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

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

The small group had traveled for a while from Winchester to Ragnar and the Danes. Athena had tried to ignore Skåde's presence, but it was difficult. The seers presence alarmed her.

The stares Skåde sent her alarmed her. She hadn't spoken to the woman since the riddle back in her cell.

Athena wanted to pester the seer for an answer, but she didn't at the same time. She would not curse Athena for a reason the Dane did not understand.

"She's staring." Melusine leaned towards Athena, leaving her husband's arms for a moment, glaring at the seer. "Why?"

Athena shrugged her shoulders, holding her cloak closer to her as she leaned towards the fire, ignoring the seers stare. "I do not know." Athena shrugged her shoulders with pinched brows, keeping her eyes on the fire in front of her.

Melusine subtly narrowed her eyes at the seer, leaning back into Sihtric's arms as she glanced back at Athena. "She seemed worried for you back at Winchester." Melusine quietly spoke, making Athena sit back up and look towards Melusine. "She yelled at Uhtred that we were to stay and wait for you, we would anyhow."

Athena frowned at that, looking over towards the seer, who was smiling over at the woman. Skåde knew her gazes were making Athena uncomfortable, so she did not stop. "Perhaps I have charmed her." Athena attempted to jest, but he kept a weary expression on her features.

Melusine rolled her eyes, resting the side of her face against Sihtric's chest as she sent a warning glare towards the Seer. Melusine was not afraid of no witch, she had gone through far much worse.

Athena raised her head as she heard Finan's steps towards the group. He shivered as he moved to sit beside Athena, handing her a cup of ale, but Athena shook her head.

Finan frowned at that, Athena never denied the offer of ale. But he didn't think much of it as he placed the cup down, leaning close to the fire.

Athena looked back over at the seer, whom held an approving look, which made Athena frown once more. Athena was getting tired of this, and it was stressing her out. She wanted to know what Skåde truly wanted from her.

Athena clenched her jaw, pulling her cloak closer towards her as she stood up, not even bothering to excuse herself as she made her way towards the seer.

Athena did not miss the grin Skåde sent her, making Athena narrow her eyes, sitting in front of Skåde. "Yes?" Skåde innocently asked, making Athena roll her eyes at her coy.

"What is it that you want from me? It is obvious you want to lay with my brother, but what of me?" Athena harshly whispered, tilting her head to the side as she looked Skåde up and down.

Skåde just shrugged her shoulders, smiling at Athena with an innocent look. "You are blessed with life." Skåde cryptically spoke, her eyes dropping down to Athena's stomach, that was bandaged up. "And you have not realised."

Athena's brows pinched together at that, a confused expression on her face as she leaned closer to the seer. "What do you mean?" Athena hesitantly asked, standing as Skåde smirked up at her.

"You are with child."

Athena scoffed at that, shaking her head at Skåde's words. "You are merely trying to get inside my head." Athena denied the woman's words, but bit her inner cheek. "You lie."

"I do not lie." The seer took offence to that, shaking her head with a truthful look. "I have seen it, like I saw the death of your brother's wife." She explained, making Athena tense up. "When did you last bleed?" Skåde then asked, making Athena swallow thickly. "Exactly."

Athena sucked in a breath, fiddling with the rings around her fingers as she looked up at the seer. "And...you have—" Athena bit her inner cheek. "Seen this?"

Skåde nodded her head with a soft look. "Yes." She reached out to place her hand on Athena's stomach. "A girl."

Athena's mouth started to grow dry as she abruptly stood up, her breaths heavy as she quickly made her way towards the forest, wanting to be alone to collect her thoughts.

She could not be with child, the seer was trying to get inside her head.

But what if Skåde wasn't? What if she was right?

Athena made sure she was away from camp before leaning against a tree, trying to catch her breath. Did she want this? What would she do?

"Athena?" Athena quickly stood back up at the voice of Melusine, running a hand over her face. "What did the seer say?"

Athena bit her inner cheek, evidently stressing about what Skåde told her. Melsuine did not hesitate to reach out towards Athena, holding onto her hands.

Swallowing thickly, Athena glanced up at Melusine with pinched brows. "I am with child." It was more like a question than an answer.

Melusine's eyes widened, her mouth agape at Athena's words. She was dumbfounded. She did not know how to respond to Athena's words. "The seer must by lying." Melusine scoffed, shaking her head as Athena pursed her lips. "You have not laid with a—"

Athena pulled an awkward look, casting her eyes down as Melusine's eyes grew wider, shaking her head with a gasp. "What am I supposed to do?" Athena groaned, letting go of Melusine's hands and pacing back and forth. "What is the seer is right? What if she does not lie?"

Melusine had no words. She was speechless. She knew something was going on between Athena and Finan, but not that!

"Athena, Athena." Melusine reached back out towards the stressing Dane, trying to calm her down. "Just breathe." Athena slowly nodded her head, breathing out as she closed her eyes. "We do not know if what she says is true."

"I have not bled for two moons." Athena admitted, and the Seers words were slowly being proven as true. "I did not think much of it, but now? It all makes sense!"

Melusine was still in a state of shock, her lips agape as she stared at her closest friend. "We have to tell—"

"You are to tell nobody!" Athena quickly said in a hushed whisper, shaking her head with an insisting look. "Not until I have...figured things out."

"Figured what out?" Melusine raised a brow at Athena's words, squeezing onto the Dane's hand. "Athena, you will have to tell someone, especially Finan."

Athena groaned at that, shaking her head as she squeezed her eyes shut. "How?" Athena muttered, her brows pinched together. "We are not married, nor a thing."

Meluisne scoffed at that, rolling her eyes. "So you are to birth a bastard?" She suddenly said, making Athena's eyes widen. Melusine pursed her lips, regretting the words that left her lips. "Pardon me." She immediately apologised, making Athena slowly nod her head. "You cannot keep this a secret from him, he has to know."

"I know, I know." Athena let out a defeated sigh, biting her bottom lip. She ran a shaking hand over her face. "What am I going to do?"

Melusine sighed, pulling Athena into a hug and wrapped her arms around the stressed and worried woman. "I will be here, okay? As will everyone else, trust me." Melusine promised, resting her chin on Athena's shoulder.

Athena nodded her head with a sigh, melting into Melusine's comforting touch. "Okay." She uttered, closing her eyes for a moment. "Okay. I will tell them soon."

Meluisne smiled at that, pulling out of the hug, but keeping her hand on Athena's arm. "You do not need to fear about what Finan will say, Athena." Melusine couldn't help but smile at Athena's hesitate look. "He adores you, everyone can see that. I'm sure he will be thrilled and finally get the courage to take you as his woman."

Athena rolled her eyes at that, biting back a small smile as she pulled on Melusine's arm. "Come, the group will be worrying." Athena sighed, and Melusine nodded her head, moving to hold onto Athena's arm, hooking it with hers.

The pair walked back into camp and Athena ignored the questionable glances sent her way. Meluisne looked over towards the seer, who was grinning, making Melsuine narrow her eyes with a warning look, moving Athena towards the fire.

"Are you alright, lady?" Osferth carefully asked with a soft look, watching as Athena returned to her seat, her shoulders tensed as she stared at the fire.

Athena slowly nodded her head, flashing the boy a smile as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I needed a moment. I fear I would murder the seer if I stayed." She jested with a shrug, turning her head to the side as Finan chuckled at her words.

"Aye, I would've done the same." Finan grinned at the woman, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

Athena did not hesitate to lean into his side, but she bit her inner cheek, keeping her eyes on the fire as Melusine softly stared at her.

But Melusine couldn't help but whisper to Sihtric about the news, making his eyes widened as he looked over to the pair, dumbfounded. His expression was the same as Melusine's once he had heard.

He would keep the secret until Athena would tell everyone, but he would not hesitate to help her even more than he already did.

Athena looked over towards her brother, watching as she clutched his shoulder with a quiet hiss. His face had grown pale over the few days, it was evident he was not doing well, even with Melusine's aid.

Athena feared for her little brother's life, knowing that Skåde had him wrapped around her finger, her curse taking a toll on him.

But Athena let the thoughts of the news eat away at her mind, glancing down to her bandaged up stomach with furrowed brows.

She knew she had to tell Finan, of course she would. He had a right to know, but Athena did not know how he would react.

They had never discussed what they were, both of them to scared to admit anything. But Athena knew the truth would come out sooner than later, so she had to tell him how she felt, and about her being with child.

She would not want her child to be a bastard, she would never put that upon her child. She just hoped that Finan would feel the same way.

Uhtred had grown more sickly as they traveled, having to be carried in a wagon, which was slowing them down.

But soon, they found another camp. Athena did not leave her brother's side, clasping onto his freezing hand.

Sihtric had handed her some furs, claiming she needed to be warm. Athena hesitated, but took them as she wrapped them around her shoulders.

Athena turned her head to the side as Finan walked towards them, cup in his hand. "Alright." He sighed, crouching beside the siblings.

He handed Athena the cup of ale, making Athena lean down to lift Uhtred's head. "Come on." Athena muttered, carefully pouring the ale into his mouth.

Pursing her lips, Athena pulled back the cup as Uhtred sighed weakly. His skin had grown more pale, his eyes barely open. "I'd wager you feel like you're back on the slave ship." Finan spoke up, watching as Athena stroked her thumb against Uhtred's cheek. "You got past that nightmare. You can get past this, believe me."

Athena softly smiled at that, looking back down at Uhtred. They needed to get to the Dane's—to Ragnar and Brida. "It's her." Uhtred muttered, his voice raspy. "Turning my insides outward."

Athena and Finan both turned their head into the direction of the seer, who stared at the three. "Then kill her." Finan simply said, but it wasn't that easy. "Or let me do it for you."

Athena shook her head, biting her inner cheek. "The curse will continue even with her dead." She uttered, keeping her eyes on Uhtred with pinched brows.

"We have to do somethin'." Finan argued, evidently panicked for the life of his lord, and friend.

"No." Uhtred muttered, barely shaking his head.

Finan sucked in a heavy breath, shaking his head. "Uhtred..." He trailed off, glancing up at Athena for a moment, then back down to Uhtred. "I fear you are dying."

Athena's brows pinched together once more as she looked down at her brother. He could not die, not at the hands of Skåde. "He isn't dying." Athena uttered, blinking heavily as she continued to stoke her thumb against Uhtred's cheek.

Finan looked between the siblings, a heavy breath leaving his lips as he went to take off his cloak, making Athena look up.

Reaching out to stop his movements, Athena shook her head with a pointed look. She would not let him freeze to death when she had many layers.

Athena took off her own furs, shivering at the loss of warmth as she placed it around Uhtred, making sure he was warm. "Sihtric says we will arrive at Dunholm tomorrow." Finan continued to speak, watching as Athena placed the furs on Uhtred. "They've been watching us for most of the day." He slowly nodded his head. "At least, I hope it's them."

Athena swallowed thickly, slowly nodding her head as she looked down at Uhtred. Hopefully it was them.

Melusine had to practically pry Athena from Uhtred's side, so she could eat and drink and sit around the fire.

Osferth had stood up and walked towards Uhtred with some Broth he had made. Athena played with her own food, not hungry. "Eat." Melusine leaned into her side, giving her a pointed look.

Athena let out a grumble, picking up her spoon with the food and placing it into her mouth. "Happy?"

Melusine shook her head with a displeased look. "Speak once you have eaten what is in your mouth." She scolded, making Athena lower her head like a pup being told off.

Athena rolled her eyes as she looked down at her food, half tempted to sneak away and feed it to the horses, knowing Melusine wouldn't let her leave without eating it.

It remained Athena of how her own mutter use to make her sit and the table and eat all her food, or she would not be able to practise with her sword with Ragnar and Young Ragnar.

When Melusine had turned away to speak to Sihtric, Athena turned her body to face Finan, passing him the food. "I cannot eat Broth for another moment." She uttered, pushing the bowl into his hands.

Finan raised his brows at the Dane, but did not question it as he ate the rest of the food, handing the bowl back to her. "Thanks." Athena grinned, turning back around and poking Melusine. "There, happy?"

Melusine turned around, looking down at the empty bowl. She let out a hum, taking the empty bowl from Athena and placing it down.

Athena bit back a chuckle as she turned her body back towards the fire, crossing her arms over her chest.

They all looked up when Osferth walked towards them, a startled look on his face. "What is the matter?" Melusine asked with a frown, leaning back into Sihtric as Osferth sat down.

"It is the fever. It's making him see things." Osferth suggested, making Athena purse her lips as she stared over at her brother. "It will pass."

"He sees someone." Skåde spoke towards them, making everyone turn to her. "It is the gods, tormenting him."

Athena narrowed her eyes at the woman, clinging to the furs around her as she looked back over to her brother.

They all listened to him mumble to this person they could not see. "You're dead!" He coughed out, trying to sit up, but he was too weak to do so. "Alfred does not mourn you, so why speak for him?"

Athena didn't hesitate to quickly get up from the log she sat on, moving towards Uhtred as he started to cough furiously. "Uhtred!" Athena worriedly called out, quickly crouching to her knees as she helped him lay back down.

"Lord, you must eat and you must drink." Finan instructed him, walking towards the man with Sihtric, Osferth and Melusine.

Athena held onto Uhtred, cupping his face with a worried look. "You are not thinking right, brother." Athena muttered, shaking her head as she looked down at him. "You are seeing things."

"Brida."

Athena frowned at his words, sharing a look with Finan. "She will be at Dunholm." Finan told Uhtred, slowly nodded his head.

"Athena, Finan. Look." They both turned at their names, looking over their shoulders.

Athena's eyes widened as she looked up at the familiar Dane. It was Brida. "I'm here." Brida spoke, making Athena let out a relieved sigh, standing up and quickly moving towards Brida, engulfing her into a hug.

"Thank the Gods." Athena muttered, keeping her arms around Brida as the Dane hugged her back. "You are here."

Brida smiled into the hug, nodding her head. "I am."

Brida had brought them to Dunholm during the night, and Athena was beyond thrilled to see Brida and Young Ragnar.

Brida had caged Skåde up, using a Nithstong to block the seers powers, which helped with Uhtred's sickness.

He was now sitting and eating in the Dunholm hall, Finan helping him out as Athena sat beside Ragnar, grin on her face. "Good?" Ragnar asked, referring to the food Uhtred was eating.

Uhtred looked up at his brother, nodding his head with a grin. "It is good." He mumbled, his mouth full of the food.

"We thought you'd gone, Lord." Finan sighed, leaning on the table as he sat in front of Uhtred.

Uhtred nodded his head in agreement. "Same." He ate some more of the food. "I feared I'd die an olds man's death under furs." Athena smiled at that, resting her head on Ragnar's shoulder.

"So, the great Dane-slayer was afraid?" Athena turned to source of the voice, frowning as she looked at the redhead Dane.

Athena frowned at his tone, sitting up on the table as leaned over Ragnar. "And whom are you?" Her tone was harsh as she looked over to the man, her brow raised.

But the Dane chuckled, pulling an offended face at her words. "You do not recognise me?"

Athena was beyond confused, looking over to Ragnar for guidance, but he just held a grin. "Am I supposed to?" Athena's brows picked together as she looked back over to the man. "Ragnar?" She nudged her brother, asking for help.

"I am Cnut." The redhead man answered, making Athena's eyes widen as she turned to Ragnar, whom nodded his head.

"You are what?"

Athena rolled her eyes at Finan's words, looking over to the redhead with a grin. "That is his name, Finan." She watched as Cnut grinned as she remember him. "He is mine and Ragnar's cousin on our mother's side." Athena looked back over at Cunt. "He was skinner when he was a child, now you are fat man." Athena jested, leaning into Ragnar as he chucked. "Sorry that I did not see the resemblance."

Cnut chuckled at her jest, not taking offence. But he turned to Uhtred, his smile dropping slightly. "I'm a Dane, Lord Uhtred, so are you gonna kill me too?"

Athena's smile dropped at that as her brows pinched together, looking over to Uhtred. "You talk like an infant." Uhtred simply said, looking back down to his food.

"How many of us have you already despatched to Valhalla?" Cnut asked, continuing to mock Uhtred. "Is it twelve? Twenty? Forty?"

"Cnut, you will shut your mouth now." Ragnar warned the Dane, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared at Cnut. "And show my brother some respect."

Uhtred grinned at that. "Or I may have to kill one more." He teased the Dane, making the man laugh around them.

Athena smiled softly at his jest, happy to see him back to his self. "He is back." Ragnar nodded his head, slinging his arm around Athena's shoulders. "He's back!"

He looked back over to Uhtred. "Get up." Uhtred looked over at Ragnar at that. "Up on your feet!" He sighed, getting up himself and almost making Athena fall forwards if she didn't have a grip on the table. "Get up."

Uhtred let out a grunt as he stood, but he kept the grin on his face as he looked around. "He is back where he belongs." Ragnar pointed to Uhtred, then over to Athena, who was kicking her legs back and forth as she sat on the table. "As is my sister!" Athena looked up at that with a smile. "Where they have always belonged." He nodded his head with a smile. "You're a Dane for life now. Say it." Ragnar told Uhtred.

Athena looked over at her brothers, the smile not leaving her lips as she watched them. "I am a Dane for life." Uhtred nodded his head with a smile.

"No. Say it."

Brida hit her fist on the table, creating a rhythm, Athena giggled like a child, clapping her hands together as Uhtred rolled his eyes. "I am a Dane for life."

"Mean it!"

"I am a Dane for life!" Uhtred said more loudly, looking over to Athena, who still clapped. "Does she not have to take part too?"

Athena rolled her eyes at his complaining, looking over to Ragnar, whom nodded his head in agreement.

Athena let out a dramatic sigh as she got off the table, moving towards Brida, who kept banging her hands on the table. Wrapping her arms around Brida's neck, she looked over to her brothers. "I am a Dane for life!" She chuckled, making Brida cheer, leaning back into Athena.

"So, do you have an army, Lord Cnut?" Finan asked the Dane as they all sat aiding the table, eating.

Cnut nodded his head. "I do." He sighed, sitting up as he leaned on the table. "Two hundred men. Two hundred good men."

Athena hummed at that, playing with her food. Athena was grateful melusine and Sihtric were resting and not eating with them, or she would have two pairs of eyes watching her every movement. "Are they all as entertaining as you are?" Finan sarcastically said, turning to the man beside him.

"You are headed where?" Uhtred then asked, looking at the redhead man in front of him.

Cnut shrugged his shoulders as he looked up at Uhtred. "Undecided." He pointed at Uhtred. "Though if Alfred of Wessex is now without his Dane-slayer, I may well consider heading south."

"Call me Dane-Slayer once more, I will make the square and we'll fight." Uhtred simply said with narrowed eyes.

Athena shared a look with Brida, who was watching the scene with an amused look. "Why the anger, lord?" Cnut frowned, tilting his head to the side. "You deny you killed many of us? Many Dane's, many Northmen?"

"If you are going to target my brother, cousin, you will do the same to me." Athena gave him a pointed look, narrowing her eyes slightly. "I was there with Uhtred, killing many Danes, many Northmen." Athena hummed, sending him a sarcastic smile. "We only killed the ones who were trying to kill us."

Cnut slowly nodded his head at her words, pursing his lips as he suddenly stood. "And I'm only teasing, unfairly." He grinned down at the siblings. "You must be tired from your journey and your...illness." He directed his words towards Uhtred. "So be sure to rest." He said before walking away.

Athena watched him leave with pinched brows, pushing her half eaten food towards Ragnar, whom took it without a question. "I like him." Finan grinned over at Uhtred.

"Not as much as he likes himself." Brida chuckled from beside Athena, shaking her head.

Athena hummed, looking over to Finan. "That's something they have in common." She said with a teasing look, taking a sip of the water in her cup.

The table chucked at that, nodding in agreement as Finan pulled an offended look. Brida chuckled as she squeezed Athena's arm, getting up from the table and leaving the four. 

"Well, he's not wrong." Ragnar suddenly said, making Athena look up from her cup, and towards her older brother. "The prospect of Alfred without Uhtred and Athena will bring fire to the bellies of many Danes."

"You included?" Uhtred asked with a slight frown, turning to his brother beside him.

Ragnar slowly nodded his head. "Wessex is still the jewel, and I'm getting too comfortable in my fortress."

"My children are in Wessex." Uhtred voiced his displeasure, a saddened look on his face.

"We have many friends in Wessex." Finan added as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"And my kitten." Athena frowned, leaning back in her seat with a sigh.

Ragnar couldn't help but grin at his sisters words, shaking his head in amusement. "More reasons to visit." He simply said before standing up. "All this talk is for another time." He sighed, squeezing Athena's shoulder as he went to walk away.

But Uhtred spoke up, stopping Ragnar. "You've not asked about Thyra."

Ragnar smiled softly, nodding his head. "The boy, Osferth, and the lovely woman, Melusine, told me." He told Uhtred. "She is Christian, and she's married."

"To a priest." Athena added with a grin, taking another sip of her water.

Ragnar smiled at that, nodding his head. "She is happy." He continued, looking over to Athena. "I wonder when it will be your turn, dear sister."

Athena narrowed her eyes at that, watching as Ragnar's teasing look did not falter. "And whom would be able to put up with me?" She let out a dramatic sigh, leaning her chin in the palm of her hand.

"My sorrows go to whomever that man is."

Athena scoffed at Ragnar's words, reaching out to grab an apple and throw it in his direction, only to miss as he quickly left.

Athena rolled her eyes as she looked back over to the table, watching as Uhtred grinned at the familiar sibling antics.

"Uhtred." Finan uttered, leaning forwards to whisper to the man. "I came here to rest, go hunt..." He glanced over to Athena for a moment, who was playing with her hair with a tired look. "I did not come here to talk of war against Alfred."

Everyone turned their head when Brida sat back down beside Athena, making the blonde Dane grin as she looked to the side. "I will be outside drinking ale." Finan cleared his throat, standing up. "Finish your plate." He gave Uhtred a pointed look before turning to Athena. "You comin'?"

Athena looked up at Finan, shaking her head with a smile. "I will stick to my water and Brida." Athena grinned, leaning into the Dane's side.

Brida frowned at her words, not knowing a fine Athena had rejected the offer of ale, glancing between Athena and Finan.

Once Finan left, the three remained in a comforting silence. Athena kept her head rested on Brida's shoulder, playing with her cup. "Where is she? Skåde?" Uhtred asked Brida.

"Caged for now." Brida gave him a reassuring look. "But she can't reach you." She pursed her lips as she looked at Uhtred. "Shes got power, Uhtred."

Uhtred nodded his head in agreement. "I have felt it."

"Power that you could wield." Both Athena and Uhtred looked up at that. "It's the way she works, through a man—a warrior."

Uhtred sighed as he leaned back in his seat. "My sword is all I need." He grumbled, shaking his head. "I'll not give half of myself over to a seer."

"Then you must kill her." Brida shrugged her shoulders. Athena raised her brow at that. They all wanted to, but they couldn't.

"I want to, but how?" Uhtred frowned with a confused look. "Her curse must die with her. How can I be sure that it does?"

Brida smiled softly. "I'll ask." Brida knew everything there was about seers, which was useful for them. "I'll ask a seer more powerful than Skåde."

— madeleines notes..

Erm.

THE SECRET IS OUT I GUESS 🙌🙌

me and Jordan planned that so 🥰

Athena and Finan were always going to have children, between season 4-the movie.

But this plot seemed good, and you'll understand why now, and why with Skåde.

Okay I'll stop spoiling my own plot but.

ATHENA BACK WITH HER FAMIKT YAHH

Brida and Ragnar are so special to her, don't even.

She'll literally refuse to leave Brida's side now, bc they were like sisters 🙌🙌

BUT THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER YAWWWE

BUT WE ALL KNOW WHATS COMING SOON.

unhinged Athena coming chat 🎀
That's what we all love to hear and see YAH

No Æthelwold bullying this chapter 😖🥺

Actually depressed rn it's so fun to write Athena bullying him.

But Athena is just stressed of what she'll tell Finan... OOP🥺🥺

The cat will be out of the bag soon, it's for the plot 🥺🥺

27th August 2024
4882 words