▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ─── ❛ king vs danes

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

It had been months now, and the Lady Mildrith was with child. Athena took it upon herself to take care of the pregnant woman, helping her with everything, besides, it would be her niece or nephew.

Athena had grown comfortable with the life she had. Of course, she missed the Dane life so much. But, she didn't mind it.

Athena sat upon her horse, looking down the hill to see a line of men on horses: Danes. "What is it you're looking at?" Athena turned when she heard Mildrith's voice, smile on her face as she saw the woman walk towards them.

"Theres a scar across the land there." Uhtred pointed down to the men, taking the piece of stick out of his mouth. "The never-ending line of Dane's on the march." He said as Athena turned back to the Danes. "Oswald, what town lays in that direction?" He asked the man.

"If they keep going west, in a day or so, they'll come to the fortress at Wareham." Oswald informed Uhtred.

"Take your family and the others to the hills till they've passed." Uhtred ordered him. "Do it now."

"And the Lady Mildrith?" Oswald asked, nodding down to the redhead.

"She travels with me." Uhtred smirked down at his wife, who smiled back up at him. "To Winchester."

"Yes Lord." Oswald instantly nodded his head, turning around on his horse and leaving the four.

"How many do you see?" Leofric asked, looking down at the Dane's.

"The question is, how many will follow?" Uhtred said, putting the stick back in his mouth.

"Perhaps all." Athena hummed, tightening her grip on the reigns as she looked over at Uhtred and Leofric.

The four made it to Winchester, standing in the palace as they waited for King Alfred.

"Wessex is being invaded and we're told to wait while he prays." Uhtred paced back and forth, shaking his head in disagreement.

Athena just sat beside Mildrith, looking up at her brother as he spoke. "God is his strength, Uhtred." Mildrith softly said, resting her head on Athena's shoulder.

"He needs to be on horseback, not on his knees." Uhtred shook his head, leaning against the wall. "I hate this place."

"Me too." Athena uttered, running her hands through Mildrith's hair.

"It grows worse." Leofric grunted, nodding his head around the corner as young Odda came around, his eyes landing on Mildrith.

"Mildrith." He uttered, looking at the redhead as she slowly stood up, smile on her face. "I was not told you were here. How pleasing to see you."

Athena rolled her eyes as she stood up, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked at the boy. "Lord." Mildrith bowed her head.

"And so much of you." He took notice of her swollen stomach, his eyes wide.

"Is he ready?" Uhtred impatiently asked, looking at young Odda, who nodded his head.

"The king is ready, as is his council." He told them before nodding at the door. "With me."

Athena smiled at Mildrith, squeezing her shoulder as the redhead sat back down, before following her brother and Leofric.

Athena clasped her hands in front of her, staring at the people around the table. "You watched 300 men or more march clean across Wessex and you did nothing?" Odda asked Uhtred with a frown.

"I'm here." Uhtred simply said, shrugging his shoulders.

"A messenger could have been sent in your place." Odda argued, shaking his head at Uhtred. "A boy."

"Why did you not confront these Danes?" King Alfred asked, looking between the siblings, making Athena raise her brow. "You have the men. That's your purpose, to create warriors."

"That would be suicide, Lord." Athena spoke, shaking her head as she looked at him. "You had given 20 men and their wives. Twenty men do not stand a chance against 300 men." She calmly pointed out, fiddling with the rings on her fingers. "It would have been a slaughter."

"But you chose not to fight." Odda pointed out, making Athena turn to face him, dumbfounded. "We'll never know."

"A warrior can only die once. Why die in vain?" Uhtred questioned, standing tall beside Athena. "The Danes have traveled from either Lundene or East Anglia. Were they not being watched?" He asked the king.

"We have been watching the ships, which remain on the Tames." The king breathed out, looking at Uhtred. "A mistake." Alfred added.

"If Wareham is captured, ships will follow." Uhtred leaned on the table, slowly nodding his head. "Three hundred men will become 3,000. My advice is we march without delay."

"I don't recall the king seeking advice." Young Odda uttered, making Athena narrow her eyes at him.

"I don't recall the king asking for your input, boy." Athena sharply said, keeping her head held high as young Odda slightly cowered, bowing his head.

"Leofric, my trusted man, how many Dane's did you witness?" Alfred asked the man that stood beside the blonde Dane.

"More than 200 by far." Leofric nodded his head. "Warriors to a man." Alfred breathed in at that. "Wareham will struggle to hold them back."

"The peace is over." Alfred realised, his eyes casted down as he spoke. "We have no choice but to march on Wareham and pray God we arrive before the fortress falls." He lifted his head, looking around at the people around the table.

"You believe it is an invasion, Lord?" Odda asked, turning to look at the king with a frown.

"It could well be the beginning of a Great Dane army, yes." Alfred hesitated as he nodded his head. "Council is over. Ealdormen of Wessex, prepare your men." He told them, turning around. "Father Beocca, I shall pray before we leave." He told the priest, who nodded.

"Yes, my lord."

Wareham had fallen, and now the men of Wessex marched there on their horses. Athena looked up at the building, holding onto her horses reigns.

"We are here to show them how many we are." Alfred said, making Athena turn her head to listen.

"We are here to show them how many we are!" Leofric repeated loudly, looking around at the line of Saxons.

"That we are here with God."

Athena rolled her eyes at that, squeezing her eyes shut as she shared a look with Uhtred.

"And this is our land."

Leofric repeated Alfred's words, breaking out of line and speaking to the men. "This is our land! Our Wessex!" He yelled. "This is our England! And we shall murder any heathen bastard that tries to take it!"

The Saxon men cheered at that, making Athena breathe out, looking at the building. She hoped Young Ragnar and Brida was not in there.

With her free hand, she reached up to grab her chain, holding onto Thor's hammer as she turned to Uhtred.

She turned her head when she saw the doors open, making Alfred signal to his men to silence, which they did. "They wish to talk, Lord." Uhtred told the king.

"I know what they want." Alfred said, watching as some of the men came out on horses. "They want time." He turned to the man beside him. "Odda, with your guards, you shall go with me. Leofric, you as well." He order the men. "And father Selbix." He added, making Athena frown, why not Beocca?

She watched as the men rode towards the Danes. Athena's hands tightened around her chain, bitting the inside of her cheek.

Athena could not hear what they were saying, but she paled as she noticed Young Ragnar. She had missed her older brother deeply. She wanted nothing more than to be with him, like olden times.

The conversation had quickly finished, the Danes turning around, as did the Saxons. "Uhtred, Athena, you will come to me following prayers."

Athena and Uhtred shared a look, frown on their faces, but they nodded their head nevertheless.

Athena and Uhtred had agreed to go to Wareham. Athena agreed before Uhtred had, knowing she would see Young Ragnar.

Athena walked in front of the Priest and Uhtred, a grin on her face as she walked up the hill. "Will they treat us well?" A priest asked, looking between to two siblings. "You are both one of them."

"Just don't piss them off." Athena told him, turning to walk backwards as she flashed him a grin, then turning back around, hands in her pockets.

Athena blocked out the rest of the conversation behind her as she walked towards the gates. She was clearly excited.

Athena watched as the doors opened, and she looked around, noticing the crowd of Danes that had frowned. She merely grinned, moving out of the way, standing to the side as Uhtred and the over hostages walked in.

Athena bit back her chuckle as the Dane's started to throw stuff at them, covering her hand over her mouth as they dodged the things thrown at them.

"Enough!" Athena turned when she heard a voice, watching the Danes freeze and turn around. "They are our guests for a while." Guthrum told them, walking down the steps.
"There's one rule only." He spoke as Athena moved to stand beside Uhtred, grin on her face as he rolled his eyes at her. "At nightfall, you will gather and sleep at the church. The doors will be barred. At daybreak, you will then be free to walk, talk, jump, hump, carry weapons." He told the hostages.

"My men have orders not to kill you..." Guthrum continued as he walked towards them. "Unless you deserve to be killed." He said, his eyes on Uhtred. "I am Guthrum. And one day, I shall be your king." He smugly said, making Athena roll her eyes. "Do you understand what I have said? You will all say, 'yes, Lord.'"

"Yes, Lord." The others behind Uhtred and Athena uttered, but the siblings kept their mouths shut.

Guthrum turned to Uhtred, clearly displeased. "I did not hear you." He stood closer towards Uhtred.

"I understand you, Lord." Uhtred sarcastically said, tilting his head to the side as Guthrum narrowed his eyes.

"Maybe I will make a present for you to Ubba." Guthrum grunted, narrowing his eyes at Uhtred.

"Should he ever return from Ireland."

"He may not. That's possible." Guthrum breathed out, still looking at Uhtred. "But then his men will become my men, and I will honour him by killing you myself." He said, leaning closer to Uhtred. "With arrows, perhaps." He smirked as Uhtred narrowed his eyes.

Athena did not expect for Guthrum to turn to her, making her tilt her head to the side. "It is good to see that you have not suffered the safe fate as your family." Guthrum nodded his head at her, making her raise her brow.

"Kjartan did not check who was in the barn when he set it aflame." Athena simply hummed, a sarcastic smile on her face as she looked up at Guthrum.

The man hummed, turning around as he called out. "Ragnar Ragnarson." Athena grinned at that, turning to the crowd. "You know these well." He nodded at the siblings, before turning back to Uhtred. "Keep him out of my sight." He added before walking away. "Take them to the church. Feed them." He told his men.

Athena couldn't help but chuckle as she looked over at Ragnar, moving to quickly pull him into a hug. "It is good to see you!" She chuckled, practically jumping up and down as she pulled out of the hug, grinning up at him.

Ragnar grinned down at her, ruffling her hair up as they both turned to Uhtred, who immediately pulled Ragnar into a hug.

"Now you are both where you belong." Ragnar grinned at them both, holding onto both of their arms. Athena couldn't help but agree. This was her home, with the Danes. "I will remind you both what it is like to be a Dane and make you stay."

"You don't have to persuade me." Athena giggled, punching his arm with a grin.

Ragnar pulled her into a side hug, making her lean into his side. "Brida's here." Ragnar added, making Athena turn to look at the brunette.

Athena watched with a smile as Uhtred walked over towards Brida, pulling her into a hug. Athena was just thrilled to be back with her family.

"He's married?" Ragnar asked, hearing Uhtred tell Brida that he was married. Athena nodded her head with a grin. "Are you?"

"Gods no!" Athena smacked his arm with a chuckle. "How could you think of such a thing!" She pouted, making Ragnar chuckle and ruffle her hair once more.

Athena had started to learn how to do her own braids, but they were not as good as Thyra use to do them. But she tried.

"Tonight, we get drunk." Ragnar announced, leaning his arm on Athena's shoulder. "We must."

"We need to be inside the church." Uhtred pointed out, making Athena groan.

"No, tonight we get drunk." Ragnar gestured to himself and Athena. "I'll take you to the church myself." He jested, pointing at Uhtred with a grin.

Athena stood beside Brida, her arm slung around the woman's shoulder as she held a cup of ale in her free hand.

It was now night, and the men were in the middle of a fire, pulling on a rope. Athena cheered for her brothers, as did Brida.

She had missed this, missed being a Dane.

"Pull! Pull!" Ragnar ordered his men in his side, continuing to pull on the rope.

Athena cheered once more, taking a sip of her ale as she leaned into Brida. "Oh, how I have missed this." Athena chuckled, turning to Brida, who mirrored her smile.

"That is why you should stay!" Brida shook her arm, practically begging for Athena to stay. "Fuck the oath."

Athena bit the inside of her cheek, a sigh leaving her lips. "I cannot leave Uhtred." She shook her head as Brida sucked in a breath. "I want to be here—be a Dane. I want to take revenge for my family."

"I know you do." Brida nodded her head, squeezing Athena's arm before leaning into the blonde's side. "And you will."

Athena slowly nodded her head, sucking in a breath as she smiled, keeping her arm wrapped around Brida's shoulder.

Athena couldn't help out laugh as Ragnar left Uhtred and the other men to pull on the rope, making them step into the fire.

Uhtred almost fell into Ragnar if he hadn't been caught. Athena held her stomach as she leaned forwards, laughs leaving her lips as Brida patted her back.

"I haven't laughed so much in a long time." Uhtred shook his head, hand on the table to stabilise himself as he looked at the three.

"Then you haven't been living." Ragnar breathed out, grin still on his face as he shook his head. "Or, as Raven would say, 'tomorrow we die.'"

Athena softly smiled at the mention of her grandfather, nodding her head. "When did he ever say that?" Uhtred raised his brow, looking at the blonde siblings.

"When you were out chopping wood, brother." Athena grinned, nudging his arm as she scrunched her nose up, making Uhtred nudge her back.

"Well, I actually do need to piss." Ragnar told them, making Athena roll her eyes in disgust.

"What you need to do is stop drinking." Brida chucked at her new lover.

"You might as well tell her that." Ragnar nudged Athena, who was drinking her ale.

"I do not." Athena smacked his arm, sending him a glare as he chuckled, shaking his head as he walked away.

Athena softly shook her head, bringing the cup to her lips as she looked at Uhtred, who was staring longingly at Brida.

"Go on." Athena uttered, nudging Uhtred with a grin. "But do not be long." She warned him with a pointed look. "And you have a wife."

"You do not need to remind me, sister." Uhtred grinned, ruffling her already messy hair before pulling Brida away.

Athena softly chuckled, sorting her hair out as she brought her wavy hair to rest across her chest.

Even though she had been living with Saxons, she still dressed as a Dane. Her chunky armour, heavy jewellery in her hair, around her wrists, ears and fingers.

Her hair always had at-least one braid in, for Thyra.

Athena sat and stared at the fire, waiting for her brothers and Brida to return. She slight swayed side to side as she continued to drink the ale.

She turned at the sound of footsteps, tipsily smiling at Ragnar. "There you are." She softly said, tapping the seat beside her. "Where is Uhtred?"

"In the church." Ragnar sighed as he sat down beside Athena, making the blonde woman frown.

"Why is he there?" Athena frowned, bringing the cup to her lips as turning to face him. Ragnar simply sighed, running his hand over her face. "It's because of the oath." She slowly nodded her head, bitting the inside of her cheek.

"You both do not need to go back. You can stay with us—join us. You are a Dane." Ragnar reached out for her free hand, squeezing it with a hopeful look.

Athena closed her eyes for a moment, bowing her head. "I am a Dane, brother. I am no Saxon, nor am I a traitor." Athena breathed in, looking up at him with a sad smile. "But I fear I do not have a place here. It feels weird, not having our family." Athena sniffled, stroking her thumb against his hand.

"Of course you have a place here, you are my sister-"

"And Uhtred is our brother." Athena nodded her head with a sad smile. "Ubba and Guthrum want him dead, it is evident. What is stopping them from murdering him and I?" Athena shrugged her shoulders. "I'm already seen as a traitor to the Danes." She uttered, turning her head to the side as she chugged the last bit of ale in her cup. "I cannot leave him, Ragnar." She whispered, shaking her head as she kept her eyes on the fire.

"I know." Ragnar slowly nodded his head, understanding his sister. She had always looked out for Uhtred, even when he was just a slave boy.

"I have no loyalty to Alfred." Athena told him, turning to face him once more. "Although I promised him my sword, when it comes to battle, I fear I cannot kill a Dane—I can't." She shakily breathed out, squeezing his hand. "I just want Uhtred to be safe." She said, her eyes becoming teary as she spoke.

Ragnar didn't think twice as he pulled his little sister into a hug, wrapping his arms around her as she rested her head on his chest.

"I want you to be safe, too. And Brida." She added, her eyes returning back to the fire as she leaned into him. "Promise me you will be safe when we leave."

"I promise." Ragnar uttered, pressing a kiss at the top of her head as he ran his hand over her hair.

"When the time is right, me and Uhtred will join you." Athena promised, looking up at him with a soft smile. "We can be a family once more. We can take our revenge on Kjartan."

— madeleines notes.

Ugh. The thing is with me, I love writing sibling relationships. They are just the best! The bickering, the soft moments, makes my heart.

But Ragnar knows Athena won't leave Uhtred, even if that means to stay with the Saxons. But he knows she's a Dane and will never betray her people... yet. LOL.

Get me writing season two for our favourite Irish man. GOD DAYM.

But back with the long ass chapter yay.

Is it 4 am ? Yes ? Do I care ? No ?

HAHAAH

well goodnight or Goodmorning to you all! 🎀🎀

27th July 2024
3340 words