The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 28

And so, the Christian funeral of Ragnar Lothbrok came to pass, what was his greatest strategy of all time had allowed them to conquer Paris. But this would not be the last the Franks saw of Ragnar Lothbrok, he would return home and get well before he would come back and take Paris once again in what he hoped would be another glorious defeat. 

Rollo had been avoiding everyone after the attack, when he realised his brother was alive, that he had once again claimed a somehow impossible victory. The words the seer had spoken to him echoed in his memory "If you would truly see what the gods have in store for you, you would go and dance naked on the beach" something glorious awaited him, but he was sure of one thing, it wasn't back home in Kattegat. 
Kari stood back watching the other fight about who must stay and occupy Paris to keep the camp safe, Floki insisted he should stay, though he was cut off by Rollo, demanding he stay instead. Kari felt like someone had placed a hot iron to her heart. Rollo refused to talk to her as everyone was boarding the boats "I'm staying here Rollo." Kari insisted "No, you must go" he said bluntly packing her things onto the boat "But why?! you are here... so I am staying" Rollo could hardly bare to look at her "Please make this easy for me" he mumbled. Kari grew angry, reaching up she pulled his shoulder and turned him to look at her "Rollo, please. Look at me, what are you saying?" her eyes watered, before the battle he had asked her to marry him, what had gotten into him. 

Rollo looked down into Kari's ice blue eyes, they filled with tears and his heart broke at the sight, he could hardly bring himself to speak. Reaching down he swept her off her feet into his arms and placed her in the boat. "You're free, free to go, no longer a slave. Now go back home, find a husband, forget me" he demanded, turning his back he walked away. Kari watched him walk away in disbelief. Standing up she got out of the boat and walked over to Helga and Floki, tears streaming down her cheeks, she went to say goodbye to Helga and Floki "I'm staying here, I don't know if I'll ever get to see you again-" she spoke but Floki interrupted "Of course you will, your path will lead you wherever you must go. But we will see each other again" Floki smiled a forced smile through what seemed like sadness and anger. For far too long he had watched Rollo do wrong by a dear friend he loved, he just wanted Kari to be happy. 

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  (AN -This is a very short chapter, the story will continue on in the next chapter after a short time skip)