Hello again, devoted readers!
Thank you for patiently awaiting this update. Until now, I haven't had either the time nor the inspiration to continue, but here it is, the next chapter. As you will see, it spans over a long period of time. I hope it's not very confusing. Honestly, I couldn't find another way of wrapping it all up.
That being said, enjoy!

Half-melted pillar candles were lit in clusters around the floor and on the windowsills. The room was unbearably warm, hot steam coiling slowly in the air. Rollo sat in the bathtub, stroking Eva's hair, as she leaned back and rested her head against his shoulder. Fine droplets of water clung to their skin.

She sighed, rocking slightly against him — it felt so good. He'd pushed himself deep, teasing her, holding still, until even slightest movement could send her over the edge.

"Oh, God," she grunted, as he pulled out, than slowly slid in, bringing her closer to the edge. Rollo smiled. He loved the breathless little sounds she made. The throaty moans and soft little pleas.

"That's it, ..." he nipped her shoulder, working up the side of her neck until he reached her jaw "Just let go ..." The raspy sound of his voice coaxed her into a climax. She came long, arching, her whole body trembling.

Moments like these were rare. Determined to be victorious, Rollo was away for months, fighting. War had fallen upon the land as a natural disaster. To keep Athanaric's forces at bay, the King and Queen had asked for Ragnar's help.

"When my brother returns," Rollo began, "everything will be decided." His fingers sifted absentmindedly through her hair.

"He's far too ambitious to deny our proposal—"

"—which is what worries me most. I feel like ..." he stopped his admission to take a deep breath, "I feel like I'm throwing my daughter to the wolves."

"Shh. You're not. You're not," Eva soothed, "You're just doing what needs to be done, my love. Ensuring a victory. Peace. Giving her time to grow strong and wise." Her hand reached out and their fingers entwined beneath the hot water. "We'll worry about the wolves when we shall have to face them; not a moment sooner."

-ooOOOoo–

Heeding his brother's request, Ragnar soon sailed west, feeling a promise in the air. An opportunity of better things to come. Now, the two brothers were facing each other silently.

"From what I hear," Ragnar started shrewdly, "Athanaric's allies gather daily — like flies to a corps. Fighting your war, will cost me the lives of many warriors. Why should I weaken myself in this way?"

"Because, you wouldn't be fighting solely for gold, brother." Rollo stopped for a second, as if to stress their blood bond. "As King of Norway, you control the narrow entrance from Kattegat into the Baltic Sea. I dominate the trade routes which lead to the eastern Baltic. Imagine us, uniting all that power! No one who wishes to trade could ignore us."

Ragnar's blue eyes lit up with the sparks of ambition.

"Such power is dangerous—" he said, reaching out to trace the outlines of the map, painted on the wooden table.

" —yet we spend our whole lives fighting for it!" Rollo answered, "What are we here for, except to achieve fame?"

The idea was obviously appealing to his younger sibling. He could practically see the wheels turning in his mind, calculating the risks. But something was holding him back.

"It wouldn't be the first time you betray me, brother." There was dislike in Ragnar's tone, and a trace of scorn too. "Vows are broken, alliances shift all the time."

"We would forge an unbreakable one. Sealed by contract — a marriage between our bloodlines!"

"Our bloodlines?" a knowing look passed over the Viking's features, "You have no children, Rollo. Your Queen is ... rumored to be barren. Are you planning to set her aside?"

"As you did with Lagertha?" for the first time Rollo's voice sounded angry. His knuckles were turning white. "No, I will never set Eva aside. Fate has already offered a solution."

"By fate he means to say mistress," Eva's voice interrupted just at the right time. She entered the room, boldly, looking straight into Ragnar's eyes. Had she been listening on them?

"A cheap harlot, that bore your brother the loveliest of daughters," the Queen continued, approaching their table with a pleasant smile, "Welcome, Ragnar!"

The blue eyed Viking smiled instantly. It was so typical for his brother to cheat. Had this mistake taken a toll on Rollo's marriage? Was the Queen angered by the betrayal, or still supporting Rollo?

"Eva," he eyed the woman thoughtfully, "You look radiant. Most women would be furious in your place—"

"I'm not most women!" she cut in, placing her hands on Ragnar's forearms to kiss his cheeks. She could feel Rollo's scalding eyes on her back. To make things worst, Ragnar seemed determined to feed her husband's flaming temper.

"But you are a woman!" the Norse king studied her face for reactions, but nothing slipped past.

"I —" she began, calm and untroubled, staring him dead in the eye, "—am a ruler who chooses to see the larger picture."

Turning away from him, she walked and took her place at the negotiation table. "Like the two of you should!" she added, placing her hands on either sides of the map.

-ooOOOoo–

Ahead of the army, Rollo fought Athanaric's forces. Rich territories, originally held by the the old tyrant, were conquered with Ragnar's aid. The two Viking brothers became famous throughout the land, for their great courage in battle and also, for the extreme cruelty shown to the enemies.

In Spring, as the weather got warmer informers brought reports that Athanaric had left his stronghold for a heavy-footed march towards their fortress, certain that he could win. Some of the lords scorned by Eva's killings had flocked to his side and as he advanced, he continued to collect men from the villages and towns, men angered by the growing number of Vikings settelinge on their land.

It was getting dark when Vivian, the Queen's trusted old maid, barged into the room with the most serious of frowns. In her hand, a sealed letter was crumpled, squeezed tight in anger.

"I should have burn this damn thing," she breathed out, "but I know it would have been against your wish," she continued in a low voice, handing Eva the letter.

A hideous flash of terror coursed through the queen's spine. That sigil was unmistakable. Her father's. For a moment she considered burning the message too, but the moment passed and her weary fingers broke the seal. She read silently, frowning.

"He's here." Eva's voice was even, void of emotion, "He wants us to meet."

"No! Burn that." Vivian urged her, "Burn it and never think of it again."

"But don't you see? This... this gives me the chance to get near him; end this struggle without prolonging the war."

"Dear Lord, have you lost your mind, child?! You're walking right into a trap!"

"I might be! But I intend to break both trap and trapper!"

That night, after hours of pondering, Eva left her chambers flanked by Thorstein and another guard. "You are to keep your distance," she instructed, walking ahead of them, "intervene only if needed."

"And if he decides to slit your throat?" Thorstein demanded, "We won't get to you in time! By all gods," the man exclaimed, running a hand over his face, "Rollo's going to kill me!"

"He probably will," Eva answered, smirking over her shoulder, "but it will be a quick death, unlike the one he would plan if he finds out you let me go alone."

They walked in silence for some time, following a narrow path leading to the beach. There, out in the open, none could bring reinforcements without the other knowing.

Though only a quarter full, the moon was shining brightly on a cloudless sky. The tide-swept sands, stretched out into the open sea. Waves roared loudly, bursting apart as they hit the rocks. She saw him from afar. A solitary figure, tall and broad shouldered. He stood spear-straight and very still, head held proud in a defiance they shared.

"Eva ," his voice was low, soaked in dominance and power, "I knew you'd come," the man continued, sweeping his eyes over her body, "You look ... different."

"Must be the crown, father. It becomes me. I think I'll keep it." Athanaric smiled sarcastically, hard lines of discontent marking his face.

"I admit," he started, "you've been brilliant, holding the throne for this long. But you're beginning to slip: killing those nobles ... inviting Ragnar Lothbrok's aid?!" He stopped, looked at her intently, than took a step closer. "If more Vikings land on this coast, they will eat us alive. All of us."

A wicked smile blossomed on Eva's lips, "If I didn't knew you better, I'd say you're worried. As you should be. With Ragnar's support you won't stand another month!"

The man remained still but the corners of his eyes twitched a bit and his body tensed.

"And what was the price of that?" the man snapped, his tone hateful, "Sharing your bed with both the heathen brothers? "

Eva closed her eyes, filled with disgust, remembering all the ways she'd been used in the past. "I almost forgot how perverted you are ... but just so you know, I didn't pay any price. If you're loosing, you're loosing to Rollo."

"Oh, yes! That animal you keep by your side. You think it will be different with him?

"Yes," the reply came instantly, undoubtedly.

"Why? Because he might make you a better person?"

"Because he won't make me a monster!"

"Make you? Make you?" Athanaric's anger seemed to reach its peak, then ebbed away, giving way to a dangerous calmness. "How many corpses will you leave in your bloody wake, before acknowledging what you really are? Before returning where you truly belong?" with a deep longing he continued, "Why not rule with the one who knows you best, and loves you all the more for it? Come daughter," he extended his hand, "I've missed you terribly!"

His stance and tone made her feel instantly uncomfortable. Athanaric continued to watch her, the unsettling longing in his eyes, now mixing with impatience. Eva's stomach turned to nausea, her mouth filled with a metallic taste. She swallowed hard.

"I'd rather die than be your fucking pawn again."

"You were never a mere possession. I've always cherished you. I still do."

"You left me scarred! Broken! Can you ... can you imagine how good it feels to see you lose everything you've build, father? To see you defeated? Because you are defeated. We both know it ... and by the end of the month the whole kingdom will know it too! Without adding another word, the Queen turned her back, and walked away. It felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

By the end of April, Athanaric's forces were defeated. Word about his gruesome execution spread like wildfire through the land, and all those who once sided with him, fled and scattered. The much awaited victory finally brought stability over the entire area.

Keeping his promise to Ragnar, Rollo allowed the Viking settlers to establish small villages, which in time developed and grew. The kingdom became a staging area for further trade and raiding, conditioning the Vikings' loyalty to the King and Queen. Although never fully at peace, they entered a long and prosperous period of time, which, at the right time, was going to culminate with the joining of Rollo's and Ragnar's bloodlines.

-ooOOOoo–

Six years later...

The Queen sat on a raised bed of chamomile, plaiting white flowers in a crown. The warm scent of the herb was lingering in the air. She worked slowly, coiling the stems with deft fingers, stopping every so-often to brush away a stray strand of hair.

"So they defeated the Evil King?" a small voice inquired, sounding like a crystal bell. " Together?"

"Yes, my love. They did," Eva answered, peering sweetly at the little girl, seated at her feet. A tiny angel, with coppery curls and rosy cheeks. Near them, the river flowed clear and mild, seeming to slow time itself. The land was so peaceful and prosper, that one could never imagine a time when armies marched and clashed in battle.

"I love it when you tell stories!" the little girl sighed placing her head on the Queen's lap, "Will you say another?"

Eva's hand gently stroked the wavy head, winding the curls around her fingers,"It's late angel. We'll miss the arrival of your cousins."

"I don't like those three. They're mean; they make fun of me because I'm little. But Bjorn is nice. Will he come too?"

"No sweetheart. I'm afraid we won't be seeing him soon. Bjorn's following his destiny on the Mediterranean Sea."

"What's the Mediteran ? Will you tell me about it?

"On our way back!" the Queen agreed, watching the little girl clap her hands and giggle with delight.

Once again, thank you all for reading and following this story. Did you like the ending? Did you hated it?
I would certainly like to know.
It's very inspiring and motivating [not to mention rewarding] to receive feedback from readers.
Also, I'll soon be posting another chapter on this, an epilogue of sorts, which will feature another time jump, closer to the grand wedding with all the "kids" grow ups;)
It's going to be a teaser for my next story. If I receive enough incentive, that is ...
Muahahaha!

XoXo Roheline