Again the years have passed and Alca has grown older, but she still looks young, with her brown hair, even longer, because it has never been cut. Her hair is put into two dutch braids, making sure none of it gets in her way. Strands falling out and sticking to her face, for she has not brushed her hair due to the lack of having a brush. Her blue eyes are crystal clear, but dull, from the lack of emotions and feelings she has. The only emotion she will ever feel is anger and rage towards Ake.

After she left her homeland, her boat landed in a deserted place. She pulled the boat to shore and left it there, walking until she came across a village, Hedeby. Dark bags, ripped clothes, and starved to the bone, Alca walked up to the main hall and walked in. Everyone stopped talking and looked at her, surprised and shocked to see a young girl looking half dead. Alca breathed in and out and continued to walk till she was in front of the earl.

"What is your name child?", said the earl. "If I told you my name, you would make me leave.", she replied. This was a true statement, for everyone has heard of Alca the MAN who betrayed HIS village and killed many. The tale always made Alca be seen as man and her name didn't help since it was a masculine name.

"I am Earl Lagertha, and I invite you to this feast," "I'm honored, but I must be leaving by nightfall. I am on a mission." " And what mission would that be ?", asked lagertha, with a small smirk on her face. " To get as far away from Eporijria as possible."

The smirk disappeared from Lagertha's face, but one emerged onto Alca's. She knew this earl has figured out the great Alca was no man as everyone else thought. "So you are the Midgard Serpent everyone talks about." Alca walks closer to Lagertha and guards put their hand into the handle of their swords, afraid of what she might do. "I am, but I am not here to fight."

"The why are you here?" "I have no where else to go." Lagertha stands up and walks toward the small girl, studying her every little movement. "You do not seem as violent has the stories say you are Alca." Alca laughed out loud. "Well, people do exaggerate a lot don't they." Everyone remained silent, wanting to know what Lagertha would do next.

"Do you want to stay in Hedeby?" " You seem like a trusting women Lagertha, but I have done things I am not proud of. I have betrayed my own people. I have killed my flesh and blood. I don't even trust myself anymore. So how will you ever let me stay here if no one can trust me and only live in fear while I am around?" Lagertha stopped walking and looked her directly in the eyes. No emotion was shown in them and yet every word made it seemed like she cared, but her face showed like she didn't.

"If you are Alca, then you are the daughter of Ulvar, correct?" Alca widened her eyes. "You knew my father?" "Indeed. A cold hearted man no doubt, but still was able to find a wife and produce children." "I don't understand what this has..." " A Prophecy was given to you father before you were born. One day a child of his would lose the sense of sight, one will lose the sense of hearing, another the sense of taste, another the sense of touch, one the ability to walk, one to lose her way and family, and the last one to the ability to love and feel." Alca's breathing has gotten heavy. She might not be able to love, but she still feels anger and rage.

Lagertha continued to talk, " And I can tell which one you are. I want to help and protect you Alca. I can provide a safe haven for you." " Why would you do that? What do you want in return?" " I want you loyalty Alca. You may seem cold hearted and cruel, but I can see right through your shell. You care even if you hide it deep down inside you. I have lost a daughter of mine, my husband left me for another, and my son id now of on his own journey, so I know what it feels like to be alone." Lagertha walked but up to her chair and sat down.

"I don't care if I'm alone. I just came for food." " And yet you are still here." Alca didn't know how to respond. She usually always a smartass remark, but she was for a lost of words.

"Alca stay and fight for me. Become a even greater Viking beside me and fight for the gods."

"You are too kind to me. It must be a sign from the gods."

"I need an answer." Alca looked around at all the people. Some showed fear, others anger, and some sympathy. Oh how she hated being pitied. "I will stay, but on one condition", says Alca. "What would that be?"

"As punishment for my past actions, I must keep the name that will haunt me forever, as a sign of betrayal and disrespect." Lagertha's smirk once returned to her face and she stood up, looking directly into her eyes.

"Alca the Midgard Serpent, will you stay in Hedeby and fight and stay by my side?"Alca closed her eyes and took a short breath, then reopened.

"I accept."