▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎 ─── ❛ oaths

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

Vulnerable.

That is what Melusine felt in the room she was trapped in, with Æthelflæd. Melusine was doing everything she could to protect the young girl from harm.

But the Dane, Erik, was doing the same thing. He brought no harm to the pair, making sure they were well-fed, bathed.

He promised that they would not go through any harm whilst he was looking after the two women.

Athena had told Melusine what Dane men were capable of, so Melusine knew what to expect. But Erik made sure that his men outside of their room would make sure no one else would harm them.

Keeping an arm around Æthelflæd, Melusine slightly relaxed, resting her chin on the young girls head. She would protect Æthelflæd in any way she could.

"Hæsten, what are you doing?" Melusine sat up slightly at the Dane's voice, her grip tightening on the brunette beside her.

Æthelflæd tensed into Melusine's side, looking towards the locked door, only for it to be opened by Hæsten.

Melusine tightened her grip on Æthelflæd, sucking in a breath as she looked up at the man. "What do you want?" She calmly asked, but her voice shook as she spoke.

"What do I want?" He repeated, his eyes looking between the two women with a predatory look, which made Melusine shiver and stand in front of Æthelflæd. "I'm here to remind you that you're both women and our hostages."

Melusine's heart hammered against her chest as the Dane walked closer towards them, but Melusine kept Æthelflæd behind her. "You both have very pale skin." Hæsten continued, slowly moving towards them, making them back up. "Both of you show me, take off your clothes." He pointed at the two.

Melusine swallowed thickly, feeling Æthelflæd's grip tighten around her arm. "Does-does the Lord Erik know that you're here?" Æthelflæd stuttered, almost hissing as her back hit the wall.

"It was the Lord Erik that sent me here." Hæsten grinned as he spoke, a sickening grin, which sent shivered down both women's spines, for different reasons. "Now, remove your clothes or I will rip them for you both."

Melusine squeezed her eyes shut as she kept Æthelflæd behind her, looking around for anything she could use against him.

Her eyes widened as she quickly crouched down, grabbing the bucket of water and throwing it at Hæsten with a yell.

Æthelflæd took this as an opportunity to grab the chair, smacking it across Hæsten's face and making him fall to the ground.

Melusine panted as she pushed Æthelflæd behind her, swiftly grabbing the man's dagger and stepping back with her arm raised.

She remembered some of the things Athena and Sihtric had taught her, she could kill him if she wished to.

Hæsten went to attack her, but she brought the blade towards his face, slitting his cheek with a grunt.

Before she could attack once more, she felt arms grab her arms, trying to take the blade out of her grasp. "Dagfinn, hold them!" She heard Erik say, but she was too busy staring at Hæsten, who cupped the side of his face.

Melusine then gave up, feeling Æthelflæd beside her as Dagfinn held both of their arms. Both girls panted as they watched Erik strike Hæsten across the face. "Get up!" He yelled at Hæsten, who fell at the contact of his fist.

"Lord, they're hostages." Hæsten hissed, spitting out the blood that formed in his mouth.

Melusine gripped onto Æthelflæd's arm, both of them being held back by Dagfinn. Melusine's eyes widened once more as Erik punched Hæsten once more. "Get up onto your feet!"

"They are our hostages!"

"They're of value!" Erik hissed in the man's face, his eyes narrowed. The brothers knew Athena and Uhtred would do anything to get Melusine back, as well as Æthelflæd. So, Melusine was worth something, especially considering she was Athena's closest friend. They would get twice as much. And if Erik was being honest, he admired Athena, after hearing stories about her, even when she was a child. He knew she'd do anything to get Melusine back. "Release them!" Erik told Dagfinn, making him let go of both girls.

Melusine sucked in a breath as she kept close to Æthelflæd, looking between Erik and Hæsten with weary eyes.

"What will happen when we reach Baemfleot?" Osferth suddenly asked, making Athena turn her head to the side to look at the boy.

Athena gripped her horses reigns as a group of men rode behind them. "Will there be a ritual? A toast, a meal?"

Athena softly rolled her eyes at his words, looking over at the baby monk. "There will be a heathen sacrifice." Father Pyrlig jested, watching as Osferth's face dropped. "The youngest member of the visiting party will be split with an axe."

Osfeth's eyes widened as he looked around, looking at Athena for any guidance. "He is jesting, Osferth." Athena chuckled, shaking her head. "They will want to merely humiliate us." She shrugged her shoulders, sharing a look with Untred beside her.

"In what way?" Father Pyrlig asked from behind them.

"An insult, a challenge." Uhtred spoke, keeping his eyes forward as he rode on his horse.

"Why?"

"Because they can." Finan spoke from the back, making Athena nod her head in agreement.

"Hey!" Someone yelled, making Athena pull her horse to a stop, frown on her face. She turned her head to the side, her eyes narrowing as she looked up at the Dane's surrounding them.

Uhtred sighed as he looked over to the familiar Dane. "Hæsten, we're travelling to Beamfleot." Uhtred told the blonde Dane.

"For Alfred?"

Uhtred nodded his head at Hæsten's words. "For Alfred, yes."

"I am here to take you on to the fortress, lord." Hæsten told them, looking down at them from his horse.

Athena raised her brow as she looked at the cut on the side of his face. That was new. She wondered how he had come to get the scar, it looked fresh. "You and three others."

"I will travel with half my number, no less." Uhtred insisted, lifting his head up to speak to the Dane.

Hæsten looked between his men, narrowing his eyes slightly as he pursed his lips. "Agreed."

They had walked all the way to Beamfleot, at the orders of Hæsten, who ordered to leave their horses.

Athena bit back any comments, for the wellbeing of Melusine and Æthelflæd. Athena gripped onto the hilt of her sword as they walked through the gates.

Her gaze hardened at the sight of Erik and Sigefrid, standing in the middle as their men crowded around them.

"You will all kneel." Sigefrid instantly told them as they came to a stop. Athena but back a scoff at his demand.

But the innocent Osferth went to kneel, making Athena pull him up with a shake of her head. "We will not." Uhtred shook his head at Sigefrid's demand. "We have come here in peace and as equals. You've made us walk a good distance to meet you. That is respect enough."

Athena wearily watched as Sigefrid walked towards their group, his eyes flickering between Uhtred and Athena. Athena lifted her head, slightly. "You should have both joined me." He told the siblings, tilting his head to the side.

Uhtred looked down at Athena beside him, for a moment, before looking up at Sigefrid. "If you wished for us to join you, why have a dead man yell a prophecy?" Uhtred raised his brow. "Why didn't you simply ask?"

"Me, you would refuse." Sigefrid shrugged his shoulders. "But the Gods?" He looked up at the sky momentarily.

Uhtred breathed in with an amused look. "The King of Wessex sends his greetings." He spoke loudly, his eyes flickering to the Dane's around them. "He hopes you have enjoyed the company of his daughter and Lady Melusine."

Sigefrid chuckled at Uhtred's words, making Athena's eyes narrow. "Enjoyed them?" He turned to Erik for a moment.

Athena wanted to attack both men, but she squeezed her hands into a fist, biting her inner cheek. "Oh, Æthelflæd's not his favourite." Uhtred shook his head. "Why else would he have allowed her to marry the pig's arse standing behind me?" He nodded to Æthelred.

Æthelred narrowed his eyes at Uhtred, before pushing past to stand beside him. "Before any negotiations take place, the pig's arse wishes to be certain that his wife is well." He slightly hissed, looking at the brothers.

"And the Lady Melusine." Athena quickly added, moving forwards and clasping her hands in front of her as she looked at Erik and Sigefrid.

Erik looked between the Mercian man and Athena, Æthelred with more of a harsh look. "And if she is not well, what then?" He ignored Athena's comment for a moment, stepping closer to Æthelred. "What will the pig's arse do? Fart?" Sigefrid chuckled at that, watching as his brother stood close to Æthelred. "Will you fight me? Will you fight my brother?"

"I would like that." Sigefrid grinned at Erik's words, clearly amused at the scene in front of him.

Æthelred didn't not utter a word as his gaze went from Erik, to Sigefrid, then back to Erik. "You alone will kneel." Erik then said, walking to stand behind Æthelred.

"I will not."

Abruptly, Erik grabbed onto Æthelred, practically throwing him to the ground. Athena had to bring her hand to her mouth, concealing her laughter. "Kneel!"

"I have come to negotiate!" Æthelred hissed from the floor, looking up at the brothers. "I demand respect!" He said as he quickly stood up. "If you do not wish to hear my price, then I will leave, happily."

Athena tensed up as she looked past the brothers, watching as two Dane's brought out Melusine and Æthelflæd.

"As you can see, they are well." Sigefrid looked towards their group, then looking over at the two women.

Athena locked eyes with Melusine's, which looked tried and exhausted. Athena concealed her anger, staring at Melusine, who stared back.

"I would like to speak to Lady Melusine." Athena abruptly said, not allowing Æthelred to speak first.

The brothers turned to her as she spoke, sharing a look between each other. "I would like to speak with Æthelflæd." Æthelred looked Athena up and down at her comment.

"Then do it."

Athena didn't need to be told twice as she left Uhtred's side, moving towards Melusine and Æthelflæd. She spared Æthelflæd a look, who softly nodded at the blonde Dane.

Reaching out to hold Melusine's hands, Athena wearily looked at the Dane beside her. "Are you well?" Athena uttered, looking into Melusine's eyes with a worried look. "Are they treating you well?"

Melusine softly nodded her head, swallowing thickly as she squeezed Athena's hand. "I am well." Athena tilted her head to the side at that, her brows pitching together. "I swear it. They have not harmed me." She insisted, and Athena knew she wouldn't lie.

Athena let out a relieved sigh, looking at the Dane beside Melusine, before pulling Melusine into a hug. "We will get you back—you and Æthelflæd, I swear it." She whispered in her ear, making Melusine nod with a soft smile. "Every coin they want, I'll give." Athena pulled out of the hug, squeezing Melusine's hand once more before turning around, watching as Æthelred spoke to Æthelflæd.

"What is your price?" Æthelred spoke up, turning to the brothers. "It must be fair or you can keep them." Athena spun her head around to look at him with raised brows.

Sigefrid chuckled at that, him and Erik moving to stand in front of the pair. "You talk of your woman like you do not care." Sigefrid looked Æthelred up and down, then turning to Athena. "And you?"

Athena lifted her chin slightly, clasping her hands in front of her. "I'll hear your offer, first." Athena confidently spoke, but she knew she'd give anything for the safety of her friend.

Athena was there to fight for Melusine, and Æthelred was there for Æthelflæd, which was obvious. "Æthelflæd is important to me, of course, but she has a price, beyond which I cannot go." He simply said. "I will not go."

Athena narrowed her eyes at that, biting her inner cheek. "Then name it." Sigefrid told him, looking at the two women behind them. "Name this price for both women."

Æthelred shared a look with Athena before speaking. "One hundred pounds' weight of silver from both myself and Athena." He loudly spoke, making Athena lower her head. "My lands and Lady Athena's can afford no more." Athena raised her brow at that. Her lands?

Her and Uhtred were the leaders of Coccham, both had say in things. Uhtred had agreed that he would follow any offer Athena made for the safety of their friend.

Sigefrid looked at Æthelred, a look of disbelief on his face. He gazed down to Athena. "Does this man speak for Alfred and yourself?"

Athena shook her head at that, sending a glare to Æthelred. "No he does not." She slightly hissed at the Mercian man. "I make my own offer for Lady Melusine." She turned back to the brothers.

Sigefrid nodded his head at Athena's words, turning to the side. "Weland!" He suddenly shouted, looking around. "Where is Weland? I do not see him. Weland!"

Athena looked around with a slight frown, but her eyes widened as a Dane pushed through the crowds, walking towards the brothers.

Athena looked over to Uhtred for a moment, biting her inner cheek as she looked back to Weland. "This..." Sigefrid pointed at Æthelred. "Man here." He grinned. "Hit him."

Athena slightly moved away from Æthelred, not wanting to be caught in this act. She moved to the side as Weland moved to stand in front of Æthelred.

Æthelred looked around for any aid, but none came his way. Weland smiled for a moment, before punching Æthelred straight in the face, knocking him out.

Athena looked down at Æthelred, who was now on the ground. She pursed her lips, looking up at the brothers and slowly nodding her head. "Perhaps with his...silence." Athena pointed down to Æthelred, shrugging her shoulders. "We can now arrange a fair and suitable offer." She looked between the brothers, keeping her head high.

Sigefrid smirked at her words, sharing a look with Erik. "Whatever the Lady demand." Sigefrid looked her up and down, making Athena raise her brow at his stare.

They had come to an agreement for the return of Æthelflæd, not a good one. Athena and the brothers had come to an agreement for Melusine, which wasn't a hefty offer, but the brothers asked and Athena agreed. Anything to make sure Melusine was safe. But she would not be back until the payment is given.

They all now sat in a hall, eating and drinking ale. Athena looked around as she brought her cup to her lips, suddenly turning as she heard laughter from outside.

Athena almost choked on her ale, placing her cup on the table as she turned around, coughing and laughing at the same time.

Æthelred had walked in, completely naked, despite the cloth covering his manhood. Athena's hand slapped the table as she lowered her head, finding it amusing as she continued to cough.

Finan had to pay her back to stop her from choking on her ale, grinning into his free hand as he looked over his shoulder at Æthelflæd.

Athena let out a deep sigh, lifting her head up as she kept her eyes on the table, afraid that if she'd turn around, she'd laugh once more. "Poor Æthelflæd." She let out a dramatic sigh, biting back a grin as Finan chuckled into his hand.

Athena looked over her shoulder once more, watching as Aldhelm pulled his cloak off and wrapped it around Æthelred. Athena let out another laugh, leaning her forehead on Finan's shoulder as she tried to silence her laugh.

"Æthelred, the lord of Mercia!" Sigefrid raised his cup in the air as he grinned at the man. "If your jaw is not broken, join us! Eat!"

Athena breathed out, lifting her head off of Finan's shoulder as she looked down at her cup once more, shaking her head with an amused look. 

Athena bit her tongue as she watched Æthelred and Aldhelm walk back to the table. "Uhtred and Father Pyrlig have gone to see how your lady is, Lord." Finan told Æthelred, subtly holding onto Athena's arm to stop her from bursting into laughter once more. Athena had already seen both women and spoken to them, which she was grateful for. Erik had allowed her to spend much time with them, and she did.

She was not oblivious to the feelings Erik had for Æthelred, and perhaps that was a good thing. No harm came to the women because of him.

"Then I will go to her." Æthelred immediately said, going to turn around.

But Sigefrid shook his head, sitting up in his seat. "No." He told the Mercian man. "You will wait here. You will sit." He grabbed a cup of ale, placing it down. "With me."

Athena pursed her lips with an awkward look, her eyes flicking between the Dane and the Saxon. "I need more ale for this." Athena uttered, turning her head to the side to look at Finan with a grin.

"Aye." Finan patted her arm in agreement, picking up his food with his free hand. "This will be entertaining."

Athena sniggered at that, leaning closer to Finan as Aldhelm and Æthelred sat down on the bench. Athena lowered her head once more, looking over to the awkward Osferth.

"To silver and gold!" Sigefrid held out his cup, a mocking grin on his face.

"And lots of it, Lord." Aldhelm bitterly said, raising his own cup. He looked at Æthelred with a warning look. "Drink." He uttered.

Athena leaned forwards for look at Æthelred, sucking in a breath as she looked at his swollen eye. She shook her head, lowering it to conceal her laughter. She was far too amused. "I need fresh air, I'm afraid I'll laugh in the man's face." Athena uttered to Finan and Osferth, standing up as he bit her lip.

"I will accompany you, Lady." Osferth then said, making Athena frown, but not her head nevertheless. "I would like some fresh air."

She smiled at Osferth, watching as he stood up. "Good luck with these fools." Athena uttered, leaning her face beside Finan's with a grin, patting his shoulder. Finan rolled his eyes at her mocking tone, nudging his elbow into her side with a grin.

Athena hit his arm with narrowed eyes, but failed to look intimidating as she grinned, scrunching her nose as she did so, before turning around, Osferth by her side.

— madeleines notes.

ONE MORE EPISODE UNTIL SEASON 3

And that's when it goes...downhill. But it goes into depth of Athena and Finan's relationship so AYY🙌🙌

Melusine starting to become a baddie I fear, me and Jordan have so much planned for her plot so 😅 but she ain't letting no man take advantage of her or Æthelflæd RAH.

The fact the brothers have some respect for Athena bc she is a fellow Dane and have heard stories of her from her battle days, YAH. THATS how you know Athena is a baddie.

Æthelred die. 🎀

Athena being amused by the end scene, HAHAHS. My girl finds it too funny I fear. But Melusine, YOURE COMING HOME CUTIE😖

Athena willing to offer anything for Melusine, MAKES MY HEART MELT. My girl is willing to sacrifice anything for her Saxon gf.

Melusine and Athena = learning different things from each other.

Also shitting myself, results day tomorrow, CRYING AND THROWING UP AND STRESSING

21st August 2024
3321 words