ACT I: THREE

where he belonged

Elin and Finan ended up training together every day, for a week. This way they also spent more time together. Elin had to admit that Finan's company wasn't as bad as she thought. He was annoying, but he was been also funny and kind to her. Uthred was right about that.

«Good morning, lady.» Osferth greeted Elin when he saw her coming towards him. The Dane girl smiled at the baby monk. She spent more time with Finan, and that's meant that she spent more time with Osferth and Sithric too.

«Good morning to you, Osferth.» Elin returned the greeting to the monk as she noticed a group of warriors near the gates of Dunholm, which also included Finan and Sithric. «Where are they going?»

«Hunting.» Osferth replied, looking at her and noticing a suspicious smile on her face. «Don't Dane women hunt?» he then asked. It was just curiosity, but Osferth was actually curious about that particular girl.

«Oh, we do. And we're even better than men.» she said, bragging about herself and the Dane women. They were different from Saxson women, so she was only telling the truth. «But this is a men hunting, and they don't just hunt to feed people.»

«But also to prove who is the best.» Osferth finished the sentence, and Elin nodded. She continued to look at the group of men. Finan and Sithric were choosing their weapons. «What are you doing?» the baby monk asked the girl when noticed her picking up a weapon.

«I'm proving to all of them who's the best. Especially to your friends.» Elin uttered, wiking and making him laugh. Osferth knew Finan and Sithric very well. They would never accept being defeated by a little girl.

Elin was moving towards the group of men, but she was stopped by Ragnar. «Elin.» he called her name. Elin knew what the Dane would say to her, and that was the reason she huffed. «You can go with them but be careful, okay?»

«I'm always careful, you know.» Elin uttered, as if it was the most obvious thing possible. She appreciated the fact that Ragnar was worried about her because he cared about her, but she wanted to live her life.
«And you know what I mean.»

After those words, she hugged Ragnar. Then she smiled to him and kissed him on the cheek. Elin loved him like a brother. She never had one, and Ragnar had become the closest thing to a brother to her. «I love you, and I'll be careful. I promise.»

Then, Elin reached the group that had just left Dunholm. She felt someone's gaze on her, and she knew who those gazes belonged to. «What are you doing here?» Sithric was the first of them to speak.

The Dane walked beside her while Finan stood behind them, both waiting an answer from Elin. «I'm hunting, just like you.» she said, looking ahead. She knew what they wanted, but she wasn't going to give it to them so easy.
«You should train with the sword if you want to defeat Finan.»

«Sithric doesn't want you steal his prey.» Finan said, behind her. He was making fun of his friend. Sithric didn't like that, unlike Elin who seemed amused by that situation.

«Are you afraid I might defeat you in hunting?» Elin asked, but Sithric didn't answered right away. Finan giggled, looking at his friend, because he knew him.
«That is the last thing I'd be afraid of.»

«Let's see.» Elin spoke, stopping and looking at the Dane beside her. «I challenge you, Sithric Kjartansson.» she said, pointing the sword at him and smiling. She was goading him.

Finan smiled too, in particular at Elin's resourcefulness. He liked her, he always told that his friends and also the girl directly concerned. «I'll bet on the little girl.» he then said, looking at Sithric.

«The little girl has a name.» Elin uttered, annoyed that Finan kept calling her that way. She was a girl, but she wasn't little. Not anymore. «Wait... are you betting on me?» several seconds passed before Elin realised what Finan had actually said.

The Irishman smiled at her, crossing his arms over his chest. «Why did you use this surprised tone?» he asked to her, raising an eyebrow. He tried to remain serious, but failed because of the surprised gaze on the girl's face.
«I thought you didn't think I was capable of hunting.»

Finan got closer to Elin, not smiling at her as Sithric looking the situation beside them. «I always thought you could anything, I was only making fun of you.» he admitted, winking at her. At another time Elin would have snorted and rolled her eyes, but that moment she was smiling to the Irishman for what he had said

He thought that she could do anything.

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

«Next time you'll have to do better to beat me, Sithric.» Elin advised him on the return road. The hunting was concluded and the challenge bewteen Elin and Sithric had been won by the girl. She had defeated Sithric. She managed to hit and kill the animal with an arrow, alike the warrior.

«You are better with an arrow than a sword.» Finan uttered, riding beside her. During the hunting, he noticed how Elin was more comfortable with the bow than with the sword.
«I will improve with the sword.»

«I know.» Finan spoke, looking at her. They were almost arrived to Dunholm. «You are already better than Sithric.» he whispered so only she could hear. But Sithric could heard them too.
«Fuck you, Finan.»

«He hates lose, especially against a woman.» Finan explained to Elin, this time in a higher tone of voice. The girl laughed as she watched the two warriors bantering with each other.
«Stop teasing him, Irishman. Your time will come too.»

They arrived in Dunholm at the exact moment Elin uttered those words. Finan didn't answer her right away. «I can't wait.» he whispered in her ear, after moving closer to her. A few centimetres separated their bodies.

Elin was about to say something, but Astrid interrupted her at that moment. «Elin! Come here, there is a someone I want to introduce you.» the little girl say, moving towards her. She grabbed her hand, not giving her time to do anything.

Finan watched the two girl ran away - that was Astrid's fault - and a little smile appeared on his face. «Why does Sithric look angry?» Osferth interrupted his thoughts a few minutes later.
«Just... he hates to lose, remember?»

«You.» Osferth corrected him. «You both hate losing.» he then said, with a serious expression on his face. He was telling the truth, but that moment he was also making fun of his friend.
«I should teach you to shut the mouth sometimes, baby monk.»

«You can try.» Osferth continued to joke. He was a monk - a baby monk as Finan called him - but he was also a sarcastic boy. He teased his friends, and ironically told them the truth. «But you'll fail.»

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

«Elin, this is Thyra. My sweetie untie.» Astrid said, pointing to the girl with long red hair. She was Ragnar's blood sister. «And Thyra, this is Elin. She is like a sister to me.» the girl then said, concluding the introduction.

Thyra approached Elin. «Nice to meet you, Elin.» she uttered, smiling at her. Elin looked at her for a moment. She had red hair, alike Ragnar, and seemed shyre than her brother. «And thank you for taking care of Astrid. Altough I think that sometimes she can be very...»

«Hey, I'm a sweetie and peaceful human.» Astrid pointed, pretending to be offended by her aunt's words. She crossed her arms over the chest, holding back a little smile on her face.

«Like your father, I suppose.» Thyra said, making Elin laugh. She was a very kind woman. Her manners was kind and gentle even when she was joking, like in that case.
«What are you doing here?»

«It's a long story.» Thyra replied to Astrid. Her nephew was so curious, just like her and Ragnar. She was so much like them when they were young. «The princess Æthelflaed is in dangerous and...»

«And Alfred needs Uthred and his warriors.» Elin intervened, knowing how Thyra would continue her sentence. And indeed she nodded, making Elin laugh Elin. «What a surprise.» she then said ironically, rolling her eyes.

«Try to understand, both of you. It's not about Alfred, but his daughter. Æthelflead has nothing to do with this.» Thyra tried to convince them, but it was a very difficult task. They didn't like Alfred and his men.

«Ragnar will be furious about this.» Elin made to Thyra notice. And the girl was aware that she was right. Thyra knew her brother very well. He would never forget her for this.
«I know.»

Elin sighed afterwards, it was all she could do. She had told Finan a week ago. They were Alfred's puppets and always would be. Nothing could have changed it.

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

Astrid spent the morning with Thyra. They hadn't seen each other for a long time and they were now recovering all the wasted time. Thyra lived in Winchester with her husband, while Astrid lived in Dunholm with her father and the Danes. It wasn't easy spending much time together.

Meanwhile, Uthred was sitting at a table of the inn with his warriors. Silence reigned, but it didn't last long. Father Beocca, who had arrived in Dunholm with Thyra, approached them. He wanted to talk to Uthred, just him. «Some privacy?» he asked, looking at Finan, Sithric and Osferth.

Finan was the first to talk. «Sit yourself down, father. We all need to piss.» he said forced to stand up Sithric and Osferth. That way, after that, Father Beocca had the privacy he asked for and the three warriors started to walk around the city to find someone to do.

But suddenly, a scene caught Finan's attention. It was Elin... and Æthelwold. They were talking, but it was not a friendly conversation. He was sure pf it. Elin was almost... scared? Why would a woman like her be afraid of a little rat like Æthelwold? «Hey Æthelwold, do you have a problem?»

Finan's words made Elin and Æthelwold turn around. The Saxon man smiled at the Irishman, watching him moving close to them while Sithric and Osferth stayed where they were. «Nothing, Finan. I was just having a word with the beautiful and kind Elin.»

«You don't seem like her type.» Finan joked, but with a serious expression on his face. That situation didn't convince him. Not at all. «Mmh... no, you're not at all.» continued to say, after looking Athelwold up and down.

«What a shame, don't you think?» the young man continued to speak, smiling and making Finan nervous. He could tell that something was going wrong, and Athelwold was only making the situation wrong with his sarcastic words.

«Anyway... If you don't want any problems, you have to go. Now.» Finan told him in a threatening tone. He was face to face with Athelwold, who decided to leave them. He knew how that Irishman could be dangerous in situations like that. «Are ya alright?»

«I didn't need of your help.» Elin snorted, avoiding his look and started to walk away. She seemed to be shocked, Finan noticed it even though she was trying to hide her feelings in that moment.

«Oh, I noticed that. In fact you were in  control of the whole situation.» Finan say ironically, following her. He knew that there was more, that girl was hiding something.
«What do you want from me, Irishman?»

«My name is Finan.» he uttered, looking at her and stopping at the same moment she did. For the first time since they met, he was so irritated by that girl. He wanted to know what was wrong, but she had not told him the truth. Never. And he knew that.

«What do you want?» she repeated. «Were you following me?» she then asked, crossing her arms over her chest. She began to look at the warrior in front of her, looking back at him.
«Why would I do that?»

«Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you are so in love with me.» Elin was teasing him, moving closer to him. Now they were face to face, smiling at each other. Elin was joking, Finan was genuinely amused by the situation.

«How can I resist such charms, my lady?» he played along, taking her hand and pretending to kiss it. They both laughed after that. «Would you like a jug of ale? Sithric, Osferth and I are going to alehouse.»

«Never refused ale, but I have to meet Brida.» she told him, sounding sorry. «You'll have the chance to offer me one this evening.» she then whispered, coming closer to him and patting him lightly on the chest.

«It will be a pleasure, my lady.» the Irishman said softly, not moving away but still looking at her. They are so close, and they unexpectedly liked that closeness.
«I'm not a lady, Finan.»

«I know.» Finan was teasing her and she knew it. In a week she had gotten to know him very well. That was why she slapped him on his chest, making the man next to her laugh. «I'm kidding!» Finan uttered, unable to stop smiling as he watched Elin turn and walk away.

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

«What happened?» Brida asked. She asked for help with some errands, but she noticed that her friend's mind was elsewhere. It wasn't the first time she had acted that way, and each time the reason was not good.

«Æthelwold knows.» Elin suddenly revealed, without saying another word. She didn't need to, because she knew Brida would understand what she meant.
«How?»

«He listened to me and Ragnar talking.» Elin explained, stopping what she was doing to look at her friend. Elin knew what she was thinking of do. «Don't do anything, Brida.» she adviced Brida, holdin her wrist before she could run to find Athelwold.

«Did he threaten you?» the Dane woman asked, trying to keep control of her body. She knew what that meant. Elin could be in danger because of Æthelwold. He was a little rat Brida that never liked.

«He warned me.» Elin replied, looking down before it was too late. In that moment she realised that was better to look at the jug of ale she had in her hands than anger on Brida's face.
«Ragnar must know.»

«No, he must not.» Elin said instead. Ragnar would certainly helped her, but he would take care of more important things. But Brida didn't know that. «He has other problems to resolve now.»

Brida closed her eyes slightly. She knew nothing, and Elin wouldn't tell her. That's why she didn't understand what her friend had said, and she wanted to know. «What do you mean?»

«Nothing. Just... I'll take care of it, okay?» Elin tried to reassure Brida. Maybe she would tell her, maybe she would inform her. Or maybe not. She didn't want to be a problem for her and for Ragnar. She would solve the situation herself. She had to.

«As you wish.» Brida knew it was impossible to argue with Elin, so she decided to give up. «But don't hesitate to ask us for help.» she then said, before leaving her. She had important things to do, but she had no idea what would happen that evening in Dunholm.

≫ ──── ≪ • ◦ ❈ ◦ • ≫ ──── ≪

«Where are you going?» Elin approached Astrid and Ragnar as she was walking through the streets of Dunholm. It was evening, and they had to eat. But the Danes, and Ragnar in particular, wanted to do something else more important.
«My father wants to celebrate Uthred.»

Elin turned her attention to the Dane who became like a brother to her. She knew he would have done that, but she couldn't help but think pf what Thyra told her that morning. «Are you coming with us?» Ragnar asked her.

«She had more important things to do.» Astrid uttered, not letting Elin say nothing. The little girl smiled, holding back a laugh, as Elin warned her with her look. She didn't want to make Ragnar think anything wrong, but he didn't need to know. Because he already knew it.

«The Irishman?» he spoke, making Elin blush. «I'm kidding!» he justified himself after receiving a light pat on the chest by the girl. «Maybe. He's your type, you know?» he finally said, teasing her. He loved doing that, and he especially loved when Elin was ashamed because of him.

But it was for a moment, because a few seconds later she decided to play his game. «What? Do you like Saxsons now? So that means that you're leaving me to marry him? A Saxson?» she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. And she had the effect she hoped.

Ragnar fell silent, thinking about Elin had just said. Of course he didn't like Saxson, but maybe Uthred's warrior were different Saxons than the ones he hated. Furthermore Elin was like a sister to him, and he cared about her. So he wouldn't let a common man marry her.

«I'd let you marry Finan, by the way.» that time, Astrid decided to tease her father. She exchange a look with Elin, and then they both laughed at the serious expression on Ragnar's face. «Now we'll let you go, or father might get mad.»

«Shut up, kiddo. And come on. We have no time.» Ragnar told her, forcing her to gather her pace. «But you, Elin, don't drink too much ale and stay away from the Irishman.» he recommended her, pointing a finger at her.

«Yes, father.» Elin tried to hold back a laugh as she uttered those words. Ragnar acted like a true brother. The idea of the girl who had become his sister getting married made him nervous.

But he tried to not think about it anymore. So he went to the inn with Astrid, as Elin went to the alehouse. That evening she was going to meet Finan. She decided to join him and not participate to Uthred's celebration.

«Well? Is the ale still on?» she said, making them turn to her. Finan smiled, happy to see her. He was almost giving up hope she would come to the alehouse. «Thank you.» Elin uttered, after Finan had made room for her.

The Irishman handend her a jug of ale, while Sithric and Osferth continued drinking. «Why aren't you celebrating with the Danes?» Sithric asked curiously. Finan told them he had propost Elin to drink with them that evening, but he never thought she would choose them over than the Danes.

«Someone had to offer me a jug of ale, and who am I to pass up that privilege?» she replied, looking over at Finan and seeing him smile in amusement and then lower his gaze.

«You've never offered us ale, Finan.» Osferth said, sounding disappointed. He was joking and, in Elin's opinion, he was so kind even in a situation like that.

«Because we're not women, Osferth.» Sithric pointed out. And he was right. They were men, Finan's best friends. But they were not women. And, in particular, they were not Elin.

«So that's his approach? Ale?» Elin asked, turning the look to the Irishman. She smiled at him, holding back a giggle. That conversation was getting so interesting.
«It's a privilege, you said so yourself.»

«I'm not the type to give in easily.» Elin told him, leaning her face close to Finan's. The tension between them suddenly increased, and the Irishman's answer only helped to increase it further.

«And I'm not the type to give up easily.» Finan whispered, his gaze briefly shifted to her lips for a moment. He had a weakness for women, every man did. And he seemed to have a weakness for Elin in particular. That woman knew how play the game, his game.

Sithric interrupted the glances. «Have you been with Ragnar all along?» actually, he was so curious to know more about that girl. He knew there was something else. «Uthred didn't know you.» he then explained, trying to convince Elin to speak.

«He took me into his clan when I needed it most.» the girl admitted, lowering her gaze. She smiled as she thought about that day. «He and Brida saved my life and I owe it to them, even if they will never admit it.»

They continued to eat, drink and laugh together. Until they heard screams. They looked at each other, then they quickly got up and ran there. The noises were coming from the inn, and that could only mean one thing: Uthred.

Having no time to think, they did the first thing that came to mind. So, in a few minutes, they arrived at the inn. Elin noticed an angry expression on Ragnar's face and she was the only one among them who knew the truth.

«I will be leaving. I will be leaving, though I will not be returning to Wessex. I am needed.» were the first words spoken by Uthred that Elin could hear, as well as Finan, Sithric and Osferth.

«By a princess?» Brida said, smiling ironically. «You're no more a dane than the priest here. You're a whore to the crown of Alfred.» she then snapped. Elin looked at her friend for a moment, sorry for what was happening.

«You would do this to me... again?» Ragnar said in a broken voice. He himself was broken, and he would be forever because of Uthred. Because his brother - not blood brother, but always his brother - was choosing a princess over him.
«I must.»

«Yes, of course you must. You swore an oath.» Ragnar laughed nervously. He was hating Uthred like he never did before. «You gave your word and that is about reputation and honor.» and, after that, he decided to do something no one would ever think he could do. «What my father gave to you, I now take back. You are no longer Uhtred Ragnarsson.»

«Father, you cannot do that, please.» Astrid pleaded, looking from his father to his uncle. She knew Ragnar was so stubborn, so there was nothing she could do. But she had hope. She always had hope.

«You are no longer my brother.» Ragnar whispered, tears threatened to spill out of his eyes. But he couldn't cry, not that moment. Not in front of everyone. «This was a game to you.»
«Never.»

«Go, before I kill you.» Ragnar finally spoke, unable to look at him any longer. He just wanted him to go away. He was so angry with Uthred, so he had to leave Dunholm before things got worse.

And Uthred would. He would leave Dunholm forever to go to the princess. However Bloodhair didn't. Because he only wanted one thing. Or one woman, actually. «He does not leave with Skade. Ragnar, she belongs to me.»

«Shut up, Bloodhair.» Elin shouted, crossing her arms over her chest. She had done with that situation. She hated to see Ragnar suffer because of Uthred, but she didn't want them to argue because of Alfred and his daughter. And Bloodhair was only making the situation worse.

The Dane moved quickly toward her. He was angry, and he probably would attack her if Finan didn't take a step forward to protect her. He stood in front of her, so Bloodhair couldn't hit her. Elin was very surprised for what Finan did.

Watching the warrior's gesture, Bloodhair smiled ironically. «Are you the Irishman's bitch now?» he said, looking over Finan's shoulders so he could look around at Elin. She was not afraid of him, but he was always one of the most dangerous Danes of that time.

«Don't dare.» Finan snorted, pulling out his dagger and aiming for Bloodhair's throat. A few Danes - Bloodhair's warriors - quickly got up to help their leader, allarming the minds of everyone in the inn.

Before Uthred could stop his Irishman, Elin decided to intervene. She grapped his arm, then dragged him back. «Finan, don't.» she whispered to him, trying to avoid a fight.

Finan looked at her, and it was that moment Elin noticed the anger in his eyes. She didn't know why, but he was angry and that was so obvious to everyone. If she didn't stop him, he would attack Bloodhair. For her.

Ragnar approached the Dane. «Don't dare talk to her that way again.» he warned him, using a threatening tone. He loved Elin so much, and he wouldn't let anyone hurt her. «But yes, Bloodhair. We shall make the square. You can fight for the witch, to the death.»

«Agreed.» Bloodhair spoke, looking at Uthred. The Dane was ready to fight, and so was Uthred. But he wouldn't have done it. He wouldn't have risked his life for a stupid witch. His warriors knew it, Elin knew it. But Utred did not.

«Lord, say nothing.» Finan pleads with his friend, took a step toward him. He warned his lord, but Uthred was so stubborn. He would never back down from a fight. Everyone knew it.
«Agreed. We fight.»

Elin turned towards Finan and saw him sigh. And he was right. Because that moment Elin realised something: Uthred of Bebbanburg was such a strong warrior, but he was also such a stupid man.

«Come, Elin. Don't stay with traitors.» Brida said, attracting her attention. Traitors. She called them traitors. As much as Elin couldn't stand the Saxson, she never would did it. Not with Uthred's warriors at least. Not with Finan.

Finan had the instinct to grab her wrist and stop her. But he didn't. Because he was nothing to her. He was no one who could do such a thing. So he just saw her to move away from him.

They were becoming friends, and now... now they were on opposite sides. They never thought it would have happened, but they would not have thought it would be this hard.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Two weeks passed since the last update, but HERE WE GO!

I know I told you there would be a little spolier about Elin's past, but it was a real very little spoiler (I know you understood nothing about it).
I will let you find out the truth little by little with small spoilers in each chapter, until to the one where I wrote THAT part. I can't wait for you to read it.