We had defeated Lagertha. Her and her people were now running scared back to Kattegat. No doubt she is scared to death about what is going to happen. What I am going to do to her. I imagine she will pack a few of her things and run, try and hide from my wrath. No matter where she runs, where she hides, I will find her and I am going to make her suffer for as long as possible for killing my mother. And then... then I will watch the life drain out of her.

"Ah, Lagertha. Don't be a coward. Come and fight me." I pushed off of the knoll I was leaning against and steadied myself, placing my crutch at just the right spot so I could comfortably put weight on it. A group of Frankish warriors marched past me, avoiding eye contact as most men seem to do now that they've seen how ruthless I've been. "Come and fight me."

Harald was busy celebrating with Hvitserk and a few of his warriors further out on the field. His laughs and cheers were obnoxious while he went through the wounded warriors, killing any still living opposing men. He still hadn't found Astrid, I'm sure his nauseating celebrations will stop once he finds his kidnapped wife dead, killed by that bitch, Lagertha. I watched the two of them from my perch on top of the hill during the battle. Astrid ran to Lagertha and seemed to beg, for what, I am not sure.

Harold's laughs again ripped me from my thoughts. I sneered. I couldn't wait for my time with this man to be over. I got what I wanted. I am now king of Kattegat.

Gripping the handle of my crutch tighter, I hobbled over the scattered bodies. This was proving to be trickier than I had thought, but I wasn't about to give up. The mixed smell of blood and soil was oddly comforting to me. I loved the carnage.

"Ivar!" Hvitserk yelled my name, trying to get my attention.

My eyes rolled in annoyance. I wanted to be left alone while I planned my next move. "Brother!" I called back, trying to sound jovial.

"We did it! Kattegat is ours!" His hand smacked my shoulder hard, nearly knocking me off balance. I glared daggers at him while I steadied myself. His expression quickly turned to one of worry.

"Yes, Hvitserk. We have Kattegat." I answered, sucking my teeth.

He went on to tell me of his best combat moves, acting them out as he described them. I grew more annoyed the more he went on about it. I was jealous that I wasn't able to fight like my older brothers, no matter how good I got at using these stupid crutches I designed. Of course I had my chariot, but there was only so much I could do strapped to that. And honestly, it was more dangerous fighting that way. Having it crash back in England made that apparent.

Hvitserk had changed topics, going from his battle highlights to speaking of how he cannot wait to be back in his own room in the great hall of Kattegat. This then lead him to speak about how he plans to bed as many maidens who will have him.

I felt my lip turned up in a scowl while I scanned the field of bodies. I couldn't believe he was my brother. We had just won an important battle, Kattegat was now ours... mine, and we were going to avenge our mother and all he could think about was fucking whatever desperate woman threw herself at him first.

His droning stopped suddenly and I looked to the sky, silently thanking the gods. I braced myself to start walking away when my brother's words stopped me.

"Looks like the wolves are already descending."

My brow furrowed as I slowly looked back at him. "You must being seeing things brother, wolves don't come out to feast until we have all left."

"Look for yourself." Hvitserk pointed in the direction he was looking. I followed the invisible line his finger made and saw what he was staring at.

There, in the middle of the opening was a wolf, his head down and ears back, awkwardly pacing in a circle. What was a wolf doing here, and with everyone still roaming the grounds? Where was his pack? The longer I looked at this frantic animal, the more I recognized him.

Briet's terrified face from the other day flashed before me. "Vidar," I whispered.

My legs became even more weak and shaky while I frantically tried to run in his direction. The pain in my legs was almost unbearable. I could barely keep myself upright with my crutches. Making my way over the scattered corpses, I neglected to look at where on the ground I was putting my crutch. It landed on the edge of a shield and as I put my weight down on it, it slipped off. Even though I only dropped a few inches it was enough to make my lose my balance and fall.

I grunted loud as soon as I hit the ground. I sucked in air through clenched teeth trying to push the pain of broken bones out of my mind. Painfully, I started my all too familiar slither, digging my fingers into the earth while pulling my lower half over the bodies. I had to get to this animal. I had to know if it was her.

The moment I got close, the wolf stopped its frantic pacing. His head dipped low as he bared his sharp teeth and snarled at me. He put one of his front legs over whoever he was protecting, shielding me from seeing who it was.

"Vidar!" I called to him. The wolf stopped growling for a moment. He leaned forward, sniffing the air around me. I could see it click in him, him realizing who I was. As soon as he did, his eyes narrowed, his snarling got worse and he snapped his jaws.

I slowly rolled to my side, putting my weight on my left arm. My heart was now racing wildly inside my chest. My free hand slowly reached to the knife on my belt. As soon as my fingers wrapped around the hilt, Vidar charged me.

Before I even had the chance to bring my knife up in front of me to defend myself, someone ran in front of me, taking Vidar by surprise. I looked up to see Hvitserk. He had crashed into the animal with his shield, knocking him out.

I looked over to him with wide eyes while I took in a shaky breath. Quickly, I brushed off the close encounter and hurried over to the one Vidar was guarding even though my gut was already telling me who it was.

My eyes landed on that familiar mop of blond hair and I felt my breath get caught in my lungs. With trembling hands, I grabbed her shoulder and gently turned her over onto her back. My heart swelled as I took in the sight of her face.

She was pale, paler than usual. Her normally pink lips were parted and stained a reddish brown from the blood that had dried on them. I brushed the stray locks of hair off of her face and behind her ears.

I pulled my legs around to my side and situated myself so that I was sitting. I leaned forward and pulled her so that her head was resting on my lap. Tears slowly formed in my eyes making my vision blur the longer I looked at her. I tried desperately to blink them away so I could assess her wounds. In-between my tears, I could see the still bleeding gash across her stomach along with the many contusions on her face and on the bits of her arms that were showing between her armor.

Again, the image of her from the other week played in my mind. Her on top of that black horse, staring out at me, looking terrified as she clutched her stomach. Why would she be clutching her stomach like that?

"It was Harald..." Hvitserk's voice brought me back to Midgard.

"What?" I asked, seething.

Hvitserk stood there quiet for a moment before he spoke. "It was Harold who killed her. He killed his brother and she ran after him to avenge Halfdan."

"And you didn't think to tell me this sooner?!" I boomed, turning in his direction. I didn't care that he saw the thick tears that were making their way down my face. I felt my heart tearing with every beat.

"If you saw her, why didn't you go and save her?! Why didn't you bring her to me?!"

"Ivar, she left you. She-"

Briet moaned lightly, flinching as she moved. Hvitserk and I looked at each other in utter shock. He called out to a few of the surrounding men to come quickly. I traced the side of her face gently with my fingers while I watched her face tighten in pain. Her eyes never opened but at least now I knew she was alive. She had to survive this.

The men that Hvitserk had called to jogged over to us and immediately started to lift her up off the ground and out of my arms. I scrambled to get to my feet but without my crutch I just kept falling. Hvitserk came over with my crutch in his hand and helped me up onto my feet. I threw my arm around his shoulders for extra support as we made our way to my chariot that was waiting for me. I had no intentions now of waiting for Harald. I had to get to Kattegat and get her to the healer.

It had been too long since I was last in Kattegat. In my home, in the great hall. It had changed so much since I was last here. Lagertha's banners were hung everywhere as well as all of her tapestries. Without thinking, I took my sword from its sheath and cut right through the nearest banner, letting out a loud, frustrated yell that echoed through the hall.

It was because of her that I had lost my mother and now it was because of her that I might lose Briet. My hatred for her has only grown stronger. The coward couldn't even turn herself in to me, instead I've learned from some of the towns people that she, my brother's and Torvi have all disappeared.

My mind was torn in a hundred different directions. I want to go out and search for this spineless coward so I can finally have my revenge yet I didn't want to leave the great hall now that the healer was hopefully saving Briet's life. I wanted to be here for her, if she- when she pulls through but now that I had announced that I am the new king of Kattegat, there was already a grand feast being put on in celebration. It was all so overwhelming.

Of all people, Hvitserk had managed to convince me to let loose for the evening. To enjoy my new title and kingdom and that tomorrow is another day. I folded, pushing Lagertha and the others from my mind for the night but Briet's bruised face was constantly on my mind, no matter how much mead I consumed.

My night was restless from both having too much to drink and from my non-stop worrying about Briet. No one had come to me with news of how she was doing and the healer forbade me from going into my room where she was being taken care of so I was left completely in the dark. I had spent the night sitting on my new throne, trying to quiet my mind but to no avail.

To make matters even more vexing, in the midst of discussing what our next steps for Lagertha should be, the doors of the great hall burst open revealing none other than my uncle, Rollo.

The guards posted by the doors quickly produced their weapons and pointed them in his direction. His guards did the same, all drawing their weapons, ready to fight to protect their ruler.

"King Ivar!" Rollo's voice bellowed. "King Harald... Hvitserk!" He said, beaming with delight to see his old friend and nephews.

"Your highness, Rollo. Welcome back to Kattegat!" I said, putting on my most cheerful act. Inside, my rage was boiling. What was he doing here? And why must there be another thing thrown onto my plate! "We would like to thank you for supporting our cause and help us gain a famous victory over our enemies."

"Kattegat is an important trading station. I have every reason to desire to make an alliance with it. And I was persuaded by Hvitserk that you and King Harald together would overcome the forces of Bjorn and Lagertha." Rollo spoke, turning slowly as he did to take in the images of the great hall and his old countrymen.

"Now!" He said, clapping his hands "In the old days we had a tradition of hospitality here. Even Ragnar fed and watered his guests, yes?

Later that evening, I agreed to have a private sit down with Rollo, Harald and Hvitserk to talk about what kind of trade agreement my uncle had in mind. He went on to pitch his ideas of trading and how because he came to our aid with warriors that should his kingdoms ever be attacked and need help that we would come to his aid. His demands seemed fair but my mind was in no place to make an informed decision. Especially not when I was watching slaves run fresh bandage cloths and water into my room while others left, arms full of bloodied ones.

My thoughts were racing. I should be in there. I need to know what's going on.

"I confess, when Hvitserk came to me and told me of your civil war, I was jealous." Rollo said before taking a sip from his cup.

I scoffed at the comment.

Rollo leaned forward and produced an elegant glass bottle from the pocket of his fancy French jacket. He uncapped the bottle and held it out to his serf who immediately poured some type of powder into it. Rollo then recapped the bottle and started to shake it.

"I cannot fight anymore. I am not allowed to." He says, again uncapping the bottle and then drank whatever concoction he had just made. "I am far too important." He laughs awkwardly.

"Ah, you would have loved it, Uncle!" Hvitserk interjected. "The battles were fierce. Great warriors were slain on both sides. Odin must have been happy to take so many back to sup with him in Valhalla."

"Not you, brother." I commented, rolling my eyes behind closed lids before I looked over at him.

"No, not me. Ubbe spared my life."

"Well he is your bother, after all." Everyone looked down at their drinks and said nothing. Rollo saw the uncomfortable shift in body language from all of us. "What is it I should know?"

Harald sighed heavily, his head rolling back in an attempt to relax his body before he speaks. "I killed Halfdan. I killed my brother."

Rollo's lips tightened into a curt smile. "I tried to kill mine once."

Harald blinks away his tears and looks away, breaking Rollo's gaze. Rollo then leaned over and tapped the back of his fingers against my knee. Even with my padded braces around my legs, the tap still caused shooting pain to radiate up and down my leg. I bit my tongue to try and keep a straight face, as if it didn't feel like the bones in my legs just shattered.

I watched more slaves enter the great hall from the direction of my room. One of the slaves looked up to the other, her brows knit together with a sad expression on her face as she slowly shook her head.

My heart dropped out of my chest. Had she passed? No! I shifted in my chair in an attempt to get up and run to her but both my lame legs and Rollo continuing the conversation had stopped me.

"So, Ubbe lives?" He asks.

"Yes, and Bjorn." Hvitserk answers.

"Of course, Bjorn Ironside lives! I taught him to fight!" Rollo again slaps his hand, this time on the arm rest of my chair and laughs. "Who can kill him?!"

"There is someone else who is still alive." I finally speak, my voice low while I keep my gaze on the dancing flames in front of me, trying to distract myself from the commotion of the slaves who were tending to Briet. "The woman who haunts my days and nights. The woman that I have sworn on my sacred ring to kill."

"You mean Lagertha." Rollo finishes. Hearing her name makes my shoulders tense in anger. "Where is she?"

"We don't know. All we know is that after the defeat, Lagertha, Bjorn, Ubbe and Torvi left Kattegat in a hurry. Disappeared." Hvitserk replied.

"We have scouts looking for them." Said Harald before sipping from his drink. "We will find them before too long."

Rollo's demeanor abruptly changed. "Well... I wish you luck."

I felt a tender hand on my shoulder. My head shot up to who was standing at my side. I hoped to see her beautiful stormy blue eyes looking down at me but instead, I was greeted by the amber eyes of the healer. My whole body seemed to tense while I waited on bated breath.

"King Ivar, she is strong willed." She spoke quietly so only I could hear.

My hand shot up to hers, squeezing her blood stained fingers. "Is she going to live?"

The old woman shook her head slowly. "She will live, Ivar the Boneless, but her baby was lost."

Baby?

My hand slowly dropped from hers and onto my lap. I could see Briet again on top of her horse, looking terrified out to me, her hand resting on her belly. She was pregnant.

How... how could she fight knowing she was pregnant? Didn't she think something like this could happen? Though I hated Lagertha, I knew she wouldn't have let her fight knowing that Briet was with child.

The more I tried to process this information the more I felt myself getting upset until my mind finally posed the question. Who's child was it? I didn't have to think very long. That pompous ass, Florian, had been eyeing her since they first met here in the great hall. In England, he persuaded her to fight even though I told her to stay back in the camp to keep her safe.

The day that she left with Ubbe to go back to Kattegat, I remember seeing Florian's beaten body not far from her on the boat. My sadness slowly melted away, making room for my fury.

She deserted me. Left me to go with my brother to join forces with my sworn enemy and then fucked the man who tried so desperately to separate us.