When they saw the white castle standing on top of a hill and the small town under it in the beginning of the afternoon, Rollo knew they arrived to his new home. They unloaded all that was in the boats including Rollo's carved bed and carried them up to the castle. They arrived in front of an high wall and entered the large yard were farmers and other people could take shelter in case of invasion. Then, they entered the castle itself. It wasn't as big as Paris's but it was enough to give Rollo a proof of his place. It had great walls, two floors with several rooms big enough to host an entire ship and a large dining room that could also be used as a place to receive hosts of different countries, discuss battle strategies or make some great parties. All of it was covered with tapestries, carpets and malls were placed here and there in the room. Naturally, Rollo and Gisla inherited of the biggest room. It overlooked the Seine and Rollo was happy to the idea of seeing it every morning when he would wake up. Gisla's malls and Rollo's bed were already here in the bed was taking a lot of place but it didn't seem to bother Gisla, who didn't notice it, as she took some of the tapestries she brought from Paris with herself to hung them to the walls. She also arranged flowers all around the room. As it was, the room consisted in a little of Gisla and a little of Rollo. It was surely the most beautiful room no one ever seen.

After everything was unpacked, Rollo went to check on the defenses of his fortress. He saw four towers, one for each cardinal point. The walls were high enough to prevent potential invaders from climbing them and on top of it all, the fortress was on top of a great hill, that meant, even Floki's war machines couldn't go there. But, it still had a weakness point: one side of the walls began to crumble away and it would take a year to build it back. Rollo sighed and head back to the dining room were a good meal and his wife were waiting for him.

When they both began to eat, Rollo began to wonder if Gisla was ready to concieve a child this night. After all, he needed an heir to rule and take care of his land when he would die, and if he didn't want to force Gisla when they were alone in the tent during their journey, he absolutely wanted to make this heir in the bed he carved himself in the wood of Yggdrasil as a sign of thanks to the gods. And he wanted Bjorn, his beloved nephew to have a cousin.

- What are you smiling for, Gisla asked with a clear violence.

- I was just thinking about our child growing up here.

- Do you realise I will never let you touch me?

- It didn't seemed like this this morning, he said, smiling gently at her.

She blushed and Rollo seemed very happy of what his words did to his wife.

- Besides, he said, I always wanted to have a son. I want to be a father, to see what it's like.

- I could never have a child from a man that is more beast than man.

- You'll have to. Your father told me that otherwise our marriage will not be legit. He also told that you had this duty for your people.

- That's unfair, she said pouting.

- Life is unfair. I should have had sons long ago but my gods decided my brother would have everything I desired most. But in the end, we always have what we deserve.

- There is something you're hiding. I don't like it.

- Let's just say my past self made a lot of mistakes.

Then, they finished eating in silence while servants brought them wine and cider.

When Gisla entered their bedroom she instantly saw the gigantic wood carved bed in the center of the room. It was so raw and so refined at the same time she remained breathless. Who could have made it, she asked herself. It must have been an incredible artist! But then, she noticed the strange figures who were carved and she suddenly felt a weird atmosphere. It was nothing like she had seen before. It was unknown and strange and she was uncomfortable just being near it. To think she had to sleep in it, she had goosebump.

- You like it?

She gasped. She was so absorbed by the bed she didn't hear her husband entering the room behind her.

- I carved it myself, he said holding her shoulders.

- It is disgraceful, she said with disgust in a move to watch him in the eyes.

He seemed hurt by her words as she saw his eyes so full of sorrow but she couldn't help but admire the work of what she thought was just a barbarian only good to slash and kill people. He was so complex. She wondered if she could ever getting accustomed to a man like him. He must have feel it because he began to softly kiss her in the neck, then on the shoulders and at the same time, he let his hands caress her skin under her dress, heading toward her boobs. She felt herself falling slowly in his arms as her body became hotter and hotter. When she was completely undressed, he turned her back to his sight and put his lips on her's. She tried to resist, of course, but he was to strong. It was like swimming against a very strong current. She was the little fish, and he was the impetuous sea. She, then, saw his body. Oh, sure, she saw him naked before but this time, it was different. He became, more attractive, more menacing but not frightening. She noticed his bulging muscles, his body, so fit and finally, his tatoos, which gave her the same chills she felt when she first saw the bed. God! She almost fainted. She felt hot all of sudden. They both headed toward the bed while kissing, well, actually, Rollo made all the moves, Gisla was just trying to resist in vain. They laid down in the sheets of this strange bed and suddenly, she felt something in her pelvis. It was so strange, a feeling she had never experienced before. She saw his face in front of her. His eyes were burning with desire and she managed to pronounce a protest:

- No … Please … I can't! Please!

But it was too late, he already left something in her body, and she was sure this thing would grow within her belly the few next months. She hated it already!

He finished making love to her just as brutally it was for Gisla. She fell asleep in tears while Rollo slipped in the bed with her, sweating. She woke up in the middle of the night to vomit, and cry a little more. She almost thought seeing her husband's sad eyes on her when she get back to sleep.

The sun was already high when she woke up. Her eyes were tired: she didn't have enough sleep and in addition, she cried all night long. She looked at her left side and so no one. Rollo must have left early in the morning to fullfill some duties she didn't know about. A servant entered the room with a plate full of bread, eggs and fruits in her hand and a glass of milk in the other one. She was youn, had long brown hair and was wearing a simple grey dress.

- The master told me not to wake you up until you do and to give you a proper breakfast milady. He also said that if you were sick, you should tell me so I can make a good supper for you. He also told me to help you dress, clean, and to wash your clothes and the sheets of the bed.

- Thank you …. umh …

- Mary, your majesty.

- Mary, were is the Northman ?

- Downstairs milady, with a teacher. He is learning poetry, french and saxon. He already saw the peasants, and his subjects this morning.

- And the others ?

- They trained the whole morning in the yard your grace, and some of them went fishing, or hunting.

- I am alone then?

- Yes your grace.

- So give me a knife, Mary, I need to put an end to my situation.

- I … I can't your grace. The master … The master said … he said that if anything ever happen to you, he'll kill the one who hurt you.

- What if it happen to be me ?

- Then, it's me he would kill your grace.

- How can you serve a man like this?

- I don't serve him, your grace, I serve you.

Then, she left the room, after she put Gisla's food on her bed. Gisla was really taken aback by her husband. One moment, he was that violent, brutal, crazy beast she first saw during the siege of Paris, the other one, he was a careful man, always there to fullfill her needs and grant her with an unconditionnal love and devotion. Who was that man with theses hands who could kill, create and love, she asked herself.

Rollo was happy. According to the Christian laws, he was definitely Gisla's husband. And he looked forward to have a son. Coming from him and his mother, this son would surely be a strong and fierce warrior. What was bothering him was the state of his wife. She seemed sick and sad. He was afraid he was brutal that night. If anything happen to her, he thought, even the gods will never forgive me. That's why he asked the youngest of the servants to give her a good meal and to take care of her, because he felt like she didn't want to see him. So when she appeared downstairs, he couldn't help but rush toward her to ask her if she was okay.

- I'm sorry for yesterday, he said holding her hands. I'm so sorry. You know, I've never really learned how to love a woman properly. But I promise, princess, this is the last time.

She nodded as a sign she understood what he said but kept her head down with depressed eyes. She walked away and locked herself in her room a few moments later as Rollo went outside to train his men.

The next few months went by, punctuated by some hunt parties, training sessions, and war against britons who were mad the northmen took their former territories. Gisla's belly got rounder and rounder and she spent her time mostly making tapestries and clothes for her baby. Of course, she tried many times to kill it as suicide was a crime punished by God, (and she really wanted to end her ordeal) but she became fond of the life that was growing in her belly. Motherhood really changed the way she saw her life. After all, he didn't have to look like his father, she thought. They both slowly began to become accustomed to each other. Every evening they ate together, talked together and Rollo showed an intense devotion to his beloved wife. It was truly her who kept his people loyal to their duke. They respected such a woman who could argue with a beast and come up victorious most of the time, besides, she was their princess, she was brave, compassionate, delicate and pretty. Everyone loved her. They also began to respect the duke. After all, he was protecting them against bandits and thieves. Most of the time he took a few men with him and went to flush the guilty ones and had them executed in a way no chistian man could. In general, he tied them and began to cut, slice and slash, their flesh, and after he put some salt in the wounds, he swinged his axe and cut their head in two. Then, he hunged them on trees at the borders of his territory and put their head on pikes to dissuade some offenders. He was a great warlord, and was respected among his men. Unfortunately, some of them left to the saxon's kingdoms, or to scandinavia as they saw Rollo, the berserker, the murderer, enjoy his family life. They mostly thought he was weakening but he hastened to prove he wasn't by being even more cruel to his enemies.

They spent the rest of the winter like that, waiting for Ragnar and his warriors to come back. This time, Rollo thought, he'll be proud of me, this time, it will be fine. He had trained many native men to fight against an army and he was sure they could beat anyone. Plus, the defenses of the fortress were now invincibles thanks to his efforts to repair it. All he had to do is wait for his other family.

Hey everyone! I hope you liked this chapter (and the sex scene.). I tried to depict this particular scene the best I could considering my lack of experience in that field. I mostly tried to imagine what it could feel like. I can't wait to show you what I planned next ! Oh my God I can't wait !

Thanks again for all the views. Thanks to my followers (Again, I really, like REALLY appreciate it!). Thanks for the reviews (And don't forget to write me some if you got time: it means a lot to me).