Ragnar made his way into the trees that surrounded the settlement that was being built in Wessex. It wasn't the first time that he had done this since he had arrived back in Albion. The silence of the forest giving him a sense of peace as he made his way through the dappled light that creeped between the dense foliage that hung over his head.

Athelstan had warned him about the area. He had told him that the forest was ancient and filled with pagan magic. That people called Druids, had once worshipped their gods, performed their rites and made sacrifices beneath the branches of the mighty oak that was said to be at the heart of the wood. That they called upon spirits like, what the priest had referred to as, the 'Green Lady', for protection; and to bring fertility and new life to the people, animals and land. To have her watch over the trees and punish all that may defile the sacred forest. Ragnar laughing at his friends warning. The king reminding him that he had been brought up with pagan notions such as that; and given that he had no intention of defiling anything in the woods, he assured Athelstan that he doubted that this Green Lady would be interested in him. Though, given how the priest had described her, as a beautiful, yet sometimes mischievous huntswoman whose hair was intertwined with flowers and tendrils of foliage; he couldn't help but hope that one day he might actually meet her.

Slowly he continued on his way, the weight of responsibility lifting more and more from his shoulders, the deeper into the ancient forest, he roamed. There nothing but the sounds of bird song and the trickle of the nearby stream, as the water moved over the smooth stones, to break the silence. Ragnar taking in a deep breath of the good, clean air, before sighing happily. All this was so far removed from Kattegat and the queen that he had never really loved. He had never really wanted to be a king; in truth, all he had ever really desired was to sail the seas and explore the lands that might lay beyond the little part of Midgard that he knew. That, and farm; to live as he had done before fate had changed the course of his life. For then, he could just be himself; not an Earl, not a King, not the legends that had built themselves up around him, just Ragnar. And here it was the same; he was just Ragnar. The birds, the insects, the water in the river not caring about titles or legacy. Not caring, as he sat quietly on a large rock that was covered in soft, downy moss.

Suddenly there was a noise. Ragnar slowly getting to his feet as he heard the soft breaking of branches. He was sure that it was a deer. A deer that, if he could kill it, would provide some much needed fresh meat for those that were with him, helping to build up the settlement. The Viking warrior quietly taking the bow from his back and notching an arrow, as he followed the sounds; his eyes widening as finally, there, stood in a small clearing where the sun flooded in and lit up the earth, stood a stag; but not just any stag, a stag that was as white as the snow that fell in Kattegat. A beast larger than any other of its kind he had seen. The Northman regaining his composure and bringing back up his bow; pulling back the drawstring until it touched the corner of his mouth. The projectile effortlessly leaving the bow and heading straight for its target. Yet before it could hit his quarry, another arrow came from the tree line and knocked his from the air; the stag bolting and disappearing back into the trees. Ragnar quickly notching another arrow, as something sped passed him, then sped passed him again. Whatever it was it was proving to quick for him to see; the only sound that followed it, the rustling of the leaves as it moved through the trees. The warrior, without warning, finding himself knocked to the ground. Ragnar looking up to see another hunter with their foot on his chest and the tip of an arrow pointing at his heart.

"Who are you to come into my woods and try to take the life of that which is sacred to me..........?" A soft, yet firm voice enquired. Ragnar feeling his heart begin to thump violently against the inside of his chest, as the hunter waited for him to reply.

"Your wood? Who.........who are you......?" The Northman managed to ask. The breath leaving his body, as the hunter removed their hood to reveal a woman of unparalleled beauty. Her long hair intertwined with vines and small flowers of delicate hues that brought out the stunning colour of her eyes, skin and lips.

"You........you are the Green Lady........."

"That is one of my names. Yet there are few left that remember my others, now. Though those that do, just call me (Y/n)." She told him, before removing her boot from his chest and gesturing for him to rise. Ragnar quickly getting to his feet. His mind beginning to race as quickly as his heart, as she circled him.

"You are not like them......those that call this land, home; but have forgotten the old ways. Those that pray to the single god. So......who are you.......what are you.......?" (Y/n) enquired. Ragnar noticing that as she walked, the grass beneath her feet, grew lush; flowers that had not been there before, now began to bloom.

"My name is Ragnar, son of Sigurd. I come from a land across the sea where the old ways have not been forgotten. Where we still call on our gods to watch over and protect us. Some others have joined me here to start a new life, to farm the land. I come into your woods to think and find peace; and today, in hopes of finding meat to feed my people. I meant no offence." Ragnar explained. His eyes widening, as the Green Lady reached up and ghosted her fingers over the tattoos on his head.

"Your gods are old, son of Sigurd, but not as old as I. Though if you understand the old way, then perhaps I will allow you to continue to come into my woods; to hunt for anything but my stags. Though for such a thing, there has to be a sacrifice........."

"A sacrifice.........?" Ragnar countered. Recalling the many that he had seen and been a part of, since he was young.

"Yes, a sacrifice..........from you; of the essence of life." (Y/n) explained with a smile, as she moved closer to him. Her body now pressed up against that of the handsome Northman. Her lips a mere breath away from his.

"Of seed, that will bring with it fertility to this land. So, what say you, Ragnar from across the sea? Are you willing to make the sacrifice........?" Ragnar slowly moving his hand into her hair, before pulling her to him. Their lips connecting in a kiss. The King of Kattegat slowly taking her down to the thick bed of grass beneath their feet; more than happy to give the Green Lady the sacrifice that she had asked for.