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

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

It had been three years since the battle in Dunholm. Three years since the death of Kjartan and his son. Things had changed in those three years.

Athena spun her dagger in her hand, her foot depts gentle as she walked in the woods. "She says she loves me." Sihtric spoke up suddenly, gaining Athena's attention.

Athena quickly spun around, walking backwards as she looked at the Dane with a grin. "Don't give me that look, Thena." Sihtric sighed, making Athena pout.

It was no secret that Sihtric had fallen for Melusine, and the same ground for Melusine. It didn't surprise Athena one bit, seen as though she had put a bet on it with Finan.

Sihtric and Melusine had formed a bond in the three years, which everyone noticed. Athena had teased both of them, but stopped once she was teased herself.

"I wish to marry her." Sihtric then said, making Athena abruptly stop, knocking ignored Finan as she stared at the Dane.

Athena raised her brows, almost choking on her breath. "You wish to marry her?" Her eyes were wide as Sihtric nodded his head.

"I wish you to kill Danes and survive the night." Uhtred replied, grabbing a hold of his sister and turning her around. "We're the only chance the villagers have." Uhtred added, making Athena walk forwards.

But they came to a holt as Finan stopped, raising his hand for them to stop. They heard distant screaming and shouting from afar. "They have begun." Finan said, crouching down slightly.

Uhtred and Finan shared a look as they all stood back up, walking forwards in a line. The group came across an opening, a fire in the middle of two people.

Clapa threw a spear into one of the men, who collapsed to the floor as the spear struck him.

Athena unsheathed her sword, stepping towards the remaining man. The man raised his sword, but Finan stepped towards him, pointing his own sword at the man. "If you wish to live, boy, take your hand away from your sword."

The man slowly let go of his sword. But when Finan was caught off guard, the man reached for his sword. But Finan reacted fast, quickly turning to slit the man's throat in one swift motion.

Athena lowered her arm, turning around as she watched the group move towards them. "There will be no more than 30 raiders." Uhtred informed them, walking towards them. "We hide and we wait."

And that is what they did. Athena hid behind a tree, fidgeting with the rings around her fingers.

She ignored how the bark uncomfortably dug into her back, her armour pressing againt her. But she soon looked around, hearing voices and footsteps.

She looked over to Uhtred, who slowly unsheathed his sword. Athena took that as a signal to put her dagger away, unsheathing her own sword from her waist.

They continued to wait, watching as one of the men walked over to the dead man. When the man held into the limp body, Uhtred nodded his head to the group. "Now!" Uhtred yelled.

Athena leaned off of the tree, moving towards the men with her sword raised. She let out a grunt as he'd asked collided with one of the men's sword.

She gritted her teeth, leaning backwards as she pushed her sword against his. She shoved him forward, grabbing a hold of his arm and twisting it, making him hell in pain.

Athena raised her other hand, slitting the man's throat with ease. She dropped his body to the ground, moving backwards.

She yelped, feeling a harsh hand grab a hold of her arm. She was quick to elbow  the man behind her, crouching underneath his arm to slit his legs with her sword.

When he let go of her, she stabbed her sword into his chest, quickly pulling it out as she panted heavily.

One by one, the men dropped dead to the ground. Athena held onto her sword, looking around for any sign of danger.

"Finan." Untred called, watching as the Irish man kicked one of the bodies. "Hang three of the dead from the trees, visible from the river."

Athena sighed, sheathing her sword as she turned to the scene, hands on her hips as she watched Finan pat one of the men's head, then shoving him to the ground with a grin.

They had returned to Coccham, Athena quickly finding Melusine and Gisela. She almost fell to the ground as someone jumped onto her back.

She heard the child's giggles as he clung to her. Athena grinned, rolling her eyes as she wrapped her arms around the boys legs. "Uhtred, what have I told you?" Athena sighed, biting back a grin as she moved towards Uhtred's and Gisela's home. "You have to do better than that to scare me." She jested, holding onto her nephew.

"I didn't scare you!" The boy whined, wrapping his little arms around her neck as they walked into his him. "Mother!" He called out, grin on his face as his eyes landed on his mother, whom held onto his sister, Stiorra.

Gisela fondly smiled at the pair, cradling her young babe in her arms. "It is good to see that you are well, Thena." Gisela softly smiled, watching as Athena carefully flipped Uhtred over her shoulder, placing him down in front of her.

"Well, I almost broke an ankle because of this rascal." Athena chuckled, tickling the young boys side. Uhtred let out a giggle at that, trying to get away from her tickles. "And where is my niece?" Athena hummed, grin on her face as she stepped towards Gisela, a gentle look on her face as she stared down at the babe.

Gisela didn't hesitate to carefully place Stiorra in Athena's arms. Athena carefully caressed the girls cheek with her finger, grin on her face. "Is Uhtred back?" Gisela asked, holding onto her son.

Athena nodded her head, cradling Stiorra close to her. "Yes." Athena nodded, pressing a gentle kiss to the babe's forehead. "He'll be outside." She softly said, handing Stiorra back to Gisela. "He's missed you terribly, sister." She grinned, squeezing Gisela's cheek and leaving them to see Uhtred.

Athena left their home, moving towards Melusine's home. "Mel!" Athena yelled, opening her door and looking around her home. "Melusine! Your favourite person has returned."

"And whom is that to be?" Melusine turned around the corner, hands clasped together as Athena grinned at her. "It certainly isn't you."

Athena rolled her eyes, a chuckle leaving her lips as she moved towards the brunette, pulling her into a hug. "Oh!" Athena quickly said, pulling from the hug and holding onto her arms. "I have something to tell you!" She grinned, remembering what Sihtric had said.

Melusine frowned at Athena's teasing look, looking over at Athena. "What?" Melusine uttered, confused and scared. "What has happened?"

Athena groaned, throwing her head back. "No need to be frightened!" Athena shook Melusine's arm. "'Tis good news!" Athena was practically junking for joy. "Wait, I don't know if I should tell you." Athena uttered, lowering her head. "I fret I might get murdered."

Melusine's eyes widened at that, squeezing Athena's arm. "What?!" She almost yelled, her brows pinching together. "What do you mean?"

Athena quickly let go of Melusine's arm, raising her finger to her ear. "Do you hear that?" She asked, looking around as she pointed to the doors behind me. "I hear Finan calling me, he owes me a drink!" Athena quickly said, spinning around on her feet and running out of Melusine's home.

Melusine stood, gobsmacked. Her eyes didn't leave the door, watching as Athena left in a hurry. Melusine now felt nervous, not having a clue what Athena meant.

After Athena had spoken to Melusine, she had gone outside. Athena felt bad for not explaining to Melusine, but it was not her place. She was just excited.

"No, hold your hands like this." Athena instructed, lifting her hands and holding them together in a praying gesture, her hands pointing towards him.

Finan mimicked her, doing the same gesture as her. A grin then made its way onto his face. "I thought Danes do not pray." He jested, making Athena roll her eyes, slapping his arm.

"It is a game I use to play with Thyra." Athena sat up, her hands still together as she smiled at the memory.

After the battle in Dunholm, Thyra and Athena had quickly re-bonded. Athena was relieved that Thyra didn't hate her and wasn't mad anymore.

Athena had checked up on Thyra whenever she could, due to the fact Thyra was in Wessex.

"And what is this game?" Finan raised his brow as Athena sighed, reaching forwards to raise his hands once more.

"So." Athena started, nodding her head with a grin. "You'll be the attacker." She pointed her hands at him. "And I have to pull my hands away before you can hit them." She moved her hands as she spoke. "Got it?"

Finan nodded his head with a look of unsureness, but nodded his head nevertheless. He had come accustomed to Athena's random games whenever she was bored. "Got it."

And that is what they did for a straight ten minutes, playing back and forth. Athena kept winning, of course. It was a game she had made up years about.

Athena chuckled when she one once more, slapping Finan's hands. "It seems you are terrible at this game." Athena hummed with a mocking look.

Finan scoffed at her mockery, shaking his head. "How is this a game?" He lowered his hands in defeat, making Athena chuckle once more.

Before Athena could even reply, she was taken by surprise when little arms wrapped around her, almost pulling her to the floor.

A yelp left Athena as she sat up straight, looking over her shoulder and letting out a sigh as she saw who it was. Her nephew.

"Young Uhtred, what have I said?" Athena sighed as she heard the giggling behind her. "You cannot scare me." She turned, picking the little boy up and placing him on her lap. "Does your mother know you are out here?"

The boy shook his head, making Athena sigh, sharing a look with Finan. "I wanted to scare you." Young Uhtred grinned as Athena shook her head, tickling his sides with a smile.

"Your mother will be worried." Athena gave him a pointed look, moving to stand up and holding the boy in her arms.

Young Uhtred let out a defeated sigh, nodding his head as Athena chuckled, pinching his cheek. "Finan, Athena." Both of them turned their heads in the direction of the voice.

Sihtric nodded his head to the gate, making Athena look up, sigh leaving her lips as she saw the King Alfred. "Here we go." She uttered, watching Finan stand up beside her. "You deal with him and my brother." Athena patted Finan's arm as she moved to walk away. "And let's get you back to your mother." She grinned at the boy in her arm.

Athena subtly looked around the table, cup in hand as she looked over at the King "the leith was suitable, Lord?" Gisela spoke first, her polite self shinning a smile to the king.

"The broth was a delight, Gisela." Alfred nodded his head with a smile.

"As is the ale." Lord Odda added with a grin, making Athena smile into her own cup.

But Alfred pulled a displeased look, wiping his hands. "You should moderate, Odda. You have a ladder to climb to find your bed." Alfred slightly warned the man.

"You can always be carried, Lord." Uhtred teased slightly, grin on his face as he looked at Odda.

Odda raised his cup, his grin matching Uhtred's. "It wouldn't be the first time." Athena quietly chuckled at that, lowering her head.

"And I guarantee it won't be the last time." Alfred muttered, a look of disappointment on his face.

Athena leaned back in her seat, enjoying the back and forth. "Lord, you make me out to be a drunk." He raised his cup, signalling for a refill. "Though my head will be sore in the morning, I know it."

Athena chuckled, bringing her own cup to her lips. "The best way to wake. Is it not, Lord? " Athena grinned at him, taking a sip of her own ale.

"Aye, then it's ale for breakfast, Lord, the only cure." Finan nodded his head in agreement, nudging the Lord beside him.

"Was my nephew drunk when he was here last?" Alfred then asked, referring to Æthelwold.

Athena rolled her eyes at that, slouching back in her seat at the mention of the man. "Æthelwold is often drunk, Lord." Uhtred simply said, turning his head to look over at the King. "But this last time he did big touch a drop."

Athena rolled her eyes, mumbling into her hand. "Surprisingly." She muttered, looking down at her food. She almost let out a hiss as she felt someone kick her leg from under the table, making her look up to see a grinning Finan.

"He mentioned he had been sober for days, which came as a surprise." Gisela sweetly said, making Athena stop glaring at Finan and look towards her.

Lord Odda chuckled, looking at Gisela. "That's a miracle."

"Not quite." Alfred quickly said, shaking his head.

Athena raised her brow once more, taking a sip of her ale. "Æthelwold is not a complete fool, lord." Uhtred spoke once more, making Athena slowly turn her head towards her brother, who sat beside her, raising her eyebrows. "If he's idle, then could he not help bring order to Mercia?" He asked the king, who lowered his head. "He fought well at Ethandum."

Athena bit back a scoff, lowing her head as she kept her mouth shut, almost downing all the ale in her cup. "As he is fond of reminding people." Lord Odda slowly nodded his head as he spoke.

Athena had never trusted Æthelwold. There was something about him that Athena was weary of. "He's as good a man as Æthelred." Uhtred muttered.

"Uhtred, you speak of matters you do not understand." Alfred quickly cut in, shaking his head with a stern look. "Matters that do not concern you."

Uhtred turned his head once more, looking over at King Alfred. "The safety of Wessex concerns me."

"I'm happy to hear you say it." Alfred nodded his head at Uhtred's words.

"Which is why we killed the raiders, Lord." Finan added, leaning back in his chair.

"Raiders who once belonged to Earl Guthrum." Uhtred continued, eating some of the food on his plate.

Alfred sat up slightly, his eyes on Uhtred. "His name is now King Æthelstan." He corrected. "That has been his name since he became a Christian." Athena rolled her eyes at that.

Uhtred clearly shared the same annoyance as his sister, shaking his head. "Regardless of what he's called, it's his men who now break the peace."

Odda raised his brow at that. "You are sure of this?" He hesitantly spoke.

Uhtred nodded his head. "I am." He persisted. "They gather at the mouth of the Temes river at Beamfleot." He informed them.

Finan nodded in agreement. "It's true, Lord. Two hundred or more, we've seen it." He backed up Uhtred's statement.

"And their number grows." Uhtred added, his head turning to face the king.

Alfred blinked at the news, rolling his shoulders as he spoke. "If these rogues are Æthelstan's men, then they are his worry." He simply said.

"Until they decide to blockade the river, Lord." Odda hesitantly spoke, slight frown on his face. "Then Wessex will be starved of trade."

"Æthelstan shall deal with them."

"He must kill them."

Uhtred sighed as he shook his head. "I believe we must kill them." He uttered, taking a sip from his ale.

"What we must do is hold the peace." Alfred persisted, shaking his head as he looked at Uhtred. "War cannot always be the answer."

Athena bit her inner cheek, her hands dripping to her lap as she fidgeted with her rings. "Lord, forgive me but you speak of matters you do not fully understand." Uhtred smugly said, quoting his words from before. "These men will not listen to Æthelstan and Æthelstan will not deal with them." He spoke, shrugging his shoulders. "For now they are rogues, but should they find a lord to serve, then they will become an army."

"So answer me this." Alfred quickly spoke. "Where might this lord come from? Do I know of him?" He asked Uhtred, folding his head to the side. Athena pulled an awkward look, looking over towards the king. "Should I fear him?"

"You can be sure he will not be called Uhtred, Lord, if that's what you're leaning." Gisela spoke up, defending her husband as she sat up.

There was silence for a moment, and Athena wanted to be anywhere but the table. She wanted to see Melusine. "My advice, lord, is time send ships and men to Beamfleot."Uhtred calmly suggested.

Athena watched as the king stood up, Odda following him. "We should maintain peace." Alfred muttered, not backing down.

Athena downed the last bit of her ale, watching as Alfred left the hall. "I am too tired for this." She uttered, rubbing her forehead in annoyance.

Uhtred nudged her arm, raising his brow. "You could have at least helped." Uhtred told her, making her tilt her head to the side.

"What makes you think he would listen to anything I have to say?" Athena shrugged her shoulders, placing the cup of ale on the table. "I had nothing to input."

— madeleines notes.

SORRY FOR THE LONG AWAITED UPDATE!

Your girl has been so busy 😖😖

But the bantering of Athena and Finan starts here. They're gonna be chaotic 🙌

But omds.

I finally got around to watching the last kingdom movie and....I HAVE NO WORDS

sorry Jordan for spamming you. But I was SOBBING.

I was actually going through it through the whole of the movie. LIKE.

I was just a crying mess.

But yah, I updated babies!! <3

14th August 2024
3053 words