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

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

Uhtred had took it upon himself to distract the Danes, whilst Athena stayed back with Leofric and prepared the men for battle.

She anxiously waited, pacing back and forth. Uhtred would be successful. He'd set the ships afire. She knew he could.

"Will you stop? You're making me go dizzy?" Athena rolled her eyes at Leofric's words, turning to him with a raised brow.

"Sorry." She sarcastically said, breathing out as she crossed her arms over her chest, turning around to face the boats.

She kept her eyes on the boats, immediately breathing out as she saw the flames. He had done it. "Lord Odda, we are ready." One of the men told Odda, whose eyes widened at the fire.

"He's done it." Odda uttered, looking at the fire.

"I told you he would." Athena grinned, looking up at Odda, then back down to the boats that were being engulfed in flames.

"We attack." Odda announced as Athena breathed out, nodding her head as she instinctively held onto her sword in its sheath.

Athena turned to the men they had readied, clapping her hands together. "We attack!" She told them as she cheered at her words.

The Saxons walked in the woods, swords, shields in their hands. Athena held her own sword and shield, walking in front of the army, leading them.

Athena had prepared them to make the shield wall, yelling at them to do so, and they instantly did that as they came out of the trees, Athena fell back, watching as they created it.

Uhtred was now behind the shield wall, making Athena quickly go to his side. "Are you alright?" Athena asked, checking him for any injuries.

Uhtred breathlessly nodded his head, looking at the Saxon army with shock. "Now kill the bastards!" They heard Leofric yell as the Saxon army charged forwards, attacking the Danes.

It was now morning, and Athena sat down on a log. She had not killed one single Dane, she wouldn't. She was still a Dane, even if she had just let a Saxon army go slaughter them.

She held onto her sword, watching as the Saxons moved around, claiming their victory. She couldn't help but feel like a traitor to her people—her family—Ragnar.

But she was there for Uhtred, her younger brother. And she would do anything to protect him, even if that meant siding with the Dane's.

Athena looked up when she heard footsteps, looking up to see Leofric, holding out some food for her. "Eat, Lady." He told her.

Athena breathed out, faint smile on her lips as she took the food from his hands. "Thank you." Leofric nodded his head at her, before walking away.

Athena placed her sword down, nibbling at the bread in her hands. Ubba was now dead, Uhtred had killed him. Athena hoped he would go to Valhalla. She hoped the other Danes did.

She knew that this would turn into a war, and she'd have to pick a side. A hand on her shoulder pulled her out of her thoughts, looking up to see Uhtred.

Athena softly smiled, looking up at her brother. "How are you feeling?" Athena softly asked, watching as he sat down beside her.

"We good as ever." Uhtred grinned, turning to face her as she rolled her eyes. "You didn't partake in the battle."

Athena slowly nodded her head as she fiddled with the rings on her fingers. "I know." She breathed in, a tight-lipped smile on her face. "I couldn't. I am a Dane. I don't think I could kill a Dane that hasn't done anything to harm the people I love" she uttered, making Uhtred breathe out, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and bringing her into a side hug.

"I'm sorry." Uhtred muttered, making her frown, lifting her head up from his chest and looking up at him.

"What for?"

"For dragging you into this. You could've stayed with Young Ragnar and Brida." Uhtred said, looking around at the Saxons. "You did not have to do this."

"I did." Athena persisted, nodding her head as she looked at Uhtred. "I would not leave you." She simply said with a soft smile. "I know our father wouldn't want me to leave you alone, with the Saxons." She grinned, making Uhtred roll his eyes. "I'm with you, okay?" She told him. "Besides, some of these Saxons have grown on me."

"What, three of them?" Uhtred rolled his eyes, making Athena chuckle, nodding her head. "Well, we must be going. I have a son to see."

Athena sat up, grin on her face as she looked up at him. "And I have a nephew to see." She grinned, standing up and grabbing her sword.

And they did, they both traveled to Lord Odda's estate, and Mildrith was there, with her newborn baby, Uhtred.

Athena was practically in awe as Mildrith let her hold her child. Athena carefully held the baby, a smile on her face.

"He's adorable." Athena whispered, turning to Mildrith with a smile. "Hopefully he gets his mother's looks, rather than his father's." She uttered, making Mildrith chuckle, watching them with a smile.

Athena looked back down at the baby, brushing her hand over his head with a smile. "And you're going to grow into a mighty warrior, just like your aunt." Athena added with a grin.

Uhtred, Mildrith and Athena had returned back to Winchester on their horses. Athena looked around at the Saxons, who all wore joyous expressions on their face.

"Everybody is walking to the palace." Mildrith smiled, looking down at the Saxons as they ran around. "A celebration." She added. "It must be. A celebration of prayers."

Athena bit the inside of her cheek as she stroked her horses side, looking down at the Saxons. "The great is now full. There is no more room." They heard Beocca tell the people.

The three came to a holt as they got off their horses. Athena patted her horse with a smile as Father Beocca continued to yell.

"Father Beocca." Uhtred shouted over, but Beocca did not hear him. "Father Beocca." He repeated as he helped Mildrith off of her horse.

"Uhtred?" Father Beocca frowned as he walked past the Saxons, looking over at Uhtred. "You are here before me now." Beocca pointed at Uhtred as he stood in front of him.

"I am." Uhtred grinned as Athena moved to stand beside Mildrith. "And with my child."

"Oh, God be praised. You are alive." Father Beocca held onto Uhtred, a sigh of relief leaving his lips.

"Of course. Why shouldn't I be alive?" Uhtred chuckled, raising his brow.

"You were at Wareham, you and your sister, a hostage, we thought you were both dead." Father Beocca looked between the two siblings, making Athena frown.

"No fatter. We were at Cyncuit." Uhtred now frowned, sharing a look with Athena. "We fought at Cynyuit."

Father Beocca breathed in, rolling his shoulders back. "Did they not say?" Athena asked with a frown, her voice gentle as she spoke to Beocca.

Beocca did not say anything as he lowered his head. Uhtred clenched his jaw, shaking his head. "I'll see Alfred now." Uhtred said as he walked past Beocca, making Athena quickly follow him.

"Uhtred." Beocca called after the man, who pushed through the crowd of Saxons, Athena by his side.

"I'll see Alfred." Uhtred repeated as they walked through the courtyard.

"Uhtred, Alfred is at peace!" Beocca warned, him and Mildrith following after the siblings.

Athena didn't understand why the Saxons had lied. Athena herself led the warriors to the fight, and Uhtred had killed Ubba. And they received no credit?

The pair continued to walk forwards, ignoring Father Beocca's pleads as they walked through the hall. "You cannot disturb prayers."

Uhtred ignored Beocca once more, throwing open the doors to the room. "Uhtred, Athena, your sword." Athena didn't care for her sword, following behind Uhtred as he walked into the room.

The Saxons turned around immediately, the prayers stopping instantly as King Alfred stood up. Then, the Saxons soon followed, standing up.

"Forgive me, but I'm told that you believe me and my sister dead?" Uhtred spoke, pointing between himself and Athena.

Athena bit the inside of her cheek, her hands clasped in front of her as she looked over at Alfred. "This is not the time." Beocca uttered.

"Fatter Beocca here believed us dead, and yet just days ago, we were at Cynuit with Lord Odda." Uhtred continued, his eyes on King Alfred. "It was Lord Odda, Athena and I who devised our battle plan." He walked forwards, making Beocca follow.

Athena stood at the doors still, standing beside Mildrith. "Did the boy not say?" He pointed an accusing finger at Younger Odda.

"Uhtred, stop, now." Beocca warned once more, turning to Athena for help. Athena merely looked down at her hands, knowing her brother had a point.

"Perhaps you'd like to speak now?" Uhtred narrowed his eyes at Odda, stepping closer.

"Odda, you will say nothing." Lady Ælswith warned the young man, standing beside him.

"Perhaps you'd like to describe Ubba's death?" Uhtred's voice grew louder as he spoke, challenging the boy.

"Lord, I'd like to invite the ealdorman and lady here to join us." Beocca quickly said, a nervous smile on his face as he gestured to Uhtred and Athena. Athena raised her brow at his words, she would not be praying. "I'm giving thanks and prayer."

"Giving thanks?" Uhtred turned to Beocca, clapping his hands together. "For what, for victory? For the death of the pagan?" He sarcastically said. "Who do you think killed the pagan?"

"I cannot save you." Beocca uttered, shaking his head with a sigh.

"I fought Ubba man in man and I killed him!" Uhtred turned back around to King Alfred, pointing to himself. "And my sister led your army to the fight!" He added, pointing to Athena, who was still looking at her hands, bored and furious. "It was Ubba's axe against my sword..." He then pulled out his own sword. "This sword!"

Athena breathed out, feeling the guards move past her and towards Uhtred. She held onto the hilt of her sword in instinct, watching carefully. She looked at the guards with wide eyes, ready to attack if any of them caused any harm to Uhtred. She turned to Leofric, who shook his head at her, telling her not to get involved. "Is there any man here who will deny it?" Uhtred continued, turning around and showing his sword.

The guards then pointed their swords at him, making Athena squeeze her own sword in her sheath. "Be still!" Alfred demanded. "Everyone, be still and be silent." Uhtred turned around at his words, lowering his sword. "I have heard enough." Alfred said as he stepped closer towards Uhtred. "You have said enough. This is not seemly. Now, sheath your sword and remember where you stand." He ordered Uhtred, keeping calm.

"Lord, what I am saying to you—" Uhtred went to step forward, making Leofric take his sword.

"You have broken my peace. You have broken the peace of Christ, and you have brought weapons into a sacred place." Alfred stepped closer towards Uhtred.

"I'm telling you the truth." Uhtred stepped closer to him, not backing down.

"You will go direct to the courtyard." Alfred immediately demanded. "And wait for me to pass judgment."

Uhtred scoffed at that. "Judgement?" He tilted his head to the side, completely astonished by the kings words. "For what? I have done—"

"You will be quiet!" Alfred yelled in Uhtred's face, his gaze threatening. Athena kept her eyes on Uhtred, slowly letting go of her sword as she saw him turn around.

Uhtred shook his head, quickly walking out of the room. Athena moved to hold Mildrith's arm, giving it a small squeeze as they followed Uhtred out.

"You see why I am not a big fan on Saxons, brother?" Athena uttered, quickly moving to step beside Uhtred. "They do not respect you, or I." She added, shaking her head. "We are Dane's." She looked up at him, making Uhtred look down at her as they walked.

"We have both done more than what we needed to gain their respect." Uhtred grunted, shaking his head as his hands clenched into a fist at his side.

"Maybe they do not deserve it." She whispered, shaking her head as she looked up at him. "We must go to Ragnar. That is where we belong."

The three were brought to the courtyard, guards all around them as they stood. Athena had her sword taken off of her, and she was fuming. She had stayed at the doors, not even uttered a word. But she had given her sword to Leofric, trusting him more than any of the Saxons.

She crossed her arms over her chest, watching as Mildrith and Uhtred spoke. Athena kicked at the rocks near her feet in annoyance.

She only looked up when she heard footsteps. It was Ealdorman Wulfhere and Æthelwold. "You know this wretch, I believe? He pointed to Æthelwold.

"We've met." Uhtred uttered, looking at the man, then back up to Wulfhere.

"The king has sent me to punish you, along with Æthelwold here." He shortly explained. "What his wife would like is for me to pull your guts through your smelly arse."

"Ælswith is forever inventive." Æthelwold uttered, rolling his eyes.

The man then looked up at the two women. "Ladies, you are to go to Ælswith for comfort." Athena frowned at that, turning to Mildrith. "She waits in the chapel."

"Can I not stay with my brother?" Athena asked, stepping forwards beside Mildrith.

"Unless you would like to join him in his punishment. I'd rather you follow the Lady." Wulfhere told her, making Athena turn to Uhtred. She would face the consequences for her brother, but Uhtred shook his head.

Athena breathed out, nodding at the man beo before following Mildrith, reluctantly. "Do not worry." Mildrith held onto Athena's arm, linking it with hers.

Athena sucked in a breath, nodding her head with a slight smile as she squeezed Mildrith's hand.

— madeleines notes

Athena not absolutely cursing out a Saxon?!?

What a shocker. REALLY.

She was like "I gotta keep my appearance up"

And bestie Leofric was like "girl do not get involved"

She was contemplating it but she was like "yolo" I don't wanna die, and stayed silent.

But she's a baddie, do not forget that Saxons. A Dane at heart.

Another short chapter because why not LOLS!!!

So close to season TWO.

And that is when the hubbies come HEHEHE

miss my eye candies 🎀🎀

BARK BARK.

29th July 2024
2470 words