Halfdan looked around; he had lost her; how could he have lost her. She was just there; he just far enough behind her, so that he didn't draw attention to himself. But now...........

"You followed me from town. You have been stood outside Flóki's cabin since I went in. Why would you do that........?" A voice came, Halfdan quickly turning to see the dark clad, hooded figure, and the pale eyed raven, looking at him.

"(Y/n), its me.......Halfdan..........."

"I know who you are, Halfdan Halfdansson. I may have lost many things while I was held captive; but I have not lost my memories. Though who you are, does not explain why you would follow me all the way from town, and then wait for hours while I speak to Flóki." (Y/n) countered. Reiði eyeing him menacingly, as the daughter of Ragnar took a step closer. The man from Vestfold sure that he could see the glint of something metal from under the dark hood.

"I thought we could talk..........?"

"Talk? You are not a man that I associate with words; more with actions. And the last time that we met, talking was the last thing that you had on your mind." (Y/n) retorted, as she pushed passed him. Reiði letting out a loud mocking croak, as he and the shieldmaiden continued on their way back town. Halfdan scowling at the feathered black creature before quickly catching up with the daughter of the fallen king.

"So, you do remember me........."

"As I said, Halfdan, I have not lost my memories. And wanting to talk to me, still does not tell me why you would wait for hours. Would it not have been better to try and speak to me in town........."

"I would have done if I had seen you. If your brothers............."

"If my brothers had let me out of their sight." (Y/n) finishing his sentence, as she stopped and turned to look at him.

"I think you will find that it is more that I do not want to let them out of my sight. I have lost my father, not seen any of my siblings for more years than I care to remember; so, you will have to excuse me if I wish to spend time with them, rather than a man that I shared nothing with, but a few nights of lust. Though really, I should thank you for that; for I doubt that now, no man would want to touch me." She continued. A sudden forceful gush of wind making its way through the trees and pushing back her hood just enough so that Halfdan could see her face; could see the silver mask that covered half of it, and the pale eye that felt as though it was looking right into his soul. The younger son of Halfdan the Elder, finding himself taking a step back at the sight.

"So, if you will excuse me, I must go back and speak with my mother. Though perhaps we will see one another at the celebration tonight. You and Harald." The princess added, giving the younger brother of the king a respectful nod, before leaving Halfdan alone in the woods.

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

"What........?" (Y/n) asked, as she caught Reiði looking at her out of the corner of her eye.

"I am not going to be distracted by him. Yes, he is still handsome; yes, he still has that air about him. But I know what must be done. I am here to avenge my father, to avenge myself. And I am not about to let anyone come between me and watching as Ælle and Echbert leave this world." She told the raven. The large bird looking at her with its single black eye, as if it was not convinced.

It was true what (Y/n) had said. She had not forgotten what she had seen, when the gods had come to her. She had not forgotten why she was still alive. It was true too, that Halfdan was still handsome and oozed all the masculinity that she looked for in a man. But also, as she had said, she could not imagine any man looking at her with anything more than disgust, now. It not just how her face that had been scarred, how the beautiful colour had been taken from her eye; but the other scars that covered her flesh. Rollo and his Frankish dogs ensuring that each of their punishment, was documented on her skin. Her body a picture of the pain that she had had to endure. Of the days, weeks, months and years of torture that had been forced on her. Yet that didn't mean that a little part of her didn't still wish that she could have had a life where she was loved. That she had a man of her own. A husband that adored her like Flóki adored Helga. But some things were not meant to be. The norns, had decided on her fate. They had decided that she belonged to Víðarr and Váli, not some mortal man. (Y/n) trusting that when her time came, she would be called to Valhalla, and would once more find herself as she used to be. That she would find herself with her father.

"Now, keep your looks for others, Reiði. I have to try and explain this to my mother. And then.......then you and I will introduce ourselves to the whole of Kattegat. Show them what the last thing the Saxon kings will see.............."