Author's note: I do NOT own anything of Vikings! It is a Television Drama created and written by Michael Hirst. The only thing that I claim as mine is my OC, that is all!

*** 6/16/2020 - I know this chapter was priorly already posted, however there were a lot of mistakes and a few things that happened to have been misplaced in the chapter that I must have not realized happened before I posted this. However, everything has been fixed, to my knowledge, and hope you enjoy reading this chapter in it's correct format. Thank you!

Chapter 11

Harald smiled as he sat her back on her feet. He laughed by her surprise as Halfdan pulled her to him, thinking he'd simply hug her, however when he'd captured her lips and his Warriors, and the handful of townspeople who'd come out to see what was going on, began to cheer.

Eira smiled and giggled at the situation, holding the back of his neck in her hands, she held him close and pulled him closer into their kiss. She felt her body heating up at his touch, the way he kissed her. Their tongues fighting each other before she realized she had little eyes watching her and forced herself to pull away from his lips. "Well, I was not expecting that to be my welcoming, but I have to say. I like this much better than what I had thought." She teased him with a happy smile, kissing Halfdan on her own account with no surprises. Hearing Harald clearing his throat at them, she blushed and pulled from their kiss, nodding her head to the King in apologies. Looking behind them, she finally realized how many warriors they had brought to the Docks after thinking she was an enemy, not to mention how many people had come out on their own to see what was going on. She was startled by Halfdan sliding his hand along her cheek to draw her attention back to him.

He smiled just to have her there, to have her back in his arms. For some reason he felt different when she was with him, while he was always happy to be with his brother, she seemed to spark something in him, something he did not want to lose, but she wasn't his wife and the thought of marriage still didn't sit well with him, he was not the kind of man to marry, and he was unsure how marriage sat with her. But something was wrong, he could see it, feel it in her muscles as she tensed then relax, but it was also the little details. She only had her brother's and a small group of Shieldmaidens, no one else was with her. There was no way this was a leisure trip. "Such a surprise, but is everything alright?" Halfdan asked her, setting her back on her feet, though his arms had continued to keep her captive as they looked at one another, both had happy smiles. However, his question had caused her smile to falter a bit.

"Eira? What has happened?" Harald asked her, his brow frowned as he and Halfdan watched her smile completely disappear.

Glancing over to Harald she sighed and shook her head with a small shrug as she looked between the two, finally settling on Halfdan. How did they always know something was wrong? "I do not know. Honest, my father sent me here with my brothers. He told me nothing." She told them. Her eyes were full of equal confusion and worry.

Nodding, Harald gently squeezed her arm in comforts, "Come, let's get you all inside." Harald said, waving his Warrior's off and they made an opening for them to head back towards the Hall.

Turning to her Shieldmaiden's, she walked back to them and took Sigurd from Runa, "Thank you, it is safe. We are friends here as are they friends to us. Come." She said softly, taking Hvitserk's hand into her unused hand while Ubbe held her skirt as the Shieldmaiden's made a partially closed wall around her and the brother's as they made their way down the Docks, allowing the two Vestfold brother's to not only watch her but ruffle her brother's hair. However, she was not expecting Harald and Halfdan's Warriors to make their own wall around them. This made her feel a bit nervous at the massive amount of bodies around her, but she wrote it off and accepted it because it was more protection for her brothers. And the more for them the better she could relax.

Walking into the King's massive Hall he whispered something to a servant then stood on his steps to his chair, "Let's return to our feast, for we have more to celebrate upon this surprised arrival!" He shouted around the Hall, raising his cup of Ale pulling a cheer from those back in the Hall, his warrior's returning to what they'd been occupying themselves with before the sudden shock. "Eira, please," Harald called to her softly. His hand held out for her.

Grinning with curiosity she hesitantly walked to Harald, taking hold of his hand, Hvitserk not much caring for the fact she let go of his hand silently huffed and latched onto her skirt as Eira held her breath. She was surprised as he led her and the boys up beside him, "The woman who woke from death herself by Odin's own hand! And a woman who's also managed to captivate more than just my own and Halfdan's eyes." Harald's words were not only causing her to blush, her heart was slamming in her chest as he looked at her, a happy smile on his face before looking back over the large crowd of people, "My Warriors. People of Vestfold. I present to you all, Lady Eira Ragnarsdottir. The daughter of Jarl Ragnar and her brother's, the sons of Jarl Ragnar. Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd." He introduced them. Eira couldn't help the smile at Harald introducing them the way he had. She could feel the boy's holding onto her skirt and legs.

They were unsure how to take the attention, however even back home they were still shy for the time being. Ubbe never much cared for attention like this and Hvitserk just wasn't sure how to differentiate between Vestfold and Kattegat. His mother and his father were not there, and neither was their older brother, Bjorn. But Eira was, and as long as they had Eira they were okay, right?

Eira blushed a deeper blush as Harald kissed her hand as his people cheered and clapped. Nodding her head to him and ignoring the fluttering her stomach was doing. She had deep fears in her gut that something was amiss back home.

And she'd been right to feel such worry.

Kattegat

King Horik had not only been deceived and weaseled out, he had been killed by her father. Erlendur was spared upon King Horik's request to Ragnar, which he agreed upon. Ragnar was now King. But now he had another decision to think of with Jarl Borg.

He'd once more betrayed Ragnar. Or so said the dying King before him. Finding Jarl Borg and his wife fleeing had not helped his case. Torvi, confused entirely as to what was going on, had been locked in their chambers while her husbands had once more been locked in a Cell with Ragnar, Rollo and Floki interrogating him.

"I do not understand, Ragnar. I've done nothing. I've helped you. I've helped you keep your family safe!" Jarl Borg argued.

Ragnar took a heavy breath, his mind turning with thoughts, he wanted to believe him, he truly did. "Yet Horik seemed to believe you were also meaning to betray me. I'd wish to believe you'd never betray the sworn loyalty you made to me and my wife upon your arm-ring. However-"

"So, you shall believe a dead man over a man who aided you in not only becoming King but safeguard your family?" Jarl Borg said with an irritated huff of disapproval laughter to the new King. "Maybe it is good your daughter is not here to see you fall already." He said to a growing angry Ragnar.

"I am trying to find the truth, Borg. And you being found trying to flee in the dead of night after King Horik dies does not aid your case in the least, least of all, you were seen helping Horik's son flee himself. Now, why were you running? You didn't even bother taking any of your belongings. Why run when you claim you did nothing." Ragnar questioned him. His eyes studying him and calculating everything from here on out.

"I helped his son, Ragnar, the boy thought he was going to die-"

"Now that I can tell you may be true. But, he was spared because his father asked only one request before he died, everyone deserves one request before their death, and I keep my promise as best I can. I spared him. Why would I go behind his father's back and kill him after I gave my word that I would not? Now, why were you running? The truth this time Borg."

Borg looked around the cell trying to think of what to do, if he could still escape. He had no way out. Sighing with defeat, Borg looked back to Ragnar and nodded, "Horik told me that if I helped him get rid of you, he'd help my wife and I live a life away from the civil wars of our lands. He had a place here which he hid treasures from the few raids he and his son went on with you. He told me that if I helped him, he'd give it to me. As payment and as an apology for removing me from the Raid." Jarl Borg confessed. His eyes closing with despair. He'd tried to play both sides and get away free and richer. But he'd been caught. He feared if he continued to hide the truth his wife and unborn child would suffer. Better his life than theirs'.

Taking a deep and angry breath, Ragnar looked at the man chained in the cell with disappointment. His wife had given her word to him on his wife and child's safety. But Ragnar had not yet decided what to do with Borg. Now he had no choice. "...Torvi is due shortly, yes?" Ragnar asked him.

Fearful at this question, Jarl Borg began to beg Ragnar to not harm them. "You misunderstand my question Jarl Borg. Aslaug had given her sworn promise that no harm shall come to them. And as my wife and I are bound to one another, I am bound to also honor her promise. They shall be left unharmed. But I had not decided what to do with you… Until now. However, I see it only fit to allow you to see your wife give birth, to hold your child before you die." Ragnar told him. His eyes cold as he spoke. He was pleased, sadly, that Jarl Borg had nodded his thanks and agreement.

His heart heavy and his stomach knotting with iron like rust, Borg nodded his understanding and agreement. "And my death?" He asked, accepting his fate.

"Since you like to consort with Eagles, Jarl Borg…. I shall draw Blood Eagle on your back…." Ragnar whispered. His heart was full of anger and hate as he watched Jarl Borg look at him with fear and shock, muttering "No" over and over to him. Trying not to beg Ragnar for a different fate. "Like Wings." Ragnar told him, finalizing his decision as he walked from the Cell.

Jarl Borg was left alone in his cell to fear and accept his punishment.

"Will you go to retrieve Eira and the boys Ragnar?" Aslaug asked him.

"No, not yet. She has only been gone two days. If I go to retrieve her or send someone else to bring them home, it will draw attention to everything that has happened. Let us all have a moment's peace before everything catches up with us." He told her, wrapping a fur cloak around himself. "I will be back later. Bjorn and I are taking a walk." He told his wife, kissing her brow and headed out. The King's sword strapped to his side. Sighing, Ragnar headed up the backside of the hills and mountain range behind Kattegat and headed up the mountain side, his eldest son with him.

"Will you send someone to inform her of what has happened?" Bjorn asked his father.

"I have already sent someone to inform your sister of what has happened." He said softly, looking out over the opened Fjord.

Bjorn turned to look at his father with confusion and curiosity, "Who did you send?" He asked, suddenly realizing that a lot of the people they were close to were still in Kattegat.

"Torstein." he said simply.

Vestfold

Eira smiled with content as she and the boys walked through the Market. With the winter having set in, not a lot of people would be coming through Vestfold for trading for the usual valuables Vestfold had to offer. She laughed as Ubbe and Hvitserk ran to the two brother's that had once again offered and then insisted they stay in their house. Her brothers loved them, and the boys seemed to always manage to put a smile on their faces. The sound of horses' hooves galloping into the Market captured her attention. She had a feeling she knew that horse. But there were several horses around, it could simply be another horse that looked like the one back from home who a friend of her father owned. Until the rider pulled back his hood. "Torstein?"

Dismounting, Torstein sighed with exhaustion as he walked to her and bowed his head to her a bit. "My Lady." He said.

Her brow frowning at his behavior Eira watched him closely, "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but I know you're here for a reason. What has happened? Is everyone alright? Oh Gods, mother, the baby- has something happened to Ivar?" Her heart thumped in her chest with fright for her stepmother and the new baby.

Shaking his head to her fear Torstein grabbed her arms to calm her, "No, no, Eira, everything is alright, but something has happen-"

"Eira, what's going on." Harald called. His brother quick on his heels as they approached, the two boys' behind them in case there was danger. Eira and Sigurd were their main concern at the moment. With her holding the youngest of the boys she had she was at a disadvantage if this person attacked her.

"Harald, Halfdan, this is Torstein, he's a friend of my fathers and mine. He has news from Kattegat." She told them after introducing her friend.

"Then you are welcomed in our Hall, you must be hungry and thirsty after the journey you took. Come." He said, turning and lifting Hvitserk into his arms, a smile on his face as the kid smiled, he couldn't help but laugh when Ubbe began to jump, trying to get up into his arms with his brother. The boy seemed pleased when Halfdan lifted him up and horsed around a bit as they made their way back to their Hall.

Torstein smiled and watched with interest, "They seem like great men Eira." He whispered to her as they followed them.

"They are Torstein. They are. And they are great with the boys. Ubbe and Hvitserk adore them." She told him with a smile, her eyes never leaving them.

Torstein smiled, and thought to keep his thoughts to himself. He accepted the food and drink gladly as he sat next to the fire. "I think you. I did not realize you were a Jarl when you came to our shores with Lady Eira."

Smiling, Harald nodded, "Because I am not a Jarl, my friend… I am a King." He informed the man, he silently chuckled to himself when the man froze in the midst of him eating, his eyes glancing between the brother and Eira then back to Harald who he watched setting Ubbe and Hvitserk into his lap in his large seat, his brother standing at the ready for anything beside him. "My apologies, King Harald. I meant no insult." he said sincerely, but now he was concerned.

"Not at all. I wished to remain unknown by title when we returned Eira home. The lack of title leaves other's more relaxed when they do not know you, and I did not wish to cause more stress to Eira's family." Harald told Torstein. "Now, what is this news you have brought for your Lady and friend?" Harald asked.

Taking a breath of courage to tell her this after now hearing they were in a King's Hall, not a Jarl's. Looking to Eira he swallowed his worry. "King Horik attempted to turn Floki and Siggy against your father and family. He asked Siggy to kill Princess Aslaug and your father's son's and left Bjorn's life in Floki's hands. We tricked the King into believing they each were with him. Your father knew King Horik was up to something, especially after he made the determined announcement of having your hand in marriage to his son. Bjorn and your mothers convinced your father to send you and your three brothers to leave for a time. Since Ivar was just born, they knew if your mother came with you it would lead King Horik to know your father was closing in on his plans. Your departure with your brother's forced him to move up his plans and he made many mistakes." He said, "King Horik is dead." Torstein announced, standing from his seat and knelt before Eira, his arm-ring held out to her, "I swore my loyalties to your father, but now I will kneel before you, Princess, and swear to you, not just as a friend but as the man who looked after you like a brother over the years. Princess Eira of Kattegat, to you, I swear my fealty, my life and honor as man and friend of your father, to never betray or let harm come to you or your family."

Eira was in shock as he spoke. She had no words for this news. But she found herself falling to her own knees before him and hugged him like a lifeline, tears in her eyes. She was terrified at this news, if Horik was dead then was Erlendur? What of Horik's family? His wife and children? Her fear returned with a vengeance, "What of Erlendur. Is he dead?"

Torstein sighed, his arms tightening around her with his own fears for her. This was the other part of the news he did not want to give her. "No, King Horik asked that your father spare his son, Ragnar did so believing that he at least deserved a last request and since it was for his son's life and not his own life, Ragnar spared the boy." Realizing why she was afraid of this news, Torstein held her back from their embrace, his grip on her arms was strong but comforting, at least he thought it was. Looking her dead in the eyes he felt like an overprotective brother, or worse, a father as he looked at her, "Eira, he cannot get to you, he's a single man." He told the terrified woman now shivering in his arms with fear.

"A single man is the worst kind of enemy, Torstein, because a single man can easily slip in and out of sight, a war band can be seen and spotted with just the slightest of wrong movement. Erlendur is like his father, he is not a fool, his father made mistakes, yes, but Erlendur would have learned from his father's mistakes and likely try to avoid repeating them. He's a snake, Torstein, a snake with venom."

Worried at the conversation, both Harald and Halfdan shared a concerned look, "Why do you worry over this Erlendur?" Halfdan asked.

Torstein rubbed her arms as the two moved from their kneeling places on the floor and sat back near the fire as he looked to the King and his brother with a sigh, "Erlendur was King Horik's son. He and his father were persistent in having a union between Eira and Erlendur. The boy had managed on a few occasions to get her alone in a private setting, he'd taken it further by trying to rest his hand to her in more than inappropriate manners and try to hold her hand, he'd manage to even corner her in her home one night. She was lucky her mother had been with her. Lagertha was the least pleased and immediately informed her father and Queen Aslaug. Eira was taken back into her father's home and spent her nights resting there. Her parents wouldn't let her return home while they remained in Kattegat. It was one of the reasons Ragnar moved against King Horik. He was attempting to force the marriage, because with Eira married to Erlendur they'd have had power over Ragnar and his family, even Lagertha. That's two jarldom's Horik would have had an Axe over. By having Eira under their thumbs Ragnar would have given them anything, as would her mother, Lagertha. But Horik was unaware Lagertha was her birth mother. Needless to say, Horik and Erlendur were shocked when Ragnar informed them." He explained. Torstein could still remember the night Horik had burst through the Hall's doors thinking he would find Ragnar in shock. But he'd been the one shocked when Torstein had stood from his seated place, revealing that he was alive and he knew he'd never forget Lagertha attacked him, telling him that Aslaug was not Eira's mother by birth. "Aslaug did not give birth to Ragnar's daughter. I did, and my daughter is not helpless, nor is she a whore to be given to whomever desires her. She is my daughter, the daughter of Lagertha, the Shieldmaiden, the Jarl of Hedeby. And you shall die knowing this." Lagertha had growled to the wounded King.

Lagertha was scary all in her own self, but the fierceness she had delivered to Horik before letting Ragnar have the king had made his hairs stand on end. But the remains of King Horik that had been found had not resembled the man who once was King.

Their chests heaved with anger as they looked at the woman now crowned a Princess, "Why did you not tell us." Harald demanded.

"I did not see the need to worry you over something I was safe from."

"How are you safe! You are clearly frightened!" Halfdan argued back.

"I am here! With you and Harald, I am alive and my brothers are safe. I did not know what was going to happen."

"But you still did not tell us, Eira, why wouldn't you tell us this?" Harald asked, though he sounded as if he was demanding an answer.

Sighing back her fear, she felt her eyes burning with misting tears, "I didn't know how to tell you. What was I supposed to say? I didn't want it to sound as if I were throwing it around, yes I'm frightened of him, but I am safe here, with the two of you, my brother's are safe here, that's all that matters."

"Eira, what matters is that you trust us to know what is happening, especially when it involves your safety. And now that you hold the title Princess, your safety, and that of your brother's is the highest priority." Harald told her, standing from his chair resting a hand to his brother's shoulder, "You are precious to more people than just your family. You're precious to us, and we wish to be told anything and everything. The good and the bad. You say you trust us, show it even, but you do not seem to trust us entirely."

Her heart slammed like a drum before she felt the pieces breaking like a ship to rocks on the water at his words, "I trust you both with my life and that of my family, I didn't believe you needed to know about Erlendur nor his father because I knew it would never happen. Bjorn swore he'd stop it-"

"Bjorn is the one who had your father send you away, Eira. And Siggy was the one who suggested you bring your brother's capable of leaving, for the four of your protection. Bjorn wanted to kill Erlendur, that is why he was so angry with your father for agreeing to let him live." Torstein said, agreeing with the brothers. She really should have told them.

Holding her breath to keep from letting her tears fall she stood and excused herself, "Eira?" Halfdan called after her, a huff leaving him as they watched her leave the Hall.

"Give her some time, she is not used to such attention, never did much like it." Torstein advised the brother. He smiled when Ubbe and Hvitserk rushed to him and hugged the man, "You did well, Ubbe. You were the main coin in uncovering Horik." He said to the child.

"How?" Ubbe asked, though he'd usually be smiling he had still given Torstein the Mushrooms the night before they had left making it appear Torstein was murdered. Dead outside in the snow.

Smiling, Torstein tapped his little nose, "By making Horik believe Floki had killed me. You did good." Ruffling his hair, he let the child go, "Now go after your sister and bring her back, Sigurd is bound to start tossing a fit, you know she's the trick with him." He told the boy as he rushed off after his sister, lifting Hvitserk up into his arms he laughed as the boy fussed, "No, let Ubbe fetch her, she only needs one man running after her right now." Torstein said, laughing at the pout Hvitserk gave him and tapped his nose playfully. "Have you and your brother's been good for your sister and the King?" He asked the still pouting boy who chose to ignore him, his little arms crossed and looking away from the laughing Torstein. "Ah, come on Hvitserk, you know I play around. You know, I have a message for you in particular, from your mother… Would you like to hear it?" He asked the boy as he quickly looked at him with a smile and nodded to him.

"Yes," He quickly told the man, his little head nodding with excitement.

"She says she loves you all dearly… And to be good for your sister. Do you have a message you'd like me to give to your mother when I return?" He asked the now smiling boy in his arms.

"I love her, an-and miss her." His little voice said.

"And are you being good?" Torstein asked. Chuckling more as he nodded. Kissing his brow, he set Hvitserk on his feet as Ubbe rushed in, Eira slowly walking in behind him as she took the now fussing Sigurd from the Servant who'd offered to hold the child. "Thank you, Ylva."

The woman nodded and bowed her head then left to go about her choirs. Sighing as she returned, she kissed Torstein on his cheek, "Thank you. You can stay in my room tonight Torstein, I shall share the boy's room."

"No, I couldn't take you from your bed." He told her sincerely.

"It won't be a problem. Sigurd has been having trouble sleeping anyways. They have room in their bed anyways."

"We can have the boy's things moved to your room then, Torstein, we can get a room provided for you." Harald told him.

"I'll be leaving in the morning my Lord, if that is alright. I am needed back in Kattegat."

"Did her father not send you to retrieve them?" Harald asked Torstein, his brow frowned in confusion.

Feeling caught by this question, Torstein sighed as his looked between them, "No, King Ragnar said if she wished to stay longer he was not objected to it knowing she was safe in yours and your brother's care since she was so well cared for the last time she visited Vestfold, my Lord." He answered skeptically.

"Well then, Eira? Shall you think of… Possibly prolonging your stay a while?" Harald asked, a grin on his face as he looked at her. She still seemed a bit upset from earlier but her agreed nod and soft, "Of course, as long as I am welcomed here in Vestfold."

Softly sighing, Harald gently held her cheek in his palm, "You shall always be welcomed here. Right, brother." He said.

"Always." Halfdan answered.

Nodding, Eira sighed with some heaviness as she looked outside seeing it was now dark. "Boy's, let's eat then it's off to bed."

"But we want to stay up a while longer sister." Hvitserk told her.

"Yes, please Eira, let us stay up?" Ubbe begged her

"Yes, come on big sister, let the boys play a little while longer." Torstein told her playfully. He chuckled mostly to himself at the raised brow and grin she shot him with a soft whisper of "No," Then walked them to the table of food and had them eat their fill and drink while a few servants moved the boys things into Eira's room before she tucked them into bed and a story told to them and asleep it was late already. Showing Torstein to the boy's room she wished him a good night's rest and headed back to the Hall, where Harald and Halfdan waited.

"You have more to say. Please, share your thoughts." She told them with a deep breath of courage as she approached Harald sitting in a slouched position as he drank from the cup. His brother rested lazily against his brother's chair, both watching her with calculating eyes of what she was thinking was between lust or calculations and study.

"I think you have some explaining to do." Harald told her.

Sighing she glanced to the jug of Ale and an empty cup, "May I have a drink my Lords?" She asked.

Nodding his head to her, Harald watched her closely as she turned to them with the jug in hands, "May I?"

Both brothers' raised a brow at this behavior, yet Harald nodded and sat forward in his chair as she approached them, filling his cup first then Halfdan's, finally filling herself a cut she took a seat beside the fire. "We were original farmers. Then, as you know, Jarl Haraldson threatened my father. What you don't know is that he tortures my uncle, Rollo. His actions towards my uncle and that of destroying our home and killing our livestock set my father on the path of vengeance. They fought. My father won, then began Jarl of Kattegat. King Horik and Jarl Borg were next. I have no doubt that my father only killed King Horik, not for the title and power but for revenge for attempting to tune his people and close friends and family against him. As well as attempting to force the union between his son and myself. My parents are… Protective. But Erlendur frightens me. He's not ambitious, he's cold, cruel and… Dare I say absolutely frightening…"

"Not as frightening as me, I can assure you." Halfdan told her, taking a drink from his cup. And he was right in some way, he was the demon other people feared coming to their reality.

But Erlendur was a different story to her. She knew, or had heard, what Halfdan and Harald were capable of, she barely knew the top of the ice-cap.

Her heart thrummed in her chest as she looked at him, "I'd rather fight and lose to you and your brother than Erlendur, Halfdan. Because I know neither of you would never rape me in public, as I know Erlendur would do."

"You've seen him do this." Harald asked curiously.

"He's violated women in public, he's boosted about it… I've found him forcing a girl onto her belly and violating her… This was a thirteen-year-old girl, Harald. Servant or slave, it doesn't matter, she was thirteen. His father found me happening upon the scene, before I could leave to tell my mother, Horik forced me to watch… Told me if I did not accept his son's offer of uniting our families, that I would be the girl every night after he got the union. I told Siggy, who then immediately took me to my father and mothers'... My father asked Siggy to get closer to Horik, after we realized what his intentions were. But Siggy, she was so close and personal with him that he believed she'd do anything to have her title back. And truthfully, so did I for a moment. One night, Horik brought Erlendur to her home, said he'd never truly been with a woman, a real woman... I only know this because I had gone to see Siggy, heard talking inside. She knew if she said no he'd turn her into Ragnar, and my father would truly have no choice but to either rat himself out to save her or banish her to save her life, and if that was not accepted, which it wouldn't have been, he'd have been forced to execute Siggy. So, she did it." She told them, holding back her embarrassment to have listened in on such a thing.

Swallowing back the thickening saliva she took a small sip of her drink to help keep her focus, if they wanted to know what happened, she'd tell them. She'd tell them everything she knew. "I felt sick about knowing of this, more so letting it happen, so I left but I looked in on her the next day. I told her I'd kill Erlendur for her if she wanted me to, and she had every right to want them both dead for the way they treated her, Horik more so. She was like another mother to me, I have more than just Lagertha and Aslaug, Siggy was there for me also." She sighed, rubbing her forehead, "Horik wanted the union, because as Torstein explained, if they had me then it's possible they'd have thought they held the Axe over my family's necks. It would have been worse if they had succeeded in killing my mother and Ragnar's son's. If they had managed to kill not only my little brother's but Aslaug or Lagertha as well as Bjorn, then they could kill anyone. Then, they'd truly have held the power. I was so terrified I almost ran from Kattegat. But Bjorn stopped me, he told me that he would never let it happen. Then all of a sudden I was being told I was leaving Kattegat with my brother's. I had thought about telling you both, I really wanted to, but I didn't know how to tell you. Please, Halfdan, Harald, try to understand. I was so terrified I had no idea what to do. I absolutely despise attention, this kind of attention, the lusting kind, and the eyes that always watched me after Ragnar became Jarl. But now, with him being King… I can hardly breathe as it is and I'm not even in Kattegat. I liked the simple life. While the fine things are…very lavishing, beautiful and wonderful, simple was possibly better for my family. But I can't wish for that life anymore, because if my father wouldn't have become Jarl we would have never had my brother's and I love them too much to want our old, simple life back. When Aslaug gave birth to those boys, I suddenly felt needed when I felt I was useless and pathetic. I looked into Ubbe's eyes when I first held him, and I felt loved. All because he smiled at me. And Horik and his son wanted to take that away... I am not a trophy, nor will I let myself be used or treated like a whore because some bastard wants to put his foot on my father's neck. They will hold no power over them even if an enemy did have me under their thumb in hopes of ruling my family because death is always waiting for new company…" She told them. She could feel her eyes burning with tears and her heart heaving with terror. She felt her body begin to tremble as she thought of Erlendur alive, somewhere out there, plotting his revenge. "But with Erlendur still alive, I don't know what to do. I think I'm more terrified of him now more than I ever was before." As the last of her words left her, she suddenly broke into tears of terror. Her hand over her mouth to keep her cries silent. She truly was terrified of the man.

Their heart's clenched with anger at her breaking like this. Her fear of this man, Erlendur, son of the late King Horik was disturbing and they were uncomfortable with her fears being at such a high. Moving from his resting place against his brother's throne, Halfdan grabbed a hold of her arms, "Look at me, Eira… Look at me." He demanded, grabbing her chin roughly he forced her look at him. "He will not come near you. Do you hear me, he will not harm you, and he cannot have you. You belong to no one but yourself." He told her.

Nodding to him she grabbed a hold of his hand at her chine. "What happens now?"

Taking a breath, Harald knelt beside them both, his hand resting on her arm as his brother held her, "You will not worry, no more fears, and no more tears. No more tears, it is unbecoming of a Princess. The weaker you now appear to the public and your people your enemies will come for you and we may not be able to protect you then. Now, dry those eyes." He told her, resting his hand to her head and stood with his brother and Eira. "Tonight, get all your fears out. Tomorrow you must become the Princess of Kattegat from here on out."

*** Thank you for reading, I hope you've all enjoyed, reviews are very welcomed, I always look forward to reading your thoughts.