"(Y/n).........." The voice making her look up from the pot that sat atop a small fire. The contents popping and bubbling as she stirred them. The odd smell coming from the black vessel causing Ragnar's nose to scrunch up in disgust, though he did try his best to disguise it.

He and Rollo had just been to speak to Torstein, and it was obvious that all was not well; it no just the fact that he didn't want to eat, which was a first for the Skutilsvein, but the way he looked, how quiet he was........it was not the Torstein that Ragnar knew. It was not the Torstein that had been his friend for so long. The Earl knowing that he had to do something; that he had to help his table-man if he could, and the only way that he thought he could do that, was by speaking to (Y/n).

(Y/n) had been taken on many a raid to the East, long before Ragnar had beaten Earl Haraldson; it not that she was a shieldmaiden, that she could fight on the battlefield, though Ragnar was sure that if he placed a sword in her hand, she would be able to defend herself, quite well. No, (Y/n) was taken along for her other abilities; she one of the strongest völva that Ragnar had ever come across. Her spells and potions; her understanding of plants and herbs in aiding the sick and injured, second to none.

"Ragnar.........?"

"I need you to go and speak to Torstein........"

"Torstein........why..........?" (Y/n) asked, as she got to her feet and pulled the pot from the fire.

"There is something wrong with him.........."

"There has always been something wrong with him, Ragnar......."

"(Y/n), please.........." The Earl retorted, gripping carefully at the top of her arm.

"I do not think that he is well......" The völva nodding slowly, able to see the look of concern on Ragnar's face.

"Of course, please forgive me. I did not mean........I will go and check on him........" (Y/n) replied. Ragnar slowly removing his hand from her arm and giving her a soft smile in thanks.

                                                         >>------------------------------------<<

Torstein gripped his arm. It wasn't good, he knew that it wasn't. When he had received the arrow to his left arm during the attack on King Brihtwulf's forces, he knew that perhaps he shouldn't have broken off the end and taken out the projectile; that he should have left it in and let it be treated properly, but he hadn't and now.........

"Torstein......." The housecarl looking up as he heard a soft voice. A slight smile coming to his lips, as he saw (Y/n) making her way towards him.

"(Y/n)......sit down......why are you here.........?" The warrior doing his best to sound upbeat as the völva taking a seat on his left.

"I came to check on you.....your friends are worried.........."

"Worried........there is nothing to be worried about. I am fine; ready to fight........" Torstein hissing as (Y/n) took his arm, she drawing a dagger from her belt and carefully cutting away the material of his shirt. Her eyes widening as she saw the injury.

"Torstein.......what...........?"

"Arrow......during our attack on King Brihtwulf's forces. I broke the end and removed the thing........" Torstein slowly taking (Y/n)'s hand and holding it tight.

"I should have come to find you.....I should not have taken it out. Is it.......?"

"Infected.......? Yes.........."

"Can you do anything..........?" The völva looking down at the hot, discoloured flesh that was beginning to smell.

"If you had come to see me straight away, perhaps. But now.........."

"Don't tell anyone.........." Torstein's grip tightening all the more, as he turned to look at her.

"Please.....I don't want them to know......."

"Torstein, the infection has already taken a hold, and it will spread; the fever....the pain, the smell will only get worse; you cannot hide it forever. The arm........"

"Then help me, (Y/n). I cannot die like this........I will not go to Valhalla.......help me get to Valhalla.......Tell me I get to Valhalla......" He pleaded as he looked into her eyes. (Y/n) nodding, before slowly reaching into a pouch on her belt and throwing some powder onto the flames of the fire that they sat next to. The völva seeing in the dancing licks of light a vision of the man by his side. She standing there as Torstein, with a shield in his right hand, made his way towards the enemy. (Y/n) a silent witness, as wind and mist drifted across the hills, blowing her hair into the sky, while the Northman staggered ever forward; the foe eventually sighting him, and firing at him. But despite being injured, still he moved forward. More arrows followed, yet still he continued; the shield eventually dropping to his side as two arrows now lodged themselves in his leg, before he fell to his knees. Torstein speaking quietly to Odin, praying for him to accept him in the halls. (Y/n) gasping and turning her eyes from the flames as she watched his last efforts, as she watched the light leave his eyes.

"Tell me (Y/n)......please, what did you see.........?"

"You will die a warrior's death, Torstein. Odin.......Odin will send a Valkyrie for you........I have seen it........." The pair growing quiet for a moment. (Y/n) able to tell that he had taken some comfort from her words.

"I will go and collect some things. Some water to cool your brow; some herbs to help with the pain.........." The völva finally continued, as she got to her feet; looking at Torstein as he kept hold of her hand.

"Will you stay with me tonight......sit with me.....talk about things that should have been? When my time comes, I want to know that my last days were spent in your company. In the company of a woman that I should long ago have told that I cared for." (Y/n) feeling a tear come to her eye as she looked down at him, she quickly brushing it away, knowing that tears were not what Torstein needed now. That when he was gone, when he sat in the hall of the slain, then she would weep. (Y/n) leaning over and placing a kiss to his forehead.

"For such a brave warrior......I would be honoured........"