Siggy walked slowly out of the great hall, in no great hurry to get home. Despite her brave words earlier, she had no doubt about what she would find when she walked into the little house she had shared with Rollo for the last five years.
"Then that is the plan." Ragnar looked around the table and Floki, Lagertha, Torstein, Bjorn and Athelstan nodded in agreement. "There is one matter more. My brother is still not well. Someone must guard him."
"No." Everyone turned to look at Siggy and she swallowed hard. What right had she, who had never wielded a sword, to speak to this band of warriors? Then Floki smiled and nodded at her and she spoke up more firmly. "Horik thinks Rollo is dying. He will not send more than one or two men at the most." Her voice faltered but she was able to finish. "He must fight for himself, Ragnar, or we will lose him. If someone else protects him, he may go on breathing, but he will die inside."
Ragnar leaned forward, gazing intently at Siggy as if he would search her very soul with his piercing blue eyes. "Do you realize if he is not able to defend himself, he will die in truth? Are you willing to risk that?"
Floki got up and went to Siggy's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "She is right, Ragnar. Healing magic only goes so far. If Rollo is to truly recover, he must face this danger alone. And if he dies…" Ragnar transferred his attention to the tall trickster and their eyes locked. "He will go to Valhalla and we will rejoice for him."
One by one, Lagertha, Athelstan, and Torstein stood up to join Floki and Siggy. Bjorn hesitated, then walked over to the little group, staring at his father. Ragnar's face was anguished, but he managed one jerky nod. Then he pulled away from the table and strode from the room.
Siggy found the door ajar and she paused a moment, then taking a deep breath she pushed it open and went into the house. The main room was untouched and she looked around incuriously as she continued on to the bedroom.
He was there, face down across the bodies of two of Horik's men, still clutching the axe she had put out for him earlier, and her eyes filled with tears as she knelt next to him. So he had died in battle, as he had always wanted, taking two enemies with him to feast in Valhalla. "Rollo…" Siggy bent down and softly kissed his cheek. He was still warm, and the tears spilled down her face, dropping onto his. She sat back sadly on her heels, stroking his tumbled hair.
He sighed and stirred and she froze, her eyes dilating as he slowly turned over and looked up at her. "Siggy?"
She threw herself into his arms and he gasped in pain, but he held her tightly as he sat up, and she knew in her heart that Rollo was whole again.