Fire and Blood

An Offer

The children and the priest eat at the dining table of the Lothbroks, staring at each other. Gyda knows something is going on, but her brother and Bálburunn will not say what. Lagertha paces around, stirring her stew occasionally while waiting for her husband to return home.

Finally, the door opens to reveal Ragnar. "I have good news, my family. I have the Earl's permission to sail back to England. We will be leaving soon."

"How soon is that?" Lagertha asks, staring at the pot.

"Tomorrow."

The children stare at Lagertha. Her eyebrow quirks as she sighs, "We all wish you success. We will sacrifice to Odin." Bálburunn and Björn glance at each other.

"Are you not coming?" Ragnar turns to his wife with a mischievous smile.

"What?"

"I want you to come with me."

"But the farm...the children."

"Björn will stay behind. Gyda will help him farm." Bálburunn can not help but smile about Björn being rejected. The last time they pillaged, his mistake almost cost Bálburunn her life. Björn opens his mouth to protest.

"Who is to be in charge? I want to go to battle, father!"

"The priest. I will leave him with the key."

"You are not ready, Björn. Your father made the mistake of taking you last time. Bálburunn will stay behind with you." Lagertha tells the people.

"What?" Bálburunn stands up at the same time as Björn. "But I can fight!"

"Father, you cannot put a slave above me! I am your son!"

Ragnar stares down at the two of them. Björn sits back down, but the redhead remains standing in protest.

"I do not see him as a slave. He is a responsible person."

"Please, Ragnar Lothbrok. Do not do this." The priest's voice is soft.

"What do you think, Gyda?" Ragnar turns to his daughter.

"I don't mind; I like the priest."

"Then it is decided." Ragnar smiles before exiting the house. Bálburunn chases after him.

He has already exited the gate of his farm when she calls after him.

"Old man!" The man stops, turning to her with his arms crossed.

"You will make a horrible wife if you keep talking to people in such a rude way, child."

"I do not wish to be a wife, you ugly grandpa! I wish to fight!" She marches up to him, fists balled up. The sky glowed orange, lighting up her crimson curls. "Why must I stay behind? It is not my fault your son can not use a shield!"

Ragnar smiles down at her, and his eyes are sparkling again. He kneels, brushing her copper hair behind her ear. "Bálburunn the Bearslayer, child of the forest, forged by Odin himself in the flames of his hearth; we are not keeping you here because you are not worthy. We want you here to train Björn." The girl stares at him, emerald eyes wide. "You are a strong warrior, and you already know what he needs to work on. When we get back, if he is half as fierce as you are in battle, it will make me a proud father." He kisses her forehead before walking away into the night.

Bálburunn returns to the hut in the woods. Floki sits by the fireplace, chewing on venison jerky. He strokes her copper hair as she sits down beside him. "You have heard the good news?" He asks, grinning.