Two men. Two men with a couple of ships are traveling the Mediterranean. They have seen many things, come across a new horizon, and are probably hating sand by now. One has even slept with a man. But why? Why did they travel to place, where they knew nothing about. For one it was to be greater than his father and sail past where he is has gone. But why was the other one there beside him? Bjorn wanted to know. At the fire, Björn and Halfdan sat drinking

"Why did you really decide to come with me?" "The same reason why you went into the wilderness, you had something to prove and so do I."

"What do you want to achieve?" "My brother loves fame more than I do. I just want to live. I want to live with the greatest intensity for every moment of my life for as long as it last. I want to be more than just alive if you understand me."

"Oh I do, but you left more than just one person behind, so have I. Do you believe they will still be there?" "It's hard to trust Alca, but somehow i do. She told me that no matter what she will wait for me and i might feel the same."

Bjorn starts laughing at him "Oh shut up ironside." "If she is the one Halfdan, then go get her. Knowing her she will be there when we get back and you will have many stories to tell."

"Indeed Ironside, maybe she will listen to them.

I have never been more disgusted in my life. I thought with Harald being here, the men will be less trashy and smell better, but it hasn't. What's worse is that Astrid agreed to marry that man. I walk through the village, very fast, to Astrid's room in the great hall. People move out my way still afraid to come near. I walk up to the door and bang on it very hard. Astrid must have known it was me because right when the door opened my arm was instantly grabbed and i was pulled inside.

"What have I done Alca?" She was pacing back and forth, running her hand through her hair. "Good, we both agree you did the wrong thing. How could you turn your back against Lagertha? was she not your lover? Did her love mean nothing to you."

She stopped pacing and anger appeared on her face. "Like you are one to talk. You vowed to be on Lagertha's side and yet you are hear by choice next to Harald." "I did not chose a side, nor will I."

Astrid sat down on her bed. Arms behind her keeping her up. She does a small little laugh. "Alca, stop being stupid, you are the one that chooses who wins. Whatever side you pick gets Kattegat. You have to be on a side." A loud breath finally leaves my mouth and sit down next to her.

" Why did you choose thus side then Astrid?" " I wasn't going to, but i was kidnapped and i decided to make the best of it." I nod my head at her and get up leaving.

I put my hand on the door, but before i turned it, "Will you be able to do it though, will you be able to kill lagertha?" " Will you be able to kill Bjorn?" I open the door, "Alca, we have never been friends, but whatever happens i want to say I am glad the gods brought us together."

" And I as well Astrid, may you be happy as queen, I know I never was."

I walked away and out of the hall. Many people were dressed lightly, but still wrapped up. Me, I was freezing. Have I gone to far testing the gods? Is that what it will take for me to choose a side? How am I to choose a side when it is against the people i care for. I walk to the dock and sit on the end of it. Fishing nets were everywhere and people where in boats.

"Alca why are you out?" I turn and see Harald come and stand next to me. "Why should I be on you side?"

"I didn't't realize i was still in the run." He sits down now and still looks at me. "I know you are in love with me or at least the same amount as you were with your princess. Other than that why should I still be here if i am to not kill you."

"There needs to be another reason?" He takes his hand and puts it on my face. I push it away, but I am still looking into his eyes. "You know i do not love you nor do I like you, but you are my son's uncle so I have to try. I just want a sign though." Harald smirks at this and right away a horn blows.

I look out onto the waters. I stand up so fast trying hoping to get a better view of the ships. I am so dizzy though and almost fall in, but Harald grabs my arm and makes sure I am standing proper. "What better sign than this Alca." I couldn't tell if he was talking about catching me or the ships, but it doesn't matter. I need to see him.

I waited on the end of the dock, while Harald went to get Astrid and everything else prepared. The man ship came close to dock and men came and tied it down. It was Ivar's ship. Hvitserk was the first to get off. He looked directly at me with a somewhat sadden confused face, but then he smiled at me and came over and hugged

"Hvitserk I am so glad to see you. You are more handsome then the last." "You have changed as well, i almost didn't recognize you. Oh and beware Geir has been grumpier since Halfdan left." He walks aways, probably trying to get out of people's way, but i didn't care. What came next surprised me more.

"Ivar!" He was waking "I did it Alca. You and gods have put a lot of faith in me and because of that i am able to be more vikings everyday." I place my hand on the side of his face. He is so much taller than me now. "You always gave me a reason to be side you." Harald comes over probably to get Ivar so i walk away, closer to the ship and there, still in the ship, he stood leaning against the pole looking at me. I step onto the boat.

"You know you look like your father doing that?" His face stayed still, with an no emotion expression i know all to well. "You look sickly mother, still not eating i see."

"It seems the gods have made known of my fighting. " He got off the pole and started walking to the end of the boat. He got off and held his hand out for me. I took it and he helped me off. "Oh yes and almost took my life for it." We started walking off the dock. "I didn't want to fight, but the gods themselves told me i was not allowed to be killed by rapist looking men." He laughed at this.

"I was mad at first mother, but in the end it granted me a gift and i am now closer to the gods than ever. Odin, himself, told me of my destiny and how I am to live." Oh i know what he is going to say, but that's the problem when someone is about to die they believe anything their mind tells them.

"Oh my son, you will not kill me, for that is a job for another man." He wasn't surprised by my comment and his smile just got bigger. "You see i thought that was destiny at first, but everything has changed now. I am not going to kill you mother. I am just going to take what was yours." I stopped walking. I confused expression was on my place. What is he talking about.

" After we take Kattegat, I am going to Eporijah and taking the crown, which truly belongs to me." " What makes you think Asheltoe will just hand it over?"

"I never thought she would, which makes everything so much more fun. Also I have gone too many years without a father and time he knows he has a son."

"Asheltoe is innocent Geir, and your aunt." "I like my Uncle's teachings better." He starts to walk away but stops and looks back at me. I stood there with a sadden face, head down. He comes back and lifts my head.

"Don't be sad mother, you knew I was going to be king one day and it just so happens to be when Asheltoe is still in reign."

All of this is too much. Asheltoe is the only pure thing in this world. My breathing picks up and the world starts to spin. I feel the snow all over my body. Was i on the ground? I'm too tired. I close my eyes and the whole world goes black

"I'm sorry, I can't keep fighting anymore."