It was the first time in your entire life that King Harald left raiding without his brother at his side. When Harald left there wasn't any doubt that you would stay behind alone, without the protection or the care of your husband. So Harald left alone and Halfdan stayed at your side. In a way you didn't liked it, him offering so much up for you, but ... being the most important thing, even more important than his brother was quite something. You stroke your hand over your belly, trying to massage the stretching marks he so madly loved, your own scars, that was what he always said when he kissed your belly goodnight. The sounds from outside the great hall pulled your attention away for the slight pain of your skin to what was happening. You pushed away from the bench and walked outside to see King Harald, with a few faces you never saw before, ruthless faces, faces that looked at you like you were a prey. 'King Harald, you returned.' You smiled inviting, glad for his return. 'I brought my new friends, where is my brother?' He asked, laying his hand greeting on your belly, smiling proudly. But the insecurity of those men looking at you made you a little uneasy. Just like that you felt Halfdan, laying his hand softly on your shoulder, placing a mark for them to see before he greeted his brother. 'This is my brother Halfdan. Brother, I have many stories.' Harald announced, inviting his friends inside. Halfdan had his way of looking, that deadly gaze that would drop you right at the spot ... and he was giving it to each one of those faces when they followed the king inside. You released a shaky breath before looking aside to Halfdan. He said, gazing inside to the one man that looked back to you. 'Even if I have to kill each one of them.' He whispered. He looked down to you and you titled your head a little. 'Don't get in trouble with your brother.' You advised him. He grabbed your chin slightly, looking you right in the eyes. 'For you I would raise a war.' He whispered, kissing your forehead before leading you inside. How could you not believe that when he said it like this?

The whole evening went with tensed looks fort and back. Like those new men joining Harald wanted to test whatever Halfdan contained. And when you looked aside Halfdan was as much irritated as you felt deep inside. 'Don't give it attention.' You said softly. He turned his eyes away and looked at you. 'I'm protecting what is mine.' 'They won't hurt me.' You reassured him. 'Did you see them looking, one look and I will carve their eyes out.' He said it so threatening that you laid your arm on his. 'Walk me home?' You asked, urging to get out of here and getting him away from whatever thoughts he was planting in his mind. He nodded and you stood up, walking out while he said something to his brother before following. You were almost home when you turned back to him, his thoughts far of. 'Halfdan, stop it.' Guessing what he was thinking it couldn't be good. 'There are men in my land, in my home, looking at my pregnant wife, tell me why I need to stop?' He sounded restless and you stopped him from passing you. He turned around, fingers laying instantly against your belly. 'If they know the tales of Halfdan the Black they know they can't cross you,' you started, raising on your toes. 'because those tales are famous and bloody.' You smiled softly, pecking his lips before lowering down. He cupped your face, following your body, pressing his nose into your hair. '' He whispered. 'I will pick up a sword before they have the chance.' You reassured him. He chuckled slightly, moving his head back so he could look you in the eyes. 'Let me do the fighting, you just keep this little one alive.' He said, lowering down to kiss your belly before kissing you. Your fingers scour his scalp, others tangling through his hair before you started to smile, breaking that kiss to look at him. 'I will do my very best.' You reacted with a tender smile. He scour his thumb over your lips, looking you so intensely in the eyes. 'Then let me do my best in protecting you.' He said. You nodded, feeling the slight tender in his new kiss and you completely surrendered to it. You both forgot the men watching from earlier as he brought you home and unbuckled his belt. You gave him a judgmental gaze and he pulled that slight grin on his lips. 'You should know me better by now love.' He said, not planning on leaving you again, always to protective around you and the unborn baby, seeing the danger in everything. What would it be if that child would be born?