"Ubbe..............how did you.............? My father's men............."

"My brother is keeping them busy." Ubbe replied with a chuckle. Wondering how Hvitserk was getting on. The princess now not surprised that her father had had to make a deal with Lothbrok, if just one of his sons could run rings around some of his supposed elite guards.

"I could tell you all that you might want to know about my home, about Kattegat, if you would like...........?" The blonde prince said again. The princess looking to the nursemaid by her side. The older woman patting her reassuringly in the hand, as Ardith looked between the pair.

"Why don't I wait over by the old oak? That way you and the prince can talk." Ardith told her lady. Smiling at Ubbe as she rose to her feet. The prince nodding in thanks, as he took the place that she had been sitting. His own smile growing, as he once more was able to take in the features of the beautiful woman that he would soon be able to call his bride.

"So.........tell me about your home. The home that will soon be mine. Are there castles........? Is it very much like England...........?" (Y/n) asked, as she sneaked a little closer to the Northman.

"We don't have a stone castle; but we have a Great Hall. That, and our homes are mostly made of wood, like those that you find in the villages here. Kattegat is really an overgrown fishing village that sits on a fjord surrounded by mountainous hills. It is beautiful in the warmer months, when the spring rain fills the air. It gets cold in winter, the snow deep; you will need thick furs to keep you warm. I will find you the best that coin can buy, when we get home." Ubbe explained, as he tentatively reached over and took her hands. Happy to see that she didn't pull away.

"It sounds quite beautiful; I very much look forward to seeing it. In all honesty, I have seen little beyond the wall of the castle; especially since.........well, since the Northmen made their way to our shores. My father always feared that my virtue might be taken from me, if I were to ever meet a pagan. That he would not be able to sell me into marriage to a suitable prince or king, if I was no longer pure. Yet here I am............being given to a pagan, for the price of not burning my father's kingdom to the ground. Not that........not that I hold any of this against you; you perhaps have little desire for this marriage either. You would probably prefer to wed a woman that was more like the ones that fight with you on the battlefield; but, I for one, believe that I could be married to a far worse man. That perhaps my god, and yours, have come together and decided that this is the right thing. And I promise that I will do all I can to be a good wife to you. To learn all I need to learn; to give you.............to give you all the children that you wish for. All I ask of you, is that you are as loyal to me, as I will be to you. That you will be a good husband in return" (Y/n) replied, as she looked deep into Ubbe's eyes. The colour of his orbs seeming to pull her in; seeming to surround her. Her heart beating a little quicker, as he reached up and placed his hand on her cheek. His thumb delicately brushing across her cheekbone.

"You have my word............." Ubbe replied. The prince more sure than ever before, that he wanted this marriage. That he would be happy to take his Saxon princess back to Kattegat and show her his home, his world. To introduce her to his mother and despite his reservations, to Sigurd and Ivar too. Promising himself that he would never allow any harm to come to her. That he would do as he promised and be the best and most loyal husband that he could be.

"Thank you, Ubbe. Now.........why don't you tell me more about your home. About those other brothers of yours that I have heard tell about." (Y/n) said, giggling, as she saw the look on the prince's face, at the mention of his two youngest brothers.

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

Ardith watched the interaction between the young woman that she saw as her daughter, and the undoubtedly handsome Northman. She had done all she could to raise her child in the way that she thought was best. That would make her a strong woman compared to those around her. She had taught her the language of the Northmen, their ways and beliefs, preparing her for the time that she had always known would come. For the day that the princess would be returned to the people from which she truly came.

The old woman was the only one left alive to know the true lineage of the young woman. To know the secret that (Y/n)'s mother had confessed to her, before she had died. That the beautiful princess was not the daughter of a Saxon king; but a pagan king whose forces had come to England long before those of Lothbrok. A pagan king that had been as handsome as the young man that now sat with her charge. That now smiled fondly at the princess, holding her hands in his. Ardith, though knowing that she would miss her child, happy to see the lady finally take her place amongst her father's people.

Suddenly there was a loud shout. The sounds of men rushing towards them. Ardith moving back to where (Y/n) and Ubbe now stood. The princess and nursemaid standing before the blonde Northman.

"You.........you are coming with me." The captain of the guard growled, stepping forward and glaring at Ubbe. The man shocked to find the princess returning the gesture, and glaring at him in return.