ACT I: FIVE

whatever it takes

«He's dead! Alfred is dead!» someone shouted from the Dane camp, waking up Elin and Astrid. They looked at each other, happy about the news. If Alfred was really dead, the Danes would have won the war.

After leaving their tent, Elin and Astrid saw Brida talking to Jackdraw. She was smiling, so that meant that it was the truth. Alfred was dead. «Ragnar! Alfred is dead!» Brida shouted, running toward her husband.

But after she entered his tent, a sudden screm had attracted the attention of everyone in the camp. Elin would remember that day for the rest of her life. Her tears. Her pain. Her scream. «No! No! Ragnar!» everyone heard Brida scream.

After that Cnut, Elin and Astrid ran towards Ragnar's tent. Brida coming out of it was the first thing they saw. She was crying, but Elin also saw the anger in her eyes. She knew what was happening, but she was pretending to be wrong.

«Ragnar Ragnarsson, the only man amongs you is dead!» but Elin realised it was all true the moment Brida shouted those words. «Who did it this?» the Dane woman was continuing to ask, but no one answered her. «Cowards! All of you! You had to kill him while he was sleeping!»

«Brida, it was his woman. The knife was in her hand. It was Ragnar's sword in her belly.» Cnut decided to intervene before the situation could get worse. But his attempt was in vain.
«Why would he killed a woman who tried to give him a son? Why did she killed him? How?»

«Maybe was you to kill him.» Bloodhair suddenly said, taking a step forward and looking at Brida. «Her husband wanted a son from another woman and the crazy bitch killed both.»

After those words, Brida ran towards Bloodhair with the sword in her hands and attacked him. The man protected himself but at the same time returned the attack.

Before he could hit Brida, Elin protected her friend stopping Bloodhair sword with her own. «Don't you dare.» she muttered, pushing the weapon of the Dane in front of her away.

Brida was about to attack Bloodhair, but she was stopped by Cnut. «This is not the answer.» he tried to calm her down, but Elin knew that it was useless. Brida was too angry to be able to think.
«He was your leader!»

«We go on. Nothing is changed.» Cnut uttered. He knew Brida was suffering, but they had to follow through with their plan or everything would be useless.

«Everything is changed.» Astrid muttered, almost annoyed by his uncle's words. Her father, the leader of all the Danes there, was dead. It needed a moment to commemorate him.
«We go on.»

«We have no leader.» Elin replied, after Cnut's words. He continued to insist, and she didn't know why. There was something she wasn't sure about. That situation was very strange.

«I will lead with Bloodhair.» Cnut proposed himself, before pointing at Bloodhair too. Elin held back a nervous laugh. «We were buring Ragnar and we will march.»

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

Ragnar's funeral was a moment no one expected. Not too soon, at least. Brida didn't talk from her discussion with Bloodhair. She just wanted buring Ragnar and seek revenge.

Elin knew what her friend was thinking about, and she should stop her. But she had to comfort Astrid too. She was just a little girl, and she had just lost her father.

But Elin wouldn't stop Brida from avenging Ragnar for another reason. Because she agreed with her and she wanted to do the same thing. Whatever it takes.

«Without Ragnar, we are separated tribes.» Brida whispered. She was talking to Cnut, who arrived after a while, but Elin knew that she was actually talking to herself. And she agreed.

Ragnar was the one who kept the tribes together. There was no future for them without him. Brida was aware of this as well as Elin.
«You find us to the river Ouse, one army.»

«You or Bloodhair killed Ragnar.» Elin suddenly said, after Cnut's words. It was her anger to speak, because she only wanted to avenge Ragnar's death.

«He spent his last night with a whore and she killed him.» Cnut replied, and said nothing more. He left, going to the others and leaving Brida buried Ragnar with the help of Elin and Astrid.

«I must go.» Brida suddenly spoke, catching Elin and Astrid's attention. «I have to find Uthred.» she said, before her friends could say something. Brida knew Uthred could help her, but first... he had to blame himself for Ragnar's death.

«I come with you.» Elin told her, without hesitation. In another moment Brida would have smiled, but that moment she hadn't the strength to do so. She had no energy to do anything.
«Me too.»

Elin turned to Astrid, surprised by her words. Or maybe not exactly. She would have expected that her friends would have wanted to revenge her father. At the same time, Elin wanted to keep her safe. «You stay here.»

«I come with you.» Astrid replied, crossing her arms over the chest. A serious expression came out of her face. «I will not stay here with my father's murderer among us.» she then said.
«Astrid...»

«My father was killed!» Astrid cut off Elin, before she could say anything. The little Dane knew what her friend would tell her, but she didn't care. «And I want to find the traitor.»

That was what Astrid wanted, just like Elin and Brida. And they would. Whatever it takes.

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

The next day Elin, Brida and Astrid were on the road to find Uthred and his men. Brida felt he was not far away from them, he could feel it. Because they were bound, and Elin and Astrid knew it. That was the reason why the two girls decided to trust Brida. She knew where to go.

They rode until they found the place. Elin immediately noticed from afar who were looking back at her. She would recognise one of them anywhere and anytime. Finan.

«I knew you were here with your princess.» Brida was the first to spoke the moment Uthred and his men approached her, Elin and Astrid.
«Something is happened?»

«You left him.» Brida began. The expression on her face was angry. Elin knew the reason, but Uthred and the others didn't. Not yet, at least.
«Ragnar?»

«He had waited years for you to come home and within a matter of days you were gone.» Brida didn't answer Uthred, but continued to talk with a tone of contempt. «You should have left the Saxon bitch to die.»

«Where is he? I will go to him.» Uthred was ready to help him, and save him, just as Ragnar did with him years before. But he didn't know the truth. There was no Ragnar to save.
«He's dead! Ragnar is dead!»

Finan turned his attention to Elin and noticed her close her eyes after Brida's words. She was in pain, just like Brida. But alike her, Elin didn't speak any words and remained in silence, listening her friends shouted against Uthred.

«He doesn't feast in Valhalla.» Brida whispered, getting off her horse. «Instead, he lies under a pile of stones at a lake near Loidis!» she snapped. Elin noticed the anger rage in her eyes, and she couldn't blame her. «There was no honour in his death. None.»

«He will spend eternity in the cold of Niflheim, because of you, Uthred of Bebbanburg.» that time it was Elin who spoke, after a few seconds of absolute silence. «You chose her. You chose Alfred and you left him.»

Brida took hold of her furs, pulling her close and bringing a dagger to his throat. Sithric was almost stepping in to save his Lord, but Finan stopped him in time. «No, Sithric.»

«I should kill you, but I want you know the pain of his death.» Brida whispered, looking at Uthred as tears were threatening to fall from both their eyes of both.«He was your brother.»

After a few seconds of nothing - no words, no action, nothing of nothing - Brida walked away from Uthred. She had to leave. And she did, with Astrid following her. Elin was almost to do the same thing, when something - or someone - stopped her.

«Elin, wait!» Finan suddenly shouted, walking towards her. He needed to talk to her. He needed to know how she felt, even though he knew it. How would she feel if one of her best friends was died, especially in a horrible way?

Elin used her gaze to tell Brida and Astrid to keep walking and leave. She would catch up with them later. Finan called her name, and even though she wasn't in the mood to talk, she decided to turn to him. «Are you okay?»

«Yes, Finan. I'm really fine. Ragnar is dead and I lost one of my best friends. But I'm fine, really. Thank you.» Elin said ironically, laughing nervously. Ragnar was dead, someone had killed him and now he was in a terrible place. He didn't deserved to die, he didn't deserve to be in a cold place like Niflheim.
«I didn't mean that. I...»

«It's your fault.» Elin suddenly said. Finan stared at her, not understanding what she meant. Why was it his fault now? He hadn't done anything to him. He liked Ragnar, he hadn't killed him. He wasn't even in the Dane camp when he died. So why did Elin blame him?
«What?»

«Uthred left his brother because of you.» Elin whispered, taking a step towards him. Now they were face to face, but Finan didn't like the way he felt that moment. Elin glared at him, blaming him for Ragnar's dead. «You didn't want to fight Alfred and you convinced Uthred to leave.»
«Elin...»

«It's your fault. It's all your fault!» Elin shouted, angrily. She started hitting Finan in the chest with all her strength . «I hate you, I really hate you!» she continued, while the Irishman tried to block her hands. He wanted to calm her down, but it was very difficult.

«No, you don't.» Finan suddenly told her. He used a firm and detached tone and it seemed to work. Elin slowly fell to the ground and Finan tried to pick her up. «I'm so sorry for your loss. I really am.» he whispered in her ear as he heard her cry. He didn't like seeing her like that.

«He was like an big brother for me. He saved my life. He...» Elin sobbed, unable to find the strength to feel better. How could she feel better after all? In those situations, Ragnar was the only one who was able to calm her down. And now he couldn't do anymore. Because he was dead.
«Come here.»

«I miss him, Finan.» she cried into his arms. Finan held her tightly, trying to help her. He whispered a few comforting words to reassure Elin, but it didn't work. He could feel her pain and he hated himself for not being able to do anything.

«I know.» he simply said. What could he say? He gently stroked her head, then left a kiss on it. It took a few minutes for Elin to calm down. The Irishman stopped talking and simply held her in his arms. «Come inside. You need of a jug of ale.»

Elin, who had her head resting on his chest until that moment, moved away slightly to look him in the eyes. She could't waste time, she would join with Brida and Astrid. But she needed to do what Finan told her. She needed help, she needed that Irishman and his friends.

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

She met Sithric and Osferth a few minutes later, when she and Finan sat down at their table. «Elin, we are so sorry for your loss.» Osferth spoke first and Sithric nodded. «If there is anything we can do to help you, tell us.» the baby monk continued, and Elin thanked him with a little smile.

«Where is Uthred?» Finan asked his friends who nodded in front of them. He wanted to help him too, because he knew his Lord didn't show his ture feelings. And Finan could bet that Uthred was somewhere alone, venting his grief. «I'll go to him.»

After Finan left Elin, Sithric and Osferth were continuing to drink. Elin didn't feel like talking, so she said nothing and the two warriors respected her wish. That was until she noticed Aethelflaed came into the room. «The princess has graced us with her presence.»

From the moment she saw Elin moving towards them with Brida and Astrid, Aethelflaed knew that situation would have came. «I know you are angry with me for yours leader's death, but...»

Elin suddenly stood up. She quickly ran to Aethelflead, pointing a sword to her throat. «He wasn't just my leader. He was my brother.» she whispered, an angry voice came out of her mouth. «And yes, I blame you for forcing Uthred to abandon him.»

Finan returned to the room the moment he heard Elin scream. He was talking with Uthred, trying to help him. But he was forced to run to Elin and the others when he heard the tones of voice rising.

The first thing he saw was Elin holding a dagger to Æthelflaed's throats. He had to stop her, before she did something she would regret forever.

«Look at me.» Finan whispered, after getting closer to Elin. «Elin, look at me.» Elin did what Finan told her. She looked at him, and it seemed to help calm her down. He his a hand on hers, coaxing her to lower the arm and slowly take the dagger from her hand. «Come.»

They sat at a table as far away from the princess as possible. Finan knew Elin was in pain because of Ragnar's death, and he wanted to help her. «I know you're angry, but killing the princess won't help you.»

«She's the reason Uthred left.» Elin growled, her attention was completely on Æthelflead. She hated her so much. If Uthred hadn't come to her, maybe Ragnar would have been still alive.
«But she's not the killer.»

And as angry as Elin was, she knew Finan was right. «I have to go back to the camp.» Elin said, after sighing. She was gaining the strength to calm down and not hurt the princess. She had to get out from that place before she changed idea.

«Stay with us.» Finan stopped her, taking her hand. «Now that Ragnar...» he tried to say, but stopped when he realised that he was using the wrong words. «You're not safe. So stay with us. We can protect you. I can protect you.» he whispered, staring at her.

«I don't need your help. I know how to protect myself.» Elin snorted, pulling away from his grip. She hated when the people underestimated her. She wasn't the strongest warrior, and she knew it, but she wasn't a lamb to be saved either.

«But that is what you really want? To stay with the Danes?» Finan looked so worried about her, and Elin could see that. She knew he wasn't understanding her, but just wanted her to be safe. For this reason, she sat down in front of him again.

«I can't leave Astrid and Brida. Not now. Not after Ragnar is...» Elin said suddenly, pausing for a moment, unable to continue because of Ragnar's death. But she had a job, and she had to do it. «I can't.» she then whispered.
«They need you. Yes, I got it.»

Finan looked at her. He couldn't blame her, even though he wished that Elin would stay with him. «Just like Uthred needs you. Help him, Finan. He needs someone to keep him from doing stupid things. And that person is you.»

«Have you used nice word to me, woman?» Finan joked, smiling to her. Elin hold back a little laugh for a moment.

«You are a kind man. I noticed that from the moment I saw you next to Uthred the day we met. You was so worried that he could have die.» Elin uttered, placing her hand over Finan's. «But don't get used to it. Next time we met I won't be so gentle with you.»

«We'll see.» Finan looked down at their hands. He smiled, thinking for a moment that he would stay there forever. He started to caress Elin's hand. He liked her touch, but he didn't know why. It felt him... calm. And in that moment calm was what everyone needed.

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

Elin greeted to Sithric and Osferth while Uthred was still in his room. Æthelflaed joined him after the fight with Elin and told him what had happened moments before.

Instead Finan decided to walk her to her horse. They were alone, while the others were inside preparing to leave. They walked together, but no words came out of their mouths.

Before she could get on her horse, Finan grabbed her wrist, forcing her to stop and look at him with a confused expression on her face. «Don't do anything stupid. You're alone against a lot of Danes.» Finan said, making Elin stiffle a little laugh.

«Are you worried about me, Irishman?» she asked, getting closer to him and putting a hand on his chest. Finan lowered his gaze where her hand was, and a little smile spread across his face. He was thinking, but Elin didn't know about what.
«I will always be.»

At those words, Elin looked at him. Finan seemed sirious, he wasn't joking. For a moment, she returned his gaze and got lost in it. But only for a moment. Because after that, she drove away all her thoughts and patted his chest lightly.
«See you at the battlefield.»

«I'll find you that day.» Finan said, as he watched Elin get on her horse. The girl smiled at him, holding back a laugh at the moked tone he had used. For a few minutes, Finan hadn't made her think about what had happened to Ragnar.
«I hope so.»

She had to go back to her camp. She didn't know what she would do in the future, but she knew one thing. She would find Ragnar's murderer, and kill him. Whatever it takes.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I'm so sorry for the big late, but I was busy because of the university. Furthermore, I started to write a Gladiator fan fiction after watching the movies at the cinema. So I wasted time with Lucius fan fiction too.

Anywayy... I'M FINALLY HERE. And I haven't published a happy chapter, I know. I wasn't ready to write about Ragnar's death, just like Elin wasn't ready to say goodbye to him.

She went to Uthred with Brida and Astrid (poor baby, I'm crying for her) and found comfort in Finan. That was just the beginning of their relationship.

Get ready for more! :)

Thank you WathAngie for making me this wonderful cover. I really love it, and you got the point without me telling you anything. :)