Here we go. After perusing the depths of the internet, I am completely surprised and disappointed at the lack of Floki-centered romantic fics in existence. I found a few gems hidden among the rubble, but then I thought, why not try to create one of my own? This is for all my fellow Floki lovers out there. You know who you are. 3

This fic will eventually be Floki/OC/Helga, and I don't plan on taking too long to get there. I know there will probably be some conflicting feelings about this, and I debated about it myself. However, I think it will work out beautifully, so please give it a chance!

One last note: The OC here, Torunn, has a name very similar to Thorunn from the show. I did not intend that to mean anything at all; I just like the name.

Chapter 1

Torunn gazed out from the window of the barn, just a rough hole cut out of the wall of wooden planks. People, her fellow servants, hastily moved behind her. They were all bustling about to bring things inside before they were drenched by the sudden downpour, but she was not concerned. She sat perched on a hay bale, completely entranced, as she was each time Thor decided to beat his anvil for them.

Torunn was somewhat of a loner, even living in a building with a dozen other women. She wasn't an outcast by any means, but the quarrels and trifles of those around her were rarely interesting to the young woman. They spoke mostly of politics, the most recent social blunders, and they spoke most of all about men. Handsome men, rich men, strong men, and well-endowed men were all fair prey to the close knit group of women. In the safety of their servants' quarters where the more prestigious citizens seldom wandered, they were free to laugh and gossip and they pleased.

Often times, Torunn chose to spend her spare moments in her own mind. She was a skilled weaver - the loom came naturally for her – so she spent much time crafting thick blankets, shawls, and tunics for her people. She occasionally made some extra coin knitting beautiful silver and gold pieces for their lords. Being alone and working with her hands let her hear more closely the words of the Gods, and forget some of the daily strife of her own life. The other women thought her odd; why would a young, beautiful, dark haired girl of 24 spend so much time on her own? She would probably have been the subject of much gossip if they thought she was capable of performing such favors for the men as many women did. However, her kind and honest nature did not lend itself to this, and so they merely speculated that she was different from the rest.

The village had recently gone through a momentous upheaval with the death of Earl Haraldson at the hands of Ragnar Lothbrok. Although a violent rise to power, none amongst them had thought it a very surprising one, as Ragnar's tenacity and ambition was already widely known among Kattegat. Nor was the change in leadership an unwelcome one. On the contrary, their new Earl and his family was loved by the people, and they were happier than they had ever been in Torunn's brief life. The servants had prospered as well, as the high family, particularly Lagertha, insisted on treating them fairly and kindly.

As though the Gods had heard her thoughts, her eyes came back into focus as she saw Lagertha emerge from the Great Hall across the way, closely followed by Ragnar and his shipwright, Floki. While the Earl and his wife both quickly pulled their hoods over the heads to shield them from the storm, Floki lagged behind them, eyes cast up into the gray, angry sky. Torunn felt a smile tugging itself at the corners of her mouth as she watched the tall man stop to lift his arms to the clouds, a gleeful grin on his face. Although they had never spoken directly, he had always intrigued her with his quick wit and intelligence. Watching him enjoy the rain brought her a simple joy. She knew he loved Thor as much as she did, and she shared in his rejoice.

"What are you staring at, dear Torunn?" The hay bale swayed beneath her as she felt her friend's weight beside her, and she moved over slightly so that Eydis might join her at the window.

Eydis was a very slight, fair, red-haired girl of 22, and was the only person Torunn ventured to call a friend. They had known each other since they were young girls, as Eydis's family had helped to take care of her after both her parents were killed in a raid. While they used to be as close as sisters, age and time had made it clear that they had very different ideas in life. Eydis was extremely beautiful, a fact she used to her advantage, and she had set her sights on many men since she came of age. Her interests lied in an active social life and popularity among their peers, things that Torunn didn't ever spare a thought about. While Torunn grew ever more enamored by the Gods and the Earth, Eydis grew ever more aware of her own personal charms. Nonetheless, the girls found familiarity and comfort in one another, and Torunn knew that she would always have a friend and confidant in Eydis.

The redhead leaned forward, resting her elbows alongside Torunn's at the window and following her gaze across the courtyard.

Lagertha and Ragnar must have made it out of the rain, but Floki still stood in the downpour with his arms raised, spinning slowly and laughing in merriment as he was drenched from head to toe.

Eydis turned to her, one thin eyebrow raised.

"Floki? This is the man who is fortunate enough to have caught the indifferent Torunn's pretty eyes?"

Torunn smiled at her briefly, returning her gaze to the quirky carpenter. She thought for a moment that she should deny the claim, but as soon as it was put forth, she knew it to be true. Something about the eccentric man had indeed caught her attention, and so she decided to be truthful.

"He is different, as I am. I envy him."

Eydis tilted her head inquisitively.

"For what do you envy him? His status? His closeness to the Earl? His good humor?"

Torunn shook her head lightly, not surprised that those were the things that her friend would value most in a person.

"… He is open. He understands not only this world but the next. He is close with the Gods."

A mischievous grin came over Eydis's face and she leaned forward, following her companion's gaze once again.

"Do you think he is gifted? Surely one so in favor with the Gods would be given certain… good qualities favored in men? Hmm?"

Torunn nudged her slightly and chuckled at her antics, but she could not hide the rose colored blush that spread across her cheeks. Eydis erupted into giggles, the sound travelling loudly throughout the barn. So loud was it, that it travelled out the open window and through the courtyard, and Torunn suddenly found herself staring into the distant gray eyes of Floki.

He seemed to regard her with curiosity at first, his head tilted to one side. Even from this distance she felt the intensity of his stare. Torunn could feel the heat on her cheeks rising, and she was suddenly afraid that he might see it and think she had been gossiping, making fun of him as many of the other women did. Then, just as quickly, he let out a giggle before turning and heading deeper into the village, out of sight.

Torunn glared at Eydis, nudging her again a bit more firmly, as her friend's laughter finally subsided.

"Do you try to make a fool of me, or does it happen by accident?" Torunn groaned, though there was little malice in it.

Eydis stilled slightly, looking closely at her.

"He really has caught your eye, hasn't he? But Torunn… he is… older. Not to mention, I don't think I've ever seen him so much as look at another woman besides Helga. Wouldn't you much rather bed a man closer to our age? Someone broader, stronger, more vibrant?"

"I am not looking to bed anyone, Eydis. I admire him. That's all." She returned her gaze to the storm outside. "And besides… he is not old…"

Eydis shook her head in disbelief, but the smile had not yet left her face.

"Perhaps you will convince a stranger of this, but not me, dear friend. I will never understand you, but I can see now we have much more in common than I once thought." She leaned forward to speak quietly in her ear, "You crave the touch of men as I do, equally as much… You just require a different kind of man."

Eydis left her then, returning to her duties, and leaving Torunn to stare with wide eyes at her retreating form. Could it be true? It had been for several years now that she had noticed the tall, spindly viking that was the right hand of Ragnar. He was a skilled and valuable man, one who had higher tasks and deeper plans than she had ever known; surely a world where he and she connected was not to be. His devotion to Helga rivaled that of any marriage she had witnessed. It was not unusual to take more than one partner, especially among the men, but Eydis's words were true; she had never seen him with another woman. And so she had never let herself get too caught in thoughts of him, never imagined what it would be like to meet him in the night, in his bed, as equals.

The thought both troubled and excited her, and she felt her pulse quicken at the thought of his large, talented hands touching her fair skin. She imagined they would be rough, calloused from ship building, but thorough in their explorations. Feeling herself become wet at the thought, she shook her head, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Perhaps she had not have said anything to Eydis at all. The red-haired beauty was not trying to be cruel, but Torunn could already feel herself becoming plagued by thoughts of Floki.