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

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

It didn't take long for the group to make it to Mercia. The Danes did not leave it in good shape. There were bodies of Mercians everywhere. Æthelflæd and Aldhelm were the only ones there, including some survivors.

Athena offered to help Æthelflæd and Aldehlm carefully move the bodies of the fallen Mercian's, so they could pay respects.

But Athena was also looking after the two redhead children, whom had completely trusted her and they relaxed every time they saw her.

The two children sat in the hall, eyeing everyone wearily. The Mercians stood in the hall, paying respect to their fallen people.

Young Uhtred prayed for them out loud, a hand on his cross around his neck. The group looked up when they heard someone walk in.

"Where are they?" Uhtred spoke, his eyes on Sihtric as he walked in, Athena at his side. "Why is she not ready?" He questioned, referring to Æthelflæd.

"They mourn the dead." Sihtric simply said as he fell in line with the siblings, walking further into the hall.

Athena's eyes landed on the two red-headed children, a soft smile on her face as she left the two men's side, not before bowing her head at the dead.

"Are you boys right?" Athena softly asked, moving towards them as their eyes lightened up at the sight of her. "No one had harmed you?" She ruffled both of their hairs as they stared up at her.

"No." The eldest one answered her, faint grin on his face as he held his younger brother's arm. "What are they doing?" He then asked, nodding his head towards the Mercian's.

Athena sighed as she stood in front of them, looking over her shoulder with a sad look. "Paying respect to the dead." Athena simply said. "That is how Saxons do it, I suppose."

"It's strange." The youngest one said, frown in his face. "And the words he is saying." He pointed towards Young Uhtred.

Athena slowly nodded her head in agreement, a soft smile on her face. "Perhaps. It is something I will never get use t-"

"Danes!" Athena immediately turned at the loud voice of Finan. "The Danes are here!" He yelled frown outside the hall. Athena looked over to Uhtred with wide eyes. "They're heading towards the gates!"

Athena turned to the boys, squeezing their shoulders. "Stay here, okay?" They nodded their heads at her words, making her sigh and follow her brother.

"How many?" Uhtred questioned as Finan came rushing into the hall.

"To many, Lord." Finan shook his head as him and Osferth ran in, closing the hall doors behind them.

Uhtred immediately turned to Æthelflæd, carefully moving her backwards. "Stay back, Æthelflæd!" He told her. "Seeing you will inflame them. Go!" He pushed her further into the hall. "Upstairs now!"

"Take them with you." Athena moved to Æthelflæd's side, her hand on the brunettes arm as she nodded towards Cnut's children.

Æthelflæd nodded her head as she moved towards the children. Athena breathed out heavily as she turned to her brother. "Is there another way out?" Finan asked as he moved from the door.

"No!" Æthelflæd shook her head, hearing the Danes order for her. She had not made it upstairs, wanting to offer herself up.

Athena ran her hands over the side of her face, biting her inner cheek. "What about the roof?" She asked, turning to Æthelflæd.

"We would only get trapped." Uhtred simply said, shaking his head as he moved around.

"Let me bargain." Æthelflæd suggested, making Athena turn to her with wide eyes.

"Lady, you are the bargain!" Uhtred said from the other side of the hall, looking through the window.

Æthelflæd sucked in a breath as she turned to Uhtred. "We cannot just let death come to us. I will not just wait for it!"

"What are we doing, Lord?" Sihtric called towards Uhtred as him and some other men pushed their weight onto the hall doors. "The door will not hold!"

Uhtred turned to Æthena, slightly panting. "Bring me Cnut's sons." Athena's brows immediately pinched together at his words. "I will not harm them." He promised, making her hesitantly look over at the boys. "Bring them upstairs."

A sigh then left her lips as she turned back to Uhtred. "Okay." She nodded her head, quickly turning around and walking towards the children. "Come on." She held out her hands for the boys to take.

"What is happening?" The youngest one asked, immediately placing his tied hands into her palm. "Is our father here?"

Athena pursed her lips as she held onto the boys with a gentle grip, looking down at them with a gentle look. "I do not know, but you have to trust me, okay?" She held a pleading look on her face. "Nobody will harm you, just follow mine and Uhtred's lead."

The youngest turned to his older brother, a hesitant look on his face. But the eldest nodded his head, trusting her.

Athena sighed, squeezing their arms as she held onto them both, quickly walking towards the stairs.

Uhtred turned at the footsteps, seeing Athena and the two children move towards him. Finan and Sihtric then joined their sides as they walked towards the outside.

"Enough!" Uhtred called down to the Dane's, revealing himself to them. "Come and face me!"

Athena's grip on the children did not faulted, rubbing a comforting thumb over her arms. "I have Cnut's sons." Uhtred continued.

"You're lying."

Uhtred turned to Athena, nodding his head. Athena sighed, looking down at the children. "Do you trust me?" She quietly asked, squeezing their arms.

The two children nodded their head, making Athena offer them a soft smile as she turned to Sihtric and Finan. She nodded her head, letting go of the children. "Bring me one of the dead." Uhtred whispered towards Athena, making her nod her head and leave the five, rushing back downstairs.

"Æthelflæd!" She called out, looking for the brunette. She sighed once she saw the woman beside Aldhelm. "I need a child's body."

Æthelflæd's eyes widened at that, her brows pinching together. Athena closed her eyes, knowing that sounded extremely weird. "It is for Uhtred's plan." She added, making Æthelflæd hesitantly nod her head.

Æthelflæd handed her a sack of a body, making Athena thank her and rush back upstairs. "Leave this place or I will cut off their heads!" Uhtred yelled down to the Dane's as Athena returned behind them, out of sight.

"You hark them and every Saxon here dies!" The Dane yelled up to Uhtred. Uhtred turned around, seeing Athena with the sack in her hand.

He then turned to Sihtric, whom held Young Cnut. Uhtred nodded his head as she moved towards Sihtric, holding onto the child.

Athena quickly crouched down as Uhtred and Sihtric did. Athena immediately reached out for Young Cnut, holding onto his arms as Esgar cried for his brother.

Uhtred stood up, throwing the Mercian body over the railing and towards the Danes feet. "Leave!" Uhtred yelled. "Or I will take the other one also!"

Athena held the shaking Young Cnut in her arms, trying to offer any sort of comfort. The Dane's listened to Uhtred's words, quickly leaving.

Athena looked up at Finan, whom held Esgar. Finan let out a sigh as he moved away from the wall, turning the child to look at his older brother. "Look, your brother's still alive."

Esgar quickly moved towards his brother and Athena, making Athena rest a free hand on his shoulder. "I told you I would not let anyone harm you." She slowly nodded her head, letting the brothers hold onto each other.

Athena stood beside her horse, getting it ready for when they leave Mercia. "Cnut will hunt us as soon as he gets word I killed his boy." Uhtred said from beside his horse.

"Surely we just show that they are alive?" Young Uhtred shrugged from beside his father.

Athena chuckled at that, shaking her head as she ran her hand over her horse. "Danes do not work like that." She told him.

"What about the boys?" Finan then asked, making Athena turn to the two children, whom stood at the steps of the hall.

Uhtred turned to Athena, nodding his head. "Cut them free and let them run." Athena pursed her lips as she nodded her head. "They've served their purpose."

Athena hummed as she held onto her horses reigns, handing them to Finan as she moved towards the two children.

"You know how to get back to your home, yes?" Athena asked the pair with a soft smile, signaling for Young Cnut to hold out his tied wrists.

Esgar slowly nodded his head, watching as Athena cut Young Cnut's restraints. "Yes." He answered, making Athena nod her head.

"Good. Find your mother." Athena smiled once more, moving to cut Edgar's restraints. "And take these." She held out one of her daggers for Esgar to take. "You will need them."

Esgar immediately took the dagger from her hands, making Athena unsheath another one, handing it to Young Cnut. "You can go." She sighed, ruffling their hair with a smile.

Young Cnut and Esgar shared a look, sheathing their new daggers before running away.

Athena crossed her arms over her chest with pursed lips, watching the two children run away with their new freedom.

She hoped they would find Brida, that they would be alright. She turned back to her group, walking back to her horse. "Are we to march?" She asked Uhtred, taking back her horses reigns from Finan.

"Yes."

It was nightfall, and they had set up camp in the forest. Athena kept her eyes on the fire in front of her, running her hands through Finan's hair as he leaned over her lap.

She only looked away from the fire when she heard movement, watching as Young Uhtred struggled to keep still. "You got a numb arse there?" Sihtric jested, leaning back as he looked at young Uhtred.

Young Uhtred looked up at his words, then looking around at the rest around the fire. "You get used to a numb arse kneeling through church all day." Athena shook her head with a faint smile. "It's a damp arse that kills you." Finan chuckled at that, keeping his eyes on the fire. "What do you think will happen when we face the Danes?"

"A numb arse will be the least of our problems." Finan answered Young Uhtred's words, looking towards the boy. "We're good fighters."

Osferth looked down at his injured arm with pursed lips. "When we are all fit to fight." He complained, making Athena shake her head.

"I've fought alongside your father for a while now." Finan reassured Young Uhtred. "He tends to come up with something at the last minute." Athena hummed in agreement.

"And many men are loyal to Æthelflæd, even at their own cost." Aldhelm added from beside Athena and Finan.

"And no doubt the pair of them are devising a battle plan to save us all." Finan added as Athena continued to run her hands through his hair.

Athena bit back a chuckle, lowering her head as she let out a sigh. "Let us hope that is what they are doing." She uttered quietly, a knowing look on her face as she looked around at the men around the fire. Her words earned a tap on the thigh for Finan, whom used his hand to muffle his laugh.

Once it was morning, they made their way towards Tettenhall. Athena gripped onto her horses reigns as they came to a stop, her brows pinching together.

There was no army. Not the Mercian army. Not the Wessex army.

None.

"Um..." Finan's frown matched Athena's as he looked around, turning to Uhtred and Æthelflæd, whom sat on their horses in front of them. "Is this the place?"

"Yes." Æthelflæd answered, his gaze hardening as she looked around.

"I'm not sure I can see Edward's camp." Osferth sarcastically stated from beside Athena, making her nudge her horse against his.

Sihtric nodded his head in agreement. "I'm not sure I can see anyone." He added, looking over at Osferth.

"He will be here." Æthelflæd confidently said, pursing her lips as she kept her eyes in the empty land.

Athena clicked her tongue, turning to the three men on either side of her. "Let us hope." She uttered, pulling on her horses reigns and following Uhtred and Æthelflæd down the hill.

They rode further into Tettenhall, horses hooves slamming against the ground as they followed Uhtred's and Æthelflæd's lead.

Their horses slowly came to a stop when they heard men yelling in the distance. Athens pulled on her horses reigns, pulling it to a stop as she watched men wearing red move from the trees.

Everyone unsheathed their swords, being cautious as the men grew close. "That is not a fyrd." Uhtred stated.

"And they are not Mercian." Æthelflæd added, shaking her head with pinched brows.

Uhtred waited for the men to grow closer, his eyes wearily looking at the men. "You do not look like Christians." Uhtred spoke to them.

"We are men from Wealas, loyal to King Hywel." One of the men spoke from on top of his horse.

"Are you an ally of an enemy of Mercia?" Æthelflæd questioned, holding her head high as she stared at the men.

The man on top of the horse grinned. "We are here to fight Cnut, Lady." Athena sighed at his words, keeping her grip on her sword. "And best the Danes as we have bested the Saxons for so many years."

"And the fyrds?"

"I put them under the command of the little bald priest." Athena frowned at the man's words, tilting her head to the side.

"I'm not bald!" Athena's eyes widened as Father Pyrlig walked out of the crowd, looking up at the man. "I'm certainly not little!" He added, walking towards Uhtred and Æthelflæd.

"Father Pyrlig!" Æthelflæd grinned, riding closer towards the man whom walked towards them. "I do not understand?" Athena sheathed her sword, knowing they weren't any harm.

"He rode to Wealas to beg King Hywel for his army." The man behind Father Pyrlig stated, staying on top of his horse.

Æthelflæd grinned, turning to Uhtred. "Edward sent him to find allies. I knew he would not abandon me."

But Father Pyrlig shook his head. "No, lady." Athena's brows pinched together. "It was your mother whom sent me." He sighed. "I have had no word from the King."

Æthelflæd slowly nodded her head in disappointment. "Then we fight with what we have." She uttered, turning to Uhtred.

Father Pyrlig nodded his head as he greeted Uhtred, then moved towards Finan, Athena and Sihtric. Athena grinned down at the priest as he stood by her horse. "Finan! Sihtric! Athena!" He greeted the three.

"Father Pyrlig! You grow fatter every time I see you!" Athena jested, reaching down to pat his shoulder with a grin.

Father Pyrlig chuckled at that, looking up at her. "Is that how you impress all the men, Athena?"

Athena hummed, nodding her head with the grin still on her face. "Well, it has worked in the past." She nodded her head at Finan beside her, making Father Pyrlig chuckle once more.

Athena sat on one of the rocks, looking down the hill and at the battleground. She leaned her chin in her palm, trying to come up with something.

"There are worse places to defend." Uhtred stated from behind her, talking to the group of men.

Finan slowly nodded his head, arms crossed over his chest. "With a few more men, we could stand a chance."

Athena kept her eyes on the gap in the middle of the field, her brows pinching together as she sat up. "Uhtred." She looked over her shoulder at her brother, making Uhtred walk towards her.

"Have you thought of something." Uhtred asked, crouching at her side as she turned back to the gap.

She raised her hand, pointing towards the gap between the land. "You see that?" Uhtred hummed at her words. "Perhaps we could make a trap. Lead the Danes towards the gap and they fall in."

Uhtred grinned at her idea, patting her back as he stood. Athena grinned as she looked up at him, watching as he turned to the men. "Follow me."

And they did.

They all helped to create Athena's plan, cutting down branches and leaves to cover the gap, blending it into the land.

Athena grinned, arms crossed over her arms as she watched her idea come to life. "It is prepared." Uhtred said as he walked towards Athena and Æthelflæd.

"Will it work?" Finan asked, moving to stand beside Athena.

Athena rolled her eyes at his words, nudging his arm with a grin. "Of course it will, it was my idea." She hummed, dropping her arms to her side as she looked up at Finan.

"They're coming." Uhtred then said, making everyone turn and look into the distance. "Hey into position!"

"Mercians to the woods!"

A horn was then blown as the Danes marched towards them, sat on top of their horses. Athena unsheathed her sword, gripping it tightly in her hands.

With her free hand, she reached to grab onto Thor's hammer around her neck, closing her eyes and pressing her lips against it.

The Danes yells grew louder as they grew closer, but Athena only listened to the prayers that left Finan's lips.

The Danes came to a stop right in-front of the trap Athena had created. And when Athena's eyes landed on Cnut, her blood boiled.

The redhead raised his hand, stopping the Danes from moving any further. Athena's eyes hardened, her jaw clenching as she stared at Cnut. She would make sure he would not leave Tettenhall alive.

And when Cnut unsheathed his sword, the Dane's followed. "Die!" He raised his sword in the air, a yell leaving his mouth.

Then, he charged forwards as the Danes followed. But Brida, realising something was wrong, she tried to stop the rest of the Danes.

Athena watched with a clenched jaw as the Danes rode closer to her strap. And then, Cnut fell first, falling off of his horse. And the rest of the Danes soon followed.

"Now!" Uhtred yelled, raising his sword in the air. "Charge!"

And Athena did not hesitate to run towards the gap between the land, flipping the sword in her hand as she brought her sword into one of the Danes neck.

Metal clashed against metal, arrows were fired from the Welshmen, blood spilling from both sides.

Gritting her teeth, Athena bright her sword into another Dane's neck, whom tried to climb up from the trap.

"Sihtric!"

Athena quickly turned at the sound of Finan's voice, her eyes wide as she watched Finan fall to the ground, missing the trap by an inch.

A grunt left her like as she reached down to pick up a shield, pushing it against one of the Danes with a heavy breath.

Swiftly, Athena dodged the Danes as she made her way towards Sihtric, whom was struggling against a Dane.

Raising her arm, she brought her sword against the Danes neck, chopping it off completely as his body fell limp on top of Sihtric.

Sihtric pushed the headless body off of him with a grunt, Athena leaning forwards to help him up. "You okay?" She yelled over the battle, her eyes wide as her grip tightened around her sword.

Sihtric panted heavily, nodding his head as he held onto his axe. Athena reciprocated his nod, turning her back to him as she quickly blocked an attack from a Dane, pushing him away with the shield she had picked up.

Her back against Sihtric's, she let out a yell as she kicked the Danes leg, her sword swinging into his neck.

A sigh left her lips as she raised her leg and kicked the Dane in the chest, watching as he fell to the ground.

Athena and Sihtric had moved away from the trap, moving towards Uhtred, Finan, Osferth and Young Uhtred.

The battle was nowhere near done, and they were outnumbered. But that didn't stop anything. They continued to fight the Danes.

Blood splattered against Athena's face as she pulled her sword from a Dane's neck, her chest heaving up and down as she stepped back, only to be shoved back by a shield.

A cry left her lips as her back roughly hit the ground, but she quickly pulled herself together, looking up at the Dane that was about to attack her.

Swiftly, Athena raised her legs to kick the Danes legs from underneath him, sending him falling to the ground.

Athena didn't brother to pick up the shield, quickly standing to her feet as she stood over the Dane. The Dane tightly gripped his sword, knowing that it was over for him.

A battle cry left her lips as she brought her sword into the man's chest, quickly pulling it out with a heavy breath.

"Father!" Athena heard Young Uhtred cry out, making her look over the fighting men and seeing Uhtred stuck his sword through a Dane's back.

Athena barged past the fighting men, rushing towards her brother and nephew, digging the bodies that laid on the ground.

She watched as Uhtred backed away from Young Uhtred, fighting off a Dane. Athena rushed towards Young Uhtred, kicking the Dane body off of him.

She breathed out, seeing that he was fine and well. She reached out to pull him up, Young Uhtred instantly griping onto her arm and pulling himself up. "T'is no shame in having a Dane on top of you, but the women are prettier." She jested, reaching down to pick up his sword.

Young Uhtred didn't have time to retaliate with a sarcastic comment, his eyes landing on something else. "The ridge." He uttered, turning Athena so she could see.

Her eyes widened as a breathy scoff left her lips, making her turn to see Uhtred close by. "Uhtred! The ridge!" She called towards him. "It must be Æthelred!"

Uhtred immediately turned at her words, his eyes landing on an army that made their way towards the battle. "Can they reach us?" Young Uhtred panicked, his eyes flickering from his father and aunt.

Athena watched as Æthelred and his men charged towards the battle, making her grin. "It looks like they can." She laughed, turning to Young Uhtred. Her laughed soon disappeared as she watched a Dane run towards them. "Duck!"

Young Uhtred didn't question her words, standing as she unsheathed a dagger as he crouched down.

Athena pulled her arm back, swiftly throwing her dagger, watching as it landed right in the Danes face.

She breathed out heavily, helping Young Uhtred to his feet once more. "Come on!" She yelled over the battle, pulling him closer to her so she could look out for him.

The fighting continued, Athena staying with her men as she fought against the Danes, all yelling one and other.

Athena turned around, her breaths heavy as her eyes landed on another army. She panted heavily, her back against Finan's. "Uhtred! It's Wessex!" She called out to Uhtred, whom was fighting against a Dane.

"They are fleeing to the forest!" Uhtred then said, making Athena turn to see the Danes running away from the battle. "Stop them!"

Athena blocked off a Dane attack with her sword, pushing all her body weight as she shoved him back, Osferth quickly slicing the Danes head off.

Before Athena even knew it, she was split from the group, only Osferth at her side as they fought off the Danes around then.

Athena was impressed by Osferth's fighting, even with an injured arm. But she would not let the boy fall.

Yells left her lips as her blade dug into more Dane's. She ignored the injuries that littered her arms and the slice in her stomach. She would not fall.

She had to watch Cnut fall before she could.

Athena grunted as she pulled her sword from a Danes stomach, the blood splattering onto her armour.

"Athena!"

Athena didn't even get time to turn around when she was shoved to the ground, her head being slammed against the ground.

Blinking heavily, Athena went to swing her sword, but it wasn't in her hand. Her ears started to ring, her vision blurry as she tried to sit up. She could hear Osferth's muffled voice calling for her in fear.

It felt like the world had slowed down.

Her weight felt heavy as she slowly looked around for her sword, a groan leaving her like as she tried to sit up.

Osferth struggled to get to her aid, finding himself in a fight with Danes. He kept looking over his shoulder to find her, but he couldn't see her.

Panting heavily, Athena reached out for her sword. But a loud cry left her lips as a foot slammed down on her wrist. "Dane—slayer!" The Dane grumbled, raising his sword.

But, before the sword could pierce Athena through the chest, the Danes head was taken off by an axe.

Athena's eyes widened as she backed up, her eyes glancing upwards. Her lips parted as she blinked heavily, her eyes landing on an outraged Brida. "My son-"

"Is alive!" Athena held up her hands in defeat, knowing she would not fight Brida. She couldn't. "Both are! I swear it on Ragnar's grave!" She yelled over the battle, watching as Brida's face faltered. "I would not let Uhtred harm them! I made sure they were safe! Not when I have a child myself! I would not let you suffer!"

"Then where are they?" Brida yelled down at her, her grip tightening around her axe as she glared down at her.

Athena swallowed thickly, still sat on the ground as she brought a hand to the side of her face, feeling blood. "I-" she sucked in a breath, glancing up at Brida. "I let them go.I told them to find you. They knew their way back to camp."

Brida's chest heaved as she stared down at Athena. Someone whom had watched her grow into the person she was, took care of her when she was a slave.

Athena's body trembled as she dropped her hands to the ground in defeat. "Cnut..." She uttered, her brows pinching together. "Has he fallen?"

Brida's jaw clenched as she pointed her axe towards Athena. "No. He followed Uhtred." Brida simply said, making Athena nod her head.

"He told Æthelwold to kill Ragnar."

Brida's heart dropped at Athena's words, her face faltering once more as she stared down at her. "Lies!" She quickly said, pushing the axe closer to Athena's neck.

Athena simply stared up at her, slowly shaking her head. "I swear! He whispered poison into Æthelwold's ear! You know I would not defend Æthelwold!" Athena argued, trying to get through to Brida. "He wanted to lead the Danes-he wanted you! And he got those things by Ragnar's death!"

Brida did not know what to think. Betrayal written over her features as tears gathered in her eyes. Athena breathed in, holding her hands up. "Kill me, if you must." Athena slowly reached for her sword, gripping it tightly in her hands. "Send me to Valhalla."

Closing her eyes, Athena waited for the blow.

But it never came.

Instead, Brida lowered her axe, lifting her other hand for Athena to take. Athena slowly opened her eyes, her brows pinching together as she looked at Brida's outstretched hand.

But, Athena didn't question it. She slowly placed her hand in Brida's letting her pull her up. Athena grunted, feeling lightheaded at first.

"We head to the forest." Was all Brida said, moving to the forest as she practically pulled Athena with her.

Athena regained her footing, following Brida into the woods. The pair stuck together as they moved through the trees.

Athena was careful, ignoring the sharp pain in the side of her head. She had to watch Cnut fall. Her brother needed to be avenged once more.

"You killed my firstborn!" Athena and Brida heard the furious voice of Cnut, making them follow the sounds of fighting.

The pair stopped as they saw Cnut on top of Uhtred, strangling him. Athena's grip tightened around her sword, moving to step forwards, but Brida stopped her, holding out her arm.

"You killed my boy!" Cnut cried out, pushing his weight into Uhtred's neck. "Why?" He yelled in Uhtred's face. "Why!?"

Uhtred turned his head to the side, his eyes landing on Athena and Brida. One's face held betrayal, the other held anger. "It was fair revenge for Ragnar!" Uhtred rasped out, turning back to Cnut with clenched teeth.

Swiftly, Uhtred flipped Cnut over, now straddling the man. Brida's lips patterned, knowing that Athena's words were true.

"Ragnar was weak." Cnut spat out as Uhtred punched him in the face multiple times. Clearly, he hadn't realised Brida was stood there. "And I needed him to die!" Athena's brows pinched together in anger, her knuckles turning white from how hard she was gripping her sword. "But my son...my son was innocent!"

He then threw Uhtred off of him, crawling towards his sword. But he paused when his eyes landed on Brida and Athena.

"Brida..." He breathed out, realising they had heard the whole thing. "Cousin..." Athena's glare hardened as she stared down at him.

Uhtred thickly grabbed a hold of Cnut, putting him into a headlock. "Give me your seax!" Cnut choked out, pointing towards Brida. "Give me your seax!"

Brida hesitated, looking down at Cnut before reaching down for Uhtred's sword. She slowly stepped forwards, making Uhtred let go of Cnut.

Athena immediately stepped towards Uhtred, gripping onto his arm with a heaving chest. The siblings watched as Brida stood in front of the kneeling Cnut. "You sent Æthelwold to kill Ragnar?" Her voice broke as she spoke down to her lover.

"Because..." Cnut panted heavily, staring up at Brida with wide eyes. He knew he was screwed. "Because we're destined to be together. You know this." Athena hit back a scoff as she leaned into Uhtred's side, her hand tightening around his arm. "Please, my love."

Brida let out an angry yell, shoving Uhtred's sword into Cnut's chest. She quickly moved backwards, leaving Uhtred's sword in his chest.

Uhtred squeezed Athena's arm as he moved past her, standing beside Cnut with an angered expression. "Your boys live." He hissed. "The body your man saw was a Mercian, killed by Danish hands."

"Both..." Cnut croaked out, sword still in his chest as he stared up at Uhtred. "Both survive."

Athena hesitantly stepped beside Uhtred, glaring down at Cnut with teary eyes. "Both live." She uttered, watching as he turned to her. "But you will not love to see them ever again."

She swiftly reached for Uhtred's sword, roughly pulling it from Cnut's chest with a groan.

Athena carefully handed Uhtred his sword back, moving towards Brida with a heaving chest. "You should not have trusted him." Uhtred simply said, moving to Athena's side as he looked at Brida.

Brida sent them one final look before turning around, rushing away from them. Athena stared down at Cnut as the life left his eyes.

"We must go." Uhtred muttered, gripping onto her upper arm as she continued to stare down at Cnut.

Athena slowly nodded her head as Uhtred pulled her away from the scene, walking through the woods and back go the battle.

They followed Brida's tracks, only to see her cornered by Welshmen. Uhtred and Athena rushed forwards, stopping in front of Brida.

Brida turned to them with pleading eyes. "Send me to Valhalla." She pleaded, repeating Athena's words from earlier.

"They will take you as a prisoner." Uhtred panted as Athena tightened her grip around her sword, looking at the Welshmen.

"That's worse than death!" Brida heavily breathed out, shaking her head with teary eyes. "Please! I cannot be a slave!" She looked towards Athena with a pained look. "Let me die with honour here on the battlefield."

Before Uhtred could realise, Athena moved forwards, wrapping her arm around Brida's neck, her sword pointed to the Welshmen.

Athena would not let Brida suffer the same fate Uhtred had.

"She is mine to kill!" Athena yelled at the Welshmen, feeling Brida relax in her arms. "Go!"

"Athena."

"Uhtred!" Athena turned to her brother with teary eyes, shaking her head. "We owe her this much!" Her voice broke as Brida held onto her arm, not fighting.

"Please, Thena." Brida uttered, gripping onto her arm as Athena moved her blade to Brida's neck. "Do not let me be a slave."

Athena's chest heaved as she kept her arm around Brida's neck, glaring at the Welshmen. It did not matter whom Athena fought for, Athena would always protect the ones she loved.

Before Athena could slit Brida's throat, she was pulled back and away from Brida, giving the Welshmen the opportunity to grab Brida.

Athena quickly turned around, her eyes landing on Uhtred, whom's expression was a broken one. "Uhtred!"

"We cannot kill her." Uhtred gripped onto Athena's arms, shaking his head with teary eyes.

"And we cannot let her move as a slave!" Athena yelled, pushing Uhtred's arms off of her. "Ragnar would not want that for her! Let me send her to Valhalla! Let me reunite her with Ragnar!"

But it was too late.

Brida cried out as the Welshmen dragged her away from the siblings. And all Athena could do was watch with teary eyes.

Athena felt like she had failed Brida—failed Ragnar.

They had won the battle.

They had won against the Danes.

But, Finan was panicking. He could not find Athena. Osferth had told him that she had fallen. That he could not help her.

He was frantically searching the dead with Osferth, Sihtric and Young Uhtred. But none of them resembled his beautiful wife.

He prayed for his God, his hand holding onto the cross around his neck as he looked down at the dead bodies.

Finan couldn't—no—he refused to leave without seeing Athena, even if it was her dead body.

"Finan!"

"Not now, Osferth!" He grumbled, keeping his eyes on the ground as he walked past the bodies.

"Finan, you fool!" Sihtric then said, a relieved laugh leaving his lips as he watched a familiar blonde walk out of the woods, Uhtred at her side. "It is Athena!"

Finan instantly looked up, his eyes landing on Athena, whom had her head lowered as Uhtred spoke to her.

Athena only lifted her head when Uhtred squeezed her shoulder, pressing a kiss to her tremble as he moved to find Æthelflæd.

She sheathed her sword, continuing to walk forwards as she looked down at the litter of dead bodies.

Athena didn't have time to acknowledge the footsteps that moved towards her, busy in her own thoughts, until arms wrapped around her.

A grunt left Athena's lips at the sudden movement, but relaxed as she realised whom it was.

Her Irishman.

Athena didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest with a sigh. "Thank God, you are alive!" Finan breathed out, keeping his arms around her.

"Whom said I was not?" Athena asked, pulling out of the hug and holding onto his arms, Finan reaching to cup the sides of her face.

"Osferth said you fell." Finan uttered, shaking his head as she stared down at her. "He heard you scream, and—"

"Shh." Athena shushed him, a soft smile on her face as she brought a hand to his cheek, leaning forwards to rest her forehead against him. "Brida saved me."

Finan sighed as he closed his eyes, residing his forehead against hers. He kept his hands on the sides of her cheeks, rubbing his thumbs  against her cheeks.

Athena brought her hand, that wasn't against his cheek, to hold onto his wrist with a soft smile. "You're hurt." Finan realised, tilting her head to the side to look at the wound on the side of her temple.

"I am fine." Athena reassured with a smile, nodding her head as she squeezed his wrist. "It is merely a cut."

"Athena!"

Athena turned to see Osferth, Sihtric and Young Uhtred move towards them, grins on their faces.

Athena turned from Finan, opening her arms as Osferth pulled her into a tight hug. "I feared that you had fallen in battle." Osferth shook his head, a look of guilt on his face as he pulled back from the hug.

Athena simply smiled, patting the baby monks cheek. "Valhalla is not ready for me." She simply jested, making Osferth roll his eyes as Athena turned to Sihtric. "It is good to see you are alive, Sihtric." She chuckled, pulling him into a hug.

"I could not leave my wife and child." Sihtric simply said with a smile, hugging Athena back as she chuckled.

"Good." She hummed, nodding her head as she turned to Young Uhtred. "You did your father—and I—proud." Athena softly said.

Young Uhtred did not say anything as he wrapped his arms around Athena, pulling her into a hug.

Athena softly smiled as she rested her chin on his shoulder, embracing her nephew. They had survived another battle.

And they were together.

— madeleines notes

A BATTLE EPISODE HATES TO SEE ME COMING.

But we are close to the episodes I LOVE EHEHEHEHE.

Idec I actually adore Brida.

But yk I love pain so... buckle up.

Battle chapters are always so fucking long, so my apologies.

BUT IVE POSTED EVERY DAY YAY. HE HAPPY GUYS.

This is my longest book and I am SO PROUD🥰 AND 30k READS!?!? THANK YOU ALL I ADORE EVERY ONE OF YOY.

Me and Jordan are at war rn.

We are always battling 😀🙌

BUT UGH. FINAN STRESSING ABOUT ATHENA. CRIES!!!!!!!!

but girl is not gonna die, not yet.

WHOM SAID THAT.

Jokes 🥺🥰

Okay I'm gonna write the next chapter yay 🥰🥰

6th October 2024
6371 words