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Chapter Seven: That Man's A Turd
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The following morning Eawynn stood beside Gisela, Uhtred, and Finan as they bid farewell to the king and his party. She did not drink enough ale to forget the indecent experience with Finan from the night before but judging by the way he refused to look at her - he wished she had. She was embarrassed, and now realizing that he was just going to ignore her and forget about how he touched her, how he kissed her, and especially how he spoke to her, she was livid.

"Is everything okay?" Gisela looked over her shoulder at Eawynn who was uncharacteristically quiet this morning.

"Yes, I'm fine, Lady Gisela. Not feeling too well, I think it must have been the ale from last night." She made up an excuse with a weak smile on her lips before turning and walking away from the group.

"Sihtric!" She called as she walked, heading straight for the Dane who was sharpening his axe. "I want to train today. I want you to teach me. I'm sick of standing there looking pretty with a useless wooden sword."

Sihtric took a moment to glance behind Eawynn's shoulder at Finan. The Dane assumed something had happened between the two as Finan usually watched Eawynn everywhere she went. But today, the Irishman kept his eyes forward, hands holding onto the top of his tunic as he spoke to Uhtred.

"You are not ready." Sihtric told her calmly. He sheathed his sword and began walking past her with a sigh. "Besides, we are leaving soon and I must prepare."

"You..." she groaned, turning to watch him walk off, too flabbergasted to come up with an insult. With her fists clenched by her side, she whipped right back around and rushed off into the hall.

Gisela kissed her husband goodbye as Sihtric joined them. She walked off to follow Eawynn into the hall.

"Wynnie?" She called softly, though she knew where she went she still called out for her. Gisela made her way into the back, in the kitchens. Eawynn was leaning into a table, hands roughly kneading into a ball of dough.

"Eawynn, what's the matter?" Gisela stepped up beside her, watching with furrowed brows as Eawynn continued her assault on the dough.

"I'm a stupid, stupid girl. That's what's wrong."

"Is this due to a certain Irishman?"

"Yes." Eawynn paused, a frustrated sigh escaped her lips. "I mean, no!"

"I will not force you to speak of things that upset you so." Gisela started picking berries from the stem, tossing the fruit in a separate bowl.

Eawynn molded the dough into the shape she wanted before handing it off to one of the kitchen girls to finish the baking process and once she began wiping her hands clean she looked over at Gisela.

"Thank you. You are right, I do not want to speak of that-that turd."

Eawynn couldn't help but laugh at herself. She was beginning to pick up on the terminology that Uhtred and the rest used. It was only normal for her to do as such, after all she had been them for quite a few years now.

"Let us go check on the children. I think young Uhtred has been asking after you." Gisela smiled warmly, taking her friends hand and walking out of the hall to find Uhtred and Stiorra with the nursemaid.

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Weeks had passed and Finan still spoke nothing of the night in Eawynn's home. Her blood boiled at the thought that he used her and found herself thanking God that she had the resolve to not let him take her to bed. No matter how badly she wanted to feel him beneath her.

She was currently perched on Haesel, trotting along beside Sihtric as he begged Uhtred for his blessing to marry.

They were traveling to Winchester for Aethelflaed's wedding to Aethelred. She almost backed out at the last minute. The worry of the possibility of running into her father either on the road or at the wedding plagued her mind day in and day out.

Her eyes shifted to the side and when she spotted Finan watching her, she turned away and let out an annoyed huff.

"I will speak with her at Winchester and give you my decision."

At Uhtred's words, Sihtric lit up brighter than the sun that was beating down on them now.

"Thank you, lord." Sihtric beamed. Eawynn smiled at him, she could tell he was trying his best to remain calm. But for months, and months, all Sihtric could do was talk of this woman whom he wanted to marry. Eawynn often wondered if she was already with child and that was why Sihtric wanted it to be done as quick as possible. Though he straying thoughts were not meant to harm Sihtric, she would never voice her opinions on the matter to him out loud.

Uhtred smirked, "You are to give her no more of your arm-rings nor silver. Do I make myself clear?"

Eawynn held in a giggle, making eye contact with Gisela who was also doing the same.

"Yes, lord!" Sihtric agreed eagerly.

As Uhtred and Gisela road on up ahead of the rest, Sihtric and his horse fell back into rhythm with Eawynn and her steed, Haesel.

"Will you meet her?" Sihtric questioned with a hopeful smile.

"Your beloved?"

"His whore, you mean." Finan muttered, nudging his horse forward to pass them.

Eawynn grit her teeth as the vulgar tone in Finan's voice, "Irishman, don't be such a turd."

Sihtric stayed silent, having given up fighting his friend on the chosen work of the woman he loved.

"What? Did you just call me a turd?" Finan bit back, moving to trot beside Eawynn now. His dark eyes were narrow in their stare, his hands gripping the reigns tightly.

"Yes. I did. Because that's what you are. Just because you can't even get a whore to love you and want to marry you does not mean you have to put a damper on Sihtric's joyous mood." She hissed at him, glaring right back before she turned away and nudged her heels into Haesel's sides so she could pick up speed and take her away from the Irishman turd. 

Sihtric stayed silent as he watched the two bicker back and forth. Once Eawynn was out of listening range, he turned to look at Finan.

"You humped her, didn't you?"

Finan let out a barking laugh. "No. I did not hump Lady Eawynn. I'm to believe she has a chastity belt on under those dresses of hers."

"A kiss, then?"

Finan sighed. "You're irritating, ya know that?"

"So, it was a kiss." Sihtric smirked. "The first night Alfred was here? Where you trying to prove a point? Irishmen do it better than Danes, Finan?"

"Shut your trap, will ya?"

Finan stared ahead, ignoring any of the prying Sihtric tried in order to get to the bottom of the issue between him and Eawynn.

After their squabble, Eawynn was beginning to regret her decision to join the group on the road to Winchester. She could have stayed in Coccham with young Uhtred and Stiorra. But she did not. And now, she had to pay the price for the choice she made. The choice to kiss Finan in nothing but her night shift, or the choice to take the trek to Winchester. Both of which she was beginning to think where going to be the reason for her downfall.

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Eawynn could only smile at the memories of her last adventure in Winchester. She had been able to witness Gisela and Uhtred, bonded together forever in holy matrimony. And here again - another wedding. Though one that did not make her smile as much.

"Why such a long face?" Uhtred looked over at Eawynn as they entered the city gates, preparing to dismount from their horses to prepare for the festivities.

"Nerves, lord." Eawynn responded with a weak smile.

"Sihtric and Finan will be with you all night. If your father is here, he won't get a chance to even look at you."

Eawynn sighed, "That is what I feared."

"What has my brother done that offended you so?" Uhtred was not just making small talk. Eawynn could appreciate his honesty, whenever she needed it, but she didn't want to tell him that she almost spread her virgin legs for the drunken Irishman because he was jealous of the attention Erik gave her.

"Forgive me, lord. But he...he is a turd. And I do not wish to speak of, or to, him. Not yet." Eawynn smiled genuinely as Uhtred laughed.

"A turd." He nodded, looking over to where Finan was standing, counting their things to make sure they had everything they needed.

Eawynn slipped from Haesel slowly, almost losing her footing as the horse whined and bristled at the last minute before dismount. "Haesel, my love, it's okay." She whispered to the mare, nuzzling into her neck with a gentle kiss before pulling back. "What's got you spooked?" She glanced around slowly, feeling a set of eyes upon her. Finan was standing with his back to her, facing Sihtric who was most likely excitedly talking about his own upcoming - hopeful - nuptials, so it couldn't be him.

She tied Haesel to the post and proceeded to give her a treat before she looked around again. There was a tall figure looking at her, from across the archway, and she immediately felt dread rush over her. Through all of the people moving through between them he watched her. Eawynn swallowed down her fear and took a step closer to the dirt road outside of the stables. The figure was wearing a cloak, the hood brought up around his head so she could not see his face. He didn't look familiar, atleast his body didn't look familiar, as she still could not get a good look at his face. But she could sense that out of the entire group she was with - he was watching her. Only her.

"What's wrong?" Gisela stepped up next to Eawynn, reaching down to take her hand in hers to bring her out of the daze. Except it didn't work, not entirely. Eawynn was still staring at the hooded man, her dark eyes trying to search him for anything that would give away his identity.

Eawynn stepped further into the step and called out, "Who are you?"

The figure shook his head and turned, fleeing through the alley way and now with the mid morning rush of foot traffic, Eawynn could not chase after him and catch him. And although she was terrified, she would try.

She picked up her skirts and rushed through the crowd, ignoring the calls from everyone behind her. She was determined. She needed to know who her father had working for him. And though she was a woman grown, she was still a member of her fathers household. It was obvious to her that he would not rest until he had his hands on her, regaining control over her to help secure himself power, fortune, and God knows what else.

"Wynn!"

"Lady! Come back!"

Even though she lost the figure about fifteen paces back, Eawynn continued down the dirt path. Her eyes scanned the people around her as she loosened her grasp on her skirts, letting the material fall back down into place.

"What the bloody hell is the matter with you?" Finan reached forward with both hands the moment he caught up with her, grabbing onto her upper arms to keep her in place. "Do ya have a death wish?" He snapped, his dark eyes blown wide as they began searching her face.

She stared straight ahead at his chest, not wanting to look him. Not yet. She stayed silent as he shook her shoulders before leaning down and forcing her to look at him. "Answer me, Wynn."

"He was watching me. I wanted to see who it was." She replied dryly, her eyes searching his own face now before she looked back down.

"Aye, he was watching you. And only you. So why do you think it was a good idea to chase after him?"

Finan kept his grip on her arms, refusing to move even once Uhtred and Sihtric joined them.

"It could have been someone your father paid to kidnap you." Sihtric spoke up.

"I am sure that is what is happening here. My father is here in Winchester for the wedding. I know he is. And I know Lord Odda must have told him my whereabouts. He'll know I'm here with you, lord." Eawynn pulled away from Finan as she turned to face Uhtred. He was watching her with sadness, and just a hint of disappointment.

"Lady Eawynn, please do not put yourself in harms way again." Uhtred took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "I have the mind to keep you locked away somewhere during the festivities."

"No." She cleared her throat, shaking her head. "I won't do it again. I'll stay with Sihtric. I promise, lord." Eawynn looked down at her feet before she realized Uhtred started back to the stables and the rest of the group.

Sihtric glanced between Eawynn and Finan and rushed after Uhtred. They needed to hash things out. He was not going to be stuck in the middle of their childish bickering anymore.

"Eawynn, please. You mustn't do that again." Finan stepped up next to her, his hands resting at his sides as he watched her.

"Why do you care? Finan, forgive me for being so blunt, but you have been a turd. Acting like that kiss between us never happened and ... and..." she let out a frustrated groan when she was coming up empty with what to say.

She stomped away to find Gisela so they could prepare for the wedding together, leaving Finan in the alley way with a confused look on his face.

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Well that chapter was terrible lol. Struggled a lot for some reason and I always hate ending chapters. Don't ask me why. 😇