want for us to enjoy ourselves. I want us to be friends of some sort. Please, come with me. I do not want to be alone." she finished on a darker and less enthusiastic tone.
"Fine!" Gisla capitulated. "If it makes you happy, then fine. We'll go."
"Maybe Athelstan will be there." Judith said.
"Thank you." Kwenthrith said. "You are the best!"
"What's the name of the girls who invited you? Are they friend with you?" Gisla asked.
"The blonde one is Lagertha and the tall ginger one is Aslaug. Both are beautiful like the moon." Kwenthrith explained. "And... I want to be their friend, but I am afraid I screwed up that part. I believe they find me ridiculous. But it would be great to have them as friends. They have that thing about them that draws all eyes on them. They are extraordinary."
Gisla gave a sympathetic smile as well as Judith.
"Anyway, I am happy you guys decided to come with me. It will be amazing you'll see!" Kwenthrith said with a glowing happiness.
"Oh I trust you on that." Gisla said, a – rare – smile on her face.
Rollo was lying on his bed, eyes locked on the screen of his cellphone. Still no message from Siggy. Was she alright in Norway? Was she in Oslo or Bergen? Unless she went vacationning in Trondheim. Was she thinking about him? Would she visit him? Did she finally fulfill her ambitions? Was she the business woman she had always wanted to be? So many questions and no text to answer them.
Rollo sighed. He missed her. He missed her calm and strong behavior. He missed how she was always there, when he felt depressed, to keep him from drowning. Her ways were harsh and yet it always worked. Rollo missed her. In fact, he believed it increased his depression. Siggy was his sun and he was in dire need of her light.
And still no text from his parents. What did he expect anyway? They never cared about him. He had always been Ragnar's shadow; the forgettable one.
Rollo sighed and closed his eyes. With a grunt he stood up and went to fetch something in his closet. Once the tem found he laid back on his bed and started reading the poetry anthology he had in his hand; a book about Scandinavian poetry. Rollo loved words. He loved how they flowed into his minds and produced vibrant colors he would forever remember. Poetry brought peace to his mind, constantly at war. Rollo also loved the old sagas, filled with heroes with a tragic past, a glorious death and incredible deeds. He had always wanted to become like those heroes ever since he was a child. It inspired him to fight; whether it be physically or not.
Rollo kept reading, feasting on every syllab he could and every sound his mouth could produce. Then, he went to fetch a notebook and started writing his own melody. Rollo grinned. Poetry was freeing in a way. It relieved him of the burden of being human. When he was writing, Rollo felt like a god.
He wished his words would be published one day, but being an author was not easy, especially when one was keen on poetry. Poetry did not bring incomes regularly. Rollo was in need of a job. He was in need of a life that would satisfy him and his thirst for recognition.
After an hour of intensive writing, he stretched, tied his hair into a knot and went to the kitchen to... 2 PM! Already? He had to eat.
He quickly went to the kitchen and grabbed bread, butter, ham and salad to make himself a sandwich then sat on the couch, near Aslaug and Lagertha who were working on Lagertha's book.
"No you see, if you use that word specifically, it will have more impact." Aslaug advized.
"Okay but that is not precisely the meaning of my sentence here." Lagertha replied.
"Lags, I am your editor. Trust me." Aslaug said.
"I know but it is hard. I feel like sacrificing something."
"Lags, you are not sacrificing anything; only improving. I will graduate as a major in Literature. I know what I am talking about. Now trust me." Aslaug said.
"Oh Rollo, how are you? Did you have a good morning?" Lagertha asked as to avoid the subject.
"We'll come back at this later Lags." Aslaug warned while hiding a warm smile of affection. "Hi Rollo." she said, smiling to him. "What are you up to today?"
Rollo grunted. He did not want to talk about his life. Not at this hour of the day; not at any hour of the day. His life was meaningless! Why even bother?
"Nothing." he answered. "I went running this morning, took a shower and my afternoon's free from anything."
"You should have told me you went running," Lagertha said. "I would have gone with you."
"Yeah well, you were busy." Rollo shrugged.
Aslaug gave a smile and went to take something in her notebook. "I thought of you today." she said, sitting back on the couch. "Here." she said showing the piece of paper in her hand.
"What the... Self defense classes?" Rollo asked, puzzled brows furrowed in conclusion. "I know how to defend myself Aslaug." Rollo growled.
"I know." Aslaug said with a smile. "But they are looking for teachers. Maybe this will get you a good income. I know how great a fighter you are. You could even enrol in the army with your particular set of skills." she laughed.
"Message to the ones offering jobs; he will find you, he will contact you and he will work for you." Lagertha laughed mimicking a giant message being showed up on billboard.
Rollo grinned and laughed. He had always loved Taken.
"How did you get that paper?" Lagertha asked Aslaug.
"I wanted to learn how to fight. I want to be as strong as you." Aslaug said.
"Wha... But As! You're strong! See how you pull up with Ragnar's shit? That is a lot of strength! I would not show the same courage as you if it were me. Being able to bear Ragnar's behavior with a smile is brave."
"I drink to that." Rollo said, raising his glass of water.
Aslaug gave another of her gentle smile. "I know, and I thank you for that." she said. "But I would love to learn how to fight. I want to be able to reenact with you. I am tired of simply looking at you all have fun. I want my share too."
"Then I guess, I will have to teach you personally." Lagertha said. "Beware, I am a harsh teacher."
"And I am a good student. I'll survive you." Aslaug laughed.
"M'Aslaug!" Lagertha said embracing her. "You'll do great! I bet that in a few years you'll be able to kick Rollo's ass." she continued, looking at Rollo who grinned.
"Oh I would love to!" Aslaug teased.
"You wish!" Rollo laughed. "I think I will go there." he finally said after a few moments of silence. "And income as small as it might be is always good."
"Great!" Aslaug said. "You can go this afternoon if you have nothing to do. Also, Ragnar is at Floki's tonight. Are you here tonight? I need to know for how many people I will cook."
"I have nowhere else to be. I will be home." Rollo said. "Just give me the time to finish my sandwich and I'll go at that self-defense class to ask for a job."
"Alright. But it is rather far away." Aslaug precised.
"Do you have enough money for the bus." Lagertha asked.
"I do" Rollo said. "Do not worry."
He then finished wolfing his sandwich, grabbed his bag and headed for the exit.
"Wish me luck!" he yelled.
"Wreck them man!" Lagertha laughed.
"Go go Rollo!" Aslaug cheered. "Now back to you Lags, this word..."
Rollo gave a grin and got out of the house to take the bus. Being kept warm in it was good, especially during Fall but he was annoyed he did not take his bike to Ireland. He missed driving it so terribly. His bike was for him another way to be free from himself. Speed took every problem of his away, even Siggy not answering to his text. He missed his bike.
Rollo was walking to the buidlding where the self-defense club was when he heard muffled sounds in an alley nearby the block where the bulding was and a woman shouting. The voice seemed familiar and his curiosity increased. The more he walked to the alley the more he heard. Men talking, mocking, snarling and trash talking. Rollo growled. He did not like them. He did not even see them yet, but he knew he did not like them. They sounded like him when he was younger; when he was an asshole. They reminded him of a person he wished to forget. Unforgivable.
Rollo walked to the alley and stopped to see, flabbergasted, the woman he saw a month ago; the one with the phone, the French one. And apparently, she was in trouble and one of the guy was touching her breasts under her bra. Rollo growled. A fight. It had been so long since he last fought.
He gave a feral smile. Finally he would unleash the beast that slept within him most of the time. Finally he would feel home again. A street fight offered many bruises and blood; everything he loved.
"Any troubles gentlemen?" he asked, hiding his joy to break some bones.
"None of your business scum! Get lost!" one of the men spat.
Gisla turned her head to him and frowned when he noticed him. The rude man. What was he doing here? Why did she have to meet him again? Why in such a condition? Why was he here as she was about to be raped.
"I do think it is my business, lads." Rollo said.
"Are you deaf?" the tallest guy yelled. "Get lost!"
He punched Rollo in the face with produced a disgusting sound of bones cracking. Gisla shut a gasp of horror as she saw his nostrils bleeding. The other men laughed then started to undress her again.
"No!" Gisla begged, weeping. "No! No! No! Please! No!"
But the men did not pay attention to her pleas. Her body was for them and them only. Gisla felt humiliated; she felt like a thing someone could take again and again. She did not feel human anymore. They couldn't stain her. They couldn't.
Rollo spat the blood in his mouth and put his nose back to its former state with his enormous hands. The bones gave a sound more horrid than the first. He turned his head back to look at the man who just punched him and gave a feral and menacing grin.
"Was that a punch?" he asked, mocking. "I'll show you a punch."
Then, he punched him twice, once in the nose and the other in the jaw. The man fell with a scream of pain and agony.
"Get up!" Rollo yelled, unforgiving. "Get up I said!"
The man got up, painfully, panting having trouble to keep his balance. He tried to raise up his fists but it was no use. Rollo gave another grin.
"Good." he grunted before he punched him in the stomach. "Very good." he said banging his forearms against both of his ears.
The man was down, unable to get up. Rollo gave a look of satifcation. Three men. Nothing that he couldn't take.
"So, didnt you hear the lady? She said no." Rollo growled. "So why don't you fight me instead. I promise I will keep you alive." he said more menacing than ever.
The men stepped back for a brief moment but pride took advantage of fear and they ran towards Rollo. Rollo gave a delirious laughter and punched the first to run to him in the nose. Bones cracked. Then, he kicked another and punched again. All in the alley was now a chaotic symphony of groans, bones cracking, blood spreading and sounds of punches. At one point, one of the guys took a metallic bar to hit Rollo, but he took it from his hands and began to fight with it. He had been trained to master swords for the purpose of reenactment. Those men were no match for his brutal strength.
Gisla couldn't help watching, fascinated by that man's strength and violence. She had rarely met a man like him; tall as a mountain and strong as iron. Her eyes were locked on him, mesmerized, entranced by his brutal dance. How could a man like that exist?
After a few minutes, the fight was over. All the men who attacked Gisla were laying down on the floor, whining in agony.
"Gentlemen, I hope you appreciated the lesson." Rollo said satisfied, a wide smile on his face.
Rollo turned to her and Gisla was shocked to see that ire and madness left them only to be replaced with kindness. He picked up her grocery bag and the many cans of soup that were on the ground.
"Maybe you should re-dress yourself." Rollo advized.
Gisla re-buttonned her shirt and adjusted her skirt. "Thank you." she whispered.
"T'was nothing." Rollo said. "Here." he said handing to her the grocery bag.
"I bet you're expecting some sort of reward now." Gisla said harshly. "So what do you want? Favors? Money? Sex?"
"I am not here for reward, woman!" Rollo replied on the same tone. "I wanted to fight. I fought. I got what I want. And next time, maybe you should learn some self-defense moves! No matter if men are educated about consent, there will always be men to rape women and not take no for an answer. There will always be worthless men, woman! Next time, you better be prepared for a fight many women will lose! You do not want to lose!"
"I'll think about it!" Gisla harshly said. "Now excuse me, I have more important business to do than you!"
Rollo gave a laugh. Gisla shivered. His laugh was so warm and gentle. A wave of warmth and peace suddenly took her.
"You cannot do me, woman. I am a wild beast, you couldn't tame me." Rollo said, grinning.
"Well I can certainly leave you there!" Gisla replied. "So long, man!"
"The name's Rollo."
"Like I care!" she scoffed as she passed by him, carefully stucking her high thin heels in her molesters' hands to get back on the road.
Rollo looked at her go away. So fierce and fragile. That woman as a paradox and her french accent was definitely alluring. She possessed such a warm beauty Rollo was stunned when he saw her. She was like Summer, boiling and harsh. Rollo sighed and smiled. So young and yet so mature in some ways. She had so much to learn; and so much to teach. Rollo wished she would take some self-defense classes. He wished he would be her teacher.
Rollo gave a sigh of satisfaction. For the first time in the day, he wasn't thinking about Siggy and the absence of texts. Letting his fists talk freed him. It felt good.
LMAO told you the next udate would be slow to arrive! Just for the record I spent two days writing this chapter. I have been drowning in Crashing Waves recently (I CANNOT BELIEVE I DID NOT FINISH THIS SHIT!) recently and BOY will it be long! Also I started writing my Sig and Boda fanfic. Everything is outlined and now I just have to write the chapter, I guess...
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! See you next year or in ten years hahahaha!
