Firstly, I want to say thankyou for all of your encouraging reviews! I am overwhelmed by how many of you enjoy reading my story. I have decided to do a few more chapters for the time being.
-Lorelie Candice Black - Thankyou for your support. I will continue for a little longer and see what happens. I appreciate your review, as always. ;)
-Lady vampire of vampires - here you go! I hope you enjoy, let me know what you think :)
-Harper loves Alex - Thank you, I am glad you liked the chapter! I'm not too sure if there will be baby Ivar's. Only time will tell! ;)
-Victoria0613 - Hopefully you will be pleased to see that I am continuing for a little longer. I'm not certain if I will go the pregnant, baby, direction but who knows. I appreciate your input though ;)
-Madilim - Thankyou for your review and support. :)
-Puffgirl 1952 the 2nd - Here's to hoping! Hope you are happy with what is happening ;) Let me know what you think.
-ReadlikeHermione - Thank you for your review. I am grateful you have enjoyed the story so far, hopefully you continue to enjoy what I write and what direction the story goes in. As always, I appreciate your reviews. ;)
-Amy- I am so glad you have enjoyed the story, thank you for your review. I hope you are happy that this has not turned out to be actually the end! I decided after all the emails, that I could devote a little more time to it and give you guys more. I hadn't thought about writing another about Ivar to be honest, I think a world without Kadlin would make me sad. I think instead of writing another one, I would just continue this ;)
-MadisonJM- Sorry I made you wait so long, I had to decide what I was going to do. As I had considered ending it at the last chapter so it took me a little longer than normal to nutt it out! I hope you enjoy.
Lastly, Thank you to:
-Kjorange - Your review was absolutely lovely. I am so touched that you have enjoyed my story so much. If I am to be honest, reading your review really made me want to continue writing! I have read your story too and its great, keep up the awesome work. You may be interested to know that I am writing a story outside of Fanfic. My characters are based loosely on Ivar and Kadlin so one day you may enjoy reading that! In the meantime I do hope you enjoy what I have in mind for the next few chapters.
Thankyou everyone for the love. Now without further ado, Chapter 17. Love MortalMarquess. x
They next morning Kadlin awoke in the small cottage to yelling and sounds things breaking. Looking over she saw Ivar was still asleep how he was able to remain so through the noise she had no idea. "Ivar wake up" she shook him.
"What's going on?" he said suddenly, sitting bolt up as if the noise had only just became apparent to him.
"I assume they just found Ecbert" she said quietly.
"Come we must go out there and act as surprised, enraged and shocked as every one else" Ivar responded as he dropped down from the bed and made way to the door.
Kadlin drew back the blankets and followed. Feeling much sorer today than she had yesterday, she looked and saw that her wounds were healing well, but it didn't stop them for hurting.
"Are you alright" Ivar asked her as she walked over to him.
"I am sore today" she admitted.
"I have heard that happens after sex"
Kadlin smiled in response, "No Ivar. I am sore from being stabbed. I am completely fine down there."
He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Alright, I am a little tender. But I wouldn't have it any other way"
"Lets go."
Opening the door, Kadlin stepped out first and was met with confusion surrounding the camp. Stopping a passing by man she questioned him.
"What is happening"
"I do not know."
Kadlin and Ivar moved further into the crowd until they were met with Bjorn and Ubbe. Loud enough so others could hear her, Kadlin spoke.
"Bjorn, was has happened?"
King Harald appeared from no where and replied to her question. "King Ecbert is dead"
Turning to face him, "What!" she exclaimed, hoping she came across as genuine. "What happened?"
"That is what we are trying to find out." Harald replied.
Ivar spoke from where he sat on the ground. "Brother, did you blood eagle him?"
Ubbe shook his head in response. "We found him this morning, floating face down with his wrists slashed and his throat open."
"Your kidding!" Kadlin said.
"No, it appears someone was not happy with the choice of us blood eagling him, so they took matters into their own hands. " Harald spoke.
"Why would someone do that." Kadlin asked carefully trying to avoid eye contact with the brothers.
"It seems we have a traitor in our midst." Ivar accused.
Kadlin looked around and saw everyone look as shocked as she did. A handful of them knew the truth, but it seemed Ivar wanted to play it a different way. Looking at him carefully, she saw the hint of cruelty in his eye she had seen before. Before being able to speak, Ivar spoke again.
"Yes, it seems someone was not impressed. Bjorn, it is your job to find the culprit is it not?"
Bjorn recovered quickly from his intial shock, and spoke as if he knew what Ivar was playing at.
"Yes of course. We will go to Ecbert's room now and see what we can discover".
The group made way to where Ecbert was. Kadlin was grateful for Ubbe, lifting Ivar up and carrying him the way. They needed to stay close to the group to ensure no suspicion fell on them. Not that Ivar seemed to bothered with such things.
"So" Ubbe began. "You were not at the feast last night little brother"
"No. I was occupied" Ivar stated.
"Something kept you occupied in that little cottage eh?"
"You could say that" Ivar added, and even though Kadlin was not able to see his face she could hear the smirk on his lips.
Kadlin was grateful for the conversation to stop as they arrived at Ecbert's room. Stepping inside, Kadlin was shocked to see that Ecbert was not where she had last seen him. He had been pulled from the water and was lying naked on the cold hard floor. Seeing him like this, Kadlin was glad that she and Ivar had helped him leave this earth, but he did not deserve what was being done to his corpse now. Feeling as if it was disrespectful for someone who had held so much power, was now lying naked, dead in front of the people that hated him.
Bjorn stepped up and moved closest to Ecbert. Crouching down beside him, observing the wounds for a few moments, before he pointed to the cuts on the dead mans forearms.
"Now I am no expert, but it seems to me that these are self inflicted. The way the slice goes, looks as if they could have been done by himself"
Harald rolled his eyes, and stepped forward. "And you think he then slit his throat whilst his arms bled out? I think not. Someone has denied us the right to kill this man. For his crimes against your father Bjorn, I am surprised you are not more angry"
"Oh, do not mistake my calmness. I am not happy about this, but my father taught me restraint. My anger will not help get to the bottom of this. I happen to agree with you though Harald. I do not think he could have done this to his own throat either"
Bjorn stood up, "Where is the man who was watching Ecbert?"
Kadlin started to feel a little nervous, surely Bjorn would not put her in a position where she was going to be blamed for this.
Sigurd disappeared for a few moments, then pulled a man from out behind the corridor. The man looked shaken, bruised and bloody. Not at all how she and Ivar had left him last night.
"You, what happened here?" Bjorn asked him.
The man shook his head. "I do not know."
"You do not know, how the man you were here keeping safe the day before his execution, ended up dead on your watch?" He questioned.
The mans' eyes fluttered around, until they stopped on Kadlin. In all her visions she had never seen her death, or anything regarding this moment. She hoped that meant that nothing would happen to her here.
"All I know is. The man is better off dead" the guard commented.
"Ah, so you do have an idea as to what happened to our friend here. Why don't you tell us?" Ivar said. Speaking for the first time in the room.
The man's eyes saw Ivar, as if he recognised who he was.
"I did not leave my post voluntarily. I was attacked, and when I came to I returned to my post, I saw that Ecbert was in the bath attempting to take his own life. He had slit his wrists, and was bleeding out."
"Go on." Ivar told him
Taking a deep breath before he spoke, as if he knew the words he spoke would be what everyone wanted to hear. "I did not think he deserved the honour of taking his own life. He was running out of time, so I took my blade and sliced his throat. There was no time for me to seek help"
"Ah, but if you did not leave your post, you would have heard him no?"
"I do not know Ivar." the man admitted.
Kadlin stood shocked but said nothing. Why was this man standing here before her lying to everyone about who had killed Ecbert.
"You have left me in a difficult situation you see" Bjorn spoke. "You have robbed me of the right to kill the man responsible for my fathers death. You have taken away my revenge."
"Bjorn, son's of Ragnar" he turned to see them all. "I am sorry for what I have done. I saw no other alternative. I know it is my fate to leave this world, but I hope to make it to Valhalla still. Please"
Kadlin swallowed, and spoke carefully. "What is it you are asking, or trying to say?"
"Please do not simply kill me here, let me die with honour. I am a warrior"
Everyone's eyes fell to Bjorn, as leader the choice was up to him.
"Ubbe, Hvisterk take him somewhere else. Surely they have some type of dungeon, cage or holding cell that is not here. Sigurd, get rid of Ecberts body"
Harald coughed, "And where are you ordering me to?" he said with a smile.
"To the table, for you and I need to drink and celebrate some more. Let us go find some women!"
Harald smiled further, seemingly satisfied with the outcome of the events in the bath house. "I will meet you there. I must find my brother".
"Of course. Kadlin, if you wouldn't mind coming with me?"
Kadlin nodded and followed Bjorn out of the room, glancing back to the man who was being tied up by Ubbe and Hvitserk. Ivar gave a small smile to her as she walked off, away with Bjorn.
"Why did you do that?" she asked as they were far enough away from everyone else. "You knew what happened"
"Of course I did. Ivar came out and spoke with us, once you fell asleep last night. Ubbe and I, found the guard and spoke with him. He agreed to go along with our plan, all he asks for in return is a night with a beautiful woman and to be used as a sacrifice"
Kadlin looked shocked. "And you suppose I am this woman. Bjorn, I am sorry to disappoint you but I will not lay with him"
Bjorn stopped walking, and turned so that he faced her. His eyes on hers as he gently pushed her against the wall. His body was incredible close to hers. "Even when he lied for you?" he questioned her, she could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck.
"Even then Bjorn." she tried to ignore how close he was to her.
"You are very beautiful Kadlin" he said quietly to her.
"Thank you. Your brother thinks so too"
"Ivar. Yes he does seem quite smitten with you. If you ever get bored of him, you know where to find me. In the meantime, no it is not you who will be sleeping with him. I am sure we can find some brunette who wears her hair braided to satisfy this man."
"And the sacrifice for his death?" she questioned. Ignoring the part of him saying that she could leave Ivar and come to his side.
"Eh, I don't know. Perhaps we can offer him to the gods. Any ideas what for?" as Bjorn stepped away from her and started walking away, towards the outside of the castle.
Kadlin thought for a moment as they walked, her fingers finding her necklace. Flashes came before her. The brothers seated at a table feasting, Her and Ivar leading an army, Bjorn going a separate way with other men. Hvisterk and Ubbe torn between where to go.
"Perhaps it should be at what is to come. As I am sure, we are not all going to stay together forever"
"As always, you have the right idea. How you always know what to do astounds me, mistress Kadlin. One day, I will find out all your secrets" Bjorn told her, as he turned around facing her. Before she could react, Bjorn lent in, kissed her on the cheek then walked off.
Kadlin stood at the entrance of the castle. She wasn't sure whether or not to tell Ivar what his brother had said, however she couldn't deny that she was grateful that the situation had been resolved. She wasn't happy with a innocent man being condemned to death, but the way Bjorn had explained it, the man seemed happy to be visiting the gates of Valhalla sooner rather than later.
Spotting Ubbe walking through the open yard, she moved towards him hoping Ivar would be with him. Weaving her way through the crowd, she was glad to see Ivar seated down by a chariot. He looked comfortable sitting there as she made her way towards him.
"Ah, there you are!" Ivar beamed towards her, as she sat down next to him.
"I was just talking with Bjorn, he has assured me that all is well with that man. He is to die."
"Of course he is. He killed Ecbert." Ivar stated as if he were sure it was the truth.
Kadlin lent in closer to whisper in his ear, "But you know that is not the case, you are happy with the choice for him to die?"
"I would rather it him than you or I. For you have told me that we have a great destiny, we cannot very well achieve much if we are dead can we?"
"No, you are right. I just think he deserves better."
"Kadlin, it was you who said Ecbert needed to die the way he did, you cannot second guess your choice. From what I hear, the man will spend some time with a beautiful woman, drink his fill then be sacrificed. It is almost as honourable as dying as in battle. I wonder who will kill him though"
"Your right of course. I don't know. Bjorn I imagine?"
"Eh, anyway let us talk on other things. The feast, are you excited?"
"To be honest, not really. I do not wish to spend my evening sitting at a table with women listening to the idle chatter."
Ivar looked puzzled. "Why would you sit there then?"
"I must. It is a proper feast to celebrate the revenge success of your father, and it is not my place to sit up at the table with you and your brothers." Kadlin told him seriously.
Enclosing his hand around hers, he looked up at her. "You will sit with me. You are mine, I will not have you sit at some lowly table with women who are no consequence. You will sit with me, and if anyone has a problem with it. They can answer to me".
His words brought a smile to her face, "Thank you Ivar."
"Good, now that is settled, I am certain it is best for you to lie down and rest, your wounds would recover much faster if they were rested."
"That is the best idea, I have heard all day. I will go rest now. You will come wake me before the feast begins yes?"
Kissing her on the forehead "Obviously."
With that Kadlin smiled and left for the cottage that she now saw as hers. It was only small and rather bare, but she did not care. It felt nice to have a roof over her head, a bed to lie in and something to call her own. Even if it was just for a short time.
Waking sometime later, Kadlin rubbed her eyes as she sat up. There was still light coming through the windows so she knew she hadn't missed the feast and the sacrifice. Looking down to the bottom of the bed she was surprised as there was something there that was not when she went to sleep. A dress. Scrambling to the edge of the bed, she held it up. It was the finest dress she had seen, and it looked as if it was her's.
The dress was a rich shade of purple. The colour of a Plum, picking up the dress and running the fabric through her fingers, it was soft to touch. Much softer than what she had ever worn before. There was a plunge in the neckline, and the bust was embroidered with a gold pattern design. When she looked up from the dress she saw Ivar, seated at the edge of the cottage, near the door.
"I see you found my gift
Smiling at him, "Ivar it is beautiful, Thankyou"
"It was found in the castle, I though you may wish to wear it tonight at the feast" Ivar told her as he pulled himself along the floor making his way toward where she sat at the edge of the bed.
"I would love to" Kadlin could hardly keep the smile from her face.
"Good. You may as well put it on now then, the feast will begin soon."
Kadlin stripped off her clothing, and walked naked over to where a bowl of water sat on top of one of the few cupboards. Dropping in the cloth, she then picked up the bowl and walked back towards Ivar.
Sitting herself down cross legged with her back toward him, she was grateful for the rug on the floor. Or else her ass would have been freezing on the cold hard ground. Picking up the cloth from the bowl in between her legs, she rung the water out and passed it to Ivar.
"Would you mind, helping me?"
A small smirk played on his lips. "Only if you help me afterwards?"
Returning his smirk with a cheeky one of her own, she nodded. Ivar brought the cloth across her back, the cold water causing her to shiver. Feeling his arms reaching around her, he wet the cloth once again. This time not ringing it out, so as he brought it up over her shoulders, more water ran down her body. Cold water sliding down her shoulders, across her back and chest. Her nipples hardening as the cold water touched them.
Closing her eyes as the water dripped down her body. She couldn't help but shiver involuntary. The water was colder than she had originally thought. Leaning back into Ivar, she relaxed her back on his chest.
"Will you wash my front too?" she questioned coyly, as she rested her head on his shoulder.
His arms, engulfing her as he once again reached in between her legs to wet the cloth from the bowl. This time bringing it up to her chest, and wringing the water out down on her body. The water running down her chest, stomach and down her abdomen.
Her eyes still closed, but she felt when Ivar dropped the cloth and instead used his hands to cup the water and drop it on her body. Each time the water hitting her skin, sending shivers coursing her body. Feeling his lips on her neck she relaxed even more into him. His hands started massaging her body, starting on her stomach, moving upwards until he was cupping both breasts.
"Mmm"
"Do you like that"
"Yes"
His hands left her breasts almost as quickly as they arrived there. Kadlin didn't mind too much, as one hand was placed at her sex. Wondering where his other hand was, she looked up to see. His hand had picked up the discarded cloth and he had brought it over to her. Dripping cold water across her.
Before she had time to comment on how cold it was, his fingers had found their way inside her. Suddenly the cold water seemed so far away, her mind slipping away into the bliss of Ivar and his fingers gliding in and out of her. Tipping her head back, his lips once again found her neck. Kissing along her throat as his fingers continued their rhythm inside her. Her breathing getting faster and faster.
Her hands moved behind her to reach Ivar. She wanted to touch him the way he was touching her.
"No" he growled at her, as he continued kissing her neck.
Not wanting to take no for an answer. She lent forward just slightly to give herself more room to touch him. Ivar's hands moved quickly, grabbing her own before she had moved them again between the gap.
Her hands being held behind her back at a not entirely uncomfortable angle, she tried to free herself from him. Wiggling against him, was no use. He was not letting her go. "Ivar" she asked softly "Let me touch you"
He shook his head, "I want to touch you. I want to see and focus on you. Now relax"
Doing as she was told, she let herself relax into him again. As his hands found their way back to where they were before.
Finding that state of bliss again, Kadlin was not happy when she heard the door crash open.
"Ivar, what is taking so long" Ubbe called
"Shit Ubbe!" Ivar angrily called back to him, as both he and Kadlin tried to grab the blanket off the bed to cover her body.
Laughing in response, Ubbe lent forward and grabbed the blanket and threw it down covering them both. "Well as fun as this looks, we have a feast to attend to."
"Get out Ubbe" Kadlin told him, as she pulled the blanket tightly around herself and then stood up.
"Oh, I could stay, it looks as if you guys could use a hand?" He asked them both casually as he threw himself down onto the bed.
"I would rather you left brother" Ivar spat at him.
Throwing his hands up in defeat, Ubbe rolled off the bed and went to leave the cottage. "Fine if you don't require any assistance I shall leave"
"Thankyou Ubbe" Kadlin said kindly, as Ivar just sat their looking as if the rage was bubbling closer to the surface.
Ubbe was nearly at the door when he turned and spoke once more, "Oh, that dress will look lovely on you Kadlin" then he turned on his heel and closed the door.
Kadlin looked over to Ivar and saw that he was not happy. Crouching down in front of him, she asked "Ivar what has upset you so?"
"I am sick of my brothers making a pass at you. How many times do they need to comment like that?"
Kadlin laughed, "They are men, Ivar. It is what they do. Do not worry, I am with you"
Looking as if what she said wasn't enough to reassure him, she took his face in her hands. "Ivar look at me"
His eyes darted around, avoiding her gaze. "Ivar" she said clearly.
When his eyes finally stopped on her own, "What is it that is bothering you. First you would not let me touch you, now you are acting this way?"
Ivar sighed, and it was times like this that Kadlin remembered that no matter how tough he seemed on the outside he was still rather new to the feelings that were developing between them. It was as much his first's as they were hers.
"I do not know if I can satisfy you the way you deserve Kadlin. These little taunts that my brothers say, it gets to me. I know I cannot pleasure you the way they can, perhaps you would be better off with one of them. I mean I couldn't even get hard before, that is why I didn't want you touching me. To know I couldn't' give you what you need."
"Hey, did you forget what happened last night? That was you with me in there. And trust me, I felt pleasure. Now lets go to the feast. Come on, you didn't find me this lovely dress to not wear did you?"
"No" he said quietly.
"Good, lets get ready to go then, and Ivar, I don't want to hear that you are not enough for me. I decide who and what is enough for me."
"Yes Miss" he smirked to her as he moved to pull his boots on.
Kadlin hoped that it would be the end of the conversation, she didn't need, nor did she want anyone else. She had the feeling that he was perhaps not aroused before Ubbe walked in, that was something she would have to accept though. Besides, he didn't seem to mind pleasuring her, and as long as she made up for it when he was ready then it seemed that it would work out for the both of them.