Harald cursed himself for the hundredth time. If he had just been given time to think, he would never even have fathomed the idea of saying those words to her.

Looking back now that he had rested his mind and calmed his thoughts, he realized that there were other ways that conversation could have gone down. Better ways it could have been handled.

His eyes returned to the opening of the tent, hoping to see Kari walk through them. She hadn't returned since she left that night and even if tensions had been high between them, he was hoping that she would return to at least sleep.

They had a big day ahead of them and losing rest could mean losing concentration especially when they needed it. Gods, he always did this. Unsurprisingly, it was him and his temper that got them into this mess.

Seeing Halfdan on the other side had not eased his mind in any way. It only made him angry to lose something to the family he despised. With Kari as the only exception.

He knew that she hated being referenced as Ragnar's daughter, hated being known only for being the daughter of the famous man. She wanted to be herself and no other. He knew that better than anyone and he still threw that in her face.

Thor should strike him down right at this moment for his foolishness. Actually, Kari should do it. He wanted her to return, even angry. He could deal with her anger. What he could not deal with was her animosity.

Almost as if the gods heard his prayer, Kari entered the tent silently. She didn't even glance his way as she began gathering pieces of her armor, slipping on the leather and metal pieces.

Harald moved to approach her, already dressed in his own armor. "Trouble, last night I didn't-"

"I don't think now is the time to speak of last night. We need to put it behind us and focus on today." Kari answered, tightening the leather strap around her waist.

"I know." He sighed, handing her the sword he was already holding. "You and I, we're in this together. Know that. I am imperfect and rash and reckless but know that you have me. Even when we're arguing."

She exhaled, turning around to face him, her azure eyes glistening with emotion. "And you of all people know that you can trust me. I am on your side. No one else's."

He admitted, giving in to what he had been wanting to do ever since she entered the tent. He pulled her into an embrace, breathing in her scent. "I hate fighting with you."

She buried her head in the crook of his neck, being honest enough to admit that she needed him. "I hate it too. But we will talk after the battle."

He agreed, pressing his lips to her golden hair before pulling away. "After the battle."

Their eyes met and for a second, all they wanted was to forget all that they had done here, go back to Vestfold where things made sense, and return to the peaceful life they created for themselves after they got married.

Alas, when Hvitserk's voice rang out from outside the tent, the moment they shared was over and they were suddenly transported back to the present they had chosen for themselves. They were vikings, after all, and victory was better than a standstill.

The two ventured outside to join the others as they all marched to where they had chosen to have their battle. Harald stuck close to Kari, presenting a united front for their people and also because he wanted to. He did not really need an excuse to be near her.

She noticeably avoided everyone's eyes, especially that of bishop Heahmund who would not look away from her. Harald was almost tempted to pummel the other man to the ground just for looking at her but he knew that Kari would disapprove.

Ivar was smirking, the smug bastard. He was the only one who seemed entertained by all that has happened. His calculated gaze looked over his troops as if he was counting each soldier and thinking to himself how he can use them to his advantage.

Each step brought them closer to where they needed to be, the silence a steady reminder of what was to come. Harald found himself worried as each second passed, worry not for himself but worry for Kari.

He would never underestimate her, to be sure, but every husband would be worried for their wife in her first battle. She had a great mind and an even stronger will than most men, but just the idea of losing her was incomprehensible.

Reaching the battlefield was like waking up to reality, a violent push from slumber as they expanded their horizons to glance at the other side of the field, their opponent dressed in similar clothing as them. No longer the strangers that the Saxons were.

Harald pushed through to the front lines with Kari by his side. By then, no one was smiling anymore. Not even Ivar. The somber mood had already drifted above each warrior, reminding them that though they may meet their end gloriously, their end would also be painful being at the hands of those they fought alongside just months ago.

It was a sentiment that remained unshared by the man they had taken captive. The bishop who seemed quite happy with what has come to pass.

"I can't wait!" Bishop Heahmund exclaimed, looking at the children of Ragnar with a bloodthirsty gaze.

"Why, does that beautiful sword of yours thirst for blood?" Ivar asked, his eyes finding the other man.

"Perhaps my God intended it to slake its thirst upon pagan blood! That's why I'm here. To do the Lord's bidding." Heahmund answered, pulling his sword from its sheath, his fingers running along the surface of the metal.

"And mine, Bishop Heahmund." Ivar said, pressing his finger to his chest, reminding the other man of how powerless he is despite claiming to be all righteous.

"Your sister's bidding. Only your sister's." Heahmund amended, searching the other woman's gaze. She had not spoken a single word and he wondered what it is that has caused her to quiet. In fact, he wanted nothing more than to hear her voice.

"Ah, my sister. Of course. How could I forget?" Ivar scoffed, becoming irritated as he turned away, his anger redirecting to something more alarming.

Upon seeing that the other man was distracted, Heahmund neared Kari, speaking under his breath. "My thoughts from last night remain unchanged."

"As is mine, Your Grace. You swore allegiance to me and to mine. Your blade is mine. Nothing more." Kari pressed, not wanting him to forget his place.

It had been her fault. She had wanted so badly to undermine Ivar and in turn, her own machinations seemed to have turned against her. It was only by her luck that no one else knew about it. Even Harald seemed oblivious, not that she wanted him to be.

The truth was, she wanted to tell him. Truly she did. It would make things easier for her if Harald just socked the other man in the face. There would be no questions then. But the last thing she needed to hear now was how wrong she was. She didn't need his distrust. Not now.

"It is. It is yours." Heahmund assured her. There was no question about that. He would do anything for her.

"Do as you have promised and you will be rewarded," Kari muttered before turning away, dismissing the other man with nary another word.

Kari discretely placed her hand on Harald's, her fingers holding onto his, grounding her. Without looking away from the battlefield, he squeezed her hand, a small comfort passing between them.

Returning to the matter, Harald spoke up, looking to Ivar. "What do you think?"

Ivar replied honestly, the gears in his mind whirring. "I have a feeling that Bjorn is playing a game."

"What kind of game?" Harald asked, seeking out counsel from the other man. He may be mad and reckless but the king had to admit that Ivar was a good tactician.

"Well, what if he is keeping a lot of his army in reserve? What if this battle is just a feint? What if his real plan is to outflank us and drive on and try to destroy our boats?" Ivar reflected, attempting to think in the same way his elder brother did.

"Perhaps you are thinking too much about it. What if this is all there is? They know that we have the advantage. Maybe they are waiting for us to be weakened by the fight before they send in their whole army." Kari appraised, reminding him that there was also that possibility.

"Maybe. But it would be a bigger loss for us to have our boats destroyed. They know that even if they send in their whole army, we still have more men. They know that they would still lose." Ivar considered her words carefully, she may be right after all.

"What should we do?" Harald questioned, looking between the two.

Ivar thought about it before offering. "I'll pull back a third of our army, to protect our ships. It is a risk. But it would be far worse to lose our entire fleet. So I think we should send Hvitserk with some men into the woods over there, and try and outflank them, dividing Bjorn's forces."

Harald looked at his wife and came to a decision that he thinks would benefit them all. He just had to pray that Ivar was right. "I agree. If you take Kari back with you. I don't want her to die."

Kari's eyes widened, immediately voicing out her apprehension. "What?! No!"

Harald countered, his teeth clenching in frustration. He did not expect her to agree quickly but he needed her to, to keep her safe. "Yes!"

She insisted, gripping his arm tightly. "I'm not going anywhere."

He shook his head. "Trouble, now is not the time."

She stood firm, not letting go. She would not let him fight alone. "I agree. In fact, you need all the warriors you can get. I am fighting with you."

Harald neared her, his arms reaching around her, almost as if he was going to embrace her. Only he didn't. His arms reached behind her and before she could realize what he was doing, he had already disarmed her and taken away her sword.

"I'm sorry, Trouble. Not today." Harald said, gesturing for his men to grab her.

As much as he hated doing that to her, taking away her choice, he needed to keep her safe. He may not be as good a tactician as Ivar but he of all people knew how unpredictable battle was. If anything were to happen, if anything were to go wrong, he would rather that it happen to him.

The safest place for her would be by the boats. Should the unexpected happen, she could make a hasty retreat and be far away from all their enemies.

Kari's azure eyes reflected the betrayal she felt, as if she could not believe that he was doing this to her. Her eyes never left him as Ivar jostled his horse along, their troops marching behind him. She could only hope that he would be alright, that things would go as planned. But when has hoping ever done anything?

Harald could only place his hand on his chest, imploring her to understand. He was doing this for her and selfishly for himself.

For if she should fall in battle, he vowed that he would die along with her.

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎

"Something's wrong."

Kari looked around, calculating in her head how many warriors would be left with Harald, how many he would stand with before reinforcements came.

There was something bothering her about their plan, the suddenness of it all. They weren't able to prepare for it nor did they consider the consequences should their plan fail. She didn't like it one bit even if they had all agreed upon it.

"I'll say. Having troubles with your husband?" Ivar tutted, looking over at her once.

"What are you talking about?" Kari frowned, not understanding what the other man was insinuating.

"I saw you last night. In the war tent. You were with Heahmund. Now I see why he swore allegiance to you." He answered smugly, watching the shock register in her eyes.

She took the reins from him, pulling them to a stop, forcing everyone else to pause as well. "You're a bastard. Heahmund's a madman and a fool. You two belong together."

"Does Harald know?" He asked but he got his answer from her refusal to say anything, bringing forth a smile on his face. "Of course, he doesn't."

"Ivar, you can gloat and mock all you want but right now, something is not right. There are no drums sounding." She pointed out, her chest heaving as she tried to calm her roaring emotions. This was not the time to throw a fit despite her desperately wanting to push the other man off.

"So?" He raised a brow in question.

"So, where is Hvitserk? He should've arrived by now to outflank Bjorn's army. If he is not there, then Harald is facing them on his own. Think about it." She pressed on, her eyes wide.

Precisely as she said that the sound of a horn blaring echoed through the air. A call for reinforcements that just proved that she was right. A look of horror passed through Ivar's face upon hearing the dreaded sound. They were losing.

The sound of the horn brought her a sick sense of relief. Someone had commanded for the signal to be sent which meant that Harald was still alive. They were losing but he was still fighting.

Drawing her sword, she moved to head in the direction of where they had just come from. "We have to go. They need us."

He grabbed her arm, refusing to budge. "It's too late."

She shoved at him in distress. "They're dying out there!"

He roared, just as frustrated as she was at the situation. "It's too late. There's nothing else to be done!"

She quarreled, hopping off the transport. "That's what you think."

"I thought you might say that." He voiced before gesturing out for his men to grab her. "I will not watch you throw your life away for a battle we are already losing."

Kari fought against their hold, her sword being taken from her, watching and listening on in anguish as the sounds of battle died down. Even Ivar's posture diminished as it became clearer and clearer that there was already a victor.

The chances of them being that victor were slim to none. The only question that remains is how many of them were left? They had started this battle with a hopeful chance of victory and an advantage over numbers. Now, they only sought to know who was still alive.

Kari felt tears prickle at her eyes as it became completely silent. It mimicked the silence before the battle, only the anticipation was replaced by fear. If he died, no. No, she would not entertain such thoughts, he would be fine. She prayed to the gods that he would be.

As though the gods listened to her prayers, finally, she heard men beginning to approach. Breaking free of the hold that Ivar's men had on her, she rushed over to where they were coming from. She scanned every face, every man, her chest filling with dread upon seeing their ragged and bloodstained forms.

"Make way!" Harald commanded, parting the throngs of men as he and Hvitserk trudged toward where Ivar and Kari were.

Kari felt a wave of relief hit her at the sight of them. They were alive and from what it looked from here, they seemed to be well. Despite how morbid it may appear, she was glad that they did not look mortally wounded.

"Harald!" Kari exclaimed, pushing her way through to him and embracing her husband before moving over to her brother. "Hvitserk!"

"We are lost." Harald's hand found hers immediately, taking comfort in her warmth as his ears still echoed the sounds of defeat.

"They were ready for us. They ambushed us in the forest." Hvitserk added just as they arrived at Ivar's side.

"Where's Heahmund?" Ivar questioned, looking around for the man.

"Your Christian's dead. Come." Harald gruffly answered, pulling his wife along with him as they moved towards the boats.

Kari went along with him without qualms despite her previous anger with him for taking away her chance to fight with him. She was only thankful that he was alright, keeping her body close to his.

One of the men who had restrained her gave back her sword. He was right in one sense. There would be another battle. Once they had already recuperated, once they were all ready again. There would be another fight. Perhaps one that would end all of this.

Once they had reached their boat, Harald opened his arms for her. Wordlessly, she stepped into them, burying her face directly into the crook of his neck. He let out a sigh, pressing his lips to her golden hair as they pulled back from shore to go back to Vestfold.

Neither of them said anything. They didn't need to. The battle was lost but the fight was not over. It was only a matter of time before they regain their strength and try their hand once more. Kari could not help but ask herself if it was all worth it, all of this uncertainty and pain.

Bjorn had been right about one thing. This, whatever it is they had started, would only set into motion a cycle of revenge obligations and bloodshed. There may be a lot of things they were unsure of but there was one thing for certain.

By the end of all this, their hands would be drenched in blood, if they weren't already.

▪︎°▪︎°▪︎°▪︎°▪︎°▪︎°▪︎°▪︎

Hello everyoneee!! Quite a dramatic loss and now we have to deal with what'll come after. Not much of a battle scene but I promise there will be detailed battles in the future, just to add some drama. Stay tuned and sending you all my love