Dunholm
Kingdom of Northumbria

Sunlight bathed the field most majestically the wind forming enchanting melodies atop fallen leaves that sway to the ground below as Lynette stood in-front of a large oak tree shielding herself from the suns intense rays. Her eyes slightly squinted watching ahead of her as Sihtric held a small sword in his grasp demonstrating the right way a sword is to be wielded. He kept momentarily glancing at Lynette to make sure she was watching his movements and anytime she would be distracted by either a butterfly or some sort of airborne insect he would call to her, sighing in exasperation.

"Lynette, the butterfly is not going to teach you how to protect yourself!" Sihtric called from a few steps away, "So watch me." He ordered.

Her head turned and she blinked while slowly nodding her head, "I am watching you." She replied stepping forward.

"If I was to ask you to hold this sword you can honestly tell me, you know how to?" He raised his brows awaiting her answer. "Properly." He added on.

"How hard can it be?" She shrugged her shoulders approaching him, the sudden light illuminated her and the closer she got to Sihtric the more he noticed pools of cerulean blue glimmer in her eyes.

"Here." He gently spoke passing over the sword, "Hold it like I have taught you to."

Lynette placed her hand on the sword's hilt her fingers wrapping around it firmly as she pointed it forward, Sihtric stepped to now stand beside her his eyes trained on her hand. Leaning further into her side Sihtric bent down slightly and placed his hand on top of hers. Lynette's eyes snapped up and she breathed in from the sudden startlement of his skin on hers- he had never been this close before, "Move these fingers slightly this way, Lynn." His breath hit her exposed neck as he whispered, his lips just skimming the top of her earlobe.

Lynette felt shivers arise as he moved her fingers to grasp the sword.

The warmth of her skin vanished as his hand left hers and he stepped away, "Good now point it forward." He exclaimed.

Her cheeks were flushed and her body stuck she had not registered that he even spoke a word let alone a few, her mind fixed on the name he called her with a tone so tender it floated delicately in the air but caused disarray in her mind.

Lynn.

He had not called her that since they were young hearing him utter that name again erupted something in the pit of her stomach, it crawled and glided and it only amplified the longer she stayed immersed in the thought.

"Here let me-" Lynette hurried to the side.

"No." She rushed out causing Sihtric to halt in his step and stare perplexed, Lynette coughed awkwardly "Well you know I have to learn to do this myself, right?" She questioned fumblingly.

Confused and finding this amusing Sihtric nodded his head in agreement, "Yes- you are right, go on then show me." Sihtric urged.

Lynette regained her composure and then pointed the sword forward once again this time ensuring to grasp it as Sihtric had taught her to, "Move your feet so they are shoulder-width apart." Sihtric demanded walking to stand behind her.

Lynette could feel his presence behind her, his shadow casting itself before her spread on the field ground, she did as he asked and stood as told.

"Your elbows need to be kept close to-" Sihtric was cut off.

Lynette dropped the sword sighing in frustration she turned to look at him with annoyance more so at herself than him, "I do not have the strength for this." She groaned.

Sihtric shook his head leaning down to grab the sword, "You don't need to rely only on strength to win a fight you need the skills which I can teach you, if you have patience." He proclaimed.

Lynette pondered on the thought, her confidence was falling deeper into a pit where it lay rotting away but since Sihtric was adamant on having her trained she did not want to disappoint him and so she nodded her head, reluctantly.

"Do you think I will ever need to fight?" She inquired.

Sihtric blinked, "I hope you don't but if it comes to it I would prefer you to know how to defend yourself." He replied.

Lynette nodded her head, being a great fighter like Sihtric is not in her blood she knows this her hand quivered when she held the sword and her body lost its balance as if it were not made for wielding such a fierce thing. Battle is a ravenous beast banqueting on the blood and death of fallen soldiers and men they cannot but fall into the desire they are inherently born with, a need for plundering and war. Lynette was anything but, her hands knew of needle work and clothing she knew intricate stitches and how to fix dresses but she knew nothing of fighting although she felt out of place with a sword in her hand she knew that she had to find a place for it, if not for herself then for Sihtric at least.

"Hold the sword as if you were about to plunge it into someone." Sihtric demanded and Lynette did just that, "Now using all the strength you have push forward." His voice was a low mummer.

The arm holding the sword pushed forward with all the forcefulness she could muster as she did her feet lost their balance slightly and she closed her eyes momentarily in irritation.

"I am not good at this Sihtric, I-" In a second of a moment he was behind her and too close, way too close, his hands hovered over her waist and Sihtric himself felt quite nervous, his fingers whirring with the need to hold her yet he did not.

"You cannot expect to know it all at the beginning, this is only just your first session." Sihtric teased, "If you do not mind." He leaned in.

Lynette could not find her voice, where had it gone? she frustratedly yelled at herself instead she simply nodded her head.

His hands were large expanding across much of her waist as he positioned her body the way it should be stood, her breath was caught in her throat and her cheeks for the second time had heated up so much so she could feel its warmth begin to radiate. Her eyes had closed for a moment and she had not even noticed she only wished he would hurry so she would not fall back into his arms as her legs were beginning to lose their strength. Sihtric had positioned her perfectly he just had not let go he felt a sort of comfort holding her, if he did not feel so anxious he would have pulled her into a hug wrapping his arms around her body and just holding her.

"I am stood the way you want." Lynette whispered and Sihtric blinked darting back his hands falling from her waist.

"Yes exactly how." He rushed, "Try again." He demanded running his hand through his hair.

Lynette nodded her head and she pointed the sword forward, moved her arm back and then pushed forward with all her strength. This time she imagined Sven before her the sword would pierce him and she would not stop even when he had fallen to the ground, no, she would get down on her knees above him and keep plunging it in as blood would drain out of him flowing onto the ground forming its path of escape.

Her feet did not move and she had not lost balance.

"You did it, good." Sihtric said "And with such anger, who were you imagining?" He inquired attentively, her eyebrows were furrowed but in a rageful way and her lips held the look of disdain.

"Why do you think that I was imagining someone?" She asked passing him the sword back.

Sihtric tilted his head, knowingly.

Lynette sighed, "Your brother." She answered.

Sihtric shook his head, "He is not my brother." He informed, Sven was anything but that Sihtric did not acknowledge him and never will. Sven is an animal and the worst kind, a vengeful and foolish boy who basked in the wrong things much alike his father they both are born of the foulest of evils not even well enough to be called men.

"Right, sorry." Lynette murmured. "Come on we should get back." Lynette began to walk towards the fortress, they were hidden at the far back of it, concealed by trees and away from the prying eyes of the men inside. If Kjartan were to hear Sihtric was training Lynette they both would be punished and in the severest of manners.

As they walked Sihtric turned to her, there was a nagging thought that pestered him "Do you think me to be alike to him?" He asked in a low voice. Lynette with furrowed brows turned to look at him her neck craned slightly upward, "Like Sven?" He avoided her eyes, fixing his stare elsewhere he did not want her to see his vulnerability nor the fact that he was troubled by the thought.

He had never been accepted by Kjartan, not for the right things anyway, Sihtric was abused with harsh words, mocked and ridiculed. He was burdened with their actions and their responsibilities thrown upon him as if he was a dog to their call yet he never once allowed himself to succumb to his anger and frustration, never once did he become like them and now hearing her call Sven her brother when he sought so hard to sever the link bothered him.

"That is a foolish question to ask?" She snapped jesting, "No I do not and I could never allow myself to, Sihtric you are so different from him- leagues different and better." She replied kindly and compassionately with eyes that spoke of understanding and held the reassurance that she was speaking only the truth, that which was withdrawn from her heart for the very comfort of his worries. "For one, you are kind which he is not." She softly said her voice a faint harmony in the winds yet Sihtric had heard her for he listened, he is always listening to her.

Sihtric could only nod his head but the relief he felt in his soul was monumental he could feel his heart rate begin to reduce to a normal beat and his mouth was no longer dry.

They continued to walk nearing the fortress, "What made you imagine him? I am glad you did, I know he deserves it." Sihtric questioned.

Lynette nodded, "He deserves that and more, he is the worst Sihtric sometimes I cannot even understand how you two are of the same blood." She responded.

"Neither can I." He agreed slightly laughing under his breath.

The sky above began to turn a shade darker and the distant sounds of thunder rang, the clouds held a grey tint and as they sped up their walk a water-petal shaped rain drop fell and landed on Lynette's hand she smiled turning to Sihtric who shook his head. He grabbed her hand intertwining their fingers and began to run faster towards the fortress.

"It is raining." She giggled.

"I know!" He shouted back the sounds of rain had began to become louder.

"I do like it." Her head tilted upwards for a quick moment and she left the rain fall onto her face wetting her cheeks and her eyes, droplets of water travelled down them and landed on her neck. The first memory of rain she could remember had been tainted by the horrific memory of her mother and how it continued to haunt her in sleepless nights and even nights when she was able to dream, it would replay over and over again the last words her mother ever spoke to her.

I just remembered something I will be back soon.

Elodie was never coming back she had lied.

The next memory though she had made with Sihtric just a few months after her arrival at Dunholm it was still slightly awkward between them both but that day had changed that, it was the first time a genuine smile had encased either of their lips. At the edge of the lake as the water rushed down upon them, it was a memory written into their souls and forever etched in their minds.

Reaching inside Sihtric rushed them to her tiny chamber located at the far end of the fortress, he did so without being seen as many of the inhabitants had retreated indoors shielding themselves from the downpour. Closing the door silently behind him Lynette had already grabbed a cloth to dry themselves she passed one to Sihtric who nodded his head thanking her, gently patting it over his face to rid of the water.

"I guess Claennis is not here." Lynette looked around, she shared the tiny room with her.

Sihtric approached her placing the cloth above her head on her hair and rubbed, Lynette shook her head "What are you doing?" She asked confused and taken aback.

"You are asking to get sick, your hair is still drenched." He scolded.

Lynette simply allowed him to dry her hair his hands were being gentle as he dabbed at the ends of her brown locks his eyes intensely trained on his workings, she felt a flutter in her stomach. Once he was done he placed the cloth away turning to see that Lynette was awkwardly stood before her bed.

"Our clothes are wet." She pointed out.

Sihtric nodded his head, "I am aware." He replied.

"I am not getting changed in front of you." Lynette rushed out.

Sihtric fumblingly and quickly spoke, "I was not going to ask you to." He reassured.

"Okay, good then you can leave." She pursed her lips awkwardly.

"Yes I probably should." He clumsily turned around opening the door but before leaving he looked back and spoke, "I can teach you hand to hand combat next time." He hurried away letting the door slam shut behind him.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖☾𖤓.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Dahlia was irritated to say the least and at most she was infuriated, the conversation with her brother taunted her day in and day out. His voice ceaselessly cycling the same words over and over in her mind, you are to wed, like hell she would do that again she would threaten to slit her own throat than be used in his stupid grasp for power or whatever it is he seeks after.

Her first marriage was, to put it mildly, dreadful she could not give her husband an heir, she would laugh when he would fight with her.

An heir, to what? She would say in between breathless laughs.

And he would get enraged his eyes would widen and the sight would only further make Dahlia laugh, he did look amusing. It was not so much so when he had laid his hands upon her, it was the first and last time he ever did that. Dahlia did not run to her father nor her brother she took it into her own hands and somehow she had become a widow, crying at his funeral with tears of a mourning wife and screams of a broken-hearted woman. Severing the marriage ties was never going to be enough for her, he had put his hands on her in an aggressive manner and he never got the chance to do that again.

As she raised the chalice to her lips she realised there was nothing left in it and sighed from annoyance, she had drank it all away and what else is there to do but to blame her brother and go and get some more ale. With a creak the old door opened slowly and Dahlia made her way to the kitchens, the rain had began to dawdle steadily coming to a halt. The sound of her heeled shoes clicked against the wooden floor, as her eyes roamed the almost vacant surroundings.

"You weren't do that again, will you?" A distasteful and recognisable voice hit her ears, Dahlia turned toward the direction it was coming from and came to a stop once her eyes landed upon her revolting nephew, Sven, grasping a serving girl by her hair. The sight amplified her infuriation to a boundless height, she felt the weight of it crushing.

"Let go of her." She demanded icily.

Sven's body whipped around to look at his aunt, releasing his hold on the girl who scurried away in fright. Dahlia walked forward standing a few steps from him.

"I didn't know losing an eye affected your common sense or did you not have any to begin with, you turd?" She snapped her eyes ablaze with loathing.

"Aunt." Sven seethed out, "I heard you are to be wed again." He taunted.

Dahlia scoffed, amused.

"I should take you ears since you like to listen to gossip." She replied, snidely. He may be her nephew but it was by blood only, she despised Sven an idiotic useless runt of a boy.

Sven shook his head, "Father told me, it was no gossip." He smirked cuttingly, mocking her greatly.

Dahlia blinked her annoyance at her brother increasing, he cannot keep his useless mouth shut for a moment.

"Well your father has no idea what he is talking about!" She snapped frustratedly.

Sven stepped to the side to walk away but before leaving he looked to Dahlia with raised brows, "There is no reason to be so outraged, Aunt." He smiled before moving past her leaving Dahlia exasperated.

She would wring his neck if she could.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖☾𖤓.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Winchester
Kingdom of Wessex

Heavy were the booted feet of the knights as they escorted Brida and Ragnar through the candle lit corridors of the castle every few seconds they would look at each with confusion. Upon reaching the hall their eyes set upon the king, Alfred, sat atop the chair they call a throne.

"Please." He pointed to two seats placed in-front of him awaiting for them to take their seats, they both looked at each, perplexed before Ragnar took a seat Brida though she stood for a moments longer before sighing and taking a seat.

Alfred wasted no time, no idle chit-chat and got straight to the point "You have men in Northumbria still?" He questioned.

Ragnar glanced at Brida the turned to Alfred while he answered, "Some." He leaned back "Most have settled but they are mine to call upon- and I have men in East Angelia with Earl Guthrum."

"His name is now Aethelstan." Alfred corrected rather quickly.

Brida rolled her eyes, "That may be his Christian name, lord- but to us he is Guthrum the weak."

"To seek peace is not a weakness, the battle of Ethandun was ours to win." Alfred responded, "Only with peace can you build, only with peace can a people grow."

"Grow fat?" Brida snapped.

"Grow as one, Brida." Alfred altered, "It is true that in parts of the North, Saxon, Dane and Briton now live side by side, do they not?" He raised his brows, the crow atop his head shining as the candle fire danced upon it.

"Oh they do..." Ragnar exhaled, "But it is the Danes that rule."

"Though warlords must now look elsewhere for war, to Ireland and Alba." Alfred stated.

"Well, war is how a man makes his wealth." Ragnar remarked.

Alfred shook his head, "I disagree, war is how a man takes his wealth Earl Ragnar, it is the land and trade that makes it." He informed "And for the land and trade to flourish there must be peace."

"To be Viking is a way of life." Brida said reaching over to place her hand upon Ragnar's arm and then intertwining her hand with his.

"To be Viking is a way to die." Alfred renewed "And there are many Danes, I believe, who want more from life than death."

"Lord, you are never more alive.." Ragnar leaned forward, "...than when you sail a ship onto a new shore."

"Oh, on that we are agreed." Alfred added.

The door to their prison locked shut with a tumultuous bang as the knights walked away standing, now, in their positions of guard once again. Ragnar bit into his apple and Brida sat to the side with a scowl on her features.

"That turd king infuriates me." She snapped.

"I know." Ragnar laughed.

"Why do you think he asked about the men?" She inquired.

"Why else but to keep a look on everything, he is a king after all." Ragnar replied sitting down beside her.

Brida shook her head, "When you had come back this is not what you had expected."

"Well of course not." He answered, "But my thirst for vengeance grows by each day." His stare transformed to a look of refined rage.

"And you will have it." Brida reassured, "The men await impatiently for your return."

"I am glad for it." Ragnar squeezed her hand.

"They are loyal to you." Brida smiled, "Valaena most of all." She whispered.

"They were loyal to my father the thirst for vengeance grows deeper in them as it does for me, as it does for all of us." Ragnar stated with anger, not towards anyone here-no- for the one man he seeks the head of, Kjartan.

_________________

A/N: Hiiii, here is chapter three! I had so much fun writing this one, I hope you guys enjoyed reading it! Valaena is another new character, I am not quite sure if she will be a huge character just yet.

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