Floki entered his tent with Ragnar close behind. He was in a dither between what he knew was right and what his friend felt was right but it did not slow him down. "Lie her there," he said as he searched around for his smelling salts. He would talk to him on a more personal level when this came to pass.
Ragnar complied and gently placed Millie on the ground. He pushed the bit of hair that clung to the side of her face back with his fingers lingering around the bruise he'd given her. It was an angry blemish now and he brought back his hand quickly as if his touch stung. She looked peaceful despite the circumstances. Her brows, for once, were not drawn together in his presence and her lips were not pinched in that frown of hers. They were slightly apart, dry, and pale. There were dark shadows beneath her eyes and her face awashed with a cold sweat she'd broken into prior to her fainting. Her arms hung limp by her sides but the rope tied around her kept them off the ground. Ragnar pulled his knife out without question and began to cut away at it.
There was a sound behind him indicating someone followed after them. The entrance to the tent opening and flapping closed was loud in Ragnar's ears but his eyes did not stray from the woman. Whoever it was that came in did not say a word. They simply watched-observing in a calculating manner. Floki looked back briefly, his jaw set and his mouth watering enough to spit in anger once again but he swallowed it down. He would not act out. Instead, there was a small sound that escaped him as he found the salts. The leather pouch was heavy with it and he untied it carefully as he came to kneel by the Christian girl.
The bit of rope that was left to cut came undone and Millie's arms sagged. Floki looked at Ragnar with question in his eyes but the man did not look back at him. Something inside him writhed like a snake and sent a sliver of something he could not name up his back. An unpleasant feeling all in all.
"This will bring her to," he said.
Ragnar angled Millie's head as Floki brought the pouch just beneath her nose. There was a faint smell that left the two with noses twitching and lips pressed together into a thin line. Not a second later they watched as her chest heaved. Her breathing picked up and her eyes opened in a daze at first. She was at a lost, but with one last whiff Millie jumped. Floki pulled back before she could knock the salts from his hands and frowned as she coughed with her face twisting into that of a grimace. Her nose and throat felt raw as the distinct smell flowed through the passages. It was evident she'd never experienced such a thing.
She tried leaning back on wobbly arms but she was still weak. Besides the ache left behind from whatever brought her back, her vision was unclear and her head felt heavy. Millie could not bring herself to speak. Her heart raced and she did not fight the hands that helped her to sit up.
He jumped when she did. Ragnar sat forward to hold her up but he thought against it. It was when she looked unsteady as she leaned on her arms did he touch her and she did not fight him.
"Can she drink something?"
"Give her a moment. She must rest first." His tone was not caring. Floki was feeling impatient and it showed but Ragnar ignored him.
Rollo who stood by in silence never took his eyes off his brother. He watched his hand which wrought nothing but pain for the Christians ghost over the girl's arm. It was as if he were comforting her as his other hand lie flat on her back as a way of support. He felt angered by what he saw. Even more than when he saw him bound off with the Lord's daughter in his arms. There was a small curiosity in Rollo to see what would become of her but if she were to die, he knew he would not care. And seeing she'd been helped by Floki, though reluctant, fueled him.
His arms crossed and uncrossed with him pacing. He wanted to stay to talk to Ragnar but he knew he would not stand for this in silence any longer. And it was clear to him how unwanted he was in the presence of the trickster. Rollo turned his back on the three and left ill tempered. He passed by Leif and Tostig who stood not far from the tent with questions but neither asked. They looked between themselves and to Torstein who watched Rollo's retreating form.
The screams of Aethelwulf died down by then. He no longer thrashed but two of the Pagans stood by him all the same. Tears threatened to spill forth from his eyes with one having already slipped in his moment of rage. He worried deeply for his daughter. To see her fall before him as she did and to not be the one to catch her, to save her, to help her in the slightest left him feeling powerless. He wanted to be there for her and when Ragnar took her away he felt his world coming down around him. He was still then and silent. There was an emptiness in him with his mind solely on her. His Millie.
Said woman closed her eyes. The grass beneath her felt sharp against her hands. Her palms itched and her belly ached. She caught the words-speaking of water. They were like a Godsend but she was denied it. Millie felt her lips parting ready to beg but she closed her mouth as her body swayed.
"Lie her down. She should not be sitting."
Ragnar tried in easing her back down but she fought against him. Her hand came up to the front of his leather jerkin where she held tight. "No," she started to say but she lacked the strength to continue. He was conflicted then. Despite his feelings, Floki was helping the girl. He would not say or do anything to harm her so long as Ragnar forbade it but she struggled with each bit of force he placed on her.
Fear crept over Millie like a spider in its web. Painstakingly slow and agile as it begot angst. She was in unfamiliar territory with her father gone from her side. She knew something was wrong. She barely remembered how she'd gotten where she was. Barely remembering why. But it was obvious to her that it was Ragnar that held her where she sat and the one named Floki who he'd been speaking to. The need to fight back was quelled by the importance of her fragile state. She needed something to quench her thirst and to kill the pang that assaulted her stomach first.
Eventually, she acquiesced. Ragnar brought her down slowly where she decidedly curled onto her side. He watched her lips part again as she tried to relax but her brows would draw in and pull a part as an unspoken pain tore through her body.
Floki stood and motioned to the outside with a nod of his head. His friend acknowledged him but did not stand to leave until he was sure Millie would not fall into unconsciousness once again. She lied still breathing as evenly as she could and he left her there as Floki made to leave.
The cool air washed over them as they stepped outside. It brought a chill over Ragnar as it was unbeknownst to him that he'd been sweating. Nerves, he told himself. It was an unexpected turn of events. The baptism was, as the Lord said, would be a ceremony that would not take long. He was right and he was sure it was more so for the King and those present could only stand being in the presence of the Vikings for so long before something unfavorable would transpire. When he returned to his captives, his eyes immediately drew to Millie whose look took on a pallor unlike any other. He came to the quiet assumption that it was from the lack of water and proper food as well as having her body pushed too far. He did not know how far her training went and believed not far enough to have her fall as she did. She was ill equipped for hardship. Hardship if left unable to attend oneself properly afterwards.
He knew it was a struggle for Floki as well. The hesitance he displayed before him when he came to him with Millie in his arms was as clear as the cloudless sky they stood beneath. Although his feelings towards the Christians were nothing but self-evident, he pushed it aside long enough to come to Millie's aide. Long enough before he began to express his agitation to Ragnar at the present time.
"You care too much for the Christians."
The meaning behind those words were apparent but he did not mean of the other Christians he currently held captive but of Athelstan who he took in and of the woman just feet from them. Athelstan he understood well enough. He'd taken him in guise of a slave. He'd done so for the monk's sake before the late Earl Haraldson but Ragnar was genuine in his interest for the man. For the way he carried himself and for his belief in his God. As for Millie, Ragnar released a halfhearted scoff. Halfhearted because Floki was not wrong. He was interested in her. If he were not, he would not have had the King give her up to him. But there was an accusation he fabricated in his head. One Floki did not make but there was something none too short of paranoia that led Ragnar to believe otherwise.
"I do not care for them as you say I do."
Floki's head tilted slowly with a look Ragnar could not discern. "And yet one lives beneath your roof as a free man and the other you worried over as if she were one of our own.**" He spoke in their native tongue as if it would remind him of where they stood in all of this.
There was not much he could deny. He could not deny what was said at all but it did not stop the look of irritation to sweep over his face.
"Do you question me as an Earl?"
"I question what's in here." Floki tapped the side of his head in demonstration.
He did not respond for he had nothing else to say. It seemed to stump him-to question his state of mind. Ragnar could feel the slight twitch of his eye and craned his neck as he would do whenever he felt the slightest bit of discomfort.
Someone approached them and there was a small bit of relief that fell over him as he drew his attention away from the prosecuting eyes of Floki. Torstein drew close to them with wandering eyes that followed him closely. They stalked his every move and for every reason he knew why. Not one of the men and women present had not witnessed what happened just moments ago. Chatter started as soon as Ragnar and Floki were out of sight. Most of the comments were ones of confusion that slowly turned into questions they knew were going to be left unanswered. And which in turn had turned into assumptions. When Rollo followed after only to leave suddenly in an air of ire more assumptions were brought forth. Torstein had soon been taken into account as the only one who could bring them answers. As skutilsvein of the tribe, the Vikings were quick to depend on him. But he would not speak if Ragnar asked it of him.
His voice was low as he spoke. "What has become of her?**" He crossed his arms shortly before looking to some of the men who watched them from the corner of his eye.
"She is ill but she will be fine.**" Ragnar spoke quickly.
He knew Torstein did not ask because he was worried for her but it seemed like the right thing to do. A common courtesy to Ragnar for it was he who found something in the girl that mattered enough to him.
Torstein mulled over his next words. He did not want to sound like one who wished to pry for the sake of gossip but found there was no other way to say what he wanted to say. "They will ask." It was short but the meaning behind it was easily perceived.
"Tell them what I told you." And nothing more. The after thought was silent but Torstein knew his friend well enough to understand.
Floki's eyes shifted from one man and to the other as they spoke. His ears though were attuned for any suspicious sounds from inside his tent. He had a battle axe and a newly acquired blade in there. Though he knew she was in a weakened state, he would not hold it beneath the Lord's daughter to try and search for something she could use against them now that Ragnar released her from her binds.
There was a pause between them before Torstein shifted. He looked unsure as he asked "Does she need anything?**" As if it were something worth questioning. But she along with her father and the remaining Christians were their prisoners and to cater to their needs was unlikely.
Ragnar looked at Floki, that question of his coming quick to slip from between his lips.
"Can she drink now?"
The usual look of mischief had long since fallen from Floki's face. It seemed the longer they stayed in Northumbria England the more it left him drained. Each passing hour was taking a toll on him that left him sour and unwilling to partake in anymore Christian nonsense. And it showed when he looked to Ragnar in a certain way before he nodded.
"But only a little."
The other two men exchanged a look of understanding before Torstein nodded and took off. The two were at a level with one another where one could say they could read the mind of the other. He would fetch Millie some water and food. Nothing heavy to upset her stomach far more than it already was but something to sustain her considerably.
Floki and Ragnar entered the tent again to see Millie had not moved from her spot. Her eyes were still closed and her breathing had evened out for they no longer heard the harsh inhales and exhales as she'd done when she'd been woken from her spell. Ragnar knelt by her side as Floki worked around them. She was still as he watched her and thought her to be asleep. Her knees were bent and her arms were curled in close to her chest-taking in the appearance as if she were relaxed.
Millie knew she was not alone again. The obvious presence of the two men were accounted for as one moved about and the other sat close by her. She could feel the eyes of one of them on her and could only guess who it was. It was unnerving but she said not a word of it. Her mouth was ajar to which she brought to a slow close to keep in the bit of moisture she was able to muster. It was not much but surely was something though it still hurt to swallow. Millie was also sure if she were to move she would fall ill again and so was why she lied in the same position Ragnar left her in. Simply thinking about moving a finger forced a sense of unease through her where she was left in a state of nausea. She no longer trembled and could feel a rush of heat over her face. She was feeling flushed times more when she felt the warmth of a hand as it settled against her cheek.
Hesitant at first, for fear of watching the world spin uncontrollably around her, Millie opened her eyes. It was a slow and languid move before she closed them again. They were heavy but she willed them to open once more and followed along the length of an arm to see Ragnar who looked unperturbed by her look of uncertainty.
His brow rose only slightly, enough of an indication to see he was a little surprised that she was awake. But she did not take note as she looked on in mild apprehension and wondered to what reason would he have his hand on her face.
Not much color returned to her and he found himself checking to see if she were cool to the touch. It was obvious to him then that she was anything but as he could feel the heat emanate from her. Her skin was not as clammy but the healthy glow from before was no where to be found. And besides the bruise, it was dirt that brought any bit of hue to her pale face.
Ragnar pulled his hand back when someone entered behind him. Torstein accompanied by something that verily much appealed to Millie's senses knelt down by Ragnar and presented him food and water. The smell of meat reheated to an almost perfection permeated the air. Millie wanted to sit up and take a gander at what is was specifically but she knew it would be torture. Both for her body and state of mind. It was agonizing as it was that they would eat in front of her and all the bitterness from before came over her once again. It was obvious to her they enjoyed watching their prisoners suffer and so she was shocked when Ragnar spoke as he made for her to sit up.
"You have to eat," he said as he eased her up. His grip on her was firm but not enough to hurt her. "There is food and water."
Millie lied a hand down onto the ground and gripped the grass tight in her fist. She found a little strength to use her arm as support as she eyed Ragnar warily.
"Why do you do this?" It was apparent how famished she was. She meant to sound harsh but the words left her in a raspy breath.
He did not answer her and masked his face with a look of indifference. He momentarily questioned himself as she asked of his motive but Ragnar quieted down the thoughts that whirled in his mind. Whatever she asked of and about him, he would provide an answer whether it were of great significance or trivial but not now.
"Eat," he said and placed the plate onto the ground in front of her.
The aroma was stifling. It overwhelmed Millie leaving her in a state of temptation but she did well to hide the look of need that wanted to break through. She looked up at Torstein who watched her with as much scrutiny as Ragnar did but she did not shy away from his eyes.
She could not understand why this was happening to her. Was she not a prisoner? Yet they were seemingly attentive to her needs. But why her needs alone?
She gave the meat one last look before her face twisted into one of disgust. Millie turned her back on the two men and lied on her side. Her eyes closed to shield her sight from Floki who eventually settled into a corner where he surveyed the three of them.
Ragnar's finger tapped impatiently on the cup of water he still held in his hands. He was baffled by her reaction. Having finally been given something to eat and drink and yet she denied herself the pleasure.
"Don't be difficult," he sighed. "You must eat."
"I will not." There was a finality to her tone and Millie felt in control. Though she was everything but.
He could feel the eyes of his men on him as they waited for his next move. Ragnar knew Floki wanted her out and Torstein sat by him as a dutiful friend. As always. The latter, though, Ragnar could sense the amusement coming from him as his brow rose at Millie's opposition. He himself would have found humor in the woman as he had done many times before in their short time together but he felt numb to that familiar feel of delight. Instead, it was taken over by irritation. A sort one would have over a petulant child.
Before standing, he placed the cup down with a calm Torstein knew he forced himself to bear. Ragnar walked around her until he stood before the direction she faced seeing her eyes were shut with her brows drawn together and her lips pressed into a thin line. With little hesitance, he bowed and grabbed the collar of her shirt that peaked beneath her armor and hoisted her up into a seating position.
Millie's eyes opened wide at the sudden pull and slapped at Ragnar's arm as she tried pulling back. She struggled against him as he brought his other hand down onto her shoulder to keep her still and fought with a sense of force she thought she'd lost in her weakened state.
Ragnar came down onto one knee before giving her a firm shake. She stilled for a moment as he stared at her. He tilted his head slightly looking at her and nothing more. Millie knew of that particular look in his eyes. She knew of the way his lips held together because his jaw was set. He was trying to intimidate her with a look she was all too familiar with. One she'd seen her father use before and one she soon learned to do herself. In the end, it did nothing for the both of them.
He sighed as he released her. She made an unnecessary jerk back as if she herself pulled out of his hold. It brought back a fraction of something akin to good feeling in Ragnar but he did not let it show.
"Why will you not eat?" he asked but he left no room for an answer as he continued. "You are hungry and you are thirsty. I am willingly giving to you what you need so you do not faint again."
The ending to his rant brought a sense of clarity to Millie and she came to an understanding of what it was that happened to her. She thought back on her last thought before all had gone black. It was like a distant memory now that she tried to think of it but she held what he said to be true.
His face was closer now and Millie felt herself draw back from the proximity. He continued in trying to intimidate her though he knew it was a hopeless act.
Millie moved her tongue behind closed lips and worked her jaw slowly as she prepared for an onslaught of reasons as to why she would not eat. She spoke of them silently to herself at first and some she provided an answer to. One of them being, if she were his captive then why push her to eat? Why did he need her to better herself if she were nothing but ransom? But she knew then it was because of that. She was a ransom to be paid and he needed her in good health so her uncle would comply to his request. It did not quell her mind into silence and she felt her lips coming apart as one thought in particular could not stand to be left unsaid any longer.
"What about the others?" She could feel pain forcing its way from the back of her neck and up to her head but she did not waver. "What about my father and his men? I will not eat if they do not."
A fake smile that barely reached his eyes graced Ragnar's face. "And look where that got you."
Shaking her head softly, Millie pulled back another inch away from him.
"Are you providing them water?" She glared. "Will they be given meat and not bread as I have?"
He could feel himself craning his neck as he'd done earlier. Ragnar knew the answer he wanted to give her but he bit down on his tongue. Hard. They mean nothing to me, he wished to say but who was she to him? She was his Athelstan? A pair for the priest? Not for the priest.
He would not delve deeper into that thought.
His lack of an answer brought a look of detest over her face.
"You would give them nothing yet me..." She did not finish but she believed she'd gotten her point across.
Ragnar clenched and unclenched his jaw. "What do you want me to do?" He knew.
Millie held his gaze before he rolled his eyes at her request.
"Give them food. Real food to sustain them and water. Then will I eat."
The word was quick to escape him. "No."
"Then I will starve."
She lied back down-the only option she had in "walking away" from their bout. Millie did not trust her legs and she knew neither of the men present would allow her to leave.
Pressing his lips together into a thin line, Ragnar sighed deeply through his nose. He had no time for this. For her unwillingness to comply. Though there was a part of him that understood where she was coming from. If the roles had been switched, he knew he would do the same but compared to the imagined scenario, their situation was real and he wanted her to eat. He wanted her to accede to his terms and he knew what he was about to say next would be unappealing to the ears of his companions.
"Fine."
Floki's head rose slightly with his chin jutting forward. His nostrils flared but he said nothing. Nothing when really he wanted to say everything.
Millie did not respond to Ragnar's word. She was skeptical and would not give in until she saw for herself her father and their men eating and drinking something that would be suitable for their stomachs.
His teeth were still clenched together as he looked at Torstein. Ragnar gave the order to administer food and water to the prisoners despite how troubled he was by fulfilling the woman's request. But it was the only way she would eat and drink herself and that he was concerned over. He would not allow her to waste away.
"There. They will eat," he said as Torstein stood to leave. "Now you."
Though subtle, Millie rolled her eyes. "I must see for myself."
There was no question to what Ragnar or Floki were feeling. The warrioress knew they were not happy and reveled in a feeling of her own. She was at an advantage, though for something relatively small compared to the real problem at hand. Ragnar was complying for whatever reason and she sat up so as to ease herself onto her feet.
There was a small struggle as she pushed herself up. She moved slowly as her vision grew blurry and her head spun as gravity threatened to pull her back down. Her hands rested on her knees and her eyes closed. With even breaths, she opened them slowly and pulled through.
Ragnar stood quickly as Millie came to her full height. He watched as she fought to stay steady on her feet before she made to leave the tent. Quickly, he grabbed her arm before she was beyond his reach with a look that spoke volumes. Her small triumph seemed to go to her head as she believed he would let her roam the camp freely.
"Despite the agreement, you are still my prisoner."
She looked back at him and could feel the irritation he exuded from before dissipate into nothing. Though she knew very well what she was to him it did not stop the sting that accompanied his reminder.
With her arm still in his grasp, Ragnar looked Millie over. She was in no state to fight and he was sure she would not run away. His fingers unwrapped and wrapped around her. He placed a small bit of pressure in his grip and nodded to himself as he led her off towards the outside. If she wanted to see for herself that her request would be granted, then so be it. He would take her.
Outside, all those who stood in wait earlier had soon dispersed leaving only few idling by. It was best for them not to wait on Ragnar's word. All that happened came to pass and he was unwilling to talk about why he did what he'd done. Thinking back to what Torstein said, he knew many of his comrades were interested to know what happened to the Lord's daughter and why Ragnar sought help for her. It was nothing to concern themselves over.
The accusations from before-those he was sure Floki made when it was he himself who did were now ever so prominent in his head. He forced it back to the farthest part of his mind and held Millie tighter as she unintentionally drifted from his side.
Familiar and unknown faces watched her as she was guided through the camp. Millie would hold the gaze of one or two of them before her eyes would drift over the grounds. Despite feeling light-headed, she was quick to take in every detail. From the distance between land and water. From between encampment and to the edge of the forest. Though she knew how she, her father and the rest of the Christians were at a disadvantage, Millie memorized everything around her for if and when the time came for them to escape. She imagined a ploy her uncle would devise. How it would be done based on the surrounding area. She thought then if they were being watched. Her sight stretched across the field and towards the thicket where she once sat high on her horse, observing the Pagans who held her hostage. She saw no one but it did not mean that at one point or another there wasn't anyone. Millie liked to believe someone had a watchful eye over them. It brought a sense of comfort to her.
The ditch she'd once been in was in sight now and around it were more Pagans. Millie nearly lurched forward to see if her father was given exactly what she requested. It was the tug on her arm that slowed her down as Ragnar stopped her from going further. From where she stood she could see the meat and water presented with the usual bit of bread. The men were wary at first as the Vikings made to give them food but eventually took to eating and drinking with just a hint of content. She could see her father who no longer sat where she last knew him to be. His head hung low with him unresponsive to the commotion around him. He seemed lost and Millie's lips parted to call to him. She could feel the word fighting its way up her throat. Father, she wanted to say but could not bring herself to do it. Something in the way he sat stalled her from taking any move she wished to make and a sadness crept through her like darkness blanketing all come night.
Ragnar spoke silently to himself as he watched the ordeal unfold before him. For a moment, he second guessed himself but he swallowed it down in arrogance. His hold on Millie loosened slightly where it then slid down the length of her arm to settle around her wrist. She did not react to the sudden lack of force he'd placed over her and not still as he drew himself closer to her. Enough for her to feel his breath ghost across the side of her face as he spoke.
"You have your proof."
She was startled by his voice. By the heat of him so close. She was almost scared to look his way lest she'd see for herself what little distance there was between them. Millie could feel his eyes on her and it was only when she knew he would not look away did she take the dare to look back.
Her breath hitched. It was the closest he'd ever been to her and she admonished herself over her involuntary move. She quickly looked away and back to her father in time to not see the smile that stretched along Ragnar's face.
Millie could not shake the feeling that took over her as she looked at her father. He still made no move to eat nor to look up and see that his daughter was there. She shook her head softly and regarded Ragnar with a soft but firm voice.
"He's not eating."
He followed her line of sight to see Lord Aethelwulf sit by in silence. There was a sliver of annoyance that coursed through him. Though the Christians ate, Millie's father did not. If there was anyone there she cared for most it was obvious to all it would be him. And if the Lord did not eat neither would his daughter.
"He is worried for you."
There was a natural instinct in Ragnar that flickered to life at the Lord's stillness. One only a parent could feel and he knew very well then Aethelwulf's silence was for his daughter he'd been screaming for moments ago.
It had not occurred to Millie that that was why her father looked the way he did. In the end, she'd thought he'd given up. The way his shoulders drew upward with his head down-had her father given up and was it because of her?
She inched forward but thought against going any further. Ragnar would not let her go and she mulled over ways to garner Aethelwulf's attention. A simple call to him felt like it would not be enough. There was more Millie wanted to say and share. She wished all those present were gone. Everyone. The Pagans and the Christians. She wished it were just her and her father. Them on their way back home to her mother and sister. Any bit of privacy she felt was needed between the two was overshadowed by every single person present. It was driving her mad.
As if sensing her distress, Aethelwulf's head began to rise. He looked up and to his men who ate and to the heathens around him. Three heavy heartbeats before he looked straight ahead and to his daughter whose chest rose as she took in a deep breath and held it. Though she did not hear, Millie knew he'd spoken as his lips moved in the form of her name. The smile that slowly came to her felt misplaced as she could the sadness in it. Her father responded in kind and did nothing more as he waited for the next move.
There was a tug on her arm as Ragnar pulled her out of the Lord's line of sight. A flash of something crossed her father's face just before it was pulled out of view. Millie whirled her attention over to Ragnar. He pulled her over a few more steps back before stopping and grabbing hold of her other wrist.
"What?" she hissed.
His look was thoughtful as he contemplated over something unknown to her. It was something that came to him over the time of silence they were in as Millie watched over her father. Some of the Vikings that were around them had gone and nodded in acknowledgement as they passed Ragnar but his mind was elsewhere. Even now when he suddenly pulled Millie away to say something, he stood silent wondering what her reaction would be to what he wanted to say. But he knew whatever that reaction would turn out to be, it would be none too pleasant and Ragnar was not entirely sure how he would feel about it. His current thoughts and feelings were based on what it was she'd might say more than how she would feel.
She was feeling unnerved at his silence. Millie's mouth opened as she was set with curses she wished to throw his way but the sound of his voice stopped her short.
"Your father and the rest of the prisoners will be given meals, as they are now." He paused for an effect but she said nothing. "Every day." Another pause to gauge her reaction but still nothing. Ragnar inhaled deeply before continuing. "They are and still will be my prisoners but I will give them what they need until your King completes his end of the bargain."
Millie's brows furrowed and her eyes were full of skepticism. Despite his constant reminders of being his captive, his willingness to be hospitable spoke volumes of something more. Something else that left a sour taste in her mouth. He was striking up another bargain and he was waiting for Millie to fall into it.
"In exchange for what?"
That smile of his she loathed so much made an appearance once again. It was small and taunting and her nostrils flared in response.
"You will be given the same treatment as well, of course."
"In exchange for what?"
His thumbs rubbed circles over the leather wrapped around her wrists. She couldn't feel his touch but it did not stop him.
"Stay with me." The words were not pleading. "If you do, you will eat, bathe and be given a change of clothes."
Millie's arms pulled back roughly but his hold on her was strong. Her feelings towards the deal he had yet to finish making was all too obvious. Her eyes were wild with anger and her lips parted enough for him to see how tight her teeth were clenched. Her jaw moved beneath the skin in a menacing manner but he did not care for it. It was the answer she would give that he wanted to hear because even if she did not like what he had to say, would she really risk so much? And all because she refused to play his game?
Her breathing was erratic. She tried leveling it as the fast intakes and exhales left her dizzy and grasping for the closest person to her when really she wanted to be far away from the one before her. Millie shook her head slow and stiff as she took in what they'd exchanged.
He wanted her to stay with him. The stay would be indefinite for no one knew how long until her uncle Aelle would make a move. Whether it would be for a day or two to weeks or even, dreadfully, months. Though the latter was highly unlikely it did nothing for Millie but leave her in a stricken panic that slowly began to bubble inside of her. She swallowed it down quickly and shook her head again as she began to reason with herself.
If she stayed with him, her father would eat. That was the most important of all things for her. The Christian men would not starve as well and neither would she. Her benefits of the bargain sounded more appealing than that of the men. She would be able to bathe and change but why? That unsure feeling she had back in the tent came to her again. Her needs were favored in comparison to the men and there was sick feeling in her stomach when she thought too much of it.
Millie sighed and felt the need to crane her neck as tension took hold of every muscle around her neck and shoulders.
With another shake of her head she looked at Ragnar, unbeknownst to her she looked away in her moment of frustration.
"And if I choose not to?" Her tone was strong and threatening as if daring Ragnar when knowing her denial would not affect him in any way she wished it would.
His smile had since waned but it was not out of disappointment. He knew she would react unfavorably. But Ragnar was on a high of power where all doubts he had before striking such a pact were silenced and he continued on in earnest.
"I think it is obvious what the outcome will be."
She knew he would not have them killed. Surely they would slowly starve once again but Millie felt she was mentally prepared to last this time. There was a threat behind his words but she could not find any real danger behind it. Still, it did not stop the wariness that crept over her.
"If I stay," she started. "What will you have me do?"
Ragnar smiled again but it barely reached his eyes.
"I will not harm you nor will I let any of my men have their way with you if that is what you fear."
She sneered in response. Millie did not voice her worry of what staying with Ragnar would entail but he sniffed it out like the dog he was. Still, she made not to show the caution she still felt.
"It doesn't really answer my question."
"If you really want to know," he bowed slightly to her level. "Then stay."
He wouldn't have them killed but it did not mean Ragnar would let them off easy. Though how obvious the outcome may be, as he told her, Millie knew there was more to it than he was telling her. That bit of wariness she'd been feeling in their exchange bloomed as she came to terms with what that silent threat could mean.
She seemed to deflate before him and Ragnar was given the inkling that she would give in. It brought a sense of satisfaction to him and it showed with his smile.
"Millie," he called to her as she struggled on in her stillness. What is your answer?
Her hands tightened into fist with her nails digging deep into her palms. Her body was stiff and her head no longer light. There was a shift in the air as she looked Ragnar dead in the eye to voice her answer. An answer she was sure to regret.
-
AN: I wonder what she's going to say, hm?
First I want to apologize for not using a proper line break. For some reason, I can't find it on the editing system. Either I'm not looking close enough or I don't know what! But yeah... Second, I really really do apologize for this terribly late update. These past couple of weeks have been terrible. Beyond terrible really. I also officially dub August my bad luck month. Nothing good comes out of August for me which is a shame because it's my birthday month. Anyway, I wanted to make this chapter as long as possible to make it up to you guys so I hope you all enjoyed it.
I'm still debating whether the Christians as the Vikings' prisoners should last for a week or maybe longer. I don't plan on making it too long but maybe it will be a day or two more than a week. That doesn't mean much for us as the readers but I'm just thinking of how it all works out for the characters. So ignore that. That's just me babbling away.
Ragnar's feelings towards Millie are conflicting. It will take a teensy bit longer for him to come to terms with them compared to how he was with Aslaug and these are based off of an assumption I made when watching the show. Millie, of course, is going to take longer than Ragnar but that does not mean a little fluff won't happen here and there *wink* *wink*
The responses I am getting for this story are tremendous. You guys are amazing and it is because of you that despite all that is happening in my life right now, it is why I'm pulling forward. It's why I'm doing my best to get this story out to you guys. With that being said, I want to give out the usual thank you's for all the favs and follows and for the reviews!
Reviews:
Ain'tEasyBeingBreezy: Neither can I! I can't wait for everyone's reaction when we get there. And I think it's safe to say we all feel the same way, haha.
Littledot: Thank you and thank you. You are too kind.
SilentlyTearful: I'm glad you were and I hope this update was good enough to make up for how long it's been!
NiNa5: Thank you so much! Hope you liked this chapter.
Dalonega Noquisi: That is so sweet, thank you. Yes! Soon Ragnar will come to terms about his feelings towards Millie and we'll get to see if he's okay with that or not! Floki doesn't like where this is going and something may or may not happen later into the story because of it ;)
wabi-sabi1090: Thank you! And I get excited when you review. It really means a lot to me. I love how deep you get into the story. It lets me know how into it you are and it inspires me to do so much with the story in hopes of the little and big things you can catch on to!
Lady Ravanna: Oh, thank you! I'm glad you feel that way and thank you again, haha.
DorkySoul: Wouldn't that be cute, haha! Floki and Millie will definitely develop some type of relationship later on but I won't say what kind! We can only imagine what Lagertha's reaction will be! There are so many parts I can't wait for you all to read. And don't worry about your grammar! It's really good! And thank you!
HermioneandMarcus: Thank you! And I apologize for the late update. I hope this long chapter made up for it.
ANewLight: Ah! That makes me so happy to know. Even if it's rare, I love doing Millie/Aethelwulf moments. Without getting too personal, I guess it's that young girl in me who wants a good relationship with a parent that really gets to me so doing it in a story-I don't know! It kind of feels like I'm living it a bit. And I hope for others it's the same way. With any character, really! I love how into the story you are and it means a lot when you express your thoughts and feelings about it. And thank you for both the review and the well wishes. Hope you liked this chapter as well!
Guest: Thank you and I promise I'll get better with the updating! I hope you liked this chapter!
ckiely: Thank you! I hope you liked this one and thank you, thank you again and again :)
AmalieNico: Thank you and yes poor Millie. That makes me so happy to know. I can't wait to get to that part. Soon! It will be soon. And thank you again!
Barbara: Thank you! I will not stop this story, haha. I will continue with it until the very end. I'll do better with the updating too! Hope you liked this chapter.
Guest: Thank you so much for those kind words! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the many more to come.
Jenga-Tree: That is so sweet of you to say :) Reviews like this inspire me to continue. Thank you!
NL92: You don't need to apologize! I should be the one apologizing for the late update XP And thank you!
The Auburn Girl: Thank you and thank you! Hope you liked this chapter.
Mr. Soze: Thank you! And yes, absolutely! I followed the script a bit in the beginning to give everyone a sense of where everything was taking place etc. but the majority of the story will definitely be something original. But thank you for your input! A review is a review and I will and do take everything you guys say into consideration :) I apologize for the late update and I do hope you enjoyed this chapter and future chapters to come.
punky warhammer: I'm glad you do! I hope you liked this one as well.
NightlyRowenTree: Thank you!
Lina: Thank you so much! You are too kind. Sorry for the late update and I hope you really like this chapter as well.
Guest: Thank you, thank you! I can't wait to get to the romance as well ;)
As I've said throughout the AN, I really am sorry that it took me this long to update. I'm not even going to lie! My hands are a little shaky right now because I'm nervous of everyone's reaction. I hope you all aren't too mad at me for taking so long and I really do hope you guys like this chapter.
On a side note: What do you guys think of the season 3 trailer? I'm so excited for the new season! And I also heard there will be a major character death! Who do you think it is and who do you hope it isn't? I'm hoping it isn't Torstein! I like to think of him as my imaginary Viking boyfriend, haha. But I also hope it isn't Floki or Athelstan. Also, if you could choose to kill off any character who would it be and why? Send in your answers!
Thank you again for everything guys. I love it when you all interact with me so I'm looking forward to your reviews and for your answers to my questions. Until next time!