The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 7

Kari had a wide smile looking at the confused women before her "What's wrong Siggy? you look like you've seen a ghost" she faked concern, Siggy shook her head and quietly replied "No no, I'm fine. I'm not hungry, I have to go.. uh. Help Lagertha with something" she said as she took her coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Oh wait Siggy. You promised to sow me a new dress with the flax you ordered me to pick. Didn't you?" it was more a command than a question, Siggy froze for a moment, the cold look in Kari's eyes was enough to make her second guess her response. "Right, yes... I will just go to the market and grab some extra fabric. It wont take long" Siggy said quickly, walking to the door and leaving.

Rollo looked at Kari confused, still eating his breakfast. "Kari, what happened last night, and your eyes... they're an icey blue now, weren't they brown?" he asked even more confused. "I... had an accident, while walking across the lake to fetch the flax for Siggy I fell through the ice." she explained, sitting down to eat her breakfast. Rollo frowned looking across the table at Kari "That doesn't explain your eyes changing" he said confused "I could not escape the ice, I began to see darkness, and then. I saw a man, he saved me. It was like meeting Odin himself, I felt such peace before I fell into deep sleep. I awoke and he claimed to have healed me. He said my eyes changed as a mark of being touched by the gods. How could he be wrong?" She smiled brightly "Where is this man now?" he asked concerned "He disappeared into the woods, he didn't even say goodbye" she said sadly, finishing her food she stood up. "Anyway. Enough chatter, I have a lot planned today and I am training with Lagertha this morning" Rollo frowned "Why do you need training?" Kari grinned "Because I am going on the next raid to England" and within seconds she was out the door and heading towards the hall to meet Lagertha.

Rollo sat at his table, thinking for a moment. What had just happened. She was HIS slave... but she was off doing whatever she wanted? He couldn't help but admit that she was different this morning, braver, stronger, she would not put up with being told what to do any longer. And he was right, something had awoken in Kari, she was no longer going to let anyone rule her.

On her way to meet with Lagertha, Kari bumped into Helga, greeting her with a wide smile "Helga, oh I am happy to see you, you wont believe what happened to me-" Helga cut her off "I just ran into Siggy, she was acting strange, claiming you came back from the grave?" Helga seemed frightened "I didn't die..." Kari frowned "I will explain later tonight, I will visit you and Floki" Helga smiled at her friend "Then we can go to the feast together!" she beamed, saying goodbye to Kari as she made her way towards the training yard.

Lagertha seemed pleased with the sudden change in Kari, as her confidence helped her with fighting tremendously. Kari was no shieldmaiden yet, but she would make a fine one with practice. "If you want to go with Ragnar to England you will have to improve a lot, but I have faith you can do it in time." Lagertha praised Kari "but I will not be going on this raid.." she said with a shy smile, Kari looked at Lagertha confused "I am expecting a child" Kari's mouth pulled into a wide grin "I am so happy for you! May I?" Kari asked, reaching her hands out towards Lagertha's belly, Lagertha nodded and smiled, Kari placed her hands on her stomach. Looking deep into Lagertha's eyes, Lagertha swore she saw Kari's eyes glow for a moment before she smiled widely "You're going to be blessed with a son" Kari spoke with excitement, Lagertha blushed and smiled "What makes you think so?" she asked "The gods tell me so" Kari grinned, stepping back she picked up her new sword and began her walk back to Rollo's hut/house.

Walking in the door with a huge smile on her face, sword in hand, she saw Rollo and Siggy sitting at the table, her smile fell. "Siggy, Lagertha asked me to meet her at the hall, she's making arrangements for the feast tonight and wants your help organizing the food" she relayed Lagertha's message without a hint of kindness. Siggy nodded and grabbed her things before leaving, as she walked passed Kari to walk out the door Kari's eyes locked with Siggy, Siggy wore there was a flash like lightning as she remembered the vision of Kari's frozen decaying body floating over the lake. Hurrying out the door Siggy made haste towards the hall.

A smile curled onto Kari's lips as she walked over to Rollo who was sat in his chair at the table, "So, how did training go with Lagertha?" he asked curiously, taking a sip from his mug. Kari placed her hand on Rollo's shoulder and she placed herself down on his lap, sitting across his knees. "She said I did well, she expects I will be ready in time to go with Ragnar to England" Rollo raised a brow "And why would you want to return to England? hmm? planning on leaving us and staying there?" he asked with playful curiosity, his arm wrapping around her waist almost instinctively. She pretended to think hard about the idea before she shaking her head "No way. I wouldn't survive another year there, they bore me to death with their rules and religion. The town I lived in thought I was a witch because I wouldn't let them baptize me" she laughed, Rollo grinned "You aren't a witch, that's ridiculous, you couldn't hurt a fly" he mocked her, Kari raised an eyebrow before tugged a strand of his long brown hair, pulling it and letting go, Rollo letting out a small whine "Ow!...bitch" he laughed, Kari grinned, standing up she walked towards the door. "I'm off to Helga's, I want to see if I can borrow a dress or two" Rollo quickly stopped her, standing up he walked over and gave Kari a bag of coins "Buy something new, that will fit you, Helga is much... much taller than you, Siggy wont be done with a new dress for a few days" he chuckled, Kari slapped his shoulder, but smiled "Thank you".