Chapter Twelve

                                    

                                          
"I am still nervous around him." You sister told you and you giggled.
                          
"Ivar is like the old cat that lives next door to mother and father, he is good company after he is well fed and fussed over." You promised and she couldn't help but smile.
                          


                          
"Do you know what we need to get him from the main hall, I know what Helga wanted but I forgot to ask him." She said to you as the pair of you walked the short distance from her house to the main hall to get food that Aslaug had promised Helga she would set aside.
                          
"I know what we need, do not worry so much." You laughed. Before either of you know what was happening people started rushing around you, disturbing the gentle layers of snow that had gathered.
                          


                          
Suddenly the night was alive with screams and battle cries. It took you a moment to realise what was happening. Your first instinct was to push your sister and start her running, the second was to look for Aslaug in the crowd of panicked people.
                          
At some point your heard the cry for warriors to gather and you suddenly felt your sister's hand ripped from yours. "(Y/N)!" She screamed as you tried to reach her.
                          


                          
"(Y/N), come this way!" Helga pushed you through the crowds and you eventually reached Aslaug and her gathering of shieldmaidens and townsfolk who were prepared to fight.
                          
It felt cruel but tucked under the safety of Helga's arm your found yourself thanking the Gods that she had been to sick to leave with Floki and that he had insisted she stay. "Helga my family I must find them and Ivar where is he!"
                          


                          
She smiled sadly and stroked your cheek. "We shall find your sister." She looked at your carefully and silent tears cascaded down your cheeks as you realised she must mean that you had lost someone. "Ivar is fine, he cannot be found."
                          
"You are not welcome here!" Aslaug declared loudly as two figures approached.
                          


                          
"As if you have power any more Aslaug, we are sure Lagertha would support our claim to Kattegat, when Bard returns he will have killed Hvitserk and he will marry his wife, then we will get rid of you." A man who looked a little like Bard spoke.
                          
Aslaug motioned her hand behind her and Helga pulled you back into the crowd until you and a few shield maidens were following after her. Ivar was sat grumpily at the edge of the woods where Lagertha was starting to arrive.
                          


                          
"Come, we will protect you until they leave." She promised and you glanced at Ivar who rolled his eyes but complied.
                          


                          
                                                          ********
                          


                          
"Did you plan this?" Lagertha asked when she found you still awake as if you were waiting for some news.
                          
"No, I... I should have been able to tell... I." You stuttered. She crouched down next to you and gently held your hands. "I was so busy trying to prove that I would not like Hvitserk no matter how many people forced me to marry him that I did not even notice..."
                          


                          
"From what Bjorn has told me you and Hvitserk were destined by the gods to come together, this man thinks that he can change what they have planned for you by tricking your heart from the one who would die for you." She leant in and brought her hands under her chin, still clutching yours. "They have come for your home and you have had to run to gather strength but you will return and Hvitserk will do the same and this Bard and his brothers will not stand a chance."
                          


                          
"I am not good at fighting or ordering, my brother's are with Bjorn on his raid and I do not know where my sister is..." You trailed off and she smiled.
                          


                          
"Hvitserk is a son of Ragnar, when my life with his father began I was a farmer and since that moment the gods have guided me, listen to the gods and trust that Hvitserk loves you. As for fighting it is a skill that can be taught." She stood and grabbed two swords from their place across her hall and handed you one before gesturing for you to pick up a shield.
                          
"What if I make the wrong choices... or I let someone take advantage of me again?" YOu asked her and she smiled.
                          


                          
"Your life is your own, it will come with mistakes or changes, let the Gods and your heart guide you." She advised. You smiled as she showed you how to hold the shield.