Nerida sat by Floki as he steered the long boat down the narrow river, her body tired and her core aching from the vigorous sex she and Bjorn had shared. Neither of them had wanted to leave each others side, but they were on the eve of battle.

"Do you remember what I had discussed with you before leaving?" She asked as she look up at Floki, his eyes connecting to hers as she looked to see if anyone else was listening.

"I remember."

"I have decided to not go with them, but to stay." She smiled, Floki smiling as he tipped his head at her, a smile on her face as she rested her head on his leg. Floki was like the father she never had, but had always wanted, a father who loved her for who she was. Nerida stood as she saw the campground that was made for them on the riverbank near Repton, an encampment built by her pirates.

"It does not look fortified." Floki protested as he stood, his eyes going dark and narrow as he looked to Nerida for the answer.

"It is dear Floki—just not where your eyes can see." She whispered as she playfully poked his ribs, Floki poking her back as she moved away and sat next to Helga and her adopted daughter.

When the boat touched land, Nerida jumped from the boat and headed towards the sweet smell of the cooked pig, a smirk going over her face as she saw Bjorn sitting with his brothers. "Thank you, Hvitserk." She smiled as he handed her a bowl of cook pork, her heart racing as she casually sat down next to Sigurd.

"The Saxon's are as timid as frightened women; they tremble when they see us coming—so they will not be trouble for us." Ivar is in a snarky tone as Nerida rolled her eyes, catching the attention of Ivar.

"You do not know enough Ivar—you have not seen enough. I saw battle when I was only 8 and killed my first man at 10. This was your first battle." She reminded him, watching as his lips pursed together and his eyes grew angry. "King Aelle was outnumbered and surrendered. Ecbert will not be cowardly, and Aethelwulf, is brave, as are his men." She continued, watching as he angrily chewed on the inside of his cheek.

"I can only see what my eyes tell me, Nerida. And what I see is frightened people running before us. I see their spineless useless god running away from our gods." He smirked as he took a cup of ale an offered it to Nerida, her face stern and stoic as she refused the cup.

"Those people running away were not warriors, Ivar. Those were men of the church and farmers, who knew nothing of war and battle. That is why I did not let you rule over my men, Ivar. You are unprepared and too naive to command an army." She said as she stood up began to walk away, a piece of hot burning coal rushing past her head as she jerked her body around.

"IVAR!" Bjorn yelled as he grabbed his brother by the collar.

"You are ungrateful! If not for me, you would be dead! My brothers and mother wanted to have you killed but I saved you! I gave you everything and you let your pride take over and refuse my heart when I offer it to you!" Ivar screamed as he pushed from Bjorn's grip, Nerida dropping her bowl of pork as she rushed towards him.

Everyone stood as she grabbed Ivar by the throat and slammed him down on the ground, her knee pressed on his chest preventing him from moving.

"I saved myself! If they would have tried to kill me your family would be dead, and Kattegat would be rotting away! You gave me pain and heartache and renewed my distrust in men! You really don't know who you are talking to Ivar! I am NERIDA THE VILE and I have killed men bigger and stronger than you! I loved you, you stupid, selfish pig! I would have died for you and suffered through more deaths of our unborn child if you had once returned my love! Do not ever think that I owe you anything, Ivar because I do not! I owe you NOTHING!" She screamed into his face as she shoved him to the ground, quickly walking through the gathered crowd as she tried to stop shaking with anger.

"Filthy PIRATE!" He yelled Nerida ignoring him as she rushed back towards the boats, her face hot as the anger coursed through her veins. She crossed her arms as she stood at the edge of the bank, her lip quivering as she allowed tears of anger and frustration to fall down her cheeks.

"Are you okay?" Helga asked as Nerida jerked from fright, her hands wiping her eyes as she hated showing that side of herself to people.

"Who is that man? That is not the Ivar I fell in love with—he has been taken over by some succubus." Nerida said as she turned away from Helga, unable to settle the screams of her thoughts. Her night with Bjorn had been one of the best of her life, but she could not lie to herself or her heart. She still loved Ivar, even though he did not deserve it.

***

Nerida avoided Ivar and his brothers for the remainder of the day, choosing to help others with chopping wood and repairing armor. Her mind was still in chaos with Ivar's words, her eyes still watering each time she remembered him calling her a filthy pirate.

The camp was quiet as she looked out at the river, her arms resting on her knees as she heard a twig break behind her. Her eyes went wide as she saw Ivar crawling towards her, Nerida standing as she pulled her dagger from its sheath.

"I am not here to fight you; I want there to be peace with us." Ivar said as he held his hands up, Nerida slowly putting her dagger away and sitting back down, her eyes boring into him as anger filled her face. "I know you hate me."

"That is just it, Ivar, I do not hate you. I still love you and —" Her words cut off as she tried to hold back her tears as a lump rose in her throat. "I have asked the gods to take away my love for you." She admitted as she looked away from him, her body starting to shake again as he moved closer to her. "Do not touch me Ivar, please I will hurt you if you come closer." She warned as she scooted away from him, watching as despair filled his tired face.

"I have failed you, Nerida. I was selfish and ungrateful to have you, but I love you Nerida. I always have and I always will. You have no reason to forgive me, and I know I have lost you-but I ask that tomorrow when we leave camp—ride with me in the chariot?" He asked, Nerida looking down at the ground as she tried to calm her mind and listen to her heart.

"No promises, Ivar." Nerida scoffed as she stood up and dusted the leaves and dirt from her legs. "I am after all—a filthy pirate."

Nerida clasped her black leather wrist guards tight as a proud smile went over her face. She knew that when she returned to Kattegat, she wanted to remain there, for her fighting days were almost behind her. She wanted a normal life, and a family, not a lifetime of scars and blood.

She sheathed her daggers and sword, her heart racing as she walked towards the front of the line towards Bjorn and the others. Nerida took a deep breath as she walked past Ivar's chariot, her hand slipping into Bjorn's as she wanted to make it known to not only Ivar, but everyone else.

Bjorn turned to Nerida, a smile on his face as he pulled her in for a passionate kiss, his brothers congratulating them as Ivar took off down the path. "I love you." Bjorn whispered as he kissed the top of her head, throwing his hand in the air to signal the war party to move on.

Nerida knew that she was falling in love with Bjorn, but she could not say those words, since she knew that a very small part of her heart still loved Ivar. "You do not have to say it yet, but when we return to Kattegat—I wish to marry you Nerida." Bjorn said in a tone loud enough for Ivar and his brothers to hear.

Nerida smiled and nodded her head in a agreement, interlacing her fingers with his as they walked along the path, Nerida feeling uneasy as a dreadful feeling came over her.

"Before you take her as your wife brother—I feel that Nerida should let you know the truth of who she is." Ivar said as he stopped his Chariot, Nerida furrowing her brow as had no clue what tricks Ivar was conjuring in his mind.

"Nerida told us that she was but a mere child when the pirates killed our Kin in Denmark, she told us how she was too innocent to comprehend what was happening. Yesterday you told me that you killed your first man at age ten and when I spoke with the other pirates, they spoke of a young girl with a blood lust so deep that she slaughtered entire families." Ivar spoke in a snarky tone that made Nerida's blood boil.

"Nerida? Is this true? When my mother asked you of the massacre, you said you did not harm a single Viking. Nerida stepped back from him, her face contorting in pain as she felt a lump gather in her throat.

"I lied. I did what Ivar said." She spoke watching as Bjorn's gaze on her turned dark, along with Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd. Her stomach rolled into a knot as she felt a small crowd gather around her, Nerida taking her daggers in hand and she held them up ready to defend herself.

"Why did you lie? Nerida—we accepted you as one of us and you dare lie to us?" Bjorn yelled as she turned away from his words, a gasp escaping her as he grabbed her by the arm and turned her back to him. "You allowed me to love you, to put my seed in you and you killed my Kin?" He whispered as she shoved from him.

"I lied for fear of my life! As you lie to those you plan to kill! Yes, I killed those in Denmark and yes, I was a child. As you watched Ragnar, I watched my father, each swing he took I took, and every time blood sprayed my face, he would gleefully chant my name. Bjorn, how many families have you killed? How many men and women's blood as covered your sword? They were enemies yes? Those in Denmark I once looked at as an enemy but here I stand, fighting by your side and ready to lay down my life. I even dare to love a Viking and hope to be loved in return. If you see me as your enemy now than so be it, I will take my men and return to the sea." She said as she sheathed her daggers and turned away, Floki grabbing her before she could take a step.

"Nerida is Viking, just as you and me. We will not punish her for the past, just as we do not punish ourselves. Ivar you should be ashamed, telling a truth where it was not your business. I know you are angry, but we all saw you walk away from her. You cannot be angry with Bjorn for healing a heart you broke." Floki said as he pulled Nerida close to him, her heart beginning to calm as she hugged him tight.

"Floki is right. You condemn Nerida would be to condemn us all." Bjorn said as he gently took her hand in his. "Forgive me." He asked as he pulled her to him for a hug, Nerida looking past him at Ivar who looked more than angered by what just transpired.

'Ivar, let there be peace with us." She asked as she walked to his chariot and climbed in beside him, a faint smile on her face as she hugged him. "It would not be wise to make me your enemy Ivar." She whispered as she pulled back from the hug, her eyes locked to his as the last bit of love for him melted from her heart.