"But you have to come." Björn said, as it got closer to the time of the feast.

"You are not telling me that you will allow my brothers and a thrall to keep you away from a night of celebration. Especially when the celebration is for me." He continued, as he turned to look at (Y/n).

When they had got back to Kattegat, she had finally told Björn what had happened. About Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd all spending time with the same thrall. About how she had become angry at Sigurd for once again calling Ivar a pathetic cripple and telling him that he was not a man. Björn noticing that any time that she mentioned Sigurd, she would become angrier. The older boy realising that all this had nothing to do with the others, just one of his brothers. Though he couldn't help but feel as though she deserved better than Sigurd. That if she would listen to him, he would push to make sure that she had a man that he thought was right. But who was he to question a person's heart. To question the plans of the gods. The eldest son of Ragnar sure that it would take more than a feast to negate (Y/n)'s anger towards the man she loved; yet it was a start.

"Björn, I.........."

"No, no arguing. I want you to go and change. To wear your best dress and braid your hair. I want you to sit by me, and show my brothers, show every man in Kattegat, that they are fools, if they cannot see that you are truly beautiful. That you are worth more than any thrall or freewoman that calls this place, home." Björn continued, as he made his way over to her, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet, before kissing her on the head and then gently moving her through the door.

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

(Y/n) looked at the dress on the bed. It was the only one that she had, despite how many times that she had been told that she should not dress like a man all the time; and therefore, it was only worn on the best of occasions. Well, not really then, either. But why not wear it tonight? It was only right that she should. It a way for her to show all those present, that she was as much a woman as any other. And so, what if Sigurd preferred slaves, over her; there would be other men at the celebrations, men who had come with Björn. Men that would know how to appreciate and treat a woman, a shieldmaiden. And even if there wasn't, being with Björn would ensure that she would have better things to think about; for it meant that she could ask him about Torvi, Hali and Asa, and about Lagertha. (Y/n) missing both of the shieldmaidens. Shieldmaidens that had taught her so much. Her hands quickly pulling off the tunic and her breeches, before she stepped into the bath that was waiting for her.

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

"I can't wait to see (Y/n). Can you, Sigurd.......?" Ivar suddenly asked. His broad smile hidden behind the lip of his cup, yet his eyes spoke volumes. Sigurd doing his best to ignore his younger sibling; yet he had to agree, he couldn't wait to see (Y/n). Sigurd sure that she would be there, given that the feast was for Björn. His eyes falling on his father's oldest son, who had kept an empty seat next to him.

Since he had seen Björn carrying (Y/n) back into town, Sigurd had been able to do nothing but think about all that he had realised. For so long he had felt something more towards the young shieldmaiden, than friendship. For so long he had thought about her, when he was alone at night; wondering what it would be like to be with her. To have her naked in his bed with him; yet he never thought that she might possibly have those thoughts about him in return, Sigurd believing that if she did care for someone, then it might be Ubbe or Hvitserk. And now, thanks to everything he had done with Margrethe, he would probably never get a chance to fulfill all those fantasies. Sigurd well aware of how proud (Y/n) was, how stubborn and headstrong she was. Not likely to ever forgive or forget about any of it.

Suddenly the doors to the Great Hall, opened. All eyes turning to see who was coming to join the feasting. A smile making its way onto Björn's lips, as he got up from his chair. The mouths of Aslaug's sons falling open, as (Y/n) walked past them, not even looking in their direction as she made her way to Björn. A murmur going around all those present, as the oldest son of Ragnar held out a hand for (Y/n) to take; bringing her around so that she could take her place next to him. Björn just laughing at his brothers, before he handed her a cup of mead.

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

(Y/n) couldn't remember the last time that she had had so much fun. And even though she had been sat near them, she had not thought about, nor looked at the other sons of the king, all night. Björn seeming to make it his business to keep her distracted. The air filling with her laughter, as he told her of what he had been doing since he last saw her.

"Björn!" A voice suddenly exclaimed. Björn and (Y/n) turning to see a large man stood before them. His eyes never leaving her, despite the fact that he was talking to the man by her side.

"Einar." Björn replied. Doing his best not to laugh, when he saw that his friend was not looking at him.

"You have kept this beauty to yourself all night, and not introduced her to one of us." Einar continued. A smile coming to his lips, as (Y/n) felt herself blush.

(Y/n) had to admit that this Einar was handsome, and so unlike any of the sons of Ragnar. He was tall and broad with large shoulders. His hair, thick and dark, with a braid on either side of his head; and a neatly trimmed beard that more than complimented his features. And a sparkle in his eyes that made her want to return his smile.

"Of course, how rude of me. Einar, this is (Y/n). She is a dear friend of mine, and like a sister to me." Björn explained, as Einar reached out and took her hand.

"Is that so. Well, I was hoping that the lady would like to join me for a little air.........." Einar not able to finish and Björn not able to reply, before (Y/n) got to her feet.

"I would like that, very much." (Y/n) agreed. The shieldmaiden ignoring the pathetic disdainful snort from Sigurd, as he stabbed his dagger into the tabletop. Choosing instead to keep her eyes on Einar, as he placed her hand in the crook of his arm and led her out of the hall.