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

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

The group had started their travel back to Cuccham, along with Eadith, Lady Ælswith, Father Pyrlig and Æthelstan.

But, they had decided to stop in the woods and make a camp. But everyone was running around to make sure that the Lady Ælswith would be comfortable.

Stiorra, Melusine and Eadith had taken Thyra to collect some wood for the fire, whilst everyone else remained at the camp, preparing.

Athena was sat on the ground, teaching Atlas and Æthelstan how to tie a knot, whilst everyone else was behind her preparing the camp.

"Hold your rope like this, yes?" Athena held her own rope in front of her and the two younger children, whom looked at her with wonder. "Then you make a hoop."

Both boys copied action with concentration, both successfully making a loop. "Like this, aunt Thens?" Atlas held up his rope with a child-like grin.

Athena nodded her head with a soft smile. "Yes, you both did it correct." She told the two boys, whom shared a grin. "Then cross the hoop underneath."

Once again, they copied her actions with precision, watching her carefully and her actions. Athena continued to show them step-by-step until both boys successfully made a knot.

"We did it!" Æthelstan grinned in victory, showing off his knot as he turned to Atlas. "That is amazing!"

Athena chuckled at their innocent reactions, nodding her head as she placed down her knot. "Now, you both can tie knots." She hummed, looking over her shoulder as she heard footsteps.

The smile returned to her face was she watched Lady Ælswith walk towards them with a gentle look. "Why don't you show your grandmother your excellent work, Æthelstan?" Athena chuckled, leaning forwards to ruffle the boys hair up.

Æthelstan nodded his head as he scurried to his feet, moving over to Lady Ælswith with a proud look.

Ælswith sent Athena a thankful look, before turning her full attention to Æthelstan. Athena then turned back to Atlas, whom admired his knot. "Why don't you go show your father and Finan your knot, Atlas?"

Atlas nodded his head with a grin, moving to his feet as he hurried towards Sihtric. Athena quietly chuckled to herself, shaking her head with a soft smile.

Athena turned her head once more, her smile widening as she watched Thyra struggle to carry a handful of sticks and logs. "Has aunt Mel given you the most work, me sweet girl?" Athena jested, looking over at the four with an amused look.

"She is stubborn." Melusine sighed, dropping her bunch of logs to the floor, as did the rest of them. "Like her mother." She added, holding her arms out for Atlas as he rushed over to her.

Athena rolled her eyes with a grin, holding her arms out for Thyra as her daughter moved to embrace her. "That will not be enough." They all turned at Lady Ælswith's voice. "I feel the cold." She clasped her hands in front of her as she looked towards the olde woman. "Please go cut some more."

Athena raised her brow at that, an amused expression on her lips as she held her daughter, looking over at Eadith and Melusine.

"Of course, Lady." Eadith cleared her throat, slowly nodding her head as she shared a look with Melusine.

Athena was about to speak from her place ok the floor, but didn't get the opportunity as a furs was thrown over her head.

Thyra let out a squeal as Athena pushed the furs off of her head, looking up at a grinning Finan. "You b-"

Athena's words were cut short once more as Finan leaned down to her level, resting his chin on her head as he clasped his hand over her mouth. "That's Lady Ælswith's way of showing she likes you." Finan jested, looking over at Eadith as she and Melusine walked back into the woods, Atlas at their sides.

Athena rolled her eyes as she held onto Thyra, whom sat in front of her, then looking up at Finan with a raised brow. Then, Athena mischievously grinned as she suddenly bit down on Finan's hand that was clasped her over mouth.

A hiss left Finan's lip as he pulled it away, wafting it around as Athena grinned. "Ya ba-"

"Okay!" Stiorra clapped her hands together, shooting both Finan and Athena a look as she then turned to Thyra. "Thyra, let us go to your Uncle Uhtred, yes?" She asked, holding out her hand.

Thyra nodded her head with a giggle, moving out of Athena's grasp and towards Stiorra. The pair skipped away from the pair as Athena rose to her feet, picking up the furs as well.

"Does it hurt?" Athena asked, raising her brow as she used her free hand to hold onto Finan's hand, letting Osferth take the furs from her other hand.

Finan nodded his head as he looked down at her with a tilted head. "Aye." Athena posed her lips at that, looking down at his hand that she had bit. "You have teeth, woman."

Rolling her eyes, Athena shook her head with an amused look. "That is what you get for surprising a Lady."

"Oh, you are a lady now?" Finan raised his brow with an amused look, making Athena waft his hand away.

"Oh, hush—"

Athena paused as she heard something in the distance, turning around with furrowed brows, Finan's frown mimicked hers as he stepped closer to her, his hand ghosting over her back. "What is it?"

Athena held her finger to her lips, silencing him to be quiet as she looked ahead, hearing twigs and leaves snap.

Carefully, she reached for her new sword, looking to the rest of the group and gesturing them to rise to their feet.

Everyone followed her instructions, Sihtric, Father Pyrlig and Osferth rising to their feet as they looked around.

Athena pursed her lips as she gripped her sword, watching as figures moved through the trees. "Danes." She uttered, looking over to Uhtred. "Brother!" She called out to him, her tone warning.

"This is not good." Osferth uttered, holding onto his cross in his other hand as the Danes made their way to surround them.

Whilst across from them, Uhtred, Thyra, Stiorra, Ælswith and Æthelstan were also crowded by Danes.

Ælswith and Stiorra hid the two children between them, their backs to them as Æthelstan and Thyra held onto each other whilst Uhtred stood in front of the four.

"What do they want?" Lady Ælswith asked Uhtred in a worried tone, clinging onto Æthelstan.

"We will see." Uhtred pursed his lips, looking at the Danes around them. Stiorra's hands tightened on Thyra's arm, keeping her gaze on the young girl. "Stay calm."

Athena narrowed her eyes at the Dane's surrounding her group, her sword raised as she stood between Finan and Osferth. "Looks like an ambush." Osferth uttered.

"Most definitely is an ambush." Father Pyrlig shook his head with a firm look, his eyes remaining on the Danes around them. 

"Do not give them an advantage." Athena muttered, clenching her jaw as she looked at the Danes. But, her attention chuckle changed as she tried to look out for her daughter, but the Danes were in the way of her view,

"Uhtred, what a surprise!" Athena cursed at the voice of Hæsten, her grip tightening on her sword. "And where is your lovely sister? Is she here?"

Athena bit her tongue as she looked around at the Danes around her, it was evident none of them knew whom she was, to which she was grateful for in this moment. "I bet she is no doubt plotting something." Hæsten chuckled, looking down at Uhtred from on top of his horse. "I heard you were heading south, but I didn't believe it."

"As ever, the gods are with you." Uhtred sarcastically spoke, a fed up look on his face as he stood closer to the four behind him

Hæsten slowly nodded his head, getting off of his horse and moving towards Uhtred. "We were in wait for the King." Hæsten continued to speak. "But now you will have to do." He said as his men stepped closer to the five.

"What do you want from us, Hæsten?" Uhtred asked, a sigh leaving his lips as he looked at the Danes surrounding them.

"A gift, for my new Lord." Athena perked up at that, her brows furrowing once more as she kept her eyes on the Danes crowding around her group.

"And who has this misfortune?" Uhtred hummed, raising his brow as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Sigtyrggr, the skin of Ivar the Boneless." Hæsten said, making Athena frown at the name.

It was Cnut's cousin.

Uhtred let an amused chuckle at Hæstens words. "A boy without reputation." He said in a mocking tone.

"Reputation will come." Hæsten hummed, pacing back and forth as he eyed Uhtred. "He had landed from Ireland and he wants all Danes to follow him." Athena's grip on her sword tightened, her knuckles growing white, as the Danes closed in on them. "He delivered Brida from Wealas and she has joined."

Athena's eyes widened at Brida's name, a quiet sigh of relief leaving her lips. Even if they were on different sides, Athena would always care for Brida.

"She joined with Cnut." Uhtred shrugged his shoulders, tilting his head to the side. "That did not go well for her." Hæsten quietly chuckled at that. "You're sworn to a boy, Hæsten.

Hæsten nodded his head at Uhtred's words. "Indeed." He hummed in agreement. "He is young. But, he is cunning." Stiorra held Thyra closer to her as the Danes continued to close in around them. "Whilst you okayed Lord and the Saxons fought amongst themselves, he captured Winchester."

Athena's lips parted as she heard the words leave Hæsten's voice. She tried to look over the Danes to see what was going on when she heard struggling, but she couldn't see.

"No!" Lady Ælswith gasped as herself and Æthelstan were pulled back, as well as Stiorra and Thyra, swords pointed at them.

"Yes!" Hæsten chuckled, looking towards the widow with an amused look. "Lady Ælswith, you're going home! Take the girls!" Athena's eyes widened at that, sharing a look with Finan.

Thyra

"Athena." Father Pyrlig uttered, wanting her not to do anything that will get them all killed. "Finan." He also added, watching as Finan adjusted his sword in his hand with narrowed eyes.

Thyra swallowed thickly as Stiorra's arms tightened around her. Thyra subtly reached for her small dagger in her waistband, pulling it out.

But the noise caught Uhtred's attention, making him spin around with wide eyes. "No!" He warned Thyra, a worried expression on his face as he held out his hand.

"You will not fight it!" Lady Ælswith warned the younger child, shaking her head with a firm look.

Thyra looked around for her mother and father's guidance, but she couldn't see them. Her hands grew clammy as she turned to Uhtred, whom signaled her to sheath her dagger.

And she did, reluctantly.

Uhtred slowly nodded his head at his niece, not wanting to put her in harms way as he lifted his hands up as the Danes took away his weapons.

Before Uhtred could even fathom what was happening, the Danes pushed the four in the direction of the cart.

Stiorra did not let go of Thyra, keeping her close, as Lady Ælswith did the same with Æthelstan.

"Can you see anything?" Athena quietly asked the men around her, biting her inner cheek as she tried to look for her daughter.

"Nothing." Sihtric uttered, shaking his head as he tried to look last the Danes around them.

Athena sucked in a breath as she heard a cart move and a horse galloping away. Her eyes were still wide, her hands shaking as she gripped onto her sword.

The Danes around them moved closer, trapping the five close together. "Lord!" Finan yelled, pushing against the shields.

"Uhtred!" Athena called out, her teeth clenching together as she used her shoulder to push away the Danes around them, but they were too many of them. "Brother!"

"Lord, what do we do?"

Blinking rapidly, Athena struggled to free her hands from the restraints around her wrists. Hæsten and his men had decided to tie the rest of them up and hang them upside down.

Athena was evidently fuming, not seeing her daughter anywhere. She came to the conclusion that they had taken her along side Stiorra, Ælswith and Æthelstan.

She squeezed her eyes shut as he heard the Danes laughing as they surrounded them. And Athena felt like she would snap any moment.

"Oh, I am told this is a peaceful way to die." Hæsten chuckled, looking at the group, whom hung upside down.

Athena looked up at Hæsten, trying to tilt her head to the side but failed. A grunt left her lips as she wiggled in her restraints. "What, Hæsten? Do you not have the balls to slain us yourself?" Athena grunted, a heavy pant leaving her lips.

"Athena." Uhtred warned his sister, watching as Hæsten turned his attention to her. But, Athena kept a strong composer, even if she was hung upside down by her feet.

"It is always a pleasure to see you, Athena." Hæsten grinned, making a shiver go down Athena's spine as she grimaced. "And that sharp tongue of yours." He added, crouching down to her level, so they were face to face.

Athena scrunched up her face at his words, leaning forwards to spit in his face. "I will rip your tongue out with my bare hands, bastard!" She hissed, watching as Hæsten wiped at his face. "You wish us dead, then fight us. Or, are you too coward to fight the Dane-slayers?" She taunted, ignoring the warning looks her group were sending her.

"I like you too much to do such a thing." Hæsten sighed, wiping his hand on his armour as he stood to his feet. "But, you will be defeated."

Athena couldn't help but let out a humorous laugh, shaking her head with an amused look. "Oh, you will boat about how the 'mighty' Hæsten defeated the Dane-slayers, yes? Have songs written about you?"

Hæsten's face slightly dropped at her mocking words, clenching his jaw as he looked at the other men, whom were also upside down. He turned to Finan, whose gaze burned into the back of Athena. "You have a feisty woman, Irishman."

"Aye."

Athena clenched her jaw as she watched Hæsten fidget with Uhtred's sword, then pushing it into the ground. "Here's your sword, Uhtred." He grinned, pointing to it. "Come retrieve it." Hæsten mocked, watching as Uhtred glared at him. "No?"

Hæsten then turned his attention to his remaining men. "You two, stay here and report which one dies first." He told two of the Danes, whom nodded their heads. "And if they take too long to die, slit their throats like hogs."

Athena clenched her jaw as she watched the Danes leave, continuing to try to break her hands free.

But, her attention was turned to Sihtric, whom was grunting and groaning. "Calm down, Sihtric." Osferth tried to reassure the man. "We will need your energy."

"I have grown tired of Danes." Athena uttered, purring her lips as she tried to look around, but everything was upside down for her.

Hæsten and his men were all gone, only leaving the two Danes to watch them. Athena hoped that her daughter would not be harmed, as the Danes did not know whom she was. 

"Sihtric." Uhtred called out to the struggling Dane, his tone worried. "Sihtric."

The Dane let out a groan once more, blinking his eyes rapidly. "Stay awake, Sihtric." Athena sighed, pursing her lips as she ignored the burning feeling around her wrists.

"Sihtric, stay awake!"

Athena's head snapped up at a feminine scream that echoed around the woods. And she recognised that scream.

Melusine.

The Danes turned at the scream, their brows furrowing as they turned their attention away from the six. The screams continued, and Athena guessed they belonged to both Melusine and Eadith.

"I'll go." One of the Danes said, moving away from the tree and towards the woods, where the screams came from.

Athena realised thickly, looking around as she turned to Fatter Pyrlig, whom was hung up beside her.

All their hands were tied tight around them, so Athena could not reach her many hidden daggers.

"Orm!" The last Dane called out to the other man, whom had not returned. "Orm!" He called out once more, moving away from the six and towards the woods. "Where are you?"

There was silence for a moment, until hurried footsteps made Athena turn her head, her body relaxing as she saw Melusine, Eadith and Atlas.

The three rushed towards them, Eadith crouching down to grab an axe and Athena's sword. She handed Athena's sword to Melusine, whom carefully took it, placing Atlas next to the tree.

"Help Sihtric first!" Athena told Melusine, nodding towards the man, whom was struggling. "Eadith."

"Got it." The redhead nodded her head, separating from Melusine as she made her way towards Athena.

Eadith carefully turned Athena around, cutting the rope around her wrist. Athena let out a sigh as her hands were free.

Melusine moved towards her husband, carefully cutting the ties around his wrists, then moving to cut the rope that tied him to the tree.

A grunt left Eadith's lips as she raised the axe to cut the rope around Athena's feet. Athena squeezed her eyes shut as she dropped to the floor, Eadith trying to cushion her fall with her hands.

"Thank you." Athena shook her head, her vision blurry at first as she looked around. "Hey Father Pyrlig down, Mel, get Osferth!" Athena ordered, watching as Sihtric was now in the floor and awake.

Athena moved to grasp onto Finan's sword that was on the ground, moving towards the man and cutting the rope around his wrists before reaching to cut the rope around his legs.

She immediately drooled the sword to carefully lower Finan to the ground, a grunt leaving her lips as she did so.

Finan blinked rapidly, trying to sit up, but Athena shook her head, leaning over him as her hand hovered over his cheek. "Shake your heard, your blood has gone to your head." She uttered, gently shaking his head before helping him to his feet.

Eadith quickly cut Uhtred down last, leaving everyone untied as they collected their weapons from the ground.

Athena left Finan's side as she made her way to Melusine, a look of relief over her face. "I have never been more happier to see your beautiful face." Athena breathed out, accepting her sword back from the woman.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Melusine nodded her head with a smile. She then looked around, her brows furrowing. "Where is Thyra?"

Athena's heart dropped at that, sheathing her sword as she swallowed thickly. "Hæsten took her to Winchester, along with Stiorra, Ælswith and Æthelstan." She uttered, fidgeting with her Thor's hammer around her neck. "I will kill every Dane if they harm her."

Melusine nodded her head with an understanding look, reaching to hold onto Athena's hand with furrowed brows.

"I say we head for Winchester—now." Finan sighed, taking his sword back from Athena as they all huddled together.

It was evident that Athena and Finan were panicking about their daughter, as Uhtred was. But, they needed to come up with a plan  before doing anything rational.

But Athena would not give up until her disgusted was back at her and Finan's side. She would murder every Dane to make sure her daughter was safe.

— madeleines notes.

DRAMA!

Oh, Athena and Finan are PISSED.

But Thyra will handle it like a baddie bc she is the double of her parents. LMAO.

I am back to my every day updates (hopefully) let's not jinx it! HAHAHS

but after another chapter, only one episode left until season 5 GASP 

But have this kinda short chapter bc your girl is TIRED AND NEEDS SLEEP.

I love you all MWAH MWAH!!

Also, fuck trump and the little cunts that voted for him.

6th November 2024
3408 words