Una spotted a plume of smoke in the fading light. They had stayed next to Ingrid, praying and remembering her quietly while it snowed. Just moments ago, the soft flakes of snow had ceased, and all was quiet. The wind stopped, but they still shook from the cold. The night was coming, the sun was setting already. Una stood up and gently placed her hand on Alaric's shoulder.

"We'll freeze out here," Una said softly as she took her hand away.

Alaric said nothing but sighed and stood up, paying no attention to Una as he made his way over to the horse. Una clenched her jaw and turned away, staring back at Ingrid one last time. Alaric mounted first this time, and Una sat up behind him.

"The smoke, it must be a village," Una said.

Alaric said nothing but steered the horse into the village's direction and set the horse into a smooth canter through the forest. It gets dark very quickly in the woods, so it was best to push the horse fast and settle into a trot once out. The wolves would be out soon too. Lots of beasts and monsters roamed the woods in the night. Una and Alaric did not want to stick around to see if any legends were true.

Una kept her mouth shut the rest of the way. Alaric was a mute the entire time. This frustrated Una, but she knew he was upset. There was no right way to grieve. She assumed that Alaric wanted to be left alone. She would, but she couldn't separate from him.

They finally made it to the town. No gates were protecting it. It looked like a primitive town. The thatching under the snow appeared new, but the buildings below looked as if they were going to crumble. As they made their way through, no one was out. A pin could be heard in the silence that was in the air. The town stunk of manure and rotting wood. In the end, they could see a small cottage at the end, marked as an inn.

"Let's go there, to that inn. We need to rest. I think we have enough gold to last us for a few nights, but we can just stay tonight." Una said, pointing to it.

Alaric repeated nothing but walked the horse over to the inn. He jumped down and grabbed the bag of gold out of the saddlebag. He didn't wait on Una and walked right into the inn, shutting the door behind him.

"Wait!" Una called out to him as she slid off the horse.

"Ugg, why must you be this way," Una said, feeling her eyes tear up from frustration.

"Why can't he talk to me. He's done it before." Una said, tying up the horse in the decrepit side stable.

"I'm very selfish, aren't I? It wasn't too long ago that my dear brother, Eurion was killed." Una sighed and wiped her tears from her cheek.

Una walked into the inn. A single candle was burning in the window to say that there was a vacancy there. She slowly pushed on the door. It creaked open. The smell of dust and mold permeated through the air. It was a simple inn, nothing fancy but nothing nice either. They're sitting on a seat in the corner was an old woman, dusting a copper cup with an old rag.

"Oh, welcome, sir" She hesitated to look up, seeing their boots caked in soot and mud.

Fright consumed her as she saw the blood-spattered on Una's skin and armor. Una's hair was caked in mud and stunk of ash and sweat.

"Oh my! You're a lady!" She cried out and stood up.

She looked horrified at the sight of Una.

"Yes, may I have a room?" Una asked.

"I'm afraid we only have one room left. Your friend came in and already got it." She said, walking to the door, trying to show Una out.

"Please, it's so cold. You must have another."

"No, now please leave." The woman's voice trembled.

Una already gave her a fright, and she didn't want to instigate further and cause her distress.

"Sorry to trouble you," Una said, making her way out the door.

She would go sleep in the stable with the horse. It was frigid outside, but the hay should keep her above freezing to death.

"Good luck, Celtic woman." The woman hissed and slammed the door behind her.

"Ahh, I see now," Una said with a sad smile.

She was somewhere in northeast Mercia. Danes and Mercians were welcomed with open arms. Una's accent gave her away. The old woman knew they were at war again with the Celts and the Saxons of Wessex.

Una made her way into the stable and sat in the corner atop the largest pile of unsoiled hay.

"Guess it's just you and me." Una laughed, but her smile turned to a frown.

The night was blistering cold. She couldn't feel her cheeks already. She turned in the hay face down and made a little pocket where she could breathe fresh air that wasn't so frigid. How could she sleep like this? She thought, though, it would be better for Alaric to stay in the Inn. He had gone through more trauma than Una this day. He was frightened, injured, and heartbroken.

Una shifted again and buried herself more in-depth into the hay, and sighed.

"Goodnight," Una said to the horse.

She was going to bed hungry, cold, and thirsty. This was not new to her. Many times, on the battlefield, she had to know what the feeling was all too well. She laid there for many more minutes. With each passing one, she felt her fingertips grow colder, even through her thick leather gloves. Her feet tingled and numbed from the bitter cold. She pulled her knees to her chest, trying to conserve the heat. She wouldn't bother going door to door asking for even a blanket. The people of Wealas were not welcome in this town, that was for sure. If an old woman threw her out quickly, she couldn't imagine a young and strong man. He would beat her senseless and feed her to the wolves.

"Ugg." Una moaned as she shivered.

She wouldn't be able to sleep easy this night. She never slept well until the battle was done. It felt like an hour had passed, and Una's eyes were still as wide as when she laid down. She shivered violently now. She was miserable and tired.

Suddenly she heard a tremendous racket and saw a man running around with a lantern in his hand. The light blinded Una, and she sat up, grabbing the hilt of her sword in case they wanted to remove her. Una wedged herself further down into the hay to avoid being seen. It was too late, however. The light caught the reflection off of her steel and drew the man's attention. He came trotting over. Una jumped up and stood. He would eventually see her breath from the cold anyway. No horse could hide in a stack of hay this small.

"Una?" A voice called to her.

"Alaric!" Una whispered, walking forward.

"Why the hell are you sleeping in a stable!? For God's sake, my room is freezing. How can you stand it out here?"

"I...I" Una was at a loss for words.

"I came down to tip the woman for drawing me a hot bath. I asked what room you took, and she refused. I gave her enough gold coin for another room for you, did she tell you?" Alaric asked, walking up to her.

"She said there was no more vacancy. I would have to go somewhere else." Una said meekly as she shivered in the cold.

"That money whoring old crone!" Alaric hissed, turning his head.

"It's okay," Una said softly as to not make a fuss.

"No, it's not. I gave her enough gold for two rooms. I expected you to be in one, and I find you nearly frozen to death in a horse stall!" Alaric said.

"Alaric, it's okay. She probably could use the extra coin." Una laughed.

"No, come on." He said, reaching down and pulling Una's arm.

He led her back into the inn.

"I thought I told ye to get out!" The old woman seethed at the sight of Una.

"She is with me," Alaric demanded as he made his way in, walking behind Una.

"Oh." The old woman bit her lip.

"You see...I....I" The woman could not come up with any words.

"For the extra coin, you will draw her an extra warm bath, understood?" Alaric demanded.

"No!" The woman hissed.

"Then we will leave, and I'll be taking my gold back," Alaric said.

The woman glared up at him and then at Una.

"Fine, but I don't ever want to see your face here again!" She snarled, staring at Una.

"Come on, Una," Alaric said, walking away with Una walking close behind.

The old woman grumbled and sat back in her rickety chair, stoking the fire that barely kept the room warm.

"I'm really sorry about that." Alaric apologized as he opened the door to the room.

Una felt humbled that finally, he was talking to her. She walked into the tiny room. It had a single bed and a large tub in the corner. There were no wardrobes or dressers in there, just a single chair, a table, and an oil lamp gently glowing in the corner.

"No, I'm sorry I've been such a terrible friend," Una said, walking in.

Alaric just stared at her and batted his eyelashes.

"I was inconsiderate of your feelings. You lost someone so dear to you and me, and I acted like nothing had happened. I barely have shed a tear. It hasn't hit me yet. That's why I won't shut up." Una laughed with a frown forming on her face.

"Humph, I think you're tired," Alaric said, smiling.

"Oh," Una said, feeling crushed.

They heard a knock on the door suddenly. Alaric opened it, and the old lady of the inn stood there with a steaming pitcher of hot water. She entered without asking and walked over to the tub. She poured it into the water that was already sitting.

"I already used that water. It's filthy! Draw her a fresh one!" Alaric demanded.

The old woman grumbled and opened the window. She filled the pitcher with the old watcher and threw it out the window. They felt the blast of cool air come through the room. Even Alaric was shivering in the cold of the space.

After what felt like an eternity, the woman could not empty the tub anymore, and she grumbled as she walked out of the room.

"And hot water, with soap!" Alaric said as she left.

"Did she bring you cold water?" Una asked.

"Most of the water was already in the tub, used. She just topped me off with boiling water to balance the cold into warm water." He smiled.

"You bathed in rancid water?" Una gasped.

"Honestly, I didn't expect much from this place anyway." He laughed, folding his arms and sat on the end of the bed.

"It's better than a stable stall." Una laughed, leaning on the wall.

"Definitely better." Alaric smiled.

Una could still see the sadness in his eyes, even in the dim light. They counted the woman bringing water to them at least fifty times, filling the tub with hot water. The water was a pale white from the soap she added to the water. Una and Alaric had never seen something so inviting and lovely.

"You're welcome." The old woman said before Alaric or Una had a chance to say anything as she slammed the door shut.

Una stood up and walked to the door.

"Please, you must get back in. That an atrocity that you had to bathe before in bad water." Una said, standing up.

"No, this is for you!" Alaric insisted.

"I expect you to be in that tub when I come back in," Una demanded as she left out of the room.

"What a strange woman." Alaric laughed to himself.

Una stood outside and sunk down. Her chainmail made a clatter against the floor, and Una could hear the old woman grumble. Una sat out for a little longer before she knocked on the door.

"Are you submerged?" Una asked, creaking the door open.

"Yes." He said.

Una walked in and saw Alaric submerged to his shoulders in the white water.

"That doesn't look warm, I see no steam." Una laughed.

"It's cold, but I think we have pestered that old woman enough." He smiled, leaning back.

Una walked over to the corner and started to take her armor off, but not before she picked up Alaric's clothes and walked outside.

"Una?" Alaric said curiously.

"Lady of the inn. I demand you wash these for me since our water is colder than your heart." Una laughed, throwing the clothes at her feet.

"You dragon whore!" The woman hissed.

"The man will be quite upset if you don't, don't you want to keep all that gold?" Una laughed, turning around with a smile.

She walked back into the room.

"What on earth did you do with my clothes?" He asked.

"That old crone is going to wash them." Una laughed, taking his armor and stacking it in the corner.

"It's the least she could do after treating you terribly and lying." Una scoffed.

Una resumed to the corner and unfastened her armor. She unpieced them and set them aside next to Alaric's armor. She looked down at her long red tunic. It still had the blood of that man on her and Gareth and many other men. Alaric watched her from afar as she took her boots and gloves off. She then took off her tunic, revealing only her underdress. Alaric sank down further, up to his eyes. Finally, he plunged under the water so that all of his hair could release dirt and grime.

He rose back up out of the water. He could see Una was filthy. She needed this bath more than Alaric. He sat there staring at her. She was picking tiny leaves out of her hair.

"Come on, it's your turn," Alaric said.

"Not until your clothes are clean," Una said.

"With that woman? I'd be lucky if I ever get them back!" He laughed.

"Then what now?" Una asked.

"I'll get in the bed and cover-up. I will be facing in the other direction, so I can't see you. It's a flawless arrangement. Oh, and make that old wench clean your clothes too. We need to milk her efforts for all the gold I gave her."

Una smiled and turned her head.

"Alright." Una sighed and walked to the door.

She left the room and stood outside the door. She could hear Alaric fussing about the water, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, you may come in," Alaric said.

Una entered and saw the mound that was taking up most of the bed facing away from her.

"How am I supposed to get warm then?" Una laughed at the sight as she began to disrobe.

"You can sleep on the nice cold floor like a pup," Alaric mumbled beneath the blankets.

"I'll pass on that offer, though most kind of you." Una laughed as she gathered her clothes.

She quickly ran out of the room and walked to the woman.

"Lord save me!" She gasped at the sight of Una nude in front of her.

"Wash these too." Una smiled and trotted away.

She opened the door, and Alaric was still bundled up.

"I see why you are so cold!" Una gasped as she stuck her leg into the tub and quickly her whole body.

She scrubbed vigorously to remove all traces of dirt, ash, and blood. After she washed her body, she took a final plunge down into the water and scrubbed her scalp. She could feel how easily her fingers ran through her hair without being stopped by a clot of dirt or blood. It was a wonderful feeling to be clean again.

She leaped out the tub, dripping from head to toe, and squeezed her hair. She stood there trying to air dry, but it was frigid in the room.

"Don't turn around," Una said as she slid into the bed next to Alaric.

"You can blow the lamp out now," Una said.

Alaric reached over next to him and grabbed the lamp off the table. He quickly extinguished it, and they were left in the dark and silence of the night. Only a faint glow from the moon came through the window.

"Can you spare a blanket?" Una asked, shivering.

"Oh, sorry." Alaric laughed and pulled one off of himself, pushing it behind him to Una.

"Thank you for keeping it warm." Una laughed.

"Anytime," Alaric replied.

They both sighed. They couldn't sleep. Too many thoughts were running through their minds.

"Where are we, Alaric?" Una asked.

"Lost," Alaric said.

Una sighed again and hunched up under the blanket.

"Alaric?" Una asked.

"Yes?" He said, sounding annoyed.

"Sorry, I know you want to go to sleep, but I just wanted to say one last thing," Una said softly.

"Yes?" Alaric replied.

"If I had to do today over, you know I would have run in front of Ingrid to take that arrow instead of her," Una said softly.

Alaric said nothing.

"I failed you all today. I am truly sorry. If I had been there in time, I would have been able to protect her." Una said.

"Una. Laurel told me what happened. That's why I'm not upset anymore. Ingrid ran in front of Laurel, and it struck her from the side as she threw herself over him. She died protecting the ones she loved, like you. I don't want you to blame yourself for this. Ingrid did it through her own fruition. I couldn't be mad at her. Sad, yes, but I couldn't have been prouder of her. She was a true warrior." Alaric said softly, but his voice broke.

Una couldn't believe it. Una felt so much grief but happiness all the same. Ingrid was always trying to protect Una, terrible things like Wilona. She was in debt to her, but in the end, it was too late.

"I'm going to miss her." His voice trembled.

Una could feel her heart burn with despair. She was so conflicted. She wanted to cry but also laugh. What Ingrid did was beautiful and valiant. She said she was a warrior from the beginning, and Ingrid never let her word fail.

"I will too. It was the best way to go, though, to be protecting the one you love." Una said.

She could hear Alaric's breath begin to crack. He was trying desperately to calm himself, but thoughts of Ingrid flooded his mind. Una's words resonated so deeply in him. When his father was killed, he did it, trying to protect Ingrid and himself. It hurt Alaric so much to remember. Alaric and Ingrid had an inseparable bond, bound by the slain blood of their father. Alaric has never been separated from Ingrid. Death was more comfortable than this. He wanted to remain next to Ingrid's body in hopes he could die with her so that she wouldn't have to be alone. He knew she wasn't alone anymore in heaven. It was Alaric who was broken and alone now. It was a hard burden to carry.

"Alaric?" Una asked, turning on her back.

He said nothing, but she could hear his breaths the way they came from him. She knew he was crying and trying so hard to not be heard in that silent room.

"Alaric," Una said, turning over on her side facing him.

He was lying on his back, and Una could see his tears reflecting in the moonlight. He tried to suddenly get up. Alaric wanted to leave the room. Naked or not, he couldn't let Una see him this way again. Una hesitated initially, but she brought her head up to his shoulder and put her arm across his chest, preventing him from fleeing. She thought he would swipe her away, but he grabbed her arm and held it to him like a child.

"I'm a fool. I'm crying again." He admitted.

"It's okay to cry, Alaric. We all can't be strong all the time. It's exhausting, we're exhausted, and you need to cry." Una said as she pulled herself up next to him and held him in her arms.

He began to sob uncontrollably.

"I... know...I'm sorry." He apologized for crying.

"Shh," Una said, burying her head into his shoulder, holding him like a child.

She knew what it was like to lose a sibling. She lost two of them, and she couldn't cry to anyone. No one heard her cry or told her it was going to be okay. She hid the emotions behind a veil of strength and vengeance. These were the things that actually weakened Una. To become numb was to shut out everyone. She couldn't let Alaric turn into the monster she became when she allowed sadness to overtake her life.

Una held him like her own child, like the mother that Alaric lost so long ago. He had no one now. All the family he knew was dead.

"Thank... you," Alaric said, trembling in her arms.

"Just go to sleep. A new day will come soon. The next day will always be better." Una whispered softly.

Alaric smiled and laughed. He had never felt so vulnerable but relieved. He could not share his sadness with anyone. They would not understand. Una does, however, sadness was an old friend. She knew how to deal with it and see it in others. That was one of Una's gifts. To be so deadly, Una had an opposite side too, a soft and caring gentleness that rivaled the fairest wildflowers growing in an oak grove. She was not like an ordinary dog rose with sharp thorns and fickle beauty. She was a lily of the valley. Though toxic against her enemies, she flourished where she was planted, even in the most desolate places. Right now, Una was in that position, trying to find where she stands, and never once failing to plant herself in the arms of many, heartbroken and joyous alike.