▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 ─── ❛ Dane slayer

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

Amidst the darkness of the night, a warm glow enveloped Dunholm, casting a comforting ambience over Athena, whom huddled between Brida and Melusine.

Laughter and chatter filled the air, intertwining with the soft clicks of cups. Athena held her own cup, only drinking a small amount of ale, which was unusual for the woman, which Brida had noticed.

But all thoughts and worries were pushed away as they watched Ragnar point around. "We are divide it, it seems." Ragnar let out a dramatic sigh as he stood in the middle of the courtyard. "We are two people...it seems."

Athena rolled her eyes at his dramatics, leaning closer towards Brida. "Is he still this dramatic?" She uttered, making Brida chuckle with a nod. "He has not changed."

"It seems you have." Brida uttered quietly, making Athena's brows pinch together. Melusine slowly turned her head to listen to the conversation with a knowing look. "You are not interested in ale anymore? Nor Ragnar's games?" Her words were quiet, knowing Uhtred stood around them. "Why is that?"

Athena pursed her lips as she turned to Melusine, swallowing thickly as she turned to Brida with a nervous smile. "Perhaps I have retired from doing such things..."

Brida scoffed at that, not believing her words for a second. "I know you, Athena." She uttered, crossing her arms over her chest. "You cannot hide anything from me."

Athena let out a dramatic sigh, resting her head on Brida's shoulder. "Perhaps, you are right." She mumbled, playing with her rings as Brida chuckled.

"I always am." Brida shrugged with a grin, making Athena roll her eyes, shaking her head with an amused look. "You do not have to tell me, I already know."

Athena stood back up at that with a frown, sharing a look with Melusine. "Know what?" Athena's brows pinched together, biting her inner cheek.

Brida did not answer, only glanced down to Athena's stomach with a knowing look. "Does anyone know?" Athena swallowed thickly at Brida's words, running a hand over her face.

"Mel, her husband, and now you." Athena mumbled, looking back up at Brida, who still grinned. "How—"

"I know you." Brida cut her off, squeezing Athena's arm with the grin still on her face. "I am surprised, although. Whom's is it?"

Athena wanted to headbutt a wall, looking over to Melusine for aid, but Melusine shook her head with a smile. A groan left her lips as she hid her face in Brida's shoulder, muttering words. "What? I could not hear you." Brida taunted.

Melusine couldn't help but smile at the interaction, seeing his Athena was more comfortable with the Danes than she ever had been in Winchester.

"Wait, no, let me guess." Brida grinned as she clapped her hands together, looking around as Athena groaned once more.

"Must you have fun in teasing me?" Athena pouted, keeping her head against Brida's shoulder.

But, Brida chuckled, nodding her head. "Yes, t'is fun." Brida nudged her side with a grin. Brida already had an idea, she had called it from the beginning, but she was far too entertained. "The monk?"

Athena's eyes widened at that, hitting Brida on the arm as the woman chuckled, Melusine also chucking. "Not the poor monk, no! Are you idiotic?" Athena hissed in a whisper, hitting Brida's arm once more.

"Alright, alright." Brida wiped the tears that fell from her eyes, finding it funny as she looked back over the group. "Is it the Irishman?"

Athena did not respond as she kept her face buried in Brida's shoulder. Brida looked over to Melusine, who nodded her head with a faint smile. "I knew it from the beginning." Brida shook her head with a chuckle, making Athena look up with a frown.

"What?"

"Hush, the game is about to start." Brida grinned as she watched Athena suffer once more, leaning the wall behind them as she turned her head back to the scene.

"Over here, we have the ugly..." Ragnar pointed over to the group on the right, where Finan, Sihtric and Osferth stood. Finan was downing the ale in the jug as people cheered. "The unwashed...the shit smelling..." Athena rolled her eyes at her brothers antics. "The pig humping..." Sihtric moved to lean backwards, letting Finan pour the ale into his mouth. Melusine and Athena chuckled at that, looking at each other with amused looks. "Frog licking..."

"Frog licking?"

Athena couldn't help but chuckle at Osferth's words, watching as he looked around with a frown. "The Rome-worshipping..." Ragnar continued, wrapping his arm around Finan's shoulder. "Ugly, frog-licking Saxons!"

The crowd cheered at that, Meluisne clapped her hands together as she looked over to Sihtric. Athena leaned back on the wall, arms crossed over her chest with a grin as she looked over to Finan, whom was already looking over at her with a grin.

Athena rolled her eyes as he bowed, standing back up as Sihtric pulled him to their side. "They face, in a battle of strength." Ragnar continued, pointing to the Danes. "The pretty...the sweet smelling!" Ragnar teased as the Dane's cheered. Brida cheered at that, throwing her hand in the air. "The light-of foot-"

"Apple-cheeked!"

"Golden-haired boys of Denmark and beyond!" Ragnar cheered as he looked around, throwing his hands in the air.

Athena grinned up at her brother, shaking her head with an amused look. "Ragnar, you are a skald, not a warrior." Uhtred teased from beside Brida.

"I have the gift, I really do." Ragnar drunkenly slurred, faking a bow as he looked over at Uhtred. "Now!" He turned back to the two groups. "You may take the rope."

"Come on, let's do this!" Finan cheered as his group reached for the rope. "Come on!"

"Look at him, he loves it." Uhtred grinned over at his brother, making Athena nod her head in agreement.

"He'd play games every day if he could." Brida nodded in agreement, smile on her face as she stared over at her lover.

"Are you prepared?" Ragnar asked as he stood between the two groups, holding his hand on the rope. "Is there spit in your hands?"

Athena chuckled at the grimace Osferth pulled from behind Finan, watching the Irishman spit into his hands before holding back onto the rope. "Good earth beneath your feet?" Ragnar continued, looking between the Saxons and Danes.

"Come on, Ragnar! Get on with it!" Athena yelled over towards her brother, entertained by the game.

"Pull!"

The crowd cheered as both sides pulled on the rope, both sides struggling. Melusine cheered for her people, clapping her hands together.

Athena couldn't help but chuckle at the struggle her people were going through against the Danes. "Pull, you bastards!" Ragnar yelled, unsheathing his sword.

Then, he brought his sword against the rope, splitting it in two. Athena let out a loud laugh, leaning her head back on Melusine's shoulders as the two sides dropped to the floor. "Ragnar, son of the fearless, is the victor!" Athena cheered at that, watching as her people got up from the floor. "He brings 20 men on their arse while drinking ale!"

The four moved from the wall and towards the middle, Melusine going towards Sihtric as Athena, Brida and Uhtred went over to Ragnar. "You are life itself." Uhtred chuckled, pulling his brother into a hug.

Athena looked over her shoulder, watching as Finan sat up from the ground. She rolled her eyes with a grin, walking over to him with an amused look. "How is the floor?" She teased, holding out a hand to help him up. "I finally get to say one of my brothers knocked you on your arse."

Finan rolled his eyes at her teasing, reaching out to take her hand and letting Athena help to pull him up. He stood with a sigh, slowly nodding his head as he placed his hands on his hips. "Aye, perhaps so." He looked down at her with a mischievous look. "But i do lay with their sister every now and then." He leaned close to her to utter in her ear.

Athena let out a scoff, hitting him in the chest, biting back a grin. "Where is your respect?" Athena jested, nudging his arm. "Both Uhtred and Ragnar would have your tongue for that." She gave him a pointed look.

"Well, that would be a shame for you—"

Athena slapped his chest once more, shaking her head as she rolled her eyes. Finan chuckled at her reaction, wrapping his arm around Athena's shoulders.

Athena leaned into his touch, watching as her brothers talked with grins on their faces. She pursed her lips as she turned her head to the side to look up at Finan. "Finan?" He hummed as he looked down at her, raising a brow. Athena swallowed thickly as she fiddled with her rings. "I have something I wish to tell you." She looked back up at him with pursed lips, her breath slightly shaking. She had to tell him what Skåde had told her. "Alone." She added, looking around at the Danes and Saxons around them, celebrating and cheering.

Finan frowned at her sudden shift in mood, slowly nodding his head as he squeezed her arm. "Of course—"

But, they were interrupted by the rings of bells. "Ragnar!" A man yelled from the wall, looking down at them. Athena frowned as she looked over to the man ringing the bell.

"We're playing games, can't you see that?" Ragnar yelled up to the man, crossing his arms over his chest. Athena patted Finan's back as she left his side, walking to stand inbetween her brothers.

"Ragnar, it the watchman."

Ragnar immediately frowned, shaking his head. Athena's brows pinched together as she turned to her brother. "What is wrong?" She asked, looking back up to the wall.

"My watchmen do not return for no reason." Ragnar shook his head, looking down at his younger sister.

Athena watched as the watchman rode through the gates, looking over towards Ragnar. "It is men and horses, Lord." He said, quickly getting off his horse. "Warriors."

"How many?"

"Forty of fifty. I don't recognise them."

Athena bit her inner cheek as she looked up to Ragnar, fidgeting with her rings. "Spears and arrows to the walls until we know who they are, what they want." Ragnar instructed his people.

Athena sighed as she turned around, walking towards Sihtric, who handed Athena her sword.

Athena leaned her arms against the wall, looking down at the incoming men on horses. "They are Danes." Ragnar acknowledged, tilting his head to the side as they came closer to the gate.

"Definitely." Uhtred hummed in agreement. But his brows pinched together as he looked down. "I recognise one of them." Ragnar frowned at that, looking down at the Dane's. "Two of them."

Athena pursed her lips as she looked down at Bloodhair and Hæsten. "It is Hæsten and Bloodhair." Uhtred finished with narrowed eyes.

"The Earl Sigurd?" Ragnar asked, making Uhtred nod his head. Athena continued to scan through the faces of the Danes, her eyes landing on a man, with his hood up, his face covered.

"That's a Saxon." Athena uttered, looking at the cloak of the man. No Dane dressed like that. "Why is a Saxon with them?" Athena asked with a frown, turning her head to the side to look at Uhtred beside her.

Uhtred shrugged his shoulders with a frown, keeping his eyes on the Danes. "Earl Ragnar, I am Hæsten." The man spoke as they got close to the gate, looking up at the group.

"We know who you are." Ragnar spoke down to them, tilting his head to the side. "The question is, what do you want?"

"Shelter, food, ale, warmth and negotiation, perhaps." Athena bit back a scoff as Hæsten's words, looking toward Ragnar.

"Negotiation?" Ragnar raised a brow. "Are we at war?"

Hæsten chuckled at that, shrugging his shoulders. "It is what we do, Lord." He grinned up at the man. "Discussion would be a better word."

Uhtred stepped forwards to stand between Ragnar and Athena, both siblings coming into the Dane's vision. "You are a long way from Beamfleot, Hæsten."

"Uhtred?" Hæsten tilted his head to the side with a smirk. "And the lady Athena." Athena rolled her eyes at that, leaning her chin on her palm as she stared down at the group. "Believe me, it could be a pleasure to see you both here." He nodded his head. "So it is true. You are both no longer Alfred's oathmen."

Athena tilted her head to the side with a raised brow. "What is it to you, Hæsten?" She shrugged her shoulders with a look of boredom. "Are you still Alfred's oathman?"

Hæsten chuckled at her words. "He believes so." He grinned, making Athena roll her eyes.

"And Earl Sigurd, Bloodhair, what do you have to say?" Ragnar then spoke up, nodding towards the Dane.

"I saw we're tired and hungry and my arse is sore." Bloodhair simply said, but there was evidently more to that.

Brida shook her head with a sigh. "You can't refuse them, Ragnar."

Uhtred bit back a grin as he leaned his shoulders on the wall, looking down to Bloodhair. "Do you have anything to say to me, Bloodhair?" He asked. "Last time I saw you, you were running for your life.

"Yes." Bloodhair gritted his teeth as he looked up at Uhtred. "You took what belongs to me. We have that matter to settle."

"It is settled." Uhtred simply said with a grin.

"It can wait." Bloodhair sighed. "It may even be resolved peacefully."

Uhtred turned his head to the side, looking over to Ragnar. "Brida is right, we cannot refuse them." Athena was surprised at Uhtred's words, but said nothing as she stared down at the Danes.

Ragnar slowly nodded his head, looking back over to the Danes. "You leave your swords at the gate." He called down to them. "You have our respect."

Hæsten nodded his head at that. "There will be no argument, I swear." Hæsten told him.

"Open the gate!"

Ragnar's men opened the gates for the Dane's and Athena watched as they rode in. She watched at the hooded man took down his head, and her eyes quickly narrowed. "I swear to the Gods." She uttered to herself, shaking her head as she watched Æthelwold ride towards the gates with a smug look. "Æthelwold." She turned her head to Uhtred, who immediately frowned. "I will kill him."

Uhtred sighed as he grabbed onto Athena's arm, shaking his head. "We will find out why he is with the Danes, first."

"Then I can kill him?" Athena grinned, making Uhtred tilt his head to the side with a faint smile.

"We will see."

Athena let out a groan at that, her shoulders slouching in defeat as she ran a hand over her face.

Athena had watched Æthelwold's every move, Uhtred telling Finan to make sure Athena doesn't kill the man.

She was sending daggers every time Æthelwold walked past her, or was even in her presence.

Athena spun her dagger on her lap, glaring over at Æthelwold. If looks could kill, Æthelwold would be dead.

Æthelwold shifted at the stared Athena sent his way, avoiding them. Athena stopped herself from going over to him and murdering right there and then, and Finan's hand on her thigh also stopped her from doing so.

"And I will return south and Bloodhair's men and ships to the River Ouse." Hæsten said from the middle of the room. "You will follow and together we attack Mercia, we attack Wessex and we kill Alfred!"

The Danes cheered at that, all agreeing with Hæsten. "I find the pretty Æthelflæd..." He looked over to the siblings, mostly Athena. Athena sat up as she looked over to him, her eyes narrowed. "And we all take our turn with her!"

Athena clenched her jaw as she glared up at Hæsten, continuing to spin her dagger in her hand, feeling Finan squeeze her thigh in reassurance.

"We count our silver." Hæsten continued to speak. "We go from North to South, East to west, taking everything in our path."

"And at some point, we begin to fight amongst ourselves, and the plan fails." Uhtred voiced his opinion as he leaned his back on the table behind him.

"Fight?" Hæsten raised his brow as he turned to Uhtred. "For what reason?"

Uhtred shrugged his shoulders. "It will happen." He simply told the Dane. "It will surely happen."

"Why?" Bloodhair glared over towards Uhtred, tilting his head to the side. "Because you say it?"

"Because each of you believes himselfs to be the sword Dane above all others, mistakenly." Uhtred informed, making Hæsten sit back down on his table. "There can be only one leader." He subtly looked over to Ragnar, and Athena couldn't agree more.

"I will lead." Bloodhair spoke up once more, his eyes narrowed at Uhtred. "I have ships, I have men. I've not grown lazy sitting inside a fortress—"

Athena glared at Bloodhair as he talked about Ragnar, gripping the dagger in her hand. "Are you calling me lazy?" Ragnar asked, slowly turning his head to the man.

"I am asking you to join me, Ragnar, as Hæsten has joined me." Bloodhair suddenly stood, looking over towards Ragnar and Brida.

"When did I join you?" Hæsten's brows pinched together as he looked up at Bloodhair.

Athena leaned back against the table at that, watching with a slight grin, knowing they were about to argue. "I gave you food. I did not give you my oath." Hæsten continued as he stood up.

"You believe you should lead?"

"Yes." Hæsten nodded his head at Bloodhair. "Why not?"

"Name your victories."

"Says the man whom lost half his army to a sickly King."

Athena pursed her lips at that, biting back a chuckle as she watched the two men go at it. She was entertained to say the least. "That is enough of the shit talk." Ragnar said as he stood, looking over to the two men.

"Next, you'll compare cock sizes." Athena chuckled into the back of her hand at Brida's words, lowering her head.

"There can only be one leader." Ragnar continued, letting Cnut pour some ale into his cup.

"It must be you Ragnar."

Everyone turned at Uhtred's words, looking down to the man. "Why? Because he's your brother?" Bloodhair asked as Hæsten moved to sit down.

"Because Ragnar's the only man each of us will trust." Uhtred simply explained, shrugging his shoulders as he stared over at his brother. "The only man."

"You do not trust me, Dane-slayer?" And Athena's entertainment was over once Cnut spoke to Uhtred.

Uhtred scoffed. "I do not know you nor like you." Uhtred shook his head, but let out a sigh. "But, you are Ragnar and Athena's cousin."

"It is not about whom leads, it's about his the wealth is divided." Æthelwold spoke up for the first, making Athena turn to him with narrowed eyes.

"We do not talk of wealth until we have it in our hands, Æthelwold." Athena harshly said, watching as Æthelwold pursed his lips and looked down in defeat.

"Uhtred says that we must become one army." Ragnar then said, looking around the room. "I see no man here fool enough to disagree." He slowly nodded his head. "You all know of me. You know of my father and my grandfather." Athena softly smiled at his words. "And I tell you know, I would be proud to lead the next great army, but only if it is agreed by each one of you." He looked around at the Danes once more. "In return for your trust, I give you my word. When Alfred is defeated, and he will be defeated...there will be silver, but more than that, there will be reputation and honour in this life and the next."

"So, who is with me?" Ragnar looked around, his eyes landing on Bloodhair first. "Bloodhair?"

There was silence for a moment, but Bloodhair stood, nodding his head. "Yes. I'm with you." Ragnar nodded at that. "You have my sword. I swear."

"Hæsten?"

Everyone turned to the Dane, all waiting his answer. "I have no argument." He simply said. "I, too, will follow."

"And me, cousin, always." Cnut reached out to Ragnar with a smile. "But you always knew that."

"And me." Athena rolled her eyes at Æthelwold's voice, leaning back against the table behind her as she uttered words against the man. "I'm a man who knows every Saxon grudge and grievances held against Alfred. And there are many." He looked over to Ragnar. "You will need me."

"Sister?" Athena looked up at Ragnar, slowly nodding her head with a smile.

"You know my sword is always yours, brother." Athena reassured with a smile, watching as both Ragnar and Brida grinned.

"That leaves Uhtred."

Everyone turned to Uhtred at Brida's, all waiting for him to speak. Athena turned her head to the side, pursing her lips as she watched his reaction. "My sword is my brother's, no doubt." He nodded his head, making Ragnar smile with a nod.

"Then it is settled." Ragnar sighed, standing up. "The kingdom of Wessex will surrender." People cheered at that. "Of burn!"

Athena felt Finan's hand leave her thigh, which made her frown slightly, watching as he turned around to face Sihtric, Melusine and Osferth.

Athena looked over her shoulder at the three, bitting her inner cheek. "We cannot go against the men of Wessex." Osferth whispered, shaking his head with pinched brows.

"Quiet now." Finan warned, shaking his head as he spoke in a hushed tone.

"They're our people." Osferth shook his head once more. "Finan, our friends."

Athena turned around, a heavy sigh leaving her lips as she looked towards the boy. "Osferth, you will be quiet, do not let them hear you." Athena uttered, shaking her head with a warning look. If any of the Dane's had heard what he said, he would be killed. "Okay?"

Osferth slowly nodded his head, letting out a defeated sigh as Athena pulled a guilty look. Melusine reached out to squeeze the boys hand with a reassuring look.

— madeleines notes

Athena can't get away from Æthelwold 😖😖

BUT UGH I ADORE BRIDA AND ATHENA
they were the ogs and it makes my heart break for what I have planned....

Athena just needs to be sipping ale man but no, she's a changed woman 🙌 ( she rlly needs ale she's going through it )

I still need to plan how Athena is going to tell Finan, but it will be good do not stress about if it's gonna be drama. It is not 🥰

I hoped yall liked this chapter, don't forget to comment bc I love reading your comments!! 🩷🩷

27th August 2024
3833 words