▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 ─── ❛ battle of tenttenhall

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

Athena crossed her arms over her chest, sitting on her horse as she watched Sihtric climb the wall of Saltwic.

It was early morning, and nobody was awake to open the gate for them, so, Uhtred told Sihtric to hop over the wall.

She rested a hand to her bandaged temple, biting her tongue at the headache she had. But, Athena's hand dropped from the side of her head as Sihtric opened the gates.

They all moved through the gates on their horses, immediately getting off as Young Uhtred raised his seax to the other doors, hitting it against the wood.

Athena held her horses reigns as she stood beside Finan, both wanting to see their daughter. "Stiorra!" Uhtred called out, hand on his hip as he stood beside Æthelflæd. "Open the doors!"

"Perhaps she is sleeping." Æthelflæd simply said, making Athena sigh as she handed Finan her horses reigns, moving to stand beside Young Untred.

"Cover your ears." Athena grinned at Young Untred, whom didn't question her weird request as he placed his hands to his ears. "Melusine!" She yelled, hitting her hand on the door. "Stiorra! Wake up! It's your aunt and your father!"

"Stay back and name yourselves!" They heard Stiorra's muffled voice from inside the home, multiple footsteps behind heard from the other side of door. "My father calls himself Uhtred of Bebbanburg. And my aunt is Athena Ragnarsdóttir, whom are you?"

Athena rolled her eyes at Stiorra's words, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked over at Uhtred. "No, Thyra!" Athena turned back to the door at Stiorra's voice. "Do not point that sword at Atlas!" Athena chuckled at that, shaking her head with an amused look.

Then, the door slowly opened as Stiorra peaked through the small gap, her eyes landing on Athena, whom grinned. "I've come to take you home." Uhtred grinned at the sight of his daughter.

Stiorra opened the door wide, smile on her face as she looked over her shoulder, nodding her head.

Athena's grinned widened as Thyra pushed past Atlas, immediately making her way towards Athena. "Mother!" Athena child's as she crouched down, wrapping her arms around her little daughter.

"My sweet girl." Athena rested her head on Thyra's shoulder, running her hand through her daughter's curls. "I hope you have been good for Mel and Stiorra."

Thyra simply grinned, pulling back from the hug and holding onto Athena's shoulders. "Of course I have." She sent a cheeky look to Stiorra, whom embraced Uhtred. Thyra then looked over Athena's shoulder, grin still on her face. "Father!"

Athena stood up as she watched Thyra move towards Finan, jumping into his arms with a giggle. Athena watched with a smile, turning her head as Atlas made his way towards Sihtric.

Swiftly, they all made their way into the home, watching as Stiorra moved the chairs she had used to create a barricade. "The battle was never close. We would not have left you in danger." Uhtred told his daughter.

"It was Melusine's idea." Stiorra simply said, pushing the chairs to one side to make a path for them. "There have been rumours of retreating fighters. We made a plan if we were attacked."

"Where's my daughter?" Æthelflæd asked from beside Athena, whom held onto Thyra's hand with a smile.

Stiorra grinned as she turned around. "Mel! Bring Ælfwynn! We are safe!" Stiorra called out to the older woman.

There were footsteps from the other side of the door, then they were opened by Melusine, whom had Ælfwynn at her side. "Mother!"

Athena smiled as she watched the mother and daughter embrace. She then looked up at Meluisne, her smile turning into a grin as she moved forwards, quickly pulling the woman into a hug.

"Oh, how I have missed you!" Athena sighed, practically shaking Meluisne with joy. Meluisne chuckled, pulling from the hug as she held onto Athena's arm.

"It was only a couple of days." Melusine tilted her head to the side. Her brows then pinched together as she looked at the bandage on Athena's forehead. "What did you do? Is this from battle."

Athena sighed as she wafted Melusine's hand away from her face. "No, Sihtric threw a dagger at my head." She jested, watching as Melusine's eyes widened. "I jest! Now, go find your husband." Athena patted Melusine on the back, grin on her face as Melusine walked past her, not before ruffling Thyra's hair.

"Æthelstan!" Stiorra then shouted, making Athena turn to her niece with pinched brows. "You can come out now."

"Whom?" Athena asked, turning to Æthelflæd with a frown.

Thyra simply grinned, pulling on Athena's arm. "He is mine, Atlas, and Ælfwynn's friend!" She grinned, making Athena slowly nod her head.

Athena watched as a brunette boy came out from the corner, staring at the group with wide eyes. "Who's the boy?" Uhtred asked.

"I am no one."

Athena shared a look with Uhtred, both sharing the same confused expression. Æthelflæd sighed as she stood up, a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I will explain later." She turned to the siblings with pursed lips.

"Father, when do we ride home for Coccham?" Stiorra asked Uhtred as they walked into the hall. "Tonight?" She hopefully said.

"No, but soon, once the peace is secure." Uhtred turned to his daughter, whom let out a groan at his words.

"Please!" Stiorra pleaded with her father, circling around the table to stand beside her father. Athena chuckled at Stiorra's antics, watching as Thyra and Ælfwynn walked into the hall hand in hand. "I'm too old to be stuck here with children! Mel is the only one whom can control the rascals!"

"Stiorra." Uhtred sent his daughter a firm look, making Stiorra let out a groan, lowering her head into the table. Athena chuckled as she ruffled her hair up, reaching over to grab a slice of bread.

"Lord Aldhelm approaches from the road." Everyone turned at Finan's voice, watching him walk into the hall. He turn turned to the side, his eyes landing on Æthelstan.

Æthelstan simply looked over at him, raising his sword over his shoulder. Finan's brows pinched together as he stared at the boy.

Athena and Thyra walked towards Finan, Athena turning her head into the direction he was looking. "Æthelstan, put down that sword!" Thyra sighed, hands on her hips. "I claimed that one."

Finan looked between his daughter and the boy, then looking towards Athena. "Who is the boy?" He asked, making Athena shrug her shoulders.

"Apparently no one." She simply said, not answering Finan's question as she pulled Thyra to her side.

They all walked outside, standing as Aldhelm rode in, quickly getting off of his horse. Athena placed her hands on Thyra's shoulders, the child standing in front of her. "Lady, Æthelred is injured." Aldhelm revealed, his eyes on Æthelflæd. "Some are saying fatally." Athena pursed her lips at that. "Theres a rumour he will not last the week."

"We must go to him." Æthelflæd immediately said, her eyes wide as she looked at Aldhelm.

"Tomorrow." Uhtred said from behind Athena. "These roads are too dangerous at night—"

"We must speak to him and the Ealdormen." Æthelflæd cut him off, turning to face him with an insisting look. "No plan has been made for the succession."

Aldhelm sighed at that, hands clasped in front of him. "Lady, the mood amongst the Ealdormen is ugly." He pursed his lips. "Those who survived the massacre blame Æthelred for deserting them and denounce your brother for not coming to their aid."

"Does this anger extend to Æthelflæd?" Uhtred questioned, raising his brow as he looked over at Aldhelm.

"I don't know." Was all Aldhelm said, making Athens quietly sigh, her hands still on her daughter's shoulders.

There was silence for a moment, but Æthelflæd then spoke up. "We ride at first light." She said, going to turn around.

"Stiorra, take the children and secure yourselves." Uhtred said, turning around also as he walked into the hall.

Athena sighed, squeezing Thyra's shoulders and looking down at her daughter with a smile. "Stay with your father and Osferth, the monk needs someone to look after his arm." She jested, making Thyra grin as she moved towards Osferth.

Uhtred, Aldhelm and Æthelflæd had left, the remaining staying behind and looking after the children.

Athena sat outside of the estate, watching as the four children played, running around in the fields.

She fidgeted with a stick of grass, watching with a smile on her face. She forgot how innocent children were sometimes.

Thyra and Ælfwynn ran around, running from Æthelstan, whom was Edward's first born bastard, and Atlas.

Their giggles and laughter mixed together as Thyra stopped in her tracks, turning around and swiftly tackling Æthelstan to the ground. "I won!" Thyra cheered, quickly standing up and throwing her hands up in victory.

"No fair!" Atlas complained, rolling his eyes as he looked towards the two giggling girls. "That was not the way you play!" He added, helping Æthelstan to his feet.

"Do not be a loser." Ælfwynn giggled, reaching out to hold Thyra's hand. "We won!" The pair fell into a laughter as the two boys rolled their eyes.

Athena quietly chuckled at the fours action, leaning back on her hands as the four children continued to play.

She turned her head when she heard footsteps behind her, looking up to see Stiorra. "Have they been this chaotic?" Athena asked with a grin, nodding towards the children.

Stiorra let out a huff, placing herself down beside Athena as she picked at the grass. "Worse." Stiorra grumbled. "I do not know why people decided to have children."

Athena softly smiled, shrugging her shoulders as she looked back over at the children. "It is not always that easy." Athena sighed, placing her hands on her lap. "Thyra was unexpected."

Stiorra sat up at her words, her brows picking together in confusion and wonder. "What do you mean?"

Athena pursed her lips, looking towards her daughter as she skipped around with Ælfwynn. "That is something I shall not discuss with you until you are older." Athena chuckled, tilting her head to the side.

But Stiorra groaned, rolling her eyes as she shook Athena's arm. "I am older!" Athena raised her brow at that. "I have heard worser things!"

"And you are my niece, Stiorra." Athena patted the young girls arm, a chuckle leaving her lips. "I will not tell you anything of that sort."

Stiorra let out another groan, falling back into the grass with a huff, her hands on her stomach. Athena smiled down at her niece, looking down at her. "I do not think I could deal with children." Stiorra uttered, shaking her head with a firm look. "Looking after four is enough, even with Melusine's help."

"Were they that bad?" Athena shook her head with an amused look, glancing over to the four children.

Stiorra tilted her head to the side, playing with a strand of grass. "Well, Thyra and Atlas were always bickering. Thyra tried to have a sword fight with him! She's only, what, seven?"

Athena rolled her eyes with a grin, looking towards her daughter. "That is how she had always been, playful and mischievous."

"And whom does she get that from?" Stiorra questioned, grin on her face as she stared up at Athena. "I know she gets her curiosity from you."

Athena nodded her head in agreement. "That she does." She hummed, smile on her face. "And perhaps her mischievous. But playful, she gets that from Finan."

"What a perfect mix." Stiorra jested, making Athena scoff, nudging the girls arm as a breathy laugh left her lips. "I jest! I jest!" She held up her hands in defence, making Athena roll her eyes. "It is a shame she did not get your hair." She then added.

Athena shrugged her shoulders, looking over at Thyra once more. "She is just a copy of her father. But, she has my curls."

And that is how they remained, the two women watching the children, talking about all sorts and catching up.

Running her hand through her daughter's hair, Athena held a smile on her lips as Thyra looked up at her from her cot.

But something had been eating away at her mind. The words Thyra had told her—how Beocca had fallen to an arrow.

"My sweet girl." Athena softly uttered, pausing her movement as her hand laid at the side of Thyra's head. "Do you remember what you told me before we left?"

Thyra's brows pinched together at first, but then she pursed her lips, looking down. "I don't know." She muttered, making Athena sigh. "I dreamed. It was like a warning."

"That someone would die." Athena sucked in a breath, slowly nodding her head. "And someone did, my sweet."

Thyra slowly sat up, tilting her head to the side with a confused look. "Mother, whom?"

Athena moved to hold onto her daughter's hands, giving them a squeeze. "Father Beocca." Thyra's face completely dropped. "He died saving Young Uhtred. He fell to an arrow in the chest—like you said."

Thyra slowly shook her head, her lips parting. "Was it my fault?" Her voice broke, tears gathering in her eyes.

Athena immediately shook her own head, squeezing her daughter's hands. "No. No, it was not." She insisted, looking down at her daughter. "You have to listen, and carefully, my sweet girl."

She reached up, wiping the tears from her daughter's cheeks. Thyra nodded her head, breathing in. "The Gods have given you the gift of sight." Athena started, not knowing how to word it to her young daughter. "To see what the future holds."

Thyra frowned, utterly confused. "What does that mean?" She tilted her head to the side.

Continuing to stroke her cheeks, Athena let out a sigh, dropping one hand to the runes around Thyra's neck. "You are what us Danes call a seer—a witch."

Thyra looked down at the runes in her mother's hands with pinched brows. "How?" She mumbled in confusion. "Why me?"

Athena bit her inner cheek, contemplating if she should tell her daughter the reason. She did not want to burden her daughter with such things.

"I do not know." Athena shrugged her shoulders, reaching up to cup Thyra's cheek once more. "But your blood mixed with the runes, it gives you the sight."

Thyra slowly nodded her head, trying to piece all the pieces together with a frown. Another sigh left Athena's lips as she pulled Thyra into a hug, pressing a kiss to her head.

Athena laid back on one of the seats, her head resting on the edge as she watched Finan and Sihtric play a game.

Thyra sat beside Osferth as he read to the child, reading a book he had found out of boredom. And Melusine was outside with Atlas, Æthelstan and Ælfwynn whilst Stiorra was upstairs with Young Uhtred.

Athena watched as Sihtric placed a peanut into one cup, leaning back in his seat. Finan grinned as he flipped the cup over, then flipping the other two beside it.

He then moved the cups around, switching their places before leaning back with a grin. Athena rolled her eyes as she returned her gaze to her hands, playing with her owl ring.

Athena knew this game like the back of her hand, she was the one whom had introduced the game to Finan years ago.

She knew how the game worked, how he had quickly placed the peanut in his hand. But Sihtric being Sihtric, he did not realise.

Sihtric pointed to one of the cups, making Finan lift it up. Nothing was underneath of it. Sihtric then sat up, pointing to the other cup.

Finan chuckled as he flipped it, and once again, nothing was inside it. Sihtric's bries furrowed as he reached out for the cup, flipping it around and seeing the peanut was nowhere to be found.

Athena quietly chuckled, shaking her head as she wasted Sihtric go through five different stages of confusion.

Sihtric turned to Finan, watching as he opened his mouth, revealing the peanut. Finan chuckled as he ate the peanut, leaning back in his seat. "How?" Sihtric frowned, looking between the cups and Finan.

"Magic." Athena sarcastically gasped, sitting up as she reached for her cup of ale. "When he flipped the cup, he put the peanut in his hand."

Finan groaned as he leaned forwards, looking towards his grinning wife. "You did not have to spoil the game!" He complained, flipping the cups back.

Athena scoffed, grin on her face as she leaned back. "I showed you the game!" She pointed towards him, shaking her head.

"Men are riding this way." The three turned to see Stiorra walk towards them.

"Which men?" Finan immediately asked, facing the girl. Thyra moved from Osferth's side to stand beside Ælfwynn, holding onto her hand.

Stiorra shrugged her shoulders, Æthelstan and Ælfwynn at her side. "I don't know, but they're coming." Athena's brows pinched together as she immediately stood up, grabbing her sword. "Wait!" The three looked over to Stiorra, whom was grinning. "We have a plan." She said, looking at the three children at her side.

And they did.

Athena was not best happy that she had to hide inside of a box, having furs and items covering her. But it was rather her or Osferth.

Everyone else found their hiding spots as Melusine took the rest of the children outside, hiding.

Stiorra went to greet the men, acting all innocent as she let them in. Athena held her breath as she heard footsteps, clinging onto her sword.

The young girl moved to sit on the box Athena was in, an innocent smile on her face as the men looked around for Ælfwynn.

"Off." Athena heard a man say. Stiorra complied as she got off the box Athena was hid in. When the box opened, Athena held her breath once more, squeezing her eyes shut.

But the man did not see her, only looking down at furs that were stacked on top of her. The man grumbled as he closed the box, turning to Stiorra. "I told you, she's not here." Stiorra simply said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Let's go!" The man ordered his men.

The men soon left, riding away from the estate. Then, heavy footsteps were heard. "Stiorra!" The voice belonged to Uhtred. "It is your father!"

Athena grunted as she pushed the box open, throwing the furs to the ground as she stood, looking over to Uhtred. "Never again." She shook her head.

The three jumped when Sihtric jumped down from the second floor, grin on his face. "I told you!" Stiorra chuckled, turning to her father. "We prepared ourselves for an invasion."

"Lord!" Finan grinned as he moved from his hiding spot, helping Athena out of the cramped box. "Hey, little trickster you got here." He grinned at Stiorra, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Where is Ælfwynn?" Untred asked, looking around at the lack of children.

Athena sighed as she moved past Untred, walking outside as the rest followed her. She moved towards the gates, whistling.

Then, Melusine and Osferth stood first, helping the children up and out of the bushes. Athena grinned as Thyra jogged towards her and Finan.

— madeleines notes.

Oh we love season four for the adorable scenes with the children. Everyone turning into mother bears.

BUT FINALLY A CHAPTER HEHEHE.

I have so many other tlk fics planned guys, you're gonna love them 🥰

Ones a Finan fic  ( yes again )

And the others a Sihtric fic. But I need to finish this fic before I focus on any of them. But we are close to finishing this book CRIES

I'll cry when I finish it

9th October 2024
3327 words