This is the part I changed the most. There is mention of rape in the middle of this chapter.

Brittany POV

As our ship docked I pulled Santana impossibly close to me. She didn't seem to mind as she wrapped her arms tightly around me. I could see the wheels turning in all men's minds when they laid eyes on Santana so I held on ever tighter to her. There was no way in hell I would allow any of their grubby hands on her.

"Stay close," I whisper not that she needed to be told.

I helped her off the ship and grabbed all my stuff before leading her towards my dad. Every man was staring at her and the fact I had my left hand on the small of her back.

"Here let me help." she whispers taking my furs in her arms.

"Just stay really close and don't look anyone in the eye." I whisper as we approach my dad.

My dad comes over and slaps me on the back grinning as he looks Santana up and down.

"She's a looker." he says still staring at her.

"I claim her as my thrall." I claim putting my arm around her.

My dad looks like he's about to object when Harold whispers something in his ear.

"So this is what you claim?" he asks motioning to Santana.

I can tell she's nervous at not knowing what is going on. So I do what comes natural which is wrap my arm protectively around her.

"Yes," I strongly say.

"Fine, but you get nothing else." he says before turning and walking away.

I close my eyes and sigh in relief. At least he isn't demanding me to give her to him, I don't think I could do that even if he demanded it.

She grabs my arm as a man approaches her with a wicked smile. I didn't know him, but I knew his kind so I grabbed a hold of Santana and steered her away. I wanted nothing to do with him. All I wanted was to get her to my home. I'll deal with my dad later.

"Just ignore him, I'll take you to our place." I tell her.

"We're going to your place?" she asks a little scared and yet hopeful.

"No, it's our place now as you'll be staying with me." I say kissing her head.

"Oh, I thought that since I'm your slave..." she starts.

I look around to make sure no one is around before I start talking. "You're not my slave, you're the beautiful woman who I'm just protecting."

"Thanks for taking care of me. I'll help out anyway you need." she offers.

"You don't..."

"Listen if I'm going to be living with you I need to help." she says stopping me.

"Fine, you can cook I normally go over to my parents for dinner, but that can be your job along with keeping the house." I agree and we start walking again.

She takes my hand and starts playing with my fingers, lacing our fingers together and swinging our hands. I pull her to a stop and she looks for the house to me.

"This is yours?" she asks.

"Yes, my dad's the Jarl so this is where we will be living. I thought it was a good idea to get one a few years after a really good raid. I only have the one bed so you can sleep there I'll sleep next to the fire until I get another week." I tell her setting all my stuff down.

"You only have two room?" she asks as I start putting everything away.

"I'll make you your own room." I offer handing her a dress so she won't stand out so much.

"Thanks, I'll make you something to eat." she says.

"Okay, but I have to go to a meeting for a few hours though. Stay in here, I don't want anyone to mistake you for a lesser thrall." I tell her giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"If you think it's for the best." she agrees smiling at me.

"Just for now," I assure her before leaving.

I give her one big smile before leaving, heading towards the hall. It wasn't something I wanted to do right now, I really didn't want to leave Santana alone. Plus we weren't due to do a Thing for at least for a months. My worry is in extra overdrive for someone hurting Santana especially Puck. He seemed too interested in Santana for my liking. The only thing that gave me some peace was he would be there too.

"Is it true?" Quinn asks shoving me into the wall of a house.

"What are you talking about?" I ask rather confused.

"You're sleeping your new "hot" thrall?" she questions.

"NO! She's just a woman I'm protecting from the harshness of our world." I tell her hoping she'll drop it.

"Sure and you're not hoping that she'll end up in your bed." she laughs. "It's not like I care, but every man is talking about how hot she is so I'd be careful about leaving her." she adds.

"Quinn I have to go to a meeting, but can you go and make sure that she's okay and stay with her until I get back?" I ask.

"Okay," she agrees turning and heading back to my place.

By the time I finally reach the hall just before my dad was going to start i saw why we had been called. He was going to be handing out all the goods from the raid. I of course wasn't going to be getting any of it, but I don't care cause I have Santana.

Santana POV

When Brittany left I really didn't know what to do so I started building up the fire to start cooking dinner so it will be down when Brittany gets back. I'm grateful for everything she's done for me, but there's something about her that makes me think she wouldn't be doing this if it was anyone else. She can't like me like she should a man and I don't...do I? Whenever she touches me I get all tingling and my stomach does flips. I don't know what this feeling is.

Hello, someone says knocking on the door.

What the fuck! Who? Sword where's her sword. I search all over looking around for where she put her sword or her axe something, anything to protect myself. The door opened and my heart dropped when I saw a blonde short haired woman come in looking at me. She smiled and waved at my before speaking again.

Brittany asked me to look after you.

All I got was Brittany, but it was enough to comfort me. I sat down next to the fire and sighed.

Are you okay? she questions.

I just stare at her and she seems to get it.

"I'm Quinn a good friend of Brittany's and she wants me to keep you safe while she was gone." she says and I can't help, but smile.

"You speak English too." I say astonished.

"Yes who do you think taught Brittany and you must be Santana." she says.

"I am, I was going to cook something for dinner." I offer putting another log on the fire. These barbarians keeps surprising me.

"Thank god cause Britt can't cook to save her life." she laughs.

I laugh as well cause it totally made sense. Quinn helped me cut up the fish and vegetables and make some stew for when Brittany returns.

"So you're her friend?" I question.

"Yes, she's been my best friend for years we grew up together and she stops men from taking advantage of the fact that I'm not married." she says smiling. "She's one of the sweetest and thoughtful person I know." she adds.

All I can do is smile and nod. It's a forced smile cause I can't imagine Brittany helping and taking care of Quinn or anyone else like she has me. I want to attack Quinn and drive her away so I can have Brittany all to myself. Oh god what are these feelings? I haven't felt like this since I was seven and my little brother was born.

"Thanks Quinn," Brittany says coming in.

"No problem Britt, see you two around." Quinn says giving Brittany a quick hug.

I can't help, but glare at Quinn as she leaves.

"I made us some fish and then vegetables stew." I offer her a bowl.

"Thanks San," she smiles taking the bowl and starting to shovel it in her mouth only pausing to say, "this is really good."

"Thanks," I softly say smiling.

She smiles at me before finishing up and holding her bowl out for more. I gladly gave her more and another slab of fish.

"So what was your meeting good?" I asked wondering what it could have been about.

"Frankly it was bullshit that I had to go in the first place as my father was just splitting up the haul not that got any as I had already claimed you." she fumes taking an aggressive bite of her fish.

"Oh," I say turning away trying not to cry.

"Santana," she softly says pulling me into her and kissing the top to my head. "It's worth not getting anything if it keeps you safe."

"Why?" I ask still confused on why she was helping me.

"Why what?" she asks still holding me against her.

"Why are you protecting me?" I ask.

"Honestly I don't know at first I think it's because you caught my eye and I couldn't stand the thought of you getting hurt by Finn, Sam or Puck. I honestly planned on letting you stay in Britain, but after getting a good look at you I knew that someone wither it be someone with me or some other man would end up hurting so that's why I brought you with me." she pauses and takes my hands. "After hearing you talk about being sold I think I fell for you. Over the journey I began to fall more and more for you. Santana, I think no I know I'm in love with you." she stops staring in my eyes and still holding my hands.

I gulp, all my feelings towards her now make sense to me. She looks dejected and pulls away from me. That pulled me out of my frozen state and I yank her arm so she would turn around. Grabbing her face I plant a kiss on her lips. It only lasts a few seconds, but damn I never want this kiss to end.

"Wow," she gasps smiling.

"Yeah," I mumble blushing, I can't believe I just did that.

"Hey, that's nothing to be ashamed of. I plan on kissing you many more times." she says giving me a quick peck before gathering up all her weapons.

Smiling like an idiot I sit next to her as she sharpens her sword and axes.

"I'd feel safer if we slept in the same bed." I sheepishly say blushing.

"Don't worry I won't try anything until you're ready." she says pausing to lean over and kiss me.

"Thanks," I softly say watching as Brittany goes back to sharpening her weapons.

I don't know how long we sat there in silence, but as soon as she was done sharpening her weapons she got up and held her hand cut for me.

"We should go to bed, I have an early day tomorrow and you can meet my mother." she says helping me into her bed.

It was about two feet off the ground and had a bunch of furs on it, in fact it was one of the best looking beds I'd ever seen.

"Hold me?" I ask as I lay on the bed.

She smiles and climbs up next to me. Putting an arm around my waist she pulls me into her.

"You're so beautiful." she whispers kissing my cheek.

I snuggle more into her and fall asleep quickly in her safe embrace.

Brittany POV

"San, I have to get up." I softly say.

I can't believe that she actually likes me back, that she'd choose a life with me instead of a man. I know she's giving up a lot, but I'll never let her get hurt. For the rest of my life I will protect her. She snuggles herself even more into my chest as I try to wake her.

"San, I have to go help my mother and you have to meet her." I whisper back.

"Do we have to go?" she grumbles.

"Yes, but we do need to get up." I tell her kissing her again before pulling up with me.

"What if your mother doesn't like me?" she asks as I pull on some new pants and shirt and give Santana a different dress.

"She'll love you, just like I do." I reassure her pulling her naked body up against mine.

"You love me?" she jokes kissing me.

"Yep and I will love you until the day I die." I tell her helping her get dressed.

"So what is your mother like?" she asks as she starts to make some deer and fish stew for later.

"She was a shield maiden like me until my father the late Jarl's son took a liking to her and they committed to each other. Since then she's had to stay home to take care of everything including taking care of me and my four brothers who are all dead now." I say slipping my arms around her waist.

"Oh," she says sadly.

"They died before I was born so just don't talk about family and you'll be fine." I tell her, kissing the side of her head.

She leans back into and takes a couple deep breaths.

"I think I'm ready to head out if you are." she says taking my hands and tightening my grip around her.

"You sure?" I ask making sure that she really is.

"Yeah, let's go." she says starting to head out the door dragging me with her.

I barely manage to grab my short axe before she had me out the door. She stops and looks at me waiting for me to lead the way to my mom. It takes us less than five minutes to get to the long house were my parents live.

"Brittany!" my mother sheiks ass I walk in.

She runs into my arms hugging me tightly which is pretty hard to hug her back as Santana got scared and grabs my left arm.

"It's good to see you too mom." I say patting her on the back lightly.

"And this young woman must be why your father's pissed." she says pulling Santana into a hug.

"Mom, this is Santana. Santana this is my mother." I say as my mom lets go of Santana and she quickly grabs back a hold of me.

"Hi," Santana quietly says, smiling at my mom.

She looks from Santana to me and shakes her head laughing. I don't get it, but I'm sure she'll tell me in a minute when she finishes laughing.

"I hope you can cook cause this one's hopeless." she says pointing at me.

Santana laughs as does my mom and suddenly it's like all of Santana's fears are gone.

"Yeah, I'm a pretty good cook." Santana says.

"Good, now tell me how you met and managed to make my daughter fall in love with you?" my mom asks bringing us into her side of the house.

The rest of the day was spent with Santana and my mom talking, getting to know each other while I sat there and listened, my arms wrapped around Santana, her leaning back into me. I know my mom was watching the whole time how we were reacting to each other. Like how closely I was holding Santana to me and how the entire time I kept playing with her hands.

"She's a keeper." my mom whispers before we leave.

"I know," I whisper as I pick up an exhausted Santana and carry her home.

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The next few months into the start of winter went like a blur. I was busy not only tending to the animals and obtaining fire wood, but I was also helping Harold build our own ship. Being the Jarl's only living heir I had to build my own ships of course since I had claimed Santana as my own and forfeited any gold I would have got from the last raid I had to ask Harold for his help. He and his wife had been more than willing.

Santana took care of all the inside chores and still found time to become friends with Harold and Ulf's wives along with Quinn and my mother. It amazes me how quickly she has taken to our way of life and the temperature changes. I'm glad she has though and even though we haven't gone pass making out and feeling each other up, I don't care cause I'm madly in love with this woman. Though we do sleep in the nude together with me spooning her so I"m content for now.

"You're back early." she squeals jumping into my arms passionately kissing me.

"Harold's man still has to get us an anchor." I shrug putting her down, but not before kissing her again.

"I made your favorite." she says pulling me over to the table.

I can't help, but chuckle as she puts a slab of pork with carrots and potatoes in front of me.

"You do spoil me so," I swoon pulling her into my lap.

"I know, but you work hard all day and I just want to come home and relax while being served a hot meal." she says blushing as she buries her head into my chest.

"I love you, you know that right?" I ask kissing her while running my hands up her back.

"What's up?" she asks staring me down.

Damn how I hate how this woman can read me.

"Apparently Harold was given guard duty tonight, but with his wife as pregnant as she is I told him I'd take it." I tell her hugging her closer to me.

"Do you have to?" she half whines. "I hate sleeping without you next to me."

"I hate when you sleep without me too, but I owe Harold and I know he doesn't want to be away from his wife at night." I say kissing her cheek.

"You're right, but I still don't want you to go." she pouts, snuggling into me.

I kiss her forehead before I start to eat her wonderful dinner. She really is the best thing to ever happen to me and not just because she can cook a great meal. No she makes me feel whole and like I have something to live for. I would do anything for her.

"Did you at least enjoy your dinner before you have to go back out?" she asks curling into me.

"It was amazing San." I smile kissing her. "But I really have to go." I frown not wanting to leave her.

"Be careful," she whispers kissing me, slipping her tongue into my mouth.

"I always am," I kiss her once more before leaving.

Santana POV

I watch Brittany walk towards the docks as the sunsets.

"I hear she took Harold's guard duty." Siggy says walking up next to me.

"She did," I say smiling at her.

"Ulf said if it makes you feel better then you can come stay at our house until Brittany gets off duty." she says.

"Thanks, but I think I'll just stay here." I tell her.

"Well if you want the offers always there." she says giving me a hug before leaving.

I love how all of Brittany's friends have taken to me and have slowly become my friends too. I haven't had friends since I was ten and made friends with a peasant boy. When my father's found out he had the boy killed. I started to hum a piece of poetry I had heard Harold and Ulf sing several times. It's not very positive, but some reason it just has stuck in my mind and whenever I'm alone I find myself humming it.

"That's not a very positive part of the poem." Puck says shutting the door I hadn't notice him open and stalk over towards me.

"W-wh-w-what-" I stutter backing away from him.

"No one here to save you this time." he hisses smirking as he pulls his pants down.

Brittany POV

I'm so happy that I managed to get off early now I can be there holding Santana when we fall asleep. Skipping my way back I hear some strange noises coming from my house as I approach the door. Slamming the door open I see the one thing that I makes me lose it.

"Oh god!" Puck screams releasing into Santana.

"PUCK!" I growl stalking over to him ready to kill him with my bare hands.

I lift him off of her throwing him across the room. I look down to make sure that Santana is not seriously injured which she wasn't I stalk over to Puck.

"I'm going to kill you!" I scream bashing his head against the fire pit.

I continue to bash his head until it cracks in two.

"Britt, I tried to stop-" she start to say, but I cut her off.

"It's not your fault." I tell her hugging her tightly to my body as I carry her to our bed.

She sobs into me chest as I lay us down and start to inspect every inch of her. At first she tries to pull away, but I won't let her pull away from me.

"San I know that you're scared and hurt, but please for me let me make sure you're okay." I whisper gently pulling a shirt and pants on her knowing that she'll want to be covered.

Santana POV

I don't want her to touch me as all I can feel is his rough hands on me, but at the same I long for her touch to make everything better. I'm still sobbing hard into her chest. I feel so violated and scared. What will happen if Brittany gets in trouble because she killed Puck? What will happen to me? Who will protect me from men like Puck? All these questions whirling around in my head makes me cry even harder.

"I'm so sorry," I hear her whisper.

"Brittany, it's not your fault." I weakly say.

"Yes it is, I shouldn't have left you alone at night especially since I know that Puck has wanted you." she sobs.

I don't know what to say to that. We both lay there in each other's arms crying.

Brittany POV

It's been a whole moon cycle since Puck raped Santana and I killed him. She's surprisingly come back rather well from the attack though I don't let her stay alone anymore. When I have to go out and can't take San with me I ask either Quinn or my mom to watch her. She takes offense to the fact that I have people babysit her, but puts up with it for my peace of mind. There have been some tough days where she freaks out when seeing a man, but overall she's been doing much better. She still won't let me touch her intimately to show her that I still love her.

Santana POV

"Britt I can make dinner." I try to argue, but she's not having any of it.

"I know you can, but I want to make you something special." she says pushing me to sit at the table.

She leans down to kiss me, but pulls back and goes back to cooking. That's how it's been since well him. She won't kiss me or sleep with me, no she barely touches me either. It's so confusing, I thought she was in love with me, but maybe she's not anymore since I am damaged goods.

"Britt, this is actually good." I say surprised that she can make something that tastes this good.

"I'm glad," she whispers.

I want so bad for her to kiss me and make love to me, but I know she won't. Looking into her eyes I know that she won't kick me out so if I want things to get better then I have to be the one to leave. I'll have to wait until tonight to leave.

When we finally turn in Brittany lies down on the far side of the bed from me. It's so lonely without her contently touching me yet another thing that Puck has taken away from me. Curling up I sigh wishing that I could be in her arms right now instead of thinking of Puck's hands that were all over me.

"Britt," I whisper hoping she's still up.

"Mmph?" she moans turning to look at me.

"Hold me?" I ask pouting.

She sadly smiles before scooting up behind me, spooning me. I sigh and snuggle back into her.

"Do you not love me anymore?" I ask quietly.

"What!?" she yells a very confused look on her face.

"You don't love me anymore so I think I should-"

"NO!" she shouts cutting me off. "I love you more than anything in this world. I would do anything for you."

Now I'm even more confused than before.

"You still love me?" I ask.

"Of course I still love you babe, how could I not." she says and I finally turn all the way over to look at her.

"But you haven't held me or even touch me really since it all happened." I sob into her chest.

"Oh San, I thought you didn't want me to." she says lifting my head to lightly kiss me on the lips.

"I want you Britt so bad. I want you to take away all the memories I have of him and replace them with memories of you." I softly say into her chest as she hugs me tight.

"Anything you want," she whispers gently lifting off my shirt and pulling down my pants.

Within seconds she has me completely naked along with herself.

"Are you sure?" she asks hovering over me.

Am I sure that I want this. I do love Britt more than anything and I trust her with my life so I guess I'm sure.

"Yes," I quietly say looking deep into her loving eyes.

She kisses me deeply move her hands all over my body. I have never been touched like this in my life. So gently and careful like I'm the single most important and precious thing in the world.

"Britt," I moan an ache in my lower region that I've never felt before causing me to buck up into her.

"I'll take care of your every need from now on." she says.

I let out an embarrassingly loud moan when her right hand grabs my right breast and starts massaging it. I moan even more when she trails kisses down my jaw and neck to my left breast.

"You have no idea how long I've waited." she moans diving in and sucking on my nipple.

My moans echo around the hut as Brittany continues to worship my body in ways I never thought possible. Her hands start to make their way down to where I really want and need them.

"I promise that it won't be like anything you've ever felt before." she whispers her hand resting on the inside of my thigh.

"Please," I beg pouting.

I get the feeling that had this been any other time she would have teased me, but I'm really thankful that she got straight to the pleasing.

"Oh god," I gasp when I feel two fingers thrust into me.

Never in my whole life have I felt this before. Not just that she has two fingers inside me, but this need no ache for more of her. She pulls her fingers almost all the way out before thrusting back into me.

"Don't stop, oh Britt don't stop." I gasp thrusting up into her.

"So sexy," she moans kissing me while still pumping in and out of me.

I wrap my arms around her muscular body, clawing at her back as pleasure overwhelms me.

"Brittany," I chant as she rides out my orgasm.

We both whimper as she pulls her fingers out and rolls off of me. I'm so tired that I just curl up against her, putting my head on her chest.

"I'll repay you when I get my strength back." I whisper snuggling even more into her.

"Don't worry about it. I just wanted to show you how much you mean to me and I do and always will love you." she says wrapping her arms around me.

"I don't doubt you," I whisper.

She does still love me and I couldn't be more happy.