There are couples that come around every so often in television series or movies that we want to see remain together at the end. These couples are often made up of strong characters who face tragedy and strife to be together. Sometimes they make it, while other times they don't. However, they still end up becoming stronger for it. Lagertha and Ragnar from History Channel's Vikings are one of these couples. From the first season of the series, fans fell in love with the young couple and their family. Lagertha was an intelligent and skilled shield maiden, while Ragnar was an ambitious and equally skilled warrior. Together, they were a force of nature. However, the two would not remain happy forever.
Though Ragnar and Lagertha separate over the course of the series, viewers are still drawn to them and the connection that they have. All the while, fans were holding out hope that they would be reunited. However, as with every relationship, things weren't always perfect for the two characters, but they managed to balance each other. Lagertha and Ragnar always made things interesting, whether they were together or apart.
With that said, here are the 20 Wild Revelations About Ragnar and Lagertha's Relationship.
He Isn't Bjorn's Father
Going back to season 1, fans theorized that Rollo may have had a larger part in Bjorn's life. With his return in part two of season 5, we finally received an answer to this question. In a plea to make Lagertha and Bjorn safe, Rollo offers to bring them to Francia. He tells them that they will never want for anything ever again. When Lagertha questions his motives, Rollo reveals that he knows Bjorn is his son. Lagertha tries to deny this, but ultimately cannot.
This revelation does not work in Rollo's favor, however, as Bjorn turns down the offer. Bjorn is still filled with rage and contempt because Rollo helped Ivar. He tells Rollo that though he may be his father, it is Ragnar who he is the most like. As a viewer, however, Bjorn's most recent trajectory is much more like a younger Rollo, than Ragnar. We will have to wait and see what else may come of this revelation.
She was Content as a Farmer
Though she is far from the quiet life of a farmer now, Lagertha was content with her and Ragnar's former life. Lagertha took comfort in their life on a farm. They had what they needed and they had each other. Lagertha often looked after things when Ragnar was gone and protect her family. In season 4, Ragnar says to Lagertha, "in my mind, I wished I never left the farm." This brings Lagertha to tears, as she longed for that life back, and never wanted to leave it in the first place.
When King Ecbert provides them with land to settle, Lagertha is overjoyed at the possibility of farming again. Now, in the wake of her madness, she wishes to return to that life. We will see if Lagertha gets this chance before the series ends next year.
He Was Always Curious About The World
Ragnar was a dreamer and was always driven towards exploration. He was always searching for and wondering about what else was out there in the world. This held true for not only land, but also women. When Ragnar set his sites on a new unknown, there was no changing his focus. Ragnar sought to sail west to new lands and had the loyalty of his men, who followed him without hesitation. When Ragnar meets Aslaug, his curiosity about her ends up destroying his marriage to Lagertha.
While Lagertha was content with the life that they had and did not seek the unknown, she ed Ragnar and followed his lead. Ragnar was constantly searching and looking for something more.
He Fought for Her Hand
In season 1, Ragnar tells Bjorn a story about how he won Lagertha's hand. Ragnar says, "I went to confess my love to her, but I was set upon by a bear and an enormous hound who guarded her home." Ragnar slew the bear and strangled the hound, and thus impressed Lagertha enough to marry him. Ragnar then asks Bjorn if his mother had told him the story, to which he says, "something like that."
Some have argued that the "bear" Ragnar fought was his brother Rollo, who also sought Lagertha's hand. Rollo was known as "Bear," and since he had professed his love for Lagertha, this could make sense. However, the hound is still a mystery.
His Brother Secretly Loved her
In season 1, Rollo does not shy away from telling Lagertha that he loves her and is still saddened that she chose his brother over him. Throughout the series, Rollo seeks love and iration. This is perhaps to fill the void that was left by losing the woman he loved to Ragnar. Rollo eventually marries Princess Gisla, however, thanks to an agreement made between her father and Ragnar.
Despite this marriage and their three children, though, Rollo's love for Lagertha has never wavered. Many of the decisions that Rollo made prior to arriving in Francia were because of Lagertha. When his character returned in part two of season 5, he yet again professed his love for her.
He Was Drawn To Her Because Of Her Fighting Skills
Ragnar first saw Lagertha during a battle and was instantly smitten. Lagertha was fighting along the front lines and had more skill than a majority of the male warriors. It was this skill as a fighter that drew him to her. Though they never faced each other in a battle, odds are high that the show will end with a toss-up.
Ragnar and Lagertha are both fearless fighters who can lead armies to success in battle. They are able to not only engage in swordplay, but also understand the mechanics of battle. This plays a huge role in their ability to win battles. Ragnar always valued Lagertha's input when it came to making strategic decisions. Aside from the sword or ax, they both are also very skilled at understanding battles strategically. Like a game of chess, Lagertha and Ragnar often thought of futures moves and would move their present plans accordingly.
He trusted Athelstan more than her
Few things were as dear to Ragnar as his family, or at least this was the case until he met a priest who could speak the Viking language. Athelstan's life was spared, thanks to Ragnar, and he was brought back to Kattegat as a slave. Ragnar was intrigued by this strange monk. Eventually, the two formed a bond and a trust that was unlike any other Ragnar had experienced. When Ragnar agreed to let Lagertha go with him on a raid, Athelstan was entrusted with protecting the children and farm. Ragnar confided in Athelstan and shared many things that he wouldn't even share with Lagertha.
Ragnar allowed himself to be vulnerable to Athelstan, something that he would never be around his wife, sons, or brother. Ragnar trusted Athelstan more than anyone else, including Lagertha. When Athelstan eventually meets his end, Ragnar is changed forever. He is conflicted between two very different religions, and two parts of himself: the dreamer and the pillager. Ragnar no longer has anyone to seek guidance from.
He Was Promised Many Sons
In season 1, we learn of a prophecy that states that Ragnar will have many sons. Lagertha prays to Freya for fertility so that he may fulfill this prophecy. Following a miscarriage and a visit to the Seer, though, Lagertha realizes that she will not be the one to carry Ragnar's foretold sons. Knowing the prophecy for himself, Ragnar prays to Odin for guidance, asking for a sign about who will bear his sons. Aslaug then comes into the picture.
In Viking culture, fate and prophecies played a huge role. They believed that life was already planned out for everyone and that they would receive signs. Following a different path than the one that was set forth by the gods was not done. Therefore, the prophecy of many sons meant that Ragnar would have to create them with a woman who wasn't Lagertha. Though it was heartbreaking, Lagertha knew that this was the will of the gods.
They Had Physical Arguments
While married, Ragnar and Lagertha often got into physical altercations with each other. Most often, these stemmed from something Ragnar had done that enraged Lagertha. She would respond with force and as a shieldmaiden. After all, Lagertha was stronger than most wives. Ragnar loved this fire in Lagertha, though it often left them both hurting. However, their anger and rage would eventually evolve into ion.
This first happened when Ragnar refused to let Lagertha sail west with him. Lagertha did not hold back and decided to show him just how angry she was. Though she was content as a farmer, she had been trained as a shield maiden. The two had always dreamed of sailing west together and she was offended when Ragnar told her she couldn't go with him.
He Wanted Two Wives
When faced with the arrival of Aslaug in Kattegat, Ragnar toys with the idea of having two wives. He suggests it in the great hall while the two women are on either side of him. Ragnar goes to the Seer and tells him that he loves both women and wants to have two wives. The Seer tells him a story about a princess who chooses to marry a god because of their feet. Ragnar is confused and says that he does not want to choose. He says that both women are so different and that he loves them both.
The Seer tells Ragnar that he must look into their hearts and every other organ in their bodies in order to choose. He then follows this up by telling Ragnar that he is only fooling himself if he thinks the decision is up to him. However, Ragnar re that a prophecy promised him many sons and he knows that only one of the two women could fulfill it.