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

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

Everyone was still trapped and surrounded in the nunnery, Hæsten and the rest of his men locking them in.

"All doors have been blocked on the outside apart from that one." Finan walked in, pointing over to the main door where everyone stood.

"Will they set a fire?" Æthelflæd asked from beside Athena and Meluisne.

Untred shook his head at that, turning to the woman. "No, not yet." He sighed. "He will want you alive."

"We should fight, Lord." Sihtric spoke up, making Uhtred turn to him. "We should open the doors and fight."

"Oh, and die?" Osferth uttered from behind Sihtric, arms crossed over his chest.

Sihtric turned to him with a pointed look. "It is as good a plan as any." Finan agreed with Sihtric.

Athena hit her inner cheek as she shared a look with Uhtred. She slowly nodded her head, making Uhtred nod his. "Osferth, you'll open the door in my word and retreat." Uhtred told the boy, nodding his head at the door behind them. "Then we form a shield wall and then we negotiate."

Athena frowned at that, her brows pinching together. "Negotiate?" Athena and Sihtric said at the same time, clearly not agreeing with Uhtred's words.

"Hæsten will want his prize." Uhtred simply said, turning to the rest of his men. "To the door!"

Athena sighed as she stayed beside Melusine and Æthelflæd, moving them back as the men moved towards the door.

Athena watched as Uhtred and Skåde spoke, making Athena's eyes widen. Was Uhtred going to use Skåde instead of Æthelflæd.

Skåde glanced over at Æthelflæd at first, then her eyes landed on Athena. Uhtred pulled away from his her, moving towards his men.

That gave Skåde the opportunity to move towards Athena, pulling her to the side for a moment. Athena almost tripped over her own feet as Skåde pulled her away from any listening ears. "Come with me."

Athena's eyes widened at that, pulling her hand from Skåde's grasp. "What?" She uttered, looking at the woman with pinched brows.

Skåde sighed, thinking of a way to plead with Athena. Athena had to come with her, Skåde had to make sure she would be safe. "Come with me. Hæsten will take me to your brother, you will be safer with Ragnar than Uhtred." Skåde explained, making Athena even more confused.

"And why do you care about my safety, seer?" Athena asked, titling her head to the side as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Skåde simply glanced down to Athena's stomach, shrugging her shoulders. "You are useful. You might not know it yet, but you are." She simply said, making Athena even more confused. "You will be safe."

"I will not." Athena immediately said, shaking her head as she stepped back from Skåde. "My place is here, with my people and with my brother." She shook her head, moving away from Skåde and back towards Melusine and Æthelflæd, both woman whom had watched the interaction.

"What did she want?" Melusine grumbled, glaring over to Skåde, whom look defeated as she moved towards Untred.

Athena carefully watched Skåde with a confused look, trying to figure the seer out. "For me to go with her." Was all Athena said.

The men created the shield wall in front of Uhtred and Skåde, making Osferth carefully open the doors.

Moving forwards, the men kept the shield wall high, Finan looking over to look down at the Danes. He turned to Uhtred with a sigh. "I count no more than thirty of the bastards."

Uhtred nodded his head at Finan's words. "Fight, Hæsten, and you will lose men!" Uhtred yelled to the man outside. "Many men, I guarantee it."

"I have many men." Hæsten called back to Uhtred.

Finan peaked back over the shields. "But you have just the one life!" He called towards Hæsten, a subtle threat. "And I plan to take it."

"Move out!" Uhtred told his men, making them slowly walk outside, the shield wall still held up high. Athena, Melusine, Æthelflæd and Osferth moved towards the window, looking out to the Danes.

"I will not leave without her, Uhtred." Hæsten said, looking up towards the window as his eyes landed on Æthelflæd.

"Then you will leave without a cock and your men, Hæsten." Athena yelled, moving Æthelflæd behind her, glaring at the man through the window. "Then you will not be able to hump your whores!"

Hæsten narrowed his eyes at her words, but Athena's people, especially Finan, found her words comedic. "Perhaps I shall take you as well, Lady Athena." Hæsten spoke loud so she would be able to hear. "And the pretty brunette. Bloodhair needs a new woman to hump, or even pup."

Athena glared once more, Melusine reaching out to hold her hand. Athena was about to yell at him once more, but Uhtred shook his head. "We can strike a bargain." Uhtred yelled towards the man, a slight glare on his face. "One woman in place of another."

There was a pause from outside beside Hæsten spoke up. "Are you offering me your sister, Uhtred?" There was a slight mock in his tone.

Athena bit back a comment as she kept her eyes on Uhtred. "Skåde." Uhtred called out once more. "The seer." Uhtred nodded his head towards the shield wall. "Finan."

At that, Finan and Sihtric moved to the side, raising their shields to make room for Uhtred and Skåde. Uhtred moved Skåde between the men. "She's yours." Uhtred told Hæsten. "In return, you and your men ride clear of this place and do not return."

"She is not yours to give." Hæsten simply said, analysing the seer from a distance. "She belongs to Bloodhair."

"I belong to the man I choose." Skåde corrected, a glare on her face. "The man whom has the will to lead, to conquer." She shook her head with a sly smirk. "Bloodhair is not that man."

"She had seen Alfred's death..." Uhtred paused for a moment, sparing Æthelflæd a glance. "And in battle." He tilted his head to the side. "Her man will benefit from that death, greatly."

Hæsten tilted his head to the side, a look of interest on his face. "Is this true?" He asked.

Skåde looked down at him, slowly nodding her head. "It's true." She muttered.

Hæsten slowly nodded his head, looking over to the shield wall. "May I approach?" He asked, making Athena raise her brow.

Sihtric and Finan both turned around. "Uhtred, you cannot bargain with this sack of chicken shit." He uttered. Athena watched as Hæsten slowly walked up the steps, axe in hand.

"You're close enough, Lord." Skåde stopped him halfway, raising her hand. "If a bargain is made, I will not be handed over like you would a whore." She sassed, tilting her head to the side. "I will walk to my new Lord." She spoke loudly. "And should either man go back on his word, I shall see he is tormented till the end. I swear."

"Do we have an agreement?" Uhtred asked, still hidden in the shadows as he spoke towards Bloodhair. "Skåde in place of Æthelflæd?"

Hæsten hesitated for a moment, looking over to the window, where Æthelflæd stood behind a glaring Athena. Hæsten smacked his lips, nodding. "Agreed." He turned back to Skåde. "The seer is mine."

"Then step back and she will walk to you." Uhtred ordered, his tone firm. "And you will leave."

"I will." Hæsten nodded once more, stepping back with a grin.

Athena watched as Skåde looked over her shoulder at Uhtred. "And you are cursed ince more, Uhtred of Bebbanburg." She threatened, making Athena narrow her eyes. "You shall wither."

"Go." Was all Uhtred said. Skåde glanced over to Athena for a moment, before turning back around. "Open, let her pass." Uhtred told his men.

The men did as they were ordered, moving their shields as Skåde walked down the steps and towards Hæsten. "This does not mean the princess is forgiven, Uhtred." Hæsten warned as Uhtred stepped forwards. "She is safe for now, no more than that."

They had gone to Æthelflæd's estate instead of staying in the nunnery. They had no where else to go, so it was the only option they had.

Athena was outside of the walls, an amused look on her face as she watched Osferth try to practise his sword skills against Finan.

"Don't hold it in both of your hands." Athena said from the log, resting her chin in her palm as she looked up at Osferth. "Hold your sword in one."

Osferth nodded his head at her words, moving to hold the wooden sword in his right hand. He looked down at the woman once more for any sort of aid, making Athena grin as she looked at the back of Finan, then towards Uhtred.

She subtly nodded towards Finan, pointing to his legs. She was basically telling Osferth to do her classic move. Knock them down by the legs and attack.

Osferth nodded once more, raising the wooden sword as her turned to Finan. "You ready?" Finan asked, making Osferth nod.

Athena leaned back against the wall, wtahxing with an amused look as the two went back and forth, their wooden swords hitting against each other.

Osferth waited for the right time to try what Athena told him to do. And when Finan raised his arm, Osferth quickly dodged it, moving forwards to kick Finan in the leg.

Athena didn't bother to muffle her laughter, grinning as Finan kneeled to the floor, giving Osferth the opportunity to lower his sword to Finan's neck.

Finan raised his hands in defeat, panting heavily as he looked up at the grinning Osferth. He then looked over his shoulder, looking at Athena. "You told him to do that, didn't you?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Athena pulled an innocent look, shaking her head. "I do not know what you mean." She bit back a sly grin, making Finan shook his head. "I guess our little Osferth learns from the best." Athena grinned up at the boy, whom held a proud expression on his face as he helped Finan back up.

Finan looked over Osferth's shoulder, a frown making its way onto his face. "Athena." Finan called out, making Athena look over to him with a smile.

She followed where he pointed his wooden sword, her eyes landing on a woman on top of a horse.

Athena stood up quickly, stepping forwards to see whom the woman was. But she was too far to see. "Osferth, fetch my brother." Athena patted the boys shoulder, her eyes not leaving the woman. "Tell him we have a guest. A woman."

"How can you tell it's a woman?" Osferth asked, frown on his face. Athena and Finan shared a look, both turning to face Osferth.

"You have to ask?" Finan raised his brow, hitting Osferth's arm as he shook his head. "Fetch Uhtred."

And he did.

Athena, Finan, Uhtred, Sihtric and Osferth all got onto their horses, meeting the woman from a distance. Athena's eyes grew wide as she noticed the woman to be Brida.

Uhtred and Athena rode ahead, both of them getting off of their horses as they walked towards Brida. "I knew you would both be with your princess." Brida said harshly, her voice breaking slightly.

"Why are you here?" Athena sighed, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared up at Brida. "Has something happened?"

"You left him. You both left him."

Athena frowned at that, stopping in her tracks as she stood beside Uhtred as she clung to the furs around her. "Ragnar?" Uhtred asked, just as confused as Athena.

"He had waited years for you both to come home and within a matter of days you were gone." Birda shook her head, her cheeks stained with tears. "You should have left the Saxon bitch do die."

"Did he send you here?" Athena ran a hand over the side of her face, pursing her lips as she let out another sigh. Athena was missing Ragnar, and she knew they ended on bad terms. "Where is he? We will go to him." She dropped her hand from the side of her face, holding onto her furs.

"He's dead! Ragnar is dead!"

As those words left Brida's lips, Athena stood frozen, disbelief and shock coursing through her veins as the words sank in.

The weight of Brida's words bore down on her, leaving her shattered and consumed by an overwhelming sense of anguish and sorrow that seemed insurmountable.

Brida was quick to get off of her horse, moving towards the frozen siblings. "He doesn't feast in Valhalla." She cried, stopping in front of the siblings. "Instead, he lies under a pile of stones at a lake near Loidis!"

A deep, gut-wrenching sorrow Athena her, leaving her breathless and numb. Tears welled up in her eyes, cascading down her cheeks in a torrent of grief.

Athena blinked heavily, watching as Brida furiously shook her head. "There was no honour in his death." She uttered, tears falling from her own eyes. "None."

Stepping back slightly, Athena shook her head in disbelief, her bottom lip trembling. No. Ragnar could not be dead. He couldn't.

"He will spend eternity in the cold of Niflheim, because of his siblings." Brida's words are like a dagger to the heart for both Athena and Uhtred. "You both chose her. You chose Alfred and you left him."

Athena didn't even blink when Brida took hold of her furs, pulling her close and bringing a dagger to her throat. Athena felt numb, tears falling from her eyes as her body shook. Uhtred's hand ghosted over Athena's arm as he carefully watched. "I should kill you...kill both of you." Brida uttered, bringing the blade close to Athena's neck. "He was your brother." Brida directed her words towards Athena, her voice breaking. "He loved and cherished you!"

Athena lowered her head in defeat, unable to stop the quiet cries that left her lips. "You know you cannot kill me, Brida." Athena's voice was raspy as she spoke, slowly shaking her head.

Brida's gaze faltered at that, her hand slowly dropping to her side as Athena moved into Uhtred, her breaths heavy.

A scoff left Brida's lips as she stepped back, wiping her tears. "He was happy for you." She uttered, slowly nodding her head. Athena brought a trembling hand to her lips at Brida's voice. "He wanted you at Dunholm. You and your..."

Brida sucked in a breath, ignoring the confused look on Uhtred's face. But the woman said no more as she turned around, climbing onto her horse.

Athena pulled herself from Uhtred's grip as she stepped forwards, watching as Brida left without saying anything else.

Her body shook as she thought over Brida's words. Her older brother was dead. Ragnar was dead. And he did not go to Valhalla.

She let her body collapse to the ground, leaning forwards and on her palms as she tried to catch her breath, almost choking on her tears.

Ragnar was dead.

When Athena felt someone carefully crouch at her side, she didn't hesitate to lean into the familiar presence, bringing her shaking hands to her mouth, trying to silence her cries.

Finan tried to comfort the crying woman, holding onto her upper arms as she leaned back into him.

Panting heavily, Athena wiped the tears from her cheeks, as she swallowed thickly. "Ragnar is dead." Her voice broke, her body completely trembling in Finan's arms. "My brother is dead." She uttered, shaking her head.

Then, she remembered Skåde. Uhtred was still cursed. He let Skåde curse him once more. This had to be her doing. Athena gently moved Finan's arms away from her, abruptly standing up and turning to Uhtred.

"This is your seers fault!" Athena hissed towards Uhtred, her eyes narrowed as she looked over at him. "You let her go! We should have killed Hæsten and his men! And you let her go!" She yelled, her voice breaking as Uhtred's face completely dropped at her words. "This is your fault." She uttered, shaking her head with a glare.

Uhtred's heart broke at her words. Never had she been this angry at him—she never had been angry with him. And now, she was blaming the death of their brother on him.

He hesitantly reached out to his broken sister, tears in his own eyes as he shook his head. "Athena—"

"No." Athena shook her head, her bottom lip trembling as she stepped back. "He is dead because of you and your seer!" She pointed an accusing finger in his direction. "You should have just killed the bitch!"

Athena didn't let Uhtred say anything else as she quickly moved towards her horse, ignoring the worried glances Sihtric and Osferth sent her way.

She simply climbed onto her horse, wiping at her cheeks as she didn't spare anyone a glance as she turned her horse away and back towered Æthelflæd's estate.

Athena had not spoken a word to any of her friends, only to Melusine and Æthelflæd. She didn't even dare to look Uhtred's way, still blaming him for the death of Ragnar.

Melusine understood Athena's anger, trying to comfort her closest friend. Æthelflæd also tried her best to comfort Athena, which Athena was grateful for.

The rest of the group had tired also, especially Finan. But Athena closed herself off, wanting to be alone with her own thoughts. And nobody stopped her, all worrying from a distance.

Uhtred was the most worried of them all. Their brother was dead and now she had pushed him away. It broke him to see her so broken.

Athena knew deep down that it wasn't Uhtred's fault, but whom else was she to blame? They did not know how Ragnar died. The seer cursed Uhtred and he let her go.

The group rode to Ægeleburg, wanting to speak with Alfred and Æthelred. Athena spared no one a glance as she rode inbetween Melusine and Æthelflæd.

Her hood was up as she clung to her blue cloak, looking around at the many warriors as they rode towards the gate. They ignored the spears pointed to them as they came to a holt.

Steapa and Æthelred walked out of the gates and towards them, Steapa pulling out his sword as a warning.

Turning her head to the side, Athena watched as Æthelflæd climbed off of her horse, Uhtred doing the same, and walked towards Steapa and Æthelred.

"I ought to kill you where you stand, Lord." Steapa threatened Uhtred, his eyes narrowed. Athena didn't miss the nervous expression on Æthelred's face as he looked at Æthelflæd.

"You could try, my friend." Uhtred shrugged, tilting his head to the side. "I'm here to to see the king.

Æthelred and Aldhelm walked forwards and stood beside Steapa. "You ride with outlaws, my dear." Æthelred spoke towards Æthelflæd.

"He's an outlaw of Wessex, not Mercia." Æthelflæd sent him a stern look. "We're here to see my father."

Æthelred bit back a scoff as he looked in between Æthelflæd and Uhtred. "What is it you have to say to the king that you cannot say to your husband?"

Athena rolled her eyes at that, pulling her hood down as she held onto her horses mane. "I wish to speak of treachery and traitors." Æthelflæd said, a dig at Æthelred and his the man wanted her dead. "The Dane Hæsten di attack the nunnery at Wincelcumb." She watched as Æthelred bit back a sigh. "It was his purpose to kill me." She harshly said, glaring at Æthelred.

"Hæsten claims to be a friend to Alfred." Uhtred then spoke up from beside her, shaking his head. "He's not."

Æthelred let out a defeated sigh, clenching his jaw. "Let the outlaw pass." He told Steapa, going to turn around. "No weapons." He added as he walked away.

Athena scoffed at that, glaring at the retreating figure. "Lord Æthelred, like you, we stand against the Danes." Finan spoke up from his horse, his arms raised slightly. Æthelred just pulled a dirty look as he continued to walk.

"Bastard." Athena uttered, ignoring the pointed look Melusine sent her.

"No weapons is the command, Irishman!" Steapa called over to Finan, whom was dumbfounded by the command. "None at all."  

"We heard your Lord the first time, friend." Athena sarcastically said, leaning back in her horse as she let one of the guards take her sword and dagger.

Soon, they all walked through the gates as a group. "My father cannot suspect my husband is the traitor." Æthelflæd uttered as they walked.

"We should kill your husband and be done with it." Finan simply said from beside Athena, making Æthelflæd turn to him.

"And begin a war between Wessex and Mercia now?" She rolled her eyes at his words, shaking her head.

"Lady, I'm joking." Finan grinned slightly, looking over at her. "We'll kill him tomorrow." He uttered to Sihtric, making Melusine hit Finan's arm.

"Children." Melusine shook her head with a sigh, leaning closer to Athena, whom had blocked out the conversation as she looked down at the ground as they walked, fidgeting with her rings.

"We halt." Steapa told them, turning around and raising his hand. "Stop."

"We know what half means, big man." Finan sighed as the group came to a stop.

Æthelflæd sighed as she looked towards Steapa. "Steapa, we are both thirsty and hungry."

"You may enter the hall, Lady." Steapa nodded his head to the woman. "The outlaws do not." He harshly said.

"Then I choose to remain here with the outlaws." Æthelflæd simply said with a shrug, making Steapa sigh.

"As you wish."

"Uhm, what if I need to piss?" Everyone turned their head at Finan's question, Athena shaking her head as she shared a look with Melusine.

Steapa paused, turning back around and looking towards Finan. Athena could not even attempt to hide her slight smile as she glanced up at a smug Finan.

Steapa walked towards Dinan, standing in front of him. "Then take out your cock." He simply said.

"And if you mistake that for a weapon, what then?" Finan stepped forwards towards Steapa, mocking him slightly.

Athena sighed, biting back an amused look as she pulled Finan back by his hood. "Steapa, food and ale would be appreciated." She flashed him a polite smile, bringing Finan to her side. Finan did not miss the look of amusement on Athena's face, even if it was a small and faint smile, he classed that as a victory.

"I will arrange it." Steapa spared her a nod, making her nod back as he turned around and walked away from them.

But Finan had to speak up once more. "And Steapa, good food." He called out to the man. "Meat and lots of ale!"

Athena shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest with a faint smile at Finan's antics. And he did not miss the smile she sent his way.

"Must you behave like a child?" Melusine scolded him, shaking her head with narrowed eyes. "Leave the poor man alone."

The group chuckled at that, making Melusine frown. But Sihtric shook his head with a smile, squeezing his wife's hand.

Athena bit her cheek as she looked around the group, not bothering to look over at Uhtred to know he was looking at her with a gentle look.

— madeleines notes.

Ooooof.

RAGNAR IS DEAD *cries*

Nah I actually cried writing Athena's reaction to Ragnar's death. And she blames Uhtred bc she does not know who else to blame!! UGH.

Athena trying not to laugh at Finan's jest makes me cry bc she actually adores him so much. And he was so proud to have made her smile after not speaking to anyone except for her girlies.

INSANE ATHENA HERE WE COME

Mel just being the mother of the group! She's literally mother 🙌🙌

Drama in next chapter, Athena cussing everyone out but that's normal for our girl. She'll still stick up for Uhtred, even if they are not on good terms! That's what we call SIBLINGS!?!

It is four am and I have to be up at eleven to get ready for a party!? Slay queens I am a girl boss.

But we are getting closer to the once scene I cannot wait to write. Me and Jordan are die excited about it.

Honestly I know I'm gonna be pissing myself when writing it, even though it's like DRAMA, but it is too funny of why the drama starts.

MELUSINE I AM LOOKING AT YOU.

But Athena has been around Finan too long, and straryed coping his words. Literal icon whom loves to call people bastards 🙌🙌

But Athena is actually distraught at Ragnar's death, and I hope you can tell by that by her sudden change in character, closing herself off and her body language.

I'm so bad at writing sad scenes, bc I'm all here for funny scenes drama scenes where Athena is just being the girlboss she is.

But her sadness will soon turn into anger, don't you worry. I just CANNOT wait until she finds out it was Æthelwold. Bc she's not gonna stop until he is dead.

And yall are not gonna understand why Skade wanted Athena to go with her, but it'll all make sense *evil laugh bc me and Jordan know*

Like it will all make sense, bc Skåde is a sneaky and powerful gyal. So she has something up her sleeve. And that is why she needs Athena by her side all the time.. OOP

Okay, that is enough for a day. GOODNIGHT MY POOKIES.

ITS THE FIRST OF DE MONTH

1st September 2024
4310 words