Ragnar and Sophia kissed; their lips moved with soft and slow precision. Sophia slowly opened her eyes and widened them. She then stopped the kiss and moved her head away. This confused Ragnar. He looked at her in silence, his eyes never leaving her. Sophia was irked by the silence, and she slowly looked at him. "Th-This is not right."

"Why is it because of Lagertha?"

"That's one of the reasons. People will think I was waiting for you two to leave each other to take the chance or vice versa. Also, I know you're still grieving for Fridleif. This is not the right way to do it." Ragnar was silent as he got off her and sat beside her. Sophia slowly sat up, not looking at him in the face. "What have I done? I kissed him back! Well, he isn't a bad kisser, though."

"I did not do this out of grief or because my wife and I are divorced. I did it because of you."

"What?"

Ragnar cut some small pieces of grass and played with them without looking at her. "It is because of your character. You got on my nerves when we first met and always asked questions. However, you had a hidden strength I hadn't seen in such a long time. You were courageous and stubborn. You remind me of how I once was."

Sophia blushed and cleared her throat. "Still, it's not a good reason to be with someone just because they remind you of the attributes you once had."

"I know, but your heart got to me."

"My heart?"

"You do what you think is right, no matter the cost. You care for people rather than for yourself. You were willing to learn how to fight to learn how to defend yourself and others. You have honor and respect, and do not let the words of others affect you." Ragnar let out a soft chuckle as he threw the pieces of grass. "You are more of a leader than I."

The young woman was speechless. She has never been told such things before. Her heart was beating rapidly, making her body warm. 

"That is why I want you to leave this place. You have qualities that can help others get through hardships. You are...special. I don't want you to be in the hands of Itzvar or for you to get killed. I lost my son, and my wife left with our daughters. At least you would be alive."

"As I said before, I am not leaving. I am one of the reasons Itzvar and his men are attacking all of us. No matter where I go, he will try to find me and kill anyone in his way. I can't escape the problem; I must confront and end it. You know that this is true." Sophia smiled. "We will eliminate Itzvar, and you will have your homeland again. So instead of worrying and sending me away, train me to help you." 

Ragnar was about to speak but heard walking noises coming toward them. The two looked behind them. "Arne, what are you doing here? I thought you were with your father and brothers."

Arne stood silently as he glared at Ragnar. "I was, but we finished dinner, and I was about to go to you for a spar. However, I see that you already had practice."

The two stood up. "Well, we didn't spar as much. Ragnar and I talked."

"I see. I think you should go home. It's unsafe for anyone to be far from the city. Either way, I need to speak with Ragnar alone."

The young woman looked at Ragnar, and he nodded his head. She walked away toward the city. The men were alone. Ragnar sighed. "You saw everything."

"Nothing escapes you. You wanted her to leave."

"I did. She's not safe, and I know Itzvar will attack again, but he has been quiet for the moment."

Arne crossed his arms as he walked forward. "Indeed. They suffered another humiliation. However, Itzvar can be cunning and cowardly when he doesn't get his way. Though I do agree that she needs to be far from here."

Ragnar nodded. "She refused to leave, and I will not force her to do something she does not want."

"So you are just going to let her stay and fight? Her skills are improving, but she is a healer and seer. We cannot let her get killed. You should have pressured her to leave elsewhere."

"As you witnessed, she would not listen. She made up her mind, and this is where she will stay. She made a good point of confronting the problem. Sophia made her decision, and she must go through with it."

Arne scoffed. "You are many things, Ragnar Lothbrok, but convincing you are not."

Ragnar slowly walked toward the young man. Arne turned and eyed the older man. Ragnar's eyes never left Arne's. "I don't always need to be convincing to a woman who has already made up her mind. If you have feelings for her, then you should tell her. Don't wait for her to figure it out, or she will fall for another."

"You speak as if it will happen."

"I speak because it will happen. You may be young, but the young can be foolish. Now, I will take my leave." 

Arne watched as Ragnar walked away with the swords in hand. "Hn, foolish old man."

..................................

Sophia returned to the house where Maja and Estrid were preparing their beds. "Oh, you returned. Where is the water?"

"Huh? Oh, I must have forgotten them by the river! I can't believe that I forgot them!"

"What is wrong, Sophia? You look thoughtful?" asked Estrid.

Sophia bit her lower lip. "R-Ragnar kissed me."

The two women stopped what they were doing. Estrid ran toward her friend. "He kissed you!? By the gods, how was it!?"

"It was just a kiss. Ragnar was concerned for my safety, but I convinced him everything would be well."

Estrid raised an eyebrow. "He wouldn't kiss you without reason. He has feelings for you. You don't want to admit it. There is nothing wrong with it! He is a strong Viking and a respectable one."

While the two young women were talking, Maja decided to get the wooden buckets, but as she walked out of the house, to her surprise, there were two wooden buckets filled with water. Maja looked around, and people were minding their own business. She could still hear the two speaking about the kiss. 

Maja looked at the sky. "Ragnar and Sophia's fates are intertwined; the gods have deemed it that way."