▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎 ─── ❛ oaths

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

Bitterness nipped at the bare arms of Athena, making her cross her arms over her chest and lean closer to the wagon behind her.

The sound of swords crashing against each other echoed around. Athena's eyes didn't leave Uhtred, who fought against Clapa.

"Clapa's a bear." Halig spoke, his head practically leaning over Athena's shoulder. "A big, angry bear." He continued, looking down to Athena, Hild, Melusine and Beocca. "Should we call a halt?"

Beocca shook his head, watching Uhtred block Clapa's attack with his shield. "No, not at all." Athena turned to glance at the priest beside Melusine. "With a little luck, a blow will land." Athena rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a small smile. "All he's doing is shaking off his feathers."

"Why doesn't Athena go and knock him and his ego down." Hild jutted her head towards the blonde Dane, a faint smirk on her lips.

Athena chuckled, slowly nodding her head in agreement. "I would love to." Athena uttered, watching Uhtred and Clapa. "I'll let him have his moment." She sighed dramatically, leaning back and resting her head in Halig's arm, making him nudge her head.

"I believe the lady feels the same." Melusine then said, stopping Athena and Halig's bickering. Athena followed Melusine's eyes, her own eyes landing on Gisela, who watched Uhtred with a fond look.

Athena softly smiled, looking at Gisela, who noticed her stare and quickly dodged eye contact with the Dane. "She has a thing for him." Athena noted with the smile still on her face, making Melusine nudge her. "What, it is the truth, look how she is watching him." She simply said, making Melusine give her a look.

Athena innocently smiled, shrugging her shoulders as she turned to face the fight once more. She watched as Uhtred kicked the back of Clapa's leg, a move Athena had taught him when they were young.

Uhtred grinned in victory, pressing the wooden sword against Clapa's neck, kissing the top of his bald head. "Not every sword stroke is a kill!" Uhtred spoke to the crowd around him. "A kill is something you must fashion." He moved away from Clapa, circling around him. "Whether man shading man if within a shield wall. Anything beyond the knee is vulnerable. A strike to the ankle won't kill you."

Figures in the distance made Athena stand up straight. She narrowed her eyes, looking over to see people in horses—Danes. "Uhtred." She called, carefully walking towards her brother, eyes still on the Danes.

Uhtred frowned at her tone, looking over at her, then to see where she was looking. Athena made her way to stand beside Uhtred, her hand instinctively going to the hilt of her sword. "Forgive me." The blonde Dane spoke first, looking around at them. "We're looking for Uhtred and Athena, the commanders of the King's army."

Athena edged closer towards Uhtred, watching them with suspicion. The Dane then cloned off of his horse, his men doing the same. "We're here to offer our swords." He continued, raising his hands up.

Guthred looked at the men, then turning to the siblings. "Excellent." He grinned, looking back to the other Dane's. "Excellent. To whom do you belong?"

"We serve the Dane, Earl Brynjar." The Dane replied back, looking over at the Guthred. Athena carefully analysed each Dane, her eyes landing on one of them, whose eyes were elsewhere.

Athena followed his gaze, looking over her shoulder at Melusine, who was oblivious to the stares. Athena hardened her gaze, turning back to the brunette Dane. He didn't miss the glare she sent, making his lower his head.

"I know of Brynjar." Guthred's grin didn't falter. "Well, I am Guthred. I'm king of Cumberland." He introduced himself.

The blonde Dane instantly bowed his head. "Lord. Forgive me."

"No, no, no." Guthred shook his head, a small chuckle leaving his lips. "If you are here to join me, there's nothing to forgive."

Uhtred shared a look with Athena, crossing his arms over his chest. "Brynjar's not with you?" Uhtred asked, making the Dane turn to him.

"My lord is an old man now." The Dane simply said, shrugging his shoulders as he looked in between the siblings.

"He sends you here." Athena carefully asked, lifting her chin up as she looked at the Dane. "Why?"

"He's worried the like of Kjartan will take his land." Athena couldn't help but narrow her gaze at the mention of the man. "If king Guthred is against Kjartan, then we're with him." The Dane turned his attention to the king.

Guthred nodded his head, grin still on his face. "Excellent." He repeated. "Truly excellent." Athena was starting to think he put his trust in people too easily.

"You just be Uhtred and Athena." The Dane nodded at the siblings, his eyes gazing between them both.

"We are." Athena hummed, gripping on Uhtred's arm in instinct.

Uhtred kept close to her, watching them careful. "There is ale and food on the cart, if you're hungry." Uhtred offered the Dane's.

Athena watched as they moved to the cart, the blonde swiftly turning around and walking towards Melusine, Halig, Hild and Beocca. "We must eat, Father, before the food disappears." Hild uttered, turning her head to the priest.

Athena hummed in agreement, eyeing the Dane's. Something was off, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was. Athena kept beside Melusine and Halig, standing beside the cart.

"Fill your bellies." The main Dane told the men, throwing an apple to one of them. Athena watched them, holding onto Melusine's hand.

Melusine watched the Dane's with interest, her eyes looking between each one, her eyes landing on a brunette Dane, the one Athena had caught looking at Melusine.

The Dane was already looking at her, quickly looking away as he bit into his apple. "You're staring." Athena uttered, subtly moving in front of her and glaring at the Dane. "I will cut out his eyes."

"He's merely looking around, Thena." Melusine shook her head, slight smile on her face as she held onto Athena's arm.

Athena shook her head, pulling Melusine at the cart. "I don't like them—don't trust them." She simply said, making Melusine sigh, knowing Athena had started to trust people less and less. Athena only trusted her group, the people she had been with for a while. You had to gain her trust now, she doesn't simply give it.

If Athena didn't like you, it was obvious. She'd give you a glare, snarl at you and grit her teeth together. But when she trusted you, it was also obvious.

Laughs echoed around, drunken men cheering to each other. Athena brought her own cup to her lips, barely raising her head as Meluisne braided her hair.

The table had watched Uhtred follow Gisela, all sharing knowing looks. "How long do you think it will take him to bed her?" Athena mischievously grinned, looking around the table.

A hiss left Athena's lips, feeling her hair being tugged on. Melusine innocently smiled, but narrowed her eyes at Athena, who sheepishly looked away. Thought Melusine was a soft spirit, Athena was slightly intimidated by the woman.

"My thoughts, soon." Halig joined in, a smirk on his own face as he spoke, making Athena chuckle. He then raised his cup to Athena. "First to get drunk, Thens?" He asked, watching as Melusine finished braiding her hair.

Athena quickly turned her body, resting her arms on the table as she raised her cup. "You are on, Arseling." She said, brining the cup to her lips and chugging the ale.

The two went back and forth, ordering more ale to chug. Athena could tell Halig was starting to get tipsy, but Athena was completely fine.

Halig practically leaned on the table, head swaying wide to side. Athena and Melusine shared a chuckle, shaking their heads. "You can drink, woman." Clapa pointed at her, grin on his face.

Athena smugly grinned, shrugging her shoulders as she refilled her cup. "My father use to say I could drink like an Irish man." Athena brought her cup to her lips once more, spotting Uhtred from afar.

"Your father was right." Hild softly smiled, having watched Athena chug five cups of ale and not feeling it in the slightest. "I'm sure you could out drink every man in Wessex."

Athena nodded her head with a grin, placing her cup down and leaning her head on Melusine's shoulder. "I've never met a man who could out drink me."

But Athena frowned as she watched Halig quickly sit up, eyes looking everywhere. "Clapa!" Halig smacked the table. "Clapa!" The big man looked up at his name, frown on his face as he looked up. "The Dane's—the ugly Danes who were sat there..." He nodded to the table behind them. "When did they leave?" He asked quickly.

Athena sat up straight, looking over to the table, and not seeing the Danes there. She clenched her jaw—she knew she didn't trust them. "We need to find Uhtred." She quickly said, scrambling to her feet and grabbing her sword. "Halig, sober up." She grabbed the cup of water, splashing it on the Saxons face.

Clapa had signalled the men to follow them, weapons in hands. Athena had practically sprinted towards the barn, hearing shouts.

Athena gripped her sword, running towards the shouts as the men followed after her. She crouched down behind the hay, seeing one of the Dane's holding their sword at Uhtred.

And without a though, Athena unsheathed one of her daggers, throwing it at the Dane's neck. Her aim landed in his neck, making him cry out in pain, letting go of Uhtred. "Now!" Athena yelled at the men behind her.

At her yell, the warriors all came out of hiding, attacking the Danes. Athena ran over to the Dane she had killed, pulling her dagger out of his neck.

Footsteps behind her made her swiftly turn around, spinning her sword in her hand and crouching down, bringing her sword to slit the Dane's legs, making him fall forwards with a cry.

She sheathed her dagger, gripping onto her sword as she looked over to the brunette Dane, who was making no attempt to attack.

So, Athena made the first move, sneaking up behind him and pressing her sword against his neck. "No!" Athena looked up at Uhtred's voice. "I need one of them alive!"

Athena groaned, roughly holding onto the back of his shirt. "It seems the gods have granted you life." Athena sighed, practically pushing him to Uhtred's feet.

Athena helped put the bodies in a cart, wheeling it towards the centre of the village. Cheers echoed around, the men cheering at their small victory.

Athena tightly held onto the Dane prisoner, her grip nipping into his skin. The lad looked terrified. He had heard stories of Athena Ragnarsdóttir, all from his father and half-brother.

"This night, evil did visit Cumberland and it was defeated!" Guthred spoke loudly to his people, pointing to the cart. "By men who have now proven themselves to be warriors!"

Moor cheers were yelled at the Kings words, making Athena roll her eyes, nudging Hild's arm. "This is our first victory and it will not be our last!"

"It will not be our last!"

Cheers echoed once more, swords being thrown into the air. "So let's celebrate!" Guthred finished, his men yelling in victory.

"What are we doing with the rat looking Dane, brother." Athena looked over her shoulder at Uhtred, pulling on the Dane's arm.

Uhtred merely smirked, holding onto his belt as she nodded at the Dane. "You'll look after him until I have decided." His smirk grew wider at Athena's face.

"Uhtred, I will murder you in your sleep!" Athena hissed, watching as Uhtred chuckled, walking away with the cart. Another groan let Athena's lips as she turned to the Dane. "For your sake, do not get on my nerves. Your dead friends ruined my ale-time."

The Dane quickly nodded his head, making Athena grin in victory, pulling him along with the rope around his wrists.

It was evident Athena was not happy. She didn't want to watch the Dane boy. She was exhausted.

Athena had moved to sit around the fire, warming herself up. She had died the Dane to a tree, ignoring him completely. "I would like to speak to you and Lord Uhtred, lady." The Dane spoke, making Athena close her eyes in annoyance.

"I will have your tongue if you continue to speak, Boy." Athena rubbed her hands together, her eyes on the dancing flames.

The Dane sighed, throwing his head back. "Please, I would like to serve you both." He pleaded once more, making Athena groan.

"I would like you to be silent, for the love of the gods." Athena sighed, fiddling with the rings around her finger. "Just be silent and maybe, I'll let you speak to my brother."

Athena looked over her shoulder at the Dane, who nodded his head in agreement, lowering his head at her words.

"Thena." Athena turned around, smile on her face as she heard Melusine's voice. She looked up to see the brunette, holding a bowl of water in one hand, and a cloth in the other. "May I?"

Athena rolled her eyes, moving on the log to let her sit down. "You do not need to ask, Mel." Athena chuckled, watching as Melusine sat beside her.

"I know." Melusine hummed, guiding Athena to sit in front of her. Melusine then placed the bowl down on the log, gently dipping the cloth into the water.

Athena relaxed as the cloth touched her face, Melusine cleaning the blood off of Athena's face. Athena had grown to trust Melusine with everything. Athena felt safe with the woman.

The fire was the only noise heard, Melusine rinsing the water from the cloth before she gracefully dragged the cloth against Athena's face. "What had he had to say?" Melusine uttered, subtly nodding her head in the direction of the Dane.

Athena sighed, still relaxed as she kept her eyes closed. "He wants to serve Uhtred and I." Athena quietly spoke, reaching up to hold Thor's hammer around her neck. "Whom knows why."

"Maybe he does want to serve you two." Melusine shrugged her shoulders, a gentle smile on her face. She turned her chin to the side, looking over at the Dane, who was already looking at her with a gentle look.

Athena opened one eye, feeling the cloth stay on her cheek. She rolled her eyes as she looked at Melusine, who quickly looked away.

Athena had left the Dane prisoner for one moment with Halig, and now he had a sword to Halig's throat.

"I could have killed him, Lord, Lady." The Dane looked in between the siblings with wide eyes, gripping onto the sword that was held against Halig's throat. "Made by good escape."

Athena went to step forward, her eyes narrowed as she unsheathed her sword, but Uhtred and Melusine pulled her back. "I will gut you for laying your hand on him!" Athena hissed, watching as the Dane cowered under her sharp gaze.

"I asked for your men to fetch you." The Dane swallowed thickly, eyes flickering between Uhtred and Athena. "I do not murder. I wish to bargain."

Uhtred wearily looked at the man, looking down at Halig before he carefully stepped forwards. "A life for a life, is it?"

"My life for my sword." The man uttered, said still against Halig's throat. Athena's gaze hardened as she squeezed her sword handle, her knuckles turning white. "I wish to serve you and your sister, lord."

Athena couldn't understand why he would want to serve her. She had nothing. She had no land. She was no lord, no lady. She was just serving her brother. "I could've killed both, but I wish to serve you." The Dane continued.

Athena scoffed, shaking her head, standing close to Uhtred. "You are Kjartan's man." She harshly spat, her voice full of venom.

The Dane merely shook his head at her words, swallowing thickly. "No." He told her, looking over at Uhtred. "I'm Kjartan's bastard son who whelped on a slave girl."

Athena's eyes widened at that, side-eyeing Uhtred. This was Kjartan's son. He could be useful. "And I wish to serve a warrior and a lord." The man continued.

Athena hadn't even realised Meluisne had joined her sighed, her blue eyes stuck on the Dane.

"If you believe me to be these things, then put down your sword." Uhtred carefully said, nodding his head at the sword against Halig's neck.

The Dane wearily looked around, before his eyes landed back on Uhtred. "You guarantee my life?" He uttered.

Athena breathed in, biting her inner cheek as she looked at Uhtred, then the Dane. "Put down your sword, and maybe I won't gift your head to your father." Athena hummed, her expression calm, which sent shivers down the Dane's neck.

"Kill him." Abbot said, making the siblings turn to him.

"No." Uhtred quickly said, looking over his shoulder at Abbot, before turning it back down the Dane. "Put down your sword."

There was a moment, a still moment. They all watched the Dane carefully. Athena couldn't help but let out a sigh, herself and Melusine reaching to grab Halig. "I can be of use to you." The man told them both, his eyes glaring at Melusine for a quick moment.

"He's nothing but a heathen!" Abbot Eardred spoke once more, making Athena slowly turn her chin to look over at him. "Kill him!"

"No one is to move." Uhtred calmly said, looking over at Abbot.

"Kill him now!"

A frustrated groan left Athena's lips, quickly turning to face the man. "My brother said no one is to move—we are not killing the Dane, Abbot. He is of use." She hardly harshly said, her eyes narrowed into slits. The Abbot stared at her, making raise her brow. "Do you understand?"

The Abbot kept eye contact with her as he moved back to stand beside Guthred. Athena let out a satisfied hum, turning back around to look at the Dane. "What is your name?" Uhtred asked, taking his eyes off Athena, and to the Dane.

"I'm called Sihtric, Lord." The Dane replied, sucking in a breath. "Please, I'm not loyal to Kjartan and never can be." He persisted.

"And you swear your sword is ours?" Uhtred tilted his head to Athena, making her raise her head, staring at Sihtric.

Athena watched him reach up to hold the vain around his neck. "On Thor's hammer I do." He said. And Athena relaxed her shoulders at that, looking at the Thor's hammer in his hands. Sihtric then lowered himself to his knees. "I swear."

Uhtred turned to his sister, seeking her advice. He didn't expect Athena to nod her bad instantly, but she trusted her Gods—trusted Sihtric. He swore on Thor's hammer.

Uhtred nodded his head at Athena, grateful for her silent input. "Then you have our protection." Uhtred told him. Sihtric looked between the siblings, seeing no lies.

"Thank you." Sihtric bowed his head. "Thank you."

Athena thought this was an opportunity. Who would know Kjartan better than his own son? "Sihtric is with us now." Untred turned, announcing to the people. "He served in King Guthred's army."

Athena sighed as she turned her head to the side, looking at Melusine. Athena swiftly handed the brunette her sword, pulling her dagger from her thigh strap and moved over to Sihtric.

Sihtric's eyes widened at her gesture, making her raise her hands up in defence. "Your restraints, Sihtric." She uttered calmly, making him sigh, realising she meant no harm.

Without hesitation, Sihtric held out his wrists, letting Athena stand towards him, carefully cutting the rope that tied his hands together. "There." She softly said, swiftly passing her dagger back in her sheath. "You are now free."

Sihtric sent her a grateful look, nodding his head as he held his wrists. "Thank you, Lady." He gratefully said, making Athena chuckle.

"I am no lady." She simply said, crossing her arms over her chest as she beckoned Melusine over. Melusine stood up straight, swallowing thickly. "You can call me Athena." She told Sihtric in a soft tone.

Sihtric nodded his head, looking over at the brunette, who handed Athena her sword back. Athena swiftly placed her sword back in its sheath, reaching to hold Melusine's arm. "This is Melusine." Athena turned to Sihtric, her eyes holding warning.

Sihtric swallowed thickly, nodding his head at the woman. "Lady." He politely said. Athena wanted to headbut the tree behind Sihtric, noticing Melusine's shy look.

"She'll be tending your wounds." Athena cleared her throat, side-eyeing Melusine. "Understood?" She looked back up at Sihtric, who nodded his head.

"Understood." Sihtric said, nodding his head at the pair. Athena rolled her eyes once more, looking between the pair.

She nodded Melusine to go to her tent, carefully waiting until the was out of ear sight. "You touch her, I'll take you limb by limb, got it?" Athena calmly said, her look intimidating as Sihtric gulped.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Sihtric told her, making her grin.

She patted his shoulder, looking up at him. "Good conversation." She jested, turning on her heel.

— Madeleine's notes.

AYY SIHTRIC.

Athena mode activated.

She just protecting her bestie🙌 wouldn't let anything happen to her.

But that will be reciprocated, do not worry 🫡

Both will play protective at one point in this fanfic.

BUT GETTING CLOSER TO FINAN!! AYYYYYYYYYYY

6th August 2024
3622 words