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THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 ─── ❛ Dane slayer

SERPENTS TONGUE ₊˚.༄𖥸 ── 
𑁍₊𓄹 -- ❪ the last kingdom ❫. 𓄹
╭ ‧₊˚⊹    你好，欢迎光临           
╰ ✦ no masters, no king╭ ᘒ ✦

Wearily looking around, Athena followed Uhtred through the door, looking over at Sigebriht. "Lord Uhtred." He said, leaning off of the wall. "And Lady Athena."

Athena simply ignored the man, watching as Æthelwold closed the door behind Finan. "Lord Sigebriht." Uhtred nodded his head. "You stand with Æthelwold?"

"Sigebriht has his own mind." Æthelwold answered for the man, walking towards the table.

"I stand for a strong Wessex." Sigebriht added, wearily looking at the three whom had walked in. "Where exactly do you stand, lord, may I ask?" He turned to Uhtred. "Is it with Edward?"

"You say it as though there are men against Edward." Uhtred tilted his head to the side, as if he was analysing Sigebriht.

Sigebriht slowly nodded his head. "There are men who doubt him, yes." He explained. "But if Uhtred and Athena were to stand alongside him—"

"I was at Ethandun." Æthelwold interrupted, making Athena turn her head to the side to look at him. "I stood beside you in a shield wall. He is barely a man."

Athena raised her brow at his words, sharing a look with Uhtred. "And Alfred could barely lift a sword above his head, yet he was a man to follow." Uhtred reminded.

"I say again, Edward is not Alfred." Æthelwold continued to push the fact Edward was not going to be a good king. "He is not a man to follow."

"And you are?" Athena asked, tilting her head to the side as she pointed at him. "You think the men of Wessex would follow you? As their king?" She shook her head with an amused look.

Æthelwold pursed his lips at her words, which obviously did not sit right with him. "I know how to lead a Kingdom, Edward does not. The Danes know this."

"You're still with them." Finan sighed from behind Athena, shaking his head in annoyance. "Admit it."

"I am for Wessex." Æthelwold firmly stated, his eyes narrowing at the Irishman.

"Lord, you did not answer my question." Lord Sigebriht interrupted, looking at Uhtred with a raised brow. "Where does Uhtred stand?"

Athena did not want to put up with their bullshit any longer. Their questions and words were irritating her. As they were Uhtred.

Uhtred did not say anything as he nodded to the two behind him, signaling that it was time to take their leave.

And Athena didn't need to be asked twice as she moved towards the door, opening it and quickly stepping out of the door.

Uhtred and Athena had been talking about what they would say to Alfred. Athena knew she would stay in Winchester for the sake of Alfred, until Edward was crowned king.

Athena knew something would happen when Alfred passed. There were some who didn't see Edward fit. But he was the rightful heir to Wessex.

Uhtred was hesitant, but he knew what he had to do. And he had to stay in Winchester. For the sake of the frail king.

The pair wearily walked through the halls of the palace, Beocca telling them where to find the King.

Athena quietly walked into the room first, holding onto the door as she looked over to Alfred, whom laid in his bed. "Lord king." Athena quietly called out, not knowing if Alfred was asleep.

Uhtred followed behind her as they walked to his bedside, watching as he weakly turned his head to the side. "Athena, Uhtred." His voice was raspy, his words uttered. "Are you here or is it my sickness?"

"We wish to tell you that we will remain in Winchester until Edward is crowned King." Uhtred explained, looking down at Alfred.

Athena nodded her head in agreement, letting out a soft sigh as she stared down at him. "We swear." She uttered, a soft look on her face.

Alfred looked up at the pair, his face a pale white and his eyes sunken. It was evident he didn't have long left. He slowly nodded his head, signalling that he had heard their words.

Athena and Uhtred shared a look. They were doing the right thing. Athena took one last look at Alfred, pursing her lips with a saddened expression. "You may rest now, Lord." She muttered, a sad smile making its way onto her face.

She then turned around, nodding at Uhtred. The pair gave one last look to the king before leaving the man to rest.

Little did they know, King Alfred of Wessex would be dead within minutes after their conversation. Passing in his room with his wife, Ælswith.

Now, everyone had gathered in the hall to pay their respects to the deceased king. Athena stood beside Uhtred, watching as Alfred's family walked past them all, their heads bowed in respects.

Athena had her head clasped in front of her, her lips pursed as she listened to the choir sing. She couldn't help the small tears that welled up in her eyes as she looked over at the body of Alfred.

The choir stopped singing once Alfred's family crowded around his body. "The King is dead." Beocca started, standing in front of Alfred's body. "So together we pray for his soul and for his successor, Edward. May God guide and protect him always." He continued to speak, looking over at Alfred.

Athena felt someone nudge her arm, making her turn to the side to see Finan. Her brows pinched together as he signaled for her to look over her shoulder.

As she did, she watched as Thyra left the wall swiftly, making Athena frown. She turned back to Finan and softly shrugged her shoulders. She was about to follow, but it would be best to speak with Thyra as soon as the funeral had ended. 

"Amen." Beocca finished speaking, bowing his head in respect. Everyone muttered the same words after him.

Athena looked over her shoulder once more when she felt people move behind her. Her brows pinched together as she saw Steapa and a small amount of guards move towards them.

Steapa leaned forward to quietly speak to Uhtred. "Lord, I have orders to kill you, should you not leave the hall quietly." He uttered, making Athena's lips part in confusion.

Athena looked between Steapa and Uhtred, evidently confused. What was happening? Uhtred evidently was frustrated at the news, but sent a reassuring look to Athena as he moved away from them and toward the doors, walking away.

But Athena wasn't having it, she wanted answers. Alfred had pardoned Uhtred, and Steapa was going against the Kings words.

Carefully moving past the people beside her, she was quick to follow after Uhtred, Finan following behind her.

Catching up to the men, Athena hurriedly walked behind them. "Steapa, what is this?" She questioned, ordering an answer. She would not let Steapa take her brother away for no reason.

"She asked you a question, Big man, what is this?" Finan added, catching up to Athena's side as they watched Uhtred walk between the guards.

Steapa looked over his shoulder, signalling to one of the guards to grab onto Finan, pushing him against the wall. Athena went to intervene, but Finan held his hand out to stop her from doing so.

"Athena, Finan, do nothing." Uhtred told them as he stopped in his tracks, shaking his head with a firm look. Athena went to complain, but Uhtred sent her a look. "Athena."

Athena let out a defeated scoff, throwing her hands in the air in annoyance. "He's a free man." Finan continued to defend Uhtred, the guard moving away from him.

But their words fell to deaf ears, the guards and Uhtred walking through the doors and closing it behind them.

Athena let out a groan, muttering words as she ran a hand through her hair. "Bastards, the lot of them." Athena shook her head, moving to lean her back against the wall. "I don't understand? Is this on Ælswith's orders?"

"Well, I don't think they were Edward's orders." Finan sarcastically said, the whole thing not sitting right with him. "They will have locked him up."

"For what reason?" She huffed out, crossing her arms over her chest as she rolled her eyes. "He is a free man, pardoned by Alfred himself. Surly it is an act of treason, going against Alfred's words."

Finan slowly nodded his head at her words. "Aye, they are." He uttered in agreement. "But they are royals, they do as they please."

Athena rolled her eyes at that, shaking her head in annoyance. "They will put him on trial." She acknowledged, pursing her lips. "It will be up to Edward, will it not?"

Letting out a sigh, Finan reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Do not stress." Athena slowly nodded her head at his words, letting Finan pull her into his side. "We will find everyone else and figure something out."

Athena let out a heavy breath, nodding her head as she let him guide her through the halls of the palace. "Okay." She muttered.

But she felt like something wasn't right. She had a gut feeling. She didn't know if it was about Uhtred, but spending felt off. "I need to see Thyra first." Athena added, turning her chin to the side to look up at Finan. "She was upset about something."

"We will check up on Thyra, then find everyone else." Finan said, making Athena nod her head in agreement.

"Yeah." She pursed her lips, a troubled expression on her face. She felt off edge, but she didn't know why. And Finan could tell she was too.

Finan pulled her into his side once more, hand on her shoulder as they walked. He pressed a kiss to the side of her head, pulling her towards the exit of the palace.

The service must have ended, as the people pooled out of the hall. Athena stayed glued to Finan's side as they moved past the crowd, making their way through the streets of Winchester.

Athena hoped that Thyra was alright. Thyra had been on edge due to Tidman and his pestering actions.

Stopping in her tracks when she felt something claw at her feet, Athena looked down and smiled at the sight of her kitten. "Snow." She softly spoke, crouching down to pick up the kitten. "Why are you out here?" She asked, pressing a kiss to the kittens head.

"Athena." Finan tugged on her arm, pulling her to stand up. Athena hummed, taking her eyes off of snow and looking up at Finan. Her brows pinched together as she looked up, her eyes growing wide as she saw fire and smoke.

"Where is that coming from?" She asked, her lips parting as she watched the fire grow from afar. "Come on." Athena quickly walked ahead, cradling snow in her arms as she made her way towards the fire, Finan quickly following her.

Athena carefully pushed past the crowds that had formed, muttering apologies as she came closer to the fire. Her eyes wide as she watched the flames engulf the building before her. It was Beocca and Thyra's home.

Time seemed to slow as she took in the chaos unfolding before her, a mix of fear and disbelief churning in her gut. She watched as men tried to stop the fire from spreading, throwing water onto the flames.

Athena reached her hand out behind her, holding onto Finan's arm as she watched the fire grow and grow. "Thyra." She uttered, her eyes growing wide.

Feeling someone move beside her, she watched as Melusine rushed towards her, her eyes wide. "Athena!" She panted heavily, reaching to hold onto her.

"Thyra!" Athena quickly turned to Melusine, her eyes full of panic. "Thyra! Have you seen Thyra?" She looked around helplessly, her hand tightening around Finan's arm.

"Sihtric!" Finan yelled towards the man, whom was throwing water onto the fire. Sihtric immediately turned at the sound of his name, rushing towards him. "Thyra? Is she inside?"

Sihtric quickly shook his head, his eyes growing wide. "I thought she was at the palace." Athena's heart dropped at that, her lips parting as she gazed towards the fire.

Melusine's grip didn't loosen around Athena's arm, her other hand reaching for the kitten in Athena's arms, carefully placing her on the floor. "No, no, she left!" Finan panicked, shaking his head. "She walked out!"

Athena slowly shook her head as she watched the flames engulf the home, her heart racing as her breath got caught in her throat. "No." She stammered, bringing her hand to her lips. "No, no, no." She swallowed thickly, her hands shaking as she looked at the flames. "Thyra!"

She didn't think as she pulled herself from Melusine's grip, rushing towards the building and ignoring the shouts of her name. All she could think of was Thyra.

Before she could even step towards the home, she was quickly pulled back from the flames, arms wrapping around her waist. "No!" Athena cried out, trying to push the arms away from her. "I need to help Thyra!" She gasped out, almost choking on her own breaths.

The orange glow illuminated her face, highlighting the disbelief and grief etched across her features. This couldn't be happening. Thyra was inside the burning house.

Like how their parents died.

Athena felt her legs give in, collapsing to the floor as she let out a cry, placing her hands down on the ground beneath her.

Finan's arms tightened around her waist as he kneeled to her side. Athena's heart shattered as she kneeled into the ground, tears streaming down her face, watching helplessly.

The weight of grief pressed down on her chest, each sob escaping her lips a testament to the pain gripping her soul. The world around her blurred as she focused on the flames grow, the building collapsing, a sense of loss enveloping her in a suffocating embrace.

In that moment of anguish, time seemed to stand still, the echoes of her cries and pleases mingling with Finan's comforting words.

But Athena's mind was blank, all she could hear were her ears ringing, tears streaming down her cheek like a relentless downpour on a desolate landscape, each drop a silent lament of her grieving heart.

"No! No!" Athena heard Beocca yell from behind them. "This is not happening!" He cried out, pushing past the crowd and running towards his home.

Sihtric quickly moved from Melusine's side, rushing to stop Beocca as the priest cried out, collapsing to his knees.

Athena's body racked with sobs as she called out for her sister, her cries mixing with Beocca's. But it was no use. All they could do was watch the building collapse and wither away.

All Athena could do was cry out for Thyra, her body shaking as she leaned into Finan's arms, resting the back of her head on the front of his shoulder.

Athena remained on the cold ground, her gaze fixed on the burnt building, her eyes vacant and hollow. She had not moved an inch, remaining glued to the floor.

A heavy emptiness settled in her chest, suffocating her with its weight. The world around her seemed to blur as she remained lost in her thoughts, a sense of numbness enveloping her like a thick fog.

Each breath she took felt shallow, as if the very air around her held no substance. The emptiness within her echoed in the silence that surrounded her.

Thyra was gone. She had died just like their family had. And Uhtred didn't even know, he was caged up.

And Athena couldn't help but feel guilty. Maybe if she had followed Thyra out of the palace, she would have not been involved in the fire.

She blinked heavily as she felt something crawl onto her lap, looking down to see Snow sit herself down on Athena's lap.

Athena had cried all her tears, just feeling empty. First, she lost Ragnar. And now Thyra was dead. She had lost both siblings in the span of days.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Athena slowly raised her head and looked up to see Melusine. Athena offered her a weak smile, lowering her head and looking down at Snow in her lap.

"She'll be at peace, Thens." Melusine hesitantly said, looking over to watch Hild speak work Beocca. "She'll be with the Gods."

Athena pursed her lips, just staring down at Snow. Melusine let out a sigh, squeezing Athena's shoulder as she looked over to Finan.

Melusine did not know how much pain and loss Athena could endure any longer. She was afraid Athena would snap at any point. She had lost so much.

Finan, whom had been carefully watching his lover stare at the burnt building with no emotion, stepped towards the two sat on the floor.

He crouched beside Athena, resting his hand on her arm, which made her look up, her tear stained cheeks evident. "Once the heat has gone, I shall recover her and wrap her body for you both to bury." Finan gently told them, his eyes glancing between Athena and Beocca.

Athena just stared up at him, blinking heavily as she pursed her lips. "No." Beocca shook his head, making Athena turn her head to the side to look at him. "I will find her. She is my wife."

Swallowing thickly, Athena nodded her head in agreement. "I will help." She uttered, sharing a sad look with Beocca. "She is my sister." She added, feeling Finan squeeze her arm once more.

"She is." Finan nodded at the pair. "We'll help you then." He gestured to himself, Sihtric, Melusine and Hild.

Athena nodded her head with a broken look, turning back to the burnt home. She didn't understand. How did the fire start? "This fire did not just happen." Athena muttered, shaking her head as her brows pinched together. "Someone must have made it." She swallowed thickly, lifting her head as she held onto Thor's hammer around her neck. "It must have been Æthelwold and his men." She sat up straight, a glare making its way onto her face.

Melusine wore a hesitant look as she kept her hand on Athena's shoulder, sharing a look with Finan. "Let's not be rational, Athena." Melusine softly said, squeezing her shoulder.

"We do not need you locked up as well as Uhtred." Finan added, agreeing with Melusine. They knew that if she was alone with Æthelwold, she would murder him right there and then. But he was still royalty and it would be treason.

But Athena already had her mind set on making Æthelwold surfer, just like her had. And Beocca agreed with her.

So, when the two were finally left alone, they agreed to find Æthelwold and his men. Athena hadn't expected for Beocca to grab an axe, but she wasn't complaining.

Athena quickly followed after Beocca, following him into the Alehouse as he made his way towards the table Æthelwold and his men, including Æthelred, sat.

In one swift motion, Beocca threw his arm forwards, bringing the axe down into the wooden table and making the men jump up to his feet.

Athena watched as Æthelred took out his sword, making her do the same as she pointed it towards the men, her eyes landing on a startled Æthelwold.

Aldhelm took hold of Beocca, making Athena pull Beocca behind her with a glare, but Aldhelm still held onto Beocca. "There'll be no need for swords!" He told Æthelred and Athena.

"We are merely introducing ourselves." Beocca raised his hands in defence, his axe stuck in the table. "You will let me go!" He hissed, trying to shove Aldhelm off of him.

"Not until there is calm!" Aldhelm warned, shaking his head as Athena kept her sword raised, her eyes not leaving Æthelwold. "Lower your sword, Lady Athena."

"There is madness." Æthelwold said from the corner of the alehouse, his eye flickering between Athena and Beocca. "Father Beocca, Athena, you are suffering."

"Do not speak!" Athena hissed, pointing her sword into his direction with a hardened glare. "Do not dare! I do not wish to hear your voice!" She threatened, slowly shaking her head. "Or I will take your other eye out and feed it to you!"

"It was you who killed her, not some stray ember on a bed of straw." Beocca continued, pushing Aldhelm's hands off of him as he stepped beside Athena.

"I am not to blame for your misfortune."

"It was you!" Athena snapped, going to step forwards and attack Æthelwold, only to be held back by a weary Aldhelm. "You cannot lie! Everyone knows of your scheming plots!" She panted heavily, keeping her sword high. "Whispering at your men to do things, it would not suprise me if you whispered into the Dane's ears to have my brother killed!" She went to attack him once more, making Beocca hold her back as well.

Æthelwold swallowed thickly, clasping his hands in front of him as he looked at the men around. "I think we should find another table."

"I think you could, mayhaps, make yourself a grave because I swear this to you, when the fighting starts, i will come for you." Athena warned him. She would be the one to kill Æthelwold. She had decided that years ago. "You should all turn a death ear to this boy before you get yourselves killed." Athena told the rest of the men, pushing Aldhelm's hands off of her.

"Father Beocca, Athena..." Æthelred spoke, his sword still in his hands as he glared at the pair. "I will forgive this display, just once." He slowly nodded, keeping his sword pointed at them from across the table. "Another word and you will pay."

Athena bit back a scoff, slowly sheathing her sword as she kept her eyes on Æthelwold. Beocca was quick to pull Athena out of the Alehouse, knowing she could not bite back her comments, and would get herself killed.

Athena muttered words under her breath, kicking stoned as she walked away from the Alehouse. "We need to tell Untred." Athena spoke, looking towards the anger filled priest. "He should know. If we have to sneak past Steapa, I will."

"That will be not necessary." Beocca shook his head as they walked side-by-side. "They will let us speak to him."

And they did, Beocca and Athena walked through the palace halls, towards the cells where Uhtred was locked up.

Æthelflæd was already speaking to Uhtred, the man wanting to see Beocca and Athena. Athena let Beocca walk in first, trailing behind him with her hands clasped in front of her.

"We are here." Beocca said as he revealed himself, making Æthelflæd turn around, her eyes growing soft as they landed on Athena. "I have heard what the lady has said, and I am here to beg you, Uhtred, to beg you to stay."

But Æthelflæd shook her head. "Father Beocca, he cannot stay."

"There will be a hearing." Beocca nodded his head in acknowledgment.

Æthelflæd slowly nodded her head at that, her brows pinching together. "Perhaps." She muttered.

"And we shall be heard. We must be heard."

Uhtred took note of Athena's state, taking note of the bags underneath her eyes and his red they were. "What has happened?"

"Accept a trail and speak out." Beocca ignored Uhtred's question, continuing with his words. "If you do not, the devil will have won!"

"Beocca."

"Do not abandon what you helped to build!" Beocca firmly stated, shaking his head.

Uhtred frowned at his words, his brows pinching together. "There is a change in you." He noticed, evidently confused.

Athena let out a heavy sigh, fidgeting with her rings as she glanced up at Æthelflæd, slowly nodding her head as if asking for a moment.

Æthelflæd immediately understood, sending a sad smile to Athena as she moved to walk out of the cells.

Hesitantly stepping forward, Athena made her way towards the bars of the cell, looking at Uhtred with saddened eyes. "Thyra is gone." She swallowed thickly, reaching out to hold onto the bars. "She is with the Gods..." She looked over at Beocca for a moment, slowly nodding her head. "God, even." She added, turning back to Uhtred. "I am sorry." Her voice broke as she lowered her head.

Uhtred didn't hesitate to reach out and hold onto her hands over the bars. "How?" He uttered, taken aback by her words.

"Fire." Beocca answered from behind Athena, tears in his own eyes as he looked at the siblings. "Set by good Christian men, no doubt."

"Which men?" Uhtred immediately asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as tears gathered in his eyes.

Athena heavily breathed out, her breath shaky breath. "She is with our family—our brother." Athena nodded her head, a tear falling down her cheek as she looked at Uhtred.

"We cannot allow ourselves to be consumed by her death." Beocca added, his own voice breaking as he looked at Uhtred. "All that Alfred stood for us crumbling."

Athena blanked out the rest of his words, blinking away her tears as Uhtred squeezed her hands. "I am sorry, brother." Athena uttered, shaking her head as she gripped onto the bars. "I could not save her."

Uhtred shook his head at her words, taking his hands from her hands and bringing them up to her face, pulling her face to rest his forehead against hers.

They had both lost everything. All they had were each other. And they would stick together.

— Madeleine's notes.

Actually fucking sobbing rn.

Oop Aldhelm just got shanked up by Æthelred. Always loved Aldhelm's character, loved his character development. That mf knew where his loyalties LIE!!

Was watching Derry girls whilst writing this bits thought yall should know 🥰

BUT UGH. Athena is not gonna let Æthelwold get away with anything anymore, Nuh huh. 🤭

NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE THE LAST CHAPTER OF SEASON THREE!?!? CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

This fic has gone so far and I've never been bored whilst writing it. Bc I fucking love this fic, love Athena, love Finan, love the last kingdom. I could go OON

I cannot wait for the battle, honestly 🥰

And I hope you guys will love it.

And Beocca and Athena, the power duo we needed, but never knew we needed 👌 THEY ARE BADDIES.

Æthelwold was deffo absolutely shitting bricks when they walked in. They meant business !!!

But I'm going to go write the last chapter now my dudes 🥰 PROBS WILL BE OUT TONIGHT OR TOMORROW 🥰

BUT BUCKLE UP BITCHES.

14th September 2024
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