Thank you once again for your kind reviews. Am very sorry for the delay in uploading, have had a bit of sickness going on and unfortunately writing took a back seat. Hopefully this nearly 5000 word chapter makes up for it?

Thank you to:

Shadow Spears - Thank you for explaining the reference to me! Glad you think Ivar is a sweetheart, I'm sure deep down he is.. Maybe more than he would care to admit? Would love your thoughts on this chapter to. :)

Shastter - Thank you for your comment, Glad you liked the chapter. Hope this is more enough for you.

BlueEyedPisces - Thank you for your kind words, I think things are progressing rather well between them also. It doesn't need to be rushed I don't think. Would love your thoughts on todays chapter ;)

MinhaJubsFavorita- Thank you for finding my story, I plan to continue. I have an end goal in mind, and I will try my best to get there before I stop! At the moment I am quite enjoying writing so I don't see myself stopping at the moment. (I find It very frustrating when people stop in the midst of an awesome story!)

Guest - Thank you for your comment. I am enjoying the two of them getting closer and am glad you are as well! I hope I have answered your comment about Sigurd in this chapter.

Gale Lover - I am glad to have you find my story also! Thank you as well for your review. They certainly help to keep me going. It means a lot that you enjoy my story, it is very fun to write. I will do my best to give them a night without any interruption's but I cannot promise when it will happen. There are quite busy at the moment, this chapter takes them to new and exciting places.

As always, I own nothing. I have borrowed some scenes from the show in this chapter and played with them a little, adding my character in to them. It has been fun to do it this way. Hope you enjoy the slight changes that I made, let me know what you think! In a few chapters time we are in new territory with the season being finished so I will be doing things my own way. Some things will change, but I will let you know prior to it happening.

Enjoy.

~MortalMarquess~

Kadlin was quite proud of everything she had accomplished lately. She had become quite proficient in using various weapons, she had learnt how to run a household , had performed a sacrifice, gotten intimate with Ivar and now she felt like a failure.

The sea was not for her, they had been stuck on this boat for at least 2 weeks and Kadlin wanted to get off. Wanted to step her feet on dry land, feel the sand between her toes. Smell something other than piss, and salt. From her visions she knew that it would not be an easy voyage she did not however expect it to be so dammed uncomfortable, more than anything she wanted the fur's she used to sleep on in Ivar's bed, not the pathethic excuse for a blanket she had here.

Looking out over the side of the boat, she had to admit that the army looked very intimidating. There was well over 100 ships, all carrying strong Viking Men and Women, apart from her boat. Around her she was surrounded by the women who had decided to come over to England with them. There was more than she had thought, but it made sense. Someone had to care for the men who would no doubt get injured. They were not all healers though, some of them shield maidens. Kadlin felt a slight pang of jealousy, these women would be able to go and fight with the men. Whilst she, ordered by Ivar was to remain behind.

He would not listen to her, it seemed that no matter how many times she had seen past this battle and that she had obtained no injury, Ivar insisited that she remain behind with the other women. Ivar himself had travelled over with his brothers on a separate boat, it was odd not being with him. The past few months, she had become accustomed to spending every day with him. Here on this boat, they spoke of sewing, and music and all things women did.

It bored her, she longed for a conversation about battle. To speak with the men about battle plans and strategy. She had many things to tell Ivar when they landed regarding how the battle should take place. However as much as she disliked being on here, it was good to spend some time with women. Ivar had told her she needed to be on the lookout for spies and traitors, and what a better way to find them by being with women. Women gossiped like nothing else, if someone was sent her to kill one of the Lothbrooks, the hope was that the women would know.

The days dragged on, until one morning they woke to the sound of the Horn. Finally, land had been finally spotted. Kadlin gathered up her things from the boat in a small bag which her mother had given her before she left. Looking down at the bag, she was grateful she had made the time to say farewell to her sister and mother. They were surprised when she and Ivar came to the farm that day, but it was important to her that they understood why she had gone. Her sister was sad that she would be leaving, and her mother cried. Worried they wouldn't see her again, Kadlin assured them that they would. As a token to remember her family, her mother had given her a few items. The bag for one, A new cloak which had a fur trim and the necklace her father had given her mother long ago. The necklace made from a silver chain with a large glass bead hanging from the centre. Kadlin had not taken the necklace off since Ivar clasped it around her neck. It was nice to have a reminder of her family with her whilst she crossed the sea.

The women got off the boats and set themselves to work where they could. Assembling the tents in which they would sleep, the fires where the food would be cooked and the makeshift beds where the wounded would be tended to. Whilst others busied themselves with these preparations, Kadlin left to find Ivar. Not watching where she was going, she tripped and fell into someone who was setting up a nearby tent.

"Oh i'm so sorry. I was lost in thought" she said, as she dusted her self off. Looking up she saw it was Erland, of whom she had met a few weeks ago at the wedding off Ubbe and Margarethe.

"It is not the first time you have fallen for me eh?" he laughed at her.

Kadlin smiled politely, twas true. She had lost her footing the first time she met Erland, although that time she had been drinking quite heavily. "I have already fallen for someone else I am afraid"

A look of disappointment perhaps, Kadlin was not sure came across the mans face. "Well he need not know if you had feelings for another?"

Mustering up as much confidence as she could managed, Kadlin once again smiled. "Ivar would be more than happy to know you wish to take what is his. Shall I go tell him now?"

"No, no. Just saying. If you ever feel like having a real man, well you know where my tent is"

Kadlin walked off after that, not feeling she needed to say anything more to Erland. He certainly was attractive, but she was spoken for. Besides, she didn't overly like his comment being made about a real man. She had yet to see for herself if Ivar could or could not sleep with a women. All they were basing it on was what Margaret had said, perhaps she wasn't right for Ivar. Kadlin wasn't sure what would happen when they eventually took things further, but she hoped. Her mind wandered back to when Sigurd had walked in on them not too long ago, she was annoyed at the time for the intrusion but perhaps it was for the best. Thankfully Ivar had not been too angry towards him, and as a thankyou for not lashing out at him Sigurd had promised to not tell the others what he had witnessed.

Feeling rather proud of how she handled herself with Erland, she was lost in thought and smiling when she finally found Ivar. He was with his brothers discussing how best to approach the battle.

"What are you so happy about" he asked her, as she stepped closer to them.

"Nothing I couldn't handle, and I am happy to see you all. Travelling with the women was very boring"

"I'm sure I could have found a way to occupy myself" Hvisterk commented sarcastically.

"Yes, well I am sure you are right Hvisterk" Kadlin turned and spoke quietly to Ivar. "Are you still against me coming?"

"We have spoken about it, many times. Yes, stay here. Prepare for the next battle. Aelle will not be expecting us so soon, you said it yourself. It will be an easy battle"

"Then it is all the more reason I should be able to come Ivar."

"Kadlin, enough. No" he said angrily to her. Ubbe looked over and raised his eyebrow and Ivar's words.

"Fine, I will see you all later" she got and walked off, without looking at Ivar again. Walking off she was incredibly frustrated, who was he to think he could tell her what to do. Especially since she had already seen what would happen, she knew exactly how the battle would end and where it would end. Looking back over her shoulder, she could see that the brothers had resumed their talking. Ivar sat propped against the base of a tree whilst the others scattered around him. Looking at him again she felt even angrier than before, she took out her dagger and stared at the tree above Ivar. There was approximately the same amount of distance as to where she stood now to when she threw her dagger at home to the target. Without another thought, she let loose her dagger. Impressed with herself when it landed with a loud thud it landed in the tree, inches above Ivar's head.

Ivar looked up with a look of shock, disbelief and then finally settled on anger. "What in the" he started to say, before Kadlin called out.

"I suppose I don't need that then!" turning on her heel, to head back towards her own tent without another glance back. Kadlin was glad that no-one seemed to notice her hand shaking slightly as they made room for her to pass.

Finding her way back to her tent, she sat down. Now what the bloody hell was she to do. On one hand, she could sit here like she had been asked, or told rather. Perhaps she could continue to do some of the weaving she had learnt on the boat. Or she could find her shield, and walk with the army towards the defeat of Aelle.

Kadlin wasn't sure what the right thing to do was, she didn't want to look like she was disregarding Ivar and going out on her own, or disobeying him as a sort. Eventually she knew these people would follow him into battle with her being his second in command. So she couldn't overstep herself and do what she pleased, but neither did she want to sit here and twiddle her thumbs whist she waited for them to return. Relaxing back on her bed, she mulled over her options.

Thinking to herself, "What did the brothers want most?" well that was simple they wanted revenge on their father. Starting with Aelle, then eventually moving to Egbert. However, it was Aelle who actually sentenced the boy's father to death. Kadlin knew that no-one was certain where Ragnar had met his end. So, that is what she would do, she doubted that with the language barrier, the brothers would be able to decipher where the site was. She had never really openly searched through her visions, so she wasn't sure where to start. Closing her eyes, she tried to picture Ragnar.

All she could see in her mind, was Ragnar. No location, hints anything. Bringing her fingers up she started to play with the necklace her mother gave her. As soon as her finger touched the glass bead, her mind reeled. Images flashing before her, a forest, a pit in the ground, hundreds of snakes, people laughing, a cage suspended in the air. Ragnar. "I wonder what happened before he got in the cage" the thought flickered across her mind. Before she had time to realise what was happening new images appeared before her. Ragnar standing in the cage, being prodded with spears, then with a rope around his neck, being tormented by soldiers, lying on the ground being kicked repeatedly, his skin being burnt. Kadlin could hardly bear to watch, even though she didn't know him personally seeing Ragnar this way hurt her. Knowing how much he meant to Ivar and his brothers and to the cause, she continued to think about it, so that she would know exactly what Aelle had done to him. For Ivar and his brothers deserved to know. When the vision had passed, Kadlin knew what Ragnar had endured in silence. Never once did he shout out or make a sound, not even as the snakes weaved their way around his body, strangled and bit him, sending various poisons coursing through his veins. Nor had he made a noise when he had been beaten and tortured in the lead up to his death.

Wiping away the tears that spilled from her eyes, Kadlin knew now what her purpose in this battle was, it was to help bring closure to the brothers by showing them their fathers final resting place. Exiting her tent, she saw that the main army had gone, leaving only a hundred or so warriors here to protect the women in case something was to go wrong. Spotting a horse on the far side of the camp, she ran towards it. Kadlin had no idea how long she had been in her trance for, nor any idea how long ago they had left.

Arriving at the horse there was a women there. "Is this your horse?" she questioned the older lady.

"It is yours now. Ivar brought it, in case his other should fall. However I am sure he would not mind it going to you"

Kadlin smiled. "Thank you, how long ago did they leave?"

The old lady smiled at her in return, "If you ride hard and fast, you will meet them."

"Thankyou" as she swung her leg up over the horse and rode in the direction of the muddied footprints.

Kadlin rode at breakneck speed, pushing her horse as fast as she could. Weaving through tree's and jumping over fallen logs that littered the floor of the forest. Hearing the battle before she saw it. Coming out from the forest, she spotted the clearing, and the army. Egging her horse forward she saw the battle was nearly over. Aelle's army lay defeated on the ground, she rode past them. Riding towards where the main congregation was. Noticing a horn attached to the side of her saddle, she picked it up and blew as hard as she could.

Everyone near her, turned their head to see. Her galloping towards them, moving to the side so she could get to the brothers. The brothers had formed a sort of circle around Aelle. He was on the ground, bloodied and weakly holding his sword. Blowing on the horn again, the brothers turned and saw her. Before the horse had come to a complete stop, she jumped off and walked towards them. Vikings moved aside making way for her to enter.

"Bjorn. I must speak with you. It is urgent" she called.

Bjorn glared at her, "Ivar get her out of here" turning his attention back towards Aelle. He looked like a dog, playing with his food.

Ivar looked over at her, the anger that had been in his eyes earlier long gone. A look of confusion on his face. "Bjorn, I suggest you listen to her"

"What?" he spat to him. "I am busy, avenging our father"

"As am I. Now Bjorn, I ask you again. I must speak with you." she looked at him straight on. The way she had seen Ivar look when he spoke seriously. Bjorn's gaze never leaving her. "Fine" he replied clearly frustrated with her.

Ivar climbed upon his chariot, and rode over away from where anyone else was. Kadlin gestured Bjorn to follow. Hvitserk, Sigurd and Ubbe made a motion to follow.

"I assume my brothers can come to?" Bjorn said sarcastically.

"Yes, that is fine. It concerns you all" she replied simply.

"Floki" Bjorn called. "Keep an eye on our king here. Make sure he doesn't die. Yet"

"he he. Yes Bjorn. Oh what fun we are going to have little king. Or should I say fat king? You are a fat king aren't you?" Floki taunted him. Kadlin smiled as they walked away to where Ivar had stopped.

When Kadlin and the others had reached Ivar he lent in to kiss her on the cheek. Kadlin was surprised at the affection he showed her "What are you doing" he whispered to her. With a touch of concern she thought? "Trust me" she breathed back.

It was Bjorn who spoke first. "It is only out of respect for Ivar why I did not cut you down for interrupting us. Who are you but Ivar's whore to come and tell me what to do?"

Kadlin laughed. "That is funny Bjorn. We both know you do not respect Ivar. Now as to why I am here. I am not telling you what to do, I merely asked you to listen. I do not know how it happened but when you all left for the battle. I felt tired from the journey over here, so I had a lie down. I dreamt of your father."

It was now Bjorn's turn to laugh. "You interrupted me seeking revenge on my fathers death because you had a dream?"

Ivar spoke before Kadlin had a chance. "Bjorn. Just listen to her. If you are not happy with what she has to say, I will punish her myself"

Kadlin looked back to Bjorn, he looked to be considering what Ivar had said. "Whatever" he said.

"Now, as I said. I dreamt of your father. I know it bothers you all that you do not know what happened to your father. I would be willing to bet my life that Aelle will not tell you either. Even if he did, we cannot understand him. I saw your fathers death, and everything that happened in the lead up to it. I know where it was"

Looking at the brothers, then stopping her gaze at Bjorn. "So, I ask you. Would you like to see? And perhaps end Aelle's life where he took your fathers?"

"You say you saw it in a dream how?" Bjorn questioned her.

"I do not know Bjorn. I believe it was a gift sent from the gods for me to give you, the sons of Ragnar"

"I for one would like to see" Ubbe said quietly.

"Me to." Hvitserk added.

"And you Sigurd?" Bjorn questioned him.

"Yes, me also"

"Ivar I don't even need to ask what you want." Bjorn commented to his youngest brother.

Ivar smirked, and nodded his head in approval.

"Alright, it seems we are going to see. Come on then, lets go" Turning on his heel to leave, Bjorn headed back towards where Floki was entertaining Aelle in their absence. Ubbe, Sigurd and Hvitserk then followed, leaving Kadlin with Ivar.

Ivar climbed back ontop of his chariot. Once he was seated he held a hand up to Kadlin. Smiling she took it, and took her place in front of him. "I see you are no longer angry with me" he commented to her.

"That is still to be seen" she responded back to him. Glad he couldn't see the smile upon her face.

"Well in any case, it was a good throw. You have a great teacher"

Kadlin laughed "Yes but don't tell him that."

"I noticed you left out a bit of truth to your tale?"

Sighing Kadlin responded. "Yes, I didn't think they needed to know I have more visions apart from that. However I thought you may appreciate the opportunity to see where your father was killed, So I decided it was a risk worth taking."

"It was a risk, but one that seems to have paid off. I do not want them knowing of your visions. Only you and I should know they exist, or else they may try to use you for their own gain" Ivar said seriously.

"Do not worry Ivar. I will not and have not told anyone else, I do not plan to leave your cause anytime soon" she said softly

Ivar spurred the horse back to the army and to Aelle. "Oh here, you may want this back" Ivar dug into his clothing and pulled out her dagger. as they arrived back.

"Thankyou" as she tucked it into her waist band. "It was a good throw" she agreed to him.

Ivar rolled his eyes. "Oh Bjorn, I do not think it fair for the poor king to walk. Here" he threw a rope towards his brother. "Tie him up and my horses can pull him along" he laughed.

Kadlin stepped down out of Ivar's chariot and back over to her own horse. Climbing back up, then riding over to where Ivar waited, with the defeated king tied up to the back of his chariot. Perhaps Kadlin could have felt sorry for him, being beaten and now about to be dragged across his own country in shame However the flashes of Ragnar's torture and death appeared, and disgust rose up inside her. She resisted the urge to spit on him as she rode past holding her head high.

"That is my horse" he commented to her.

She smiled at him. "Correction, it was your horse." Looking towards Bjorn and the others, "Shall we go?"

"Lead the way" he told her. Only the brothers, Floki and a few other members of their army came. The rest made way back to the boats, to pack up and ready themselves for when they left to attack Egbert.

Kadlin was glad none no one rode next to her as they made way through the forest. Every now and then she had to touch her necklace to keep her on track. When they arrived at a small clearing in the forest though she knew this was the place. It looked familiar and she felt as if she had been here before.

Bringing her horse to a stop, she waited for the others to catch up. Ivar was not far behind her, and when he stopped Kadlin jumped off her horse and walked up to Aelle seeing the look of horror on his mud and bloodied face. The look confirmed that they were in the right place. The others arrived moments later.

Ubbe untied his ropes, as Floki and Bjorn dragged him over to where the leaves had fallen and created a pile on top of where Kadlin assumed the pit would be. Looking back over to Ivar, Kadlin was glad to see that Ubbe was carrying him to where the others went.

"Under your feet Bjorn, you will find a trap door" Kadlin called out to him. Bjorn moved his feet around, and Kadlin saw the ends of a rope. "Pull the ends of the rope" she called out to them. No one seemed to question her, as some of the men moved to the rope and pulled. Opening the pit.

Kadlin took a step back and issued to the other warriors to do the same. Ivar crawled over to edge of the pit, as his brothers and Floki walked over. Looking down they saw where the great Ragnar Lothbrook had died.

Bjorn turned to Kadlin. "How?"

How could have meant so many things, but Kadlin assumed he meant how did he die. "He was thrown into the pit, it was filled with snakes" taking a deep breathe she continued "but not before he was tortured beyond comparison and beaten and humiliated by Aelle and his soldiers"

Sigurd dragged Aelle over to where they stood. He spoke and it sounded as if he was offering gold and silver in exchange for his life. Kadlin laughed but it was Ivar who responded. "No, our father was worth more than gold and silver"

Even with the language barrier it looked as if Aelle knew he had been rejected for the fear had returned to his eyes.

Kadlin walked over and sat on a fallen log, as the brothers spoke of how best to dispose of Aelle. Floki who had known Ragnar the longest was nailing Aelle to a fallen tree. The screams that Aelle cried out where very un pleasant, but none less than what she assumed she would hear soon. Whilst the brothers spoke, night had fallen on the clearing. Thankfully some of them had lit torches around so that they could still see. Kadlin starting to wish she brought her new furs to keep her warm, it was getting rather cold out tonight.

It seemed the brothers had made the decision to blood eagle the king. It seemed only fitting, it was their most torturous way to die. The only thing was now who was to do it, Kadlin was sure Ivar would want to. In the end it was Bjorn who did the deed.

Aelle cried out the entire time, his screams filled the clearing. There was no honour in his impending death, not like how Ragnar had endured his. Kadlin watched the brothers as Bjorn carried out the sentence. Each looking as if they were glad to be finally here, avenging their beloved father. Bjorn concentrating like nothing Kadlin had seen before, she wondered if he had seen a Blood Eagle been done before. She had not, Kadlin had only been told stories about them. As Bjorn continued, Ivar moved from next to Kadlin and crawled down infront of Aelle. Blood spurted from Aelle's back and covered Ubbe in the face, and he smiled a welcome smile. Hvistserk and Sigurd both smiling next to him.

Ivar watched Aelle intently with a cruel smile upon his face. Moments after Ivar sat infront of Aelle, his screaming stopped. The man who had murdered their father was no more. Bjorn had not yet finished his punishment, and now that the screaming had stopped you could hear the sound of bones cracking, blood squirting and then the sound of his lungs being pulled out.

When Bjorn had finished, they considered throwing Aelle's body into the pit, closing the lid and walking away. However it was suggested by Floki, that they should display his body. So all who saw him would know what had been done to him, and if anyone else dared to cross them this too could be their fate.

The brothers decided this was the best choice, as it brought further humiliation to the fallen King. He was strung up between two trees.

After a time, the sun rose and they decided it was time to head back to camp and prepare themselves for leaving. Just as Kadlin went to climb up onto her horse she was stopped by Bjorn.

"Kadlin, can I speak with you?"

"Certainly Bjorn". She dropped the reigns of her horse and followed Bjorn away from the main group. Ivar watching her intently.

Finally he stopped walking and he turned to speak to her. "Thankyou. I know it was a risk to yourself for stopping us earlier. I appreciate you taking it, so we could know the truth of my fathers death"

"Your welcome Bjorn"

"If there is anything you wish to ask of me, ask it now. As a thankyou for the deed you have done my family"

Kadlin thought for a moment then replied. "If it is alright with you, I would ask a pardon. To be used whenever I may need?"

Bjorn laughed, "Do you plan on murdering someone and need to be freed of the consequence?"

Kadlin smiled and laughed in return. "No, but I should keep my options open"

"I can see why Ivar likes you. Very well, I will grant it. Let us hope you never use it though eh?"

"Come, lets return to the others."

Upon returning to where the others were, Ivar called out to her. "Kadlin, will you ride back with me?"

"Yes Ivar. Ubbe will you take my horse?"

He nodded and climbed upon her horse. Kadlin took Ivar's outstretched hand and climbed up on the chariot.

When everyone was a far enough away so they would not be heard Ivar asked her. "So what did you see?"

So, what did you think? Did you mind too much how I changed/added to Aelle's death? Would love to hear your thoughts.

~MortalMarquess~