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

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

Athena was beyond thrilled to know Beocca was know coming with them to Bebbanburg. Now, they all sat in the hall of Coccham, discussing a plan of action.

Athena ran her hand through her daughter's hair, whom laid in her lap. "Did Hild send you to keep an eye on me?" Uhtred suddenly asked the priest beside him, making everyone around the fire look towards them.

"No." Beocca answered, shaking his head as he turned from the fire, to Uhtred. "It was entirely my decision." Athena raised her brow at that with a slight smile. "You were right. I've allowed myself to get old too quickly." He then looked over at the others around the fire. "I shall leech off their youthfulness." He pointed to the small group. "Revive myself."

Athena softly chuckled at that, looking down at her sleeping daughter. "What is the real reason?" Uhtred questioned, tilting his head to the side.

Beocca stayed silent for a moment, looking at the fire until he spoke up. "Word reached me of the abduction of a young deacon." Athena pursed her lips as she turned her gaze to Young Uhtred, whom sat away from them all. "So, I felt I should, uh..."

"You came to help me be a better father." Uhtred exhaled, leaning back in his seat as he looked over at his son. "I already have Athena for that." Athena rolled her eyes at his words, shaking her head with a smile.

"Well, there is that." Beocca jested, turning to Uhtred with a smile.

"And?"

Athena looked between the two as the two shared a look, a silent look that spoke a hundred words.

She only tore her gaze away from the pair when she felt Thyra stir in her lap. Athena ran her hand through her daughter's hair once more.

The small group of Uhtred's men had left for Coccham, Athena included. She had said her goodbyes to her daughter, Melusine and Atlas, telling them to go to Æthelflæd's estate until they came back.

Athena was slightly taken aback when she was saying goodbye to her daughter. Something Thyra had said took her by surprise. Her daughter had warned her that something would go wrong.

Someone would fall to an arrow. A trusted friend.

Athena did not understand Thyra's words, but shook them off as she pressed a kiss to her daughter's cheek.

Now, Athena laid her back against the boat, drumming her fingers on her knees as she looked down at the water beneath them.

Her eyes lifted over to Young Untred, pursing her lips as she looked at his troubled expression.

It was evident he did not want to be on the boat, or with the group, for that matter. A quiet sigh left her lips as she subtly moved her foot to nudge his.

Young Uhtred immediately turned at that, relaxing as his eyes fell on Athena, whom held a gentle look. "What troubles you?" Athena asked, raising her brow.

"I do not understand why I am here." Young Uhtred said, clasping his hands in front of him. "What help will I be?"

Athena softly smiled as she sat up, shifting closer to him with a gentle expression. "Your father wishes to take you back home." Athena looked over to Uhtred, whom was standing at the front of the boat with Finan. "Bebbanburg is his legacy—your legacy. He wishes for you to be there while he takes it back." She softly reached out to hold onto his arm. "He wants to make a home for you—for Stiorra."

Young Uhtred took in her words, lowering his head with pursed lips. Athena sent him another soft smile, squeezing his arm. "Do not detest your father." Athena added with a stern look, pulling her hand back as she looked over to Uhtred. "Give him the opportunity to be a father to you. He had that taken from him years ago."

Athena was more than happy to see land. She had been sat on that boat for too long. They had arrived at Grimsby, Athena sitting up from resting her head on Finan's lap.

She reached for her belt, quickly wrapping it around her waist as some of Uhtred's men climbed out of the boat.

Athena walked towards the edge of the boat, reaching to wake the sleeping Osferth. "Wakey, wakey, baby monk." She grinned, ruffling his hair up with a grin.

Osferth immediately sat up, running a hand over his face as he looked up at the grinning Athena.

Athena just chuckled at his tired state, moving towards the edge of the boat as Finan helped her into the dock.

The group made their way through the town, looking around at the people in Grimsby. "So, where do we start?" Finan asked, turning around to walk backwards.

"Where do you look for monks in a place like this?" Uhtred asked as he looked around.

"St. Colman's?" Young Uhtred suggested, turning to his father.

"The whorehouse." Finan jested, making Athena roll her eyes as she slapped his arm, looking over her shoulder at Young Uhtred.

At Finan's words, Young Uhtred stopped in his tracks, shaking his head. "That's it. I'm staying on the boat." He firmly stated.

Athena sighed at that, stepping beside Uhtred as she looked at her nephew. "It is not safe for you to be alone within Danelaw." Athena shook her head with pursed lips. "Do you even have anything to protect yourself with?"

Young Uhtred shook his head at that, making Athena sigh, turning to Uhtred. "I will pray for salvation." Young Uhtred simply said.

Athena shook her head at his words, pulling out a dagger from her sheath and moving towards him. "Take it." She held out the dagger with a firm look. Young Uhtred went to protect, but Athena placed it in his hands. "You might not need to use it, but you need something to protect yourself with."

"I will stay with him, keep us both safe." Beocca then suggested, squeezing Uhtred's arm as he walked past the man and towards Young Uhtred and Athena.

Athena sent Beocca a smile, sending Young Uhtred a firm look as she turned, catching up with Uhtred.

The group made their way towards one of the ale houses. Athena slightly grimaced as she walked in, looking down at the men. "Grimsby seems like a lovely place." Finan sarcastically uttered, firmly planted beside Athena.

"I hear the oysters are delicious." Athena looked over her shoulder at Osferth's words, the grimace still on her face.

"Oysters are vile." Athena shivered at the thought, turning back around to see the men all staring at the group. "They look lovely and friendly." She uttered.

The alehouse fell silent, all eyes on the group. Athena turned her chin to the side, pursing her lips as Sihtric looked over a man, whom had one eye looking in a completely different direction than his other eye. "Sihtric, don't make eye contact." Finan warned.

"Which eye?" Athena leaned towards Finan with a raised brow, slowly looking away from the man with a raised brow.

A man then stroked forwards, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at the five. "What's your business here?"

"We're traders." Uhtred was the one to answer the man. "We're taking pelts to Frankia."

"Really?" Uhtred hummed, slowly nodding his head with a grin. "Well, you keep trouble out of my Alehouse, agreed?" The man firmly told them.

"Hey, we're just hungry for some food, nothing more." Finan raised his hands in defence, moving towards the man.

"And do you have woman?" Uhtred questioned, nodding his head to Osferth. "He needs a woman."

Athena bit back a chuckle at that, lowering her head with pursed lips. "We're not that sort of Alehouse." The man uncrossed his arms.

Uhtred raised his brow, turning to Finan. "Finan." And at that, Finan took out a coin from his pocket, handing it to the man.

Athena looked over her shoulder at Osferth with a grin. "Our baby monk will finally lay with a woman." She jested in a mocking tone, making Sihtric and Uhtred let out a quiet chuckle. Osferth simply rolled his eyes, at her words, nudging her back.

Uhtred had sent his son to follow the monks they had found, asking Young Uhtred to follow them to Bebbanburg.

The rest had returned to the boat, sailing towards Bebbanburg once more. Once they had reached Bebbanburg, hiding their boat behind some cliffs, Athena watched from the boat as Finan climbed up onto the cliffs.

"Hard to tell!" Finan yelled down to the boat, keeping his eyes on Bebbanburg. "Maybe forty helmets!"

"Then he has put all his men on the ramparts to make it look like he has more men." Uhtred simply stated, turning to his men.

"He was always a cunning one." Beocca stated, shaking his head as he looked up at the cliffs.

"Still two against one." Osferth added, leaning on the edge of the boat as Finan carefully climbed down the cliff.

"We're twice as good." Sihtric grinned, shrugging his shoulders.

Osferth looked over his shoulder at the man with a raised brow. "Yeah, keep saying it, it becomes true."

"Do not doubt us, Osferth." Athena chuckled, shaking her head from her seat, staring up at the monk.

Uhtred helped Finan back onto the boat, holding onto his hand. "We don't need to slaughter 'em all, just hold 'em off." Finan sighed as he let go of Uhtred's hand. "Lord, the real fight will be you against Ælfric."

Athena nodded in agreement, moving to make room for Finan to sit back down beside her. "Now we wait for Young Uhtred's signal." Athena spoke, glancing over at the fortress in the distance.

It was now nightfall. Athena still remained on the boat, clinging onto her furs as she sat beside Osferth.

Her gaze remained on her brother and Finan on the cliff, their gaze remaining on the fortress.

Lifting her head from Osferth's shoulders, an orange glow caught her eye as it fell into the ocean.

She carefully sat up, keeping her eyes on the fortress. Then, another flash of orange was seen dropping onto the ocean.

It was the signal.

Young Uhtred had done it.

Athena raised her head when she heard Uhtred whistle. He had seen the signal as well. "Move your arses." Finan told the men in the boat.

Athena immediately stood up, letting everyone get off of the boat first. "Follow us along the rocks." Uhtred instructed the men.

She gripped the edge of the boat as she carefully stepped out of it, Finan pulling her up onto the rocks. "The rest of you stay here until I call for the ship." Uhtred instructed the rest of his men on the boat.

"Oh, I hope I do not fall." Athena uttered, looking at the water underneath her as she gripped onto the rocks. "If I fall, Sihtric, I'm taking you with me." Athena looked over to Sihtric beside her, whom pulled an offended look. She simply grinned, carefully stepping sideways.

It didn't take long for the small group to move across the rocks, finding a place to stand as they looked over to the cave entrance of Bebbanburg.

Uhtred looked at the two men guarding the gate, turning his gaze to Finan. "Which one do you want?" Uhtred grinned at his trusted friend.

Finan raised his dagger, pointing to one of the guards with a grin that matched Uhtred's. "That one."

Uhtred nodded his head at Finan. "All yours." He said, raising his fist to Finan's. Athena rolled her eyes at the two, smile on her face as she leaned her back against the wall.

Finan was the first to move, charging towards the guards as Uhtred followed. Athena stayed with the rest, waiting for Finan to give them the go to.

And when he did, Athena nodded to the group behind her, carefully stepping down the stairs as she moved towards the two.

She careful stepped over one of the guards bodies, a grin on her face. She then turned to the gate, looking through the gaps. "Where is Uhtred?" She asked, turning to her brother.

Uhtred shrugged his shoulders with a slight frown, worrying about his son. "What do we do, lord?" Finan asked beside Athena. "Do we lift the gate?" Athena's brows pinched at that. "It's worth a try."

Uhtred nodded his head at that, moving to the side as the rest of the group moved towards the gate.

Athena crossed her arms over her chest as she bit down on her thumb, watching as the men tried to lift the gate with their strength.

But it didn't lift.

Athena sighed as she shook her head, dropping her hands to her side as she looked around her for something for them to use.

Her eyes lit up as she walked past Uhtred, moving towards the dock as she grabbed a couple of oars.

Looking over her shoulder at Uhtred, whom sent her a confused look, Athena grinned. "Trust me." Athena simply said, moving to grab some rope from the side. Uhtred simply nodded his head, letting his sister come up with a plan.

And she did. She ordered the men to grab some boulders and place them beside the gate. And she asked Osferth to hold onto the oars she had put together, tying the rope around it.

She watched with a grin as the men moved around, following her orders and putting the tied oars into the gaps between the gate and on top of the boulders.

The group split up into two as they pushed down on the two wooden oars Athena had tied together.

Athena pushed down on one of the tied oars, a strangled groan leaving her lips as she pushed all of her weight into the push.

The gate slowly started to raise as the group pushed down on the tied oars. "Can you get under it, lord?" Finan grunted as he continued to push his weight down.

Athena looked down at the gap, biting down on her tongue as she continued to push down. "I can." She said, and without warning, Athena moved from the oars and carefully laid down.

"If this thing drops on me, I am haunting all of you!" Athena firmly stated, watching as the gate continued to slowly rise. 

Athena carefully shuffled underneath the gate, her eyes in the wooden gate that was inches away from her face.

Holding her breath, Athena continued to shuffle backwards, raising her head as she kicked her legs backwards.

Just as the wooden oars broke, Athena quickly pulled her legs from under the gate, merely missing the gate as it slammed back down.

Her eyes were wide as she quickly stood up, dusting the mud off of her as she looked at the gate, a sigh leaving her lips. "Oh, thank the Gods." She swallowed thickly, reaching for her Thor's hammer and pressing a kiss to it.

"Can you see anything?" Uhtred questioned from the other side of the gate, looking over at his sister.

Athena looked around at that, her eyes landing on a rope and boulder. "Great." She uttered, rubbing her hands together as she turned to the rope.

She sucked in a breath as she reached out to grab the rope, muttering words of encouragement to herself.

Tightening her grip on the rope, grunts left her lips as she leaned back, pulling on the rope. She ignored the burning pain in her hands as she used all her strength to pull on the rope.

After a couple of seconds of pulling, the boulder slowly lowered to her height, making her reach up with one hand to grab onto the boulder, using her weight to pull it further down.

She squeezed her eyes shut as she continued to pull down, hearing the group move under the gate. "Hurry! I do not have the strength of a hundred men." She panted, holding onto the boulder.

When everyone was on the same side of her, she carefully let go of the boulder, Finan and Uhtred coming to her side to lower the boulder.

Athena winced as she looked down at the rope burns on her hands, her breaths heavy. "I am never doing that again." She heavily breathed out, turning to Uhtred and Finan.

Then, a bell was heard.

Athena's brows pinched together as she looked up the stairs. "Is it a trap?" Uhtred questioned as Finan unsheathed his sword.

"Is it a trap we can fight our way out of?" Finan then asked, turning to Uhtred with an unsure look.

Athena shook her head as she pulled out her own sword, pursing her lips. "Perhaps not." She hummed. "We will soon find out."

Athena was the first to move forwards, making her way towards the stairs as the others followed.

She moved out of the way for Uhtred to guide them, knowing he knew this place better than anyone.

Tightening her grip on her sword, Athena's eyes flickered around the pathway, following Uhtred.

They soon came across an entrance to the caves, seeing people crowding around something.

They all leaned against the wall, waiting for Uhtred's signal. And when Uhtred walked out into the yard, his sword raised, everyone else followed.

Athena watched as Uhtred moved behind a man, bringing his sword to the man's neck. "Silence!" Uhtred yelled as everyone was taken aback by the sudden scene. "Only I shall speak!"

Athena's eyes landed on Young Uhtred, making her quickly step forward with her sword raised. "Come on." Athena held out her hand, helping Young Uhtred from off of the man he was strangling.

She quickly pushed Young Uhtred behind her, protecting him as she fell back behind Uhtred, her sword still raised. "Do you know who I am?" Uhtred questioned as he brought the man to his knees.

Ælfric.

"Hmm, do you know who I am?" Uhtred continued, looking down at his uncle, pushing his blade closer to the man's neck. "I am the true Lord of Bebbanburg!" He turned to the people of Bebbanburg. "And I am taking it back! I have no fight with you." He looked back down at his uncle. "Only this man is doomed."

Uhtred then pressed his free hand against Ælfric's forehead, a mocking grin on his face. "Are you happy to see me, uncle? Huh?" He grinned, raising his head. "I have waited a lifetime to avenge myself! I will enjoy taking my time with you!"

Uhtred pushed Ælfric's head down, gripping onto the back of his hair. "No one else will suffer if you swear loyalty." He looked up at the people watching the scene. "None of you are my enemies. You are men of Bebbanburg! And as Lord of Bebbanburg, I will provide for and protect you!" Uhtred looked down sh his uncle once more. "And this cruel shit, who has hated you and mistreated you, will die. I came come home."

"Swear to me and you will have my oath!"

Athena pursed her lips as her grip tightened around her sword, her eyes glancing over at the men surrounding them.

"Aidan." Uhtred nodded towards one of the men in the crowd. "You remember me?" He questioned. "Who has your allegiance?"

Aiden looked around, uncomfortably, at Uhtred's words. He swallowed thickly as he looked back to Uhtred. "I am loyal, to the true heir of Bebbanburg." He slowly nodded his head. "Bear witness all, the true heir of Bebbanburg!"

Athena's brows pinched together as he pointed into a different direction, making her lift her chin up to see a man pointing a crossbow at them.

"Who are you, boy?" Uhtred asked, evidently confused and didn't recognise the man.

"Wihtgar, son of Ælfric." He replied to Uhtred, keeping the bow pointed at them. "Very much alive and back at Bebbanburg as flesh and blood." Athena bit her inner cheek as she glanced over to Uhtred. "And I could kill you with this arrow in a heartbeat."

Uhtred raised his brow at that, keeping his grip on Ælfric. "You can try." He spoke up Wihtgar. "The arrow would miss."

Athena then stiffened, her sword lowering slightly as she remembered her daughters words.

An arrow.

Someone would fall to an arrow.

A trusted friend.

"Then you know nothing of the weapons of the desert." Wihtgar smugly said, his grip tightening on his bow.

"Put down the bow." Uhtred ordered, shaking his head with an unamused expression. But he didn't. "Put down the bow!" Uhtred repeated.

"You have lost everything, Osbert!" Ælfric mocked, relaxing as he looked up at his son.

Uhtred's gaze hardened as he looked uk at Wihtgar once more. "I won't tell you again, put down the bow!"

Athena swallowed thickly as she glanced between Uhtred and Wihtgar. Wihtagr simply raised the bow, making Athena panic.

Before she could warn Uhtred, or even attempt to move forward, Wihtgar set off the bow.

But it didn't hit Uhtred.

It shot into Ælfric's eye.

Athena's eyes widened as she backed up, turning to Uhtred, whom was just as shocked as Ælfric's lifeless body dropped to the ground.

Then, swords and weapons were unsheathed.

Athena used her free hand to hold onto Young Uhtred's arm, keeping him firmly behind him as Finan moved to stand in front of her.

"A father does not always love a father." Wihtgar grinned as he looked down at Uhtred. "Learn from that, fool. Now, who's with me?"

The men of Bebbanbrug cheered at that, raising their weapons in the air. "Who is with Wihtgar of Bebbanburg?"

Athena raised her sword once more, keeping Young Uhtred firmly behind her as she glanced over at the men.

They were cornered.

"My father's weakness drew you here as it drew me!" Wihtgar continued to speak down to Uhtred, bow still in his hands. "He could not hold his lands, so I have put him out of his misery!" He then looked over to the group of Uhtred's men. "Your men, to the wall." He instructed.

Athena looked over to Uhtred, pursing her lips as he looked over at them. "Go." He uttered, nodding his head. "Be ready."

Nodding her head, Athena's grip tightened on Young Uhtred's arm. "Move!" Finan instructed Uhtred's men, making sure he was beside Athena at all times.

Athena kept her sword raised as the men of Bebbanburg created a path for them to walk. They all moved towards the wall, quickly turning to look over at Uhtred. "Have faith." Beocca told Young Uhtred. "Your father had escaped worse than this."

Athena nodded her head in agreement, keeping her hand on Young Uhtred's arm as she kept her eyes on Uhtred. "Your father stole the lands from me, when I was a boy!" Uhtred yelled up to Wihtgar. "And he allowed the Scots to ravage them!" He heavily breathed out. "If you want men to call you the true lord of Bebbanburg...earn it! Come down and fight me like a man!"

Athena wished for Wihtgar to drop the bow, her nerves were running a thousand miles at the thought of him killing any of her trusted friends with that bow.

"I hold the fortress!" Wihtgar yelled down to Uhtred, crossbow still in his hands. "I have no need to fight you."

Athena swallowed thickly as Wihtgar pointed the crossbow at Uhtred. "Wihtgar!" Beocca spoke up from beside Young Uhtred, making everyone turn to him. "Lord!"

"Beocca." Athena quietly warned, not wanting the man to get himself hurt—killed.

But Beocca sent her a reassuring look, raising his hands as he turned to look up at Wihtgar. "You do not know me. I was your father's priest. I knew his strength and his flaws." Wihtgar ignored his words, keeping his bow pointed at Uhtred. "This enmity was of his making! You have settled that! Now let us make peace!" He pleaded. "You are cousins! Let this be a new beginning!" He continued to speak to Wihtgar. "Unite against your common foe. Together, you can defeat the Scots, secure your land, for the sake of your children. For all Saxons."

Athena swallowed thickly as she glanced over to Uhtred with a worried expression. "You have spent too long in Winchester, priest." Wihtgar spoke down to Father Beocca. "And you have forgotten the north. We do not seek peace." He then turned to Uhtred. "You are a stranger here, Uhtred Ragnarson! But I am wiser than my father. I will not leave a rival alive to challenge my birthright...or my bloodline." He nodded his head with a firm look. "I will kill you, Uhtred. But first..."

Athena's eyes widened as Wihtgar moved his bow from Uhtred, pointing it to Young Uhtred beside her. "You will watch the death of your boy!"

Athena's grip tightened on Young Uhtred's arm, evidently panicking as she watched a Uhtred quickly surrender. Athena kept her sword raised, glaring at Wihtgar. "Don't! Athena! Finan, drop your swords!" Uhtred instructed with wide eyes. "Now!"

Athena hesitantly threw her sword to the ground, clenching her jaw as she looked down at the owl carving in her sword.

"This is the end, Uhtred." Wihtgar claimed, keeping his eyes on Young Uhtred. Athena narrowed her eyes as Finan pulled her to the ground, Young Uhtred as well. "Your name will be forgotten!"

Atehna didn't get to register the fact Wihtgar fired an arrow until she heard Young Uhtred yell.

Quickly turning her head to the side, Athena's eyes grew wide as her eyes landed on Beocca...

A arrow through his chest.

Beocca tumbled backwards, trying to keep himself stood, but failed as he fell back into Athena and Finan.

Athena froze, her eyes wide as she held onto Beocca's arm as he fell to the ground. "No, no, no, no." Athena panicked, quickly leaning forwards to press down on the wound.

"Beocca!" Athena heard Uhtred yell to his life-long friend.

Athena's breaths grew heavy as she watched Beocca's body grow limp, his arms dropping. Blinking heavily, her lips parted as she stared down at Beocca.

Then, swords were being swung from both sides.

Athena only broke from her trace when she was pulled up, her sword pushed into her shaking hands.

"Make for the ship!" She heard Sihtric yell, pushing Young Uhtred and Osferth behind him.

Blinking away her tears, Athena lifted eh gaze from Beocca as she looked around at the men fighting.

Without hesitation, Athena raised her sword with a yell, charging towards one of the men and plunging her sword through their chest.

— madeleines notes.

I'm not crying, you are.

BEOCCAAAAAA NOO

I miss that little priest so much 💔💔

Actually cried whilst writing this, NO JOKE OF A LIE.

Jordan had to suffer with me 👌

BUT FUCK WIHTGAR THE UGLY MF.

But little Thyra... 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨

MY LIL BABY SEER.

now, we have skade to thank for that.

HAHA.

Me and Jordan had been planning that since season two. NO LIE.

Let's see if you guys can piece it all together. 

BUT BYE GUYS OFF TO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER.

30th September 2024
4552 words