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

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

A groan left the lips of the drunken Melusine, whom almost walked into a wall when Athena let go of her for a moment.

"Sorry." Athena gave her a sheepish look, holding onto her arms once more as she guided Melusine through the home Æthelflæd has given Athena. "Let's get you to bed."

Another groan left Melusine's lips as Athena led her through the hallway and towards the bedroom. "I am not tired." Melusine whined with a pout, letting Athena guide her to the bed.

"You will be if you do not rest." Athena gave her a firm look, gently placing her down on the bed. "Stay, let me get you water." Melusine slowly nodded her head, slouching forwards as Athena left the room.

It didn't take long for Athena to come back into the room, cup of water in her hands. She pulled a chair to the bedside, carefully sitting down in front of Melusine.

"Drink." Athena told her, leaning forwards to lift the cup up to Melusine's lips. Melusine didn't complain as she tilted her head back to drink the water. "Good girl." She uttered, taking the cup away and placing it on the bedside table.

Melusine ran a hand over her face, watching as Athena sat back in the seat. A heavy sigh left Melusine's lips as she looked over at her closest friend. "I am sorry, Thena." She muttered, making Athena frown. "I ruined everything, Athena, I'm sorry." She quietly cried, shaking her head as she held her face in her hands.

Athena pursed her lips, a soft look on her face as she reached out to gently grasp onto Melusine's wrists. "It is fine." Athena tried to reassure, a smile on her face.

The Dane woman brought her hand up to wipe the tears from Melusine's cheeks with her thumb. "I am sorry." Melusine lowered her head, sniffing as Athena held onto her cheeks. "I'm such a bad friend."

Athena shook her head as she wrapped her arms around Melusine, embracing her into a hug with a sigh. "You are not." Athena shook her head.

Melusine sniffled as she lowered her face info Athena's neck, instantly wrapping her arms around Athena. "But..." She swallowed thickly, squeezing her eyes shut. "But I told—"

A chuckle left Athena's lips as she pulled out of the hug, holding onto Melusine's arms. "He was bound to find out soon." Athena tilted her head to the side, clicking her tongue as she stared at Melusine. "But now you have given me an awkward conversation to deal with." She chuckled, making Melusine softly smile at her.

"I am sorry." Melusine quietly chuckled, shaking her head as she wiped her tears. "I am sure everything will be fine."

Athena pursed her lips as she slowly nodded her head, hoping that would be true. "Come on." She quickly said, smile back on her face as she looked at Melusine. "Let's get you in bed."

Athena helped Melusine under the furs, laying her down and placing her on her side. Athena brought the furs over Melusine's body, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Sleep."

Melusine nodded her head, resting her head on the pillow underneath her. It didn't take long for the drunk woman to fall asleep, Athena staying by her side.

Athena leaned forwards on the bed, resting her chin on her arms as she stared at Melusine, making sure she was alright.

A knock on the open door made Athena quickly sit up, reaching for the dagger in her belt instinctively.

But a sigh left her lips as she looked at the familiar Irish man. Athena swallowed thickly as she turned to the sleeping Melusine, squeezing her sleeping hand before standing up.

Athena pursed her lips as she moved towards the door, Finan walking backwards as Athena carefully closed the door, not wanting to disturb Melusine. She moved away from the door and into the main room, Finan following.

Finan leaned against the wall in the hallway, arms crossed over his chest. His expression was unreadable. The silence between you two was charged with a mixture of anticipation and slight tension.

"Is it true?" Finan finally spoke, breaking the silence. Athena swallowed thickly as she lowered her head, fidgeting with her rings.

Finan pushed off from the wall, stepping closer towards the anxious Athena. She let out a heavy breath, slowly nodding her head as she licked her lips. "Yeah." She uttered, staring down at her owl ring, which brought her comfort.

Finan pursed his lips again her words, moving to stand in front of her. The air around Athena grew heavy, and the silence between the two was laced with a mixture of emotions.

He reached out, gently taking her chin in his hands, lifting her head up so she would look up at him. Athena was suprise at his tenderness, biting her inner cheek as she stared up at him. "How long have you known?"

Athena let out a heavy sigh as she continued to bite on her inner cheek, staring up at him. "Silence the road to Dunholm." She continued to fidget with her ring. "The seer, Skåde, told me I was with child." She looked down at her hands once more as Finan stared down at her intently. "I did not believe her at first. Perhaps she was trying to make her way into my mind, as she did to Uhtred." She explained, tracing the owl on her ring. "But is it true."

Finan dropped his hand from her chin, running his hand through his hair at her words, stepping back as he tried to figure everything out. Everything was slowly making sense. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" He asked, his voice a mixture of disappointment and worry.

Athena's brows pinched together as she looked back up at him, a guilty expression written across her face. "I did not know how to tell you." She dropped her hands to her sides, her tone dubious. "I did not know if you would want such a thing." She uttered, looking back down with pursed lips. "I did not wish to burden you."

Finan's demeanor softened slightly at her words, his expression more understanding than before. He knew her well, and he could understand Athena's uncertainty and apprehension.

He took a step closer to her, gently lifting her chin again, forcing her to meet his gaze once more. "What makes you think I wouldn't want this?" He asked softly, his voice laced with a hint of hurt and confusion. "It is not a burden, Athena."

"I do not know." A heavy sigh left Athena's lips as she ran a hand over her face. It was evident she had been stressing out about the whole thing. She had been worrying herself to death about it. "It is not like we are married. Why would you want such a thing with a woman whom is not your woman?" She pointed out, shaking her head as she bit her inner cheek.

Finan's brows furrowed at Athena's words, and he took a moment to choose his words carefully. His gaze never left her face, studying her expressions. "And just whom is to say you're not my woman?" He asked quietly, his words below a whisper as he looked down at her.

Her lips parted slightly as she looked up at him, a soft frown on her face as her brows pinched together. "You have never asked me to be your woman." Athena uttered, evidently confused by his words.

Finan sighed, his hand dropping from her chin again. He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes not leaving hers. "And why do you think that is?" He asked, raising his brow.

Athena shrugged her shoulders, not understanding what he was insinuating. "I do not know." She muttered, pursing her lips.

A sigh left Finan's lips as he stared down at her, watching as she continued to fidget with her things. He didn't hesitate to reach out hand hold her hands in his.

"Do you want to be my woman?"

Athena blinked at his words, her lips parting once more, a sharp breath leaving her lips as she looked up from their hands, her eyes slightly wide. She had not expected those words to come from Finan's lips.

Whilst Athena was struggling for words, Finan looked down at her with an anxious expression, eagerly waiting for her to speak. His kept a tight but gentle grip on her hands as he stroked his thumb against the back of her hand.

Athena's swallowed thickly, her features softening as she stared up at him. Did he really wish for her to be his woman? She could not help the smile that made its way onto her face as she breathed out, gently pulling her hands from his and reaching up to rest her hands on the sides of his face.

"I want you." Athena uttered, slowly nodding her head as she softly stared up at him, leaning closer to him. "I want to be your woman." She admitted, and it finally felt right. It felt right telling him how she felt—how she had been feeling about him.

Finan's expression softened at Athena's words, a hint of relief in his eyes. He leaned into her touch, his hand on her hip pulling you even closer, until their bodies were nearly pressed against each other.

He placed his other hand on her back, holding her against him. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the weight of her words, before looking back at her. "Then be my woman" he whispered softly.

The smile on Athena's face didn't falter as she stared up at him, stroking her thumb against her cheeks. Finan moved his hand from hip, gently tracing the curve of her side, coming to rest on her stomach. His touch was gentle, his fingers tracing small patterns on her dress

He looked down at where his hand rested on her stomach, his expression unreadable. "You're carrying my child" he said quietly, his voice laced with a mix of awe and disbelief.

Athena hummed, nodding her head with a quiet chuckle, the smile not leaving her face as she stared up at him. This felt right to her. "Apparently it is to be a girl." She shrugged, looking down at his hands on her stomach. "We will soon see." She hummed, looking back up at him as he smiled down at her.

Finan's expression softened further at her words, his gaze fixated on her face. His hand on her stomach flattened, his palm spreading across the slight bump.

He was quiet for a moment, his eyes studying Athena intently. "How do you feel about this?" He asked eventually, his voice a low, almost tender whisper.

Athena breathed out, pursing her lips with a smile. "I was terrified at first." She admitted, slowly nodding her head. "The thought that I would not be a good mother haunted me." She shrugged her shoulders, looking back up at him with a soft smile. "But I am happy."

Finan's brows furrowed as he heard her confession of fear and worry, and he reached up to caress her cheek, his touch gentle and reassuring. Athena leaned into his touch, her eyes shutting close for a moment.

He held her gaze, his eyes soft but determined. "You'll be a great mother," he assured her, his voice firm but loving. "There is no doubt in my mind."

Athena softly smiled at that, moving her hands from his face to wrap her arms around his waist. Just those words from his lips reassured her more than anything else could ever.

Finan brought his arms around Athena's shoulders, holding her close to him. He rested his chin atop her head, his hand gently smoothing down her hair.

He was quiet for a moment, enjoying the feel of her in his arms, before he spoke again. "I want to marry you," he said suddenly, his voice quiet and serious.

Athena's eyes widened slightly as she looked up at him, her lips parting as she rested her chin on his chest. "What?" She almost choked out her words, her brows pinching together.

She certainly did not expect that.

Finan met Athena's surprised gaze with a steady one of his own. He could feel the shock in her voice and see it in her expression, but his determination didn't waver.

He knew that marriage was something Athena never thought of. That she would never find someone she cared for to marry. She wanted to be a warrior, as her father and brother were.

"I said I want to marry you," He repeated, his voice firm. "I know your opinions on the matter..." He shifted so he could look down at her, his hands coming up to gently cup her face. "But, I want you to be my wife, to bear my children, to live out the rest of our days together."

Athena stood there, frozen in a moment of disbelief, her eyes wide with joyous shock. A radiant smile spread across her face, her features a perfect blend of surprise and happiness. "Really?" She uttered, swallowing thickly as she moved to hold onto his arms, a soft look on her face.

It was evident Athena had grown to love Finan over the years, more than a friend. And the thought of marrying him, a man whom would stay by her side and fight wars with her, that made her happy.

Finan chuckled softly at Athena's look of disbelief, caressing her face with his thumbs. He could see the joy in her eyes, the disbelief at his words, but there was an underlying excitement as well.

"Really," He confirmed, his voice warm and sincere. "I want to make you mine in every way. I want to make you my wife, to build a life and a family with you."

Athena's lips parted once more, staring up at him in awe and with love. Athena Ragnardóttir had fallen for the Irishman in front of her, and she had been too blind to realise such a thing.

And now he wanted to marry her, something she never thought she would experience. She looked up at him with a look of disbelief, her eyes wide still. She slowly nodded her head as the smile remained her face. "Yes."

Finan's lips curled into a wide, joyous smile as he saw your smile, his eyes sparkling with happiness. His hands moved to Athena's cheeks, gently cradling her face as he bent down to place a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Yes?" He repeated, his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Is that a yes to being my wife?"

She chuckled as she nodded her head, reaching up to hold his hand against her cheek. "That is what I said, is it not?" She jested with a cheeky smile. "But, you will have to speak with Uhtred about it." She added with a sheepish look.

Athena, nor Finan, knew how Uhtred would react. They had obviously been sneaking around behind his back. Finan let out a sigh as he nodded his head with pursed lips. "Aye."

But Athena couldn't help but chuckle, keeping her eyes on his. "Uhtred sees you as a brother, you two have been through much together." She reassured, squeezing his hand. "Besides, he would have been the better one to ask, instead of Ragnar." She softly smiled. "You know how Ragnar was." She softly chuckled, remembering her brother.

The pair stood in a comfortable silence, but holding onto one another, smiles on their faces.

Athena let out a sigh as she squeezed his hand, moving it from her face with a smile. "It is late, and I must stay with Melusine to make sure she is well." Athena told him, looking down at their hands. "Will you stay?" She softly asked, looking back up at him.

Finan didn't need to be asked twice, nodding his head in agreement as he squeezed her hand.

Waking up with a banging headache was something Melusine did not like. A groan left the woman's lips as she sat up, blinking heavily.

She brought her hand to her head, wincing as the light hit her eyes. Melusine sat in the bed, head buried in her hands as she remembered the events that occurred that night.

Her eyes then grew wide as she sat up, remembering how she had blurted out that Athena was with child.

She quickly turned her head to the side, pulling the furs closer to her as her eyes landed on a sleeping Athena.

What she didn't expect to see was Athena practically snuggled into Finan's side, resting the side of her face against his chest.

Melusine had no idea what had happened in the hours she was asleep. Her lips parted in shock as she rubbed her eyes. Was she still asleep?

Nope, she was not.

Melusine pursed her lips as she turned to the pillow beside her, reaching to pick it up. Then, she simply threw it towards the sleeping pair, trying to wake them up.

Athena practically shot up in the seat she was sat in, looking around with wide eyes. "It wasn't me." She quickly said, her eyes landing on a confused Melusine. "Oh, hello." She smiled, sitting up straight as she felt Finan shift beside her. "Rise and shine, drunk."

"What happened?" Melusine groaned, slouching forwards as she ran a hand over her face, looking between the two.

Finan had quickly recovered from the pillow that had been launched at him, running a hand through his hair. "We found out you cannot handle your ale, woman." Melusine tilted her head to the side at that, a look that said, 'No shit' in her face. "And you may or may not have blocked to the whole hall that Athena was with child."

Melusine's eyes grew wide as she turned to Athena, whom smiled at her. "Never let me drink again." Melusine groaned, lowering her head as Athena chuckled.

"Noted." Athena nodded her head, grin on her face as Melusine slouched back in the bed. "And, you called Sihtric a fool and bastard." She then said, a sheepish look on her face.

Melusine sat up once more, turning to Athena with a weary look. "Where is he?" She muttered, fidgeting with her hands.

Pursing her lips, Athena shrugged her shoulders, leaning back in her seat. "We have stayed here. We do not know if he was left yet." She muttered sadly, clasping her hands in front of her. Melusine slowly nodded her head, swallowing thickly as she looked down at her hands.

— Madeleines notes.

FINALLY BITCHES

ik you baddies have been waiting for this; and it is here YAY.

Finally together, took them long enough smh

But next chapter will be SOMETHING. A ain't something, I ain't spoiling

I hope you guys are happy with how I've like, worked their whole thing and written it, pls give feedback I love reading your comments 🥺🥺

BUT CLOSE TO SEASON FOUR WOOOO 

7th September 2024
3207 words