▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 ─── ❛ Dane slayer

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

Athena was missing Edward's wedding, which she had no say in. Beocca had told her that the frail Alfred wished to speak to her and Uhtred.

And whom was Athena to deny a king? A sickly one at that? So the pair sat in a room, waiting for the king.

Uhtred took the time to look down at the writings and papers. Athena looked over his shoulder, looking down at the pictures.

"It is a chronicle." Athena immediately turned at the sound of Alfred's voice, her eyes landing on the sick king whom lurked in the shadows. "The pages." Alfred continued as Uhtred turned around. "It is a chronicle of Wessex." He said as he walked towards the siblings. "It will include my life as king." He slowly walked towards the table, Athena moving aside so he could lean on it. "From the moment of my brother's death until now. Songs of a kind." Athena shared softly at the frail man. "None of which will mention Uhtred of Bebbanburg and Athena Ragnarsdóttir."

"Would not expect anything else." Athena shrugged her shoulders, her words gentle as she stood beside Uhtred.

Uhtred turned around as he looked at the shelves. "Men will remember what we have done." He said, making Athena look over her shoulder at him.

"But men will die, as we all must." Alfred turned his head to the side, looking at Uhtred. "These pages will remain." He looked back down to the papers. "The act of committing ink to parchment gives a deed permanence."

"If it is not burnt." Uhtred shrugged his shoulders as he looked over his shoulders at the King.

Alfred slowly nodded his head at his words. "If it is persevered, yes." He weakly said, his hands ghosting over the papers. "And in one hundred years from now, learned people will read or recite what is written, and Alfred will appear." He said as Uhtred turned back around, standing behind Athena, whom looked down at the pages.

"They will know nothing of the Lord Uhtred or Lady Athena..." He looked up at the pair. "Nor of your loyalty..." He moved away from the table and walked away from them. "Advice..." He continued as Athena and Uhtred shared a look. "Bravery...courage and insolence." He said from behind them.

Athena pursed her lips as she kept her eyes on the papers, her fingers gliding across them. She did not care if she would be written about. She knew what she had done, as did the people. She did not care about when she was dead. She would make sure her legacy would continue.

"Why are you both here?"

Athena turned her head at that, looking over to Alfred, whom held a sword in his shaking hands. "In Winchester?" Uhtred answered as Athena moved to stand beside him

"In this room." Alfred corrected, still holding the sword in his hands.

Athena's eyes remained on the sword in his shaking hands, fidgeting with her rings. "We were told you wished to speak to us, Lord." Athena answered, pursing her lips.

"Why grant me that wish?" Alfred asked, looking over at the pair. "What is it you want from me?" He questioned, making Athena frown. She did not want anything from Alfred. "What is it you would say to me, while I am still able to listen?"

Uhtred looked over at Alfred. "If I were to say one thing, it would be that I could never have killed you." Uhtred confessed, shaking his head. "When I held the knife to your throat, I could never have taken your life." He then tilted his head to the side. "I would have beaten you, gladly. But I would never be the man who killed Alfred, King of Saxons."

"Killing me would have earned you a place in these pages." Alfred uttered, keeping his eyes on Uhtred as Athena stood to the side.

Uhtred slightly shrugged. "I would not want such a deed written." He simply said. "Besides I, and my sister, have earned our places in these pages." Uhtred turned back around, looking down at the pages. "But every lord is the hero of his son songs." He nodded his head. "I understand my absence."

Athena also looked down at the pages, biting her inner cheek as she held onto the table. "It will not be written that Alfred did stand on Uhtred's—nor Athena's—shoulders." Athena looked up at that. "Many times. But I know it to be true." He admitted to them.

"Thank you, Lord." Uhtred answered as he turned to Alfred, whilst Athena remained at the table, her fingers outlining the pictures.

Athena lifted her head when she heard Alfred move, her eyes widening slightly as she watched him point his sword to Uhtred's neck.

Uhtred subtly raised his hand, signaling Athena to not move as she stood behind him. "Do you believe I could end your life?" Alfred questioned Uhtred. "You are an outlaw." He breathed heavily, his words coming out in heavy breaths. "It would be written that Alfred, frail and sick, did find the strength to slay the warrior Uhtred Ragnarson."

Athena gripped the table with a weary expression, her eyes flickering between Uhtred and Alfred. "That will not happen." Uhtred calmly stated, shaking his head.

"Because I lack the will?"

"Because we are bonded." Uhtred corrected, his tone gentle as he spoke to the frail king. "You cannot kill me, just as I cannot kill you." He shrugged his shoulders.

Alfred swallowed thickly as he glanced over to Athena, who bit her inner cheek as she stared at him. "And you?" He questioned, moving to point the sword in her direction. "Would you kill me?" Alfred probably knew her answer, but asked anyways.

Athena heavily breathed in, leaning off of the table as she looked over at Alfred. "If I were to speak freely, If you would have asked me that question years ago, I would have said yes." She slowly nodded her head, moving to stand beside Uhtred. "But now, I could not—I would not." She shook her head with a faint frown.

Alfred's gaze flickered between the two, breathing heavily as he slowly lowered his sword, making the point end hit the floor with a clang.

Athena let out a quiet sigh, watching as Alfred raised a hand to his stomach. "My sword is heavy." He uttered, obviously in pain as he moved to place his sword down. Athena watched as he struggled, making her feel sympathetic for the weak king. "I just sit." His breath was shaky as he moved towards the table. "There is wine in the jug, if you would pour it."

Athena nodded her head at that, moving away from Uhtred as she reached out for the jug and two cups. Alfred did not question the lack of a cup, watching as she poured the wine for himself and Uhtred.

She placed the jug down, picking up one of the cups and handing it to Alfred as he sat down. He carefully took it, sending her a nod as she passed the other cup to Uhtred.

Athena leaned on the table once more, watching as Uhtred moved to stand beside Alfred. "For Edward and his bride." Uhtred said, raising his cup. "May they be well."

"May God protect them." Alfred added, bringing the cup to his lips as he took a sip of the wine. "I say 'may God protect them,' but God often works through men." Alfred then said, placing his cup down. "He has worked through you in the past—both of you. I know It." He looked inbetween the siblings. "No man could break the shield wall as you did at Ethandun." He told Uhtred, then looking over to Athena. "And no woman could lead armies as you have, nor take down men twice your size."

Athena felt pride at his words, a small smile on her face as he recalled her greatest moments. "We are heathens, lord." Uhtred pointed out.

Alfred nodded at that, turning to Uhtred. "You are baptised."

"I believe in the old gods." Uhtred added, tilting his head to the side as he stared down at Alfred.

"The Devil, too, works through men." Alfred continued. "My death will bring the devil in some men to the fore. Even good men will be tempted by greed, power, glory, even."

Athena knew that would be true, especially when Æthelwold was still living and breathing. "Christian men?" Uhtred questioned.

"Ah, yes." Alfred nodded his head. "They sit in my hall as we speak." He looked up at them, pursing his lips. "They eat my food, they drink my wine and ale, and they raise a cup to the happy pair." He raised his cup once more. "May God help them."

Athena and Uhtred still sat with Alfred, still talking with the man. They both now sat in front of the king.

"Lord, I would like to understand why you brought my children to Winchester." Uhtred spoke, holding onto his cup. "And why you saw fit to have them baptised."

"It was done to damn you." Alfred admitted, making Athena purse her lips as she rested her chin in her palm. "To inflict pain, possibly." Uhtred tensed at that. "I try to make decisions rationally. "However, taking your children was not a rational decision." He confessed. "It was thoughtless. It was selfish." Alfred then breathed in. "They have been treated well." Athena nodded in agreement at that, having seen that with her own eyes. "And you are not the best of fathers."

"I was not aloud to be their father." Uhtred uttered, looking down at his cup. "I'm banished." He simply said.

"You killed a man inside this palace." Alfred pointed out, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Though I admit, there was provocation." He uttered, lowering his head. "And I was wrong in both my judgement and my punishment, especially for involving you with his punishment." He turned to Athena, who nodded her head with a polite smile.

"I did not give you the respect nor trust that you both deserved. I was afraid." Alfred admitted, looking back down. "I am afraid." He added. "Not of you, not of death...but of loosing everything that Wessex had become, everything that is written here in these pages." He reached out to hold one of the papers in his shaking hands. "My work must continue." He said, placing the paper down. "This land must grow." He sighed. "An England must emerge and God must be praised." He looked back up at the pair. "We are and we remain the last true Saxon Kingdom. We cannot go on building walls between the tribes. Similarly, we cannot be overrun."

Athena listened to his words, taking it all in as she looked at Alfred. "That would render my time as worthless. "My father's time, my brother's time, it would have all been wasted."

They all turned when the door was abruptly opened, Lady Ælswith walking in, her eyes wide as she looked at the three. "Lord." She uttered, looking towards her husband. "I was told you were resting." She swallowed thickly as she turned to Uhtred. "Why is he here?"

"Uhtred is here at my invitation." Alfred answered, looking towards Ælswith. "As is Athena." He added, making Athena purse her lips as she stared at the woman.

"You did say if he were to set food in Wessex once more, he would be executed." She recalled, her words harsh as she spoke about Uhtred.

Alfred heavily breathed in, keeping his eyes on his wife. "And now I have other words to say." He firmly stated. "If you would leave us, and if you would say nothing of Uhtred to our guests, to any man?"

"I don't understand why you invite our enemies to eat at our table." Ælswith said harshly as she stepped forwards, her eyes on Uhtred. Athena's brows pinched together at her tone, subtly reaching out to hold onto Uhtred's arm. "First Æthelwold, and now him."

"Lady."

"Lord King, there must be no more forgiveness." Ælswith ignored Uhtred's words, turning to her husband with a firm expression. "It makes you appear weak."

Alfred just looked up at his wife. "My dear, you have been invited to leave us." He told her.

"And you will do what?" She asked him. "Ask him and Athena to stand at Edward's side?" Athena turned at the mention of her, raising her brow.

"I will decline." Uhtred turned to her, shaking his head. Whilst Athena stayed silent, looking down to her hands as she played with her rings.

Ælswith just stared at Uhtred, shaking her head, evidently dumbfounded. "I will not have it!" She turned to Alfred once more.

"Ælswith, you will leave us." Alfred demanded with an hardened expression, keeping his eyes on his wife.

Ælswith took one final look at the three in the room, shaking her head as she swiftly turned around, walking towards the door and closing it behind her.

Turning back to Alfred, Athena pulled an awkward look as she fidgeted with her rings. "She is angry because I am dying." Alfred informed, his breaths heavy as he turned to the siblings. "And that does not make her heartless. It is her heart that is hurting." Athena sadly stared at him at those words.

Alfred then, very slowly, rose to his feet, leaning on the table for support. He let out a chorus of coughs, moving away from the table as the two watched. "Like me—like many in Wessex perhaps..." He moved towards the window, Athena looking at the back of him. "My wife is afraid, of this." He picked up a blank sheet of paper. "Of what will be written from this day on." He said as he looked back over to them, slowly making his way back to the table. "The uncertainty of what comes next.

"What comes next, Lord, is life." Uhtred replied, looking up at Alfred as he grew closer to the table. "It continues. It always will."

"But in which direction?" He questioned as he looked down at Uhtred. "Who will reign? Which God will be praised? Which language spoken? What laws will prevail?"

Athena softly looked up at Alfred. "You have had your time, Lord." She gently said, clasping her hands together as she stared at him. "Soon it will be the turn of others, for years to come." She slept nodded her head. "God..." She tilted her head, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Or the Gods will decide."

Alfred slowly nodded his head at that, pursing his lips at her words. "Agreed." He uttered, looking down at her. Alfred then moved to sit back down, gripping onto the table as he sat back in his seat. His breaths were heavy as his body shook. "But, my last act, for my God, must be to ensure that good men and women hold power." He looked between them. "That's what I just do. And that is why you are both here, in this room." Athena sat up straight at that, her brows subtly pinching together.

Alfred stood once more, moving to a desk as he picked up a quill and pen, slowly writing on the paper he held.

Athena and Uhtred watched him with confused looks, watching as he scribbled away on the paper. "It seems just yesterday...that I have Edward to you as a dying infant." He spoke to Uhtred, his words quiet. "I feared my prayers have but been answered, and I have him to you...and to Iseult."

Uhtred sat up at the mention of the woman, his lips parting slightly. "You remember her?" He asked.

"Always." Alfred uttered, looking over his shoulder at Uhtred. "And you, Athena..." He breathed out heavily, watching as Athena looked up at him. "You have always seen to that my children are protected and well, especially my daughter." Athena softly smiled at that, nodding her head. "And I am forever grateful to you."

Athena and Uhtred watched as he turned around once more, the paper in his hand as he slowly sat down in front of them once more. "I wish to give over to you my son." He told them both, his eyes then landing on Uhtred. "For a second time, and for the same reason at the first. To ensure he lives." Athena pursed her lips at that, looking down at the paper in Alfred's hands. "Say nothing. Say nothing. Not yet."

Alfred instructed as Uhtred went to speak. "All I ask is that you both remain in Winchester until he is crowned king." He continued, his eyes pleading. "Then you can do as you please. You can go north. You can reclaim your lands."

"I am an outlaw, lord." Uhtred gently sighed, shaking his head with a gentle expression.

Alfred shook his head at Uhtred's words. "No longer." He muttered, his voice growing raspy. He slowly turned the paper in his hands, moving it towards Uhtred. "You are hereby...pardoned." He pointed to the paper.

Athena's lips parted as she turned her head to the side, looking at Uhtred. "On condition I agree to remain in Winchester?" Uhtred asked.

"You are pardoned regardless of your decision." Alfred told him, making Athena slightly smile as she looked between the pair. "And if beyond that door my wife had summoned guards, which is likely, I will dismiss them." He reassured Uhtred. "I have made my peace. I have made my request." He said as he looked between them. "I do not require an answer."

Uhtred slowly nodded his head, his eye's growing teary as he stared at Alfred. "Thank you, Lord." He swallowed thickly, a smile making its way onto his face. "For correcting your mistake."

Athena turned back to Alfred, biting her inner cheek as she stared at him. She couldn't help but grow saddened at the fact that Alfred would die any time now. A man she use to despise. Now, a man she had grown to trust—to like, even.

She knew she had to keep to her word. She still had her oath to him, and she knew she would swear an oath to Edward. Athena would do it just for Alfred.

Uhtred Ragnarson was now a free man, he had been pardoned. Alfred had left Uhtred and Athena with the question: would they stand beside Edward once Alfred dies?

Athena knew her answer, she would do so, even if Uhtred would not. She knew Uhtred, he would swear an oath of Edward.

Now, they all sat in Beocca and Thyra's home, discussing the conversation between the siblings and Alfred.

Athena sat inbetween Finan and Melusine, Snow on her lap as she listened to everyone around the table. "It may be months before Edward's king." Finan told them. "And that's when the Danes will be marching."

Turning her head to the door, Athena watched as Thyra walked in, her head low as she turned away from the door, keeping her back to them.

Athena softly frowned as she kept her eyes on her sister, her hand pausing on Snow's fur. "Alfred will be gone much sooner even less than one month." Beocca corrected, shaking his head. "It will be days."

"Then there's the argument for want of a better word." Hild sighed as she sat up. "Edward is not every Saxon's choice for king."

Athena kept her eyes on Thyra, her brows pinching together as she watched her sister. "Judging by the cackle in the alehouse, Edward is not any man's choice." Finan then said.

Pursing her lips, Athena carefully stood, placing Snow in Finan's arms as she moved towards Thyra. "Thyra." She softly uttered, reaching out to turn Thyra around.

Thyra to her with teary eyes, her bottom lip trembling as she quickly pulled Athena into a hug. Athena did not hesitate to wrap her arms around Thyra, holding the back of her head. "What is wrong, sister?" Athena softly asked, feeling Thyra cling onto her.

"Thyra?" She heard Beocca call to his wife, quickly standing up as he watched the sisters. "Thyra? What is it?" He asked as he walked towards the pair. "Why the tears."

Thyra told them what happened, how a man had pushed her and called her names, like a whore. And Athena was livid. And as was Beocca.

Thyra told them of the man who did it to her, making the group walk towards one of the ale houses.

Beocca was in lead, only because Athena was being held onto by Finan, knowing she would cause a scene. Melusine and Hild stayed with the saddened Thyra, trying to comfort the woman.

"Tidman!" Beocca yelled, looking around for the man that had harassed Thyra. "I'm looking for a rat named Tidman!" His eyes landed on a man, whom had his back to the table he sat at. "You. Are you Tidman?" He asked, but the man didn't say anything. "I asked, are you Tidman?"

"Father Beocca, good morning." Athena groaned at the voice of Æthelwold, whom walked out of the building with a grin on his face. "And Uhtred, free man of Wessex."

Athena rolled her eyes at the man, muttering words as he called him every name under the sun. "I'm looking for a man named Tidman." Beocca stepped towards Ætheleold. "Does this coward belong to you?"

"He does not."

"I am not a coward." The man from before, whom was Tidman, told Beocca as he placed his cup down. He then stood up, walking towards Beocca. Athena's glare hardened as she watched the man, Finan's grip tightening on her hip, to make sure she didn't fling herself at the man. "What is it you want, priest?"

"What I want, oaf, is for you to heed my warning." Beocca threatened, stepping closer to Tidman with a firm look. "Speak to or go near my wife again and I shall beat the shit from you!"

"Oh, well said." Æthelwold commutated from the side, a faint smirk on his face as he looked at the priest.

"Oh, hush, Æthelwold." Athena groaned, shaking her head in annoyance. "Your presence is enough, we do not need to hear your voice." She told him, crossing her arms over her chest.

Æthelwold did not speak up at her words, lowering his head. "I called your woman a Dane." Tidman spoke up once more, looking down at Beocca. "Is that...is that not what she is?"

"Have you not understood me?" Beocca questioned, his eyes narrowing as he stared at him. "You don't appear to be the cleverest of men."

"Do you speak to me as a man or a priest?"

Athena's eyes widened as Beocca headbutted the man, sending Tidman to the ground. "Does that answer your question?" He yelled down at the man. Athena couldn't help but grin at the priests action. "Does that not answer your question?" He asked, crouching down to throw punches at the man.

Athena was practically cheering for Beocca, clapping her hands together as Uhtred and Sihtric pulled Beocca off of Tidman. "No more." Uhtred told him, pulling him away from Tidman.

"Bastard!" Beocca yelled down to the man as he was pulled back. "Shes a woman! A gentle woman, and she's suffered enough!" He panted heavily, speaking of Thyra. "I'm warning you once!"

Athena watched as Tidman brought his hand to his nose, wiping the blood away as he glared over at Beocca, whom was now pulled back behind her. "Bastard." Tidman uttered, standing up as he wafted the hay off of him.

Athena had heard his words, tilting her head to the side as she swiftly moved from Finan's side, taking everyone by surprise as she raised her arm to punch the side of the man's face.

Everyone snapped back into action as Tidman fell to the ground once more, hand to the side of his face. "If you wish to know what a Dane is, I will happily show you!" Athena hissed, being pulled back by Finan and Uhtred. "Bastard!" She panted, wanting to swing at the man once more, but the arms around her stopped her from doing so.

"This rotten air that fills Winchester is due to you and the likes of you!" Beocca turned to snap at Æthelwold, whom had been watching the scene with wide eyes. "England is for a land for all tribes who wish to settle and live in peace." He shook his head. "Your father would be ashamed of you."

Æthelwold did not say anything as Beocca shook his head once more, turning around to Uhtred, whom had let go of his raging sister.

Uhtred patted Beocca's back as the man walked away, back to his home. "Go with him." He instructed Sihtric and Osferth, whom nodded.

Athena calmed down, slightly, watching as Tidman stood up once more. Finan moved to stand in front of her, blocking her gaze. "You are not going to swing for him again, yes?" He asked her, raising a brow as he held onto her shoulder.

Athena let out a defeated sigh, slowly nodding her head. "Yes." She uttered, looking up at him. "But, that does not stop me from attacking one—eye over there." She muttered, nodding her head to Æthelwold.

Finan chuckled at her words, slowly nodding his head as he looked over to Æthelwold, whom walked over to Uhtred. "I fear the priest does not like me." Æthelwold tried to jest.

"No man or woman likes you, Æthelwold." Athena looked over Finan's shoulder, moving him to the side as she glared over at Æthelwold. "You are a scheming bastard, whom dreams of something he cannot have." She hissed, stepping back as she and Finan waited for Uhtred.

"Why are you here?" Uhtred then questioned Æthelwold, standing closer to the man. "Do you still dream you can be king?" He mocked, slightly, watching Æthelwold's face faulted.

"It is my home and I will not move." Æthelwold firmly stated, his eye narrowing as he looked up at Uhtred. "This is the land I love. Can you say the same?" Athena scoffed at that.

"Uh, Uhtred." Finan sighed, shaking his head. "You know I am tired of listening to this squirrel's arse." He pointed to Æthelwold, knowing Athena was on her last limits and would most likely attack Æthelwold.

Uhtred slowly nodded his head as he turned around, Finan holding onto Athena's arm as they walked away from the man.

But Æthelwold always had to push his limits. "Let me offer you a cup of ale." He said, watching as the three went to leave. "Come inside and sit with me. Let me convince you I am for Wessex." He insisted, making Athena roll her eyes as she continued to walk. "Hear me. Please."

Athena and Finan both paused when Uhtred stopped behind them. The pair turned around when Uhtred walked toward Æthelwold, nodding his head.

A groan left Athena's lips as she ran her hands over her face, sharing a look with Finan. "Gods, save me." She uttered, letting out a deep breath as she followed Uhtred.

— Maddie's notes.

Athena is SO done with Æthelwolds bullshit. Someone come save her. PLEASE.

But Damn, most of this chapter is just the conversation with Alfred, HELP.

But it is important bc Alfred sees Athena as the woman and warrior she is and he knows her worthy, even if he never showed it. And that just makes Athena respect him even more.

Like, if you told Athena in chapter one she would be fighting for a Saxon king, siding with the Saxons, BEING WITH CHILD AND SOON TO BE MARRIED!?!?

Yeah she'd slap you silly😁

HAHA.

It's so funny bc every now and then I go back and ready the first chapters/edit them. And Athena has just grown as a person since then like WOT.

I have written her how I wanted to, I THINK. Like I tried to make her as close to Athena the Goddess. I hope I did good!?! Pls tell me 🥺🥺

But I love the little interactions between Finan and Athena like. EEK. Makes me giggle like a teenage girl. ( I am a teenage girl )

Like they're so in LOVEEE.

And bro, nobody messes with Thyra. The gang PULLED UP

The way Athena was just going to let Beocca have his moment, CHEERING FOR HIM. But when that Tidman uttered one word, it set her off.

Imagine getting absolutely twatted by a pregnant woman HAHAHA. Well, she's not that that far along, you can barely tell when she's wearing so many furs. Just a bump 🥰

My girl is seriously missing her ale. Idec if it was known that you could not drink when you are with child back in the olden days, but keys just pretend for the sake of the lore. HAHAA.

But the next chapter...get ready...get the tissues... SAD WARNING HERE SO BE READY :(

I know I'm gonna cry when I write that scene :(

WHOS GONNA BRAID ATHENA's HAIR WHEN MEL IS NOT AROUND!?!? Mel will teach her don't worry, so she can braid her daughter's hair.

And if you have me on TikTok, and have seen edits I have made for Athena's future child, you know Thyra gonna be a badass. AND YES. Athena names her child after her sister. 🥰

But Thyra gonna have BIGGGG plans ( me and Jordan giggles evilly ) AND SOMEONE ALREADY GUESSED PART OF IT. So props to you queen, you are SMART.

It will be explained in the first chapter of Season four I promise. And why Skåde was so obsessed with Athena. Like that will ALL be explained, I promise you 🥰

Young Thyra gonna be iconic. She'll be a lot like Finan tbh 🥰 but her fighting is from Athena. I ACTUALLY CANT WAIT TO WRITE HER

ok enough ranting 🥺

14th September 2024
5006 words