The feast day approached and Siv was busy with the other servants preparing for it. Lady Aslaug had even recruited Helga to assist, which pleased Siv. She had missed speaking with her friend since Siggy's death. As Siv and Helga placed plates on the tables of the hall the blond woman decided to break the silence.
"Siv, Floki tells me that you have been spending your mornings with Rollo."
Siv paused and looked at her friend. Of course Floki would have seen them. Floki was nearly a seer in his own right. He appeared to know everything about everyone in Kattegat.
"Yes," she replied, "Rollo is helping me become a shieldmaiden."
Helga looked at her in surprise.
"You wish to fight?" she asked.
"Yes. I want to help defend Kattegat and support its people."
Helga's eyebrows furrowed as she contemplated a possible alternative reason for Siv deciding to become a shieldmaiden.
"Siv, do you wish to marry a warrior?" she asked.
Siv looked at her, clearly surprised.
"What do you mean?"
"It appears that you want to become closer to the men. Are you looking for a husband?"
Siv blushed and Helga's gaze caused her to finally speak what had been on her mind for the past few days.
"A few days ago I saw the Seer," she explained, "and he said that I would finally fulfill my namesake by becoming a bride."
Helga smiled and leaned in.
"Did the Seer give any hints about who your husband will be?"
Siv shook her head.
"He only said that 'the maiden fair shall tame the wild bear.'"
Helga's eyebrows furrowed as she mulled over the riddle. Then realization dawned on her face and she grinned.
"I think I know of who he speaks."
Siv's eyes widened.
"Tell me!"
Helga shook her head.
"It is for you to find out."
The dark haired woman frowned and returned to laying down plates.
Helga smiled and couldn't wait to tell Floki what she had learned. The man that she had thought would never marry would soon have a bride.
Rollo sat near his nephew, Björn, in the hall during the feast. Talking and laughter filled the air and many goblets of mead were being poured by his brother's servants. Rollo could see Siv walking by the tables with a pitcher of mead in her hands. The fire danced through her dark hair and Rollo's blood faintly hummed as he took in her beauty.
Björn glanced at his uncle and noticed the target of his gaze.
"I see that you have your eye on Siv," he said.
Rollo abruptly looked at him.
"I only appreciate her beauty from a distance," he said, "I know that I have no chance with her."
Björn took a sip of mead and nodded his head.
"Many men have tried to ask for her hand in marriage," he said, "She refused all of them."
Rollo took another sip of his mead.
"She could have any man that she wished," he said, "I don't understand how she remains unmarried."
"Perhaps the man she desires hasn't asked her for her hand yet."
Rollo couldn't even imagine who that man was. Practically every unmarried man he knew in Kattegat had asked for her hand and had been turned down.
His nephew eyed him as he gazed at the woman in question.
"She speaks fondly of you," Björn said, "She appreciates your strength and said that she was grateful to learn how to wield a sword from you."
Rollo took a deep sip of mead from his goblet. He couldn't believe what his nephew was telling him. Siv appreciated his strength and she spoke of him fondly?
"Floki says that he saw her kiss you."
Rollo set his goblet down.
"I bested her in a match," he said, "It was nothing."
"It didn't appear to be nothing according to the look you had on your face."
Rollo frowned and his brother seemed to overhear their discussion.
Ragnar rose from his seat and walked over to stand behind his brother. He leaned into his brother's ear.
"Admit it, brother," he said lowly, "You desire her. You have mourned Siggy long enough. It is time for you to move on."
Rollo clenched his fist and took a deep breath. He didn't need his brother giving him love advice.
Siv noticed Lady Aslaug beckoning for her and she quickly handed over her pitcher to another servant. She walked past the tables and climbed the steps to where Lord Ragnar and his family were sitting. She noticed Rollo's gaze and smiled at him. He gave her a small smile in return. She turned towards the tables and took a deep breath. Lord Ragnar rested his hand on her shoulder and cleared his throat to get the hall's attention.
"Siv has agreed to lend us her voice this evening," he announced and the hall cheered.
Siv blushed as Lord Ragnar took his seat. She took another deep breath and began to sing. She sang a song about Odin giving his eye in exchange for knowledge.
Rollo took in the sight of Siv as she sang. Her hair flowed down her back like a dark waterfall and her skin seemed to glow in the light of the fire. Her voice was beautiful and cut through the air like a knife. She had the power to capture the attention of every single person in the hall with her song. Rollo couldn't take his eyes off of her even though his blood hummed as his eyes traveled down her body. He had dreamed of what she would look like underneath her garments. He felt blood rush to his groin at the thought and he quickly took a large sip of mead to try to quell his desire for her. He didn't know if he would be able to control his desire throughout the entire feast.
Siv finished singing and smiled as the hall erupted in cheers and toasts to her performance. She turned to see what Lord Ragnar and Lady Aslaug had thought of her singing and noticed that Rollo was rising from his seat. Her smile disappeared as disappointment filled her. She had hoped to speak to him later that night. She was about to return to serving mead when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see that the hand belonged to Lord Ragnar.
"Please escort my brother home," he said, "I have a feeling he will do something that he will later regret."
Siv gave him a confused look, but bowed her head nonetheless.
"Of course, Lord Ragnar."
She followed Rollo through the crowded hall and dodged servants carrying pitchers of mead.
Rollo had opened the door of the hall when he felt a hand on his arm.
"Lovely night, isn't it?"
He turned to see Siv and couldn't hide his surprise as he felt desire creep into his veins once more.
"You tried to leave without speaking to me, Rollo."
Rollo felt his cheeks burn slightly as he stepped out of the hall.
"Good evening, Siv," he said as he tried to shut the door behind him.
She blocked the door from closing with her foot and stepped outside as well.
"Your brother ordered me to walk with you," she said.
"I don't need you to walk with me."
"It's not my place to disobey Lord Ragnar, so I must walk with you."
Rollo swore in his mind. Ragnar had planned this. He sighed and started walking towards his home while Siv kept pace beside him.
Siv glanced up at the sky as she heard a clap of thunder.
"The gods are preparing to battle," she said.
"It appears so," Rollo replied.
Siv glanced at Rollo and took in his handsome profile. She had grown to appreciate his hard features during the three months that she had known him. She smiled as she wondered if he would ever follow his fellow men of Kattegat and ask for her hand in marriage. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to decline an offer from the warrior walking beside her.
Just as they finally reached Rollo's home, rain began to pour from the heavens. Rollo quickly beckoned Siv inside and she was grateful for shelter from the pouring rain. She watched as he shut the door behind him and looked at her.
Siv met Rollo's gaze and felt her pulse quicken.
He abruptly looked away and glanced at the floor.
"You should wait here until the storm passes," he said.
"Yes," she agreed, "that probably would be best."
Rollo had no idea what to do. It had been so long since he had had a guest in his home let alone a woman! He looked at her and awkwardly stared at her wet dress. The fabric was clinging to her skin and showing the curves of her body. He took a deep breath and abruptly looked away once more.
Siv wrapped her arms around her wet body and shivered from the cold air. Her damp hair and soaked dress weren't helping her keep warm. She gazed at Rollo and imagined him wrapping his arms around her to keep her warm. She blushed and quickly pushed the thought aside. He never would embrace her. He was still mourning Siggy and would probably mourn her until he took his final breath.
The rain poured down harder and Rollo swore under his breath. There were no signs that it would stop anytime soon. He looked over at Siv and saw her awkwardly staring down at the floor.
"You will have to stay here for the night."
Siv blushed and shyly looked up at him. Were the gods trying to force her to admit her feelings for him? She took in the sight of him in his soaked tunic and breeches. She could see how the fabric clung to his muscles and felt desire creep into her veins. Her limbs tingled at the thought of him touching her or even kissing her. She noticed a few strands of his dark hair were clinging to his face. She hesitantly took a few steps forward and raised her hand cautiously as if she was approaching a wild animal. Siv gently brushed the strands from his face and he looked at her in surprise. His eyes were hard and seemed to be burning with a fire from deep within his soul. She felt intimated by that fire, but was also intrigued by it.
Rollo's skin was burning from Siv's touch. His blood was singing in his veins to take her. His mouth went dry as he stared down at her beautiful face. Her eyes were searching his for something and she had apparently found what she was looking for. She smiled at him and rested her hand on his cheek. Her fingers stroked his skin gently and he felt his resolve crumbling under her gentle touch. His desire for her was overwhelming and he couldn't hold out any longer. His hand reached out and touched her face of its own volition.
Siv leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. His touch was warm and caused her skin to burn. She prayed to the gods that he would kiss her.
Rollo's eyes drifted to her lips and he couldn't restrain himself any longer. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers and felt lightning course through his veins.
Siv returned his kiss and dug her fingers into his hair. She felt him wrap an arm around her waist and pull her into his chest as he deepened the kiss. His body was warm and hard against her and she felt her skin tingle with delight.
Rollo's blood was singing in his veins as he kissed her. He wanted more of her.
Siv pulled away from his kiss and gazed into his eyes. His eyes were full of hunger and burned with desire. His lips tasted of mead and she couldn't help but wet her lips with her tongue.
"Siv," he said in a voice rough with desire, "I want you."
Her heart skipped a beat as she took in his words. He wanted her? She had dreamed of this moment!
"Will you warm my bed tonight?"
She knotted her fingers in his hair and gazed into his dark eyes.
"Yes," she said, "and I will warm your bed every night, if you wish it."
Rollo couldn't control himself any longer. He swept her into his arms and carried her towards his bed. He laid her down on the furs and kissed her passionately. Siv returned his kiss and felt her body surge with heat as he lay down beside her and pulled her against his chest. His arm was wrapped tightly around her waist as he pulled away.
"Open your mouth when I kiss you," he said.
Siv nodded her head before he kissed her once more. She did as he requested and gasped when he slipped his tongue into her mouth. His tongue caressed the inside of her mouth and she gripped his wet tunic tightly in her fist. His arm tightened around her waist and his hand cupped the back of her head. He had never desired a woman as much as he desired Siv. She gasped as his mouth moved from her lips to her neck. He placed hot kisses on her neck and pulled aside the neck of her dress to press kisses to her shoulder. Siv shut her eyes as waves of desire washed over her.
Rollo pulled away from her shoulder and gazed at her beautiful face. Her eyelashes brushed her cheek and his blood surged in his veins as he took in her beauty. He felt her knot her fingers in his hair and dug his own fingers into her dark locks. Her hair was like the finest silk. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. He returned her smile and removed his hand only to remove his tunic. Her mouth went dry as she took in the sight of his muscled chest and the tattoos that graced his skin. She reached a hand out to touch his skin and he stiffened at her touch. She traced her fingers along one of the tattoos and looked up at him.
"I apologize if I seem timid," she said, "I have never lain with a man before."
Rollo couldn't hide the look of surprise on his face, which caused her cheeks to redden. She had never shared a bed with a man? Rollo felt as if he could dance naked on the beach with joy at the thought of being the first man to intimately know Siv. He pulled her against his bare chest and smiled.
"Are you sure you wish to lay with me?"
She nodded her head eagerly.
"They say that I am like a crazed bear."
Siv remembered the Seer's words and suddenly everything made sense to her. The wild bear in the Seer's prophecy was Rollo. Did that mean that she was the maiden? Had the Seer foreseen this?
"I am not afraid," she said.
He grinned as he ran a hand down her back.
"You are a brave woman to lay willingly with a bear."
Siv threw her weight to one side and rolled over on top of him. She straddled his hips and gazed at him proudly.
"I have already fought the bear and won."
"I remember that I won that sparring match."
She grinned.
"I let you win. I wanted to see you on top of me."
Blood rushed to his groin at her words.
She kissed him deeply and he pulled her in closer. Their tongues tangled and sparred just like they did on the shore of the fjord. Rollo tugged on her hair and she moaned softly in response. He pulled away from her lips and moved to her neck, but this time he nipped at her flesh. She leaned her head back, so he could access more of her neck. He pressed more biting kisses to her skin and ran his hands down her sides. He could feel the curves of her body under her dress and wished to feel her bare skin on his calloused hands. As he busied himself with her neck, Siv managed to slip her soft leather shoes off of her feet and toss them aside. He slipped his boots off of his feet and she heard them drop to the floor as he bit particularly hard. She gasped and tugged on a few strands of his hair. He gripped the hem of her dress and began to pull it off of her. He broke away from her neck only to pull her dress over her head.
Siv felt gooseflesh form on her skin due to the cold air in the house. However, the cold didn't bother her so much as she took in the fire burning in Rollo's eyes as his gaze traveled over her naked body.
Rollo was in awe of the beautiful sight before him. Freya herself had blessed Siv with perfect curves and breasts. His manhood hardened as he gazed at her nakedness. He knew that she could feel his desire for her due to the blushing of her cheeks. He gripped her hips and rolled over on top of her. He kissed her again and pressed her against the furs of his bed. Siv's hands traveled all over his body before digging into his hair. She pulled away and pressed kisses to his neck, which he seemed to enjoy. His hands went to the edge of his breeches and she gripped his wrists.
"Allow me," she said.
He looked at her in surprise for a brief moment before smiling. He removed his hands as she gripped his breeches and began to pull them down. He watched her face as she took in the sight of his erection as it came into view. She looked surprised and also intrigued by the sight as she tossed his breeches aside. She looked up into his eyes as he wrapped her legs around his waist and gripped her hips.
Siv wrapped her arms around his back and felt slightly nervous as she wondered if there would be any pain involved. Her pain tolerance had increased since Rollo started training her, but she knew that she couldn't tolerate the levels of pain he was used to. She felt him pressing against her entrance and mentally steeled herself for whatever she would feel when he entered.
Rollo slipped inside of her and was immediately surrounded by warmth that touched his very soul. Siv looked surprised at his intrusion, but she didn't appear to be in much pain, which pleased him. He gently brushed a few strands of hair from her face before he began to slowly thrust into her.
Siv lightly dug her nails into his back as he began to move within her. It felt strange to her at first, but then she began to enjoy it. She loosened her grip and began to move her hands on his back. She could feel his muscles working as he moved within her and she enjoyed feeling how powerful he was. He began to move faster and deeper, which caused her to moan. Hunger flashed in his eyes before he began to press kisses to her neck. She gripped his back once more and couldn't help but voice her pleasure at his ministrations. Her moans only encouraged him to move faster and harder. Sweat glistened on his brow and his back began to feel slick.
Rollo was losing control over his desire for the woman beneath him. The bear within him was breaking loose. He nipped at the skin of her neck and thrusted harder and deeper into her, which caused her to gasp and moan louder. His hands traveled down her body and rested on her hips, which he gripped tightly as he continued to nip at her neck. He wanted everyone to know that he had lain with the most beautiful woman in Kattegat and that she had chosen him. He never would've thought that Siv would choose to lay with him above all of the other, far richer, men in Kattegat. But she had and he was thankful for it. He hadn't felt so alive since the last time he had lain with Siggy.
Siv's senses were being bombarded by Rollo's biting kisses on her neck and his powerful thrusts into her womanhood. She could only express her pleasure by moaning into his ear and digging her nails into his back, hoping to leave scratches in his skin. She wanted him to carry a reminder of this night on his flesh. He groaned at the delicious sting of her nails clawing his back and continued to thrust roughly into her. Siv felt as if a rope was knotting itself within her belly as he moved above her.
Rollo knew that he would reach his peak soon and, judging by the look on Siv's face, so would she. She voiced her pleasure through beautiful moans that drove him utterly insane. He moved faster and harder within her as he panted and groaned above her. Her nails dug deeper into his flesh. He gazed deeply into her eyes.
"Look at me," he said huskily, "and scream my name."
His groan of pleasure sounded almost like a growl as he spilled his seed within her. Siv gasped loudly and cried out his name as she too fell over the edge. Rollo kissed her wildly and she eagerly matched his fervor. His fingers dug into her hair as he held her head in place. He never wanted to let go of her and judging by how she dug her fingers into his hair she didn't want to let go of him either.
Rollo finally pulled away and Siv gasped for breath. Sweat glistened on her face and strands of her hair clung to her face. He gently pushed them aside and cupped her cheek.
"Rollo," she said breathlessly.
"Yes?" he asked in a husky voice.
"You truly are a crazed bear."
He grinned at her, which caused her to smile.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes," she said, "I have never felt anything like this before in my entire life."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and slipped out of her. He lay beside her on his back and pulled her against his side by her waist. She pulled his bedfurs over them and rested her head on his broad chest. Her hair mixed with the gray pelts and his fingers began to play with the dark strands.
"I am glad that I was the first man to lay with you," he said.
"Did you expect me to be well versed in the art of lovemaking?" she asked.
"To be honest, yes. You are so beautiful that I thought that surely you had lain with a man."
She shook her head.
"None of the men who asked me to warm their beds appealed to me."
He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair.
"I dreamed of sharing my bed with you," he admitted, "The gods seemed to have answered my prayers."
She smiled up at him.
"Or perhaps the gods had destined us to be together. I had dreams of lying with a bear and giving birth to a bear cub."
His heart nearly skipped a beat as he remembered the Seer's prophecy.
"I went to the Seer," she continued, "and he gave me a prophecy. He said 'the maiden fair shall tame the wild bear.'"
A chill ran down his spine and he tightened his arm around her waist.
"The Seer spoke the very same words to me."
She looked up at him in surprise.
"You saw the Seer as well?"
"I saw you returning from the Seer's hut and I found myself sitting across from him. I wanted to know if the gods had something in store for me."
"The Seer said that I would finally fulfill my namesake."
Rollo looked at her in surprise.
"You will be a bride?" he asked.
She nodded her head.
"He didn't say who my husband will be, but he hinted heavily about a bear."
Rollo took a deep breath as he gazed into Siv's eyes. Had the Seer been referring to him? Would he marry the most sought after woman in Kattegat?
She snuggled herself against him and sighed.
"I have always admired your strength and ferocity in battle, Rollo," she said, "They say that you are Lord Ragnar's best berserker."
He couldn't believe that she was praising him for his deeds in battle after letting him lay with her. He had to be dreaming.
She smiled and nuzzled his neck.
"I am honored to have been trained by you," she said, "and I am honored to have lain with you."
His heart began to race as he considered what he should do next. He knew that he would desire no other woman like he did her and he wanted her to himself. He wanted no other man to look at her or ask for her hand.
"Siv, will you be mine?"
She smiled and touched his cheek.
"Yes, Rollo, I will be yours."
Rollo kissed her passionately and she seemed to melt against him. Her pleasured limbs sang with delight at his kiss. He pulled away and buried his hand in her silky hair.
"I want no other man but you," she breathed.
"I want you to stand by my side both on the battlefield and off of it."
"I would follow you anywhere."
Siv finally fell asleep as Rollo gently stroked her dark hair. He still couldn't believe that she had chosen him over all the other men in Kattegat, but he was also thrilled that he had. A thought entered his mind. Would Siv finally offer him another purpose in life other than killing and raiding? She had mentioned that she dreamed of birthing a bear cub. Did that mean that one day he would be a father? Deep down he wished that she would bear him a child; a child that had her beautiful eyes and her fiery temper. He nuzzled her hair and breathed in her scent. She smelled like honey and flowers. Her scent lulled him to sleep and soon he found himself dreaming of walking through the streets of Kattegat with Siv's hand in his as every other man jealously watched.
(Author's Note:) And finally the moment everybody's been waiting for! I hope you all enjoyed it. Also the quick updates probably won't be happening so much anymore. I kind of got a little excited and started writing like crazy.