The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 13

( A/N 13 is my lucky number so I hope this is a good chapter)

The morning after the arrival of Aslaug, Kari was with Lagertha in the hall as she began to pack her things "You're leaving?" Kari's voice cracked "but.." Lagertha turned and cut her off "I can not stay here, Ragnar disrespects me and I will not accept it" her voice was broken and hurt she did not want to leave him, but how could she stay when he treats her this way. "I understand... but i will miss you very much" she sighed, reaching out Lagertha pulled Kari into a hug. As she packed her thing onto a cart Lagertha said her goodbyes to those around her. "Take care of yourself Kari, you are a strong shield maiden, I know you will do great things" Lagertha smiled and said goodbye to her dear friend. Kari couldn't stay to watch her leave, goodbyes were always hardest for her, she always cried and they broke her heart. Walking back to the shack she'd grown to call her home, she began to pack a few things into a bag, anything she cared about. She was leaving too. What did she have to stay for? Rollo? He was a drunk, and he wouldn't leave Siggy for her? So what's the point?
Grabbing her coin purse, she put it in her bag and closed it. Throwing her wolf pelt coat over her shoulders and took to first step to her next adventure out the front door.

Beginning to walk down the main path out of Kattegat. She'd hoped to get away unnoticed as to avoid goodbyes, but this failed. "What.. arRe you Dooing?" Rollo was sat with some friends, already sounding drunk, it was only morning, but maybe he hadn't stopped since last night. "Leaving." She tried to keep walking but he spoke again "You can't! Why are you leaving, you can't leave" he stood up, stumbling over, he grabbed her wrist and turned her towards him "you can't" he mumbled again. He stunk of alcohol "Why? I'm a free women. I'll do whatever I please" she tried to avoid eye contact as his eyes were like a sad puppy "i never freed you. You can't" he seemed serious "I freed myself. You can't cage me Rollo... you're a drunk, and you are a traitor... and you love Siggy" Kari's eyes couldn't help but water as she spoke, her emotions getting the better of her "No, no no no... listen, stay" he grabbed her other wrist and held her hands "I'll beg you if I have to" he pleaded "Why? So you can use me when you want me? Play tough guy and act like you're too good for me? Stay with Siggy, but still get angry at me when I try flirt with other men?" Kari was hurt, Rollo knew it, and he knew he what treated her wrongly "I'm sorry, stay, I'll make it up to you" he begged "No." Kari pulled her hands from his "sober up, be a man, you don't need me. You need to help yourself" she called back to him, walking toward the gate to leave "You can't leave me" he cried out but she ignored it "you'll be back! And I won't be here waiting when you do! I'll be a great man, with plenty of land! You'll regret this!" He screamed as she walked away from him, not bothering to look back.

——- ( 4 years pass. A lot of time passes is season 2 😂) ———

Kari awoke to the sun on her face, it peaked through the crack of the curtain on her bedside window. With a sigh she stretched and rolled to face the body beside her, placing her hand on his bare chest that was warm under the fur they slept beneath. Reaching up she ran her fingers through his beard, cupping his jaw she left light feather kisses on his lips, waking him up him up. "Good morning" he mumbled sleepily "Morning" she smiled at him as he stretched out "How did you sleep" he asked "Great, how about you?" he smiled at her "Amazing, as always when I sleep beside you" he pulled her close and buried his face in her chest "I love you" he mumbled "I love you too" she giggled "but.. would you mind getting me some tea(imagine the Viking equivalent idk what that is)" she giggled and he sighed. She didn't want to get up because it was freezing of a morning. With another sigh he sat up and pushed the blanket off himself as he got up, revealing his naked butt, Kari getting a good view "Wanna maybe start a fire too? It's freezing" she smirked, he looked over at her and couldn't help but smile "Yes your majesty" he joked.

Kari laid back and looked out the window for a moment. He was perfect for her, he took care of her, but he didn't restrict her. Kari met Halvar when she first came to this village just a few miles from Kattegat. She came here after she searched the woodlands near Kattegat for her father and found him alive and well! They spent many months together, catching up, talking about their adventures. He showed her the village she was living in now, introduced her to a trusted friend who had been caring for him out in the woods for many years. Halvar. He was the son of a farmer, not a noble man, but one with a golden heart.

"Your tea is ready my lady" he laughed, placing the cup on the table beside the bed, he drank from his own and crawled back into the blankets, wrapping an arm around her. Looking over at the fireplace she saw the flames building up, the wonderful smell of a log fire burning filled the room and soon warmth followed, curling up against his chest she listened to his heart and almost began to drift back to sleep. A knock on the door stirred her from her drifting, she sat up. "Who would be here this early?" Halvar asked confused "I don't know..." standing up Kari felt the freezing air hit her naked body, she grabbed a fur and wrapped it around herself, walking over to the door she opened it slightly and peaked out, a face coming into view, panicked looking. "Helga?" Kari opened the door quickly. Behind her stood Aslaug, two little blonde haired boys at her side, a baby in her arms. Siggy by her side and behind her, Rollo. Kari froze, almost dropping the fur. "Kari! You have to help us, we have been attacked, Ragnar is away raiding, we have no where to go and we need to hide Aslaug and the children" Helga spoke in a panic "Wait what... who's attacked?" She asked concerned "Jarl Borg... he wants revenge on Ragnar-" Kari cut her off "Say no more. I know the perfect place. My fathers farm, he lives secluded, up in the woodlands just far enough away from Kattegat so that you will be safe. Tell whoever else is with you to be ready to leave in a few minutes, I'll get my things" Kari rushed across the room to grab her bag and start packing. Having put on some pants Halvar got up and walked over to the doorway "Helga, how good to see you" she smiled at him, Rollo froze. Having been so happy to see Kari, especially just in a fur, he didn't expect a shirtless man to appear from inside the cabin.

( A/N in case anyone is wondering we're up to about season 2 ep 3. Hopefully this is a good chapter, I'll have another one up in a few days ❤️ x p.s attached is a photo of my inspiration behind Halvar, isnt he gorgeous! 🤗)