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

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

Athena's mind was running with many thoughts, making her restless. She laid awake, unable to find sleep as she laid the side of her face on Finan's chest, idly drawing patterns on his chest with her fingers.

All she could think about was how Uhtred was now the Lord of Mercia. Athena knew Uhtred only accepted to make sure Æthelflæd and Ælfwynn would be safe, which Athena could not fault him for.

But Uhtred was more than Mercia.

Finan's hand traced up and down her arm, feeling goosebumps as he did so as Athena continued to draw patterns on his chest. His brown eyes were closed, but he was not asleep. He could tell she was wide awake, too.
"Can't sleep?" He asked quietly, breaking the silence and opening one eye to look down at her.

Athena shook her head against his chest, pursing her lips. "No." She uttered, continuing to trace patterns onto his chest.

Finan sighed deeply, his chest moving beneath her as he did so. He continued to run his hand up and down her arm and gently squeezed her bicep. "You're quiet tonight. Somethin' on your mind?" He murmured, keeping his voice quiet.

"You could say that." Athena hummed, slowly nodding her head as she lifted her head, glancing up at him as she rested her chin against his chest.

Finan moved his hand up to Athena's jaw, his hand resting against her cheek as he tilted her head up to look up at him. "Talk to me," Finan said gently, his eyes searching for something in hers—any indicator to the thoughts that were running through her mind.

"It is complicated." Athena sighed heavily, moving to rest her arms on his chest, her chin on her arms. "Do not worry." She sent him a reassuring smile as she stared up at him.

Finan raised an eyebrow at Athena's reassurance, his thumb gently tracing along her cheek. "We've been married how long? And you still don't think I won't worry when you're troubled?" He lightly teased, making Athena roll her eyes. Then, Finan's expression softened. "If ya worried, it's something I worry about as well. You can talk to me."

Athena tilted her head to the side with a soft smile, slowly nodding her head. "I know." She breathed out, her brows furrowed. "I just worry for Uhtred."

He frowned a little, his hand finding hers as he intertwined their fingers. His dark eyes continued to search hers, his thumb brushing over her hand.

Finan had known her for many years, now. He could read Athena like an open book, and he knew exactly why she was worried for Uhtred. "About him becoming the Lord of Mercia?"

Athena nodded her head once more, her lips pursed as she looked down at their hands, stroking her thumb against the back of his hand. "Yes."

Finan frowned a little, his expression shifting to concern. He brought the back of her hand to his lips before rubbing it against his bearded cheek. "You don't think he should've accepted?" He asked, his voice quiet.

Athena shrugged her shoulders with pinched brows, making Finan gently let go of her hand, raising his finger to the creases on her forehead. "I do not know. Mercia needs to be stable, and if Uhtred is what can bring Mercia together, then it is a good thing." Athena said, glancing back up she him once more as she leaned her chin on her arms.

Finan nodded as he listened, his hand running up and down her arm. He moved hush other hand back to hold onto hers, squeezing it. "But..?" He asked softly, sensing there was more to her words.

Athena softly rolled her eyes with a small smile, slowly nodding her head. "But, I think of Æthelflæd." She added with pursed lips. "Mercia is her home." She said, biting her inner cheek.

Of course, Finan thought with a faint smile. He knew her thoughts already, but he needed her to express them.

He sighed softly, nodding his head as his face showed understanding. "You know Uhtred will not forget Æthelflæd," He reassured, squeezing her arm.

"I know. He did it for Æthelflæd." Athena nodded her head with a gentle look. "And I cannot fault my brother for that." She shook her head, resting the side of her face against his chest once more, looping her arm around his waist.

His hand found the back of her head, his fingers weaving through her hair. His lips then pressed against the top of her head in a silent gesture of comfort, his hand tracing shapes along her back.

After some moments, Finan spoke again. "Still, you worry?" He murmured softly, his voice almost a whisper.

"I always worry." she Athena, a slight smile on her lips as she leaned into him, idly tracing patterns across his chest.

"Too much," Finan whispered teasingly, his hand continuing to stroke her hair as his hand slowly traced down her back.

His heart swelled as he lay beside her. The soft light of the moon illuminated half of her face, making her look even more beautiful than usual.

Finan was sure Athena worried too much. She always cared too much for others. But he knew how big her heart was, and it was another reason he fell for her.

Uhtred was to be Baptised...again. For the third time. Just to prove to the Ealdormen, which Athena thought was a joke.

But, she held her tongue, knowing Uhtred would not listen to her. Athena had spent her morning with Æthelflæd and Ælfwynn, whom had survived the sickness.

Eadith and Melusine had spent their time looking after the other children, keeping them away from politics, which Athena was grateful for.

But, it was evident that the celebration of Uhtred's new lordship was not over. A quiet sigh left Athena's lips as Finan guided her into the alehouse, hand on her lower back.

"I don't think I can stomach another drop of ale, Finan." Osferth slurred, Athena's hand on his bicep to hold him up straight.

But, Osferth walked too quickly, tripping over his own feet as Athena quickly caught him. "I think you might be right, baby monk." Athena chuckled, slowly nodding her head.

"Everyone knows you cure like with like!" Finan simply said, grin painted on his face as himself, Athena, Sihtric, Osferth and Stiorra walked towards the front of the alehouse. "So, only more ale will make you feel better." Finan continued, patting Osferth's back.

"Makes perfect sense." Sihtric added, grin on his face as Athena rolled her eyes, helping Osferth lean against the wall.

"Let me introduce to you the new Lord of Mercia's most trusted advisors." Finan leaned forwards to speak to the barmaid, pointing to the group. "And the sister of the Lord of Mercia." He added, wrapping his arm around Athena's shoulder.

"Hm, they do not like Lord's advisors to me." Athena laughed at the barmaids words, covering her mouth with her hand as she looked at the woman with amusement.

Finan rolled his eyes at his wife's amusement, turning back to the barmaid. "How many advisors have you met?"

The woman shrugged her shoulders, slowly shaking her head. "None, I suppose."

"Well, this is what they look like." He gestured to himself, Osferth and Sihtric, grin on his face. "Now, fill our cups with ale, and we'll tell ya what great plans we have for Mercia."

"Please." Athena added, sending Finan a firm look and the barmaid a smile. The woman smiled back, grabbing a cup and filling it up with ale and passing it to Athena. "Thank you."

The barmaid went to pour another cup, handing one to Finan. She then went to hand one to Stiorra, whom was about to happily accept it before Finan stopped her. "Not hers." The woman simply passed the cup to Sihtric. "She will have milk."

Stiorra scoffed at that, her eyes wide as she turned to Finan. "What?" She then turned to Athena with pleading eyes.

"I'm not incurring the wrath of the Lord and protector of Mercia on his first day—" Finan's words were cut short as Athena happily passed Stiorra her cup of ale.

Stiorra grinned like a child, taking the cup out of Athena's hand and downing the whole cup. Athena watched her niece with an amused look, turning to Finan, whom stared at them with a dumbfounded look. "What?" Athena shrugged her shoulders with a smile. "I can handle the Lord of Mercia's wrath." She jested, accepting the cup the barmaid offered her once more. "I would like to remain Stiorra's favourite person."

Stiorra let out a heavy sigh as she placed the now empty cup down, wiping her mouth with her arm.

The other three men stared at Stiorra with a raised brow, before falling into a fit of laughter. Stiorra proudly grinned, looking around as Athena looped her arm around Stiorra's shoulder. "You learn from the best, yes?" Athena jested, clinking her cup of ale with Stiorra's.

Athena had ditched her drunken friends, telling Finan to make sure Stiorra does not get too drunk.

Athena wanted to offer comfort to Æthelflæd as Uhtred took the Mercian throne. Herself, Æthelflæd and Ælswith all looked down at the Ealdormen and the others in the Mercia hall.

Athena leaned on the banister, standing close to Æthelflæd as she watched Uhtred walk in. Pursing her lips, Athena casted a glance towards Æthelflæd, reaching out to hold onto the woman's arm with a soft and comforting smile.

Æthelflæd glanced down at Athena's hand on her arm, then looking up to meet her gaze. The woman softly smiled, a smile that did not reach her eyes. But, she was grateful for Athena's presence and comfort.

"Lord God in heaven, grant this Witan the benefit of your divine wisdom as you guide us today." Father Pyrlig spoke, holding his arms in the air as he looked up. "Amen."

"Amen."

One of the Ealdormen, Ludeca, stepped forwards, swapping places with Father Pyrlig. "No one here would deny that Mercia is one of the ancient Saxon Kingdoms." He started, looking around the hall. "But a Kingdom without a ruler is a ship without a steersman. It drifts with no purpose and breaks on the rocks."

"Aye." The Ealdormen all uttered at his words.

Athena continued to look down at the men in the hall, her eyes remaining on Uhtred, whom had his head bowed. "It is, and had ever been, the right of the Wotan to decide Mercia's ruler. As Æthelred had departed this world, we must choose."

The men in the room all hummed in agreement at that.

"Lord Uhtred had been proposed as Lord and Protector of Mercia." Ludeca continued to speak, pointing towards Uhtred. "Mercia had lost many sons repelling to the Danes. Our army is weakened, our villages wracked with sickness. We've never been more vulnerable." Ludeca slowly nodded his head as he spoke. "To defend our kingdom, we must choose a ruler who will stand shoulder to shoulder with our neighbours in Wessex."

"I can assure you, Wessex has no desire to influence this Witan." Edward quickly spoke up, his gaze firm as he looked around the hall. And Athena couldn't help but role her eyes at that, pursing her lips as she looked down at Edward. "Our only wish is that the new Lord maintains the strong bond between our two kingdoms."

Everyone murmured in approval at Edward's words. "Lord Ingres had not only served Wessex, he has also fought valiantly at Tettenhall to defend Mercia." Ludeca continued to speak for Uhtred. "And let us not forget, he only holds the throne until a younger Ealdorman comes of age." He quickly reminded the Ealdorman. "And Lady Ælfwynn is old enough to marry." Athena squeezed Æthelflæd's arm once more at that. "Does the Witan object?"

Nobody spoke a word against Uhtred, everyone staying silent in the hall. Ludeca nodded his head at that as he moved towards the throne, as did another man, and pulled the cloth off of the throne. "Then step forward, Lord Uhtred."

Athena bit her inner cheek as she watched her brother walk towards the throne, not before casting a glance up at Æthelflæd.

"Uhtred, Lord and Protector of Mercia, you may take your throne." Ludeca said, moving to face Uhtred, whom stood at the throne.

The Witan stared to hit their fist against their chest as Uhtred took his place on the throne. Athena slightly lifted her head as she eyed the men in the hall. "Trust your brother's instincts." Lady Ælswith uttered to her daughter.

"I invite the Ealdormen to step forward and take their oaths to Lord Uhtred." Ludeca looked around at the men with a firm nod.

But, surprising everyone in the hall, Untred spoke up as he breathed out. "I would like to address the Witan." Untred spoke, making Athena perk up with pinched brows.

"Thena, what is he doing?" Lady Ælswith turned to the Dane, a frown decorated on her own face.

Athena simply shrugged her shoulders with a confused expression, looking between the two women. "I do not know, Lady." She admitted, shaking her head as Ælswith nodded hers.

The Witan began to murmur at that, standing as Uhtred stood up, cleaning his throat. "As you know, I have fought side by side with the men of Mercia." He spoke towards the men in the hall. "That you accept me as your lord, it is an honour that I will never forget. And that's what makes what I have to say even more difficult." Athena's brows pinched together as she stared down at her brother. "However, there is someone better suited to rule Mercia than I."

Athena tilted her head to the side as she raised her brow, turning to Æthelflæd. "Someone who cares for Mercia more than themselves, someone who can be an equal ruler alongside our Lord King Edward." Uhtred continued as Athena confinement squeeze Æthelflæd's arm with hope. "And so, as my first act as Lord of Mercia, I feel I have no choice but to relinquish the throne...in favour of Lady Æthelflæd, who's led you to victory when Æthelred abandoned you."

Athena's eyes widened at that, a sigh leaving her lips as she turned to Æthelflæd with a smile. "Who's always put the welfare of Mercia first." Uhtred continued, pointing up to Æthelflæd.

"A woman cannot sit on the Mercian throne!"

"She is the ruler Mercia requires!"

"That is enough!"

Athena felt Æthelflæd's arm drop from her grip, the woman quickly moving away. Athena's relieved smile did not leave her lips as she watched Æthelflæd walk down the steps.

The blonde turned to Lady Ælswith, whom held a look of disbelief on her face. Athena's smile did not falter as she patted Ælswith's arm before following Æthelflæd.

"Silence!" Someone shouted.

"Lady Æthelflæd cannot rule Mercia." Edward firmly stated as Æthelflæd and Athena walked towards the crowd.

"With respect, Lord King, you know that only the Witan can decide who rules Mercia." Aldhelm inputted, leaning off of the wall and looking towards Edward.

Edward swiftly turned to Aldhelm with a raised brow, hands clasped in front of him. "That is exactly what concerns me about a woman holding the throne."

Athena bit back a comment as she stood behind Æthelflæd, a faint hand against the woman's back as she glared at Edward.

"Because were she to marry, her husband could become the new Lord of Mercia, bypassing this Witan!" Edward continued to speak against his sister with a firm tone.

"If I may speak, I am devoted to Mercia!" Æthelflæd interrupted the murmurs of the men in the hall. She held her head high, hands clasped in front of her. "I would never be swayed to act against its interest." She continued, walking forward as she looked towards her brother.

Athena grinned proudly, moving to stand beside Father Pyrlig, arms crossed over her chest as she kept her gaze on Æthelflæd. "That may be true, but King Edward is correct." An Ealdorman spoke up. "It had always been the preference of the Witan that a woman should not take the throne."

"It's only a preference, not the law." Ludeca looked over his shoulder at the man with a raised brow. "King Offa's widow ruled Mercia for many heard and did it well."

Athena watched as a few men nodded their heads in agreement. "If you allow Lady Æthelflæd to take the throne, you are exposing Mercia to great risk!" Edward argued against the idea.

Athena rolled her eyes as she shook her head, biting her inner cheek at Edward's words. "Lord King, if I may speak freely." Athena cleared her throat, looking at Edward with a sarcastic smile. "It was you that claimed Wessex has no desire to sway this Witan, yes?" She raised her brow, watching as Edward turned to her. "It is their choice to choose Æthelflæd to rule their country—rule the people of Mercia."

The men in the room all agreed to that, making Edward narrow his eyes at Athena, whom simply grinned.

Æthelflæd looked over her shoulder at Athena with a grateful smile, nodding her head in gratitude before turning back to the Witan. "Perhaps I have a solution." She then said, holding her head high. "If it provides the Witan with the reassurance it requires, I will swear an oath that as long as I am Lady of Mercia, I will remain chaste." Athena's eyes widened at that, pursing her lips at Æthelflæd's words. "This is not something that I do lightly, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to make for Mercia."

"No." Edward spoke up again, his eyes narrowed at his sister. "This is not acceptable!"

"Does a woman on a throne scare you, Lord King?" Athena shrugged her shoulders, tilting her head to the side with pursed lips as she stared at Edward. "Because I will assure you, that the Lady Æthelflæd would do a better job at leading Mercia than Lord Uhtred." She pointed towards her brother with a smile.

Uhtred nodded his head, mimicking his sisters smile as he looked around at the Witan. "I propose the Lady Æthelflæd as ruler of Mercia."

"Who supports Lord Uhtred?" Aldhelm spoke up, looking around the hall before looking at Lady Ælswith.

"Aye!"

The Witan started to hit their chests with their fists once more, all nodding their head. Athena grinned proudly, looking over at Æthelflæd.

Æthelflæd looked towards Athena once more, her lips parted as she heard the agreements from the Witan. Athena simply nodded her head with a soft smile, happy for her closest friend.

Edward, whom was clearly not happy with this news, walked out without looking back. "Say it, Lady Æthelflæd, so that we may witness your oath." An Ealdorman spoke.

"I swear that as long as I hold the Mercian throne, I will remain chaste." She swore, slowly nodding her head.

"Is the Witan agreed?"

"Agreed!"

"Then, Lady Æthelflæd, you may take the throne."

Athena proudly watched as Uhtred moved away from the throne, taking his place beside Athena as Æthelflæd moved towards the throne.

"I am proud, brother." Athena uttered, keeping her eyes on Æthelflæd as she sat on the throne.

Uhtred rolled his eyes at her words, his eyes also on Æthelflæd as he nodded his head. "You were right, sister."

"I always am." Athena grinned, turning her chin to the side as she looked up at Uhtred. "But, you will have some miserable 'Lord advisors.'" She jested as Uhtred sighed.

Whilst the Witan made their oaths to Lady Æthelflæd, Uhtred and Athena watched. "Your reign was brief, Lord Uhtred." Athena turned at Aldhelm's voice, a faint smile on her face as she nodded in agreement. "But in that time, you've served Mercia well."

"That he has, with some sister guidance." Athena uttered with a grin, looking towards Aldhelm as he smiled at her words.

Uhtred simply nudged her arm with his elbow, but nodded his head in agreement. The three all looked over their shoulders as they heard footsteps behind them, watching as Finan, Sihtric and Osferth walked into the hall.

Athena, Aldhelm and Uhtred moved away from Aldhelm and towards the three men with raised brows.

Finan pursed his lips as he looked towards Æthelflæd, then Uhtred. "King Edward's guards have taken control of Ægelesburg." Finan informed them, making Athena's eyes widen.

"That bastard." Athena uttered, shaking her head as she looked towards Æthelflæd. "Inform Æthelflæd and the Witan." She told Uhtred and Aldhelm. "Come." She told the other three men, hand on the hilt of her sword as she walked towards the doors.

The three men didn't question her words, following her outside as she opened the doors. Her brows pinched together, her lips pursing as she watched Edward's guards all standing in front of the gates.

"I take it Edward was not happy about the new ruler of Mercia." Finan muttered, standing behind Athena as she eyed the guards.

"That he did not." Athena hummed, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword as she looked over her shoulder at Finan. "He was not happy." She tsked, shaking her head.

Not long after, Uhtred and Æthelflæd and everyone in the hall walked out of the hall. "Pyrlig, what is this?" Uhtred questioned as Father Pyrlig walked towards them.

"This is what happens when King Edward feels like he's been insulted." Father Pyrlig sighed, his lips pursed as he looked at the guards.

Athena scoffed at that, shaking her head as her lips parted. "Like a child throwing a strop after not getting what they want." She jested, looking at the guards. "This is Mercia, he has no right."

"I suspect he believes his army gives him the right." Father Pyrlig shrugged his shoulders as he looked towards the guards.

"Let us not forget that Mercia and Wessex are allies." Lady Æthelflæd inputted as they all turned to her. "I would like to speak to my brother."

"The King is at prayer and says he does not wish to be disturbed." Father Pyrlig sent an apologetic look towards the new Lady of Mercia.

Æthelflæd simply pursed her lips. "Please tell him I wish to see him." She told Father Pyrlig, slowly nodding her head.

"I will relay your message." Father Pyrlig nodded his head, sparing a a slight smile as he moved to walk away from them.

— madeleines notes.

YEAH LADY OF MERCIA BADDIES!!!!

WEVE BEEN WAITING!!

But today is the day I face the TICKETMASTER BATTLE! I need this Tyler the creator tickets I swear to GOD!!

So everyone pray for me pls. Have to wake up at nine to call my friend so we can both get tickets. NINE AM CRIES.

But everyone wish me luck pls.

I hope you're all having a good day or night! Love you all mwah mwah !

30th October 2924
3855 words