Viking Raid

[Countess DeWinter]

Hanna

I struggled with my brothers, Elathan and Gillicolm, as they held fast to my arms. I wanted to go to Bjarngard and explain to my brothers that he was not their enemy, but they would not listen, nor were they likely to understand.

I watched helplessly as he struggled with my brothers' men, bearing one to the ground and pummeling him senseless. I raised my eyes just in time to see another of them about to spear Bjarngard to the ground.

"Bjarngard!!!" I screamed until my voice was hoarse. I watched impotently as the spear tip slashed into his arm, drawing a crimson line then closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, it was to see Bjarngard's fastened to mine, his lips forming one word: "Run"

My eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed. "No!" I screamed at him.

Bjarngard somehow had all three of his assailants lying on the ground, bleeding. Finally, my brothers let go of me and converged on him. I turned, frightened, and covered my eyes, but could not hold that for long. I couldn't NOT watch. I turned to be faced with the most horrific site imaginable: Bjarngard, who somehow had gotten a sword, had it raised against my brother, ready to skewer him. I ran without thinking, throwing myself bewteen Elathan and Bjarngard.
I flung my hands out, trying to stop Bjarngard, but the red glaze in his eyes told me I would likely be next. So be it. I could not let my brother die.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Bjarn

The following moments were but a blur, the rage driving the last remnants of control from my mind, leaving but a single burning thought...to kill...

I fell upon my foes, lashing out wildly with spear, fist...my whole body a weapon. If I was wounded, I did not notice - pain was for the weak. Somehow I lost my spear, but it was no matter. My enemies could not stand against me while the fury of Odhinn flowed through my veins, as they swiftly discovered.

Soon only two remained. I struck one down - he pierced me with his sword as he fell, and I tore the blade from his grasp. Before I could despatch him, the other came at me. Our swords clashed like thunder, and I forced him back, my rage fuelled strength easily overpowering him. Dashing his defence aside, I raised my blade for the killing blow, but another stood in my path...the red-hair.

Hatred burned in my eyes as I glared at her. She stood her ground defiantly, and hefting the sword, I swung it at her. As the blade descended she raised her arms in a futile attempt to protect herself.

Suddenly the image of the red-hair with her arms outstretched brought forth a similar image stored deep in my mind...submerged by the blood lust...until now. The image from my dream, of the beast pursuing me across the ice, and of her standing in the distance, beckoning me towards her...

With a rush of reawakening thoughts and emotions, the beast receded from my mind, returning to its lair deep within. With a roar of anguish I stayed my hand, halting the blow mere inches from her neck.

Everything was silent for a moment as I our eyes locked, then the sword suddenly fell slackly from my hand as the pain from a dozen wounds washed over me.

I fell to my knees before her. Looking around, my senses swimming, I saw the five men on the ground surrounding us, bloodied and wounded, groaning in pain as they slowly crawled away.

I wrapped my arms around her leg, my only support as my strength failed me.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Hanna

My heart throbbed violently in my chest as I watched his blade flying toward me. Closing my eyes, I prayed silently for a quick death and for forgiveness for Bjarngard.

When I did not feel the death blow, I opened my eyes and saw Bjarngard falling to his knees before me, his arms wrapping around my leg for support.
I stroked his hair, wiping blood from his face, and cried. For what could have happen and because it hadn't.

I turned to face Elathan who was dragging himself to his feet. He loved me, I knew that, and only wanted my happiness. If he had come days earlier...

"I have given my heart to this man you sought to kill, brother," I said in a broken voice. "I love him. Please, do not take me home to give me to another."

Elathan asked softly if I was sure. "Am I sure?" I said, mostly to myself. "I am only sure that the sun will rise tomorrow and that I am bound by my soul to this tall stranger. Some day, maybe he will return my love, but that he wants me still is enough."

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Bjarngard

I listened through the pain to Hanna's words, as she confessed he feelings for me. I did not understand how she could feel this way, after all that I had done to her. But more than that, I was not sure I understood the feelings I had for her. I had taken her as a slave, and yet she had somehow invaded my dreams, and also my heart.

I gathered what little strength I had remaining, and staggered unevenly to my feet. Hanna offered me support, which I gladly accepted, for I was too weak for foolish acts of stubbornness.

Her brother stared at me, our eyes locked together for many moments, until finally he turned to Hanna. He nodded briefly to her, before returning his gaze to me.

"Take care of her, northman," he said solemnly. I did not reply, and slowly he turned and walked away, joining the other men that I had fought. Hanna and I watched them leave silently. I rested my arm on her shoulder for balance as a brief wave of nausea washed over me. She looked up at me, worry in her eyes - worry for me.

"Do not be afraid little one," I said through gritted teeth, as I attempted to clear my thoughts, "it is not my time to die. It is my time to live."

I removed my arm from her shoulder and closed my hand around her wrist.

"You are mine, red-hair," I said. "You belong to me."

I saw confusion in her eyes at my words. My hand slid up her wrist and my fingers interlocked with hers. I held her hand against my chest, my heart still beating rapidly after my recent exertions. I could hear her heart pounding too, in time with mine, after her near brush with death...death at my hands. I gazed deeply into her sparkling sapphire orbs.

"But I know now, that I also belong to you."

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The End
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