She inhaled deeply, consciousness slowly coming to her. Her nose itched as a strand of her hair blew across her face. She licked her lips and was compelled to open her eyes but the sleep she'd been in was beckoning her to fall in deep again. Millie felt a tightness in her neck and moved a little to kill the ache but couldn't find a comfortable position. Her father's armor felt harsh against her face and it was what forced her to come completely to.

Her eyes opened to see the world around her was dimly lit. The day was slowly coming to an end. She looked up to see streaks of clouds stretching across the sky. Contrasting greatly to the clear skies she'd last seen before nodding off to sleep. She felt nothing as she stared on knowing she once loved the colors the sun would cast before it began to set.

Sitting up, Millie looked around in uncertainty. Her brows were drawn together and her eyes wildly searched for something.

The sun had already begun to set.

Her head jerked around with a look of question on her face. Was it really this late in the day? Was it even the same day? Maybe dawn was beginning to break instead. She looked up into the sky to trace the sun's whereabouts. Far off to the west she could see the light that beamed beneath the coming night clouds. It streamed through the trees and filled Millie with small worry.

"Are you alright?"

His voice startled her. Millie looked at her father with her expression unchanging.

"Um," she started. Her voice was hoarse and she cleared it before blinking a couple of times in silence. "Di-did the Pagan woman come for me?"

Aethelwulf frowned as he studied her. "No, why?"

Björg hadn't come for her? She said she would come for her as soon as the sun would set. Did she forget? Unlikely. Had their exchange been a dream then? Very unlikely.

"Do you need her assistance?"

"What?"

"Do you need assistance to go-" He did not finish his thought but Millie caught on.

She shook her head. "Oh. No." Her father opened his mouth to speak again but she cut him short. "I just had a dream, I think. It was nothing."

The Lord's frown deepened but he said nothing of her strange behavior.

Millie was curious to know why Björg had not come for her. She did little to worry over it as a small relief rushed over her. If there was no confrontation between the two then that meant she didn't have to make a choice. But she would not hold her breath over that thought. Sooner or later they would meet again and she had a decision to make. A final one that could affect her, her father's and the others' position greatly.

She hadn't come to one yet. She'd been contemplating over the if's, how's, and why's of what her stay with Ragnar would ultimately mean before falling off into a stress induced sleep. Even now as she sat awake, Millie could not make up her mind.

What was she supposed to do now? Soon Björg would come. That was a given. The woman would come and she had nothing to say. This wasn't nearly as easy as Millie thought. Then again, she never thought her making a decision on this would be easy at all. And her father. She looked at him to see he'd been staring at her. With one brow raised, he questioned her in silence. Millie softened the look she could only imagine she'd been expressing to cause him to look at her the way he did. He did not seem completely convinced but still chose to say nothing.

He was worried over her as it was. Millie couldn't let him feel even more so. But if she made the choice to stay, how could she expect him not to? She didn't even know how he would actually react if she were to leave him. Even if the stay was temporary. But did she really have to ask? The answer, to her, was very clear.

So then, was she going to stay?

She didn't know.

Before, she told herself that if she were to it would be her to break the news to her father. But now she didn't think she would be able to. She could already imagine the look of panic on his face. The strong demanding "no's" and "absolutely not." But Millie couldn't allow someone like Ragnar to say a word to her father. Not one word about it. As silly as the thought was, Millie thought of Björg. Would she do it for her? No. How could she live with herself knowing she'd be leaving her father sitting ignorant and blind to the matter? That she had a chance to say something but chose not to because she was what? Scared? She couldn't do that to him. She wouldn't do that.

That was it then. Her answer was yes?

No.

No. Her answer was no. She would not stay.

No!

That wasn't her final answer. Neither of the two were.

Millie was finding it more and more difficult to actually make a choice. It made her angry and frustrated. She was frustrated with herself and angry at him. Oh no. She was livid with Ragnar. She didn't make bargains. Millie took what she wanted how she wanted it but so far that had proven to be anything but. If she really did receive things as she expected them to be she and the others would not be in the position they were in. And for someone who never made bargains, well she found herself making them one after another. With one being one of the utmost importance. This determined life or death, no? But Ragnar wasn't stupid. He wouldn't leave them to die.

She almost laughed to herself.

Of course he wouldn't. This is exactly what he wanted. To watch her break and to make a stupid choice. All before waiting until the last minute to leave a "charitable" gift along the lines of food and water. He wouldn't let them fade away. Would he?

For a moment she thought she'd outsmarted him but really it was he who had the upperhand. Who knew what ran through that heathen's mind. And with everyone's health deteriorating... He wouldn't let them die but it very much felt like it.

She looked up towards the sky as if her answer was there written in an invisible ink. What should I do? She did not know if she were asking herself or someone she was known to seek answers from. God, what should I do? It was always silent whenever she called to him. Millie would always sit in silence waiting to hear his voice. So many times she heard men, women, even children claim they've heard the voice of God. Her parents included. But it was something different for each of them. A man's voice, a rustle from the trees, a sign of some sort. But all Millie could hear was silence and nothing more.

Speaking of silence. Millie took note of how unusually quiet the Pagans were. From the little she could see, she knew the camp was still occupied. Fires were still lit and it was becoming brighter over time as the sun took to lowering lower and lower. And still no Björg.

Millie was not the least bit worried at the idea of anything having possibly happened to the other woman. The Pagan's well-being was the least of her concerns but she felt slightly unnerved all the same.

She stretched out her legs and looked over the men. It was getting harder to see their faces as the darkness came slowly upon them. Though the few she could see left her feeling ill. They were still, silent, and evidently weak.

Thinking then, if anything happened to any of her uncle's men would the bargain be off the table as well? She would like to think so but there was a feeling deep inside of her that made her feel otherwise. There was an uncomfortable twist from within and it showed on her face. Though she loved him very much, her uncle Aelle wasn't one to fret over a couple of fallen men and it was something she was ashamed to admit. She'd heard plenty of conversations between him and her father to know how far his concern for others extended to.

A cold breeze blew over them and Millie trembled. If she were to stay with Ragnar she would be given a place to sleep. Somewhere warm but not her father nor the men. How selfish would she be if she'd go knowing it would be her who was mostly benefiting from the agreement? Terribly selfish. Yet wasn't she being so already? Unwilling to give herself away even if for a day so that those she cared for will be able to eat.

One of the Christians shifted as he tried to sit himself up completely. He sat leaning back against another with his shoulders hunched over. He grunted as he struggled to sit up but found difficulty in doing so.

"Straighten up for a moment." His voice was low but Millie heard him over the stirring of the trees. He turned his head at an angle to regard the man he sat tied to. Again he wished for him to straighten but his plea had fallen on deaf ears. "Cuthberht."

The air around Millie seemed to thicken. Her heart beat rapidly and she began to sweat. The man was rigid just as she at that moment. "Cuthberht," she called to him, his name foreign on her tongue. Her voice was soft before she spoke his name again and again, louder each time but still no answer.

She felt uneasy and it was beginning to draw the attention of the other men who took to staring in befuddled silence.

Aethelwulf looked at the one regarded as Cuthberht. His head hung low and from the little he could tell, his eyes were closed. He moved stiffly as the other man struggled to sit up. His knees were slightly bent with his legs, in an entirety, unwavering to all the movements.

The Lord swallowed deeply before closing his eyes. He'd seen this before and knew well why he was not answering.

"He's dead."

His words were like ice cold water pouring over her body. It froze her in her place and she watched the struggling Christian stop all his movements as well. Her toes curled and her heart sank. The man was dead.

Is this what she'd been waiting for? For a good man to die? To see his stiff body fight against the push and pull from the other man?

She swallowed.

How long had he been dead for? Millie swore she'd seen him awake some time before she'd fallen asleep. Or was she mistaking him for another? She chewed at her lip, fighting the need to release a shaky breath.

Was this her fault? There was no need for a reply. She knew the answer to the question already.

Her body instinctively pressed closer to her father. No longer did she feel the little warmth that radiated off of him and wondered if he too felt a cold wash over him.

He said nothing at first as he waited for her to collect her bearings. She was as still as ever and he knew the death affected her far beyond than it should have. "Are you alright?" he asked but knew that she wasn't. Neither was he. He'd seen plenty of men die before but it was the ones who slipped off into the afterlife in the dead of night-the ones who had not fallen in battle. Those were the most painful to watch. The ones hardest to endure.

"Yes." Her voice was soft but he could hear the struggle. "I'm alright."

She was far from alright. It was guilt that she felt and something else she knew she should have felt prior to all this. A sliver of confidence and a realization. People fought wars. Out on the battlefield, at home and within themselves. Some wars were lost while some were won. Then there were those one thought had been lost but with time, no matter how long or how perilous the journey, victory had come. Millie leant over to rest her head against her father with that realization burning its way through her. She was in a war of her own and so far she was losing. She allowed it to happen. Now it was her turn to set things right even if it would mean she would be giving herself up entirely whether for one night or for many to come. Still she felt on edge for every thought she had of what would become of her if she were to stay with Ragnar. But if she wanted to be anything like her father, a true leader, she needed to take risks and do what she could for her people.

Millie's ears perked up at the sound of voices. People were coming in from somewhere behind. The foreign tongue she'd been accustomed to hearing from the Pagans rang through the air as some of their people returned from an excursion unknown to her. Now as they approached the camp did their site come alive. It was why they'd been unusually quiet. Some had gone for whatever reason Millie could only think of and now they arrived with talk and laughter. Had that been the reason why Björg had not come for her? Was she a part of the group to have left undetected by Millie? They must have gone when she was asleep and now she was awake with her heart skipping a beat. Would Björg come now? There was no time to waste then, was there?

What an ugly coincidence this was. Fate was starting to set an unfavorable course for her.

Her lips parted to speak but her throat constricted with everything she wished to say. She took in a slow breath before releasing it, easing her senses. She knew that whatever she was about to say... Millie regained her composure that slowly began to fall.

"Have I ever said or done anything to make you or mother believe I did not love you?"

She felt his shoulders shrug as her father seemed to think over her words.

"No. Never."

She nodded softly. "I'd do anything for you. I'd risk my life for you."

"And I you."

The sound of foot steps were loud in her ears. A figure approached them but Millie knew well enough who it was even in the coming dark. She stood there then. Her hair that had once been loose now tied back into a braid. She could feel the eyes of Björg on her, watching and waiting.

She licked her lips quick before speaking again. "Just know that whatever I do, I do for you."

There was an uneasiness about her Aethelwulf could sense. It came off of her in waves he felt penetrate into his chest along with a small feeling of alarm.

"Millie?"

Björg came to stand by her side, her hand outstretched in her direction. Millie looked at it before nodding and pushed up as she was pulled to stand.

"Millie?"

There was a panic in him she could hear and knew that if she were to go, she needed to do so now before he would try to convince her otherwise.

"I'll be safe." Lies. Weren't they? "And so will you. For some time."

He shifted to face her but his eyes were on the other woman. "Where are you taking her?"

"This was my choice." He looked at his daughter with eyes bleeding emotions far beyond what she could understand. "I promise I will see you again." She pushed into Björg forcing her to take a step back. She wanted to leave. Not wishing to stay any longer knowing she'd back out of the choice she made if she did.

The two turned away and she could practically hear the struggle of her father finding something-anything to say to keep her from walking away.

"Millie I-"

"Everything will be alright." She looked over her shoulder to him before turning away abruptly. He would make her stay. With just a look, he would force her to stay. But she knew she couldn't.

He called to her again, panic so evident now in his voice. Again and again. Nearly screaming her name as she was pulled away from his sight. There was an ache he bellowed and it reached her, grasping at her form forcing her to stop for a moment. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She held it for two beats before releasing it and feeling the tension release her forcing her to push forward once again despite her father's cries. She tried closing herself off. To be unfeeling but it was harder than one truly believed.

"It is final then?"

Millie clenched her teeth as her nostrils flared. All the anger she'd yet to release. All the anger she held since the last she saw him boiled and bubbled from deep inside her. Her eyes were set like daggers to all who watched her walk side by side with her caretaker-her detainer who held her arm firm in her grasp.

"Yes," she hissed. It was final.

"Good."

Her feet were heavy and her knees ached but she was wide awake. Fully aware of her surroundings and no longer did she feel the turmoil she forced herself into. Her body was wired with the enmity from before. Back before any bargains had been made. She bristled at the comments made. Many of them she did not understand but she could feel the disrespect all the same. There was a strain tearing through the air causing her back to arch. Her shoulders became stiff and her chin strong with her head held high. She would take the pain left behind from leaving her father's side and use it as a shield for what was to come.

Farthest from the others was his tent. Millie knew it was his. Ragnar was somewhere in there and Björg stopped her just feet from it.

"Stay," she commanded as if Millie were an animal.

She glared at her with her teeth grinding loud in her head. Her eyes followed the woman until she disappeared into the hold where she would greet the man with the very thing he wanted. The one thing he demanded.

Millie's hands clenched and unclenched in quiet ire and to stave off the cold that threatened to split her skin apart. She felt heat rush into her palms as her nails buried deep into the flesh. It was all she was willing herself to feel despite the discomfort that compelled her to look back. She could feel the eyes of the others watching her. Intent on finding out why she was there. It was a small struggle to not stare back but she didn't dare risk all with just a quick look. The possibility of throwing everything away over one glimpse from one of the heathens was high. She knew if she turned to them she would react unfavorably. And who was to say if her outburst would end well for her or for the ones she chose to do this for.

A hand slipped between the flaps of the tent, pushing away to reveal Björg. She scanned the girl over before beckoning her in with a nod of her head.

Whatever thoughts she may have had about going back were far from her now. She knew there was no turning back. Not for some time at least. Not until she knew what she was expected to give up for the sake of her father and the Christian men.

Warmth enveloped her the moment she stepped in. The canvas walls did well to keep out the chilly air and her skin prickled from the feel of it. Drawn immediately to him, Millie's scowl deepened. He looked as well as ever and she far from it. She felt dirty and knew she must look wild with her hair unkempt. He was accompanied by two others. His brother Rollo and the one called Torstein. The former looked on in confusion before she'd come in. But his eyes darkened then with his thoughts casting shadows across his face. She could see that whatever he was thinking would be unpleasant to her ears. Torstein's mouth hung ajar as he switched his sights between his friend and Millie. He said nothing but his initial bit of shock was enough for her to understand that no one truly expected her arrival.

Ragnar stood before her, his eyes betraying whatever look he wished to convey. Millie could never discern the air about him nor his stares. She'd become perturbed by what she could not understand but refused to let him know.

"We will continue to speak outside." The two men glanced his way as he continued. "But for now I need to speak with our guest alone."

There it was. The tone she would never care for-she could never miss. Derisive in all its glory and now she was to face it alone.

Rollo's jaw stiffened as he clenched his teeth. He craned his neck giving his brother a look of warning. Ragnar returned the look with one of his own forcing the other to leave despite his wishes to do otherwise. He followed behind Torstein who slipped out into the night and with Björg being the last to see the Christian girl and the Earl in a heated match of stares.

A breeze from the outside wafted up her back as the tent came to a close behind her. There was a stark contrast between that and to what she felt inside and it was a reminder of the things she could reap from her current ordeal.

"I didn't think you would come." The smile in his voice was enough to send her over the edge but she would cooperate.

"I wasn't going to."

His brows raised in mild interest. "And what made you change your mind?"

Because one of my men died and I'd rather not wait until another life is lost. He would give her no sympathy but it wasn't something she wanted anyway.

She shrugged. "A change of heart."

He smiled at her lackluster humor.

He extended his arm with his palm out as an invitation for her to come closer. She did little to move at first and when she did, she still stood a great distance away from him. Ragnar moved from his place knowing she'd want to keep her distance but he wouldn't allow it. He stepped closer to her, silently praising her for taking a stand rather than stepping back away from him.

"And what makes you think I'd let you stay now?"

The small surprise was evident on her face. She didn't think about how he would respond to her coming to him days later after her refusal. She expected him to take her in just as he wanted to that very day but he no longer smiled. No bit of mocking in sight. This was by far the most sincere she'd ever seen him. With a seriousness she thought he was incapable of in her presence. But she couldn't let him win.

"What makes you think I'll let you push me away?"

Ragnar's face softened by the slightest bit and it startled him. Her weary eyes flickered to stare between each of his own. He could tell she felt unsure of herself but her voice betrayed the look of confusion she did quite well to conceal. She was pushing back. Testing him and he let her drag him in even if it was for a second.

He looked away with a small laugh. Ragnar was happy to see her again. He had no doubts about that.

Stepping back, he turned away from her. His steps were lazy as he wandered around his tent. Little treasures taken from the Christians lied strewn about. He stepped over them and to his makeshift bed were he ran his foot over the edges of his furs. Ragnar bit his lip for a moment in silent thought before looking up at Millie. Her eyes never left him and they seemed to darken even with the little light from the candles he had that would go from a gleam to a glimmer. Another courtesy gift from the Christians.

"You must be hungry." A fact he knew all too well. Ragnar moved over to her once again and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "I will have someone bring something for you."

Millie's arm tensed at the feel of his hold, her eyes shifting everywhere. "And the others?" She released a breath as his hand fell from her.

He seemed to have forgotten how their bargain had gone. She refused to do anything Ragnar could ever wish from her unless the Lord and his people received a similar treatment to her own. She would eat if they could. So far that was all that she demanded from him and only the gods knew what else she would request as time passed.

His mouth opened and his look spoke volumes of uncertainty.

Millie's nostrils flared as she glared. "You said-"

"I know what I said." He nodded. If he wanted her to stay he needed to meet her halfway. "And they will eat, just as I promised you."

Her features softened from the angry scowl but not enough to warm the frigid air she placed around them. Due in time Ragnar believed she would put her defenses down long enough for her to see he was not out to harm her. It was his initial intent but things have changed. The adjustment he expected from her would not happen over night or even after a month but he was confident that Millie would come to enjoy being in his presence. Something that was surely to occur after he'd bring her home with him. Though the priest was stuck in some of his old ways, Athelstan and he had been making some progress. But Millie was not Athelstan. That much Ragnar knew. Since the very first day she'd proven to him she was more than just a Christian girl. She was fire like a jötunn of Múspellsheimr and he was bound to delve deep into her flames to find the root of her. The real Millie. It was a challenge he was willing to give much effort into. Even if that meant accommodating to his prisoners' needs.

She did not breathe a sigh of relief. She didn't think she'd ever be able to when it came to Ragnar.

"I have to see this for myself." He looked at her in question. "To know you uphold that one part of our bargain."

Ragnar looked away with a subtle eyeroll. This he knew she asked of as well and he promised her. He'd given the command days ago and she saw for herself that her men were eating. All of them except for her father and it was when he asked her to stay.

He sighed.

That was in the past now. He had another promise to stand by as well as a few requests he knew she was going to make. "One part of our bargain," was indication enough.

"Of course. And what else?"

Millie's head tilted to the side before she began observing him. How far could she push him? Though what she was about to say next were just a repetition of his own words.

"A chance to bathe and a change of clothes." Her head throbbed as she continued to speak through clenched teeth. "Just as you promised."

He looked her over before nodding. "Anything else?"

She knew he would only go so far and pressed her tongue against the back of her teeth. She would say nothing else in hopes of him keeping his word on their current arrangement. But Millie swore to see to more compromises as the days would come to pass.

"No."

There was more but she chose to hold back. It was smart of her and Ragnar appreciated the way her mind worked.

He'd give her what she wanted at the moment. Her need for a bath was understandable as he had yet to see her face without the dirt she made no effort to remove on her own. That and the bruise he wished she could wash away as well.

His hand found its way to her chin, holding her head steady as he took her in. The bruising on her face had made a small change. Still it gave off a ghastly purple but now it was outlined by a soft green signifying the progress of her healing. Regret was not something Ragnar was entirely familiar with and it troubled him when it plagued him now.

His thumb caressed the underside of her lip with his nail scratching lightly against it. He could feel her swallow deeply from trepidation before he spread his fingers out across her throat. The tendons in her neck strained against his touch and he could feel the way they twitched underneath his hold despite how gentle it was. Her face darkened as she awaited his next move. Ragnar was fully aware of her apprehension and ran the pads of his fingers over her skin so as to ease her before slipping his hand gently around the column of her neck. Millie flinched at the feel of it and turned her head away from him abruptly as her eyes shifted in discomfort. His fingers curled the loose hair around the base of her neck and brought the little strands around, staring at them before bringing her braid over. He could see the little areas he was sure to have knots. She would have trouble pulling them apart he thought to himself before leaving her hair to sit over her shoulder.

Ragnar inhaled deeply as his hand dropped down to his side. He was brought back into a reality he hadn't known he'd even left. As if he'd been under a spell unbeknownst to him that he'd fallen into. Millie refused to look his way and he side-stepped around her as he made his way over to the entrance of his tent. He reached for it at first before coming to a full stop to look back at her.

"I'll send in someone to give you something to wash yourself with. Afterwards, you will eat." She made no move to acknowledge him. "Then you will see your father and the others. You'll have your proof."

The proof of his promise.

He left before she could say a word but she hadn't planned to say anything either way. She was startled into a silence with her feet growing cold. Was this not an implication to what he expected from her? Millie could still feel his fingers running lazy circles over her throat. The hairs across her body stood on end and she no longer felt the warmth from inside the tent. But was this not something she anticipated? She had an inkling and the, nonetheless, surprising truth of it left her wanting to reel away from his touch. But she would do anything for her father. Since the moment that man had been recognized as such. Since the day Millie understood the real and valid love of a parent did she swear that no matter what, she'd do anything for him.

She released a shaky breath before daring a look around. Everything felt familiar yet unfamiliar from where she stood. Millie could see the differences between Ragnar and herself just by the items he'd chosen to stay with. The number of things from the Christians alone outnumbered what she was sure belonged to him.

Her feet carried her over to each piece that had once played a role of significance in each of the Christians' heart. Whether they were ornaments of the church or prize possessions from home-something to remind them of what was expecting them when they returned-it meant nothing now. They were tossed to the ground, scattered about like trash. Millie suspected the little she brought with her must have been treated in the same fashion and it angered her.

She shook her head with a frown that cut deep into her flesh. She could feel every dip from between her brows to the edges of her lips. They truly were barbarians, weren't they? If the tables had been turned, neither she, her father nor her uncle would find use in the Pagans' belongings. There was nothing of theirs that would bring interest, but that was where they differed. The Christians had more to give. Something that must have caught the opponents' attention like a crow to silver. Like children. But he had no use for these things. It was evident. Ragnar found little to no interest in them and it was why he had them lying around carelessly.

Millie looked over to his bed. There lied another difference. She could see what was his and what wasn't. A soft furnishing lay over his furs, dark red and gold in color. Her lips parted in small realization as her eyes traced over the ornate design of the bedspread. Slowly, she walked over to it and knelt by its side. She reached out and felt the cloth beneath her finger tips before gripping it in a deadly hold. This was her father's. Not Ragnar's. She wanted to tear it away knowing well how tainted it must be already. Her body struggled beneath the rope tied securely around her. It wasn't as tight as when Ragnar had done it the first time but it was beginning to feel like it.

Everything had fallen apart around her and the longer she stayed in the tent the more the truth left her angrier than ever but just as weak. But still, she would not leave. Not for now at least.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she released a tired sigh. How terribly exhausted she was.

After everything Ragnar said that he would fulfill for her for the night, Millie knew she would need some sleep. A proper rest. But she doubted that she would receive such a thing. She would be on edge for the entire night, aware of her surroundings and alert to any moves someone would try to make once they would spot her defenses down. But that would never happen. She will never let her guard down. Not even for a minute.

She opened her eyes slow and looked over the bedspread again. Would this be where she would sleep? The space was large enough for someone the size of her captor but barely enough to include her as well. Though the corner farthest from him would be most appealing. It appeared as much. She'd feel far more comfortable away from him. Away from everyone in the camp.

There was a soft glint of gold that shimmered in the corner of her eye. Millie's frown deepened as she blinked hard. It was very much real and not some hallucination that may be a part of the sleep that wanted to take hold of her once again. She sought the item and found it beneath the pillow that matched the deep red of the bedcover. From the corner of it peaked a jewel. Nearly crawling over to it, Millie pinched it between her fingers and dragged it out. It was long and opulent in appearance. It was revealed to be a cross with a red gemstone bead imbedded in the middle. Its color opaque in comparison to the four other beads that bled a rich green. This cross... it also belonged to her father. There was no surprise there but it did not stop the confusion that stirred within her.

Why did Ragnar have this hidden beneath the pillow? Compared to the rest of the treasures he'd taken, it was the one object that seemed to catch his attention. Why else would he have it hidden? But why hide it at all? she thought.

Someone entered behind her and she hurriedly slipped the cross beneath the pillow again. Millie turned expecting Ragnar having returned and not the Pagan woman who stood by with a basin in hand. She was one Millie did not recognize but one she felt she should be on guard for. She was smaller in size compared to Björg but bigger than her, she was sure. Walking over to her, the woman did not look her way as she placed the basin by her side. The water inside rippled from the movement and the cloth sitting at the bottom swayed in the small waves.

Her ears perked up at the sound of a knife being unsheathed and Millie backed away with a hardened stare. The Pagan held the tool firmly by the hilt, barely rolling her eyes. She grabbed the rope tied around Millie giving it a quick tug before pointing her knife at it. She gave Millie no time to react before she began to cut away it, scraping along the plates of armor. Soon enough, the rope slipped down to the ground and Millie felt a relief from the lack of bindings.

Before a word could be said, the woman stood to leave and made a point to look at the basin with a stern look. Bathe. It was what she was trying to say. Her departure was as quick as was her entrance and Millie found herself alone again with the beginnings of insecurity streaming within her. She was supposed to bathe herself there in his tent with no one to stand guard. She worried over the possibility of someone walking in on her but found she was wasting time on inimical thoughts. If she wanted to avoid being seen then she needed to act quick.

With her arms free now, Millie began to undress. She tugged at the belts that looped along the sides of her armor. The tips of her fingers dug deep into the leather pulling each bit apart before removing the whole piece over her head. She felt lighter without it and could feel a small draft slip beneath her pits. Next to be removed was the leather cuffs around her wrists and that too found its way to the ground. She looked back to make sure no one was there before going any further. No one. Her body ached to be washed and so she turned back quickly to remove her blouse. Her skin prickled at the feel of cool air wafting over her bare torso. She crossed her arms over her chest, modesty being an unwelcoming friend.

"No time for this," she mumbled before uncrossing her arms.

She reached for the cloth inside the basin knowing all would be better if she hurried her way through this but pulled back in haste. The water was cold. Almost terribly cold. It was clear to her that it came from the river and it was something she was not used to. At home, the water was heated and poured into the bath before one stepped inside. She swam in the river once fully clothed but never bathed in anything under warm temperature. But this would be the best for now. It was all she could afford at the moment.

Her hand dipped into the water and she pulled the cloth out to wring it. Excess water dripped down her arms and some back into the bowl. Her skin broke out into tiny bumps as the hairs on her body stood further on end and she tried her best to ignore the chills as she began to wash away the grime. She scrubbed away refusing to look down at her body. Every twist and turn she made, she could feel it deep in her bones. Her ribs throbbed and she could feel the bruises left behind from the fight and from whatever else that had been loss to her. She did not feel as toned either and she briefly worried over any loss of muscle she might have had.

As soon as she finished her top half, Millie sat high on her knees as she made due with her trousers. Still refusing to look down, she fumbled with the strings. They were like a puzzle to her as she picked away at them at a lost before finding the right loops to pull them through. Once they were pulled apart, she stalled.

Time seemed to have stopped around her, with her hands struggling to slip her trousers down. Her arms shook with the need to finish her work but her her heart hurt far beyond than what she could handle. Pressure sat on her chest and Millie cursed herself over it. The familiar feel of this pain and the way her eyes began to water forced her to close her eyes and bite her lip in frustration.

She took in a deep breath. She would not cry now. Despite her position. Despite why she was there and doing as she was doing. She cleared her throat hard and scolded herself. You are not a child. No more tears. No more tears. It was like a chant and she bottled the emotions that wanted to slip free but she wouldn't allow it. The last thing she needed was this. A sure easy way of letting her guard down only then having to deal with the consequences if she did. Whatever they may be. But she wasn't going to find out.

No more tears. No more tears.

AN: And there you have it. This chapter update is a day late but it was because I decided to add something else to it which will be significant to Ragnar's character development. Also, I was having trouble with the editing system on here again so hopefully there are no major mistakes.

I put that little fluff in there for you guys because you all deserve it! There will be more fluff to come but it's going to be a little one-sided for some time seeing that Millie is upset with Ragnar.
Besides fighting with him there's going to be some times where she will be fighting with herself which in turn will cause her to fight even more with him. It's going to get a little hectic here and there.
Next chapter, it's going to start with Ragnar's POV picking up after he leaves the tent and then we'll carry on from there. Rollo and him are finally going to have a talk and tensions will be high after that point.
So much else to say but I'll keep you guys guessing instead.

Thank you all so much for the favs and follows. I forget there are people from all around the world and when I see this story getting hit left and right with followers and favorites I'm like "wait what? there's more?!" It shows how much I go out. Sometimes I think it's just me and a couple other people in this world :P
Reviews:
Lady Ravanna: Best reference ever, haha! I adore Thor. And thank you for everything. Your comments always brighten up my day.
wabi-sabi1090: You are right on every account! She really is different but not in that special snowflake type of way. Just in comparison to, as you said, the women in her society. Millie is different. And Ragnar can be a jerk sometimes but he knows what he's doing (to a degree) and he knows what he wants and how to get it.
Dalonega Noquisi: Thank you so much for that. I really wanted to capture that real life struggle of having to do something you don't want to do but knowing that at some point you might have to. Father/daughter moments are the best but sadly that has come to an end. For now *sad face*
NightlyRowenTree: You are absolutely welcome! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
AmalieNico: Thank you, thank you! I thought the father/daughter moment was a really sweet thing to add during such a rough time so I'm glad to know you and the others liked it. I really like writing Björg and she will be a recurring character who will be setting Millie straight from time to time. I got the idea for the title after watching Brave :P haha. I looked up some stuff on the whole "change yer fate" thing because a lot of times in mythology and even our own parents talk to us about fate like it's something you can't escape. Trying to stick to Norse mythology I found out about Wyrd and Ørlög. Ørlög is a law that determines our fate but we are not bound by it. Everything is constantly changing by the choices we make so our fate is never set in stone. Constant change is going to play a big part in this story and I felt that it was a perfect fit because it is completely up to Millie and Ragnar to find their potential and to choose the path they both think is right despite some things which I won't say because spoilers! And I'm glad you feel that way! That makes me really happy to know :)

Again guys, thank you for everything! Your reviews and comments are always welcomed and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
Until next time!