Vikings in Equestria

Ragnar and his warriors marched along with fields.

"How far till we reach this village?" Ragnar asked the Royal Guard the had taken prisoner at the beach.

"Not far." A Royal Guard stammered.

The marched on and soon Arne, at the point of the group, called out that he saw a city. The Northmen walked through the forest and took a closer look on the village.

"Let's attack straight away.'' Rollo urged.

"You're right, my brother. Let's go.'' Ragnar agreed as the Vikings moved towards the village, now without the Royal Guard who was killed off by Vigi because the crew didn't need him anymore.

The closed in on the wooden house. Ragnar and Rollo were the first one's to walk into the village, followed by the rest of the warriors. The ponies looked at them in fear because they already knew what was going to happen. They had heard about what happened in Konoritos as everypony did in Equestria and because of that they've been living in fear because they didn't want to end like the ponies from Konoritos did.

"Who are you?'' Double Diamond, the mayor of this village wanted to know.

"If you do not resist, we will not hurt you.." Ragnar smiled, "Kholat bless."

Double Diamond nodded, like most of the villagers did and the Northmen split around the town.

Floki spotted a cup which was filled in something on the table. He walked over to the table and took a sip of it before spitting it in disgust.

Rollo was searching one of the houses. He had just reached the conclusion that this house was empty, when he heard somepony cough in the next room. He went into the room, ready for battle. But all he saw was an old pony, too weak to stand up from his bed.

He saw the brass cup and water was standing on a table next to him. He took the coup, poured some water into it and gave it to the old pony. The pony looked at Rollo with disablief, until Rollo pushed the cup once more and the old pony drank the water. After he finished the cup, Rollo grabbed the cup and the can and headed back to others.

In the meantime Vigi and Juta bursted through the front doors of the house which belonged to a mare by the name of Sugar Belle. The owner of the house stood in the corner along with her coltfriend Big Macintosh, looking at them in fear unlike Big Mac who was looking at them with a glare.

Vigi and Juta began to search for something worth taking. Vigi walked up to the counter to see a lot of cupcakes on it. He had never seen anything like this before. He picked up one them and took a bite of it.

''This is good.'' He muttered under his breath as he looked at his wife who was checking a cupboard, "My dear wife. You should try this."

"Perharps I will try it when we find something worth taking in this house.'' Juta said back, Soon enough she found a tray which was made of gold. She looked at it in awe and picked it up, "Hey Vigi! I think I just found something worth taking in this house!"

"Great! This is nice. I think you found the thing I will take when the Earl will tell us to take only one thing from the treasures we brought from this land." Vigi stated with a nod, earning smile from his wife.

"No please! It was a gift from my mom!'' Sugar Belle begged as he rushed to Juta who punched her in the face when she reached her. Sugar Belle fell on the floor and tears began to stream down her cheeks. She couldn't believe in what was just happening. She knew that Ragnar told them to not to resist but this tray was given to her by her mom, right before she died.

"Don't touch her!" Big Mac shouted in anger as he rushed towards Juta in order to teach her a lesson. Unfortunely before the apple farmer could reach her Vigi hit him in the back of his head, getting rid of him.

"No! You monsters!" Sugar Belle shouted in pure hatred for the Northmen with tears streaming down her cheeks as Juta walked up to the counter and picked up one of the cupcakes. She took a bite of it before looking at the husband.

"You were right. This is good." She smiled before taking another bite of it, "Let's go to another house."

Vigi nodded and followed her out of the house, leaving crying Sugar Belle alone.

Knut was also searching the houses. He was in a bad mood. In this house there was absolutely nothing worth taking. Then he was a movement in the corner. He walked closer and saw two ponies. Their names were Party Favour and Night Glider.
He decided if there was nothing worth taking taking in here, he could always have some fun. He quickly smashed his axe at Party Favour's face, killing him immadiately. Then he grabbed Night Glider who was shaking in fear and pushed her over the table. He also held his axe over her head.

It was when Lagertha entered the house. She took one look and realized what Knut was up to.

"Knut!" She shouted, "Leave her alone!"

"What do you care for this pony bitch?" Knut asked as he pushed the shieldmaiden out of his way.

Lagertha drew her sword and hit Knut on his back with the flat side of the blade. He became angry and let go Night Glider, who flied out of the house. Knut grabbed Lagertha on her shoulder and struck her against the wall. She was stunned and unable to defend herself. Knut took advantage and began to open her dress. Lagertha drifted back to consiousness and kneed him in the groin. Knut retreated for a moment, then resumed his attack. Lagertha took the knife from his belt and stabbed it into his side.

Knut fell on the ground. Lagertha nedded a moment to catch her breath and then headed back to the others.

The horn sounded all over the town, ordering the Vikings to retreat. The different groups had met and their spoils had been packed into a paper bags which were found somewhere in the town to be carried.

"Where is Knut?'' Ragnar asked.

"I killed him." Lagertha replied.

"You killed him?'' Ragnar asked.

"He tried to rape a pony mare." Lagertha explained, "Then he tried to rape me."

"Did anyone else see it happen?" Ragnar wanted to know.

"No." Lagertha admitted.

"Well, that's a pity." Ragnar stated.

The group of warriors made their way back to the beach, where they had their boat. When they entered the beach, Floki and Thornstein froze. In front of them was a group of Royal Guards, ready to battle. They had laid the bodies of the Vikings who were guarding the boat in front of them. Ragnar could see that The Sheriff was among these soldiers but he wasn't commanding them.

The Vikings emerged on the beach. When Ragnar saw the archers, he commanded, "Shield wall!"

The warriors linked their shields together, forming a tight wall. The Equestrian's soldiers drew their arrows and loosened a hail of projectiles on the Vikings shield wall. The arrows struck the shields, some even almost penetrated. Ragnar's shield was by an arrow and the point came through at the back, forcing Ragnar to pull his head back.

"Charge!'' Wall Calm who was commanding this group of Royal Guards ordered. Ragnar peered through a hole between the shields and ordered his man to stand up. The shield wall shivered under the assault of the Royal Guards. Yet, they held it in place. Both sides were shoving and striking over the wall, hoping to land a hit. Ragnar grabbed an Equestrian's spear and turned his shield so there was a gash in the wall. Arne and Thornstein behind them quickly loosened their arrows at the Royal Guards and a few of them, including The Sheriff fell on the ground. To encourage the others Rollo started a rhyme, which they all knew.

Up onto the overturned keel
Clamber, with a heart of steel
Cold is the ocean's spray
And your death is on it's way
With maidens you have had your way
Each must die someday!

At the last words Thornstein and Arne were lifted from the ground by the name in the back of formation, standing on the shields. The loosened their arrows over the shield wall and hit several Royal Guards.

Rollo's broad axe lunged forward and hit the Royal Guards facing him in the back of the head.

Ragnar stabbed one of the swords they had captured into another Royal Guard's body.

Vigi turned his shield and one of the Royal Guards was pushed forward and fell on the ground behind the Northmen shieldwall. Floki was over him at once and dug his hatchet into his chest.

One of the men did the same thing as Vigi did and after that he turned back towards the front of the shieldwall and was struck in the chest by the Royal Guard. He fell on the ground, dying and Lagertha recognized the gash in the shield wall.

"Shield wall!'' She shouted, leaping forward and covering the gap. Thornstein quickly stepped on the side, closing the gap and Lagertha stepped back. One of the Royal Guards had broken through and Lagertha attacked him. He caught the first blow from her sword, before it connected with his neck after all.

Rollo pushed through the shield wall. He grabbed one Royal Guard by his armor and dragged him behind the Northmen shieldwall. He pushed him into the sand and buried his big axe in his back. By now the Equestrian formation was severely weakened. The surviving member quickly fled back from where they had come. The Vikings followed them and cut them down one by one, only Wall Calm escaped.

Back on the farm outside of Kattegat, life went on. Myrus had to admit he could have had a far worse fate. He was getting used to the life on the farm.

When the evening has come he along with Ragnar's children were in the house for dinner. Myrus placed the bowl of soup on the table.

"I want to return to Kattegat and see my father return from Equestria.'' Bjorn stated.

"I promised your father that I will look after you both here." Myrus replied.

"We could all go.'' Bjorn suggested.

"Then who would look after the farm." Myrus replied.

Bjorn sat down, fuming for anger.

"For what we are about to receive, may Kholat made us truly grateful." Myrus prayed. He took the cup and filled two of them will Ale.

"Can I have some Ale too?'' Gyda asked shyly.

"You're too young to drink Ale." Myrus said back.

Bjorn took his cup and placed it on Gyda's hand. She took a couple of sips, then placed his cup back on the table.

"I want to make a sacrifice to Thor, for my parents safe return.'' Bjorn said.

"What will you sacrifice?" Myrus asked.

"YOU!" Bjorn shouted in anger. The boy stood up and left the room.

After the children had gone sleep, Myrus had to think about his argument with Bjorn, before he woke him up.

"What is it?'' The boy wanted to know.

"I will take you to Kattegat." Myrus replied.

The crown cheered as the boat neared the pier. The people of Kattegat were eager to hear the stories of the raid. Myrus and the children had arrived in the morning and were cheering just as everyone else. The poeple went silent as the Earl walked out of his great hall.

"Ragnar Lothbrok, my friend.'' He greeted, "I hope your voyage was successful? For all our sakes?"

Ragnar replied by placing one of the bags at the Earl feet. It was filled with finely crafted treasures.

"The Equestrians attack us in great force when we returned to the boat." Ragnar declared, "But we defeat! them!'' The crown cheered loudly.

''You are the man, people say you are. A gifted adventurer and a great warrior.'' Haraldson said, "I am happy to salute your achievements." He looked around, "But I don't see my friend Knut. Where is he?"

"My Lord, Knut is dead." Ragnar replied.

"Did he die in battle?'' Haraldson asked.

"No." Ragnar replied.

"The how did he died?" Haraldson asked.

"I killed him." Ragnar admitted.

"You killed him?'' Haraldson asked, "Why did you do that?''

"He tried to rape my wife.'' Ragnar replied.

"I find it too convenient that you would make an excuse to kill my friend who was my agent on your voyage." Haraldson stated.

"Arrest him!" Svein ordered, standing behind the Earl. Several guard stepped closer and tried to detain Ragnar.

It immediately became a meele. Floki had drawn his knife and held it against the throat of one of the guards. Leif and Lagertha were holding back a second guard as Arne, Vigi and Juta drew their weapons, ready for battle.

"I would counsel you all against such actions." Svein said, "There is no way you could prevail."

Ragnar nodded and Floki, Rollo, Lagertha, Leif, Arne, Vigi and Juta gave up their resistance. Ragnar was taken away by the guards.

Most of ponies of Equestria already knew about what happened in the village in which Starlight Glimmer used to life. The student of Twilight Sparkle along with Apple family who had lost a family member in the raid were in the great grief. Also AJ swore that she will avenge her brother but at first she had to find out who killed her brother.

Currently the princesses along with Shining Armor and The Elements of Harmony were in the throne room in Canterlot, waiting for Wall Calm who was going to tell them about the creatures from the sea. After all he was the one who survived a battle with them.

Wall Calm walked into the throne room and bowed to them.

"Tell us what you know about these creatures." Rainbow wanted know.

"We were right. They are bi-pedal. They have a strange fighting style. I have never seen anything fight like that before. They formed a wall from their shields and slaughtered everypony. I hardly escaped myself. They also have a strange boat. I have never seen such a boat. Also before that we fought with them we managed to catch two of them. They were saying only one word." Wall Calm replied.

''What was this word?'' Cadance wanted to know.

"Ragnar. I assume this a name, their leader name." Wall Calm replied.

"Ragnar. That's a silly name." Pinkie stated.

''And the last thing. We found a death body of one of them in the village." Wall Calm said.

"Can we see this creature, darling?'' Rarity asked.

"Of course." Wall Calm as he glanced over at the doors, "Bring him here!"

Two Royal Guards walked into the throne room, pushing forward a bleacher with a death body of Knut on it.

"It's a human...'' Twilight stated.

"A what?'' Wall Calm asked in confusion.

"I used to be friends with Lyra Heartstings when I was attending Princess Celestia School for Giften Unicorns. She was obessesed with them and still is. Perharps we should call her and ask her a few questions about them." Twilight explained.

Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Shining looked at each other before they looked at Twilight.

"You're right. We have to call her and ask her a few questions about humans." Celestia said with a nod, "We will know something about them when they will return with that Ragnar one on their lead."

Back in Kattegat a hodded man entered the small, seperated room of the great hall. When he stepped through the door, the Earl looked up from his meal.

"Sit down." He offered, "Eat and drink."

A person which appeared to be Rollo pulled his hood back and took a seat, "You wanted to talk with me."

"Yes. It's a delicate matter.'' Haraldson began, "You are the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok?"

"I am, Lord." Rollo replied.

"A great man, your brother. Is he also a fair man?" Haraldson asked.

When Rollo did not answer, he continued, "Does he treat you equally when you sail with him?"

"To a point." Rollo admitted.

"Forgive me." Haraldson went on, "But I have the impresion that he wants to rule you? That he considers himself first among equals."

"I don't know." Rollo stated.

"I believe he wants the credit for everything. For building the boat, for sailing west.'' Haraldson said, "But would all these things have been possible without you?"

"No." Rollo replied as he took a sip of Ale, "It would have been possible."

"As long I am Earl, Ragnar Lothbrok can give you nothing." Haraldson stated, "I on the other hand can offer you a great deal. I could for example confiscate all the treasure you brought back from Equestria and give you a great portion of it."

"Would you do that, Lord?'' Rollo asked.

"That depends on how big your ambitions are." Haraldson said, "You want to be someone, Rollo. You want the gods to notice you."

"They might have noticed already." Rollo said.

"Oh no, my friend.'' Haraldson said, "And do you know why? Because you still walk in the shadow of Ragnar Lothbrok."

A young woman entered the room. She had long, brown hair and gave Rollo a smile.

"This is my daughter Thyri.'' Haraldson introduced her, "She is soon to be married and I must think carefully about her future husband. He has to be a man of great ambition and prospect as you surely understand. Say hello to Rollo, Thyri."

"Hello Rollo.'' She said shyly.

"I had two sons but they were murdered." Haraldson continued, "So the man who is to be my son in law will hold a high and special place."

Then Siggy entered the room. She was older but yet still beautiful.

"Don't forget about me, my love." She said.

"Of course not. This is my wife Siggy.'' Haraldson introduced her, "This is Rollo. He is the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok."

The next morning, the great hall was fully occupied. Everyone in Kattegat who could afford to spend the day away from his farm and his business had come to watch the trial. Myrus was standing behind Lagertha, next to Gyda and Bjorn.

Haraldson entered the great hall. His wife was walking next to him. They were flanked by the warriors of their household troops. Haraldson took his high seat, his wife was next to him. He nodded and Svein ordered.

"Bring in the prisoner!''

The doors opened and Ragnar was brought forward. He was still wearing his blood encrusted leather jacket, the one he wore for battle. His belt and the weapons were missing. He was shackled around the wrists and ankles with heavy chains.

"Ragnar Lothbrok, you stand here before us, accused of willful murder of Knut Tjodulf, my brother.'' Haraldson declared, "Knut, as some of you may know was the bastard son of my father. But I loved him like a brother. I asked him to join Ragnar Lothbrok in his raid to Equestria. There they raided a town and brought back many spoils. And while they were raiding, Ragnar Lothbrok took it upon himself to cold bloodedly kill my brother. It's easy to imagine why a man would do such a thing. This is an ambitious man. He doesn't like to share his spoils. And he resents the fact that he owes me loyalty and obedience as his chieftain. This a man who does not believe in our traditions. This is a man who does not believe in our laws."

A marmur went through the hall and even Svein shouted, "Silence!" The chatter died down and all eyes lay on Ragnar.

"It is true that I killed Knut, your brother." Ragnar admitted, "But I killed him when I found him trying to rape my wife." He then turned to the spectators, "I ask all of you, free men. What would you have done. Would you have stood back? I don't think so." He said as he turned back to the Earl, "And even I had know at the time that he was your brother. I still would have carried the same sentence."

"Do you seriously ask us to believe your story?'' Svein asked.

"I can confirm the story." Lagertha spoke up.

"You are the wife of Ragnar Lothbrok." Haraldson said.

"I am, Lord.'' Lagertha said back.

"How extraordinary that you happened to be there." Haraldson wondered, "Your husband is lying and you are so under his thumb that he has persuaded you to lie for him."

"May Thor strike you dead!'' Lagertha shouted in anger, "My husband did not kill Knut!"

"Then wo did?'' Svein asked.

"I did!'' Lagertha shouted, "I stabbed him in the heart when he did his best to rape me."

A disbelieving laughter filled the room. Siggy was sitting in her chair next to her husband with her mouth open, mocking Lagertha.

"A murder is commited and the only witnesses are a husband and a wife." Svein stated, laughing.

"You didn't kill my brother." Haraldson said, "Ragnar Lothbrok killed my brother!"

"We have a proof." Svein announced, "We have a witness to the killing."

Ragnar looked around in confusion, trying to find out who from his crew was going to betray him. Finally, Rollo stepped forward.

"You say you are the witness of killing my brother Knut?'' Haraldson asked.

"Yes. I was there, I saw everything." Rollo replied.

"So, who killed him?" Haraldson asked,

Ragnar shot his brother an angry glare.

"Ragnar Lothbrok killed him." Rollo stated.

"In cold blood?'' Haraldson asked.

"No. For a very good reason." Rollo replied, "What Ragnar has sworn in true. Your brother was raping a pony mare. Then he tried to rape Ragnar's wife, the shieldmaiden." He said, "So unfortunely you cannot punish him."

"So who has the key?'' Ragnar smiled.

Later in the evening, the warband had assembled in Erik's house. They were celebrating the newfound freedom of their leader.

"To Ragnar! And freedom!" Leif toasted.

"No." Ragnar said, "To friends and freedom!"

"But you will never be free of us!'' Arne stated, laughing.

"That I could have not better said it myself!" Vigi agreed with Arne before Juta kissed him in the cheek.

Laughter filled the room. The crew were drinking and dancing. Myrus and children were sitting on the side. Bjorn was almost asleep for the Ale, Gyda almos sober, yet tired. And despite the fact that Ragnar took him as a slave and killed his friends back in Konoritos. Myrus was happy he had been found not guilty.

"Will you drink with me?'' Ragnar said with a horn of Ale in his hands.

"Of course." Myrus said as he used his magic to take the Ale from Ragnar.

"Thank you for looking for my family." Ragnar smiled, "You're a good pony."

Myrus giggled and took a sip of his Ale.

"Ragnar did you see Haraldson's face when he had to release you and give you half his board? He looked like this." Floki shouted, impersonating a look of complete speechless suprise.

In the meantime Erik was outside, relieving himself into the dirt. A man approached him silently from behind and cut his throat with a knife. Several men entered the house and ended the celebration.

"Ragnar Lothbrok?" The leader asked.

"I am unarmed." Ragnar said as he stood up and looked at Lagertha, "Get the children."

Lagertha tried to step away from one of the warriors. In this moment he raised his axe and tried to hit her. She was barely able to avoid the hit. The friends of Ragnar attacked the warriors and after a quick, heated battle the attackers were gone.

In the morning, they dumped the bodies of the attackers in front of the great hall. The group of friends was mouring for Erik. It was hardest for his wife Elisef. Ragnar was angry. The Earl had not been able to get him during the trail and had sent his warriors to kill him. After they returned to the farm, he kept on chopping wood with enough anger to make Bjorn jump. Shortly, thereafter, he was seen walking towards the hills with a woolen blanket. He kept sitting there, staring into nothing.

"What is Ragnar doing, sitting on the hill?" Myrus thought.

Ragnar was preparing himself. For battle.