The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 2

Serving Rollo proved to be even more an annoyance than Kari had anticipated. He would give her any task he deemed too difficult for her and watch as she barely managed to complete it. 

"Would you go get fish from the market. I can't be bothered." he mumbled as he sat drinking from his hug at the table. Kari clenched her fists in the lukewarm water she washed dishes in. Her fingers stung where she had removed splinters from carrying logs to the house. "Why don't you go get them yourself" she hissed under her breathe. Rollo raised his eyebrow "What was that?" he queried with a warning in his tone "Get them yourself you bastard" she cursed at him in saxon so he would not understand. Even if he didn't know what she said he grew angry, grabbing her waist he snatched her around to face him, gripping her wrists roughly. Kari let out a squeak in pain as her hands ached from the pressure. Rollo drops her hands immediately as he saw her flinch in his grip. His eyes wandered to the lightly coloured red spots on her hand from splinters. Swallowing hard he cleared his throat "I'll get the fish." he mumbled turning around and walking out of the hut he called home. Kari stood frozen, hands freezing from the cold air hitting the water that covered them. Walking over to the fireplace she warmed her hands, sitting down beside it and pulling her knees to her chest.  

Rollo returned home with fish in hand, opening the door he saw Kari by the fireplace, her dark red hair glowing in the fires light. He stood quiet for a moment, watching her. He noticed a tattoo peaking from the collar of her dress and behind her hair, he couldn't tell what it was. He realized now how small she was, only just 5'2 she was tiny compared to him. He noticed her bare feet coloured lighter than her skin as they were frozen. He cursed himself for being so blind to her care, even if she were a slave. He made his way over to the table and put down the fish, he slowly made his way over to Kari, who was staring into the fire. He kneeled beside her "I'm sorry for how I have mistreated you" his voice was deep and rumbled in his throat. Kari looked at him and nodded before turning back to the fire. Rollo bit his lip and tried to think of what to do next, rubbing his hands together they were warm, he reached down and cupped one of her feet, warming them in his hands. Kari blushed and hid in her long red hair, causing Rollo to smile. "Wait here... I'll be back very soon" he grinned, standing up and making his way out of the house. 

Kari sat amazed at the change she had seen in Rollo, he seemed a whole different person. Kari warmed her hands one last time before she stood up and began to prepare the fish for dinner. A little while later Rollo returned, a bag in hand. putting the bag down beside her, he smiled proud of himself "You don't have the right clothes for our winter... Helga said she could spare these and they would be your size. You need them" he began to mumble, nervous maybe he had been too nice. Kari smiled a tiny smile and put down the food in her hands, cleaning them off before opening the bag and reaching for the clothes in the bag. A long hide and fur dress, a pair of woolen pants to keep her legs warm and some fur boots to warm her small feet. She blushed looked up at Rollo "Thank you.. and Helga. I will put them on after I make dinner, I don't want to dirty them" she didn't speak softly anymore, not afraid to speak up.  "Put them on now.. I will make dinner" he smiled, picking the bag up and passing it to her, taking her place at the table and preparing the food. 

Kari smiled at him one last time before going to Rollo's bedroom to change, only a curtain separated the rooms, one made of crossed leather, similar to the one that hung in Earl Ragnar's home separating the hall from his bedroom. Kari put the bag down on the bed and pulled out the clothes, she slipped the shoulders from her dress and it slipped off easily, Rollo peaked over his shoulder, catching a glimpse at her figure through the curtain. His breathe caught in his throat, she was stunning. The thought that he could have her now if he wanted crossed his mind, an evil grin crossing his lips before he turned back to the food, suppressing the thought.

Kari skipped out into the main room and did a twirl "It's very long, Helga is much taller than me, boots are a little big too.. but I love them!" Kari exclaimed, excitedly wrapping her arms around Rollo before quickly letting go and stepping back "uh.. sorry" she mumbled, Rollo chuckled and she blushed. "Dinner will be ready very soon, you can relax till then." He smirked, taking the fish to the fire and laying it over a grill. 

Kari sat at the table and let herself wander into thought, she couldn't help but wonder about her father, she had been here at Kattegat for a week now and had not been able to go search for him. She got so lost in thought she didn't even hear Rollo speak to her, only snapping out of her thoughts as a plate was put in front of her, and he sat at the table across from her.
"What is it you are always thinking about?" he asked, digging into his food. "I sit and wonder about when I shall be free, what I will do" Kari said softly, slowly picking at her food. Rollo paused for a  moment. Even after he had been so nice to her she still longed to leave. "Well. Keep wondering. Ragnar needs you for his plans to raid the west. I can not free you" he said sternly, this was a lie and he knew so. He could free her whenever he liked, she would still be able to help Ragnar as a free women. Kari looked at him with sad eyes before looking down at her food with wet eyes, she ate as quickly as she could manage before she stood and thanked Rollo for the meal, taking the plates and washing them. 

Rollo sighed and stood up, walking towards his room. "If you can not sleep on the cold floor, you are welcome to share my bed." he mumbled. Kari froze at the thought, thinking of what he might do to her in that bed. "I will be fine" she mumbled, wiping her hands she looked to the corner she had piled fur skins in to make a bed. It would have to do... she would not allow him to use her like that. 

Rollo looked over his shoulder at the small women and sighed, pulling his shirt up over his head as he walked, Kari caught a glimpse at his back, how toned it was, how strong he looked. Tearing her eyes away she shuffled over to the furs and dragged them closer to the fire, laying down and warming herself.