The air was growing cold and the sun no where to be found. All around the sky cast a soft hue of blue as night came closer upon them. Millie's eyes were closed as she relaxed into her father's side. She was calm and would enjoy the simple sounds of the wind and her father's breathing forgetting of where they were and how they'd gotten there. It wasn't until she would shift and feel the sharp pain around her torso and the rope that seemed to tighten around her form with every move. It wasn't until Torgeir and Olaf would speak that she was reminded of how wrong she was. There was nothing to feel joyous about.
Her eyes slid open lazily, exhaustion finally consuming her. She had let her guard down. Not entirely but enough to finally ease the strain she had over her body. It would relax then tense up when she inhaled deeply. Her abdomen would contract because of the bruising and there was a tightness in her left shoulder that would not leave. Aside from that, she easily fell into a mindset where she was neither here nor there.
From a distance, there was a low rumble. It was like roiling thunder and she could imagine dark clouds rolling through the sky and she waited for the first strike of lighting and to be showered on by rain. Neither came but the sound grew louder and steady like horses galloping. Millie was pulled out of her reverie from the sound and knew then that they were indeed the sound of hooves hitting the ground. She sat up, missing the warmth of her father, and shut her eyes tightly for a moment. She opened them wide to kill the fatigue and waited for those familiar faces to appear through the trees.
Ragnar was the first to arrive, followed by his brother and soon after the others. They were quiet after having eaten and drank with the events of the day behind them. Torgeir and Olaf stood to greet them but sensed something amiss. No one said a word but it was known something had happened.
Floki stayed the farthest from them. He shortly caught the eye of Lord Aethelwulf and spat in his direction. His mood was foul and Millie could only imagine what happened back at the kingdom to have had him maddened to this point. Rollo looked to be the only one short of a good mood. It was him who looked smug instead of his brother who hopped off his horse and approached the Christians.
Ragnar knelt in front of Aethelwulf only staring at first. He stared menacingly at him but it did nothing to the Lord. It was then Ragnar knew Millie inherited her trait to stand defiant from her father.
"Would you like to know what your brother had to say?"
Aethelwulf looked into his eyes without speaking but the subtle nod of his head begged Ragnar to continue.
"He wants to baptize my brother."
Millie looked over to Rollo. He spoke casually with Torstein who seemed to be lost in a world of his own. Eyes of the others drifted about. They were unfocused and wanted only to go back to their campground. It had been a long day for them and they wanted to rest.
"In exchange for what?" Aethelwulf asked.
He wasn't surprised at the choice his brother made. It was very much like him to ask such a thing. But in the short time that he'd come to know the Pagans, he knew they would not give in without receiving an immense price.
Ragnar stared at Millie then. His chest expanded as he took in a deep breath before releasing it through his nose. Her face was covered in dirt with small traces of blood and her hair mussed with knots. She was looking more and more wild each passing hour and though he was not partial to it, he wanted to see her before all of this. To see her as Aethelwulf's Millie.
He could feel his lips parting to tell her what the King said. To tell her how he gave her up. She would fight after hearing him. Would she hate her uncle? Would she cry? Instead, he turned to Aethelwulf again and in a low voice said, "In gold and silver."
The Lord sat back regarding him. He could sense how halfhearted the response was. His mistrust in the Pagan increased sevenfold but he did not question it.
If he knew Aelle, then he would know he must have put up a fight. He must have thought up ways to keep the heathens at bay yet trying to keep his family alive. If he agreed to these terms it was because he had no other choice, though his brother was not one to easily succumb to the enemy. He had faith Aelle would make the right decision.
None other chose to speak then and they worked in silence. They gathered any belongings that were left behind and made for camp. Aethelwulf was allowed to mount his horse without a push or a shove and it brought back any dignity he might have lost in the time since the attack. Millie grunted when she was helped onto her own and gritted her teeth when her body made to collapse. It was that time of day where she would be readying herself for bed-relaxing in a bath to soothe her sore muscles. But she knew neither a bed or a warm bath awaited back where they were headed. She had the choice to cry over that or continue to stand her ground. In the end, she placed a mask of indifference over her face despite her current state.
They rode together with a latent need to rest. The day was slowly coming to a close and they had their fill. Now it was time for them to wait out until the King made his next move.
Ragnar was in a cross between feeling triumphant yet not so after dinner. It was agreed he would have what he wanted but he felt, as an Earl, he was failing. How could he lead when others made not to follow? There were times where Rollo and him did not agree on something wholeheartedly but they would work out a solution. Where this need for his brother to oppose his every word stemmed from, he did not know.
The baptism, which was set for early next morning, would not change who Rollo was. At least Ragnar hoped. It could work out some way on their behalf and while he tried to imagine such, he knew others like Floki would hold it against him. He would not see Rollo as anymore than a danger to them. And for a brief moment, Ragnar felt the same way.
He looked at Millie in small thought. He beheld her, the way her body stiffened with each way she rocked from the horse's movements. When Leif pulled her up, Ragnar saw the underlying look of pain tear through her cool exterior. Now she fought to hide it lest she be seen as weak.
His thumb ran over the rope in his hand that led straight to her. She was just a few feet away yet she felt farther. The day started well for him and he was indecisive on whether he should end it on a note of victory. Ragnar would not be for certain until after tomorrow and until the King's end of the bargain had been fulfilled.
He reeled Millie in without a second thought and felt a playfulness fill him to the brim. She was like a distraction to what had transpired some time before and he was all for whatever she wished to hurl his way.
The familiar feel of being pulled in like a tide to the moon encompassed Millie. She did not need to look for the reason behind it knowing well enough who it was. His leg brushed up against hers once they were close enough and she fought the impending urge to look his way. She could easily ignore him as she did before but the still of him left her feeling anxious. This was the longest he'd gone without saying a word. Was it a good sign or was it bad? Slowly, she turned to face him.
A small smile played at the edges of his lips while he watched her from the corner of his eye. He could sense how uncertain she was of him. Her look of disregard did nothing to hide the look of question in her eyes. The way her brow twitched slightly from the skepticism-she had questions but she would not query him. Not for his sake but because she did not want him to think she was interested in anything he had to say.
"What is it?" he asked on her behalf.
The timbre in his voice did nothing for Millie other than offend her more than he already had. She rolled her eyes and debated whether or not she should answer him. If she did she knew she would say something her father would castigate her for. Not that she really cared, but she decided ignoring him was for the best.
She turned her attention away from him much to Ragnar's disappointment. Though half of the time she was violent, he could say that he enjoyed it. It was better than seeing her act as if she did not care for her situation.
He cast his eyes before him and did nothing to garner her attention then but she stayed by his side. He enjoyed the way her leg bumped against his and the silence they were in left him momentarily at peace. With nothing to say, he went over in his head what he would do once they reached camp.
Surely, the Lord and his daughter were hungry. Though he and the others had eaten, the Christians did not. He would make sure they had something to eat before bed. He ordered his people to feed those they held captive just before he left with the others. Not much so as to save the meals for themselves but enough so that the prisoners would not starve. That would not be the way they would die. Ragnar was sure of that.
It was much faster reaching camp than it was heading to the kingdom. From a short distance, all those who waited for the Vikings' return welcomed them. Some stood about, watching the perimeters and the others seemed to be waiting patiently. Once they were within reach, Ragnar nodded to them with a small yet sly smile.
"We're going back to our camp. Take the prisoners."
There were grunts of approval with mischievous smiles of their own. Floki found himself instantly comforted by the presence of them. He steered around so that he would ride with the others who'd begun to mount their treasures onto the horses and the fetid frame of mind he'd been in began to wane.
Millie looked around when they stopped. She watched as everyone gathered all that was not theirs. They were happy with their prizes and dragged the remaining Christian prisoners about like trash. It was an unsettling sight.
She sighed and pressed her legs hard against her horse's sides. A heavy feeling weighed down on her and she pushed down onto the saddle with a face of discomfort. Her nails dug into the leather and she cursed herself. Her neck grew warm as did her face and she swallowed her pride for a moment as she turned to regard Ragnar.
"I have to relieve myself."
Ragnar had been watching the others before he drew his attention to her. Her voice was much more hoarse than before from the lack of use and he wondered if he heard her right. Judging by how unsteady she looked beneath his gaze, he thought right.
He looked around him, leaning back and forward looking for a spot before settling his sights on the trees to their far left. It was there where some privacy could be given and if there was one, if not another, thing he learned about Millie it was that she valued that very concept. After having turned away from him abruptly when he removed his trousers earlier, he could only suspect as much.
Hopping off, Ragnar made his way over to her other side and reached up for her. Millie made no show in needing his help and, albeit awkwardly, lifted her leg and twisted in place to slide off.
The events of the day had certainly taken a toll on her and it showed when her body seemingly gave up on her. It was like a weight settled on top of her shoulders. They sagged and the point between her neck and shoulder throbbed. She'd been tense the ride back and her person shook with each breath she took.
With little grace, she shimmied closer to the edge of her horse and felt an immense pull to the ground as she began to fall. She felt herself wanting to kick and push her arms out to keep her from falling onto the ground but she could do neither. She waited for her body to contort into more pain than she was sure she could handle at that point but nothing happened.
The drop was short-lived with her suspended in the air. Her arms were held to her sides by not only the rope but by something just as strong. Arms wrapped around her loosened slightly, allowing for her feet to make contact with dirt. The sound of metal against leather sounded softly between them as she slipped down his form. Ragnar eased her down and released her once he was sure she could stand on her own.
She did not thank him after and she did not acknowledge his smile. Millie could only think about a place to go where she could actually do what she needed to do.
Ragnar placed his hand on the small of her back and nudged her forward. He watched her feet as she walked. Her steps were tentative at first with her knees having looked ready to buck but she found her strength and continued on. Millie wanted to try and pull away from his touch but she was sure she would lose herself and fall if she tried in quickening her pace. It left her with a foul taste in her mouth at how pathetic she must look to him. To anyone who watched.
She felt bitter from it all. She looked around and knew somewhere in the mess was her tent. All of them were already taken down or burned, hers along with them. She wondered if she had anything of personal value in there and who would make use of her things. Thinking more on it made her want to lash out at the nearest person and who better than the one to lead the Pagans here in the first place? But she would not think more of it so as to contain the anger that simmered inside of her.
Reaching just far enough, she stopped and turned to Ragnar. He seemed to question her and laughed when she spoke.
"I can go in by myself."
He looked away with a wide smile. He could feel warmth coursing beneath the flesh of his face as he continued in mirth.
"How can I trust you will not run away?"
In actuality, Millie had not thought about running away. It was a less than ideal plan. She couldn't imagine leaving without her father.
"I will not run away."
"Then how will you pull your trousers down?" he regarded her with mock concern. "And if you can, how will you be able to pull them back up?"
The instinct to bring her hands up to toy with the hem of her attire with a silent look of embarrassment was quelled by her irritation. He was right but she would not give in.
"Then send someone who can help me."
"I am someone."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders like he'd done to her father and pushed her forward. With a sudden burst of energy, Millie ducked out of his hold and took two steps back. Her brows were drawn in and her jaw was set. She would not play his game.
Ragnar rolled his eyes with a distinct sigh. He found her need for modesty a little troublesome. It did not help that deep down he was itching to reach camp so he could sleep. But that was, of course, after he filled the others in on the agreement King Aelle and him came upon.
She made no notion to comply with him. He stood there waiting to see if she would give in but she did otherwise. Ragnar looked behind him and spotted one of the women of his team. With the help of another, she was changing the bindings from around her arm. There was little blood left to seep through her clothing as she made a recovery from her newly attained wound from earlier's battle.
"Björg," he called to her.
The woman looked up to see him near the trees with the Christian girl. She made way to them when he jerked his head in request for her to join them.
Millie's heart made an unfavorable leap as Björg came ever closer. She was the one from before. The one Millie had injured back during the fight. She internally scolded herself and thought she should have brought her down when she hand the chance instead of wounding her as she imprudently did.
Björg looked her up and down with disinterest after she was close enough. She made no sign that she recognized Millie but the latter was not stupid.
Her brows rose in question to her leader who side-eyed the other in a way of amusement.
"The lady needs to pee."
Ragnar's candor brought a fierce lot of unease over her. Millie's eyes averted through and between the bulk of trees from the snickers that formed at her expense. They were low but taunting.
"Help her with what she needs then bring her back." He began to walk away before stopping to give one last command. "Unharmed."
And so he left them.
It was a temporary relief seeing him leave but it wasn't as if she were really free of him. Björg, as he called her, more than likely placed Millie on her list of those she would want to kill. If it wasn't because of Ragnar, she was sure she would have to fight for her life. There was no way she could win in her condition.
They walked into the depths of the forest, far enough from prying eyes. Millie felt awkward at first, unsure of where to begin. Björg was quick with her, though. Her hands reached and pulled at the strings that held her trousers up. She was rough and yanked the garment down leaving her bare before her eyes. Instinctively, Millie crossed her legs. The woman tilted her head with a raised brow in response. She found Millie's actions childish and urged her to hurry with an impatient wave of the hand.
Millie leaned back against the tree and squatted. She pushed hard against the wood so she would not fall and reluctantly went. With an embarrassment only she felt, she focused on anything but the Pagan in front of her. Björg was not interested in what she was doing but she did not look away. For precautionary reasons, Millie knew. It was unnerving nonetheless. Even more so when she finished and waited until her trousers were pulled back up.
Björg found no reason to chat. She was a prisoner. Ragnar would dispose of her soon enough. She did not hold a grudge over the Christian but she would not ease her senses. If she cared at all for what she did to her. Björg would not if the tables had been turned.
It was a relief for Millie whose body still screamed in silent pain. It was one last thing she had to worry about and as embarrassing as it was for her, it would have been more so if she'd went on herself.
Ragnar's voice was low from a distance and gradually became louder as they grew closer. He'd been filling in some of the others on the plans for the morrow. It seemed they were going to go through with the baptism. Some did not look too keen on the idea of one of their own converting to Christianity but Rollo made sure it was all as a joke.
"Do you really believe I would renounce the ways of the gods for one that doesn't even exist?" he chuckled.
They laughed excluding Floki who chose to ignore him. He did not find any of this amusing and he would not exhaust himself today any more than he already was.
Lord Aethelwulf watched his daughter make their way back to them. She looked unharmed. Thank God, he thought. He heard her request and felt a desperate need to come to her aide when the Pagan leader walked off with her. There was a little comfort that overcame him when he had one of the women go with her instead and he sighed in relief when she came back without another injury for the day.
She was pushed upwards by Björg who tried in giving her leverage to mount the horse. Arne, Millie remembered, trotted from his place by her father and came to pull her the rest of the way up. He was not kind to her and she could feel her body scream in protest as he settled her.
"Let us head back." Ragnar's voice cut through the air.
He was feeling better than he was earlier. It showed in his step as he made to climb back onto his horse. His problem with Rollo was far behind him, as if his brother's words brought reassurance to him that all would be well. And all did feel well.
His smile was small with his lips threatening to split into a teeth baring grin when he saw Millie. She looked around her with a look of disdain before her eyes lit with a fire when he pulled at the rope tied to the rein of her horse. He yanked at it again, making sure she would stay close by him as everyone headed back to the Pagans' camp.
It was much darker now with little light to guide them back. Those who walked carried torches as a way of direction for the others to follow. They were at the forefront while others trailed behind, watching for anything that could spring up and attack them. Millie watched one of the flames dance and flicker. It called to her in a sinful way. She imagined being encompassed by the heat of it and felt her skin prickle at the idea.
"When we get back, you will have something to eat."
It had taken her a minute to see that it was she Ragnar had been talking to. She was pulled out of her daydream where fire was her friend and ice was her enemy. Exactly what he was. Ice. Cold like the chill that ran up her spine when she looked into his eyes. The blue of them was something she believed she could never get used to.
He watched her from an angle. She did not look taken aback by his words. That look of disinterest was becoming a part of her now. No longer was she bringing him satisfaction and it showed.
Ragnar straightened his posture and sighed. He thought back on what was said back at the kingdom. Aelle willingly gave Millie up to him. He wanted her, Ragnar. Not really wanted. No, he did want her and he did not know why. From the moment they met he knew he would have fun with her. She was quite the Christian girl. One with a mouth and attitude and while everyone had been fighting, it was she who made to take him down. And she did. Literally in the sense that she managed to knock him over unlike the others. She was fierce and whether it was because she was tired or because she refused in humoring him any longer-Millie was leaving him weary. And that really began to show.
His patience with her was running thin. She could tell. Good, she thought. In the back of her mind she felt wary that he would do something drastic to make her react in the way he obviously took pleasure in. But her need to see him break was a calling that was far too strong for her to resist.
They reached the camp of the Pagans just as it grew dark enough to call it night. Those with fire ran forward and searched the area for any potential enemies before lighting up the pits and lanterns that stood tall from the ground. Slowly everything came to life with the men and women talking. The reins of the horses were being grabbed, feet dropping to the ground heavy with fatigue. Everyone moved about slowly but nonetheless, noisily. In their heathen fashion, they embraced as if it had been ages since they last saw one another. Their voices carried off into the sky and for a short time, they'd forgotten how tired they were.
Aethelwulf was hauled off from atop the horse as were the remaining Christians. His daughter moved frantically to jump off and run after him before she too was dragged down. Ragnar grabbed the rope tied around her, yanking her down to his level. She nearly fell before he caught her. Millie grunted and could feel the sleep she so desperately needed dwindling each passing second.
The Christians were in their territory now. It was intimidating to say the least. More so as they were taken far away from the tents where the Pagans gathered. It was behind an assemblage of plants that towered shoulder high. There lied a ditch and here they were to stay. The few remaining men groaned in pain as they were tossed onto the ground. Aethelwulf was placed onto a lone log and by him his daughter. Those that accompanied Ragnar had brought what they would need to band two to three men together and they would tie them in the same manner as Millie. Said woman and her father were the only ones left untied to another but Aethelwulf had been bound all the same.
Torstein dragged one man and placed him back to back with another Christian. He flicked him on the forehead when he made to struggle leaving Arne and one Millie did not know of in a fit of laughter.
Ragnar knelt in front of Millie as the others made due with the rest of the Christians. He grabbed at her wrists and held strong when she tried to pull away. They were still sore and he could see how dark the bruises became. He thought of tying her wrists together like the others. Briefly thinking she would try and untie them but she was secured in her current bindings. Ragnar made sure of that.
His thumb ran over the delicate skin. It was warmer than the rest of her. Millie could feel the ache. A burning sensation that left her wrists too painful to touch, but Ragnar was gentle. A feat she did not believe he was capable of.
He continued to rub the area in soft circles before taking her hand. Her fingers were dainty the pads of them calloused. They were cold and he remembered how Gyda's were the same. Warm but her fingers and toes always cold. He looked up at Millie and could see a wild look in her eyes. They were observing him. She tried to read him but he gave no hints to his thoughts.
"I want her for myself."
He remembered the gasps and the looks. No one was prepared for what he had to say. Not even his comrades. Aelle was angry. The King's face had grown red from the idea of leaving his niece with a man like him.
He wondered how Aethelwulf would react to the news.
The Lord grounded his teeth and his nostrils flared. There was a need in him to shout and attack but he was far from able to do the latter. The way Ragnar touched his daughter left him sick. He didn't want any of these barbarians touching her.
"Let go of her." His voice was low and deadly.
Ragnar met his gaze head on with a look unlike any other. They were testing each other. To see who would back down first but neither he nor Aethelwulf made to do so.
Tension was high and it filled the air. Millie shifted uncomfortably as she watched them. The fear for her father's life was prominent on her face. Ragnar had made it clear to her earlier in the day that he would kill her father if need be. If she did not cooperate with him. She was sure that was why she'd been so cooperative with him. Or so she wanted to believe.
She swallowed hard.
The sound of footsteps approaching them did not deter either of the men. Two more Vikings came with buckets where they began to give the prisoners pieces of bread. The Christians ate like they'd never feasted before. It was all they were given and they didn't try to save any bits for later.
The Pagans had approached the three then and watched Ragnar and the Lord. It was an uneasy sight for them as well and Millie could see one of them reaching for the knife in his belt.
Her fingers curled like talons as she dug her nails into Ragnar's hand. It took his attention off of Aethelwulf and onto her. She was focused on the knife that was ready to be unsheathed and he took note. He gave the Lord one last look before he held out his hand to one of the men. A piece of bread was placed onto Ragnar's open hand and the other Pagan had set to take one out for Aethelwulf.
Aethelwulf made no move to take it, still watching Ragnar with a steady look. In impatience, the Viking threw the bread at him and laughed with the other as it rolled down off of him. The pieces fell to the ground now lost in the dirt.
Ragnar made no move to upbraid his men. It was not his problem that the Lord did not want to eat. There was no doubt that he will in the morning. Hunger will strike him and he will beg.
He looked at Millie, working the aliment with his fingers. Her nails were still digging into him but this time out of ill will from the treatment of her father. She looked to be on a breaking point and he could feel the need to push her over the edge.
"You need to eat," he told her.
Like Aethelwulf, she did not make to take the bread. If it were because of her bindings being too tight, then Ragnar found no problem with that.
"Would you like me to feed you?"
How daring and arrogant. She tried her best in keeping herself together but the wound of today was still too fresh. The battle, her treatment, her father's treatment and the others. The mocking and the laughs.
Ragnar raised his hand and simulated feeding her. A chill ran up her spine and the hairs on her arm stood on end. A cold sweat broke over her beneath her armor and she knew she could no longer contain herself. Try as she might, staying quiet truly was not her forte.
Pulling back, Millie drew up her leg and kicked at Ragnar with all her might. There was a satisfaction that coursed through as her foot made contact with his chest. He fell back onto the ground with a grunt and she was satiated by the sound.
The two heathens who stood by them were ready to pounce on her. The knife that had been threatening to be unsheathed was now out and aimed at her. Aethelwulf could feel his throat constrict and the need to yell had been swallowed down. It did not stop him from shielding her with his body and he waited for the next move to be made.
There was a low rumble which had fallen on deaf ears before it grew louder. It was laughter. Ragnar was laughing. It was not out of ire but pure enjoyment. All stopped to watch him having thought he'd gone mad. He pulled up onto his elbows and continued on with his bout of exhilaration. It was dying down now but his smile did not falter.
She gave him what he wanted. Albeit viciously, she gave him what he'd been waiting for since his return back from the King's. Millie watched him laugh and she failed to see how she managed to get herself back into the game Ragnar had been playing with her. It did not matter to her now. The feelings that coursed through in the moment that she knocked him down were too good to pass up. But him laughing at her left her in a noxious state. He took her as a joke and she wanted nothing more than to kick him in the teeth.
Ragnar pulled himself together and stood from off the ground. He dusted himself off in content. He could feel his heart beating heavily against his now throbbing chest but he did not care.
He smiled at her a knowing smile. She gave in. Ragnar always got what he wanted even if it ended with him being harmed. It was worth it, he always thought.
He waved off his men and made to follow. He could go to sleep tonight knowing there was much to look forward to in the days to come. The urgency to finish business with King Aelle was strong. He couldn't help but think of the look of betrayal in Millie and Aethelwulf's eyes when the latter would be returned to his brother and the former would be forced to stay with him. Would she give in to him completely by then? He did not know but he could not wait to see.
AN: Long chapter not really adventurous. It'll get better over time.
I'm sorry for the late update. I've been really ill these past couple of days. I'll also be getting surgery but I haven't been told when exactly. This is something way beyond my control but either way I apologize.
I mentioned in an earlier chapter how a cat and mouse game will ensue later along the line and that's how I like to view Millie and Ragnar's relationship, if you want to call it that. She bites into the bait more than she should and Ragnar pounces right when he finds the perfect opportunity to do so. That's why I made a little "hint hint" when Millie was talking to her father about the mouse she wanted to keep. It'll hold a much greater significance to her later into the story. I just won't say how until then ;)
You guys are so patient with me. Even with the update being late you continue to send love for the story. Favs, follows, and reviews always make me smile.
Reviews:
DarylDixon'sLover: Thanks!
Dalonega Noquisi: We won't find out yet but soon enough we will. And thank you so much! Ragnar's famous for making "stupid" decisions even if it works out in the end so writing it out was pretty fun to do. Neither of the two found out yet but soon they will and it's not going to be pretty. The question is though, who will he tell first?
wabi-sabi1090: And you're right on all accounts! Things are going to get really rocky once they find out and I'm itching to get to that part already but I will wait (as patiently as I can). I'm glad you mentioned how Lagertha and Björn will feel about her because they're the two most likely to get upset with Ragnar. Gyda is so sweet and I believe she views her father's decisions as innocent in the sense that he's just trying to look out for people. Also, Athelstan! Wait until we see his reaction. And thank you. King Aelle may come off as if he's not fit to sit the throne but he is a king for a reason.
Katastrophe101: Aww thank you! In the next chapter there will be more interactions between the two. It will start off with Ragnar away though because of the baptism but they'll be spending some time with each other later. I thought about how I was going to have Lagertha play out in all of this and based on an interview with Katheryn Winnick, some suspicions I had were proven true so now I know what I will do! Again thank you. I will do my best.
HeavenlyKitten: Thank you! I hope your days are getting better. Sorry for the late update but I will get back on uploading more often before my surgery!
Guest: Thank you so much! I know this chapter wasn't much but hopefully you liked it.
AmalieNico: This makes me so happy. I'm glad to know and your review fuels me to continue. Thank you.
Guest: Your enthusiasm for the story is great! Thank you.
Fiona: Haha, sorry but he's not divorced buuuut I promise you he will not make her a second wife :)
Guest: This story has not been discontinued! Never ever will it be discontinued :) I will stick with this until the very end.
Guest: Thank you, thank you. Sorry for the late update but I will do my best to get the next chapter up soon.
HermioneandMarcus: Thank you!
Littledot: Thanks!
Guest: I'm happy to know you like it. Thank you.
NiNa5: Thank you. I know this wasn't much but I promise it'll get better!
Victoria: I literally just did a George Takei and said "Oh my!" Thank you so much for that. That's exactly why I made Millie the way she is. There is a softer side to her but Ragnar will have to work really, really hard to see her as such. Protective Ragnar is my favorite Ragnar. Well that and dirty, bloodied up Ragnar but hey that's another story! And no need to worry I won't be making her his second wife. He could suck on that! Millie is too good for that as is Lagertha. It won't be an easy road for the two of them. Millie is known to hold grudges and like you said, she isn't falling madly in love with him. I don't think I could myself if I were in her position. And sorry for the late update. I will get back on doing them more often.
azerty: Aww thank you. And don't worry your grammar is good! :)
Guest: Thank you!
Guest: Thank you and sorry for the late update.
Well that's that. I have to get back on trying to update my other stories because admittedly, I've been neglecting them a bit too much. I've been on a huge Vikings kick so there's one reason why. But I won't let that interfere with this story at all so no worries.
Until next time you guys!