The Viking and the Lady || wintersday & irish_texan ||

[wintersday92]

The gentle warm breeze weaved it's way across the tall meadow grass, barely making a sound. The only thing Maeve could hear was the soft tweets of the earlier birds waking up in the near by forest. Early morning was her favourite time of day. Barely anyone was awake and for a few short moments she could relax in her own thoughts. But as fate would have it, that wasn't going to be the case this morning.

Maeve is a Lady of a small village in the heart of England. All be it she wasn't original from Britain, having been born and raised in Ireland but she married Lord Harry Ford a true Englishmen who had died a few years ago. It was an arranged marriage to share wealth and keep statuses within the families but he wasn't a horrid man. He took care of his village and treated most people with respect and most importantly respected Maeve even with her bold and outgoing personality that would get her into trouble, even with other Lords and Ladies and even people higher up the ladder.

Now it seemed it would get her in trouble with whole load of different people. Now the country was under threat from Vikings trying to take over the lands. The last Maeve had heard, they had gotten most of the east coast of England and creeping there way inwoods. Which meant that sooner rather then later her village could be invaded. She had young lads, too young for the King's army take turns in keeping watch around the area in a bid to give them a heads start if they were to find there way to her.

She didn't have much in resources for fighting as the King had demanded for most if not all capable men and weapons be take to help build an army to, so say protect them from the attack but much cock that had done for small villages and even towns. The best she could do was get the younge and elderly to safety with the help from the women and few men who staid, but they wasn't capable of two much as most where pass their 60s with back problems and parts missing. Which brings to reason why the King handed wanted them. Like most villages she was left helpless.

Maeve closed her eyes, taking in the peace when suddenly it was broken with the cry of a young man racing towards her from the forest. Her hazel brown eyes broke open and looked in his direction only to witness an arrow shooting through his chest. Maeve gasped and ducked in the meadows, her hand over her mouth as she tried not to call out to the boy. Her first instinct was to go help him bit she knew the only reason why he was running and screaming was because of the Vikings. They had made there way across the the to her soon then she had thought. 'Shit' she muttered to herself once she had regain control of herself. She was tempted to peek up to see if she could spot anyone but with her burnt firey hair standing out against the olive green foliage around her they would spot her in a heart beat.

Having no choice she kept as low as she could and made her way through the grass, back to her village to warn them. The problem being wearring a dress and keeping low didn't work well she found herself stumbling over herself more often then not. Maeve growled to herself as she got frustrated with tripping every other step. She had no choice but to stand up straighter in a bid to move faster. When having her riding gear on she could run pretty fast, having lost her horse a few times and had to run after him she become a pretty good runner but right now she wasn't in her riding gear nor on a neat road and her horse was in its stable.

Taking a deep breath she stood up straighter and ran as fast as she could while holding her dress up slightly for more leg room. Already she could hear the shouts and commands from the Viking men behind her. Looking behind she could see some where on horeses while others ran with great spead. Maeve's heart beated faster in her chest as panic rush over her. She knew she wouldn't get to her village before they cought up with her but she had to try. They must have seen her from the forest as they where already heading towards her. Before she could look forward again her body hit something hard which caused her body to fall back from the impact. She looked up to see a dark haired man with full facial hair stairing down at her. Her heart seemed to be in her throat now as she was sure he would kill her. Or worst rape her and do what ever he wanted before slicing her throat. She had heard plenty of stories of these Vikings, all ending unpleasantly for the natives to the country. She had any doubt that he was the same and her fate was to end that way too.

 

[irish_texan]

Ragnar breathed deeply through his nostrils, taking in the exciting and foreign scent of the countryside he was about to conquer. Every time he went on a raid, he took the time to appreciate the peaceful stillness of the land before bringing down the hammer of war upon it. The calm before the storm relaxed him; all of the tension that had built in the pit of his stomach during the arduous longship trip across the sea seemed to dissipate in these few moments of peace.

The warm breeze gently tickled the tall, soft grass as Ragnar gazed out with steely grey eyes at the quiet pastoral scene before him. The delicate clouds floated silently by in the azure sea above him, and the merry sound of birds chirping made its way to his ears from across the meadow. The only sign of civilization nearby was the tiny curl of smoke in the distance, from beyond the treeline. They were close to a village, which was good because Ragnar's men had been getting anxious.

They were much further inland than was comfortable for Vikings. Typically raids would only occur along the coastline, but Ragnar had been feeling confident. Even so, this would be their last conquest before returning home. Ragnar had ordered his men to follow about a kilometer behind him. Most jarls would send scouts ahead for their raids, but Ragnar preferred to do his own scouting. It was the only time he could enjoy the calm before the storm that he loved so much.

His heavily shod feet tread more lightly than one would expect; despite his large and muscular frame he moved rather gracefully. Ragnar bore a large one handed battle axe upon his back, and a small short sword on his left hip. He did not have his weapons drawn. Unlike his men, Ragnar did not work himself into a frenzy before battle. He preferred to fight with discipline and precision, which set him apart from nearly his entire race. For him, battle was an art form, and a beautiful one. Which was why he liked the calm before the storm. It was a form of meditation for him, preparing him for the wild melee ahead.

=============

As he crested the ridge of a small hill, he saw something that caught his eye. A flash of fiery red hair. A young woman stood in the field, nearly one hundred yards away. His interest piqued, he dropped into a low crouch. Knowing that his men were close behind him, he moved quickly and silently, like a hungry predator, in a wide arc around the distant figure. Keeping his distance, he moved lithely through the tall grass, staying hidden but flanking the blissfully unaware woman.

Within minutes, the woman was between Ragnar and his men. "Perfect," He though to himself with a smile. "Now I wait." He did not have to wait long. Moments later a loud cry broke the stillness. A young man whom Ragnar must have missed came running from the forest, obviously fleeing from Ragnar's men. Ragnar smiled, a ferocious glint in his eye.

"And now," he thought to himself, as an arrow pierced the man's back and protruded from his chest, dropping him instantly to the ground, "the fun begins." The redheaded woman turned to witness the young man's death, and wasted no time in following his example and fleeing. She turned tail and began sprinting toward Ragnar, unaware of his presence and preoccupied with the band of fearsome Vikings who were now emerging from the treeline.

When she was no more than twenty feet away, and looking behind her at the raiding party, Ragnar stood up, leaving his hidden position in the tall grass and planting himself firmly in front of the petite young woman. Exactly as he had hoped, she ran headlong into him. Though he barely moved, the impact knocked her off her feet. Shocked by the unexpected collision her gaze snapped up at Ragnar's face. Her initial look of anger and shock almost immediately gave way to dread, but she was quick to hide her fear and put on a look of defiance.

He could see it in her eyes. Her hair wasn't the only thing about her that was fiery. This one had spirit. At first glance, Ragnar immediately liked her, though he was careful not to let his expression show it. As their eyes locked, Ragnar knew that this woman would hold his interest. He stroked his beard thoughtfully as he smiled down at her aggressively challenging stare. For a few silent seconds, their wills battled intensely through their eyes.

 

[wintersday92]

Maeve stared up at the man. Her eyes not leave his sliver grey ones, she almost didn't dare to blink. It was like they where having some kind of stairing competition and she was determined not to lose. Despite her sweet appearance, when challenge she hated to lose. She had gotten that from her father who was a very stubborn man. He liked things his way and that was just how it was. Being his only child he brought her almost like he would a son, though he mother could be just as stubborn at times and reminded him continuously she was a young women.

A low grown formed in her throat as she grew tried of waiting for his move. If he was to kill her then why hadn't be done so? She hated waiting too. Mind you, if you knew your death was near, wouldn't you what if over? Maeve frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing, clearly showing her announce to the man. 'What is he playing at?!' she thought not to wanting to be the first to break their silence. Perhaps he had commands to kill any women? He must had been part of a scouting party with the other men not to far from her but still she had thought he would have said or done something by now.

"Well?" Maeve stated not standing the silence between any longer as she rolled her eyes. "Are you just going to stare at me all day or are you going to do something?" she asked, almost demanding him to respond. She had half thought about asking him to help her up but perhaps that would be going a little to far now. Afterall if his plans are not to kill her, then she wouldn't want to change his mind. Living is still living despite on who's terms.

She waited eagerly for his reply, her heart still beating in her chest while her breath was harsh. Her chest raised and feel in a timely manner, showing the curve of her breast a little more with each rise from her V neck style shirt, which was only increased with the helping her chestnut brown corst that hugged her figure and plumped up her breasts. She tried her hardest not to show her true emotions. She didn't like to show weakness, even more so to strangers and enemies such as Vikings.

 

[irish_texan]

A smirk flashed across Ragnar's face before his expression regressed to a somber one. He thoughtfully considered the woman's question before responding.

Still stroking his beard gently, he said, "I haven't decided that yet." His voice was deep and smooth. Though he spoke at a normal volume, it seemed to ring out with authority. "You are nice to stare at, but I also have work to do." He jerked one thumb over his shoulder in the direction of her village. As he did this, the raiding party caught up with the woman. But seeing their leader already laying claim, they passed by the pair without interrupting their conversation. "What do you think I should do?" he asked her, never breaking eye contact.

The Vikings began shouting and howling their war cries as they broke into a sprint for the village. People in the streets were only just beginning to look up and notice their impending doom as the Viking warriors closed in on the outermost buildings of the town. There was no time for an alarm bell to sound. There was no time for a warning shout to ring out. There was no time at all. The frenzied warriors reached the edge of the village and immediately began their grisly work, tearing into the soft villagers like a knife through fabric.

The untrained farmers and shopkeepers stood no chance against the battle hardened Viking raiders. All too soon, chaos reigned in the hamlet that was so peaceful moments ago. Already, the grassy roofs of the outermost buildings were ablaze, and the blood of the first responders stained the street. Screams rang out throughout the village. Screams of excitement from the Vikings. Screams of terror from the villagers.

Ragnar seemed entirely unperturbed by the sound, and gazed steadily into the eyes of this woman, keenly gauging her reaction.

 

[wintersday92]

Maeve layed on the ground with the top half of her body proped up by her elbows. Although it was brief, a smirk appeared on the Vikings lips, which made the hairs on the back of Maeve's neck stand up on end. What did he mean he hadn't decided?! Surely they go into these things with a plan?

The Vikings statement, that she was nice to look at took Maeve slightly of guard, which she hoped didn't show to him. His voice was smooth, even with his unusual accent and if things where under much different circumstances she would have found him more attractive and alluring but as things was, she couldn't stand the man. No matter how charming and attractive he was. Yes she had taken in his form now that their silence had broken, she is human. But she had a much stronger will then others, plus he was the enemie and though one might say keep you friends close and your enemies closer she had no plans of getting THAT close to him.

His last works worried her. He had work to-do? That didn't sound all too good and before she knew it he saved over his back towards her village and the rest of the men passed them without so much of another glance. Panic and rage rushed through as she knew what was to happen next. "Well that's a stupid question!" Maeve replied over to him as she quickly got to her feet. "How about not attacking my village!" she added at almost a demand as she made a big to run after the other men.

She knew she would be stopped but that didn't matter, she had to try. "Let go! You have no right to do this!" she shouted as she could hear the screams and cries of her people weaving through the medow, while teh cheers and excitmenf from the Vikings echoed through her mind. She lifted up leg and slammed down her foot as hard as she could down on the Vikings foot in a bid to be released. Although she was half the size of the Viking, and seems petite and gently, she could be fierce and a handful when needed. For good measure, with her free hand and slapped him as hard as she could across his face, leaving a nice set of scratch marks in its place. Index dressed she made a bee line for her village.

Already blood overed the ground and had even started to linger in the air which had smelt of fresh flowers a few minutes ago. Her villages cried out for help but then men sliced then as if it was nothing more then a bit knife through butter. One Viking had found a young girl no older then 14. "Hey!" Maeve shouted to grab his attention. "You lay a single hair on that girl, so help me god!" she added her checks turned pink with anger and her heart bounded even faster. When the Viking just smiled and went on to grab the girl, Maeve grabbed the first thing next to her, which so happened to be a broom. With no hesitation she swung the broom right across the Vikings head. It seemed more damage come to the broom then the man but it gave her enough to to grab the girl and run down the the Chapel where some other who manage to escape went.

On the way she grabbed a small knife from outside the mini butchers. She knew it was nothing compared to what they had but still, it should bribe better then a broom."Stay inside and don't come out or let anyone in, do you understand?" Maeve asked as she leaned down slightly and looked the girl in her grey eyes. The little girl nodded and headed in, hiding behind some chairs.

"When I leave lock the door behind me and barricade it." Maveve stated before she turned and left ignoring the pleds from her people to stay. Some may think her a fool challenging them but these where her people and they looked up to her. She wasn't willing to let them now, not without a fight and even if it meant she would die. Once the Vikinga had finished of the last of the villages outside they made there towards her one by one, stopping a few feet away from her. Then adrenaline rushed through Maeve's body as her fear was pushed away. Perhaps this was the same feeling that the Vikings got before their rades?

"I'm not letting a single one of you through these doors with going through me first! These are my people I won't let you kill anymore of them!" her Irish accent was stronger now then before and her words were firm. One of the Vikings attempt to get closer but with the small knife at hand she swung it across, leaving a large cut across the man's face that slowly trickled with fresh warm blood. Admittedly she was proud of herself for getting him but she still kept her guard up, her eyes lookibg at each and every one of them before resting back on the man who she had bumped into and spoken with before.

 

[irish_texan]

Maeve layed on the ground with the top half of her body proped up by her elbows. Although it was brief, a smirk appeared on the Vikings lips, which made the hairs on the back of Maeve's neck stand up on end. What did he mean he hadn't decided?! Surely they go into these things with a plan?

The Vikings statement, that she was nice to look at took Maeve slightly of guard, which she hoped didn't show to him. His voice was smooth, even with his unusual accent and if things where under much different circumstances she would have found him more attractive and alluring but as things was, she couldn't stand the man. No matter how charming and attractive he was. Yes she had taken in his form now that their silence had broken, she is human. But she had a much stronger will then others, plus he was the enemie and though one might say keep you friends close and your enemies closer she had no plans of getting THAT close to him.

His last works worried her. He had work to-do? That didn't sound all too good and before she knew it he saved over his back towards her village and the rest of the men passed them without so much of another glance. Panic and rage rushed through as she knew what was to happen next. "Well that's a stupid question!" Maeve replied over to him as she quickly got to her feet. "How about not attacking my village!" she added at almost a demand as she made a big to run after the other men.

Ragnar chuckled as he watched her run past him. "I can't do that," he called after her. "Like I said, we've work to do." He began walking after her, not too worried about what she would do, nor surprised by how she had reacted.

She knew she would be stopped but that didn't matter, she had to try. "Let go! You have no right to do this!" she shouted as she could hear the screams and cries of her people weaving through the medow, while teh cheers and excitmenf from the Vikings echoed through her mind. She lifted up leg and slammed down her foot as hard as she could down on the Vikings foot in a bid to be released. Although she was half the size of the Viking, and seems petite and gently, she could be fierce and a handful when needed. For good measure, with her free hand and slapped him as hard as she could across his face, leaving a nice set of scratch marks in its place. Index dressed she made a bee line for her village.

Already blood overed the ground and had even started to linger in the air which had smelt of fresh flowers a few minutes ago. Her villages cried out for help but then men sliced then as if it was nothing more then a bit knife through butter. One Viking had found a young girl no older then 14. "Hey!" Maeve shouted to grab his attention. "You lay a single hair on that girl, so help me god!" she added her checks turned pink with anger and her heart bounded even faster. When the Viking just smiled and went on to grab the girl, Maeve grabbed the first thing next to her, which so happened to be a broom. With no hesitation she swung the broom right across the Vikings head. It seemed more damage come to the broom then the man but it gave her enough to to grab the girl and run down the the Chapel where some other who manage to escape went.

"Who defines what we have the right to and what we don't, little lady?" he calls as he continues to follow her at his own comfortable pace. He walked calmly through the fire and fury that raged around him, his eyes intent on this fiery Irish woman. "Our god tells us to be strong so that we can take from the weak. That is what we are doing. Your village will be ashes by the day's end."

On the way she grabbed a small knife from outside the mini butchers. She knew it was nothing compared to what they had but still, it should bribe better then a broom."Stay inside and don't come out or let anyone in, do you understand?" Maeve asked as she leaned down slightly and looked the girl in her grey eyes. The little girl nodded and headed in, hiding behind some chairs.

"When I leave lock the door behind me and barricade it." Maveve stated before she turned and left ignoring the pleds from her people to stay. Some may think her a fool challenging them but these where her people and they looked up to her. She wasn't willing to let them now, not without a fight and even if it meant she would die. Once the Vikinga had finished of the last of the villages outside they made there towards her one by one, stopping a few feet away from her. Then adrenaline rushed through Maeve's body as her fear was pushed away. Perhaps this was the same feeling that the Vikings got before their rades?

"I'm not letting a single one of you through these doors with going through me first! These are my people I won't let you kill anymore of them!" her Irish accent was stronger now then before and her words were firm. One of the Vikings attempt to get closer but with the small knife at hand she swung it across, leaving a large cut across the man's face that slowly trickled with fresh warm blood. Admittedly she was proud of herself for getting him but she still kept her guard up, her eyes lookibg at each and every one of them before resting back on the man who she had bumped into and spoken with before.

As the man she cut was about to strike at her with his sword, a booming voice roared from behind him. "OLIK! STOP." Ragnar walked slowly up behind the group of Vikings cornering the woman. His shout had startled her to her core, ringing with mighty power but also with a calmness that spoke more to his authority than the volume of the shout ever could. The man whose face Maeve had swiped with the knife turned to face his jarl. "But lord, she cut me!" he called back.

"I see that, Olik. As I said: you'll not touch her." Ragnar stared calmly into Olik's eyes, but his own eyes displayed a fierceness that his expression did not. Olik nodded in submission and turned back toward Maeve as Ragnar walked past him, directly up to her. Ragnar stood before Maeve, towering over her, and looked calmly into her eyes. His expression was mute, betraying neither anger nor amusement. His gaze made her feel weak, though she didn't show it. She glared defiantly back at him, daring him with her eyes to try something.

Ragnar did not try anything. He merely spoke, softly but with that same ringing authority. "What do you hope to accomplish by throwing away your life? If my men kill you, they will still get into your little church here and find that girl. You will have achieved nothing, but your life will be lost. Does your god view this as honorable?" He paused, letting his words sink in. He held out his hand toward Maeve, palm up.

"Give me the knife. I know your heart tells you to fight. I respect this. If it were otherwise, I would think you weak. But know when the battle is over."

He extends his hand further, beckoning for the knife. Without breaking eye contact with Maeve, he raises his voice and calls to his men. "Take the church." The five Vikings who had been standing by rushed past Maeve and began ferociously swinging their axes at the door of the chapel. Ragnar does not move, but leaves his hand extended for the knife, looking deeply into Maeve's eyes, giving her the impression that he knows her as well as she knows herself.

 

[wintersday92]

Maeve watched as the man she had just cut across the face, raised his sword. She took a deep breath in thinking at that would be the end of her. No one could ever be prepared for such a thing, but to know it was for her people, that no one could ever say she was selfish and unthoughtful, it made it a little easier to bare. She closed her eyes trying ready herself in the short time she knew she had but something more unexpected happens she frightened her more then the idea of dying.

The Vikings voice roared over to them which caused Maeve to open her eyes and thean who was about to swing his sword to stop. As if someone had frozen him on the spot. Maeve's heart skipped a beat as she watched the Viking come closer. So he was their Lord. Ironic that he was their leader and Maeve was the leader of her people. Dispite the situation the man's comment over to his leader made her smile briefly. It was like he was a child telling on his little sister because she got one up in him. But as quickly as her smile appeared it vanished.

It seemed cleared their Lord wasn't to be disobey. Before she knew it he was standing right in front of her, his eyes stairing at hers. She found it interesting that not once in their encounters he he look her anywhere else. Most men, especially if they where taller, would have a habbit of drifting down to her busts but at least he had some manners in not doing so, well not yet anyways. Maeve just stared at him not saying a word but her eyes telling him not to try anything.

Maeve had expected him to try something but instead just talked. His words soft but still with a sense of authority. "I would know I tried my best, that I put myself before them, in a bid to save them. Surely you would do the same for your people? Being a leader means more then ordering people around and sitting on your ars." Maeve replied over him trying to connect to him as one leader to another. " I don't think much about what our god's think of me" she added. Although most if not all folk was religious Maeve wasn't. She didn't believe there was one great man who created everything and made vows which people must live by. She believed in making your own destiny.

Her eyes drifted down to his as he now held it out to her. She made no attempt of giving him the knife and she wasn't planning to either but before anything else could happen he ordered his men to take the chuch. "What? No please don't!" she cried ouylt as she turned round to watch them axe down the door, inch by inch. "Please stop them! I beg you!" Maeve added as she tried back round to Viking Lord. With panic rising through her she realised she had little choice in what to do next. She handed him the knife and bent down on her knees. "Please I'm begging you. I'll do anything to save my people please. You've killed most of them just leave the last few alone." Maeve begged towards him. Her hazel eyes looking up towards him. Dispite trying to keep strong and showing no weekness a year ran down her check.

An idea popped into head. One which she hoped might work. "What if we make a deal? What if I go with you. No fighting or complaining. I'll be yours... but in return you leave the rest of my people in the church alone. No more fighting and no more blood shread. You can what ever gold and silver you find but please, please if there is any humanity in you, call off your men." she pleaded in one final attempt. What else was there left for her to do? Giving herself to save her people was the last straw. Her final hope.

 

[irish_texan]

Ragnar wanted to do as this woman asked. But he was bound by the laws and traditions of his people. To call a stop to a raid right in the middle of the action would be a betrayal of his men. This woman would not understand that, so Ragnar did not bother to explain. Her beliefs, her customs, were far too different from his own. They could not be reconciled.

Ragnar extended a hand to the beautiful woman kneeling at his feet, helping her to stand. He looked into her eyes, and softly said, "That choice is not mine to make. The laws of our people dictate our actions. When we have taken your village we will return home. You will accompany me."

At this point, the Vikings were close to breaking down the door. Ragnar looked to them and gave one last order. "Leave the women and children alive. Take slaves if you like, but only kill the men." He knew that this would not please the woman, but it was as close to a compromise as he could afford. He did not try to explain himself to her, but deep in his heart he knew he would not have made that compromise unless he felt something for this woman.

Ragnar turned on his heel and began to walk away. "Balder, Asmund! Bind her and bring her with me," he called to two of his men. They wasted no time in tying the hands and feet of Maeve before one of them tossed her gently over his shoulder and followed Ragnar. While they carried her away, she watched helplessly over the shoulder of her captor as the Viking warriors finished breaking down the chapel door.

She could not see what happened inside; the screams were her only indicator of what took place. She closed her eyes, a tear running down her cheek.

 

[wintersday92]

Maeve was slightly taken back when the Viking held out hisb hand for her to take to help her stand. Did this mean he agreed to her terms? As soon as she was up on her feet she learnt this didn't. "Horse crap! You just hide behind your laws and vows!" she shouted at him, furious and frightens for her people. He gave another round of orders this time telling them to hold back on the women and children. She had do idea if this was down to her begging or this was what they did traditionally but a part of her.

For a split second thought the Viking to not be all that evil. But then the cries of her people came again and the last screams from them echoed thought her head. How could murdering helpless mean be ok in anyone's believes and laws?! Maeve screamed and cried begging the other Vikings to stop but there was no point soon she was being binded and taken away from the scene. Tears traced down her checks and she tried to wriggle away from their grasps, kneeing it would be pointless with the both of them on her.

As she was heaved over the shoulder of one of them she stays limp, no bother to fight against it. What was the point? She had felt her people. Even the ones who where left alived. They had lost loved ones and have no village to live in. They would have to find new homes and even new life's. Just like she was about too, even though she didn't think her life would last much longer. She beat that they would try and do what they pleased with her for a while then get bored and either move on from her or kill her. The later being the more favoured choice by the Vikings she guessed.

They walked for some while till th scream of her people could only be heard in her head. She was started to get nausea beings lugged around in the Vikings back. "You know, I do have a pair of legs that are more then capable of carrying me." Maeve stated as she lifted her head up slightly. "How farmdo we have to go anyways? Just put me down and untie my legs. It's not like I'll be able to run away from you guys either, is it? Not will I try I promise" she added as she wriggled slightly in the Vikings arms. Trying to persuade her carrier to but her down, even for a moment. Honestly if they had much further to go should would be seeing her breakfast again over his back. "Or at least put me down for a minute..." she moaned as she felt her stomach turning.

 

[irish_texan]

Maeve was slightly taken back when the Viking held out his hand for her to take to help her stand. Did this mean he agreed to her terms? As soon as she was up on her feet she learnt this didn't. "Horse crap! You just hide behind your laws and vows!" she shouted at him, furious and frightens for her people. He gave another round of orders this time telling them to hold back on the women and children. She had do idea if this was down to her begging or this was what they did traditionally but a part of her.

Ragnar gave the woman a questioning look. "Do you not hide behind your own laws? Is your morality not the very thing you appeal to, when you ask me to stop? How are we not the same?" He turned away dismissively and beckoned his men to follow him.

Tramping through the damp grass, he made his way slowly back east. It was finally time to go home. Ragnar smiled as he pictured his homeland and thought of his clan, eagerly awaiting his return. War was good; feasting was better. He was ready to get back.

They walked for some while till the scream of her people could only be heard in her head. She was started to get nausea being lugged around in the Vikings back. "You know, I do have a pair of legs that are more then capable of carrying me." Maeve stated as she lifted her head up slightly. "How far do we have to go anyway? Just put me down and untie my legs. It's not like I'll be able to run away from you guys either, is it? Not will I try I promise" she added as she wriggled slightly in the Vikings arms. Trying to persuade her carrier to but her down, even for a moment. Honestly, if they had much further to go should would be seeing her breakfast again over his back. "Or at least put me down for a minute..." she moaned as she felt her stomach turning.

Ragnar paused and turned around. His men continued to march, moving past him on their trek back to the ocean. He put a hand up, stopping Asmund. "Put her down," Ragnar said quietly, nodding to the large man. Asmund obliged, gently setting the Irish woman on her feet. Asmund handed Ragnar the rope attached to her hands and bent down to untie her feet. The large Viking unbound her ankles and then followed the rest of the men.

"I tire of long walks with no conversation. Walk with me, and tell me about your home," Ragnar said calmly, looking curiously into the woman's eyes.