"I do not want a husband who honours me as a queen, if he does not love me as a woman."-Elizabeth I

I don't own Vikings.

Chapter 3

News had spread through the village like a plague. Ivar has a bride. Not just any bride, a Celtic one for a bride.

Clíodhna just wandered around the village.

She has been hearing the whispers from the people. Many are surprised, but not sure if their marriage will be successful.

They had said that Ivar is Boneless.

She is not worried about that. For the Gods will bless her with his children. Since she was a child, she wanted a big family of her own. She did have six older brothers, and she was the only daughter as the last child of them. Her papa joked that her mother insisted that they should try to have a daughter in the family.

She just hopes that she will be a good wife to Ivar.

It reminds her of similar arrange marriages from Saxon's, but Ivar seemed to be a hidden potentials Today, the sons of Ragnar decided to train and they wanted her to come, with which she happily followed them where they would train.

Her bear cub Athelstan is growing rapidly, which he is close to her knee.

Clíodhna smiled at her cub knowing that he will grow big and strong.

She saw Ivar's older brother Ubbe showing Ivar how to use a bow and arrow. Clíodhna is observing and seeing their interaction.

Ubbe seemed like a good older brother, but she could tell that he likes things and life simple.

She turns her head slightly to his other brothers Hvitserk and Sigurd battle, each with axes and swords.

As she turned her eyes back to watch Ivar and Ubbe at archery.

She did not notice Sigurd looked slightly at her as he fights with his brother's sword with his axes.

Ubbe shot his arrow at the elk's head. It was Ivar's turn and he aimed right into bullseye literality.

Clíodhna is amused by that deduction.

They heard from an arrow shoot through the air had awakened her from her mussed.

Ivar's arrow ran through between his brothers that made them pause their fight. She had no choice, but to slight bit her lip to prevent herself to smile and laugh. Athelstan had let out a gentle roar as if he read her mind to laugh at him.

There is a hint of smugness and wicked in Ivar's eyes. Sigurd angry and pissed by his brother, he returns the favor and throws his ax at the cup right off his hand.

Ivar grabbed his ax and looked at him with hatred. He threw his ax at Sigurd by an inch closed to his head, but landed on the tree and she notices small blood coming from his head.

Clíodhna is not sure how to feel about this, but she had seen her brothers argue and forgive each over minor fights that they had. She wonders, did their brother bonding doesn't exactly come with them easily.

Clíodhna at the two brothers and she couldn't help, but worried that they will kill each other.

"What are you looking at?" Her brown eyes are looking deep into his blue ones, including his snake eye.

"Can you even fight?' Sigurd tried to taunt her. "Can you even use a sword? Or are just going to be his whore?"

Clíodhna gave him a harsh glare. How dare he assume that she is a whore! She is a proud daughter of the greatest Celtic warriors.

Ivar clenched his hand on the weapon, "How dare you speak to my bride that way?!" He threatened Sigurd.

Ubbe and Hvitserk is looked each other a bit worried. Athelstan had growled at Sigurd.

"Your Bride…" Sigurd scoffed and continue his taunting, "Are you sure if that's what she is? Maybe she will pity you."

A sword rose from her sheath and aimed at his neck, but not to cut him. She glazed slightly on his skin that seemed to cut easily on his skin.

"Then fight me." She commanded.

She gripped tightly onto her sword and glare at him.

"You dare to raise a sword against me. The son of Ragnar!" Sigurd yelled, but flinch when she push her sword closely.

"I could give a damn if you are the son of some bastard. If you truly are his son, then fight me!" Clíodhna yelled, "Unless of course you are scared." She taunted and being smug about it.

Sigurd snarled angrily and raised his ax to hit her which she ducks away from him. She gave him room to spare to fight her.

Thrust, Perri, left, right and below. That is how Sigurd tried to advance her with his sword. Yet she counter attacks each and every strike that he gave.

Ivar observes his bride fight against his brother. She prances around like a doe, yet swiftly strike like snake. She is crafted like a fox and he likes it!

Clíodhna definitely takes her pride as Celtic and warrior to boast about. Yet she never brags her skill as the greatest swords woman, but she is humble about it knows that it was her father that is still the greatest swordsmanship of her people.

Ivar is deeply impressed by his bride and he couldn't help but wondered what she would be like in his bed. He looked at his bride with such heavy breaths and imagines such erratic behavior will she be showing him when she is claimed by him. He felt himself grow hard and his pants are tight when he watches her bested his brother.

Sigurd is getting tired and exhausted over fight her with swords. She doesn't even look like she is running out of breath or sweating from her skin.

He swung his sword over her head when she ducks down and used her leg to make a swish to the left and knocked him off of his feet.

He had fallen onto his back and groaned.

The Ragnar sons are amazed by her fighting skills. They are impressed that this Celtic woman showed her skills and didn't waste her breath.

Clíodhna sighs and led a hand for Sigurd to grab hers. Sigurd look like he is against his better judgment, but he had taken her hand and she lift him up to his feet.

They all decided to call it a day for their training.

Ivar is sitting on the rock and watching the ocean with Clíodhna and Athelstan.

"So, where did you learn how to fight like that?" She knew that he was talking about her sword fighting with Sigurd today.

"My father and my brothers." She replied.

Clíodhna told Ivar, yet he notice a hint of sadness.

"I'm sorry," Ivar said to her softly.

"Why are you sorry? You didn't invade my people or kill them over beliefs of religions like those fucking Saxons."

Ivar gripped her hand tightly as she turned her eyes to look deeply into his.

"I say to you, Clíodhna. I will kill all those Saxons and bring them to you as a wedding gift."

The only thing she wants is seeing the Saxon's pay, but with Ivar as her husband she will accept the gift.

Sorry for the wait. It's because I had to go baby showers and parties even working. There are not enough me time. But I hope I can get reviews from you guys.