Vikings in Equestria

Earl Haraldson was sitting in his chair in the great hall, managing the daily life in the town. Suddenly, there was a lot of activity at the door, when two of the Earl's warriors came in, holding a giggling man between them.

"What is this?" Svein, the steward asked.

"My Lord, this man says he has a message for you from Ragnar Lothbrok." One of the warriors explained.

"Let go of him." Haraldson ordered. The warriors realesed the man as he stood giggling beside them, "What is the message?"

"Ragnar Lothbrok challenges you to meet him in single combat.'' Floki said. Everyone in the room held a breath.

"Ragnar Lothbrok has a very high opinion of himself." Svein mocked.

"After all, he is a descendant from Odin." Haraldson smiled.

"Ragnar said, if you refused, shame would follow you for the rest of your life." Floki said.

"There would be greater shame in accepting a challenge from a criminal." Haraldson stated, "I would suggest that I take him seriously."

"The challenge is declined." Svein announced loudly, ''When Ragnar Lothbrok will arrive in Kattegat, he will be put in chains."

Earl Haraldson had been sitting on his chair silently, his mind in deep thoughts. Suddenly he stood up.

"Tell Ragnar Lothbrok that I accept his challenge."

In Floki's hut almost everyone was asleep. Ragnar and Lagertha were both awake, making love underneath their furs.

"Ragnar." Lagertha said, "Let's leave here. There are others places for us.''

"He is old. What are you afraid of?" Ragnar asked.

"You can't fight." His wife replied, "You are too weak."

"Perharps that makes us equal." Ragnar said, kissing her neck and shoulder.

"Never fight until you know the odds are in your favor." Lagertha argued, "That is our way."

"Who sets the odds?" Ragnar wanted to know, "What happens tommorow is already fated."

"You don't believe that." Lagertha meant, "And neither I do."

"You're wrong. I do believe it." Ragnar replied, stroking tears out his wife face.

In the great hall, Earl Haraldson was not able to find sleep himself. He kept staring into night. He could not help himself, he kept thinking about his sons, who had been brutally murdered. How would they look today? Would they be like Ragnar Lothbrok? He hated to admit it, he respected the man.

He was everything Earl Haraldson had been once, restless, ambitious, driven with enough luck. And after all he had been right about the land to the west, all those years when he told the stories he had believed in. Then he had finally taken the matter into his own hands and proven all these stories to be true.

Yet, the Earl would never be able to admit his utmost respect for Ragnar Lothbrok publicly. Or even join forces with him. The moment when he admitted his fault, would be the moment his friends and supporters would have begun to support Ragnar and desert him. The only think he could do, was finally to kill Ragnar.

In the guest room of the great hall Earl Bjarni laid in his bed. Thyri was lying next to him.

"I'm sure that this is our first child." He said to his young wife, ''Now go and fetch me some pickled herrings, I'm starving."

"I don't like the smell of them in the bed." Thyri argued, "It's as bad as it is in the clothes. Why can't you just wash like everyone else?''

"I thought a wife wasn't supposed to nag her husband until they've grown old and weary of each other." The old man commented, "If you don't fetch me some herrings, I will beat you! It will show you a little live when we have sex in any case."

"Very well, I'll go." Thyri gave in. She tugged her dress in place, before she stood up.

"I can't wait for tommorow." Bjarni said, "Personal combat is always thrilling. Who is Ragnar Lothbrok? I've heard many people talk about him."

"I don't talk about him." Thyri said, "He's my father enemy."

Floki, Helga and Myrus had left for Kattegat early in the morning. Only Ragnar and his family were still in the hut at the shipyard. Ragnar was wearing a leather jerkin, with metal studs sewn onto it for additional protection. Finally he sat up from the bed. He smiled at his children and the whole family embarked in the small fishing boat.

The rowed the boat along the fjord, until the reached Kattegat. They tied the small boat to the pier, and walked towards the main place. On their way, they encountered Myrus.

"Don't look so worried, pony." Ragnar encouraged him. He walked on till they had reached the main place where they fight would take the place.

Myrus took in the scenery. He had not been in Kattegat since Haraldson attacked Ragnar's farm. Seemingly everyone was present. He could see Siggy who was standing proudly on the side of the place. Next to her tall and beautiful daughter Thyri, standing beside her husband. He could also see Ragnar's friends. Thornstein who had provided them with news from the town. Rollo, Ragnar's older brother, his face scared from the tortures Earl Haraldson had bestowed on him, Arnethe one eyed archer and scout who had participated in taking her captive, Vigi and Juta were standing next to each other, next to Leif who stood beside widow of Erik's Maarten's.

The crown parted and Earl Haraldson entered the place. He was followed by Svein. Haraldson and Ragnar faced each other.

"This is a personal combat." Svein announced loudly, "The combatants can choose any weapon or shield they desire. Each combatany has two shields. If both are broken, there can be no further replacements."

Ragnar and Haraldson were both handed each other their swords and a shield. The faced each other, then the Earl threw his shield to the ground, where it was picked up by one of the warriors. Another warriors handed him another shield. Ragnar followed his example. They had both resigned their first shields, if these were now broken, they would have to fight without shields.

Ragnar waited for a moment, then he launched his attack. Earl Haraldson stepped back, several of Ragnar's blows hit his shield. The Earl raised his sword to block and Ragnar's sword hit the opposite blade. Haraldson began his attack which was deflected by Ragnar's shield. The Earl struck another mighty overhead chop and Ragnar could rise his shield just in time. He stumbled back, his wounded leg trembling from exhaustion.

Ragnar truck his opponent's sword with his own and punched the Earl with his shields. Haraldson stepped back and Ragnar followed him. Finally, Ragnar struck the Earl's shield heavily with his sword. The sword's blade cracked and flew from his hand.

Lagertha closed her eyes in resignation. Myrus glaced over at Gyda to see a big worry and resignation in the little girls eyes. He held his hoof out for her and she grabbed it anxiously. Bjorn refused to look away. Myrus could fell that the fight was coming to it's end and it was not the one they had hoped for. On the opposing side of the audience, the Earl's supporters were cheering.

Ragnar looked down at his broken sword for a moment, then back at the Earl. He punched the Earl with his shield until both shields were broken into pieces. Finally, the Earl was holding his sword with no shield anymore. Ragnar was standing opposite of him, nothing with his hands but the broken pieces of his sword. Rangar tossed the useless pieces of metal to the ground, followed shortly by the Earl tossing his sword.

One of his warriors handed the Earl a one handed axe, while Ragnar walked back to the rack where his weapons lay ready and chose a similiar axe.

"Father! You can do it!" Bjorn cheered on him.

"Fight, Ragnar!" Floki shouted.

Ragnar walked in front of the Earl, this time waiting for his attack to come. The Earl lunged forward, his axe raised. Ragnar ducked and the axe only cut the air. Ragna stumbled back a few steps, then launched an attack of his own. The Earl blocked the chop, tried to attack and Ragnar defended again. The Earl's axe head was right in front of Ragnar's throat. Haraldson used both his hands, trying to push it into his opponents neck. Ragnar had his free hand around the handle, trying to disarm Earl.

Finally, the tension broke the two apart. The both tumbled back a few steps, before Haraldson brought his axe back in front of Ragnar's chest. Ragnar was barely able to stop the blow from burrying in his chest. The both pushed until Ragnar's fist struck the Earl's in the face. Ragnar tried to follow up with a chop of his axe, instead Haraldson deflected the flow and his Ragnar's shoulder with his axe.

Ragnar tumbled back, holding his shoulder. Blood was running from the wound and Ragnar seemed distracted.

Myrus realized he was holding his breath when his head became light. He immediately took in another breath. Gyda had buried her face in his shoulder, clutching the pony's hoof strongly. Lagertha tried to suppress tears streaming from her eyes. Siggy and Thyri were enthusiastic, victory before their eyes.

Ragnar and Haraldson circled each other, then the Earl launched another attack. Ragnar somehow managed to avoid the angry blows the Earl drew at him. Finally Haraldson grabbed his jacket, his axe close to Ragnar's head. With his last strenght, Ragnar's hand stopped the final blow. He ducked and his axe hit the Earl in the lower back.

The whole crowd went silent as the blade dug into the Earl's flesh. Slowly, the older man collapsed at Ragnar's feet. Ragnar stood over the dying man when he saw a raven sitting on the crane on the pier. He dropped on his knees, next to the Earl.

"Lord Odin is here." He said to the dying man, ''Waiting to see which one of us he will take to his great hall."

"So I shall I dine at the high table of the Aesir after all.'' Haraldson murmured. Ragnar took his hand and used his axe to cut the Earl's wrist. Blood spilled from the wound and Siggy came running forward.

"NO!" She shouted, "NOOO!" She pushed Ragnar aside, putting her fingers onto her husband's wrist, trying to stop the bleeding. Haraldson plucked her fingers away from his wound.

"Tonight. I shall be drinking with our boys." He said before he closed his eyes for the last eyes.

Svein was not going to let Ragnar win this day. He turned to the Earl's warriors, "Kill him" he ordered. They only looked blankly at him. By tradition the winner of the combat against the Earl had the best claim to be the next Earl.

Rollo took an axe from the weapon's rack and walked towards Svein. With anger, he buried the axe deep in Svein's chest. The steward collapsed to the ground, his face showing suprise that someone had dared to kill him.

Siggy stopped crying when Svein collapsed. She took a moment to consider, then walked over to her daughter who handed her a knife. Without hesitation, Siggy stabbed it into the Earl Bjarni kidneys. The old man face showed his pain as he collapsed. Then Siggy dropped the knife and walked over to the middle of the place where Ragnar was still kneeling next to her deceased husband.

"Hail, Earl Ragnar." She said, then louder, "HAIL, EARL RANGAR!"

She dropped to her knees and everyone else followed her example, "HAIL, EARL RAGNAR!"

Everyone had assembled in the great hall, awaiting for the further developments of the day. Myrus was standing among Ragnar's friends, waiting for him. The door opened and Ragnar entered, his wounded leg supported by a wooden crutch. He was followed by his wife and children. Ragnar slowly walked along the fireplace, and stopped in front of the high seat. He looked to seat questioningly, then turned towards the crowd.

"Take it!" The shouted. One after the other. Ragnar exchanged a glance with Rollo, who nodded his head. He then turned towards the cahir and sat down. The whole room was cheering as the new Earl accepted his position.

Leif stepped forward, exposed his arm ring and dropped to his knees.

"Lord Ragnar." He began, "I pledge my allegiance and fealty to you and your family from this day forward."

"Leif you are my friend." Ragnar smiled, "And you, One Eye, and you Thornstein, and you Vigi and you Juta. You are my friends."

Next, an old man stepped forward. His beard white and braided, his head was shaven bald.

"What is your name?" Ragnar asked.

"Tostig, Lord Ragnar." Tostig replied.

"Tostig, Do you swear allegiance and fealty, to me and my family from this day forward?" Ragnar wanted to know.

"It won't be so long, then." Rollo joked. Everyone in the hall laughed.

"By my sacred ring, I swear." Tostig replied, "But I also have a favor to ask you. Lord Ragnar."

"What is the favor?" Ragnar wanted to know.

"That the next time you go raiding to Equestria, you take me with you." Tostig replied.

"I do not wish to insult you." Ragnar said carefully, "But the truth is..."

"That I am too old." Tostig laughed, "Yes, I am old. But I have been a warrior all my life. Many years I sailed with Earl Haraldson and fought battle against the Eastlanders. And I saw all the companions of my youth die. And although I fought with them in the shield wall, not once I was touched by a blade. All of my friends of my youth are gone, feasting and drinking with the gods. That is why I beg you. Lord, give me a chance to die with honor in battle and join them in Valhalla."

Ragnar stood up from his chair, supported by the wooden stick.

"This summer, we shall have more ships to go west, for that is our future." Ragnar announced, "Let's take him with us! All in favor?"

A loud cheer filled the hall as the inhabitants of Kattegat agreed. Tostig stood up, a happy smile on his face. Next Rollo stepped forward.

"There is no need for you to swear." Ragnar said, "You have already paid a heavy price for your loyalty to me." He touched the fresh scars on Rollo's face, where the Earl's knife had cut into his flesh.

"Nevertheless, I will swear, brother." Rollo replied, "I swear to be true to you, your wife and your children, as long your good fortune holds." He ended smilling. The two brothers hugged each other and Rollo murmured into Ragnar's ear, "How are we ever going to be equal now. Brother?"

A week later, the pier of Kattegat was filled with activity. Some of the men were piling dry wood on one of the longboats. Everyone around was drinking and having fun. Competitions were hold, archery and wrestiling, boxing, throwing knifes. Musicans were playing at every corner, the whole town was cheerful.

Myrus was wandering around in Kattegat. He could not believe in what Ragnar has just told him, about the slave girl chosen as a sacrifice in honor of the deceased Earl. He ran into Bjorn.

"You need a drink, pony." Bjorn told him.

The procession was lead by Arne, Thornstein and Vigi who carried their shields and used clubs to hammer a rhythm that sounded over the whole town. Behind them, several warriors carried the stretcher with Earl Haraldson. They were followed by Siggy and Thyri, both clad in their finest robes. They placed the body on the pyre, and Siggy and Thyri placed their offerings to the gods next to him. Then they stepped back from the longboat, for the last time decorated in the black and red which had served as Earl's Haraldson's sign.

The slave girl who had volunteered to die had now reached the pier. She was clad in a fine but thin dress. She had jewerly on her arms and a golden chain around her neck. She was already awaited by the woman called the "Angel of Death". The slave girl handed over the jewerly and the necklace, then received a cup from priestess. She nervously eyed the cup for a second, then drank the poisonous liquid.

"I can see my master." She exclaimed, "He is in Valhalla! He call me! Let me join him then!"

The slave girl handed the cup back to the priestess drew a sharp skinning knife. She held the blade against the slave's throat and cut it with a single slash. The girl bled out quickly and her body was then placed next to the Earl's body.

Everyone looked up when Thornstein blew into his horn, "Hail, Earl Ragnar Lothbrok!" He announced.

Ragnar, still supported by his stick, entered the pier, where the ship was tied. He was flanked by Lagertha and followed by Bjorn and Gyda. They all wore better clothes than before, fitting their new position. The audience cheered as they saw their new Earl. Drinking horns and cups filled with Ale were raised, everyone wishing the best for their new leader.

Siggy stepped forward. As she reached Ragnar, the crowd went silent, "I ask for permission to light the fire."

Ragnar smiled and grabbed a burning torch from the fire next to him. When Siggy wanted to reach it, he heanded the torch to one of the warriors from the town. Siggy was staring at Ragnar for a moment, as if she was trying to force him giver her the torch.

After a few seconds she backed down and stepped back. Ragnar nodded to the warrior, whom he had handed the torch and the man walked along the pier towards the ship. When he was close enough, he tossed the torch onto the pyre on the ship.

The dry wood began to burn immediately. Me cut the boat loose from the pier and pushed it into the stream, so it would be taken out of the fjord, if it didn't burn anyone. The flames quickly encased the bodies and spread all over the ship's interior. The audience watched in silence, only Floki could not completely suppress a giggle.

"I have something important to tell you, husband." Lagertha murmured, "I am with child again."

Ragnar dropped to his knees, his head in front of Lagertha's belly, "I know you're a boy." He said, "You have made me a happy man today, my son."

Siggy and Thyri dared not to make any light as they packed their treasures. They had decide to leave the town, while it was still dark. They were both so concentrated, that neither one of them saw the man standing in the shadow behind them.

They were both starled when a man made a noise.

"Have you come to kill you?" Siggy asked axiounsly

"Why I would do that?" The man in the dark replied.

"Because Ragnar told you so." Siggy said, "It is often how the new Earl deals with the family of the old Earl."

"Ragnar won't have you killed. My brother doesn't hold grudges." Rollo said, stepping forward, "He's strange that way."

"Even if we don't die, they would still shun us like a bad smell." Siggy stated, "It is better we leave now."

"No one will shun you." Rollo objected, "They wouldn't dare. Not if I vouch for you."

"And would you want in return?" Siggy wanted to know.

"You were once married to an Earl." Rollo replied, "Wouldn't you like to married to another one?"

"What do you mean?" Siggy asked in confusion.

"Me." Rollo smiled.

They winter had finally arrived in Kattegat. Snow covered the paths and the roofs, the bay was frozen. Most of the inhabitants of the town stayed inside for most of the day.

"The pigs are fattening nicely." Bjorn said to his father.

"So is your mother." Ragnar replied.

Bjorn clutched his arms around his chest, "It's cold, even in here."

Ragnar took a blanket from a pile and hung it around his son's shoulder.

"I can't wait for the spring, I want to go Equestria." Bjorn said enthusiastically.

"No." Ragnar said.

"But why?" Bjorn protested.

"Because I said so." Ragnar said, "Don't be too eager to put yourself in danger."

"But you cannot talk about my fate." His son disagreed.