The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 18

Returning to Kattegat proved the right step for Kari, she would be able to raid soon, Ragnar had once again gained the help of King Horik, who wanted to return to England to get their revenge on King Ecbert.

King Horik had insisted on gaining the help of Jarl Borg once again as many men had been lost trying to defend Kattegat. Rollo was sent to get the Jarl to come join Ragnar and King Horik, but Kari knew this man could not be trusted. Kari had dreamt of him many nights, he walked with a skull in his hand, a spirit following him every where he went. A women. His protector.

Kari was walking through the market looking for cloth for new clothes. A man stood beside her and began to walk with her. "Kari" King Horik voice pulled her from a daydream "Yes" she turned to look at him, he reached his arm out and put it on her shoulder "I have spoken to your master Siggy, she tells me you ha-" Kari cut him off immediately "My what?! She is not my master I'm not a slave" Kari blurred out, angrily. Horik shrugged "She told me you were her slave, you were Rollo's slave. And she's given you to me, as a gift" Kari reached for his hand on her arm and shoved it away, behind his eyes he was a dirty old man who Kari would rather lose her life than work for "No! I am not hers to give!" Kari's vision flashed as she got angry, visions of King Horik came to her mind, reaching out for a women he took Siggy's hand and passed her to another man... a boy. His son, Erlandur. The vision began to blur but Kari knew what it meant.

When her sight returned Horik looked afraid "Your eyes... they're like a stormy sea, I swear I see the lighting of Thor's hammer crash, I can hear the thunder that follows boom in my skull as I look into them" he blabbered as Kari clenched her jaw "If you so much as touch me, order me, claim to own me, or sell me to anyone I will kill you while you sleep." King Horik couldn't help but smirk "So you are mine... excellent. I'll expect you in my cabin tonight." Kari glared at the man before storming off to find Ragnar, walking into the hall Ragnar was nowhere to be found. Aslaug walked from the bedroom with her boys running out to go play "Kari what can I do for you?" Her smile was cold as she attempted to be sincere "Where is Ragnar?" Aslaug sighed "Off with Bjorn, what does it matter, I am his wife I can help you?" She said with a pang of annoyance. "Hm. Right." Kari mumbled to herself turning around and walking out of the hall coming face to face with Siggy. "Oh Kari, so glad I've run into you, Rollo will be going off to raid soon and as you prove no use to us I have given you as a gift to King Horik" Kari clenched her jaw "Oh yes. I know. Still, The gift you gave Erlandur is far greater...right?" Kari smirked "but first you gave yourself to his father like a whore... so maybe the gift you have to give isn't so special" she grinned and pushed past her "Kari! How do you know that... did Horik tell you?!" Siggy asked, anger seething from her words. Kari turned to look back at Siggy.
"Nobody told me anything... nobody had to. You're pathetic. A women so desperate for power, she'll give all she has left just for a taste. And you'll lie to yourself, so you feel better, you'll tell yourself it's for Rollo... but you only want him to succeed so you will." Siggy saw lighting crash in Kari's eyes "You won't tell him... you can't" Siggy begged "Why shouldn't I? You sold me to Horik, you gave yourself to him for free, and you expect me to show you any curtesy?" Kari laughed but Siggy looked petrified, Kari sighed "I won't say a word to Rollo..." she walked over and looked deep into the eyes of Siggy "but you will drown in your lies Siggy" Kari couldn't help but smirk as she walked back to Rollo's cabin, grabbing anything that belonged to her and putting it in a bag, she began to walk. She'd have to go stay at Floki's until Rollo returned, she would not be staying with King Horik and she'd slit his throat if he tried to touch her, so it was safer for her here, since Ragnar needed Horik's help to return to England.

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A few days had passed since Kari had arrived at Floki's, Helga was pregnant now, she was carrying her first child and Floki has asked Helga to marry him. Kari had helped Helga plan what the wedding would be like and she felt happier than she had in a long time staying here with her friends. News has spread that Jarl Borg had returned with Rollo and that meant Kari could return home, but she has seriously considered never going back, she was so happy here.

Returning back with Helga and Floki they saw everyone was preparing for a small feast in the hall tonight, Kari had gone straight to the hall expecting Rollo would be there but he wasn't, leaving and Helga and Floki she went to go check his home to find Rollo unpacking his things alone. He turned to look at Kari and smiled "Siggy said you left.. she thought you'd disappeared again!" He smiled wider as he walked over and pulled her into a hug "where did you go?" He asked curiously "To Floki's... I couldn't stay here" Kari mumbled barely able to breath as he squeezed her, letting go he looked down at her confused "Why not?" he asked Kari smirked "Didn't Siggy tell you? She told Horik I was your slave and she sold me to him... to save myself from his filthy bed I went to Folki's" she explained. Rollo frowned and looked down with a sigh. Grabbing Kari's hand he walked over to the chair he had by the fireplace and sat down, pulling her down onto his lap. "People are saying things to me... about Siggy. Have you seen anything?" He asked, Kari shook her head for a moment but he looked deep into her eyes he swore he saw a different answer, he saw what he already knew was true. "You won't be anyone's slave.. don't worry. I'll take care of it" he mumbled pulling Kari close to him he held her tightly as he relaxed, Kari smiled and kissed his cheek "I missed you" she mumbled causing Rollo to smile.

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A few nights had passed, Kari had been able to stay at Rollo's again, he had a bigger home since she last lived with him, this one had another bed, which was much nicer since it meant she didn't have to sleep on the floor. Rollo has regained Ragnar's trust and in turn that meant he didn't have to live in a small hut on the edge of town.

Kari was restless as the night was cold. She could hardly sleep. The silence of the night was broken as Rollo walked in through the curtain that seperate Kari's room from the main cabin. He had blood on him and he looked tired "Rollo what happened?" Kari mumbled, getting up she walked over and grabbed his arm "Jarl Borg is going to be killed tomorrow. We don't need him to raid anymore, we have the help of a new Earl. Earl Ingstad" Kari's vision blurred and she swore she saw the face of somebody she knew. "You look tired" Kari said as she blinked away the vision and sat down on the bed. Rollo nodded and sighed "I am, but I don't want to sleep in my bed tonight" he mumbled, climbing onto the bed he pulled Kari into his arms and got comfy "But what about S-" Rollo shushed her and kissed her forehead "I want to sleep here tonight, please" Kari smiled and nodded curling up in his arms. As her eyes grew heavy she closed them and fell asleep her dreams were peaceful tonight, not plagued with visions and night terrors like they usually were.

( A/N so sorry this update took longer than normal to upload, the next chapter will involve the raid so very interesting coming up soon ❤️)