The idea for this story started during a discussion about historical fanfiction on Twilight Fanfic Addicts Facebook page which is run by some fantastic women. I mentioned something about not being able to write an interesting story set in my country, Denmark, unless it was set in the Viking Age. BellaDonna Cullen was quick to say that I should definitely write that story and she would love to read it. I dismissed the idea on the grounds that I hate doing research but those of you who know my OCD brain can probably guess what happened: I couldn't let go of the thought and was forced to write it down. The result is here. Thank BellaDonna Cullen on Facebook for putting the idea into my head.

As always a huge thanks to Melanie, my lovely beta, who wants this to have more than one chapter. We'll see how it goes, but this will not be a long story by any means.

I have changed the names of the characters to make it historically accurate. Example; Edward is called Edvard because the letter 'W' was just recently added to our alphabet. It isn't used in any Danish words. I don't think you'll have problem identifying the characters. ;)

Enjoy this little trip to the time of Vikings.

BPOV

Please Lord, take my life and spare me from this ordeal. I beg of you: Let me join you in Heaven.

I opened my eyes, hoping that I might gaze upon the gates to His holy kingdom but I was sorely disappointed. I was still very much alive though I had no desire to be any longer. I was being taken forcefully away from everything that I knew and I found myself in the hands of savages. Large beasts clad in pelts, no better than animals walking on hind legs! Their hair was long and some had braids which was something I had only ever seen on a women in my homeland. But there was nothing feminine about these men. They were large hulking figures with bulging muscles and wild eyes that burned with the fires of hell.

Filthy savages!

I could not find any remorse for my harsh thoughts because these were not good Christian men. They were Vikings and I was being shipped with them to their homeland with a dozen other women who were as unfortunate as me. What fate awaited us remained to be seen but I hoped for death upon my arrival, though it was not likely. If they wanted me dead they could have killed me when they came upon me at the abbey. Instead they had grabbed me and dragged me along, kicking and screaming.

We had been travelling by sea for days on end and I longed for the journey to be over. I was not weak but the sea did not agree with me and I had lost most of my meals as soon as I had eaten them. I had been surprised that they even bothered to feed us but now it only increased my suspicions that we were being brought with them for a purpose. I had seen their lecherous stares but so far none of us had experienced bodily harm and for that I thanked the good Lord over and over.

I looked at the women around me, but there were no familiar faces among them. Another blessing, indeed. My sisters were safe in the village and I was the only one taken because I had been en route to the abbey to give myself to the Lord and spend the rest of my days in His service. The savages were plundering it when I arrived and I had not been able to escape them.

After what seemed a lifetime we arrived on foreign shores and all of us captive women were hauled onto the beach where we were made to stand in line. Many men were there, each one more foul than the next, and they were looking us over as though we were tasty morsels. A large bear of a man who seemed to hold a position of power pointed to me and said something that I did not understand. I felt myself quake with fear. He had chosen me! Was I to be his? What would he do with me? He approached and made me turn slowly, and when my back was to him he made some comment which caused the other men to holler in obvious amusement. I did not care for the manner in which his eyes appraised me or the way he laughed when I raised my chin defiantly and tried to yank myself out of his grasp.

Murder me, vile creature!

That was my only hope of escape, for I would not take my own life and doom myself to an eternity in the flames of Hell. But he merely threw me over his shoulder as though I was weightless and carried me off in long strides. He greeted several on his way while I hung with my head down, trying to fight back the tears in my eyes.

All around me there was activity but truthfully I did not see much from my humiliating position. I did hear both the laughter of children and dogs barking and I tried to hang on to those familiar sounds as I was carried into a house and handed over to a matronly-looking woman in strange clothing. The large man who had taken me spoke strange, gruff-sounding words to the woman who nodded and smiled. Then I was most startled when a young fair-haired beauty came rushing in and jumped straight into the large man's arms with no fear. She seemed pleased to see him! I averted my eyes from their display when she pressed her lips against his and kissed him in an entirely sinful way.

She must be daft!

The older woman led me into another room. It was very warm and I noticed a large basin situated in the middle.

"Dress. Off," she commanded and pointed to my clothing.

I gaped at her.

Surely not!

I shook my head frantically and moved as far away from her as possible in the small room. She opened the door and shouted something. My eyes widened when the large man from before came in. I shrieked in terror when he came over and tugged on the hem of my dress, but he did not get any further before the woman spoke again. He grinned and walked out without another word. It was most curious to see this woman command the large man who obeyed her orders.

"Off," she said and pulled me towards the large basin again.

I was by no means feeble-minded and I understood that if I caused her trouble the bear would be brought in to bathe me, and since I much preferred the older woman to do so I undressed hastily. She regarded my filthy dress with obvious disgust and threw it aside. I stood in the basin, naked as the day I was born and crossed my arms in front of me to protect my modesty. I felt the woman put a hand on my shoulder and sigh heavily when she saw my back. I almost fainted when she called out of the door again. Thankfully, it was two women who came in and started to pour hot water in with the cold until it was to my knees.

The older woman made me sit down and while I washed myself she undid my hair and started combing it out. Then she poured water over my head and cleaned it with something resembling soap. Her actions reminded me so much of the way my mother had bathed me when I was younger that I could not stop myself from weeping while hot tears streamed down my face. I missed her terribly at that moment and wished that I was back in the home of my girlhood, surrounded by people who loved me. Much to my shock the older woman did not become angry but shushed me gently while I rocked back and forth in the tub and cried like I had never done before. She started humming softly and helped me out, drying and dressing me as she would a child. I was put in a long soft linen dress with sleeves up to my elbows and some strange shoes made from leather and fur.

The woman called out again and I was brought a meal and a cup of fat milk.

"Thank you," I whispered to the older woman.

"Tak," she said.

Does that mean 'thank you' in her tongue?

"Tak?"

She nodded, smiled and motioned for me to sit by the small fire where I ate ravenously and she combed out my hair until it was dry and falling in soft waves around my shoulders. She made a comment on it and while I did not understand the words the meaning was clear; she thought it pretty. I could not help but smile a little. I would have missed my hair at the convent where it would have been cut off when I became a nun, but it was a small sacrifice and I did not need to concern myself with thoughts of physical beauty had I ended up in that life.

But here it seemed that I had been chosen for that. I was almost convinced that I was to bed someone or they would not have made such an effort to clean and bathe me. I had to wonder what the point was when all the men were so filthy and vile, and I shuddered to think that one of them would ravage me soon. I hoped it wouldn't be the large bear of a man who had carried me here for he frightened me greatly. He already had the fair beauty enamored and hopefully that meant that I would go unnoticed by him. My hopes were not high, though. He had chosen me out of all the women on the ship for a purpose.

I suddenly wondered what the kind older woman was named and pointed to her. She said something unfamiliar.

"Esme?" I guessed.

She shook her head.

"Es-ter," she said slowly.

"Ester, I am Isabella," I told her.

She shook her head and raised her hands in obvious confusion.

Too much.

"Bella," I said slowly, using my family's name for me.

She nodded. It was better, apparently.

"Bella," she said with a smile and led me out into the large room again where the bear and the fair one were sitting together.

I averted my eyes when I saw that she was in his lap with her arms around his neck. How could she love a man like that? Such a foul beast? But when I got a closer look at him I could see that he had bathed as well and his formerly wild hair was now damp and combed through. Still, he was so savage-looking in his hides and she was a delicate flower next to him. Perhaps they had cast some sort of heathen witchcraft on her?

"Emundi. Ro-se," she said to me and pointed to the two of them.

"Bella," she said to them and motioned to me.

They both smiled but then dismissed me and continued their conversation. If I did not know better I would think that they had missed each other while he was away, but could such heathens be capable of love? That was not the way Vikings were portrayed where I was from. Still, Ester had been very kind to me and that brought me a glimmer of hope in this dismal situation. The bear was still completely enraptured by the fair woman and had not given me a second glance. Perhaps I was not to be his after all.

I looked around cautiously. The room we were in was very large with a great fireplace in the middle used for cooking. Along the sides were both tables and what seemed to be communal beds with room for many people to sleep upon. This worried me greatly. Was I to sleep among so many and even worse, would they all witness the depravities that I was surely going to go through? Was I to be used as a common whore for all the men who dwelled here?

They shall be forced to kill me before I submit to their foul lust!

Ester led me away from the couple and into yet another secluded area, much larger than the bathing room. This was clearly a room for sleeping in and I felt lightheaded when I saw the spacious bed. I swayed and Ester helped me sit down in a chair while I kept looking fearfully at the bed. She patted my hand and straightened a few stray locks of my hair.

"Edvard. Good man," she said.

"Edvard?"

Would he be the first to have me, then? Would they take turns with me after he had his fill of me?

"My son," she said proudly and smiled.

I nodded and blinked back the tears in my eyes. She had made me ready for her son's pleasure and suddenly she did not seem so kind anymore. She patted my hand again and left without another word. I did not know how much time passed by. I could hear faint noises through the door but no one came in to check on me. And why would they? There was no escape. I was in a strange land, far from home with no friends around. Even if I did manage to somehow sneak past the people in this house, there was a whole village of wild savages just waiting to attack me. Finally I lay down on the bed and cried. What was to become of me? The women back home who were taken by Vikings were never heard from again and I knew that I would not see my parents or my sisters until the day when we were all joined in the good Lord's heaven.

Without warning the door opened and I jumped up with a scream when a strange man entered. He was almost as large as the bear, but leaner and not quite as tall though he was still a giant compared to me. His hair was red as the devil and he was dressed in an embroidered tunic and cloth trousers.

"My new serf," he said with a heavy accent and made a gesture with his hand. "Come here, woman."

He speaks my language.

I found myself doing the exact opposite and backed into the corner, as far away from him as possible. He regarded me for a few seconds before he sat down near the fire and removed his footwear.

"Go and fetch me a drink, woman," he said and pointed to the door.

I responded immediately, grateful for any chance to get out of his immediate presence. Out in the common area I found Ester and gestured that her son wanted something to drink. She handed me a large mug with golden liquid and gave me a smile. I smelled it discretely on my way back to his bedroom and my heart sank when I realized that it was some sort of alcoholic beverage. When I came back in he had taken off his tunic and before I could stop I found myself thinking that he had a handsome chest. My cheeks colored from embarrassment. I approached him carefully but when I handed him the mug he grabbed my wrist lightly and pulled me closer.

I started struggling against him immediately but it was fruitless. His hand seemed as strong as iron shackles.

"Calm yourself, serf," he said and placed his drink on the small table next to him before standing up. "I want to look at you."

He towered above me, and I startled when he ran his hand over my hair and raised my face up to look at him. His eyes were green as the moss that grew in my homeland and on any of my countrymen I would have found the color attractive.

"My brother was right to choose you for me. You are a rare dark beauty," he said pensively. "And yet your skin is the color of fresh milk. Tell me, are you ill?"

I frowned and shook my head. I knew that my skin was very fair but where I was from it was considered pretty, not a sign of illness.

"Smile," he said next.

Whatever for?

"Smile," he said again and raised his eyebrows in challenge.

I sneered at him for I had no reason to smile.

"You can do better than that, I am sure," he said. "But at least you have all of your teeth."

He laughed quietly at the look of shock that came upon my face. I felt as though I were an animal being appraised for auctioning.

"I wish to see the rest of you. Remove your dress," he said and touched the neckline.

I gasped and tried to move away from him but he grasped my shoulders and held me in place.

"Do not run from me, woman," he warned

I felt my knees shake underneath me as I prepared for his hand to strike out at me. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"My brother informs me that they found you at the abbey. Are you untouched?"

I did not want to answer his rude inquiry and remained silent.

"Are you mute or simply feeble, serf?" he growled. "You will answer my question. NOW!"

"It is none of your concern," I hissed at him and tried to struggle out of his grasp again. "Unhand me, you filthy heathen!"

He did not let go but his eyes sparked with mirth and he laughed.

"And to think that I just bathed," he said, and continued: "You are my property and therefore anything regarding you concerns me. I will find out so you may as well be truthful. Have you been bedded?"

"Yes," I nodded my head, hoping that this would make me less appealing to him.

"Good," he said with a smile. "Then you have known the pleasures of lying with a man. Remove your dress and I will take you."

"No!" I gasped.

"You will not deny me what is rightfully mine," he threatened in a low voice. "Show yourself to me or I will call my men in here to hold you while I remove your dress and have my way with you!"

I felt the tears burning in my eyes as I peeled the gown from my body and looked down to hide my fear, still clutching the soft fabric in my trembling hands. I felt his eyes on me as he circled me slowly and brushed my hair to the side.

"Who did this to you?" he asked quietly and traced one of the scars on my back with the tip of his finger, making me shiver in terror.

"My husband," I whispered.

"What was his reason?"

"He did not say, though I am certain the drink was partly to blame."

"And where is he now?"

"In Hell, I hope," I answered unthinkingly.

It was not a proper thing to say.

"I imagine so," he said, and I felt him drape something soft and warm over my shoulders before he sat me down by the fire.

"Drink," he ordered and handed me the mug with the golden liquid.

Unexpectedly, it had a very sweet taste and I found that I liked it a great deal.

"Thank you," I whispered. "Tak."

"Good!" he said approvingly and sat down next to me. "We will have you speaking my language in no time."

"Am I to remain here then?" I asked cautiously.

"Yes," he answered simply. "You are my new bed thrall and will remain so for as long as I see fit. You should consider yourself fortunate."

"How so?" I asked quietly.

"You will help with the chores just as the rest of the serfs and free women in this house, but I am certain it will not be anything that you are not used to from home. My mother will not tire you out with work as your main function is to warm my bed and keep me happy at night. You will eat well and no one will lay a hand on you. Except me, of course."

I will not be shared with others? Thank you, Lord!

I dared to look up and he grinned at me. I averted my eyes again and took another sip of the drink.

"You are quite young," he observed.

"I am eighteen summers," I said.

I judged him to be in his mid-twenties.

"Tell me," he said. "When did your husband go to the netherworld?"

"The netherworld?" I asked carefully. "I do not understand."

"Your hell," he said impatiently.

"Half a year ago. We were not married long before he was killed in a fight."

"Good," he said again. "Then you are not with his child and I will welcome any children that you will birth."

I looked up.

"Children?"

"Naturally," he said with a smile. "You are a strong, healthy young woman and I am certain what you will bear many fine sons and daughters."

I had always wanted children but since I had no desire to ever re-marry I had resigned myself to the fact that God did not plan for me to become a mother. Then a frightening notion struck me.

"But what will happen to them?" I asked anxiously. "Will they be taken from me? Will they be mine?"

I could not bear the thought of having my babies snatched from my arms the very second I had birthed them. I would rather die than suffer that kind of heartache.

"They will be ours and they will be free because that is my will. Do not worry. Any children that may come from our union will be well looked after and they will live here under my roof. "

"Will I ever be free?" I whispered.

He gazed upon me for a long time before he spoke again.

"If we were to form an attachment I would free you and make you my wife," he said. "It is not unheard of. Ro-se was my brother's bed thrall and did not remain so for long before they were married."

"They have a great deal of affection for one another," he added wistfully.

Was he truly hoping for the same with me? I could not imagine it. Marriage was not something that I associated with mutual affection but rather the continuation of the family line and as a source of business. My father was a kind man and I tried my hardest to honor him, but I found it difficult to understand why he had married me off to my late husband. It had not been my decision and I could only suspect that money had exchanged hands since I had been approached by many other suitors, who had been rejected by my father despite the fact that they were fine young men.

"Why are you not married?" I asked boldly.

He was of age and for a Viking he was not entirely unpleasant to look upon. His house was large and he could certainly afford a wife of his own.

"I was. But she is not in this world anymore."

"Did she…displease you?" I whispered.

He gave me an incredulous look.

"Woman, I did not murder my wife," he said and shook his head. "She was of a weak disposition, fell ill and perished. Had I been displeased I would have simply sent her back to her father's house and she would have been free to marry another if she so wished."

"Truly?" I asked.

This was not something I would have expected of heathens.

"Yes, and if she had been displeased with me she could have left just as easily."

They did not necessarily marry for life? Why was it savages who had such a wondrous option when I, a good Christian woman, could not have left my husband even though he treated me badly?

"And will you take another wife?"

"You have many questions," he observed. "Do not think they will distract me. I will claim you before the night is over. That is why you are here."

To be his whore.

I nodded and looked down. It seemed that there was no way out of this situation for me and while he had been acting almost civilized I still did not want to share a bed with him. But I suppose I should feel fortunate that he had not thrown me down and used me for his beastly lust the second he entered the room and I was granted this small reprieve.

"But I do enjoy speaking with you," he said, almost softly and reached out to touch my hand. "It is not often that I have the opportunity to speak English for longer periods of time."

"Where did you learn?"I asked and swallowed back my tears.

"My father. He thought it wise that a few among us could speak the language since we have been coming to your shores for many years."

"To plunder and pillage," I said accusingly, before I could stop myself.

"You are brave, woman," he said. "It is the way that it has been for as long as anyone can remember. As is the capture of thralls such as yourself. I feel no remorse."

"But you took me from my home!" I cried, unable to hold my tongue any longer. "I will never see my family again!"

"The place of a grown woman is with her husband, not her father," he said dismissively. "You will find a new home here with me."

"But you are not my husband!" I protested and stood up.

The fur that was draped over my shoulders fell to the floor along with the dress which had been in my lap. I was naked in front of him and he took notice immediately. Before I could utter a single word of protest he had carried me to the bed and lay down on top of me. I pressed my hands against his chest to push him off me but it was like trying to move a solid rock. I was trapped beneath him.

"I will be your husband in every practical sense of the word," he said firmly. "I will feed you, clothe you and bed you as I see fit. You are my woman now and as long as you please me I will not need to take a wife. And you will please me."

He moved against me and I could clearly feel the evidence of his arousal.

"Can you not see that you please me already, beauty?" he whispered huskily.

I closed my eyes and prayed that he would be done with me quickly. My whole body trembled and I had trouble breathing. There was a reason why I had been on my way to live the rest of my life in a closed society where men were not allowed when I was taken. I did not want to have relations with a man ever again. It was painful and frightening.

"Look at me," he said.

I opened my eyes, willing back the tears as I did not want him to see my weakness.

"What is your name?" he asked out of nowhere.

"B-Bella," I stuttered.

"Bella."

He half-smiled.

"I will not harm you, Bella. I gain no pleasure from witnessing your tears. Why are you so afraid? You are not a maiden," he said and wiped my face gently. "This will not hurt you."

I closed my eyes and tried to will away the painful memories but I was not strong enough in my mind.

"You will not take the strap to me then?" I whispered fearfully and looked into his eyes.

"The strap?" His brow furrowed. "I am not familiar with that word."

I swallowed nervously and tried again.

"You will not strike me?"

"Strike you? Thor's hammer, woman! Why would I strike you?"

"There did not seem to be a reason," I said and looked away from him.

"Your husband," he said slowly. "He struck you when you were lying together?"

I nodded and closed my eyes again.

Do not shed tears in front of him. He must not see how fearful you are.

"Each time?" he asked.

"Yes."

"So you have not enjoyed it," he said.

"The enjoyment belongs to the man," I said flatly.

Of this I was positive. Women made themselves available and performed their wifely duties in exchange for the husband's protection and support of any children that may come along.

"You are mistaken, my beauty," he said, this time very softly. "There is much joy for you to be had. Tonight I will show you."

I opened my eyes again and for the first time I studied his features for more than a few moments. For a savage he was quite handsome. Looking at his face every day would not be entirely unpleasant, although I could still not believe his words.

"Why does it matter to you?" I asked. "You have said that I am your property and that you may take me at your leisure. My enjoyment should be of no importance to you."

He touched my face gently and suddenly dipped his head down to press a light kiss on my lips.

"You are my bed thrall, this is true," he said. "But I wish for you to desire it as I do. We may not achieve what my brother has with Ro-se, but I prefer a warm and willing woman in my arms. I want you to smile when you see me and embrace me eagerly when we are alone."

He kissed me again, lingering a little longer this time. He moved to lie on his side next to me and I held my breath when his large calloused hand descended upon my chest where I expected to feel a harsh pinch to the tips of my bosom. It never came. He stroked gently back and forth between them and captured my lips again.

"Do not fear me, Bella," he whispered as his mouth moved to my neck. "Give in to me. I will never harm you."

Each kiss, each warm breath, each soft word sent chills down my spine but they were not from fear. I clenched my hands at my side to refrain from touching him. I did not want him to wield whatever magic had taken Ro-se and use it on me.

"There is so much pleasure to be had," he said and cupped my breast.

The peak had hardened and he moved his thumb over it at the same time as his mouth went back to mine and I felt the tip of his tongue against my closed lips. His fingers grasped my nipple but rather than twisting it painfully he tugged it gently and it created an unfamiliar sensation inside of me. When I gasped he slid his tongue into my mouth and touched it against mine with a loud moan. I turned my head away from him quickly.

"No!" I gasped. "It is indecent. We are not wed."

"It does not matter," he whispered in my ear and used the tip of his tongue to trace its shell. "Once I have claimed you everyone will acknowledge you as my woman. No other man will ever touch you again. Your beauty is for my eyes only."

His hand moved to my other breast and I pressed my lips together to keep from making noises that might encourage him.

"You feel it, do you not?" he asked and attended to my nipple.

I whimpered in my throat when his tongue worked its way back into my mouth and he stole my breath. I was so lost in the feel of the kiss that I had not taken notice of his hand until it brushed over the hair which covered my womanhood. My whole body tensed and my hands flailed frantically to remove him.

"Calm yourself, Bella," he said and effortlessly held my hands above my head with one of his while the other parted me intimately.

My breathing had accelerated drastically and I felt his mouth next to my ear.

"I will not hurt you," he whispered. "Trust me, my beauty."

His fingers moved over my skin slowly and he kissed below my ear.

"Why do you deny yourself?" he asked. "Your body wants this. I can feel it when I touch you."

He seemed to focus all of his attention on a small area and every time his fingers moved over it I had the urge to push up against him. I did not understand the feeling but it was certainly not unpleasant.

"Good, Bella," he praised and slowly released my wrists. "Put your hands on me."

I should not give into his demand. But I knew that this would happen whether or not I was participating and that he would have me tonight. I found myself wanting to believe his words when he said that he would not hurt me, even though everything in my upbringing told me that Vikings were wild and dangerous creatures who used human skulls for drinking mugs and were covered in filth. But Edvard was clean and so far I had only seen ordinary cups and mugs. He was also quite gentle with me and had yet to even remove his trousers because all of his attentions were directed on me. Already I had enjoyed his touch more than I knew possible and there had been no pain. Slowly I placed my trembling hands on his broad shoulders and he smiled triumphantly.

His lips grew more demanding against mine as his fingers between my folds stroked gently and elicited involuntary whimpers from me. His skin under my hands was warm and smooth, and he smiled against my lips when I carefully caressed his muscular chest. When I felt him touch my entrance I tensed up again, worried that he would do as my husband and forcefully shove his fingers inside me. What purpose it served other than bringing me pain I had never figured out, but he had still done it almost every time he had taken me.

But Edvard gently slipped just one finger inside of me and my body calmed.

"You are almost ready to receive me, Bella," he whispered. "Do I give you pleasure?"

As if to answer his own question he added another finger and somehow also managed to touch me on the outside where the sensations were especially vivid.

"Edvard," I gasped.

"You know my name," he said and brushed his lips against mine. "Tell me again."

His fingers moved faster and I found that the lower half of my body had become possessed, writhing indecently against him. My mouth fell open when he placed his lips on my breast and suckled eagerly. The combined sensations of his fingers and lips made it impossible to hold back the sounds I was making.

"Edvard!" I cried and wondered if this was supposed to happen, this feeling of anticipation running through me. "What…what is this?"

"It is your pleasure," he said huskily. "Feel it, my beautiful one. Give into it."

His mouth swallowed my strangled sobs as I fisted my hands in the soft furs beneath us and chased a feeling that I did not fully comprehend. I only knew that with each stroke of my Viking's fingers, my body wanted more and more until I reached a peak so ecstatic that I thought I had surely flown straight to the Heavens above. But when my eyes were able to open again I found that I was still in the warm soft bed as before with Edvard gently stroking my hair and kissing my cheek.

I threw my arms around his neck, needing him to ground my shaking body and I was thankful when he pulled me tightly against his chest without question. His body felt so different than that of my late husband. Where he had been blubberous, Edvard was firm and well-muscled. Where he had been coarse and hairy, my Viking was soft and downy. And where his breath had reeked of alcohol, Edvard's smelled sweet and fresh.

He shifted above me to remove both my shoes and his trousers and I suddenly felt another difference between him and my husband which terrified me to my very core. For if my husband had been able to hurt me with his meager specimen there was no telling what pain Edvard could inflict with his generously sized manhood which was now nestled against me as he hovered above my shaking form.

"Do not fear me," he said, yet again, and kissed my lips. "I know how to bed you properly and will not harm you."

I looked up into his green eyes and could find no deceit in them.

"It would please me greatly if you were to consent before I have you," he whispered against my mouth. "Be mine, Bella."

He would take me with or without my permission. I was, after all, his bed slave but he preferred me willing. Fornication was a sin but so was being deceitful and I could not in good conscience pretend that I did not want him. I would be bedded no matter what and therefore decided to be truthful.

"Yes," I whispered and placed my hands on his shoulders.

His lips turned up into a glorious smile and before I could become nervous he moved to push himself inside me. I shut my eyes and prepared for the onslaught of dull pain which had always accompanied my joining with my husband but there was none. Edvard's manhood slid inside with very little effort and filled me completely. I gasped in both wonder and pleasure, and looked at him.

Edvard's eyes were closed and he let out a shuddering breath.

"Oh, woman," he said in a strained voice. "You please me so."

His words sent a rush of warmth through me though I did not understand why. His enjoyment in taking me should not be any concern of mine, and yet I found that I wanted to bring him pleasure just as he had bestowed it on me. He pulled back, pressed his lips against mine and pushed back inside with a groan. More pleasure followed and my hands slid over his skin in a gentle caress.

"You feel it now?" he whispered.

"Yes," I answered.

"It will be like this every time I have you," he promised and began moving in me. "You are truly mine now, beautiful one."

He reached down, pulled my legs up higher to drape them around his narrow hips and filled me even deeper than before causing me to cry out in joy.

"We will share so much pleasure, you and I," he said. "In your embrace I will find a friendly harbor and forget my troubles."

He thrust faster and I eagerly received his tongue in my mouth when he kissed me, no longer caring if it was indecent to do so.

"You are the one I will long for when I am overseas and far from home. You will be here, waiting for my return and I will rush to get to you sooner. You are my woman and I will care for you," he vowed. "No one will ever harm you again for you are under my protection. You will mother my children and we will find happiness in them and each other."

"Yes, oh Heavens!" I cried when I felt his hand reach down between us and touch me where he had before.

The peak that I had reached before from his fingers touching me now reached up even higher and I called out Edvard's name over and over again as by body tensed in almost agonizing pleasure. His arms came around me as he neared his completion and he mumbled foreign words in my ear whose meaning I suddenly longed to learn. My hands trailed over his broad strong shoulders to his slender waist and I held him to me when he stilled and released his seed in me.

"My Bella," he whispered and pressed his lips against mine softly.

He moved down my body and rested his head on my chest, his arms now around my middle. I weaved my fingers through his long hair and drew a deep breath.

"Are you well?" he asked.

"Yes," I whispered, although I knew that the tears in my eyes contradicted it.

I was overwhelmed and confused. I did not comprehend what had transpired between us. I had expected to be violated and beaten, passed around for sport and thrown to a corner when the men were done with me. I had not thought that I would be given to a man such as Edvard who wanted me to enjoy our time together. Being bedded by him was undoubtedly the most pleasurable experience of my life, but I could not understand what that meant. This was fornication out of wedlock and yet it had felt so heavenly that I could hardly regret it. And all the words that Edvard had spoken to me; promising to care for me and our children, longing for my embrace when he was away and finding happiness in each other. They were sweeter than anything my late husband had ever uttered to me.

Was I a sinner now? Was I doomed to suffer eternal torment for giving in to my Viking lover and enjoying his embrace? I did not have any answers and there was no man of the church to confess to in this land. I felt so lost all of a sudden and my tears finally spilled over into sobs that I could not hide from Edvard. When I felt him move off me I rolled onto my side, drawing my knees to my chest and crying even harder than before.

Edvard did not speak but I felt his arms wrap themselves around me as he pulled me back against his warm body. I did not try to struggle out of his embrace. He was the only person I knew here and truthfully I needed his affection or I feared that I would lose my mind with grief. He shushed me softly as his mother had done earlier but he allowed me to weep until I ran out of tears. When I had stopped I felt him press his lips against my hair and start to move away from me.

"No!" I whimpered and tried to hold him to me.

I could not bear the thought of being without him when I felt so alone in the world.

"I shall return shortly," he whispered and stroked his hand over my hair before he rose and dressed quickly.

After he had gone I sat up and wiped my eyes. The room was very dim with just a small fire as a source of light. If I listened carefully I could hear the sounds of other people talking and laughing in the large main room. A baby was crying somewhere but the sound stopped as quickly as it came and I suspected that it was now being fed at its mother's bosom. I wondered if I would do the same one day. Edvard seemed to expect children and had said that it would bring him happiness. It would do the same for me, though I did not enjoy the thought of having them outside of wedlock. But that matter could not be helped, and I had to trust that the good Lord would decide whether or not I was to have babies.

The door opened and Edvard appeared once more. He laughed and called something over his shoulder and got many replies in return before he shut the door and came over to me. I scrambled to cover myself as he approached and he chuckled softly.

"They are curious about you out there," he said and motioned to the door. "But I told them that you needed your rest since I intend to have you again soon, and that they may meet you at a later time."

I gaped at him and my face flushed with embarrassment. How could he speak so openly of bedding me when we were not even married?

"Are you well now?" he asked and sat down the bed with me.

I did not know what to tell him. Physically I was fine and he had not hurt me during our coupling but my heart was still quite heavy with worry and grief for all the people I would never see again. He handed me a bowl containing berries and encouraged me to eat while he removed his clothes once more. My eyes were glued to the bowl so that I would not accidentally catch a glimpse of his naked skin and he laughed softly when he discovered it. He slipped under the furs next to me and I could feel his gaze when I put one of the red berries in my mouth and chewed it slowly to savor the rich sweet taste.

"Have another," he said, and the husky tone that laced his voice startled me so that it caused me to turn my head to look at him.

His eyes were fixed on my mouth and the blatant lust in them seemed make them a darker shade of green.

"Here, let me," he said and fished one out of the bowl to hold up to my lips.

His gaze grew impossibly darker when I took his offering and chewed it carefully. The way he was looking at me made my heart thump erratically and I had to look down to hide my nervousness.

"I think that I should like a taste now," he whispered.

I handed him the bowl immediately but he merely laughed and placed it next to us. He leaned in and I shut my eyes just before his lips connected with mine. The kiss started out slow but he soon grew demanding and pushed his tongue into my mouth.

"Oh, how you entice me, Bella," he murmured before kissing me again until I was breathless.

I felt him tug on the fur which covered me and I gripped it tightly, and held it up to my chin.

"Do not hide from me," he said softly and moved his mouth to my neck as his hands easily removed mine from the covers.

He pulled them away until I was completely exposed to him and gently pushed me down on the bed. He reached for another berry, held it to my lips and groaned softly when they closed over his fingers. I ate it quickly and waited nervously as his eyes travelled down my naked body. What would he do to me next? He fished out another and smiled mischievously. My mouth fell open in shock when he suddenly crushed the ripe berry between his thumb and index finger and proceeded to smear the pulp on the tip of my breast, coloring it a bright pink that I am certain matched the shade of my cheeks.

"I shall clean you up," he said huskily and quickly dipped his head down to my chest where his tongue darted out and licked the fruit off my quivering flesh.

He hummed contently and closed his lips around my nipple to suckle it. I jerked slightly when I felt the pleasure it caused in my sinful, wicked body and tried my hardest to keep silent. Edvard repeated his actions on my other breast and when he once again moved up to capture my lips with his I was breathing faster and experienced an unfamiliar aching want between my legs. I did not know what had come over me. Had I fallen under the same spell that had once claimed the fair Ro-se?

"I will take you now," Edvard said urgently and moved to lay between my parted legs.

In a swift thrust he was inside and for a brief second I feared that there would be pain involved with the intrusion. There was not. On the contrary, the ache I felt subsided and was replaced with pleasure when Edvard filled me. His large body hovered motionless above mine for a few seconds while he looked into my eyes. I did not know what he was searching for but he must have found it. He smiled, leaned down to kiss me and began moving. I could barely contain the moans in my throat and Edvard must have noticed my efforts.

"Do not hold back, woman," he said. "I want to hear the pleasure you have."

He sat up on his knees which enabled him to thrust faster and deeper than before. His hand reached down to the place where we were joined and the sensations doubled many times over. I could no longer hold back my voice and called out his name which seemed to entice him even further. The place of ecstasy which I had already reached twice tonight was approaching quickly as my body writhed wantonly beneath his.

"Oh, I feel you, Bella!" he moaned loudly and increased the tempo of his movements.

The cries escaping me seemed to resemble ones of agony but all I felt was pleasure beyond my imagination. I was swept up in it and my Viking must have somehow sensed that for he reached under me to grasp my backside in his hands. He held my lower body up effortlessly and pulled me towards him every time he thrust. He was much more forceful this time and yet there was only enjoyment to be had. I looked at him in awe of his impressive figure; Light perspiration had appeared on his brow, his head was thrown back, eyes closed and lips parted. He drove into me with seemingly unstoppable force and called out words that I did not comprehend. He looked every bit the savage that I had thought him to be with wild hair and flexing tense muscles and yet there was no fear in my heart at that moment. When he reached his completion he did so with a loud roar and collapsed on top of me, heaving for air and still moving slowly inside of me.

"Oh, my woman, my woman," he mumbled against my neck. "How you please me."

Once again his words warmed me although they should not. I was his lowly whore and it should not make me feel so. I should be ashamed for being a willing participant in satisfying his needs and hate him for turning me into a wanton creature of lust with his heathen magic of kisses and touches.

He lifted his head and gazed upon me with a soft smile playing on his lips. I looked, not knowing what to say to him. He pulled back and rested his head on my chest as he has the last time, and my fingers found his hair again. He hummed against me as I began stroking it gently and for a little while we simply lay like that and listened to the sounds of the house.

"Time for sleep soon," Edvard murmured and moved off me with a gentle kiss to my lips. "Get dressed and I will show you where to go."

My heart sank in my chest. I was not to sleep in here with him and I felt foolish for even thinking it. He had had his fill of me for the night and had no more use for me until he needed his lust sated again. I feared what would happen in the dark when I was surrounded by the rest of the men on the communal bed in the great room. I blinked back the tears and moved off the bed to dress in the gown and shoes that his mother had provided me with.

Edvard dressed and guided me out into the great room where a sort of celebration looked to be taking place. The moment we were spotted, the men seated at the long table started calling out to us. I was beyond grateful that I did not understand their words for I felt certain that they were both indecent and lecherous. My face heated and I stumbled on my feet trying to keep up with Edvard's long confident strides as he led me outside.

Am I to sleep out here?

He pointed to a secluded area behind a low stable building where I could go and relieve myself. In truth, I did feel that particular need and I was grateful for his help on the matter. Afterwards I was most surprised when he showed me to a larger communal bathhouse where I could wash myself with water and a soft rag. It seemed that these heathens were cleanlier than I had believed. He even gave me a new chewstick to clean my teeth with and smiled at me when he used one himself, as though he knew of my surprise.

When we entered Edvard's house again I started to quiver with fear knowing that I would soon be separated from him. He had said that I was only to be his, but I was not strong enough to fight off the advances of the men out here should they forget who I belonged to during the night. Edvard laughed at some of the things the men shouted when we walked over and did not seem to mind their eyes appraising me. I suddenly felt very nude in my thin dress and looked down to hide my tears.

"Bella?" Edvard said.

I dared not look up at him. I feared that I would cling to him and beg him to take me again and again just so that I would not have to be alone out here with the men until a later time.

"Goodnight Edvard," I said shakily and waited for him to leave me to my fate.

He said something to the men and wrapped his arm around my waist as if to remind them who I belonged to. But what good would that do, when I could clearly see that they were enjoying the golden drink that I myself had tasted earlier? I knew all too well what alcohol could do to a man in terms of lust and had been hurt many times when my late husband came home under the influence.

Please, do not leave me out here, Edvard!

I could feel his eyes on me and was forced to raise my face to him when I felt his hand cradle my jaw. He took one look at my face and quickly whisked me into his bedroom again and closed the door behind us.

"Bella," he started.

"Please!" I wailed and threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I will do better. Do not leave me out there. Let me sleep here on your floor, I beg of you. And then I am close by if you should want to have me again in the night! I will please you, I swear I will!"

I was desperate and would have offered him most anything at this point to avoid being ravaged by his men. I kissed his neck and caressed his chest through his tunic, wanting to show him that I would gladly participate and couple with him again. His arms came around me and he carried me to the bed swiftly where we lay down and I hurried to remove my dress before launching myself at him. I covered his lips with frantic kisses and moved against him to entice his lust. Suddenly I felt his hands grasp my shoulders and he held me away from him.

"Woman, what has gotten into you?" he asked and drew a deep breath, as though he needed to calm himself. "You could seduce even the gods, I swear it."

"Do you not wish to have me again?" I whispered, praying that he would say yes.

"No, I wish to sleep," he said. "I am weary and so are you."

I did want to sleep but my fear much overrode the need. Now that Edvard had rejected my advances I had no choice but to return to the great room and pray that the men would remember that I was spoken for, even in their drunkenness. I started to move off the bed when he grasped my hand gently.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"You said that I should go sleep and…"

I could not utter another word or I would start to sob.

"Your place is here beside me, beautiful one," he said gently and pulled me against his chest.

I could not believe it.

"But you said that you would show me where to sleep and then led me out," I whispered.

"Yes, to relieve yourself and wash if you so wished. I thought I made it perfectly clear that you are my woman now?"

I lifted my head and looked at him.

"You did," I croaked. "But…"

I could not make heads or tails of my thoughts anymore. Too much had happened too fast and I started weeping again while I tried to explain myself in between sobs. Once again, Edvard held me and waited patiently for me to stop. I felt him remove my shoes and then his own clothes before he pulled the covers up around us and embraced me. I sniffed and hiccupped as the last of the tears dried up and he started gently stroking my hair.

"Why are you so kind to me?" I whispered and rubbed my cheek against the soft sparse hair on his chest.

"You are my woman, my beauty," he answered simply. "I do not wish to see you sad. You will learn to think of this place as your home and I will help you. Sleep now, Bella."

"Thank you," I whispered. "I mean, tak."

"See, you have learned a new thing already," he said and kissed my forehead.

But that was by no means the only thing I had learned that day. I had learned that not all Vikings were the savage beasts that I had feared, I had learned that there was immense physical pleasure to be had in Edvard's embrace and most importantly I had learned that perhaps God did not intend for me to become a nun after all. I felt as though I was here for a reason and that Edvard, a heathen, was also a good man who seemed to long for both a family and affection, same as me. Perhaps we could find that in each other despite our many differences? When he held me like this it was not so difficult to believe.

"Goodnight, my Viking," I whispered.

He chuckled softly and pressed another kiss into my hair.

"Goodnight, my Bella."

Well, there you have it. Vikingward has arrived. :)

I have changed a few things for creative purposes that are not historically accurate.

Very few Vikings enjoyed the privacy of their own bedroom and most slept on the communal beds in the large main room of the house. I just thought it would take away from the experience if half the village were gawking at Edvard and Bella while they were getting it on. ;)

The name Ro-se is actually spelled Rose in Danish but it is pronounced differently. Bella would hear it as Ro-se. Esme and Emmett are by no means Danish names and they were replaced by native names. You probably knew it was them anyway, right?

Please, no negative comments on Edvard being too forceful with Bella. He's a Viking after all and I am sure I've portrayed him as uncharacteristically gentle and sensitive. Bella's fear of being passed around to all the men is probably much more of an accurate depiction of the life of a slave girl, but I am neither interested in reading nor writing something like that.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this. I had a blast writing it (even with the research I had to do).

Leave me a review and let me know what you think and if you want more Vikingward, of course.