TWO YEARS LATER

.𖥔 ݁ ˖☾𖤓.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Beamfleot
Kingdom of East Anglia.

Lynette had never sailed on a ship before not even when she lived by the ocean, its waters only a run away. The cavernous turquoise with waves so unpredictable and a tempestuous essence which Lynette had desired to sense for herself seemed to whisper to her and she had, at last, come to experience what she had once longed for -though it was spectacular- Lynette had decided she never wanted to endure the rough waters of the ocean again. The chill of the waves brought shivers upon the warmth of her skin and caused her hair to part as if it was being dragged at both ends and she did not particularly like feeling as if she was about to fall into the abyss below- it sat awaiting to swallow her whole, so uncannily unpleasant.

When they had reached land Lynette was one of the first off the ship, she made sure she was, for she no longer wanted to sit upon the wood as it rocked along the water. The breath of relief she let out was deep and anticipated- Dahlia found that amusing, in contrast to the brunette haired girl Dahlia adored sailing she had done so quite a bit in her childhood.

"The ocean is not seeking to harm you, Lynette." Dahlia had laughed.

Lynette looked to her with a sigh, "Why does it look like it wants to?"

"You just need to sail more to truly appreciate it." Dahlia answered.

Lynette shook her head, "I think I am perfectly satisfied with staying on land."

Dahlia laughed shaking her head.

A cool draught of air passed by Lynette as she stared out at the endless hollow, the waves were much calmer as they gently crashed against the thick rocks that lined the edge of the shore- it howled in a mellow whisper.

Abruptly, as if out of the depths of the breeze, a hand nudged her forward- she halted herself rather clumsily and then turned around to glare at Everard- a young boy not much older than herself, he was a stable boy he did not know much of fighting but he was unusually adept at tending to the horses.

"I will throw you in there myself." Lynette glared.

Everard shook his head, amused- "I thought a little swim along the shore would do you some good, get rid of that foolish fear of yours." He raised his brows.

"I do not recall telling you of this foolish fear." Lynette exhaled.

Everard tapped his nose, "I happen to know all things." He jested.

"Or you were listening into my conversation which I happen to find impertinent of you." Lynette scowled, shaking her head "I expected better."

With a chuckle he stepped back, "Of me? really."

Lynette rolled her eyes and began to walk up to the fortress, Beamfleot.

"Stow the oars, make her secure!" Erik shouted, Lynette turned around and caught sight of men tending to the ships- securing them along the port.

The wind by the ocean shore nipped piercingly but the further she strayed from it the balmier the waft became- she felt herself calm at it the same was not said for the atmosphere for many men were rushing about with a franticness about them she could not quite understand. Her eyes momentarily scanned over Haesten as he tended to one of the ships and she scowled instantly, she had never come to like the man -ever- and she is sure it will stay that way for however long she is to walk the lands of this earth.

They would not pay attention to her- well at least not anymore, at first they would and Lynette abhorred it she had the unholy need to plunge something sharp into their eyes and take away the gift of sight that God had bestowed upon them, wrongly so she would think.

"You will not miss my presence?" Everard had called to her as he walked in the opposite direction- towards the stables.

Lynette blinked she turned to look at him and breathed out, she hated that- miss, the word, it infuriated her. And so she offered no answer but a simple nod and rushed in the other direction leaving Everard decidedly baffled upon her abrupt change of demeanour.

Upon entering inside the rooms they were dressed in a cold she found foreign- not alike to the air outside but also not alike to anything she had ever felt before.

Dahlia was found in one the back rooms with her bag open as she shuffled through it- a look of stress clearly written on her features. As she heard Lynette enter she sighed and sat down "I think I have left behind my red dress, what a pity- for it was one of your best stitched."

Lynette let out a subtle laugh, "I would not worry too much I can always stitch another." She reassured, kindly.

Dahlia smiled, "That is kind of you but the first one was..." She exhaled "...never-mind I am sure this other one will be just as exceptional."

Lynette nodded her head and instantly began to assist Dahlia with her belongings- taking extra diligence with her newly stitched clothing. Her movements were a fusion of care and effortlessness, as she had always been with almost anything she ever did- that is except anything that required her to hold a sword although she had gotten better over the years that had passed.

"I see that you have formed a friendship.." Dahlia interrupted the silence, it was becoming suffocating to her, "..with that boy- blond hair, rather talkative."

Lynette merely nodded her head again, it was her favourite way to respond when she desired for the conversation not to progress forward.

"His name?" Dahlia raised her brows.

Lynette stood tall turning from the wooden desk, "Everard- he tends to the horses."

Dahlia tilted her head lovingly glancing at Lynette as the girl promptly went back to her business, "It is nice seeing you like this." The auburn haired lady gently whispered.

Lynette bit her lip, "Yes I suppose it is." She responded in an even softer tone.

The room fell silent and this time it remained as that.

Lynette, over the years, had methodically taught herself the art of stability, she had thought she bested it but there were times -rare now- but they were felt, where she would allow herself to bow to her grief. A feeling that never departs once it has found a comfortable host to infect, much alike to a disease it finds a flawless disposition in an evidently vulnerable person to exploit. And in someway Lynette had allowed for it to do so, she never sought a cure for it. In the moments where she would cry, the tears a river of her enclosed sorrow shattering through- were the instances she would feel closest to him, Sihtric.

Sihtric, Sihtric, Sihtric.

She had not said his name aloud for a long while, it felt strange for her to do so- she did not wish to say it audibly, to hear the syllables leave her lips for there would be no answer to her call.

And so instead his name would carry as a distant faint lament in her soul and she preferred it as that. Lynette could never allow herself, truly, to forget his name -no- he had become a shadow of her, always there sometimes to comfort and sometimes to distress. Time had passed agonisingly and through that fall she had finally realised that this is her place now, alongside Dahlia- she will stay alive and strong for her and with her, even though, it was not unknown, Lynette had wished to meet Sihtric perhaps she may be let in to lay beside him.

The sounds of footsteps against the hardened wood floor passed Lynette by for she was too consumed in her doings- she did not even catch the roll of a tear escape the path of her cheek and fall to the ground landing with a faint splat- not until Dahlia had stood before her, she raised her hand up and wiped it away.

"These tears that you have cried Lynette- all the sorrow and the pain you have endured, I am sure he knows of it." Dahlia whispered.

Lynette sighed- a tiny laugh among the exhale, "I suspect that I am just tired." She awkwardly replied.

Dahlia grabbed Lynette's hand, as she had always done, and her thumb rubbed the top of it in soothing circles, "I know we have not spoken about it, not since that night but..." Her voice trailed off for a moment, "...I mean no harm when I say that for the welfare of your mind you should allow yourself to..."

Lynette cut her of abruptly, "No I cannot- never."

"Then you must not grant it such control over you- I have known loss it tears at one, but until you allow it to fade it will only grow stronger." Dahlia delicately and carefully uttered, she did not know if Lynette would lash out or if she would take offence to her words but in all truth the Dane meant nothing but the upmost best for Lynette and if the girl continues to drown in his memory then she will never find herself floating upon it.

With a sigh Lynette pulled her hand out of Dahlia's embrace and pushed back her hair, "I cannot let it fade either." She hushed, "He was- he had shown me happiness I had never known before and I cannot just let that go."

"That is not what I meant." Dahlia reassured. "I simply intended that you take care of yourself, it has been..." Her voice drifted into the air.

"I have heard it and I know, if you are going to tell me I have the ability to heal from-" She sighed and took a step back, "-from whatever it is, I know-"

Dahlia furrowed her brows, "Lynette-"

"And- and I am trying but it is difficult and the task is a hard one, there is no shame in it...that I am allowed to cry." Lynette looked down, the ground seemed to appear as a vortex she wished she could fall into and never return back from, "..time has been cruel, I just need a little longer."

"I understand." Dahlia whispered, "Time shall be at your mercy, soon enough..."

Lynette nodded her head, "Let us speak of something else." She rushed out, she had grown overly nauseous by the conversation.

A sudden crash, tumultuous and deafening, was heard outside the window. Dahlia and Lynette both turned to look towards it and before they walked to it they glanced at each other with confusion. The chill seeped through their clothed skin and shivered their veins yet they stood by the window staring outward towards the port where a mass of men banded together.

"Did Sigefrid ever tell why he had the sudden interest in Beamfleot?" Lynette asked.

Dahlia scoffed, "No but I intend to find out." She snapped.

The door behind them creaked open and Lynette turned with a gasp only for her chest to alleviate when she realised who it was, "If you are to enter a ladies chamber you must knock or is that yet another thing you lack?" Lynette jested as Everard made his way toward the window.

"I apologise, lady." He quipped.

Lynette shook her head forcing herself to forget her previous thoughts- she pressed on her mind and urged it to veil itself so she may not find herself trying to catch her breath.

"Lundene and all its riches shall be yours!" The echo of Sigefrids angered yet excited voice roamed through the air, by the time it reached their ears it was a faint shout yet Dahlia made it out perfectly.

She shut the window with a slam, "He wants Lundene."

Lynette looked to Everard and then back to Dahlia, "Why?"

"It is not really what he desires, he is after something bigger."

.𖥔 ݁ ˖☾𖤓.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Winchester
Kingdom of Wessex

Sihtric had searched all the lands- he knew it and yet he still had not given up and he had vowed to himself he shall never give up. Sihtric was a man starved- he had sought the shadows of the night so that he may close his eyes and hope earnestly to see her among the darkness. He had this enthralling almost absorbed need to see her, to be in her presence for he was -piece by piece- beginning to, against his dire wishes, forget the sculpture of her beauty.

He would imagine her beneath the current of the moon's gleam, so profoundly vivid and often times he would see her through the mist of the dusk and the darkness of twilight.

Even then she was still not where she was supposed to be, with him- beside him, in his embrace so he may admire her for his eyes have become dull glancing at everything else.

There were moments, not for him, but Valaena- he could see she thought it was a lost cause, that Lynette would never be found. Over the two years that had passed with much distress they had roamed the lands twice over in desperation yet no answer ever came forth. Nevertheless, Sihtric refused to give up- he had frustratedly demanded that he will continue, with or without her assistance he will go on.

The suns rays shone down upon the roads illuminating the path, the blades of grass warmed by the heat and the air danced around them in a budding curve. Sihtric sat atop his horse with fisted hands on the reins as he followed after Uhtred to Winchester- the King had invited them to the wedding of his daughter, Aethelflaed, but Sihtric desired to be elsewhere he did not have the excitement for a festivity.

Valaena sat on her horse beside him- she had talked him into going with them to Winchester with much pleading. Uhtred had began to notice Sihtric's unruly behaviour- he was becoming increasingly curious and slightly frustrated.

"If it is not the great Lord Uhtred of the small and little known village of Coccham." Aethelwold had hurried to stand aside of them as they rode into the town, his determined stare locked firmly on Uhtred.

"I see you are drinking again, Aethelwold." Uhtred replied with raised brows.

"It's just a cup or two, nothing more!" He rushed out as Uhtred rode further away. "I have news for you...you know where to find me!"

Sihtric rolled his eyes as he rode past the drunkard, he never liked Aethelwold something about him had always seemed to prick Sihtric the wrong way. He had parted ways with the group and taken to finding respite momentarily inside an inn, Finan and Valaena decided to join him.

With a cup of ale grasped in his hand Sihtric sat in a darkened corner of the inn.

"I fear we should not be disturbing him he does look quite foreboding." Finan jested as he stood before Sihtric, Valaena by his side.

Sihtric glared up at them, "Yes you are right...so be on your way."

Valaena exhaled and sat down she then grabbed Finan's wrist forcing him to sit beside her, they were both sat across from Sihtric.

The atmosphere in the inn was quiet and hushed, the sun peeked shyly through the open curtained windows and a few candles were decorated sparingly across corners of the room.

"I see you are adorning a new look." Finan chuckled, Sihtric's hair was a slight mess he was too tired to have tended to it when the morning had arisen.

"Finan shut your mouth." Valaena muttered as she leaned into his side.

Valaena then glanced to Sihtric, "I know you wish to be elsewhere but this break will benefit you."

Sihtric scoffed, "Do tell me how so?"

"You have been out there like a madman." Valaena stressed, "...yet you have found no answer, allow yourself some respite, form a better plan and then I will re-join with you."

"I have a plan." Sihtric snapped.

"Clearly it has done you wonders." Valaena sarcastically responded.

In turn Sihtric just glared at her- she did not possess the yearning he did therefore she will never wholly understand his impatience nor his catastrophic urgency.

Rushed sounds of cheers echoed in from the outside and they had all simultaneously turned their heads towards the ruckus, "Do you suppose someone has taken to dancing naked outside?" Finan looked to them.

Valaena tilted her head with a sigh, she smacked the back of his head and Finan just narrowed his eyes at her in response. She went to smack his head again but he had caught her wrist, "Violence is not permitted in here." He shook his head.

They had turned to look at Sihtric but in and amongst their quarrelling he had seemed to have passed them by, hectically with flying limbs they both rushed up and followed him outside. Where a crowd of people were stood watching horses ride in. Valaena grabbed Finan's wrist and dragged him to where Uhtred was stood, beside him was Sihtric as they all watched the sight before them.

The people of Winchester were cheering, yelling and some even took to aggressively clapping their hands together- their palms would surely be covered in a painful red.

A man atop the first horse sat tall, the expression on his features spoke of his nature- he seemed conceited and vain. His hair a curly dark-blonde mess and his eyes a blue, he was dressed in a matching blue cloak which covered his brown armour.

"Is that Aethelred?" Clapa asked.

"Hmm." Uhtred and Finan responded- Valaena's lips were curled in a look of disdain.

"From what I know, Alfred could not have chosen a bigger turd." Uhtred said, as he watched the man ride in all his disordered glory.

"I've never met the man but by the look of him he was indeed shat out the arse of a giant." Finan observed.

Aethelwold had made an appearance, coming in as an unwanted spirit that many would pray to escape- "He is to be King of Mercia, they are saying." He uttered.

Valaena scoffed, "It is all gossip I suppose, much alike yourself Aethelwold- still have dreams of being a King?"

Aethelwold scowled at her but did not pay her an answer Valaena did not mind she was glad for it, she did not have to hear his incessant chattering about how he should be wearing the crown that now adorns his Uncles's head.

Uhtred turned to glance at him "-The Ealdormen of the Witan, are saying." Aethelwold continued.

"Lord of Mercia, perhaps." Uhtred corrected him, "Alfred would never allow another Saxon to be called a King."

"Nor would a certain dead man called Bjorn." Aethelwold revealed.

Valaena snapped her head towards him with widened eyes and then she looked to Uhtred who held a glare of frustration in his irises and a frown of irritation on his eyesbrows.

"He wishes to meet you." Aethelwold took a sip from his ale.

Valaena moved to the side allowing for Uhtred to grab Aethelwold harshly by his shirt and drag him aggressively away from the crowd, "Come with me." He seethed.

"AH AH!" Aethelwold gasped, "You're pinching my skin, you're pinching my skin." He repeated painfully as he tried to free himself from Uhtred's rough grasp.

The crowds had dispersed and people had gone back to their doings as Aethelred and his guests had found respite inside the castle. Sihtric was making his way back to the inn when he heard a shout.

"Sihtric!" Uhtred called.

He turned and made his way to him standing before him, the sun had- just as the people- dispersed, its light barely shining this allowed for the cool breeze to intensify- piercing the skin of people causing bumps of shivers to arise unwanted.

"I command you to snap out of whatever it is that is distracting you..." Uhtred ordered, sternly "..you are needed!"

Sihtric breathed in and just nodded his head.

"We have to ride out of Winchester before nightfall." Uhtred informed, "-You will fetch Clapa, you will go to the stables and wait for me-"

"I cannot." Sihtric cut him off.

Uhtred breathed in and ignored him- "Ensure the horses are watered and fed but ready."

Sihtric clenched his jaw, "I cannot Lord." He repeated.

Uhtred shook his head, confused and taken aback by his response, at first he thought Sihtric was jesting but now the firm look on the Dane's features portrayed that he meant what he had said.

"And why is that?" Uhtred asked slowly.

Sihtric did not answer although he kept his stare unwaveringly locked with Uhtred's.

"I asked you a question, why is it that you cannot?" He inquired agitatedly "...you yourself swore your sword to me, did you not?"

"I did, Lord." Sihtric answered.

"Then?"

Sihtric had no way of answering his question- he had been pushed into a spiked corner perplexed on what to say and in which manner. He cannot just tell him exactly the reason why he has been so uncontrollably and desperately -like a madman as Valaena had put it- roaming the lands.

"You are searching for someone, a woman?" Uhtred stated.

Sihtric exhaled.

"What, is she some sort of special whore?" Uhtred huffed.

Sihtric glared, "She is no whore." He retorted, quick and sharp.

Uhtred smirked, "So you are in love with this woman?"

Sihtric gulped.

"Who is this woman? she must be a force to have captured your attention." Uhtred raised his brows, thoroughly immersed in his curiosity. "Tell me Sihtric, why is it that you are so adamant on this matter?"

"Because I care about her and I had promised her that I would..." His voice trailed off, the words floating in the air as reminiscence of a faint memory, a promise now shattered.

Uhtred sighed, he then leaned forward and grabbed Sihtric by his shoulders in a brotherly manner- "You will tell me her name." He demanded.

Sihtric glanced downward to the harsh and dirty ground fixing his gaze thereupon for a moment before he looked back at Uhtred- "Lynette..." He whispered out "...of Bebbanburg."

Uhtred furrowed his brows, his hands dropped from Sihtric's shoulders and he took a step back, "...I do not recall such a person by this name."

"You will not, Lord." Sihtric reaffirmed.

Uhtred urged him to continue.

"She is your uncle's daughter.." Sihtric informed "...bastard daughter, but daughter nonetheless."

A loud and surprised laughter emitted passed Uhtred's lips as he shook his head.

Sihtric persevered, "He sold her- gave her away to Kjartan for your head among other things."

Uhtred scoffed, "Of course he did, Aelfric is never a man to do his own bidding."

Sihtric patiently awaited, he had expected for more of a reaction from Uhtred perhaps an outburst of some sort- shock, happiness even frustration possibly anger but there was nothing and it entirely perplexed Sihtric.

Uhtred looked back him, "Sihtric- she was not at Dunholm which means she is gone and you should let it be as that."

Sihtric shook his head- heatedly the frustration clawed at him, "No! I will not, I will search to the ends of this world for her if I have to- because I had promised."

The man before him rubbed the temple of his forehead, "And it has been two years- yet nothing." Uhtred reminded him.

"I know!" Sihtric snapped, "...do you not care? I have just told you that you have a cousin."

Sihtric was beyond astonished, he had hoped that Uhtred would be somewhat appeased and ecstatic upon hearing that he has family- but there was nothing not even an ounce of appreciation, or at least a want to know her.

Uhtred turned away for a moment for this was something he never expected to have heard, not now- not on the morrow, or ever. It was strange for him -a cousin?- he was bewildered, family had only ever let him down and now he had a cousin, he just did not know what to expect of her- that is if she were ever to be found.

"I am sure she is remarkable." Uhtred responded

Sihtric scoffed, "Yes...yes she is Lord." He stepped forward, "...nothing at all like your uncle, she is kind-hearted, well-spoken, gentle..." Sihtric rushed out, aggravated that he was not engaging more attention- as if he did not care.

"Regardless, we must do this so do as I have told you to." Uhtred demanded firmly.

Sihtric exhaled- exasperated and displeased, "If you would only try Lord, try and help me find her, she is worth it- I implore to you."

"Sihtric..." Uhtred slowly spoke out "...Go now."

With dis-heartedness, "I will go, but once we are done I am free to do as I please and continue my search?" Sihtric asked.

"Yes...you are, Sihtric." Uhtred replied with a nod.

_________________

A/N: Chapter Thirteen!! So two years have passed....anyway....Lynette is getting somewhat better at handling her emotions on the other hand Sihtric is going insane searching for her. Also Uhtred?? that is your cousin HELP!!!

We are getting closer to their reunion so just hang on!

Also I don't know if I like this chapter but I have rewritten it quite a bit so this is it :)

Don't forget to comment and vote, thank you for reading 🫶

Sihtric and Lynette collage
made by @lovelyygirl8