The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 17

The night was pitch black, Halvar unable to seen but a few inches in front of himself, he followed closely by Ragnar and Bjorn. He and another warrior named Olrik were going to work together. Splitting up Halvar was paired with Olrik to go and cause a distraction, allowing Ragnar and Bjorn to sneak in and burn the winter supply. Halvar walked cautiously, Olrik was nervous and Halvar was trying to do everything to assure him that he was going to be okay. Before their chance to execute their plans, dogs barking could be heard in the distance, they were coming. From behind them a dog lunged forward and ripped into Olrik's shoulder, causing him to cry out and fall, Halvar swung his sword slicking into the mutt but before he could turn around another lunged forward sinking its teeth into Halvar's leg, another leaping up and grabbing his arm they dragged him to the ground. Halvar cried out in pain and looked up to Olrik for his help but only saw his shadow disappear as he ran.

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Kari's eyes fluttered and she felt a cold sensation on her forehead. Lagertha was by her side, putting a cold towel on her face. Kari looked up confused, Siggy walked over and placed a bucket beside the bed. "It's okay, don't get up too fast, you spent all of last night mumbling and throwing up..." Lagertha said as she looked down at the bucket. "I had terrible dreams. I don't remember them. I just remember feeling horrible" Kari mumbled "Yes you're lucky Rollo found you when he did, everyone else was sleep you might have been out there all night" Siggy said in a slightly bothered tone "Found me?" Kari asked confused, slightly smirking realizing she did not know he as out there with her while they watched the stars. 

In the corner of her eye Kari caught sight of Rollo getting dressed in his leather armor. "What is going on? Is it already time to leave?" Kari sat up quickly and felt dizzy for a moment before she took a deep breath and stood up. "What are you doing?" Rollo asked "I'm going to fight too" Kari said adamantly. "You are not, your arm isnt even healed yet, not to mention you spent all night being sick" he was clearly frustrated "Shut up Rollo. I'm fighting and you will not stop me, my arm feels fine" she spat angrily as she grabbed her leather gear and put it on. Lagertha knew better than to go against Kari's wishes, it didn't matter what anyone said, she'd do whatever she wanted. Erik, Kari's father walked over and handed her his sword "You'll fight well, I know you will come back safe" he smiled and Kari reached out and hugged him. 

Making their way to the agreed meeting place Lagertha and Rollo stood amongst the trees watching the tree line for signs of Ragnar. When they came into sight Lagertha called out to Kari, concerned "What is it?" Kari called back, walking over. Lagertha pointing to Ragnar and Bjorn, who seemed to be carrying back a wounded Olrik. Halvar was nowhere in sight. Kari's face fell cold. "Where is h-" Kari felt dizzy for a moment before her vison blurred and the vision that had plagued her dreams last night came to mind. A face with one glowing eye, the other missing. Odin. The vision was gone as quickly as it came and Kari felt steady as the dizziness stopped. 

Ragnar and Bjorn made it over to the clearing and placed Olrik on the log to sit. Kari stormed over immediately demanding answers "Where is Halvar? what happned?!" she practically screamed Olrik coughed before he spluttered "Dogs, the guards had dogs, they tore us to streads" he breathed heavily "Halvar didn't make it, I couldn't save him" he could hardly speak "Bullshit... Bullshit you're a coward! I know you're a coward you could have stopped them" Kari screamed lunging for him only for Ragnar to grab her, stopping her. Kari struggled from his grip and ended up elbowing him in his side, causing him to let her go. Kari took another look at Olrik and he was dead, stuck in place, sitting on the log. "Come on, they saw him, we need to hide in the bushland, they're be hunting him down. When they show up, we attack" Ragnar said as everyone took their place in the nearby forest line. 

Kari felt tears roll down her cheeks but she wiped them away and tried to stop herself. She needed to focus. Rollo walked over, reaching his hand out he placed it on her shoulder "Kari... I'm-" she cut him off "Don't say you're sorry... Don't talk to me." Rollo sighed "Don't be stupid, don't get yourself hurt on purpose. Stay here, you don't need to fight" he pleaded "Say that one more time Rollo and it's you that I'll be fighting." she hissed, dogs could be heard in the distance. Horses rode over to Olrik's body and quickly noticed he was dead. Ragnar and a few of his men stepped forward before the rest of them did. Kari held her shield tightly, her eyes locked on the men she'd soon have to fight. Holding her sword tightly she charged forward with the group, forming a shieldwall barrier between the opposing sides. Rollo was beside her as they stood in the wall, Rollo reaching over and slamming his axe into the skull of the man in front of Kari. This broke the wall as the fight became an open field. Kari charged forward, using her shield to block an oncoming swing she sliced her sword through the air and slit the warrior's throat, he fell on his knees to the ground. Kari couldn't feel any pain in her arm, she felt fine as she charged through the fight, killing whomever crossed here path. Rollo could be seen in the corner of her eye, he was a hell of a warrior, besting almost a quarter of the warriors himself. He very clearly kept checking to see if anyone was in danger, his eyes darting from Lagertha to Bjorn, to Ragnar and Kari. His first priority was to make sure his family made it out safe. 

The fight was coming to an end, Ragnar was the obvious victor, he had almost got his hands on Jarl Borg but the coward fled. Kari sheathed her sword and let out a sigh. She finally had to face the feeling of knowing she had lost Halvar. A good man, whom she didn't deserve. He died fighting while she was back at the farm kissing Rollo. Kari felt sick again, this time not from any vision but from disgust in herself. Everyone gathered any wounded and helped back to the farm, Ragnar would go back to his wife and tell her of his victory before returning to Kattegat and taking his home back. 

Kari walked back with them all, still feeling ill. "Where will you go now? back to your home in the village?" Rollo's voice was soft, he walked beside her. "No. It wont be the same without Halvar there. I can't go back..." her voice almost cracked as her eyes watered. Rollo grabbed her hand, stopping her walking and the rest walked ahead. Pulling her close to his chest he held her tightly, Kari tried to resist but fell apart in his arms, crying as she held him tightly. "Come back to Kattegat with us, you will be raiding with Ragnar again soon anyway... you can stay with me until you find somewhere to stay" he mumbled into her firey red hair as he held her. Kari pulled back "With you and siggy, you mean" she corrected, wiping her eyes "Yes, right. She wouldn't mind, I think she likes you" he couldn't help but grin, Kari laughing "Yeah. Right!" they both laughed and Kari shrugged "I suppose I have nowhere else to go... but damn it Rollo... why is it when I am doing well and I'm happy the gods drag me back to you. Odin was in my dreams, he took Halvar from me.I know he did." Kari sighed "Maybe I am your fate" he smirked jokingly "Gods... I hope not" Kari smirked. Rollo acted hurt "You know you love me" he chuckled "Do I?" she joked "Nah, you couldn't I'm too mean" he seemed to be joking but he sounded too serious for Kari to laugh "No you're not." she smiled "You're nothing like anyone says, nothing like you seem. You aren't so tough" she couldn't help but chuckle "I saw you fighting, taking care of everyone out there today." Rollo couldn't help but smile, Kari swore she saw him blush. "But are you sure Siggy won't mind if I stay with you?" she quickly changed the subject, Rollo shrugged and laughed "She'll hate the idea, but oh well" Kari couldn't help but feel a bit better, even if it was only a tiny bit.