The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 16

Kari awoke to the sound of a baby crying, with a groan she got up and went to get a drink of water, walking outside she let the cold air wake her up. She had restless sleep the whole night as blurred visions of the allies coming to them plagued her sleep. They would be here soon, she could feel it.

Ragnar walked out into the front of the farm, just waking up as well. "I never got the chance to thank you for taking care of my family, you and your father. I will be forever grateful" he spoke as he walked over, standing beside her. Kari clutches her arm, it was aching "Well, I know how you can repay me" she smiled "How?" He asked intrigued "I will go on your next raid with you." She grinned "With an arm like that?" He joked "I'll be healed by then. I can fight Ragnar, I want to raid with you." She was eager "Fine. You can raid with us. I suppose I can allow it" he laughed Kari's eyes shot over to the horizon, in the distance a group could be seen riding over. Kari's eyes searched for the man she saw in her vision. "Bjorn... Lagertha..." she whispered so softly Ragnar could not hear "What?" He asked "It's them! They're here!" She called out, waking up anybody who was sleeping as she excited ran inside to tell Helga.

Lagertha and her son rode to the nearby farm, Lagertha greeting her old friends "Kari, oh dear what has happened to your arm?" She asked concerned "Oh it's nothing, don't worry, I'll heal" she grinned. Kari took Lagertha and Bjorn inside, Rollo smiled seeing Lagertha. Greeting her like a long lost friend. Bjorn walked in behind her, causing Rollo to let out a laugh "Freyr and all the Gods, Bjorn you're a big bastard now" he grinned, grabbing him he looked at him and smiled widely "Thank you uncle" Rollo laughed "Still can't grow a beard tho" he smirked tapping his cheek before the two hugged tightly. Floki walked over and took a look at the young man before smirking "yes.. yes" he giggled touching his forehead "you stayed true to your path. You are the man I knew you would become" he grinned, the two hugging tightly. Bjorn had grown into a strong and smart man with the help of Lagertha.

It didn't take long to come up with a plan of attack. The winter food storage would be their target, which would force Jarl Borg out of Kattegat. "I'm coming with you" Kari spoke "No you arent. You're wounded" Rollo butted in "No thanks to you" she added Halvar spoke up "I'll take your place, since you can't go" he added, Kari frowned for a moment but Ragnar had agreed. He and his son would lead a few men. It should be easy if all went according to plan.

Kari had helped Halvar get ready to leave, helping him into his armour, she was nervous to see him go. Something just didn't feel right. He was excited though, he hadn't been in a fight in years. "Everything will be fine, don't worry so much. The gods are on my side" he smiled, kissing her forehead goodbye. She pretended to smile and waved goodbye as he left with the others. Lagertha tried to assure her everything would be fine. Even Siggy was trying to comfort her, which was not helping considering how much Kari hated her.

Kari went to sit outside and look at the stars, sitting in the barn with the goats and horses as she waited for their return. An hour or so had passed before Rollo came out of the farmhouse and into the barn, bringing Kari some warm soup while she wanted. "You almost missed dinner." He mumbled, sitting beside her. "I don't mind. But thank you" she smiled, taking the food, the bowl warming her hands. "I've just been trying to talk to the gods, to ask about Halvar..." Rollo sighed "He'll be fine, he's strong" he spoke, eating some of his own food. "'Mmm you're right" she smiled, eating some of her own. The two sat quietly watching the stars before Rollo spoke up "Do you ever wonder what it's like up there in the stars?" He asked, Kari nodded "I'm sure it's beautiful up there". It went quiet again and felt a little awkward "I'm sorry for getting you hurt" he mumbled, Kari shrugged "I guess it's not really your fault, but thank you" she smiled at him "Will you come back to Kattegat after all this?" He asked "I'll go back to staying with Halvar. But I will be going on the next raid, so don't worry you'll see me again" she chuckled "Who says I want to see you" he joked "Very funny" she smirked "but I know very well that you love seeing me" she giggled "Oh yeah? What makes you so sure" he raised an eyebrow "Well I mean sometimes I can see VERY well how much you enjoy seeing me" she giggled "your pants don't hide it well" she laughed again causing him to blush "Well I know you feel the same way about me, you don't hide it well" Kari narrowed her eyes at him "I don't know what you mean" she smirked, standing up and beginning to walk away, Rollo stood up and grabbed her hand, pulling her back and into his arms. He held her close and kissed her, Kari was shocked but didn't pull away, immediately kissing him back. Placing her hand on his chest she pushed him back right up against the nearest wall, kissing him still. His hands grabbed her hips, pulling her as close to him as he could. Her hands reached up and wrapped her fingers in his hair. Her body felt tingles all over before a moment passed and everything felt cold, within seconds a vision blurred through her mind and she had no time to comprehend, her body felt ill instantly, she pulled back. Rollo looked confused "What is it?" He asked worried "I saw something but I couldn't understand. I feel sick... I need to lie do-" before she could finish her sentence her body went weak and everything went black.