Two solid doors fashioned from gold and the same stone which made up Ivar's castle floors in York swung open before him. The entrance led to an elevated rising which overlooked a field of verdant likened to Bonnie's eyes. Upon the countryside two warriors fought a bitter match. Each wore the other's blood. They bore bruises and wounds given by the other's hands. The fighters fought gloriously. Every aim of their blade sought to inflict a fatal blow. What a sight they presented. Beholding them nigh pilfered his attention from the fact he not only stood, but he also walked without the aid of his iron crutch. Yet even this was no feat compared to who stood at the stone banister just paces away. His father...Ragnar.

Elation swelled from the depths of his chest. He never believed he'd sight his father again. Not while he still dwelled within the realms of Midgard. Yet there he stood before him. He appeared younger than he remembered him. Instead of his head being free of hair as when he saw him last, he now wore it in the way of Ubbe's and Bjorn's. He looked to be just as formidable a warrior as them as well. Having no desire to squander anymore sands in the hour glass not speaking with the man who added focus to his existence, Ivar crossed the distance separating them to stand next to his father at the stone banister.

"Your mistreatment of Bonnie has shamed me," Ragnar said without tearing his gaze from the warriors who battled below. "You told me you would care for her...protect her. Yet it is you and yours from whom she must be protected."

His father's charges fell upon him like tumbling boulders. For they took him unawares and placed his pride beneath the soles of his boot. He shook his head as anger replaced his elation. "I did care for her and she betrayed me." Ragnar's eyes rolled even as they remained trained in the direction of the warriors. This incited him to turn all the way about to face his father's side full on. "She allowed Lagertha to murder my mother in cold blood, she chose to remain at Bjorn's side even when she had leave to depart from him, and then she destroyed our bond by marrying king Harald's brother. She vowed to love me, and then gutted me!" He growled from the clench of his teeth. "Every trouble she now suffers under is a burden of her own fashioning."

"If you believe Bonnie would ever hurt you without cause then you never really knew her at all." Ragnar finally spun to incinerate him with a glare so blazing he doubted the Christian hell possessed fires hot enough to forge such a blistering stare. "Almost every act she's ever committed has been in the service of another. The one thing she dared to claim for her own, the rebuke she settled upon herself out paced the thought she took to commit herself to the deed."

"I care not for the remorse she endured after her slight. Bonnie no longer matters within the supernatural procession." Ivar swept his gaze back to the now clear battlefield.

"Bonnie is the supernatural procession! She is the mother of it all." His father jabbed a finger at him. "And your only task was to love her without end. In this you have failed me...failed me in a way even Rollo never managed."

He shook his head against such accusations. "This is not true!"

"You've entered into marriage with a disciple of the wicked who will give birth to Ragnarök. You then turned your face from your only babe to honor a vessel of evil who is not of our flesh."

"No, no! I am a god and my wife is the rightful Supreme!" He bellowed, slapping a palm down on the banister.

"I forwent my birthright because I believed your affections for her could be likened to my own." Ragnar cast his gaze away once more and hung his head. "Yet my beliefs were misplaced. For I left you a treasure you have not cherished."

He spit on the ground at his father's feet. "You left me a whore whom I've treated as such."

"I bestowed upon you everything, it's a pity you're too sightless to see the whole of your inheritance. For Bonnie's heart outweighs anything Midgard or Asgard could ever ponder to offer you. This is something I was certain you knew." Ragnar then turned to walk towards the doors he'd entered earlier.

Unable to tolerate being berated and dismissed so thoroughly by Ragnar, Ivar's fury tore him asunder. "You told me to make them pay, to use my anger!" He bellowed after his father's retreating back. "You told me to be ruthless!"

Ragnar whirled back around, blue pigmented flames burned unchecked in his glare. "I told you to use your anger intelligently, but all that stands before me now is a fool set adrift within his madness."

Ivar came awake to a pounding within his chest and the echo of his father's words between his ears.

****

Hvitserk decided to visit with the Seer before speaking with Ivar. He knew he'd promised Thora he'd remind his brother of his vow to their former mate. Yet he couldn't help but believe Fate may somehow have had a hand in Bonnie seeking him out. Perhaps, she meant to see him joined to his former mate once again. If this was indeed the case, then he wouldn't abide such ordering of his steps. This is why he'd chosen to attend the Seer once more. For whom else's sight but Kattegat's oracle offered such certainty?

When he arrived at the Seer's keep a large horde gathered about the structure. The citizen's appeared disturbed and angered due to the soldiers who barred them from approaching the entrance. As Hvitserk drew near, he leveled the warriors with a slitted glare. Without hesitation the men stepped aside to allow him into the keep. Once inside he noticed the pile of earth the Seer had resided upon the rising before empty and the wardrobe across from the plot of soil open.

Hvitserk first moved to the rich pile of earth and stooped down. An area among the soil appeared darker than the surrounding parts. Without hesitancy, he plunged his fingers into the depths and withdrew. A wetness with a hue likened to blood coated his fingers. Something dark and telling pricked his senses. It warned of the Seer being forced to greet his end. Unease crept over him as his gaze lifted to regard the open cupboard.

Hvitserk rose and crossed the room to the sideboard. He peered inside and Bonnie's scent slammed into his nostrils along with the stench of piss. His gaze dropped to regard the oddly hued chalice she'd gifted to the Seer long ago lying on the floor of the space. Had she witnessed what had become of the Seer? Could this be the reason she sought him out? Why she appeared so frightened? Perhaps he should speak with Ivar.

He left the Seer's keep for the long house. There he saw Freydis secreted away in a shadowed corner speaking with one of Ivar's personal warriors. So involved in their discussions, they hadn't witnessed him enter. He stalked pass them headed for the personal quarters. Inside his mother's former lodgings he discovered Ivar attempting to descend to the bottom of his cup. He appeared to have been long in his attempts.

"The Seer is missing, Ivar." He halted short of towering over his brother who sat upon the edge of his bed hunched over.

"Yes, yes." Without glancing up, Ivar waved a hand at him. "I've heard as such. My personal warriors has assured me he sought his leave without so much as a trail to track."

He snorted and it burst with derided disbelief. Ivar always did believe everyone around him to be fools. "Bonnie visited my keep."

"What did she tell you?!"

The unexpected roar which thundered from his brother snatched his head sideways. "Bonnie fears for the life of her child. She believes your wife means to do her babe harm and from what I witnessed over the pass moon cycles her beliefs are not without cause."

"Hmph," his brother grunted before returning to his chalice.

"Ivar, you vowed you'd allow Bonnie to give birth to her babe without stress or threat." When his brother failed to pay him heed, he slapped the chalice from his hand. "You vowed no harm would come to the babe!"

An unnatural glow fired Ivar's glare as he attempted to set him ablaze by sight alone. "I'd never harm my—Bonnie's babe!" Suspicion further slitted Hvitserk's glowering glare. "And why are you minded of the child Bonnie carries? Have you not a wife of your own now?" A sneering smirk twisted his brother's lips. "Perhaps you should train a closer eye upon her and remove yourself from affairs which no longer concerns you."

"And maybe you should keep a closer watch upon your wife. For she plots much and Bonnie is a great distance from being wrong about her," Hvitserk said, holding Ivar's glare with an unflinching one of his own. He leaned down until the tips of their noses almost touched. "I know what you've done to the Seer. You don't fool me, Ivar, you never have. So you should know this, if any harm befalls Bonnie or her babe because of you or your wife, I shall bring this kingdom down upon you both. And this is my vow to you brother." With that said he spun about on his heel and sought his leave.

****

Bonnie sat by the waters of her cove rereading her treasured copy of James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room. Wilbur's large head rested in her ever dwindling lap. She stroked the tufts of hair between her entitled pig's ears as her gaze devoured each word on the page. So caught up in David's narrative she nearly missed the large eagle which landed next to her. Wilbur snorts of offense drew her attention to the impressive creature. Someone had attached a small pouch to its ankle.

The predacious bird stared at her with large golden eyes. She arched a brow as she unfastened the small bag from the bird. Once she did, the fowl spread its large wings and launched itself into the sky. Having about enough disturbance for one day, Wilbur rose and trotted off into the forest. She watched him go for a moment before glancing back down at the pouch. Inside, she discovered neatly folded slips of paper. A smile twitched the corners of her lips. Well wasn't Guthrum full of surprises. Feeling a lightness she hadn't felt since before the first battle, she unfolded the letter and began to read...

My Favored Girl,

I hope this letter discovers you at ease and in robust health. Though as of late your emotions through our bond has been more than a bit troubling. To the point it challenges my faithfulness as your Inquisitor. You should know I have delivered all but two of the missives in which you've entrusted me. Ubbe still wavers in his path. Yet once he'd decides his course then I shall know which letter to offer him on your behalf.

Things in this land are as dire as you believed. The ilk of dark nothingness still thrives here. Even Prince Ethelred has managed to enter into matrimony with one of your enemy's disciples. Your divinity and protection, however, clings to him and repels the hollowed void he now claims as wife. So his mind and will shall remain his own. You should also know Sigurd is now wed to the Queen of North Umbria, King Alle's youngest daughter. This came to pass as you foresaw. I am certain Sigurd's presence there will soon liberate that kingdom of the hollowed one's influence.

Bjorn grows restless with each passing rising. He even approached me to inquire of a letter from you. I told him there was no such missive. I'm unsure why you decided not to write him. Perhaps some things are better offered from the tongue than the pen. King Harald has managed to discover us here in this land. He means to engage Wessex in battle. This is what Ubbe informed King Alfred after his parlay with the Vestfold King. When I attempted to learn more of their talks Ubbe refused to offer anymore details. All he would say is we should prepare for battle. So this is what I have done. In a few turns of the hour glass I will engage in yet another battle. Before I do, I wanted to touch your heart and mind even if I must settle upon doing so from a distance. Until we meet again, My Forever Girl.

Yours Always,

Jedi

^^^^

"Supreme, eve will be upon us soon. We should return to the keep," Thomas called to her from the top of the hill.

Bonnie rose with her book, the pouch, and letter clutched to her chest. "I'm coming, Thomas." She called, while beginning to climb the hill.

Once she reached the top he hurried over to her and took the items from her hands. He then placed his free hand to the small of her back and guided her through the forest. When they arrived back at Kattegat he drew even closer and became more vigilant. Like her, he to sensed the danger which stalked her within the gates of the city.

As they passed through the market place she noticed a large crowd gathered at the center of the square. A moment later the horde split. Kattegat warriors huffed and heaved about until they managed to hoist a towering statue. Disgust puckered her features. An iron and wooden replica of Ivar rocked out in full battle attire helmet and all glared down at her. Here his ass goes! She tore her gaze away from the statue and locked eyes with Hvitserk. He appeared as bothered as she felt. They held gazes for several moments before Thomas pulled her in the direction of her keep.

When she arrived home, she found Silas sitting on the sectional studying one of the grimoires she'd gifted Guthrum. Upon hearing her enter, he offered her a distracted glance and hello. The look on her face must have revealed more than she intended, because he shot from the sectional as if he'd been fired from a cannon. He grabbed her, cupping her face in his hands.

"What's wrong?" He demanded, while searching her face for the answers her tongue was reluctant to tell. "Were you hurt...did someone hurt you?"

She inhaled a gust of air, and then swallowed. "No, it j-just...this sense of doom is only getting stronger. Everywhere I go now, it feels as if I'm being watched." She waved a hand at the door. "And Ivar's finally erected a false idol of himself in the center of the city." Flooding panic saturated her field of vision. "I'm so fucking scared for my child, Silas. There's a real threat against her life. I don't know where its coming from and I'm nowhere near strong enough to fight whatever's coming."

"No but I am, Bennett," he said, pulling her to his chest and wrapping his arms around her. "Look, you only have one more month until the baby is born. I think it best if you didn't leave the house until you give birth. I know you don't like-,"

Her head bobbed against his chest. "Okay, I won't." She readily agreed. Though she hated being forced to remain inside, she'd brick up her damn doorway if it meant keeping her baby girl safe.

For the next month Bonnie shackled herself to her keep. While doing so Silas went out of his way to occupy her. He helped her build a crib in which she wouldn't place a Raggedy Anne doll. As they put their first attempt to flames, he told her tales from his childhood. How'd he once been slated for sacrifice only to be spared by the Mother of All for a greater purpose. He confessed to being drawn to her foremother Qetsiyah when he first met her. Yet never being attracted to her as a man should to a woman. He claimed the thought of laying with her repulsed him and he never understood why. She thought him full of shit, but she kept those thoughts to herself.

More and more she began to depend on him, enjoy his company even. Now when she looked at him she saw more than the monster who ripped the heart from the back of the man she loved. Instead she saw a friend fighting just as hard as she to keep her daughter safe. For this is how she'd come to regard him, as a friend. She believed he regarded her the same way.

With each passing rising their friendship became more pronounced. Yet less defined. On one occasion they'd fallen asleep together in her bed. In the early beginnings of the morning Silas awoke panicked. Grief and loss wafted off of him and thickened the air. Through him she sensed the fall of a great many of their sons and daughters. She knew without a hint of a premonition Harald had gone to war with Wessex and suffered a devastating loss. The defeat shook Silas so the mattress vibrated underneath them. Sharing his pain and needing his comfort as much as he needed hers, she pulled him in her arms. They spent the rising in bed mourning their fallen and holding each other. From that eve on Silas continued to share her bed.

As more days passed, Bonnie's due date loomed closer. The thought of her giving birth in the Viking Era scared her motionless. There were no drugs, no sterility, and no doctors with scalpels in case her daughter had a mind to slide out feet first. She wasn't Bella! She'd be damned if someone ripped her open without the benefit of anesthesia. Her anxieties led her further down the rabbit hole. What if her blood pressure shot up like Gram's told her Abby's did with her? What if it wasn't evil that would try to do her baby in but antiquated medical practices? Where the hell was Dr. Quinn when she needed her?

One rising as she and Thomas scrubbed every inch of her keep, he told her, "King Ivar has put to death several citizens who thought to oppose him." He swatted at a few dust bunnies clinging to the far corner of the ceiling. "Lord Hvitserk was so outraged by how King Ivar hung the bodies from that statue of his he's taken to opposing the King publicly."

"Hvitserk's is still in Kattegat." She stopped scrubbing the floors to frown at him over her shoulder. "I thought he and his wife would've sailed for other shores by now."

Thomas' face dissolved into an array of creases and furrows. "You haven't heard?"

"Heard what?" Bonnie turned all the way around. She flopped down on her bottom and ran him her full attention.

"Thora miscarried her babe and nigh bled to death while doing so. It occurred the eve before they meant to depart from these shores," Thomas said as he twisted the dust rag tight in his grasp. "The high priestess says along with losing the babe, she also lost her womb. There shall be no more children for them."

"Why would you tell me something like this, Thomas? I'm fucking pregnant!" Fat drops of tears gushed from her ducts. "Oh my Goddess that's so horrible! Why would you tell me something so horrible, Thomas! You know hormones stay on ten!" She wobbled from side to side trying to get up until he got over his shock and helped her to stand.

From then on everyone was careful of what they said or did around her. Anything was liable to trigger a crying and sobbing fit. That's perhaps the reason why Silas attempted to shrug off a distress call which awakened him one eve. Yet it was unavoidable because the same call awakened her as well. Somehow Kol and Fin had found a way to link to her though she now drifted in the supernatural procession unattached.