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

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

They had left Æthelflæd's estate, making their way towards the Dane camp for Skåde. Athena was questioning how Uhtred was going to do this, but she'd be by his side.

The group ended up stopping at a near by village for a night, and Athena immediately knew that the village being so close to where the Danes were, they had to be acquaintances.

And if news hit the Danes that Uhtred Ragnarson and Athena Ragnarsdóttir were at the village, they would come.

And that is what Uhtred wanted. Athena had to admit, that was a good game play from Uhtred, evidently he had been leaning from her sneaking techniques.

Now they all sat in the hall, their group sat around a table eating. Athena clung to the furs around her as she listened to the conversations around her.

"I had more fun at the burying of my father." Finan jested, clinking his cup with Uhtred, grin on his face.

"You knew your father?" Uhtred asked, slight intrigued.

Finan shrugged, taking a sip of his ale. "I knew his fist." He jested once more.

"They are here, Lord." Osferth said from the window, making Athena look over her shoulder at the boy.

"I see you watching." They heard a man speak from the outside. Athena sighed as she leaned her chin in her palm. This village was with the Danes. "Tell our visitor Uhtred, he is surrounded."

Osferth moved from the window, walking to stand behind Uhtred. "Men with weapons, Lord." He informed Uhtred. "Some with bows."

"He has sent his messenger." Uhtred nodded his head as he continued to eat the food in front of him. "Now he plans to keep us here."

Athena rolled her eyes at that, looking over at Melusine with pursed lips. "In an ale house?" Finan questioned with a slight grin. "I can think of worse places."

Uhtred chuckled at that, turning to his men. "Guthlac belongs to the Danes." He informed his loyal men. "They will head we're trapped and they will ride to kill us all." He slowly nodded his head. "Which is good. There will be less men at their camp we are a distraction."

"And we are surrounded." Finan added, looking over to the men.

Uhtred pointed to one of the men. "Watch that door." He pointed to the entrance, making the man immediately stand to walk over there. "Osferth." Uhtred nodded to the boy, signalling him to go back to the window.

"Uhtred, I wish only to talk." Guthlac yelled from outside, his tone slightly hesitant as he spoke. "I do not wish to fight."

Athena rolled her eyes at that, turning back to her food. "That is a shame." Uhtred sarcastically said, turning his head to the window. "Nothing finished an evening in an alehouse so well as a fight." He grinned, making Athena shake her head at his childishness.

"You are outnumbered." Guthlac continued from outside. "There is no way out, and we have bows." Athena bit back a scoff at that. When she had entered the ale house, she had already looked for ways out. "You should yield. Yield and your men shall live. They only want Uhtred." The man paused for a moment. "And Athena—alive."

Athena turned at that, frowning as she shared a look with Uhtred. Now the Danes wanted her alive? "I guess I know I'm coming out of this alive." Athena jested, placing a piece of bread in her mouth with a grin.

"You cannot escape!" Guthlac continued to threaten. "I say it again! We only want Uhtred and Athena!" He yelled once more.

Uhtred stood at that, looking towards his men. "You are all free men, free to choose." He told them. But they were all with him, which made Athena grin. "Bar the door." He told Osferth. "I figure you looked for an escape?" He turned to Athena, whom nodded, finishing the last bit of her bread before standing up.

"Over here." Athena sighed, walking towards the steps of the ale house and climbed up them, looking up at the roof above her head.

"We cannot climb out, Lady." Osferth called up, Melsuine quickly joining his side. "The bowmen will have us."

"Athena knows what she is doing." Melusine simply said, watching as Athena greeted the women politely and asking them to move.

Uhtred moved to his sister, watching as she hit her fist against the wood above her head. "What is your plan?" He asked, making Athena look over her shoulder at him.

"Get an axe and break the wood." She told him, quickly moving to the railings and looking down at the other three. "Get me fire!" It was time for a distraction.

Finan watched as Athena returned to Uhtred's side, watching as he broke the wood above their heads. "She just loves burning things." Finan uttered to the two beside him, moving to get the fire as Athena ordered.

"She'd love hell." Osferth added, making Melusine shake her head with a hint of a smile bracing her lips.

Once Uhtred had broke the wood above them, leading to the roof, Athena pushed him aside. "Boost me." Athena told him, holding onto the wood.

Uhtred moved behind her, grabbing her hips and picking her up, letting her pull herself into the roof with a grunt.

She sighed once she was on the roof, crouching down so the men could not see her and shoot her down with an arrow.

Turning around, she reached out for the wooden stick, careful not to touch the flame. "Thank you." She uttered, turning back around and looking down at the ground. She prayed she did not fall, she would not make the landing.

She pursed her lips as she brought her arm back, aiming to throw the fire at the nearest building. A grunt left her lips as she threw it, almost falling forwards with a quiet yelp.

"Athena?" She heard Uhtred and Finan call out to her as she stabilised herself, her arms held out as she balanced.

"I am fine." And breathed out, watching as the building caught aflame. "Give me the other one." Athena said, walking back over to the hole and reaching for the stick in Finan's hand.

She turned back around, aiming for the other building before throwing the stick with a grunt, watching as it easily caught aflame.

Grinning like a child, Athena dusted her hands from the wood, watching as the men ran around like headless chickens trying to put the fires out. "I love fire." She uttered, a proud look on her face as she stared at the scene unfolding. "More!" She turned back to the hole, staring down at her brother and Finan.

"More?" Finan questioned her, but moved to grab more of the sticks.

"That is what I said." Athena sighed, resting her hand on the wood to stabilise herself, reaching for the sticks. "I shall burn the village down if I must." She grinned, standing back up and turning around.

She spun the stick in her hand, looking for another building to set on fire. When she did, she stepped back, throwing her arm back beside throwing the flame at another building.

"Are you done?" Uhtred asked, peaking through the hole as Athena looked down at the fires.

She had a proud grin on her face as she turned to Uhtred, nodding her head. "Yeah, get the men ready." She sighed, carefully walking back to the hole.

Finan reached out to help her down, grabbing onto her hips as she reached out for his shoulders, letting him place her down on the wood beneath her.

Their group all made their way towards the entrance of the alehouse, taking their weapons out. Uhtred walked out of the building first, looking around at Athena's work.

Athena held a grin as she looked at the fires, holding onto her sword as she stayed beside Melusine.

Guthlac face instantly dropped as she raised his hands. "Spare me, Lord." He begged Uhtred, his voice wavering. "Spare me." He kneeled to Uhtred's feet. "The Danes made me comply. I had no choice." Athena rolled her eyes at that. But Uhtred did not listen, killing the man instantly.

Cnut had immediately left for the village once the news hit him, taking a group of his men. That meant less people at the Dane camp.

The group all hid in the trees, Athena fidgeting with the sticks on the ground out of boredom. They were hiding in the woods right beside the Dane camp.

"Once night falls, even the king of shadow walkers would find no place here." Osferth uttered from his crouched position.

Athena rolled her eyes at that, digging the stick into the ground beneath her with a quiet sigh. The woman quickly stabilised herself when Finan sat up from behind her. "Someone's coming." He uttered to the group, making Athena sit up and pull out her dagger.

"It is Sihtric." Osferth mumbled, making Athena turn her head to Melusine with a weary look.

The brunette pursed her lips, fidgeting with her hands at the mention of her lover. Uhtred stood as he stepped forwards, coming out of the trees and standing in front of Sihtric.

Athena reached out to squeeze Melusine's hand, the woman just looking down at the ground with a sad frown. "You have something to say to me, boy?" Uhtred asked once Sihtric stood before them.

"I do." Sihtric nodded, abruptly pulling out his sword and pointing it towards Uhtred. Athena quickly sat up at that, her eyes wide as she watched Sihtric. "Yield to me."

The four all watched as Uhtred raised his hands, dropping his dagger to the floor. Athena's brows pinched together at that, looking down at Uhtred's dagger, then to the pair in front of them.

Sihtric abruptly stabbed his sword into the ground, a grin making its way into his face as he stepped towards Uhtred.

Athena's jaw dropped as the two men embraced each other. It was all an act. She unintentionally shook Melusine's arm, her eyes wide. "You were playing us." Osferth realised, turning to the three behind him. "My goodness, they were playing us!"

Melusine's lips parted slightly as she stood to her feet, making Athena stand up as well. "Should have seen this coming." Athena rolled her eyes as she let out a sigh, turning to Melusine, whom just stared at her husband.

"If you had not believed it, nor would others." Uhtred chuckled, picking up his dagger as he turned to the group.

Athena stayed beside Melusine as she watched Finan move towards Sihtric. "I fooled you." Sihtric grinned.

Finan shook his head as he pointed into Sihtric's chest. "No, I knew." He chuckled, evidently surprised.

"No, you did not." Sihtric chuckled, grin still on his face. "Did I do good?"

Athena sighed as she left Melusine's side, walking towards Sihtric with a raised brow. "Nope." She sarcastically said, pulling him into a hug. "But, you will have to make up for your little scheme." She patted his back, subtly nodding her head towards Melusine as she pulled out of the hug.

Sihtric pursed his lips at that, looking over Athena's shoulders to look at his wife. "I know." He uttered, nodding his head as Athena moved to stand beside Finan.

There was a brief silence, everyone's eyes lingering on Melusine. But the woman did not move, her eyes glued to her hands. Athena saw this, quickly clearing her throat as she turned to Sihtric. "What do you known?" She said, getting the attention off of the speechless Melusine.

"Only Hæsten remains at the camp." Sihtric informed them, making the group frown.

"What of Bloodhair?"

Sihtric slowly nodded his head, turning to Uhtred. "Dead." Athena pursed her lips at that. There was one less Dane to worry about. "He fought with Hæsten and was killed by Skåde."

"Good Jesus." Finan uttered from beside Athena, shaking his head at the information.

"Shes a witch like no other." Sihtric told them, shaking his head. Athena bit her inner cheek as she turned her head to look over at the camp.

"She knows I'm near?" Uhtred then asked, making Sihtric turn to him once more.

Sihtric nodded his head at Uhtred's words. "Yes. She knows of your promise to shadow-walk, but there are too many guards." He informed Uhtred. "She is allowed to collet grass and herbs by a tree for her spells."

Athena raised her brow at that. "A tree?" She questioned, looking over at Sihtric.

"It is a single tree on the other side of the camp." Sihtric simply explained, making Athena slowly nod her head. "You cannot miss it."

Uhtred clicked his tongue as he nodded at Sihtric's words. "Tell her I'm here and take her there tonight." He instructed Sihtric.

"And if she refused?" Sihtric questioned, tilting his head to the side. "If Hæsten prevents her?"

But Uhtred shook his head. "She will not refuse and Hæsten will not refuse her." Uhtred simply said with a smug look. "You have never failed me, Sihtric." He grinned, patting his shoulder. "I will see you at the tree."

And they did.

They waited until nightfall to make their move, waiting for any sign of Sihtric and Skåde. Athena stayed beside Melusine, offering her any sort of comfort.

Athena knew that Melusine was probably going through multiple emotions. Melusine thought her husband had betrayed them—betrayed her. But he didn't. She didn't know what to think.

Melusine knew he did it for the sake of Uhtred, to get Skåde, but she still felt betrayed. Why didn't he tell her?

Osferth and Finan took out the guards nearby as Uhtred went towards the tree, where Skåde stood.

Athena watched with pursed lips, her eyes narrowing as they shared a kiss. She rolled her eyes, quietly gagging childishly as Finan nudged her side with an abused look.

"Skåde!" They all heard Hæsten yell out for the woman, making everyone turn to the pair. "Can you hear me?"

Athena cursed as she called out to Uhtred, telling him to run as the Danes were signalled of their presence.

The group all ran to get away from the Dane camp. "There are ships on the river!" Sihtric yelled as they all ran.

"To the river, Sihtric, you lead." Uhtred told him, making Sihtric run ahead as they ran towards the woods and to their men. "Move!" He told his men, making all of them jump up to their feet.

Athena panted heavily as she kept her grip on Melusine's arm, the girls running side by side towards the river as Sihtric lead.

They ran towards the dock, quickly hiding when they saw Dane's on the dock. But Sihtric ran forwards, still playing the part. "We are under attack!" He told the Danes. "Hæsten says to ready the ships!" He panted. "Now! Untie them now!"

Athena swallowed quickly as she tried to catch her breath, her hands on her knees as she leaned forward.

Then, Uhtred gave the signal for the group to rush onto the dock. Athena stayed back with Melusine as the rest attacked the few Danes on the dock. "Come on." Athena pulled Melusine past the fighting men, helping her onto the boat.

The Danes were quickly killed as everyone moved to the boat. Athena carefully stepped onto it, gripping onto Melusine's arms as everyone else got on. "Prepare the oars!" Finan yelled once they all sat down.

Uhtred still remained on the dock as he pushed the boat away from the dock. Athena gripped onto the side of the boat, squeezing her eyes shut. She hated running.

Uhtred quickly jumped onto the boat, making Athena reach out to steady him with wide eyes. "Pull!" Someone yelled, the men all holding onto their oars.

"Are you okay?" Melusine asked, holding onto Athena's arm.

Athena shrugged her shoulders, panting heavily as she leaned over the boat. "I am well." She uttered, listening to the men shout around her. She felt uneasy, like she could throw up at any moment. Maybe it was the running, or maybe it was being on a boat. But she swallowed thickly, gripping onto the boat.

It was his morning. They were still on the boat, the men taking turns to row. Athena kept her worried eyes on her friend, sitting at the front of the boat with Finan.

Athena pursed her lips as she watched Melusine stare out at the ocean, a troubled expression on her face. "Mel?" Athena gently called out, fidgeting with the rings around Finan's fingers as she leaned against his chest.

Melusine hummed, turning to face the woman with a faint smile. "Yes?" She uttered, tapping her fingers on the wooden boat.

"How are you?" Athena asked, a gentle look on her face as she looked at Melusine.

Melusine pursed her lips, her brows pinching together with a troubled expression. "I do not know." She let out a heavy sigh.

Athena knew what occupied Melusine's thoughts, making her flash a sad smile to her friend. "You must speak with him, Mel." Athena gently said, watching as Melusine turned to her with a troubled expression. "He did not wish to hurt you, he did what he had to."

"He could have told me." Melusine uttered, looking back out to the river with a frown. Athena slowly nodded her head, understanding the woman's feelings.

"I am sure he wanted to do so." Athena softly smiled at Melusine, trying to make the woman feel better about the situation. "Just speak with him."

Melusine took in her words, slowly nodding her head with a sigh. Athena softly smiled once more, continuing to play with Finan's rings.

They had returned to Coccham. They all had gotten out of the boat and walk towards the walls of Coccham. Athena ignored the stare of the seer, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Is the idea we simply walk into Coccham like we've never been away?" Finan questioned Uhtred as they walked side by side.

"Yes."

"Directly to the hall?" Finan asked once more, trying to understand Uhtred's thinking.

"Yes."

"And if another lord resides there?" Finan asked once more, making Uhtred turn to him.

"We ask him to leave, my friend." Uhtred simply said, making Athena roll her eyes from behind them. As if it would be that easy.

Finan slowly nodded his head. "I can do that." He clasped his hands in front of him.

Athena looked over her shoulder at the seer, her brows pinching together. She wondered if Uhtred would kill her—be done with her curse.

"Lord, you will not remember me." Athena turned back round as a man stopped Uhtred and Finan.

"I remember you." Uhtred said as they continued to walk towards the gates. "You're Edwin. You're married to Mildwynn."

"Lord, they have taken more than half our winter's store." Athena looked around at the Saxon men filling stuff into their carts. "Animals and grain." The man continued to inform Uhtred. "They say it is to feed Alfred's army, but we will certainly starve."

Athena clasped her hands in front of her as she watched the Saxon men, following Uhtred to the hall. "Who did this?" Athena asked, her brows pinched together.

"They're all at the hall, Lady." Edwin told her, making her nod her head with faint smile, walking past him as they walked towards the doors, only to be stooped by guards.

"Stand aside." Uhtred told them, shaking his head. "I want no blood shed, no man killed."

But the men didn't move, making Uhtred sigh. Sihtric stepped forward, looking at the guards. "He said stand side!" He ordered them. "Now!" The men then moved as Sihtric spoke. "Thank you. I should not need to raise my voice."

Athena quietly chucked at that, walking forwards as Sihtric opened the hall doors, letting everyone walk inside.

Athena looked around, tilting her head up as she looked at the cross above her head with a frown. "Uhtred?" Athena looked back down at the man's voice. "Uh, what is the meaning of this invasion?"

Uhtred walked towards the man, tilting his head to the side. "This is my home." He simply told the man. Athena stepped to the side, leaning back on the wall behind her.

The man instantly stood from his seat, standing beside Uhtred with a weary expression. "We are here by right, on the King's business." The man told Uhtred.

"You are stealing food from the mouths of the poor." Uhtred told him, his eyes narrowing as he looked the man up and down.

"An army needs to he fed." The man tried to reason.

Athena rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked around at the Saxon men. "As do the people here." Athena looked back over to the man, a sarcastic smile on her lips.

"We want no disharmony here today." The priest looked between Uhtred and Athena, quickly shaking his head.

Uhtred turned around, his eyes landing on the cross above the entrance of the hall. "What is that?" Uhtred immediately asked, turning to the priest.

"Well, you know what it is." The priest answered, looking up at the cross, then back to Uhtred.

Athena pursed her lips as she looked up at the cross. "Take it down." Uhtred demanded, obviously angered at the cross. "Take it down or I will make a gift of you to Skåde."

The man looked over to the woman, whom was eating some of the food. "I...I will not do as you ask." The priest stuttered, his eyes flickering between the seer and Uhtred. "I cannot."

"Lord, see it as just a piece of wood, nothing more." Finan calmly told Uhtred, not wanting there to be a scene between Uhtred and the priest.

"It is a holy cross."

"Bishop Erkenwald, i suggest you shut your holy mouth." Finan warned, tilting his head to the side as he looked at the priest.

"And take it down." Uhtred added, a firm look on his face.

"Or...I...I can just take it down, Lord." Osferth suggested, shrugging his shoulders as he pointed at the cross.

Uhtred turned to the boy, shaking his head. "You will do nothing." He told Osferth, making the boy slowly nod his head as look away.

"I realise you are looking to find a reason to kill me, and I would prefer to do as you ask." The priest slowly explained, pursing his lips as Uhtred glared at him. "I am not a fool, but I cannot deny my faith."

"You are not denying your faith, priest." Athena shook her head as she let out a sigh, looking up at the cross with a grimace. "Just take it down, there will be no blood shed." She calmly said, knowing if Uhtred were to kill this man, they would be outcasted once more.

"I cannot." The priest turned to her, shaking his head. "The king will hear of it. God would know of—"

"The king had told me many times that this is a pagan's hall." Uhtred quickly cut the priest off, his words firm. "You will take it down." He added, more calmly.

"It is my cross, Lord." Athena practically swivelled in her place, looking around the corner to see Hild. A smile immediately made its way onto her face as she looked at the woman. "My doing. I put it there. And I would like it to remain there, unless of course, your plan is to once again be the Lord of Coccham." She softly smiled. "I meant no insult."

Athena went to move forwards, to greet Hild, when she was pulled back by her hood abruptly by Finan. She didn't have much time to question it as the cross fell to her feet with a thud.

Athena looked down at the cross, then up to Skåde with a glare. "Now, perhaps, we may eat." She sighed, grin on her face as she stared down at Uhtred.

Finan stepped forward to pick up the cross from the floor, a sigh leaving his lips. "The bitch could have killed me." Athena uttered as she looked over to Melusine, whom glared at Skåde.

Melusine looked over to Athena, shaking her head. "It is a small piece of wood." She simply said, making Athena scoff.

"That could have crushed my skull." Athena pointed out, shaking her head with a glare. "I wanted to greet my favourite Abbess, and almost got murdered." She uttered, dumbfounded. "Are you not praying for me anymore?" She sarcastically said with a pout, making Melusine roll her eyes.

"You need more than my praying for you, Thens." Melusine sighed, patting her shoulder with a faint smile.

Athena hummed, slowly nodding her head in agreement. "You are right." She grinned, crossing her arms over her chest. "A prayer cannot save me." She jested, making Melusine shake her head.

"Lord, Lady," Athena turned as Hild directed her words towards Uhtred and Athena. "May we speak further, privately?" She asked, making Athena grin as she squeezed Melusine's arm and walked over towards Hild with a smile. "You are pleased to see me." Hild smiled as they walked out of the hall, Uhtred following behind.

"I have missed your presence and almost took a cross to the head to greet you." Athena said, clasping her hands in front of her as she turned to the Abbess. "I do hope you have missed me?"

Hild rolled her eyes at her antics, nodding her head. "That I have." Athena's grin widened at that, turning when she felt Uhtred beside her. "Should you be here?" Hild asked Uhtred.

"I came to see my children." Uhtred explained as they walked further away from the hall. Hild paused at his words, a troubled look making its way into her face.

Hild stopped in her tracks, making the two siblings turn with a frown. "Do not react, do not revolt." She warned them both, a hesitant expression on her face. "Your children are fine. But they are not at Coccham." Athena frowned at that, sharing a look with Uhtred. "They are at Winchester."

"With Thyra?" Uhtred asked, his brows pinching together in confusion.

Hild hesitated, sucking in a breath as she turned to the side. "Under the Crown's care—good care."

"The crown?" Uhtred immediately asked, evidently confused.

"They are well. I swear it." Hild promised, turning to Uhtred once more as they continued walking.

"Tell me that they are not under the care of nuns and priests." Uhtred demanded, his eyes wide as he stood in front of the Abbess.

"Uhtred, they are well and happy." Hild sighed, making Athena groan, shaking her head. She was glad her niece and nephews were well, but why did Alfred take them? "I have seen it. And you have been absent."

"If Alfred is not already dead, I will kill him." Uhtred uttered, obviously angered at the fact Alfred had took his children away. "He does this to damn me further?"

Hild shook her head with a sigh. "He does not." She rolled her eyes

"Have they been made Christian?" Uhtred asked, his brows raised. "Have they been baptised?" He continued to question.

"It will do them no harm—"

"He has no right!" Uhtred hissed, shaking his head with a firm look. Athena pursed her lips at the news. "He has done this to damn me and go damn my wife!" He turned his head to the side, seeing Skåde move towards them.

Athena did not know what to think of the situation. They were well, but they were taken from Uhtred and made Christian against Uhtred's wishes. "Lord, you too, should eat." Skåde moved towards them, making Athena out a loud groan.

"Later." Uhtred brushed her off, clearly not in the mood to deal with her after hearing of his children.

"You should eat now, my love."

"I said later." Uhtred said more firmly, shaking his head. Athena watched with a glare as Skåde was defeated, walking back into the hall.

Hild looked between Uhtred and Skåde. "She is your woman now?" She questioned with a raised brow.

"A man needs a woman." Uhtred said, making Athena roll her eyes, watching as Skåde left completely.

"You replace Gisela with her?"

Athena's brows pinched together at that, looking between Uhtred and Hild. "Whom I bed is no business of an Abbess."

"I am speaking as a friend." Hild sassed with a raised brow, tilting her head to the side. "It is good to see you are well. Back to your usual self, in fact." She changed the topic quick. "As well as you." She turned to Athena with a smile.

Athena smiled back softly at her words, nodding her head as the Abbess went to walk away, but Uhtred called out to her. "I have been absent." He hesitated at first, stepping towards her. "I would like to see my children at Winchester." Uhtred uttered, only for Hild and Athena to hear. "Can you help."

Hild immediately nodded her head with a gentle look. "Yes, just can help you." She gently said. "Of course I can help you."

Athena smiled at that, letting them have a moment as she turned around, only to see Finan and Osfeth walking out of the hall. "What did the Abbess want?" Finan asked as he walked towards her.

Athena let out a dramatic sigh, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched Hild walk away from Uhtred. "Alfred has turned my niece and nephew's into Christian's." She pursed her lips, looking over her shoulder at Uhtred. "And he is not happy."

"Finan." Uhtred spoke towards the Irishman, walking towards them as Athena turned to face her brother. "Have the priests unload half of what they've taken." He explained. "They must go back to Alfred." He then looked between the two. "You will both ride with them."

Athena's brows pinched together at that, tilting her head to the side. "All the way to Winchester? Brother, they might kill me on the spot."

Uhtred sighed as he shook his head. "They will not, they banished me, not you." He pointed out, making Athena groan. "I will follow and find you."

"And what of Skåde?" Finan then asked, nodding towards the hall where the seer remained.

"She stays with me." Uhtred told him, pursing his lips with a troubled look. "I will find you in Winchester. It is here I must be—unseen."

"And what if Alfred decides to take us hostage?" Finan asked with a frown, adding to Athena's weariness.

Uhtred shook his head at that. "He will have you watched, nothing more." Uhtred reassured with a shake of his head. "You need only drink ale and take care of your woman." Athena rolled her eyes at that, shaking her head.

"I can do that." Finan nodded his head, watching as Uhtred left. "We all need a good woman!" He said pointedly, talking about Skåde.

Athena watched as her brother left, pursing her lips as he walked back into the hall. "He needs to be rid of her already." Athena sighed, dropping her hands to her side. "She is the reason Ragnar is dead, she needs to die." She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Uhtred knows that." Finan looked down at her with a slow nod. "I'm sure he will do what he needs to do."

Athena hummed, turning to him with a sigh. "Hopefully." She uttered, looking up at him. "Now we must get ready to travel, I miss my kitty."

— madeleines notes.

someone give Athena her kitten back pls and thanks 🥺🥺 it's okay Thyra has been taking care of snow 🥰🥰

But the angst between Mel and Sihtric. Don't worry, won't last long, they'll probs be back to normal next chapter HAHSHSHS

Sihtric is absolutely in love with her, he just needs to grovel 👌

BUT WE ARE SO CLOSE TO THE END OF SEASON THREE.

Tbh I'm gonna miss writing for this fic and will probably make another one HAHSHS. Oopsies.

What can I say? I'm obsessed with the series and Finan/Mark Rolwey.

And if you are one of my friends and you thought my John Murphy obsession was bad... HAHAA.

No seriously I was fully sat in college telling my friends she needs to watch The last kingdom bc she watched the Vikings.

Fully sat arguing about which one is better ( the last kingdom. )

Made her watch the season three trailer bc it's the best season. And I was like "THERE IS MY HUSBAND" at the one scene Finan was in HAHAH.

Okay enough with the ranting 🥰

I hope you liked this chapter! Don't forget to vote and comment! I love reading your comments, it makes my day 🩷

10th September 2024
5493 words