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Sihtric and Althea were cuddled up on the nearest table as they watched their sons play around with some chickens. Althea smiled when Sihtric kissed each of her fingers and giggled when he swooped in to kiss her, she hummed in happiness as she raised her hand to his neck to pull him closer. Sihtric pulled her onto his lap to straddle his thighs as she deepened the kiss, Althea choked back a moan when his hands gripped her ass tightly.

Althea reluctantly pulled away to avoid traumatizing their sons, she caressed Sihtric's face as she gazed down at her husband lovingly. He was so beautiful. Sihtric laid his head in the crook of her neck and shoulder as he held her close, neither cared if the people had complaints.

Hours later at Aylesbury, horns are sounded as Steapa and Æthelred greet them with swords. Aethelflæd, Althea, and Uhtred dismount as they approach them. Sihtric stopped their sons from following and pulled their horse closer to his, Osferth smiled softly at his brother-in-law and nephews.

"I ought to kill you where you stand, lord." Steapa snarled looking at Uhtred.

"You could try, my friend. I'm here to see the king." Uhtred says looking at his old friend.

"You ride with outlaws, my dear." Æthelred said in distaste.

"He's an outlaw of Wessex, not Mercia. We're here to see my father." Aethelflæd spoke looking at the two men. Althea pushed past them and ran to Steap who lowered his sword, the big man pulled her into a tight embrace.

"It's good to see you again, Steapa." She said brightly and the male couldn't help but smile down at the princess.

"And I, you. He is treating you well?" Steapa asked glancing at Sihtric.

"Always. He is the best husband and father anyone could ask for," She turned to Sihtric who watched with a smile as she proudly boasted about him. "And it's all thanks to you, Steapa. Without you, we could not have had this chance." Steapa kissed her forehead ignoring the look of irritation Æthelred sent them.

"And I would do so again, Lady Althea." Aethelflæd watched her sister with a kind smile and pulled her into a side hug when Steapa released the younger woman.

"What is it you have to say to the king that you cannot say to your husband?" Æthelred said glaring at Althea.

"I wish to speak of treachery and traitors. The Dane Hæsten did attack us at the nunnery at Wincelcrumb. It was his purpose to kill me." Aethelflæd told them as she singled out her husband with a knowing look.

"Hæsten claims to be a friend to Alfred. He's not."

"Let the outlaws pass, no weapons. None at all." The American lord said.

"Lord Æthelred, like you, we stand against the Danes!" Finan shouted in disbelief.

"No weapons is the command, Irishman. None at all." The group reluctantly hands over their weapons as they walk in. Althea and Aethelflæd loop their arms together as they walk into the estate, and her sons follow along closely as they look around. Arthur held Osferth's hand as they walked while Hvitserk tugged at his father's arm when he noticed the stares.

"Ignore them, little one. Your mother would kill them before they would dare harm you." Sihtric said and ruffled his eldest son's hair.

"And you, father."

"Only if she asked for my help." Sihtric said with a grin as he gazed at his wife playfully, Althea shook her head in amusement.

"My father cannot suspect my husband is the traitor." Aethelflæd whispered as she softly watched her sister's small family interact.

"We should kill your husband and be done with it." Finan spoke with a grin. Althea agreed.

"And begin a war between Wessex and Mercia now?"

"Lady, I'm joking. We'll kill him tomorrow." Finan and Sihtric look at one another with a grin.

"We halt. Stop!" Steapa shouted as he turned to them.

"We know what hall means, big man."

"Steapa, we are both thirsty and hungry." Aethelflæd speaks softly.

"You both may enter the hall, lady. The outlaws do not." Steapa said looking at the sisters.

"Would I not also be an outlaw?" Althea asked curiously.

"You are the king's daughter, he has forgiven all your misdoings." Steapa informed her and she scoffed.

"I doubt that, Steapa."

"Then I choose to remain here with the outlaws." The princess spoke as she watched them.

"As you wish."

"Um, what if I need to piss?" Finan calls out, and Uhtred turns away with a smile.

"Then take out your cock." Steapa deadpanned.

"And if you mistake it for a weapon, what then?" Steapa went to move towards and Steapa pats Finan's chest, Althea laughed at the Irishman and leaned against her sister happily.

"Steapa, food, and ale would be appreciated."  Uhtred interrupts.

"I will arrange it."

"And Steapa, good food. Meat and lots of ale!" Sihtric and Uhtred watch Finan with a smile, Finan fights back a grin. They move to a table to eat some food with Steapa keeping watch. Her sons are busy trying to get Steapa to fight them and the man laughs at their attempts. She feeds Sihtric some of the meat as she is seated on his lap, his hands trailing up her thighs softly as she does so.

"Steapa." Sigebriht said walking to them.

"Lord Sigebriht."

"An approximation to a Witan has gathered. The outlaws are required." Sihtric chugged his ale down as he lifted her off his lap gently.

"What is an approximation to a Witan?" Sihtric asked and pulled their sons to him and his wife.

"It's almost a Witan, but not quite." Finan answered making Althea amused.

"We must be without the king." Uhtred whispered to her sister and Althea wasn't sure if she was happy about that or not.