Vikings in Equestria

The three ships sailed calmly along the river. It was a warm day in June, the sails were not used. Instead the crews rowed the boats steadily forward. Ragnar and Rollo stood on the deck, watching the landscape pass. It consisted mostly of woods, an occasional hous or farm and a few foals watching the strange ships curiously from the banks of the river.

In the Canterlot castle, Celestia and Luna were sitting on their thrones. They had just received the new of the returning Northmen.

"These humans, where did they come ashore?" Luna asked.

"They didn't." Wall Calm replied, "They came in three ships. And these ships are now sailing up to the Tyne."

"Sister, we need to call Cadance and Shining and tell them about it." Luna said,

"You're right, my sister." Celestia agreed, "These humans have ships that can cross the open sea and also sail up rivers." She stated, "What manner of them are these? Whoever they are, they not welcome in Equestria after what they did."

Two days later, Shining and Cadance approached Celestia, Luna and Twilight in the throne room on Canterlot Castle.

"We're glad you came." Twilight greeted them.

"Of course Twi. You know what we think about these humans and their raids on our lands." Shining said, "You thought we would never come here?"

"No. I never doubted in you" Twilight smiled weakly.

"Now, let's get to the main topic." Shining said, earning nods of agreement from the princesses,"We have to stop them."

"Can you tell us where they are?" Cadance wanted to know.

"One, perharps two days away." Luna replied.

"Good to know." Shining stated, "I'll send my most trusted guard to fight them." He said as he turned around to the doors, "Flash! Come here!''

Flash Sentry did as he was told to. He walked into the throne room and bowed to the princesses and prince. He was ready to fight with the Northem ever since he heard about what happened in Konoritos.

At the Viking camp everyone was busy. The tents had been set up, the horses were tied to the tress, and the men were preparing defenses. The used logs, one end in the earth, the other pointing outward. Rollo was cutting away at one of the logs with a hatchet, making the end sharp.

"How soon will they come?" He asked.

"I hope soon.'' Tostig said, "I can't wait for Valhalla."

In the great hall at Kattegat, Lagertha was occupying the high chair in her husband's absence. Her children were sitting on smaller chairs to her right. A couple, the woman carrying a baby, entered the hall and stood before them.

"Good day to you, folk." Lagertha greeted them, "What is the problem?"

"The problem is her." The man said in anger.

"What has she done?" Lagertha inquired.

"She's had a child. The boy in her arms, he's not my son!" The man spat out. Some in the audience laughed, "Just over a year, a young man come to visit us. He said his name was Rig. He gave us some good advice on our work and then stayed the night. And nine months later, she gave birth to a son!"

"Whose child it is?" Lagertha asked the crying woman.

"I don't know Mylady." The woman cried out, "We were all in the same bed."

"You see! She is not a honest woman! She had sex with Rig and wouldn't tell me the truth!" The man accused her.

"Do you know who this Rig was?" Lagertha wanted to know. Both shook their heads.

"We know from out ancient stories, that Rig is another name for Heimdall, the god." Lagertha told them, "You should have never doubted your wife for the joy she has brought you, and the fact that a god has chose you, of all people to visit. Now go and be happy with your wife. Sacrifice one of your animals to Heimdall. But If I ever hear that you have harmed this woman or this child, you will answer to me!"

The Equestrian and The Crystal Empire warriors with Flash Sentry on their lead were hidden beneath the last outskirts, taking a careful look at the camp.

"Let's attack." A Royal Guard proposed.

"They have a strong position." Flash replied, "Maybe we can make them leave their position to attack us."

"How would we do that?" A Royal Guard wanted to know.

"They're scavengers, little more than beasts." Flash explained, "We must be able to outthink them."

"But we wait, they'll be even better dug in." A Royal Guard objected.

"Flash. If a wolf comes into your sheep hold, you don't think to outthink them." Another Royal Guard urged, "You drive it away or kill it."

"We'll do as I say and don't you even think to argue with me." Flash raged, "Now let's go and set up a camp."

Although they had been concealed, the presence of the riders had not been missed in the camp.

"Have you seen them up there?" Rollo asked, trying together two of the logs which formed the defenses.

"Hmm.'' Ragnar agreed.

"What are we waiting for?" Rollo urged.

"We can't afford loosing half of our men by being stupid and attacking." Ragnar explained, "We wait till the odds are in our favor."

Night had fallen upon both camps. The Royal Guards were asleep, except for the guards. No one saw the Vikings approach them and cut them down quickly. The Norhmen took torches from the fires and quickly spread throughout the camp. The torches flew into the flames quickly ate on the canvas. Ponies were stabbed in their sleep, while the Northmen still were silent hunters in the dark.

After a few moments, one of the Royal Guards finally awoke, "Awake!" He shouted, "We're under attack!" Others awoken from his cries were soon awake. The Northmen walked through the camp, cutting them down, one by one.

Flash awoke in his tent as heard a loud cry, "ODIN!" He grabbed his sword and was already halfway out of the tent, when he decided, he might need a prayer before the battle. He bowed to the golden ball with Kholat symbol on it and began to pray.

One of the Royal Guards, "Flash! We're under attack!" He reported. When he saw his commander deep in his prayer, he turned around and rejoined the battle on his own.

Floki had watched in great amusement as the tents began to burn. Now he was fondling on the rope that was keeping the big tent upright. He drew his knife and cut it.

Flash had just finished his prayer and walked forward in order to rejoin the battle as the tent collapsed over him, burying him deep under the canvas.

As the morning came, the destruction of the camp was obvious. The few prisoners were herded together. Ragnar looked at Flash.

"Who are you?" He asked in Equestrian.

"I'm Flash Sentry." Flash replied, "I'm the main Royal Guard of the Crystal Empire army.''

"Ragnar! Come here!" Floki called from a few metres away. Ragnar walked over to him, guiding Flash with him.

"Their iron is stronger than ours." Rollo said, trying the handling on one of the woods. To prove his point, he hit the wooden post which had carried a torch before. The wood was half as thick as an arm, yet blade cut through it without much effort.

Then Ragnar walked over to Tostig who sat in the grass, sadly.

"What's wrong, my friend?" Ragnar asked.

"The gods won't lift my curse." Tostig growled, ''I am forsaken to live forever on this miserable earth."

Ragnar kissed him in the head before he turned back to his brother and Floki.

"Who is this?" Rollo asked, pointing at Flash.

"This is the main Royal Guard of Crystal Empire army." Ragnar explained, "What do you say, shall we visit the princesses?"

The arches on the Canterlot's large wall had put their bows and draw the strings back, ready to loosen the arrows as the group of riders approached. Everypony could see a half dozen Northmen sitting on the horses, as well a tied stallion, in Crystal's Empire armor.

For the first time Ragnar could see the Canterlot. Canterlot was a huge town by the large lake with large walls surrounding it.

The gates of the bridge which was leading to the city opened and an envoy, accompanied by several Royal Guards.

"Princess Celestia invites your leader to join her in her castle." The envoy said. When received no asnwer he asked, "Who is your leader?"

Still no answer.

"The princesses and prince did not know that Flash Sentry was still alive." The envoy began, "He would like to talk to you about what he can give you to set his brother free. Do you accept the princess offer?"

Ragnar just laughed and turned his horse around, riding away. The others followed him.

Back at the camp, they discusses their further plans.

"We should attack, while they are weak." Rollo stated.

"Attack, attack, attack.'' Ragnar meant, "That is all he ever says. I am curious. I want to know what manner of men they are. I want to see how their rulers live. And I am hungry."

"If we enter this town, why should they not just kill us?" Thornstein argued.

"You forget, we hold an important member of Crystal Empire as a hostage." Ragnar corrected him.

The Viking leaders approached Canterlot by horse. They were met by the same envoy as the day before and guided them into Canterlot They were immediately lead to the castle so they couldn't see the rest of Canterlot. A crowd of ponies had assembled at the castle, everypony wanted to take a look at those foreign monsters.

Lyra Heartstings was among them. Her face was showing anger mixed with sadness. She spent her whole, studying the histories of humans only to find out the humans were a monsters that are raiding the lands of the other alive beings.

Ragnar, Floki, Rollo and the others halted their horses in front of the Canterlot Castle and dismounted from the horses.
Then the envoy guided into the castle along the corridors to the throne room. Then, they walked into the throne room.

"Princesses and Prince. May I present you Earl Ragnar Lothbrok, his brother Rollo and their companions." The envoy said.

"Ragnar Lothbrok." Celestia said, "We're glad you have decided to talk to us."

Ragnar smiled.

"Now. May I introduce to to everypony in the room." Celestia said, "I think you already know who I, Luna, Twilight, Cadance and Shining are so let me introduce to the rest." She said as she pointed at the Elements of Harmony, "Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity."

AJ and Rainbow were looking at the Northmen with an angry glare, Rarity and Fluttershy were looking at them with fear and Pinkie Pie was looking at them with smile even thought the Northmen caused a lot of pain last summer.

"A stallion that is sitting next to me is Prince Blueblood. He's my nephew."

Blueblood was looking at them with look of disgust.

"A mare that is sitting next to Twilight and her friends is Starlight Glimmer. A student of Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Starlight was looking at the Northmen with eyes full of hate. She will never forgive them for what they did to her friends back in her old village.

"That little alicorn is Flurry Heart. She is a daughter of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, a pegasi that is sitting next to her is adopted sister Scylla and a black alicorn next to them is Nyx Sparkle, adopted daughter of Princess Twilight Sparkle and a dragon next to them is Spike."

Scylla and Flury Heart were looking at Ragnar and his warriors in fear unlike Nyx who was looking at them with an angry glare and Spike was showing no emotion on his face because he was hidding his fear for the Northmen.

Ragnar smiled once again and waited, acting as if he did not notice the unfriendly glances, which the ponies threw at them.

"Now, we're inviting you to eat with us." Luna said.

The Northem nodded their heads and walked over to the only empty table in the room. Also this table was the only one in the room to have a meat to offer, much to Fluttershy's disablief. The took their seats and began to eat their food except for Floki.

Floki had dived under the table, admiring the craftmanship, "This table is very well made." He said, his fingers feeling the wood and his mind trying to reconstruck the joints and to find the differences to how he would made it.

"Why they're not eating?" Arne asked Thornstein who shrugged in response. They got their response when a red pegasi with Kholat symbol as it's cutie mark walked into the room. He walked over to the place where the princesses were sitting and took his seat, next to Luna.

"In the name of the Kholat and the holy spirit." A pony which appearead to be a priest of the Equestrian's church said.

''Lianet." Everypony in the room chorused. Then a choir of ponies began to sing a song. The Northmen listened for a moment in amazement.

"What a terrible noise." Juta stated.

''These ponies are so strange." Leif stated.

"They're talking ponies Leif. They were strange ever since we came across them." Juta stated, earning a nod of agreement from Leif.

In the meantime Floki discovered the plates. Not sure about their purpose, he first tried to bite into them, he smelled them, then he dropped in onto the table. The plate bust into pieces and Floki burst out a giggle. Arne was not far behind him. He put the table on top of his hands, then lunged his head forward, causing the plate to shatter, everyone let out a long laugh.

"Stop making me laugh. I am trying to be serious." Ragnar told them, followed by giggle before he turned around to Celestia "Shall we talk princess?" He asked in Equestrian.

"Very well, what do you want for leaving our kingdom? And the safe return of Flash Sentry?" Celestia asked.

"Is he a priest?" Ragnar asked, pointing at the priest.

"His name is Bright Light. He is a bishop of our church." Celestia replied, "A pony of god."

"We want 2000 pounds. We will leave your kingdom when you you will give us 2000 pounds." Ragnar suddenly declared.

Everypony in the room gasped in suprise at the height of the sum.

"How much?" Rarity asked.

''2000 pounds." Ragnar repeated.

"I don't think I heard you propely, monster." Blueblood said, excepting the Northmen not daring to repeat his claim loudly.

Ragnar stood up from his seat, "2000 punds." He shouted, "In weight." He said as sat the back down on his seat.

On a nod from Blueblood, the Royal Guards closed in to the table. Ragnar's friends stood up, their weapons at the ready. Ragnar himself remained seated, munching on a piece of meat.

Princess Celestia mustered him for a moment, then decided it was better not to risk a massacre at her table, "I agree to your terms." She said, "But first, you must return Flash Sentry."

"When we receive payment, you shall have him." Ragnar refused.

"You must give us time to collect such a vast amount money." Celestia argued, "In the meantime, you and yourwarriors will return to your camp and make no further attack on my little ponies."

"Agreed." Ragnar smiled.

"Princess Luna, can you ask them who killed my brother." Applejack said in anger, earning a nod from Luna.

"Also Applejack here had lost her brother during your raid on the village where Starlight Glimmer used to life. She wants to know who killed him." Luna said.

"How did he looked like?" Ragnar wanted to know.

''He was a red stallion with a green apple as his cutie mark." Luna replied.

Ragnar translated Luna word's to his friends. Most of them looked at Vigi who told them about a red pony that he killed during their raid because he disobeyed Ragnar's order to not to resist.

"It was me." Vigi said as he stood up from his chair and pointed at himself with a nod, giving AJ signal that he was a murderer of her brother.

"He killed my brother?" Applejack asked, pointing her hoof at Vigi.

"Yes." Ragnar replied.

"Why did you do that?" Applejack asked, "Translate these words to him.''

Ragnar nodded and translated AJ's word's to Vigi.

"Because Ragnar clearly told them.If you do not resist, we will not hurt you.He disobeyed these words and charged at my wife so I killed him. It was his own fault." Vigi said back, earning a growl from the Element of Honestly.

"Tell him that he will die one day and I'll be the one to kill him." Applejack said through gritted teeth.

"She told me that you're going to die one someday. And she'll be the one to kill you on this day." Ragnar translated to Vigi who looked at AJ with a smirk and said.

"Tell her that I am waiting for this day." Vigi said as he sat down on the chair. Ragnar translated his words to AJ who growled in response.

"Let me baptize one of them." Bright Light murmured, "I want to be sure that we can trust them."

"There is no further condition." Celesta said, "I wish that either of you or one of your companions is baptized into our faith."

"You want one of us to become a Kholat believer?" Ragnar asked in suprise.

"Yes.'' Celestia insisted.

Ragnar translated to his friends who laughed greatly about the offer. All except Rollo who stood up from the table,

"I will be a believer of your faith." He said in broken Equestrian.

In Kattegat, Myrus led Siggy to the back of the great hall. Bjorn and Gyda were playing a game on the table.

"Mylady Lagertha." Myrus greeted her, "I hope you can find it in your heart to the wife of the late Earl."

"Of course." Lagertha replied, "Come and sit down Siggy."

"Wait!" Bjorn interrupted, "Earl Haraldson tried to kill my father."

"I know. And if he had succeeded, I would be standing where Siggy in standing now." Lagertha explained, "So what would you like me to do?"

"I would ask her to sit down.'' Bjorn murmured.

"Well, Siggy. What can I do for you?" Lagertha askd.

"It is what can I do for you?" Siggy replied, "I want to serve you."

"If it is really what you want, I accept your offer." Lagertha said.

Siggy fell on her knees, "Thank you..."

"You and your daughter are now under my protection." Lagertha explained, "But I will never treat you as a servant."

The Vikings leaders had joined the royal court of Equestria to wintess Rollo's baptism. They had met a river, a short walk outside of the town. Everyone was standing on a small island of gravel, in the middle of the river. Rollo, bare cheasted was standing in the water, the bishop and two of his aides next to him.

"Oh Kholat, almighty and eternal god." Bright Light begun, "Except the Kerit and it's kin from this po...person. From the head, from the hair, from the brain, from the brow, from the ears, from the mouth, from the throat, from the neck, from the chest, from the heart, from the entire interior of the body. From the thought, from the words, from the deeds. In the name of Kholat! Our lord!"

"Lianet!'' The audience chorused.

Bright Light indicated the symbol of Kholat, "I anoint thee in the name of Kholat!'' he called, "Lianet!" He laid his hoof on the top of Rollo's head and guided him down, until he dived under the surface of the water. When Rollo came back up after a second, he spat the water out and whirled his head, covering the bishop is spray.

"I now pronounce you baptized and born again with the new nameSerafin." Bright Light said, before he hugged Rollo.

As Celestia and the other ponies bowed their heads, Ragnar followed their example. The other Northmen except for Floki followed their leader. Floki spat out in anger as he watched the events.

"We have witnessed a true miracle." Luna declared, "Now I ask you to keep your promises. Return to your ships and await your payment in peace."

The Northmen had returned to their camp. They had nothing to do except to pass the time. Floki was carving a little statue of Odin. Leif, Thornstein, Vigi, Juta and Rollo were gambling.

It was Rollo's turn and he carefully threw the dices. He laughed loudly as he saw the result.

"Well done,Serafin" Floki said.

"What is your problem, Floki?" Rollo asked.

"Oh, I am not the one with problem." Floki mused, "I did not renounce the gods in front of everyone."

"It was a joke." Rollo explained, "I don't believe it. I did not understand a word a pony with wings was saying."

"It doesn't matter." Floki objected, "Surely you've made them very angry."

"Don't be stupid." Rollo warned him.

"You're the one who is stupid." Floki argued, "Risking the wrath of the gods."

That was too much for Rollo. He stood up and locked eyes with Floki. The boatbuilder just stared back, smilling.

"They're here!'' Arne called, running through the camp. Everyone got back, running past Rollo and Floki in their staring match. Finally Rollo gave it and followed the others, leaving Floki behind.

On the grass outside Viking camp, two Royal Guards were working on an old cart, laden with chests. The quickly fled, leaving the cart just outside the Viking camp.

Ragnar sent a couple of warriors to take a look of the cart. They quickly recovered it and began to break the locks open. They were dissapointed. Each of the chest was empty.

In this moments, a group of Royal Guards came over the ridge behind the cart. The four warriors were quickly taken down. In the camp everyone scrambled for their weapons. Fully armed, they assembled behind Ragnar, forming a wedge. The Vikings were standing exactly behind the breech in the defenses.

The Royal Guards rushed towards them, hoping the breech would allow them to enter the camp without any casualties.

The Northmen waited for them to come. The Royal Guards had almost reached the breech, as Ragnar lifted his arms, signaling to two of the warriors. These were holding ropes, connected to spikes which were lying flat on the ground. The pulled on the ropes and the breech in defenses was closed.

The Royal Guards were in full galopp, when the gap closed. They had not the time to stop. Many struck the spiked logs on the defenses, killing them instantly.

The Northmen waited for the chaos to spread, then they reopened the breech and came out of the camp. A bloody battle enraged. Warriors on both sides died and the green grass quikcly turned into blood stained mud.

The old Tostig had just finished one of the Royal Guards off, his shield smashing his opponents face. Another Royal Guard came from behind him and dug his into the old Vikings back. Tostig went down and smiled, "Valhalla" he murmured before closing his eyes for the last time.

The battle was mostly over, wounded and dead from both sides lying in the mud. Rollo went from one to another, killing every Royal Guard, who was still alive. Finally, he fell to his knees, exhausted.

"How many ponies did I kill, Floki!?" He shouted, "How many? Do you think Odin is still angry with me?!"

Ragnar went over to the prisoners. He sat down before Flash, still encrusted in blood and mud from the battle.

"It seems to me that your rulers does not care whether you live or die." He stated.

"If you let me talk to them, I'll persuade them to honor their pledge." Flash offered.

"Why should I not kill you now?" Ragnar wanted to know, smearing a symbow of Kholat on the prisoner forehead.

"Then you'll have nothing left to bargain with." Flash pointed out calmly.

Ragnar smiled and raised his blood encrusted axe, "I have this."

Ragnar was sitting on his horse, waiting outside of Canterlot. The day before he had sent back a horse with the lifeless body of Flash Sentry, his throat cut. Now Princess Celestia had to decided to honor her part of the agreement finally pay the prize.

One day later Ragnar and his men had sent the sail back home. Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Twilight, Shining and the rest of the Elements of Harmony were staring at them on the ground. Ragnar noticed it and winked at them.

"Princess. What do we do now?'" Twilight asked, "We know that they will return sooner or later."

"I don't know Twilight...I really don't know." Celestia replied before all of them glanced at Shining Armor

"I swear to Kholat that someday I will avenge everypony that Ragnar Lothbrok and his warriors killed in their raids. Someday he is going to regret that he came across our land." Shining swore in anger.

"Myrus, something's wrong." Lagertha said, standing next to Myrus on the loom. Lagertha was holding her engorged belly.

"It is the child?" Myrus asked in fear, "It must be way early.''

"Something is wrong...I don't know how." Lagertha stammered, holding her belly in pain.

"Let's get back you back in the bed." Myrus said, "I will take a look."

Holding Lagertha by her hands, Myrus carefully guided Lagertha onto her bed and began to unlace her dress.

Siggy walked quickly to the back room of the great hall. When she entered the room, she was Myrus who was hugging a crying Lagertha. Another one of the servants was trying to wipe the blood from the bed. Siggy quickly stepped to the group and hugged Lagertha.

The pregnancy had failed. Lagertha had miscarried at eight months.