Rollo came back five days later. When he entered the yard, he immediately inquired after his stable boy. He headed to the stable, followed by Ragnar and their army. He bent his head and asked a servant passing by:

- Where is Denis?

- Who? Oh, you mean the little stable boy. Well, he is resting at home, my lord, the funerals hit him very hard.

She, then, continued her path toward the kitchen while Ragnar and Rollo looked at each other in total lack of comprehension. They all dismounted confused and tied their horses to the fence. There was something odd going on and Rollo didn't like that.

As soon as they entered the great hall, Gisla rushed to her husband and examined him. She played with his arms, turned him around himself and stare at each part of his body, to Rollo's confusion.

- You are hurt, are you, she asked with her usual pouting face.

- I've seen worse, he said smiling at her.

Suddenly, he heard a great roar and saw Lagertha walking to him, apparently pissed off and in a rage that no man has ever seen on a woman's face. When opponents ran into him in battle he usually stayed calm, but this. This was something he had never seen, something that terrified him a little.

- YOU !

As she roared this, Ragnar stepped behind Rollo, apparently intrigued.

- YOU FILTHY BASTARD! DID YOU THINK I WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT YOU PLANNED TO DO ?!

- What's going on, Ragnar asked to Lagertha.

- YOUR BROTHER JUST TRIED TO KILL YOUR SON!

- What? How? He was with me this whole time.

- Lagertha, Rollo said calmly, I did not...

- YES YOU DID, YOU MONSTER!

- Lagertha, Ragnar said in a more authoritarian voice, what happened?

- HE MADE YOUR SON POISONED!

- This doesn't look like Rollo, the viking king said. He'd rather do that face to face than using such poor way to kill someone. I know him. He's the kind to do things straight.

- Your son has been poisoned! And I know he did it, she said pointing at Rollo.

- Rollo would never hurt Björn and you know it, Ragnar said coldly to Lagertha.

- Speaking about him, how is he, Rollo asked.

- What do you care, Lagertha spat him with tears in her eyes.

- He is my nephew and you know I love him more than any of you! Now answer my question: How is he?

- He is fine, he is resting in his bed with a watcher in case someone wants to poison him again, she said looking at Rollo.

The two brothers sighed in relief while Gisla was proudly standing there, in the middle of the three northmen, listening and watching people arguing in a language she couldn't understand. She recognized a few words of course, but not enough to follow the argument and she only looked at Rollo. He was focused on what was said and looked dead serious. Gisla never saw him like that.

- Who poisoned him, Ragnar asked.

- A young servant, with brown hair, little and fragile, Lagertha said.

- And where is she now?

- With her god. I killed her.

- Wait, Rollo said, this girl, I know her. That's Marie, she was supposed to marry Denis, he kept talking about her everytime I was with him. If I remember, she was the servant of …

he stopped talking and looked at Gisla with an expression she never saw on his face before. He was confused, betrayed, upset, disappointed, worried and angry. She stepped back as everyone was now looking at her. Lagertha's eyes were the one with the more rage in them. Ragnar seemed both amused and angry. Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable. Even though Rollo was here beside her, she felt defenseless. Her uncomfortableness soon became pure fright. They were gonna kill her. She knew it. She could see that in their eyes. Never has she felt such terror. She instinctively put her hand on her belly as a sign of protection. If they were going to kill her, never will she let her baby die. Never.

- No... It can't be...

- I'm afraid it is Rollo, Ragnar said. Your wife is a traitor and our agreement is now over. We will invade Paris with or without your consent. If you are against us, this means we are at war. And your wife's acts must be punished.

- I suggest we execute her our way, Lagertha said in a voice full of hatred.

- But she is pregnant, Rollo argued. How could you live with the fact that you have killed an innocent baby?

- If that's the repayment for my son's murder attempt, I could live with that.

- If we follow Lagertha's idea, we will have to wait for her to have the baby. Then, we shall execute her, Ragnar said coldly.

- I refuse my wife to be executed like that, Rollo said firmly.

- But there must be a punishement for her action, Lagertha said.

- There will be, I promise, Rollo said. But for now, I must speak with her. You could go and check on Björn's state.

- Don't even think I won't forget what you did, she said to Gisla.

When the two northmen disappeared from Gisla's sight, Rollo took her hand firmly and said in a harsh voice:

- Come!

Then, he dragged her to their room where he slammed and locked the door. Gisla's knights tried to enter the room to watch over their princess but Rollo managed to repel them violently.

They were alone in the room and Gisla sat on her chair, by the fireplace. Rollo was standing in front of her in a dominant posture.

- Why, he asked coldly.

- Did you fight well?

- I ASKED YOU A QUESTION, he roared.

- It was my father's idea, she confessed. He told me to kill someone.

- So that's what you were talking about last night.

- Yes...

- And you chose Björn because he was important to me?

- No! I mean, I would have never picked him if he was important to you.

- Then why? Why did you pick him if it wasn't to hurt me?

- I only chose him because he seemed dangerous and important. My father wanted me to kill someone important.

- And you obeyed him because?

- Because he was gonna dishonor me! Do you have any idea how it is to be dishonored by your family?!

- You know perfectly well that I know how it feels, he said gloomy.

She lowered her head, apparently both pissed and sad. Rollo turned back and crossed his arms on his chest.

- Do you hate me that much, he asked.

- What I hate is your people.

- Why?

- Oh, I don't know, maybe because of the fact that you tried to invade my beloved city, killed many men, took me hostage, made people in the city hungry and hurt, established a siege and harassed us, she said sassy.

- And I tried to avoid that again, but apparently you want a war between my people and yours.

- That's not what I want, she said pouting.

- Well, you should have not try to kill my nephew then.

- But I didn't have any choice!

- Then, you should have talk to me! I could have help you with your father! I thought you understood that I will always protect you, but apparently, I was mistaken.

Rollo unlocked the door and asked to take a bath. While the servants followed his orders, he came back in the room.

- Can I go now, Gisla asked. I have a lot to do.

- No, he said firmly. You have already done enough for today. You will stay here while I look for a solution.

- Why should I …

- BECAUSE I SAID SO!

This moment, Rollo's eyes were truly terrifying. They were glowing with a rage and a fury, Gisla never saw before. It was like he was on beast mode on the battlefield. She bowed her head, feeling sad for herself. Just when she felt she started to like him, all the trust he built, all the links they constructed were taken away from her. She felt nothings could go well now. As she was lost in her thoughts, the bath was brought into the room and as soon as Rollo closed the door, he undressed himself. Even though Gisla should have been used to see her husband naked, she always surprised herself to stare at his muscles and sculptural body. Everytime, she felt like she was gonna pounce on him and kiss him violently. He slipped into the wooden vat and for a moment he relaxed and closed his eyes.

They stayed like that for a few 40 minutes, one in his bath, the other one, by the fireplace, reading a book. Rollo was torned. He was sad and angry at the same time. He loved his wife, maybe more than his own life, but she hurt him too hard, and that's what teared him apart. Suddenly, Rollo stood up and dry himself with a towel. He went to his chest and took a green tunic, pants, boots and pulled it. He tied a belt around his waist and prepared himself to leave.

- Do you got a solution, Gisla asked politely.

- Yes, he replied coldly.

- May I know what it is, she asked again.

- I'll tell you after I discuss with my brother and Lagertha.

Then, he left the room and an intigued Gisla. He slammed the door violently and went to find his family.

They were in Björn's room, watching over him. The young man was sleeping and breathed slowly with efforts. As soon as Rollo entered the room, Lagertha coldly glanced at him and Ragnar gave him a disappointed look.

- What are you doing here traitor, Lagertha asked. Were is your traiturous wife?

- I locked her in our room. And I only came here to talk to you and to see how is my beloved nephew.

- You broke our agreement Rollo, Ragnar casually said.

- But I still intend to fulfill my part of the deal. Björn is gonna get over it. I know that.

- Are you trying to comfort yourself, Lagertha asked coldly.

- No. I'm just saying that he is stonger than you think. Besides I'm beginning to think that I have more faith in him than you are.

Cutted to the quick, Lagertha stepped toward Rollo and Ragnar just looked at him like he was gonna punch him.

- How dare you say that, Lagertha roared.

- I dare because I am in my castle and I can say whatever I want! I dare, Lagertha, because I love my nephew. More than you think! And never, I say, never, would I have made him poisoned!

- Yeah, your wife did it...

- Forced by her father! She told me her father wanted her to kill someone important among us! She was his puppet!

- Then, Ragnar said calmly, it is the king who is guilty.

- But, Lagertha tried to say...

- So we must punish the king, Ragnar said as a fact.

- But, Lagertha replied...

- ENOUGH LAGERTHA, Rollo roared. For gods's sake, stop it already! Since you arrived here you only complained and kept being aggressive toward everyone! Can we know why ?

- Why? The reason is here Rollo! You have changed! You betrayed our people! Our culture! And for what? For that snake of a girl you call princess!

- I did not change! Nor did I betrayed our culture! I am only making it evolving!

- How can I believe you?

- Here, in my lands, our people can settle with my protection, with the king's protection toward me. They can practice our religion and worship our gods freely. Here, they are safe! Not like what happened in Wessex years ago.

At the mention of the first colony, Lagertha made one step back, taken aback. She lowered her head and simply said:

- I guess you are right then.

- But how are you gonna repay us for what your king ordered.

- I'll just make him know that no one hurts my family and threaten my wife with impunity.

- Can we know how you are gonna do that?

- Well, I liked Lagertha's idea of execution. Besides, the Britons inspired me an idea.

- Do you mean you will...

- Yes, he answerd to his brother.

They smiled at each other knowing while Lagertha looked at them confused and a little relieved. This was at this moment Björn woke up. Suddenlys all eyes went on him. His mother rushed to him and hugged him strongly. Ragnar sat on a chair and bent toward his son's face. At the sight of this family reunion, Rollo prepared to leave, thinking he hasn't his place here with them. As he arrived to the door, Björn said with a weak voice:

- Uncle. I'm sorry for what I said before. I didn't mean it. Can you forgive me?

- Of course you are. You will always be, he said with a smile. By the way Ragnar, We will have to talk about the execution, but for now, I suggest you rest with your family while I take care of the sentenced people.

After he said this, he closed the door and left his brother's family to their reunion.

When he came back to his room, Gisla was preparing herself to leave. As soon as she saw him entering, she stopped and sat on the bed casually. He closed the door and said to her:

- I settled this problem with my brother.

- Which means, she asked with a proud face.

- We agreed that your father was guilty of the crime and decided to punish him in a way, he said pulling his armor.

- Why are you in armor, she asked.

- I will need it to catch the one that will be executed. Joseph, he shouted in the corridor, tell Thorbjorn to come here!

- Yes duke Rollo, the servant said.

- I don't understand, Gisla said confused. Who will you punish if not my father?

- I can't go against your father. I made an oath, remember? So instead of going against him, I will send him a message by executing people that were involved in the poisoning.

- Who, exept me?

- The two people that represent the best your father's power. Your knights, my love.

- What?! No! Who will be there to protect me?

- I will. How many times should I tell you that I will protect you at all costs. Even if it means, losing my brother's trust again, Lagertha's consideration, Björn's love and my pride. I am your husband. Don't ever forget that.

- You can't, she said pouting.

- Yes I can. And I'm gonna prove it!

He went out of the room, took the key, slammed the door and locked it. He waited a few more minutes before Thorbjorn came to him. He explained what they were going to do and they went to the guard's room and told the knights that they were under arrest. Of course, they tried to resist. They unsheathed their swords and prepared for battle, but the vikings were taller and stronger, and soon, the knights were knocked out. They dragged them to one of the castle's cell after they took their weapons and threw them in a corner of the room. Once they were chained in the cell, Rollo and Thorbjorn went to warn the guards to never open the cell otherwise, they would suffer great consequences. When it was done, Rollo's best man went back to his house and Rollo went to the great hall, waiting for Ragnar who had been lokked for.

Ragnar came in the hall very intrigued. He sat on a chair, facing Rollo and simply asked:

- So, what are you planning exactly?

- We all agreed that the king is guilty, right?

- Yes.

- And you understand that I can't go against him because of my oath and my wife right?

- Yes.

- But I told you that I will fill my part, and I intend to keep my word. I will send a message to the king, the same way I did with the Briton prince.

- And who shall you execute?

- The king gave two knights to Gisla the day we married. They represent his power and his person in my lands. Besides, they were knowing of this betrayal.

- Two knights, for a king's life, Ragnar said thoughtful. Seems a little underrated.

- And I give you this city to attack. It is very rich and is as important as Paris. You can do whatever you want to it. I won't even move an eyebrow.

- Two lives, a settlement and a city to attack, now that seems fair.

- Especially when you consider that the king's life isn't worth anything. He is a coward who can barely speak for himself.

At Rollo's joke, they both laughed and shook hand in sign of agreement. When they were about to live, Ragnar asked:

- Which city did you choose for us?

- Naoned, it is located on the Loire and it belongs to the Britons.

- So that is your surprise.

- Yes, Rollo replied with a carnassial smile.

- You really changed brother.

And he went back to Lagertha's side along with Björn, leaving Rollo in the great hall who was already planning the execution on his wife's knights.

They agreed that the execution was planned when Björn could stand up and walk, which appeared to be very short considering the boy's strenght and passion to fight again. He was strong and no one could deny that: after two days of recovery, he could walk and swing a sword again. Lagertha calmed herself and spent every minutes she could with her son. Ragnar on the other hand was planning the attack on Naoned helped with Kalf and several other commander in his amy. Rollo, him, was in charge of the execution and ruling his lands at the same time while Gisla was still locked in her room.

The day of the execution came and everyone gathered in the yard to watch. The northmen alongside with the servants and Rollo's serfs couldn't all fit in the space and some of them had to climb on the shoulders of the others. Ragnar, Lagertha, Björn, Rollo and Gisla all sat on chairs in front of the stage the knights were gonna be executed. Rollo bent to Gisla and whispered:

- I want you to watch is closely.

She averted her head and tried not to look at the big axe her husband was carrying. When everyone were here, Rollo stood up and said in a clear voice:

- We are all here to witness how I treat traitors and accomplices of a crime. I shall repay it my way. The viking way!

His declaration was followed by a cheerful clamour from the northmen who only came to see blood spread on the soil. Rollo waved to the guards and the two knights came on the stage under the booing of the northmen and surprisingly, the people. Rollo grabbed his axe and paced toward the two men whose heads were now on two trunk's end. He raised his ake to his head and stroke a hit on one of them's back. He hit harder and harder, aiming for different parts of his body, cutting flesh, bones, arms, feets. The man was screaming in pain, and Rollo even saw some of the people gathered in the yard vomit. When his screams began to be weak, he got started on the second one the same way he did with the first. The screams were more than Gisla could endure. She couldn't even watch this. It was beyond her limits. It was even worse than the day she saw this guard's hand being cut off in Paris. She dared to look at her husband to search for the bestiality in his eyes, but she saw none of it. There was only a cold sparkle. As if all of this was perfectly normal to him. As if he didn't even care. She knew he loved her, that he would never hurt her but that Rollo, she feared him more than his usual beast mode. She preferd him when he smiled dumbly at her, with his awkwardness and dorkyness. That smiling Rollo, she missed him. She missed him so much this instant.

When they couldn't hear their breathes anymore, Rollo cut their heads and asked for a bag. He put them in it with a letter Gisla saw him writing the night before. Then, he asked a man in the crowd to deliver it to the king. As soon as the man left, Rollo hung the remain of their bodies to a tree in the yard as a sign justice would be done and whoever commits a crime, he will have to suffer the same fate. After he did it, people began to leave, person by person and soon there was only Rollo and his family in the yard. Rollo saw everyone's faces when he was executing the knights. Ragnar smiled, Björn was looking fiercely and Lagertha proudly. But what bothered him most was Gisla. Never could he forget her terrified face. They were about to enter the great hall when Ragnar pat his shoulder and said:

- You are back to yourself at last.

Well, well, well. Look who loves his wife so much he just can not let her die. Sorry if this chapter is a little bit plain, but I really needed place to draw a proper conclusion to Gisla's actions. Don't worry tho, this story is not over. The next chapter will be the last, but it will be a little longer (with more love developement). So hang on!

By the way, all the cities in the story are real and still exist today. Baiocas (Bayeux), was once the capital of Normandy, Kan, or Catheim (Caen) was the next capital and is home to William the Conqueror's castle and Naoned (Nantes) was burned by the vikings in the high middle ages.

As always, don't forget to write me a review to tell me what you think (because it is important to me) and share, if you want ;). See you next Wednesday!