His Shieldmaiden *Vikings/Hvitserk Ragnarsson/Halfdan The Black*

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Ragnar and his men had decided to go back to England, drawn by what the unknown lands could hold, by the things he could learn. Now, however, Lagertha had allowed herself to be persuaded by Kara, Bjorn, and Ragnar himself to let Kara come this time. The boats had docked and were almost completely prepared as Kara held onto her bag as she followed her mother, eyes looking ahead as they walked towards the dock. People parted for them as they walked towards the boats, a small smile on Kara's lips as she saw Athelstan, Bjorn, and Ragnar on the dock with Floki lurking about on one of the ships. 

"Kara, wait!" The girl turned and she saw Hvitserk running towards her, the boy stopping as he let out a huff. "Take this for luck." He said as he placed something into her hand, the cold object in her palm was a dagger made of iron with runes of protection carved into the blade. Lagertha, who had been standing behind her daughter took the dagger lightly, turning it over in her hand.

"That dagger, it is-"

"Ragnar's, yes. My father gave it to me." Hvitserk nodded, smiling at Lagertha before Kara hugged him. He flushed as the girl turned, moving under her mother's arm as she was guided towards the ship. Lagertha boarded the ship and Kara followed, smiling as she moved towards Floki.

"Kara, I am happy you will be coming." He giggled and patted her head, smiling as she grabbed onto the head of the ship. "Are you ready to see what the Christian world looks like?" Floki asked, looking over at the girl.

"Only if our Gods protect me from this Christian God." She whispered, laughing with Floki as he nodded, wrapping his arm around her when he saw Athelstan watching.

"Kara, our Gods could never forsake you to a false God." Floki sighed, holding onto the head of the ship and Kara as he looked up at the sky as he asked the Gods to protect them all.

Kara sat between her mother and Floki as she sipped on her wine, grabbing another piece of chicken to eat when she saw that Princess Kwenthrith was staring at her. Floki looked between the Princess and Kara before scoffing, glaring at the Christian woman until she looked away. Kara grinned as she looked at the man, flicking a piece of food at him before he poked her side when King Ecbert spoke.

"It is my pleasure to feed you and prove the bounty of our oath." King Ecbert said to Ragnar, causing Kara to tilt her head as she ate her chicken, her mind racing as the foreign language washed over her.

"What has happened to our people who chose to fight for Mercia?" Ragnar asked, watching King Ecbert when the Princess interrupted.

"Unfortunately, the forces of my uncle and younger brother have prevailed. But if you, Ragnar Lothbrok, and you, Lagertha, fight with us, I am sure of victory." She proposed, causing Lagertha to look at Ragnar when she heard her name.

"What does she say?" Lagertha asked Ragnar.

"She wants us to fight for her for the throne of Mercia," Ragnar answered, Kara looked at Floki to see he was frowning.

"We came here to farm, she asks us to fight and die for a quarrel that is not our own?" Lagertha countered, Floki patted Kara's shoulder and gave her apple as they exchanged smiles when Ragnar nodded.

"Ah, King Ragnar. I've given you land, let me tell you the truth, with God as my witness, some of my nobles do not agree with what I've done. They are afraid, but I am determined to honor our treaty. In return, some of you at least must fight for Princess Kwenthrith." Ecbert cut it, looking at Ragnar after he had listened to Athelstan's translation.

"That is not a part of our original agreement, but in good faith and in hopes of creating a long and prosperous friendship, I will fight." Ragnar spoke, Lagertha grasped her daughter's hand under the table and Kara squeezed it back, watching the exchange between Ragnar and Christian king as a chill ran down her spine. "But, I cannot speak for the others." Ragnar added, leaning back in his seat.

"I will fight, alongside these pagans, for Mercia." A man beside Kwenthrith spoke.

"What are you saying, Brother?" Rollo asked, Ragnar looked to his older brother.

"I have agreed to fight." Ragnar answered.

"If my brother goes, then so do I."

"When Spring comes and my blood heats up, I will want nothing more than to raid and fight." Kara looked down the table at her brother and he smiled, giving her a nod.

"I will fight too." Thorunn said to Ragnar, Bjorn looked at her and Kara frowned.

"Between the plough and the axe, I choose the axe. You know me." Torstein else said to Ragnar.

"Mercia is not our quarrel." Floki murmured, eating food as he looked at Ragnar.

"It is part of something bigger." Ragnar countered to his friend.

"Not for us, maybe for him." Floki argued, looking at Ecbert.

"Will you come or not?"  Floki turned and lifted his chicken.

"Yes, I will come. The fly always followed the dead meat." Kara nudged him and he chuckled before she turned to her mother, she looked at her daughter and smiled.

"Earl?" Ragnar asked, she looked at him and Athelstan walked to her side, between her and Ragnar.

"In order to establish the settlement here in Wessex, I need the help of one of your leaders, a strong leader, someone that my nobles might respect." Athelstan whispered to Lagertha what King Ecbert was saying, the woman looking at the table before she looked towards the man at the head of the table.

"I will help you." She said, looking at the Christian. "My parents were farmers, Ragnar and I were farmers. I will help my people to plough, sow and harvest, and to make a place to live." She said swiftly.

"She agrees to remain in Wessex to establish the settlement, and to help farm the land." Athelstan translated.

"And you must also stay, Athelstan. You can speak for all sides, we need you. I need you." Kara watched as the priest turned to Ragnar when Lagertha wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders, smiling widely as she leaned to Kara's ear.

"I will teach you to plant crops, my sweet child." Kara looked at her mother before nodding, closing her eyes as Lagertha kissed her cheek.

"Skol." Everyone looked at King Ecbert as he raised his challis, raising their own before everyone took a drink of their wine.