The History Channel's "Vikings" is known for its brutality and copious amounts of bloodshed. But underneath all the blood and gore is a story about love and family.

It is these stories that have been compelling viewers to tune in for three seasons already. And now that the show has been picked up for a fourth season, fans will finally get to see how the drama will play out.

Last season's finale was intense. Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) was victorious in his raid of Paris. However, the Viking leader was also weakened by the campaign and is at the brink of death at the end of the episode. Meanwhile, his brother Rollo (Clive Standen) appears to have accepted the King of France's offer of riches and marriage to his daughter.  In return, the Norseman has to fight under the French king's banner. 

The new season will time jump two years into the future and will focus on this violent sibling rivalry. Michael Hirst, the man behind the series, admits that they are gearing up for an epic confrontation between Ragnar and his brother.

As Hirst describes it in "Variety", "[Rollo] is going to say to some important Frankish people, 'It's not just going to be a Viking army coming up the Seine towards us. It's going to be Ragnar Lothbrok.'"

Another story line that fans are waiting for is the relationship between Ragnar and his ex-wife Lagertha, especially after professing her love for Ragnar last season.

There have been rumors that season four might be the final season for the historical drama and Hirst already has a vision of how he wants the final scene to be played out--with Ragnar's sons reaching the shore of a lush and beautiful green land.

The fourth season of "Vikings" will be aired in 2016. But fans can catch a preview of the new season and meet the cast as well at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con.