20 I am a Viking

The next two weeks at Bebbenburg were uneventful. It seemed that Blaeja had been affected by the attempt on her life in a bad way. Thorfinn didn't really understand why she was so upset by such a thing, these sorts of things happened all the time, but he did enjoy the peace and enjoyment that it gave him as for the next week he spent deep in study in the scriptorium, learning many things with Judith who would sometimes fill the gaps in his knowledge. While she didn't know much about the Roman Empire she did know about this land and the different kingdoms and its capitals.

Thorfinn had been a bit annoyed that Blaeja hadn't made good on her deal to give Thorfinn those rare books and maps she had. He had tried to go to her room but the guards had only increased since the night they were attacked. He would have to wait until the right moment and perhaps take them when he was leaving the castle. He was still waiting on word from Arwyn who had been working with the servants of the castle; Thorfinn had tasked her with learning the layout and finding where the lord stored his treasure. Thorfinn knew this Lord Uhtred was rich and he would take every piece of silver from him, but the problem was how to move it all out of Bebbenburg, he had no companions to help him —apart from Eowyn and Arwyn.

The day after the attack he visited the harbour under the castle and saw that while it had no ships he could make use of it did have a number of small rowing boats. Getting the treasure to one of those boats would be difficult with the number of guards, but it would be easier than trying to fight his way out of the castle while carrying it all.

What disappointed him the most was that he wasn't able to bring the entire scriptorium with him. The information here was almost as precious as the silver, except he couldn't use it to improve his land. That was why he spent so much time trying to memorise what he read, he knew he wouldn't be able to take it with him —at least not all of it. He would be taking the more sturdy books and the ones that Blaeja had promised him.

Thorfinn and Judith both sat together in a private part of the garden, she had asked if he minded taking his reading outside today; not having any issues with it he obliged and they sat in the afternoon light where they talked and read. He had recently learnt that she and Blaeja were sisters and that they were the daughters of King Aelle, this had gotten various ideas floating around his head. 'She must be worth more than her weight in gold and silver,' he thought to himself as he looked at her, but the thought of kidnapping her and holding her ransom did not sit well with him.

He enjoyed conversing with her and was grateful that she had taught him Latin as it allowed him to discover a whole new world that had previously been hidden from him. "Do you think you will become a healer?" Judith asked as she moved closer to him. He could feel her soft thighs pressed against his legs and her shoulders brushing against his own. He noticed that the dress she had chosen to wear today was different from what she usually wore, it was a lot more... revealing.

He could practically see her breasts bulging out of her dress, she wore a scarf around her chest when they came here so they weren't on display —unsurprising considering who her father was. It was stoking Thorfinns desires and distracting him from his reading.

"Edward?"

Thorfinn looked to Judith who looked at him expectantly "I would like to learn more about healing, I hope to discover all the secrets the art holds," he replied.

Judith giggled "Those are some ambitious goals Edward, but I have no doubt you would be able to achieve them," she said with a bright smile, one Thorfinn found himself returning.

"My time here has taught me how little I know about the world, there is much to see and learn," Thorfinn said as he held up his book.

Judith's smile faltered at his words "I do wish I could do as you do Edward, to be able to travel where you wish and see amazing and fantastical sights," she said a little solemnly.

"Is the life of a princess not satisfactory?" He asked.

"I have been given more than most, but in return, I have lived a life as a mere extension of my mother and father, sometimes it can be maddening," she said with a huff.

Thorfinn put a hand on her leg and gave her a comforting squeeze, one that made her lean close to him. "I understand, freedom is one of the greatest gifts the gods have given us, you can lack everything in life but if you have freedom you can always gain it again," Thorfinn said.

"Gods? You mean God don't you?" Judith said with slight confusion.

"Ah yes, god... of course," Thorfinn said with a nervous chuckle, he cursed himself for the slip of his tongue. He often forgot about these people's lack of belief in the gods, something he still found hard to believe. Freyja was all around them, Thor had beat his hammer on his anvil just a few days last, and yet they content themselves to worship a dead man nailed to a cross.

"I wish I had your freedom... to do as I wish anytime I want, even meeting with you would not be allowed, it would be seen as improper," Judith said a little sourly.

"Freedom is a gift, but if it isn't fought for them it can be taken from you," Thorfinn replied.

"Perhaps you are right, Blaeja always fought our parents much more than I ever did, she lived freely... or at least as freely as a princess can," Judith said as she looked over to Thorfinn.

"How is Blaeja?" Thorfinn asked. He was curious how she was dealing with the events that happened a few weeks ago and whether she'd be able to give him what he was owed.

"My sister has not been herself of late, she stays in her room and doesn't speak much, my father had arranged for her to court Lord Uhtreds son but the minute he stepped through her doors she screamed at him to get out," Judith explained.

She then looked down at her feet "I am worried about her, but I am unsure what to do."

"I'm sure she will be fine, she just needs time to recover," Thorfinn stated. In one of the medicine books he had read it mentioned that sometimes certain events can affect the mind, though cures for such things were not written down and mostly conjecture.

Judith looked up at Thorfinn and smiled gratefully "Thank you, Edward, I truly am glad that I met you," she said as she leaned her head on his shoulder. Thorfinn tried to smile but found that he couldn't, her sincerity made pangs of guilt run through his body; he tried to remind himself that these people were nothing but enemies, foreigners who worshipped the wrong gods.

While most of them were that, there were some that Thorfinn couldn't bring myself to hate, Judith was one of them. This was unexpected, but what he was doing wasn't what a Viking would do, they would never disguise themselves and sneak into an enemy camp, they would charge the gates and carve the Saxon's flesh from their bones. 'What is wrong with me...' he thought to himself, he didn't like these feelings, they would get in the way of what he eventually had to do.

"I am glad I met you as well Judith," Thorfinn said as he squeezed her thigh again before standing up from the bench they sat on.

"I believe I'll retire for now and try to find my wife, I'm sure she won't be happy with the lack of attention I've been giving her," Thorfinn said.

Judith stood up and wrapped her scarf around her cleavage, she looked disappointed but nodded nonetheless. "Then I hope to see you soon," she said with a smile. They both went their separate ways, Thorfinn didn't think he could handle staying in this place much longer, he enjoyed learning but he had stifled in his attempt to build his legend 'I should be out fighting! I should be killing in the name of Odin!' He chastised himself as he walked through the garden. His anger was starting to build, though it was mostly anger at himself for becoming too comfortable with this lifestyle, how had his blood cooled so much that he could settle for reading books and sitting in gardens.

'Not anymore!' He thought to himself, he walked down a path that ran parallel to the cliff wall. Coming down in the opposite direction was a guard.

As soon as the guard came within distance of Thorfinn he yanked the spear from his hand and bashed him in the nose with it, a loud crack echoed throughout the garden, luckily they were alone so no one was there to hear. He grabbed the guard by the jaw before he could make a sound and pushed him to the ground, he had to stop himself from roaring as he smashed his fist against the guard's head repeatedly; by the time he stopped the guard's face was dented and he gurgled as he choked on his blood.

Thorfinn breathed heavily as he looked down at the mutilated guard beneath him, this was who he was, this was what he wanted to be. He lifted the guard and threw him over the wall, he watched as the guard's body crashed against the rocks and tumbled into the sea. He brushed his hands through his hair and started laughing 'Was this a test for me Odin?'  He thought as he looked up to the sky.

Odin sacrificed his eye for knowledge, perhaps that was the journey he was leading Thorfinn on. He enticed him with all this knowledge and all it would cost was who he was. "I will take the knowledge you have offered, but I will not become like these people," Thorfinn hissed.

*Caw*

Thorfinn looked over to the right and saw a Raven had landed on the wall and seemed to be staring at him.

He smiled.

———————————————————-

Eowyn had been having trouble sleeping as of late, she had been having strange dreams, dreams that scared her. When she sought the comfort of her sister she could never find her, she was always away doing tasks for their captor. She dreamed of the forest, a forest so thick with trees that it seemed impossible to traverse. However she was able to, when she went behind the forest she found herself emerging to a beautiful lake with an island in the middle, a large castle lay on the island, one far grander than Bebbenburg, one grander than she had ever seen before. In her dream, she saw many try to swim towards the island, but a strange current kept on pushing them back.

But not her, Eowyn was seemingly welcomed by the island, she stepped onto the water and her breath hitched as she didn't sink but floated on stop. She walked to the island, watching as people seemingly drowned and were dragged back to shore. When she reached the island she felt comfort and safety, but those feelings were ripped away when a dark shadow grabbed her and tore her away from the island. After that, she didn't remember what happened and awoke in her bed.

It was past evening when she awoke and the room was empty as it usually was. Thorfinn was off doing who knows what and Arywn was still doing things that not even she was allowed to know. She allowed her feet to hit the cold stone floor, she didn't know when she had started to sleep naked but it seemed a lifetime ago that she didn't.

"Eowyn..."

Eowyn smaller her head around as she heard her name being said, it didn't sound like it was being said by a person but more like a whisper on the wind. She looked around as she backed away towards the window where Thorfinns sword was leaning against the wall, but she couldn't see anything. She rushed over and drew the sword from the sheath, though it was heavier than she was expecting and she nearly dropped it when she tried to lift it.

"Eowyn..."

She turned away and pointed the sword with both hands in the direction the sound came from. She nearly fell to the ground in fear when she saw a tall figure emerge from the shadows of her room, he was dressed in brown and green rags and had a long wooden staff "Get out now... I'll kill you!" Eowyn threatened as she tightened her hand around the handle of the sword.

"I'm sure you would my girl, but there is no need for that, I have not come here to harm you, quite the opposite in fact," The man said.

Eowyn gave him a confused look but didn't loosen her grip on the sword, after all she had been through she would not let it end and mean nothing. "What do you want..." she said cautiously.

"How about you put on some clothes first, there is a terrible chill tonight and I can see you shivering," the man said. He then gestured to the bed where one of her nightdresses was, she felt confused for a moment as she was sure this wasn't where she had left it. Keeping an eye on the man she walked slowly to her bed before snatching the dress and retreating back towards the window, it was difficult to put it on while she kept one hand on her sword but she managed to do it.

"Very good," the man's voice echoed out.

"Tell me what you want, or leave, my husband will not be happy when he comes back to find you here," Eowyn said with a frown on her face.

"Your husband... or your captor?" The man said in a grave tone.

Eowyn tensed "I'm unsure of what you mean," she said as her grip around the sword tightened.

"I am a friend Eowyn, you need not lie to me or worry about telling the truth," the man said in a kind tone.

Eowyn didn't trust his honeyed words "What do you want... tell me and be gone," she repeated.

The man sighed but nodded "I have come to offer you sanctuary, you need not worry about being a prisoner anymore, me and my people can protect you... and your baby," he stated.

Eowyn almost let out a gasp at the last part, she knew it was coming but for someone else to say it, the situation finally seemed real. "We know you are with child, your child has an important destiny so I implore you to come with us so we may keep you safe," he said a little desperately.

Eowyn had still not recovered from the shock of being pregnant, but when she did she looked up at the man and pointed the sword higher "Who are you?" She asked.

"I am Carden, my people are nomads who wander the forests, forgotten to time," he replied.

"Can you save my sister..." Eowyn asked a little hopefully.

Carden looked at her regretfully and shook his head "The magic that binds your sister to that man is beyond us, we have seen nothing like it," he replied.

Eowyn shook her head "I won't leave my sister behind," she said resolutely.

"You must... a dark future awaits these lands should you refuse, your son will grow up under the instruction of his father, he will teach him the way of his people and instead of becoming a force for good he will shroud this land in his darkness," Carden warned as he stepped closer and closer to Eowyn.

Eowyn felt her resolve weaken as she listened to him, it was her fear that her child would grow up to become like Thorfinn, and she would do anything to stop that from happening. But she didn't want to leave her sister behind, she had only just gotten her back. "Your sister will be okay, she is bound to him and he will not hurt her because of it," Carden said reassuringly.

It didn't make Eowyn feel much better, but she did lower the sword. She opened her mouth to give Carden her answer but she was interrupted by the flapping of wings.

*Caw*

She turned around to see a Raven perched on the window looking into the room. Dismissing this she turned back to tell Carden what she decided just to see him almost shaking in fear, he had both hands on his staff and he seemed to be muttering a prayer of some sort. "I have run out of time Eowyn, make for the treeline outside of Bebbenburg, once you do we can protect you," he said as he slowly backed away.

*Caw*

Carden stepped back into the shadows and seemingly disappeared. Not long after he had left the room the door opened and Thorfinn stepped through with Arywn on his heels. He looked at Eowyn who had his sword in his hands and frowned "Did someone come into the room?" He asked as he approached her.

Eowyn shook her head "I had a nightmare... I thought I saw something but it was just a shadow," she replied.

Thorfinn placed his head against hers, it was a little hot, he placed his fingers under her neck and felt her pulse. "Do not worry, I wouldn't allow any harm to come to you," he reassured her. He then walked over to a bedside drawer and opened it before taking out various concoctions he had been brewing with the help of Beric for the past few weeks. He brought out a mild valerian draft that should assist in helping a person go back to sleep.

When he turned back he saw Eowyn leaning out the window throwing up. "Arwyn get some water," he asked. She obliged and poured her sister a cup from a pitcher on the table. He approached Eowyn and rubbed her back, something which she jolted at first but accepted a moment later. When Eowyn came up from the window she nearly fell backwards, but Thorfinn caught her and carried her over to the bed.

He handed her the drink which Eowyn took and gulped down greedily "Drink this," Thorfinn said as he handed her the small bottle.

Eowyn looked at it a little hesitantly "What is it?" She asked.

"Something that will help you rest," he told her, she took the bottle and drank it, making a disgusted face as she did. She then lay back down and a few moments later she started to feel sleepy.

"Why..." she asked.

"Why what?" Thorfinn said with confusion.

"Why... treat me with kindness... I'm a slave," she asked.

Thorfinn didn't answer for a moment and just looked at her "I don't know..." he replied finally. Eowyn didn't say anymore and fell asleep a few seconds later.

Arywn came to stand by his side and looked at her sister with worry "Stay and look after her Arwyn, I am going to check on what you've discovered," he instructed her.

"Yes lord," she replied.

"If what you've told me is correct then we can get the silver and leave soon," Thorfinn said with a grin as he rubbed the top of Arywns hair before grabbing his sword and leaving the room. Arywn just looked at him longingly as he left and her loins ached for him to be between them.

...

Thorfinn walked the castle, he didn't do so silently, he wouldn't do that anymore. He walked with purpose towards the treasure room that Arwyn had finally found, the castle was empty at this time of night, all the servants had gone to sleep and the only people left were the guards who periodically patrolled certain areas. Unfortunately, the treasure room seemed to have a guard stationed there permanently. It was behind a thick wooden door at the end of a corridor. One thing Thorfinn did notice was that the treasure room wasn't too far away from the cove 'In case they need to abandon the castle they can quickly move all their silver,' he thought to himself as he approached the treasure room.

"Oi what you doing 'ere this time a night," The guard called out to Thorfinn who kept on walking towards him.

"I was trying to find this room," Thorfinn stated before drawing his sword and driving it into his chest, he covered the guard's mouth as he did so he couldn't scream when he went limp he grabbed the guard keys from his belt and he then lifted him and threw him out the nearest window, he was glad he was on the side of the castle facing the ocean as the body tumbling across the rocks and was swept away by the waves.

He tried every key on the chain but none of them seemed to open the door, he didn't know why he was surprised it was likely the lord of the castle who kept the keys on him.

"There is another way in..."

Thorfinn turned around and drew his sword, intent on killing whoever had come behind him. However when he turned he stopped as he recognised Blaeja "What're you doing here," he said with a frown, not lowering his sword.

"I followed you..." she replied.

Thorfinn's frown intensified and he gripped his sword handle, he couldn't let her speak of what she had seen, he wasn't ready to leave yet. "You don't need to kill me, I've known what you are since I first met you," she said, surprising him.

Thorfinn narrowed his eyes "How could you know?" He asked.

"Your accent, the small expressions you make every time god is mentioned, your martial skill is unusual for your age it's as if you've trained your whole life, but you also have callouses on your hand that could only be from something wooden, since you don't carry a long axe or a spear I can only assume you were a farmer," she explained.

"Your hair isn't natural, you are taller than most people your age and I've heard you muttering in a foreign language."

"I understand you do not need to continue," Thorfinn said through gritted teeth.

"Why did you not inform your father or the guards?" He asked.

"Before because you were interesting, now because I owe you my life," she replied.

Thorfinn sheathed his sword which made Blaeja relax a bit, however, he quickly grabbed her by the neck she shoved her to the wall. "You're very clever Blaeja, so why don't you tell me what you are doing?" He asked as he increased the pressure around her throat. She grabbed onto his hands as she choked trying to make him stop but being too weak to do so.

"I... hate it... here... take me... with you," she struggled out, Thorfinn decreased the pressure around her throat and let her breathe.

"I want to come with you," she said after coughing.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because if I'm with you I can see new things and explore new lands knowing you will protect me," she replied.

Thorfinn laughed "Why should I do that? What do you have to offer me?" He asked.

"My mind, I know you plan to travel, I've read a lot about the world beyond these lands, you could use me," she said.

Thorfinn let go of her neck and shoved her back "Let's see how useful you are in getting me into the treasury," he said as he turned back to the door.

However, Blaeja didn't speak or say anything to him, when he turned around to face her she was looking down the left corridor with a look of fear on her face. He followed her gaze and saw that it was the man they had encountered two weeks ago, he had returned. Thorfinn sighed "Blaeja go back to your chambers, we will have to do this another time," he stated before drawing his sword.

She happily followed his instructions and left running down the corridor leaving them alone. Thorfinn growled as he rushed towards the man who ran back at him, he swung his sword down in an overhead strike which the stranger avoided, he tried to slash at Thorfinns midsection but the young man pivoted out of the way before kicking at his stomach and sending him stumbling back. The stranger righted himself before thrusting his sword at Thorfinn only for it to be parried off to the side, however unexpectedly, he switched hands and slashed across his stomach drawing blood.

Thorfinn growled before swinging hard enough to break through his guard and expose his body, he tried to run him through but the stranger jumped out of the way, they proceeded to fight each other through the corridors, and the sounds of metal crashing together echoed through the halls. The fight was a lot easier for Thorfinn this time as he had an actual sword and not just his dagger. They clashed swords once more and Thorfinn grabbed the back of his head and forced it into his own blade, the stranger yelled out in pain before stumbling back, but Thorfinn wouldn't give him any breathing room and he launched a powerful kick right to his midsection which sent him gasping for air on the floor.

Thorfinns blade clanged against the stone floor as the stranger rolled out of the way of his strike, the man then tried to kick Thorfinn and succeeded in buckling him. They both got back to their feet where the stranger slammed his sword down with an overhead strike, but while Thorfinn blocked it, he withdrew a dagger from his sleeve and stabbed him in the stomach. Thorfinn growled in pain and anger, he could see the man smirk from beneath his hood and it only infuriated him even more. He grabbed the man's wrist, he had the gall to laugh at Thorfinn when he did. Surprise adorned his face when he saw that Thorfinn moved the dagger back out of his body "RAAAAH!!!" He squeezed the man's wrist and an audible snap could be heard, the stranger winced in pain but still had the clarity to barge Thorfinn back.

Thorfinn swiped his sword aiming to decapitate the man, but he managed to duck just in time. However, the sword caught his hood and the stranger was unveiled. "I recognise you... you're a guard," Thorfinn growled out. He had seen him many times in the hall guarding the King and Lord Uhtred.

Edgar scowled at Thorfinn, this stupid cunt was ruining everything, why couldn't he just die as easily as the rest. He knew he couldn't back away now, if he went back empty handed his employer would kill him. He rushed towards Thorfinn swinging his sword, however with one hand his swings were not as powerful and Thorfinn was easily able to deflect them.

"GAAAHGH!!!" Edgar nearly threw up as Thorfinn connected a fist with his stomach. He had been punched many times in his life, but none made him feel like his insides were burning. He brought up his sword to defend and overhead slash from Thorfinn but his sword was easily knocked aside. Edgar fell to the ground breathless and defenceless, he could only look up to Thorfinn as he brought his sword down into his chest.

Of all the evil things he had done in his life, Edgar's only regret was that he had ever chosen to work for that creature.

Thorfinn smiled as he saw the light die from the man's eyes. If he had the same skill and experience as Offa, Thorfinn couldn't help but think that this fight could've gone a lot differently. He drew his sword back out and breathed heavily as his blood began to cool; Thorfinn lifted the body from the floor and threw it out the window, he saw there was a lot of blood covering the floors but the pain from his abdomen was hurting too much and he knew he needed to treat himself quickly. He slowly limped back to his chambers leaving the corridors a bloody mess, he couldn't help but curse as he knew this would likely increase guards the next time he came.

———————————————————

Down in the cove, a man waited in the shadows, his servant Edgar was meant to bring him the source of that incredibly potent blood, but Edgar never came and so he could only assume he failed in his task. Not that he expected much from the man, he was a scoundrel, the very dregs of society, but he was good at killing and that's all that mattered.

"It seems I must handle things myself."

Time was running out, he could feel it. If he didn't begin the ritual soon then he would perish for certain.

(AN: So Thorfinn is having a little identity crisis but he sorts it out pretty quickly, he is capable of changing and becoming a more moral person but that will always fight with how he was raised, at least for now. Druids have made contact with Eowyn, they know the importance of her baby and wish to protect it. Thorfinn has tapped into his divine strength a little bit, while he won't be known for his strength, he will still be stronger than a human. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)

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