▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 ─── ❛ the last war

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

Years had passed since King Edward had made peace with the Danes. Years since the start of Danes and Saxons living amongst with one another.

Danes and Saxons lived in peace.

The Danes followed their Gods, the Saxons followed their God. Especially in Rumcofa, where Athena remained with her kin.

After the alliance between Danes and Saxons had formed, Æthelflæd let Uhtred and Athena rule in Rumcofa. They patrolled the Mercian border, gaining coin for Mercia as boats traveled in and out of Mercia.

Athena had enjoyed her years in Rumcofa, raising her daughter, as well as Æthelstan, to be mighty warriors. As well as helping Thyra understand her gift, which she had only ever used for good.

Rumcofa had turned into Athena's home, when she wasn't at Eoferwic of visiting Mercia.

No, As the first light of dawn broke, soft rays of golden sunlight peaked through the window, casting a warm glow across the room Athena currently slept in.

Athena lay fast asleep, resting the side of her face against her husband's chest, her arm draped around Finan's waist, whom was awake but still laid there, not wanting to get up just yet.

Finan had his eyes closed with his one arm wrapped around Athena's front, holding her close against his body. His other hand moved up to slowly stroke her hair.

"Love," Athena stared at his voice, a hum leaving her lips. "It's time we wake up." He whispers after a moment, gently moving a bit so he could get up. His hand still running through her hair.

Athena let a groan leave her lips as she mumbled a 'no, keeping her arm around his waist, eyes still closed. Making Finan chuckle ever so lightly as he heard her response.

His hand continued to move through her messy hair, looking down at her as she lay half asleep. "We can't lay here all day." He said, his voice remaining soft and low.

"Yes we can." Athena mumbled, half asleep as she kept the side of her face against his chest.

Another small chuckle left Finan's lips at her words, his hand moving down slightly so he could slowly run his fingers over her back. "We have things to do."

"It is too early." Athena complained, slowly shaking her head with her eyes still closed. "Uhtred can lead today." She simply said, wafting her hand.

Finan rolled his eyes, but in amusement. He was well familiar with how hard it was to get her out of bed. "It's not that early." He said, his hand still rubbing and massaging her back in a soothing manner.

"Yes it is." Athena mumbled, slowly nodding her head with a dramatic sigh. "Far too early."

Finan smirked lightly at her answer. Athena was stubborn, always had been. "You say that every morning." He stated, his hand moving to gently rub the back of her shoulder as well.

"Because it is true." Athena sighed once more, lifting her head from his chest to look up at him, a yawn then leaving her lips.

Finan met her gaze as she looked up at him, a small smirk still on his lips. He moved his hand from the back of her shoulder to then rest on her cheek, his thumb gently moving across her cheekbone. "You just don't like waking up early."

"That is common knowledge." Athena simply said, a grin making its way onto her lips as she rested her chin on his chest.

"Yes, it is. But we still have to get up." Finan said, the smirk still on his lips as he kept his hand on Athena's cheek just looking down at her.

His free hand moved to the side of her waist, gently holding onto her with a firm but still very soft grip. "For what reason? Athena sighed, raising her brow as she tilted her head. "I am quite content here."

Finan chuckled as he heard her words, his hand moving to then gently caress the bit of exposed skin on her side. "Mainly because our daughter returns from Eoferwic for Blood Month."!He said as he continued gazing down at her, a light smirk still resting on his face.

Athena immediately sat up at her, raising her brow. "That is today?" She questioned, tilting her head to the side.

Finan chuckled as Athena immediately sat up at the words, her eyes widening slightly in a bit surprise. He too sat up, resting his arms behind himself to prop himself up a bit."Yes.. It is."

"Then, we must get up." She nodded her head, grin on her lips as she moved to pull the furs off of her.

Finan nodded his head in agreement, a smirk still on his lips as he watched her sudden change in attitude. He slowly pushed the furs off of himself as well and got out of bed. "Finally." He said jokingly as he looked at her.

Athena rolled her eyes as she looked over at him, biting back an amused look as she got off the bed.

Finan leaned against the bed frame with his arms crossed over his chest as he smirked at Athena, his eyes following her movements as her got out of bed. "How quickly the mood changes." He said in a teasing tone. She let out a scoff, throwing her shirt at him as she stared to get ready.

The change in the air had spiked Thyra's weariness as she rode to Rumcofa. She did not understand the sudden change, but she expected that it was nothing good.

With pursed lips, Thyra glanced up at the sky, her brows furrowing as she watched the birds fly around unusually.

Something was wrong. She could feel it.

A sigh left her lips as she pulled on her horses reigns, looking over her shoulder at the Dane Stiorra and Sigtrygrr had sent with her to protect her.

"We stop." Thyra spoke, carefully climbing off of her horse and passing the Dane its reigns. "I wish to speak to the Gods, I shan't be long." She sent him a small smile, watching as he nodded his head, holding onto her horses reigns.

Pulling her furs closer around her, the bitterness of the cool air biting her skin, she moved towards the woods.

She held onto the runes around her neck, walking deeper into the first as the leaves crunched underneath her boots.

Once she had found a good spot, she moved to sit down, unsheathing her dagger. She muttered words to herself as she closed her eyes, moving to prick her thumb with her dagger.

Thyra then raised her fingers, dragging her thumb across the runes around her neck. She kept her eyes closed as she spoke, the wind making the leaves scatter around her.

With furrowed brows, she saw no images flash in her mind, only words being whispered into her ear.

Her eyes then shot open, a heavy breath leaving her lips as she dropped her runes. She blinked heavily as she glanced back up at the sky, watching as the birds flew close together once more.

"A mountains great might erupts, only bad will follow from the cold." Thyra uttered to herself, pursing her lips at the words. "Baring white marks, one wishes for vengeance once more."The riddles had never been easy to understand, but she knew it was nothing good.

It never had been.

The cool air of winter bit at Athena's rosy cheeks as she gave out orders to the men of Runcofa with Finan beside her.

The pair walked down to the lookout tower, seeing Uhtred stood up there, looking into the distance. "Hey, hey!" Finan pointed to one of the men, whom was collecting fish. "I've told you before, codfish on top of codfish." He told the man.

Athena rolled her eyes, her arms crossed over her chest as she walked towards the tower, looking up at her brother. "You see something, brother?" She called up, watching as he looked down at her.

Uhtred shook his head, turning his eyes back to look into the distance. "No." He simply said, pursing his lips. "But something's changed. The air is rotten."

"I do hope that is no insult, Uncle." Athena turned around at the voice, a grin quickly making its way onto her voice. "For I have only just returned." Thyra jested, looking up at the watch tower before looking towards her parents with a grin.

"Thyra." Athena breathed out with a grin, making her way towards her daughter and pulling her into an embrace. "How are you, my sweet girl?"

Thyra immediately smiled, pulling out of the embrace as she nodded her head. "Apart from the off putting change in the air, I am well." She said as she turned to embrace her father.

"Ah, so it isn't Uhtred just being paranoid." Finan jested, ruffling Thyra's hair as she wafted his hand away with a grin.

"Like I said, there is a change." Uhtred shrugged his shoulders, walking towards Thyra with a smile. "Have you seen or heard about it?"

Thyra nodded her head, mimicking her uncles smile as he pulled her into an embrace. "Just riddles that make no sense." She brushed it off, shrugging her shoulders. "I do hope I have not missed the hunt." She then said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"That is if your brooding uncle allows there to be a hunt." Finan grinned, patting Uhtred's arm as Uhtred rolled his eyes.

Thyra tilted her head, turning to Uhtred with wide eyes. "It is good luck!" She quickly said, watching as Uhtred let out a sigh. "It is all Æthelstan has been talking about before I left." She added, looking between her mother and Uhtred. "It's blood Month festival!" She grinned as the four started walking away from the dock.

"Exactly. Someone has the right mind." Finan grinned at his daughter's words, wrapping an arm airing her shoulder as they walked. "I need ale and you need to hump the tall girl from Frisia." Finan continued, pointing to Uhtred.

Thyra let out a disgusted noise, sharing a look with Athena. "And that is our queue to find Mel." Athena shook her head as Thyra immediately held out her hand for Athena to take. "She has missed Thyra dearly, as has Atlas."

"I agree." Thyra hummed, nodding her head as she shrugged Finan's arm off of her and letting Athena pull her away.

Athena chuckled as herself and Thyra made their way forwards, leaving Uhtred and Finan behind as they did so. "So, have I missed anything?"

"Apart from the alehouse brawls Æthelstan, Atlas and Cynlaef get involved in, nothing." Athena hummed, making Thyra turn to her with wide eyes.

"I have missed that!" Thyra shook her head, making Athena grin at her reaction. "I will knock their heads together for making me miss such a thing."

"Oh, Mel has already done that." Athena tsked with the grin still on her face. "Belittled them for such foolishness."

Thyra groaned, not happy that she had missed both her friends in a brawl, and watching Melusine tell them off. "Must they always do such things when I leave?"

Athena chuckled, looking down at the ground as a dog walked past her feet, making her reach down to stroke its fur. "I am sure you will witness another one of their brawls, Thyra."

"I do bloody hope so, mother." Thyra uttered, brushing her hair behind her ear as they grew closer to the chatter and cheers. Thyra's pout soon turned into a grin as she turned to Athena.

The pair walked towards the cheers, seeing the men and women of Rumcofa crowded around Æthelstan, Sihtric, Atlas and Cynlaef.

Thyra immediately pulled Athena towards the crowd, where Melusine and Osferth stood as they laughed. "Aunt Mel!" Thyra chuckled, watching as the older woman immediately turned around, grin on her face.

"Oh, you have returned finally!" Melusine didn't hesitate to pull the younger girl into a hug, which Thyra immediately accepted. "How was Eoferwic?"

Thyra smiled as she nodded her head, holding onto Melusine's arms. "It was well. It was lovely to see Stiorra and Sigtrygrr." She said, making Melusine smile. "Osferth!" She then said, looking over Melusine's shoulder at the man.

Athena moved to stand beside Melusine as Thyra embraced Osferth. "They still want to hunt?" Athena asked, nodding her head to the four men.

Melusine hummed, smile on her face as she held Athena's arm. "That they do." She sighed, turning to the four. "It is Æthelstan's first hunt." Athena pursed her lips at that, making Meluisne tilt her head to the side. "He will be fine, Thena. You have raised him to be a warrior."

"I know." Athena nodded her head, putting the smile back on her face as she looked up at Æthelstan, who clinked his cup with Sihtric's and Atlas'.

Then, Athena looked over her shoulder when she felt hands on her hips, her smile turning into a grin as she looked up at Finan. "Æthelstan!" Athena turned her head back around as she heard Uhtred's voice. "Why have you left your post?" Uhtred asked as she stepped onto the small wooden stage.

"His first hunt, Lord." Osferth piped up from beside Thyra, whom was grinning up at her friends.

"It's good luck for Blood Month, Uhtred." Æthelstan sighed, holding onto the stick in his hands.

Uhtred raised his brow at his words. "You think you're ready to slaughter a beast?" He grinned, turning to look down at Athena.

"You know I am." Æthelstan grinned, nodding his head as Uhtred hummed.

"Sister?" Uhtred looked back down at Athena, whom raised her brow as she looked over at Æthelstan, watching as he sent her a pleading look.

Athena simply grinned, nodding her head as Æthelstan grinned once more. Uhtred hummed again, turning to Æthelstan. "For Blood Month!"

"For Blood Month!" Everyone cheered the words, arms in the air.

Athena chuckled as she shared a look with Melusine, leaning her back into Finan's back as she turned to Æthelstan. "Be careful. The animal will fight to the death." She warned the boy, whom nodded his head.

"Or try to hump ya." Finan jested, grin on his face as Athena wafted his arm, rolling her eyes as she bit back an amused look. "I'm joking!" He chuckled at the look Athena sent his way, moving go lean his chin on his shoulder.

"Let's go kill the swine!" Sihtric cheered, his arm around his son's shoulder. "Kill the beast!" He raised his cup in the air.

"Blood Month! Blood Month!" Everyone cheered as the five men moved off of the wooden stage.

Thyra immediately turned to her parents with a grin, making Athena nod her head. Thyra's grin widened as she moved away from Osferth, making her way towards Atlas and Æthelstan.

Athena watched with pinched brows as the group and the crowd moved away, making their way towards the woods.

"The lad will be fine." Finan reassured Athena, moving his hands to her shoulders as he spoke. "He has Thyra and Atlas to put him in check." He grinned, nudging Melusine with his hand as the woman wafted it away.

"Lord." They all turned at Osferth's voice, watching as he walked back over to the four. "I, uh, need a little help." He uttered, making Athena frown, following his eyesight.

Athena bit back a laugh as she watched two women fight one another, cursing each other. Melusine rolled her eyes as she watched, wafting Finan's arm as he let out an amused laugh. "Again?" Melusine sighed, turning to Osferth with an unamused look.

Watching the two girls shove at each other, Athena brought her hand to her mouth, silencing her chuckles as Finan and Uhtred made their way over to stop the women.

"Why do they fight over you?" Uhtred asked, himself and Finan pulling the two women away from each other.

Osferth sighed, shrugging his shoulders as he tried to find the right words. "I...I'm..." He trailed off, lowering his head. "I've got no idea, Lord." He uttered, quickly walking away.

That's when Athena let out an amused look, earning a nudge from Melusine. "What?" Athena hissed, rubbing her arm.

"You must not influence it."

Athena, Finan, Uhtred and Osferth had caught up with the rest in the woods, all holding torches in their hands as they called out for the boar.

Athena watched with an amused smile as Finan hit his sword against his wooden torch, jumping around.

She then turned her head, watching as Thyra, Atlas and Cynlaef call out to Æthelstan, grins on their faces.

Æthelstan was somewhere in the woods, hopefully fine as he hunted down the boar. But, Thyra had an uneasy feeling.

"Something feels off." She uttered to the two boys beside her, lowering the torch in her arm as she glanced at them both.

Atlas simply shrugged, grin on his face as he looked around. "Everything is fine, T. Or, if something were to happen, the Gods would have shown you."

"They do not always." Thyra uttered, shaking her head with furrowed brows. "It does not work like that, Atlas. I've told you." She sent him a pointed look.

Atlas raised his hand in defence, nodding his head with pursed lips. "That you have."

"Our Lad Æthelstan can take down a boar." Cynlaef grinned, moving to wrap his arm around Thyra's shoulders.

Thyra bit back a smile, lowering her head as she let out a grumble, shrugging his arm off of her.

"Athena! Uhtred!" Everyone froze at the screams, looking at the direction it came from.

It was Æthelstan.

Athena paused with furrowed brows, sharing a look with Finan. "Did you hear that?" Sihtric yelled towards the others.

"Athena!"

"Æthelstan?" Athena yelled back, unsheathing her sword as she quickly moved forwards, Finan at her side. "Æthelstan!" She continued to call out to the boy, swiftly moving through the trees.

"Bastard, where are you?" Osferth called out as they all grouped up together. Athena frantically looked around, passing Osferth her torch as she did so.

Finally, Athena came across the boy, whom pulled himself off of a dead man. "Æthelstan." A relieved sigh left her lips as she moved forwards. "How many men?" She asked, watching as he scrambled to his feet.

"Three." Æthelstan panted, brushing his curls from his face. "There were three. One escaped." He pointed in the direction of the trees.

"Who were they?" Uhtred questioned, moving to stand beside Athena as they looked over at him.

Æthelstan shrugged his shoulders, looking down at the two dead men at his feet. "Not from here."

"Are you hurt?" Thyra questioned, walking closer as she looked at the state Æthelstan was in.

The boy shook his head at her words, walking closer to them. "No." He breathed out.

"You took three men...alone?" Uhtred then asked, trying to put the pieces together.

Æthelstan breathed out a chuckle, raising his arms at his side. "Yes." He nodded his head. "What did I say?" He said, pointing to everyone with a grin. "I told you!" He then turned to the siblings. "Let me go downriver and fight the sea raiders."

Athena pursed her lips, turning to Uhtred as she sheathed her sword. "No." Uhtred looked away from Athena, turning to the boy. "You are not ready." He simply said, before turning to his men. "Take him to the Alehouse. Celebrate his victory."

Athena turned back to Æthelstan, moving towards him with a grin. "You had us all worried for a second there." Athena chuckled, using her sleeve to clean the blood on his face. "Come on." She hummed, watching as he chuckled as she moved him forwards.

Thyra pursed her lips once more, looking down at Æthelstan. She knew something was wrong, but she didn't know what. She needed to tell Athena what the Gods told her before anyone else could get hurt.

— madeleines notes.

FIRST CHAPTER OF SEASON FIVE BABY!! WHOOOO

no im gonna be so sad when i finish this, you don't even understand. But yk i have other finan fics so 🥰🥰

And I will probably come back to this fic to add more bits HAHAH

But here, have all the happiness you can have because we all know how season five is gonna play out... 🥰☝🏽

CRIES.

15th November 2024
3522 words