The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 12

-a few weeks pass, Kari has returned home with the others while Ragnar and a few of his men, including Rollo went to Gotland to meet with Jarl Borg-

Jarl Borg and King Horik had still not come to terms, a war for the land Jarl Borg held illegally had begun and Ragnar had left with his best men to fight. Only to return with many dead, a few injured an a shackled brother at his side.

Kari watched as the men got off the boats, walking onto the dock to meet their families and friends. Kari saw Ragnar walk slowly to Lagertha and hold her in his arms. Their daughter had died in a sweep of sickness that overcame the village. Gazing past Kari's eyes locked with Rollo's, he was soaked in blood and shackled. He looked like a dead man walking. Kari felt a pit of anger grow in her stomach as Floki was carried off the boat, badly wounded as Helga sobbed. Rollo looked down at his feet, not able to look at Kari any longer, causing her to storm off toward the hall. If he had anything to do with Floki's injury she would kill him, or at least make him wish he was dead.

Taking a seat in the hall she grabbed a cup with ale and drank while she waited for Ragnar to return with Lagertha, which was not far away. A meal was prepared ahead of time for a few guests upon Ragnar's return, Kari and Lagertha had worked to make it all day. Eating from her bowl she listened to Ragnar talk about the fight.

"We fought all day, there were many deaths on both sides, they could not reach agreement. One Eye died. Rollo killed him... and Floki's injuries are so serious he may not survive" Ragnar's voice was exhausted, and held a deep pain he could not come to grips with. Kari's skin grew hot as anger filled her, Siggy sitting calmly beside her. Clenching her jaw Kari placed down her bowl and walked toward the door, flinging it open she slammed it shut as she stomped her way over to the Portside Rollo was chained by. Torstein looked up at Kari and went to speak before she cut in "Fuck off. Now." She growled, Torstein just raised his hands and walked away slowly. Rollo looked up at the enraged women before him, only to have her hand come crashing down against his cheek. "What the fuck were you thinking?" She screamed as she laid a harsh kick to his side. He groaned before he couldn't help but growl back "I don't know! Leave me be women I want to be alone!" His yells did nothing to sway her mood. Snarling she kneeled down, reaching out to grab his jaw, his skin was ice cold being left outside like this. "You. Are. Pathetic. This is not your path to greatness. If Floki dies, I'll kill you myself. You're a fool Rollo... weighed down only by that old women you call your wife. Don't worry. She'll be here any minute to console you. Coddle you, shelter you from the storm... pathetic." She growled again, shoving his face away from hers she stood up. "Why wait then... kill me now." Rollo's voice was shaky, it croaked. "I wouldn't be so kind" she retorted, walking away without even looking back. She knew Siggy would be there any moment, to take care of the sad sack. Who cares anyway, why would Kari care if she came to his aid?

The next morning things seemed to be better, Floki had passed the point where he seemed at risk of dying, Helga had spent the whole night by his side, caring for him. Judgement was passed on Rollo, Ragnar had chosen to let him live. Kari couldn't help but be slightly relived now that her anger had soothed, but he was still a bloody fool and even looking at him drove her mad

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Kari was sitting with Lagertha in the hall when Bjorn came rushing in with Ragnar at his side "Mum someone's here" he rushed to her side, Ragnar seemed on edge "It's Aslaug. She's here. I had no idea she'd come" Lagertha seemed tense as they stood and watched as Aslaug entered the room, to great the Earl and his wife.

Kari had no idea who this women was, but a dark energy followed her, causing Kari to take a deep breath as she closed her eyes. A flash came over them as she saw the women before her even though Kari's eyes were shut. She looked at Kari with a devilish smile as her hands held a small child, a boy, Ragnar's child. from behind her 3 boys emerged, all of them with Ragnar's icey eyes. Kari's eyes shot open and she looked at Lagertha who seemed uneasy as she spoke to the princess. Kari walked over to her friend, putting a hand on her shoulder for comfort "Lagertha, please excuse my interruption. But I must introduce myself. I'm Kari.. and you are Aslaug" Kari's eyes locked with Aslaug's and they flashed icey blue as a storm churned within them, causing Aslaug to step back "Yes I'm princess Aslaug" she confirmed "Daughter of Sigurd?" Kari asked, the princess nodded. Kari looked over to Lagertha and smiled at her, trying to ease the tension. Looking back at Aslaug she reached out and put a hand on her swollen stomach, smiling at devilish smile Kari seemed to frighten Aslaug. "He's strong" Kari spoke with a dull voice as she took her hand away from the child and sighed "Well. I wish you good health." She spoke softly before she walked off and out of the hall. Aslaug's dark energy beginning to weigh on her. As she opened the door she bumped into Rollo as he was on his way to go drink. He stopped and smiled at Kari causing her to roll her eyes, his smile faded "Kari.. wait I wanna talk" he sounded drunk already "Sober up. Then we'll talk" she spoke without anger, but with strength as she wanted to make clear she had no time to care for him while he was feeling sorry for himself. She knew he was capable of great things, he wasn't the drunk loser he seemed. He watched as she walked away, straight to Helga's. He was left standing there thinking about what she had said before he shrugged it off and went to get more ale.

(A/N Bit of a down in the dumps, sad kinda chapter and Kari's a bit of a firey red head. Things brighten up soon don't worry ❤️ haha but at the moment Rollo is being a sad lump 😂 )