▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ─── ❛ king vs danes

SERPENTS TONGUE ₊˚.༄𖥸 ──
𑁍₊𓄹 -- ❪ the last kingdom ❫. 𓄹
╭ ‧₊˚⊹ 你好，欢迎光临
╰ ✦ the battle╭ ᘒ ✦

Athena's hands tightened around her horses reigns, her knuckles turning white from the contact.

She was wearily looking around for any sign of danger, but there was none. Athena then turned her head to face the front, her eyes slightly narrowing as she saw two people riding their horses, multiple horses around them.

Athena clicked her tongue as she signalled her horse to come to a holt. The others around her also came to a stop as they saw them.

"Your horses belong to whom?" Leofric was the first to speak, nodding his head at the multiple horses.

"The Lord Odda." The man replied, holding onto the rope that connected the horses together. "You'll let us pass?"

"You selling or buying?" Leofric continued to ask questions, looking at the men suspiciously.

"Selling." The man said. "To the Dane's." He added.

Athena frowned, her brows pinching together as she slowly turned her head to Uhtred, his face mimicking hers. "There is a peace." The man continued, looking at the three, noticing their frowns. "Did you not know?"

"That Odda had made a peace?" Uhtred tilted his head to the side, turning back to the man. "No, I did not."

Leofric was the first to move his horse, letting the two men past with their horses. Athena carefully watched them, tightening the grip on her horses reigns.

The group watched as the men left, all turning to Alfred for any answer. "Odda is loyal." Alfred hesitantly said, nodding his head. How he said it was as if he was trying to persuade himself. "We shall see for ourselves what is true."

They had arrived to Odda's estate, and only Uhtred, Leofric and Athena had made their way towards it, leaving Alfred, Beocca and Iseult out of sight.

A guard had brought them in, all eyes immediately landing on the three warriors. Athena clasped her hands behind her back as she looked around, a grimace coming onto her face as she looked over at Younger Odda and Æthelwold.

"Leofric, Uhtred, Athena." Æthelwold started to speak, raising his hands with a grin. "My prayers have been answered. God is good."

Athena narrowed her eyes at the man, making his grin falter, slowly dropping his hands to his side as he looked down.

"Lords." Leofric bowed his head, nodding at the Odda's. "It is good to see you both safe and well." Athena subtly rolled her eyes, sneakily nudging Uhtred's arm with a grin.

The older Odda nodded his head with a slight smile. "Leofric, you are home."

But his son had a different reaction, his eyes narrowed as he stared at the three. "Where in God's name have you been?"

"Hiding, Lord." Leofric slightly turned his head to Lord Odda. "And killing Danes."

"Hopefully not on my land" Odda responded, giving Leofric a pointed look. His father turned to Odda with a look of disbelief.

Uhtred then stood forwards, speaking up. "We have been sent by the king." He told them, watching as their eyes widened. "We bring orders form the king."

"What king is that?" Odda bitterly asked, making Athena raise her brow as she stared at the young Odda.

"King Alfred of course." Her tone matched his, but she held a calm expression on her face. "Who else, Lord?"

"Wessex, it seems, is full of kings." Odda simply said, shrugging his shoulders as he looked over at Athena. "There is Guthrum, who is king of East Anglia, who now sits in Winchester." He then looked over to Æthelwold. "There's Æthelwold, who'll tell anyone who cares to listen that he is king. But where will it end?"

"I have Alfred's written order." Uhtred calmly said, looking the young Odda up and down.

Odda shook his head. "It means nothing."

Athena raised her brow once more, staring at the man with a frown. Alfred was king. And Odda was nothing but a lord who thinks he has more power than Alfred.

"He is your king, and you are to raise the fyrd." Athena swiftly pulled out the letter, holding it out as she gave Odda a distasteful look.

"It is over for Alfred." Odda stepped forwards, as if he was going to challenge the blonde Dane. "Alfred gave up on Wessex. He decided to save himself." Athena watched him, her brow still raised as she held the letter out for him. "No man has been more loyal to Alfred than my father and I, but he has failed us!" He pointed towards himself and his father. "Danes surround us and he is hiding. Alfred is king of the eels, slippery and elusive."

Athena let out a chuckle, her face full of mockery as she stared at the Saxon man. "Pardon." She cleared her throat, placing the letter back in her waist belt. Odda looked surprised at her sudden laugh, narrowing his eyes. "And do you think you could do better? You are merely a boy." She pointed to him, her face still holding a grin. "You have sided with the Danes. And, my lord, if you were better than the King, you would know that the Dane's will turn their back on you at the last moment." She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest, watching as Odda's face faltered.

Uhtred looked down at his sister, admiring how she held herself. A small smirk was on his face as he looked over at Odda. "What as Skorpa promised you?" Uhtred gently moved his sister back as he came face to face with Odda. "Are you to be king, Odda?"

Odda quickly looked over to Leofric, who was watching them with a hesitant expression. "Leofric, are you still my man?"

"Am I right?"

"I asked you a question, Leofric." Odda repeated, ignoring Uhtred's words as he stared up at the Saxon warrior.

"I am still your man, lord." Leofric hesitantly nodded, making Odda move from Uhtred and to stand in front of Leofric.

"Then you will finish the business you have with these Danes and kill them."

Athena's eyes widened as she stood closer towards Uhtred, slightly standing in front of him as she stared at Leofric. Leofric didn't move, looking at the siblings. "You have my order, kill them!" Odda repeated, his gaze narrowed.

"Lord, I cannot do that." Leofric shook his head, glancing down at the Lord.

"We stand here as Alfred's messengers." Uhtred reminded him, making Odda swiftly move towards them.

Athena's hand that wasn't on Uhtred's arm, sneakily trailed to the dagger that was strapped to her waist. "I will not tell you again, Leofric!" Odda threatened.

"Should any man try to kill me, that man is a traitor to the king." Athena spoke loudly, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Odda.

"Leofric, you will kill him!" Odda continued to declare, demanding the warrior to move. But Leofric stayed standing. "Alfred is no longer my king!"

"What you are saying is treason." Athena calmly reminded, not backing down as he stood in front of her.

"Leofric!"

"I will not do it, Lord." Leofric insisted, his words sharp as he spoke.

"My son." Older Odda spoke, quietly moving toward Odda and turning him around.

"Father, you will not interfere." Odda turned to face his father, his gaze still narrowed.

Then, Odda swiftly stabbed his son with his blade, holding onto him. Athena's eyes widened as she and Uhtred stood back.

Athena's eyes followed the two as they moved to the floor. Her mouth was slightly agape from shock, her hand tightening around her brother's arm.

Gasps then echoed around the hall, making Athena lift her eyes up to see Alfred move to stand before Odda and his dead son. "Lord, forgive him." Odda's voice slightly broke as he looked down to his son. "Let him die a noble. Forgive him." He pleaded for his son. "I ask you this as your servant."

Alfred continued to stare down at the man, who kept his hand on his son. "Odda..." Alfred breathed out. Athena could not read the man's expression, something she could do easily. "You will do as I command. You will raise the Somerset fyrd."

Odda swallowed thickly, allowing the tears to fall freely. "Lord, forgive my son." He continued to beg for mercy. "Please!"

"I will not forgive what I have seen." After persisted, shaking his head as he stared down at the man. "You will raise the fyrd."

Odda nodded his head, sucking in a breath. "Yes, lord." He uttered, looking back down at his son.

Once it was sunrise, they left Odda's estate. But before they could even leave, Skorpa and his men rode toward them on their horses.

Athena stayed beside Uhtred, looking over at Skorpa with a glare. "Uhtred Ragnarson and Athena Ragnarsdóttir. Should i be pleased to see you?" He grinned at the siblings in front of him.

Athena merely squeezed her horses reigns, looking to the side as she looked over at Uhtred. "Skorpa of the White horse."

Skorpa continued to grin, looking behind the siblings, then looking back at them. "I am expected by the Lord Odda."

"You're free to see him, but he is in the ground." Athena simply said, mimicking his grin as she shrugged her shoulders. "Buried as a traitor."

Skorpa raised his brow, slowly nodding his head. "So, what now?" Skorpa asked, a sigh leaving his lips as he looked at the siblings. "Do I speak with both of you? Does the truce stand?"

"For today it stands." Uhtred simply said, a subtle smirk on his face as he stared at the Dane. "Tomorrow we'll kill you."

Skorpa almost laughed at his words. "You will kill me with what?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. "I have almost one thousand men to call upon."

"Your ships have been burned, Skorpa." Uhtred reminded, the subtle smirk still in his face. "By Alfred. He's gathering a great Saxon army."

Skorpa's eyes narrowed at that, his face twisting with anger. "I am aware my ships are gone. And u will have my revenge."

"You should return to Guthrum and prepare to die." Uhtred continued, staring at Skorpa.

Skorpa's eyes trailed from the siblings, to Iseult, who sat on her horse beside Melusine. "Did your queen tell you..." he looked back to the siblings. "That your sister is being humped in the arse each and every night by the one-eyed Sven?"

Athena's eyes narrowed, her knuckles turning pale as she gripped the reigns of her horse. "Did your mother tell you that she should've kept her legs closed?" Beocca was quick to say from behind the siblings. Athena would've laughed at his words, but she was too busy thinking about every way she could murder every Dane that did her family wrong, and Sven.

Skorpa's smirk dropped at that, turning his head to look at Father Beocca. "I will look for you first across the battlefield."

"Not if I take your eyes first." Athena hissed, her anger evident as she defended the priest. "And your tongue for speaking about my sister." The way she spoke held truth to that. "And for threatening the priest." She added, clinging onto the reigns of her horse, trying to stop herself from throwing her dagger right between Skorpa's eyes.

Athena missed the grateful expression Beocca sent her way, her eyes watching as Skorpa's men retreated. "He will go to Guthrum?" Alfred spoke first, everyone watching the Danes leave.

"I believe he will, Lord." Uhtred uttered, not taking his eyes off the fleeing Danes.

"Then the battle is one step nearer." Alfred slowly nodded his head, before turning to look at Beocca. "Beocca, you should wash out your mouth."

Athena slowly fared her gaze from the Danes, looking over her shoulder at Beocca. Beocca nodded his head. "Yes, Lord. I will, with ale." He told the king.

Athena sent him a grateful look as he looked back forwards, grateful for his words.

None of the men that Alfred called for had turned up. None. They had set up camp, waiting for these men.

Athena sat down on the ground, silently stabbing her dagger into the grass beneath her as Melusine braided her hair once more.

"A fine knife." Athena frowned, looking over at Leofric as he spoke. But his eyes were on Æthelwold. She slowly turned her head, carefully, as Melusine did her hair. Athena's eyes landed on Æthenwold, looking at the knife in his hands.

"A Dane's knife." Athena uttered, watching as Æthelwold looked at the knife.

Æthelwold looked between the two warriors. "This thing?" He asked, grin in his face as he sheathed the knife. "Yes, I took it from a Dane. A Dane I killed."

Athena laughed at that, brining her hand to her lips as she looked at Æthelwold. Clearly, Æthelwold wasn't happy by her laugh, looking over at her.

Athena gripped her own dagger, raising it as she pointed it at Æthelwold. "You? Kill a Dane?" She asked, raising a brow as Æthelwold nodded his head.

"Yes." Æthelwold nodded, offended by her tone. Athena's grin didn't falter, sheathing her dagger as she leaned back into Melusine.

"Where? Leofric asked the boy, intrigued by his lie.

"Winchester."

"This is before you grovelled on your arse to Guthrum?" Leofric asked, looking over at him with an entertained look.

"Before I presented myself to him, yes." Æthelwold corrected, sending Leofric a look. "I was not, however, treated in a kingly manner, and decided to escape."

A chuckle left Athena's lips once more, making Æthelwold turn to her once again. "Even the Danes know you are not worthy to become king." She grinned, watching as his face faulted once more.

"Athena, I do like you, but I rather tire of your preaching." Æthelwold sighed, making Athena raise her brow at his tone and words.

"And I am tired of you claiming you are king." Athena shrugged her shoulders, grin still on her face. "There's more of a chance of me becoming a nun, than you being the king." Athena then turned to Melusine. "No offence." She quickly said, a sigh of relief leaving her lips as Melusine smiled at her.

"That's something I'd like to see." Leofric nudged her leg, making Athena give him a glare, hitting his arm back. "Former Dane turned nun."

Melusine shook her head at the bickering, turning Athena's head straight as she continued to braid the Dane's silver locks. "Children." She uttered, making Athena grin to herself.

"Where's Alfred?" Æthelwold then asked, looking around with a frown.

"Watching." Beocca answered, rubbing his hands together. "Watching for his army." He added as Æthelwold nodded his head.

He then stood, looking down at them. "I think I shall go and sit with him a while." Æthelwold then said, walking away from them.

Athena carefully watched, her eyes slightly narrowed. "I don't trust him." Athena uttered, watching as he moved away. "He's a snake." She then turned to Leofric. "Would the king call it treason if i took Æthelwold's head?"

He didn't answer, only tapping the back of her head. Melusine was quick to waft his hand away as Athena let out a hiss. "Cruelty." Athena mumbled, casting her eyes down as Leofric chuckled.

Alfred's call had been answered. The Saxons came together on the battlefield standing their ground behind Alfred.

They'd cheered for Alfred, shouting 'no mercy' at the Dane's in front of them. Athena squeezed her sword, dragging her thumb over the stitch of an owl. Her other hand held her shield. She held her head high as she stood beside her brother.

The cheers finally silenced. Athena's knuckles turned white from how hard she was squeezing her sword.

Today she would fight for the Saxons, but she was still a Dane.

"No mercy." Beocca nodded his head at Uhtred, his words uttered as he stared at the boy he had looked after.

Athena looked up at Uhtred, scrunching her nose up as the sun hit her eyes. It was evident she was a Dane, her braids tangled together into one plait. The battle makeup she wore around her eyes.

The Dane nodded her head at Uhtred. They were read. Uhtred nodded his head back, smiling down at her before looking over to Leofric. "Form our lines." He told the man.

Leofric nodded his head as he turned to the warriors around them. "Form our lines!" He yelled, lifting up his own shield.

"Shields up!" Athena then called out, watching as the Saxons listened to her words, turning their shields to the sides in unison.

"Advance!" Uhtred yelled, marching forwards towards the Danes. Athena held up her own shield, hitting the inside of her cheek. Blood would be shed from both Danes and Saxons.

But Athena would make sure Uhtred would be alright, that Ragnar and Brida would be okay. She could not let anything happen to them. And she also wanted to make sure Leofric would survive. She had grown to like Leofric as a trusted friend.

But she held her head high as the Danes moved towards them, also. "Hold the line!" Uhtred shouted out once more. "We work as one! We do not break!"

Then, both sides came to a holt. "Wulfhere!" Leofric yelled from beside Athena, his eyes on the traitor Saxon in the crowd of Danes. "I will have your guts, you traitorous bastard!"

"This is our land!" Uhtred yelled, lifting up his own sword as the men soon followed, all shouting in unison.

The Danes did the same, lifting their swords in the air as they yelled. "Shield wall!" Athena yelled, watching as the men in front of her crouched down, creating the wall.

Then the second row lifted their shields on top of the others, creating a wall. Athena lifted her shield blocking herself and the people around her.

Then, the third set of shields were placed over them, protecting their heads. The Dane's did the same.

Athena watched through the gaps of the shields, watching the Dane's carefully. Uhtred turned his head to face Æthelwold. "First in line, as you wished." Uhtred mocked him, slightly.

"He is shitting himself." Athena uttered, watching as Æthelwold's body shook violently, his bottom lip trembling.

Then, the Danes yelled, signalling they were attacking. "Here they come!" Leofric yelled, watching as the Danes ran towards them.

Athena leaned her shoulder on her shields, ready to push against the Danes shields. She kept her feet stuck to the ground as the Danes shields connected with theirs.

"Keep the wall tight!" Athena yelled, gritting her teeth together as she pushed against the Dane's, fighting them off as she gripped her sword, stabbing it at the Dane's through the gaps of the shields.

"Have that, Wulfhere, you bastard!" Leofric yelled as his sword came in contact with the traitors chest.

They continued to attack the Danes, fighting against them. Athena roughly pulled her sword out of the Dane's neck, the side of her face splattered with blood.

She panted heavily, standing tall between Leofric and Uhtred. They all continued to stab at the Danes, not letting them break the wall.

Athena didn't realise she was stood between a gap of the shield, an easy target until she was pushed closer towards Uhtred.

Athena frowned as she turned her head, only for her eyes to grow wide as she watched an axe pull from Leofric's neck.

The man cried out in pain as he held his neck in pain, his blood oozing out. Athena's mouth was agape as she stared at him.

Leofric tried to stand, but his legs were slowly giving way. "Leofric!" Athena yelled, shaking her head as she kept her shoulder against her shield. "Stand!" Her eyes were still wide as she watched him fall.

Athena went to help him up, but Uhtred pulled her back up, shaking his head frantically. "We can't!" Uhtred yelled over the yells and screams. Athena closed her mouth, sucking in a breath as she went to say something, but nothing came out. "We can't!" He panted heavily, sadness evident on his face as he held his shield.

Athena clenched her jaw tight as she gripped her sword, frantically pushing it through the gap to connect with the Danes.

The Saxons then moved forwards at Uhtred's command, every step careful as they kept their shields together.

Athena's eyes saddened as she looked over her shoulder, watching as Leofric held his neck in pain. There was nothing they could do. But Athena promised herself she would avenge her fallen friend.

A yell left her lips as she turned back, pushing her shoulder against the shield, fighting off the Dane's.

Then, the Danes started to fall back, the weight on Athena's shield soon disappearing. "Hold!" Athena quickly yelled, looking over at the Saxon warriors. "We hold here! We go no further!"

The Saxons listened to her words, standing their ground as they held their sheilds and swords. "Edge backwards with me at my level!" Uhtred then told them. "And..."

The Saxons slowly moved backwards, careful of the bodies beneath them. They created a gap beteeen themselves and the Danes.

There was silence until there was yells that belonged to the Danes on horses. Skorpa.

"Uhtred Ragnarson!" His voice called for the man beside Athena. Athens looked out of the gap of the shield to see Skorpa on his horse. "Can you hear me?"

"I hear you, Skorpa!" Uhtred answered, leaning his head against his shield. "Do you wish to surrender?"

"I have a gift for you!" Skorpa then said. Athena could practically hear his smirk as he looked down at the shield wall. "Your queen!"

Athena's eyes widened once more as she looked at Skorpa. His arm was raised in the air, the head of Iseult in his hands.

Athena leaned closer towards her brother, her eyes narrowing into slits as she looked at the Dane. "No mercy!" He then yelled, making the Danes cheer in agreement. "I'll have your sister's head next!" He called before quickly turning around and joining the Danes.

Before Athena could even realise, Uhtred let out a cry, charging forwards and breaking the shield wall. "Uhtred!" Athena yelled, watching as he ran towards the Danes shield wall. She cursed loudly as she turned to the Saxons. "Keep the wall!" She yelled before quickly lifting her shield, moving past the Saxons and following Uhtred.

She grunted as she swiftly cloned the shield wall, looking down as Uhtred attacked the Danes. Athena carefully threw her shield at the man going to attack Uhtred from behind.

Athena quickly jumped down to Uhtred's side, her back against his as they fought against the Danes.

Athena gritted her teeth as she crouched down, dodging a blow from a Dane and bringing her sword against his legs. She then pushed him against the Dane's shield wall, making it collapse.

The siblings continued to fight off the Dane warriors, blood splattering all over them as they threw their arms around, slashing and stabbing.

She saw Skorpa ride towards them, making Athena pick up one of the shields, throwing it towards him.

Athena watched as Skorpa fell off his horse, quickly leaving Uhtred's side as she grabbed her daggers from her waistband, sheathing her sword.

Before Skorpa could attack, Athena kicked her foot against his chest, watching as his head hit the ground with a thud.

Athena gripped the daggers in both hands leaning down to quickly stab them through his eyes.

Skorpa let out a cry of pain as he tried to grab her hands, but it was no use as she brought her other leg to stand on his wrist. "That is for my family." She leaned down, his screams like song to her ears. She then pulled out her daggers, watching as he tried to fight against her.

But with one swift motion, she brought one of the daggers and slit his throat. "And that is for my brother and me." She hissed, pulling back as Skorpa grew stiff, his body not moving.

Athena panted heavily, gripping her daggers as her knuckles turned white. "And for Leofric." She uttered, sucking in a breath as she sheathed her daggers, pulling her sword back out in one swift motion.

"Athena!" She heard Uhtred call towards her. Athena instantly knew, hearing heavy footsteps behind her. She quickly ducked, feeling the Dane trip over her and land to the ground.

Athena stood back up, slitting the Dane's throat in one swift motion. She quickly turned, running towards Uhtred. "He is dead!" Athena told him over the yells, watching as her brother nodded his head.

The Saxon and Dane's continued to fight, Athena staying close to Uhtred as they fought together.

Athena looked around, her eyes landing on a Saxon pushing a Dane to the floor. Her eyes widened as she recognisers the shield.

It was Young Ragnar.

Athena didn't think twice before running toward them, pushing the Saxon away from Ragnar. Athena panted heavily as she looked down at Ragnar, who looked up at her with wide eyes.

Athena reached down, offering her hand for him to take. Ragnar quickly took his hand in hers, letting her help him up. "You and Brida need to run! I cannot let you both die!" Athena yelled off the yells, not realising that Uhtred was behind them, fighting the Danes off. "Please!" Athena continued, looking up at him with begging eyes.

Athena's eyes were shut as she crouched on the grass. Uhtred stood behind her, hand on her shoulder, tears evident in his own eyes.

Athena glanced up as she heard someone in the opposite side of her. She looked up to see Æthelwold crouch down and pick up a sword.

Leofric's sword.

Athena snatched it out of his hands, glaring up at him through her teary eyes. Æthenwold backed away, raising his hands up in defence.

She merely shook her head, looking down at the sword in her hands, then looking down to Leofric's body.

She sucked in a breath as she reached for his hand, placing his sword in his limp hands. She placed his hands on his chest, around his sword.

Athena hated Leofric when they first met. He was rude and bitter. She would've never thought she would see him as a trusted and loyal friend to herself and her brother.

"His grave is to be marked like that of an ealdorman." Uhtred spoke, looking down at Leofric as Athena kept her hand on his limo ones.

Æthelwold nodded his head. "I shall see to it." He uttered, looking down at Leofric.

Athena blocked out the rest of the conversation, not realising Beocca was behind her, speaking to Uhtred.

Athena had realised Leofric had pushed her out of the way of the axe. He had sacrificed himself. "I am sorry." She uttered, sniffling as she looked down at him with a sad smile. "May you rest with your god." She added, squeezing his hand as she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his forehead.

— madeleines notes.

SEASON ONE IS OVER OMDS.

Sorry, for the sadness...

I was talking about this to Jordan.

Leofric was Athena's first friend that wasn't her family. UGH.

I'm pretty sure she hates me rn. But I'll make up for it, I promise Pretty_Haerin I hope you'll forgive me.

But HUBBIES ARE COMING SOON AYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

ugh. I love Athena's loyalty to Uhtred. She'd do anything for him. And Ragnar and Brida. And Thyra.

She doesn't play when it comes to her loved ones and she always keeps her threats.

But I hope yall liked season one, but buckle up xx

Pls don't be a ghost reader, I love reading comments it makes my day better, so pls comment <3

2nd August 2024
4643 words