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

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

Knuckles turned white at the deathly grip Athena had on her horses reigns. It was evident she was engulfed in a wave of fear and panic.

Not for herself.

But for her friends.

Athena's body was practically trembling as she sat on her horse, pulling on its reigns to make it go faster.

When their camp came into view, Athena felt her heart drop. The bodies of their people heightened her sense of dread.

Her heart was racing uncontrollably as she pulled her horse to a stop. Her mouth felt dry as her eyes frantically darted around, looking for the familiar three she was worried for.

The cold grip of fear tightened its hold on her as she jumped from her horse. She didn't wait for the others behind her.

She practically ran straight into the camp, not caring if there were any Danes hiding—waiting for them.

"Thyra!" Athena's voice broke as she screamed for her sister, spinning around on her feet to look around. "Melusine! Æthelflæd!"

There was no reply, only the yells of the other men. She watched as Beocca helplessly called out for Thyra, Sihtric calling out for Melusine.

Athena felt hopeless, all she could do was look around at the limp bodies at her feet, calling out for her loved ones.

Her body was practically shaking, her heart heavy with distress. Athena's breaths became heavy as she leaned forwards, almost choking on her tears as she leaned her hands on her knees.

The weight of sorrow pressed down on her chest, each breath a struggle against the overwhelming emotions that threatened to engulf her.

Athena would've collapsed to the ground if it wasn't for a sudden arm that had wrapped around her waist, stopping her from doing so.

She wanted to scream, cry, kick, curse the Gods for doing such a thing. But she was too weak to do anything.

She just let the tears stream down her cheeks, falling freely from her saddened eyes. She continued to cry out for the three woman, but it fell to deafened ears.

Athena shook her head, her breaths still heavy as she leaned into the body behind her, completely giving up.

She had failed to protect the ones she loved most—she had failed. Athena should've listened to her gut feeling. She knew something was wrong.

She couldn't do anything now, only search for their bodies. But she couldn't do that with the arm that was tightly wrapped around her waist, keeping her from collapsing.

Athena fell completely still, blinking heavily as she sated at the bodies on the ground. She heard the muffled voice, that belonged to Finan, trying to snap her out of her daze.

"Beocca!"

At the voice of her sister, Athena shook her head. Surely, she was going mad. That couldn't be Thyra.

"Beocca!"

Athena's eyes slowly looked up, the tears in her eyes blocking her vision as she looked into the forest.

Swallowing thickly, Athena raised her shaky hand to wipe the tears from her eyes. A chocked cry left her lips as she looked over at her sister. Thyra was alive. "Thyra!" Beocca ran towards his wife.

Athena was quick to stand straight, pushing Finan's arm away as she moved forwards, hoping that Melusine and Æthelflæd would walk out behind Thyra.

But they never did.

Athena slowly made her way towards her sister and Beocca, Uhtred coming to her side. "Thyra." Athena uttered, tears staining her rosy cheeks as she looked at her sister. "Where is Melusine and Æthelflæd?"

Uhtred and Sihtric were quick to join them, Sihtric's gaze full of panic as he continued to look around for the woman he loved. "You will answer." Æthelred harshly spoke to Thyra.

Athena quickly turned around, keeping her hand on Thyra's hand. "And you will be silent, Lord!" Athena hissed, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the Mercian man.

"I do not know." Thyra panted, looking between her siblings with a guilty look. Athena felt her heart drop once more.

"Did they take her?" Æthelred continued to pester Thyra, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the redhead.

Thyra swallowed thickly, looking around with wide eyes. "We ran and..." She looked between the four around her. "Then they were gone."

Athena shook her head as her hand fell from Thyra's arm. She slowly turned her head to the side, looking over at Sihtric, whose face held the same emotion as her.

But Athena's sadness soon turned into anger as her hands clenched into a fist, biting her inner cheek until she tasted blood.

She would kill every lady Dane until they got Melusine and Æthelflæd back. And she would make sure she got them back.

In the eerie stillness of the forest, a weak and fragile Melusine sat perched uneasily on the back of a horse, her senses on high alert as fear coursed through her veins.

Despite the stranger's arm encircling her waist, a chill of discomfort snaked down her spine, mingling with the icy grip of terror that clenches at her heart.

The rhythmic hoofbeats of the steed beneath her offered a surreal backdrop to her conflicting emotions, a blend of vulnerability and unease as she navigated the unsettling juxtaposition of physical closeness and emotional isolation.

The only thing keeping Melusine stable, was the fact Æthelflæd was beside her on a different horse.

The Dane brothers, Erik and Sigefrid had captured both women. Sigefrid was going to kill Melusine, but Æthelflæd said she eoukd go with them willingly and not fight against them if they kept Melusine alive.

"Where are you taking us?" Æthelflaed suddenly spoke, making Melusine suddenly turn her head to look over at the girl, shaking her head.

"You have found your voice." The man behind Æthelflæd, Erik, spoke with a grin, his arms wrapped around her. "I wonder if your friend will do the same." He mocked, looking over to Melusine, who lowered her head. "We're headed to Beamfleot."

"And then?" Æthelflæd continued to ask questions, her face holding no emotion. "S ship? A cage?" She bitterly asked.

Erik simply shrugged his shoulders. "I am still to decide." He told her, making Æthelflæd squeeze her eyes shut.

Uhtred had sent Sihtric to Beamfleot to spy on the brothers, and to make sure Melusine and Æthelflæd were okay.

Athena couldn't help but feel helpless. She wanted to go to Beamfleot herself, free the two women from whatever shape of torture they were having to endure.

Athena knew what Dane men were capable of, especially when it came to women. And Athena was petrified for the two women.

They had returned to Cocchum, but Athena couldn't relax, not when Melusine was not there.

Athena had barely spoken to anyone, wanting to be alone as she downed her sorrows with ale.

She sat outside on one of the benches, staring down at her cup with a neutral face. She was thinking of every way they could get Melusine and Æthelflæd back.

She didn't even move as she heard someone stand in front of her. She had no effort to look whom it was. "Lady?"

Athena hesitantly looked up, her gestures turning soft as she looked up at Osferth. He stood in front of her, clearly anxious. "Yes, Osferth? How can I help?" Her voice cracked as she faked a polite smile. It was not that she didn't like the boy, she just didn't want to send rude as she was not in the mood to smile.

"Do you know where Lord Uhtred is?" Osferth hesitantly asked, a smile on his face as he looked down at Athena.

Athena slowly nodded her head, reaching to grab her cup and brought it to her lips. "He is with Lady Gisela at the dock." Athena softly spoke, taking a sip of her ale.

Osferth nodded his head, sending her a thankful look. "Thank you, Lady." He politely said, making Athena shake her head.

"You do not need to call me lady, Osferth." Athena shook her head, the soft look still on her face as she leaned on the table. "I am far from a lady. You may call me Athena."

Osferth hesitated at first, slowly nodding his head at her words. "Thank you, Athena." Athena smiled at that, a smile that did not reach her eyes as she looked up at him.

Osfeth nodded his head once more, bidding her farewell as he walked away from her, and in the direction of the docks.

Athena let out a deep sigh, lowering her head and dropping the smile from her face. She tiredly ran her hands over her face.

Athena rarely felt useless, but she especially felt useless right then. She had lost her best friend, to their enemies. And also Æthelflæd, whom she had seen grow into a woman. Two people she was fond of—cared for.

"What did the baby monk want?" Athena sat up slightly, watching as Finan walked towards her, cup in his hand.

Athena shrugged her shoulders, looking back down at the cup on her table. "He wanted to know where Uhtred was." She simply said, gripping onto her cup. "Told him he was at the dock with Gisela." She added as she took a sip of her ale.

Finan let out a him as he moved to sit down in front of her, carefully watching her as she stared down at her cup, her brows furrowed together. "How ya feeling?" He hesitantly asked, but suddenly found himself regretting asking that question.

Athena raised her brow at his question, almost scoffing, but she bit her inner cheek, slowly nodding her head. "Like shit." She mumbled, keeping her eyes on the cup in front of her.

Finan knew that Athena was worried for her two friends, and now Sihtric had gone too. He then reached out to grasp a hold of her shaking hand, squeezing it and trying to comfort her.

Sucking in a breath, Athena looked up at Finan with her brows pinched together. "They will be fine." He tried to reassure her, but Athena shook her head. "Trust me."

Athena bit her inner cheek, her mind like an inner turmoil as she looked over at Finan, her eyes which appeared dim and clouded with sorrow.

Her eyes spoke volumes of a soul adrift in a sea of melancholy, silently pleading for solace and comfort amidst the turbulent waves of despair and sadness.

Athena Ragnarsdóttir looked weak—fragile.

For the first time in her life, she felt helpless. She couldn't protect the ones she cared about. She had failed them.

"I know how the Dane's are, Finan." Athena's voice was fragile as she spoke. A side Finan had seen of Athena before. Her once steady and confident stance now trembled with vulnerability—something she'd never show someone.

The weight of the world seemed to press down upon her shoulders, bending them under the burden of exhaustion and frailty. Her eyes betrayed a weariness that spoke of battles fought and energy depleted.

In her fragile state, Athena appeared as a fragile porcelain figurine, on the verge of shattering under the weight of her own emotions.

And Finan felt guilty that he couldn't do anything to help her. He knew how much he cared for the two women, especially Melusine.

"And they are women." Athena continued, sucking in a shaky breath as she lowered her head. "Fragile women." She added with a trembling voice, blinking away her tears. "We should have never let them go to that camp."

"We didn't know that would happen, Athena." Finan's thumb unintentionally stroked the back of her hand as he spoke. "We cannot blame ourselves."

A scoff left Athena's lips as she bright her free hand to wipe at her cheeks. "Æthelflæd was not supposed to be there." She shook her head, looking ahead at Finan. "And I asked Melusine to come, if anyone got hurt." As she spoke the last words, a quiet cry left her lips as she thought about how it was her fault.

Athena lowered her head once more, blinking away the tears as she sucked in a breath. She didn't realise Finan had let go of her hand and moved to stand up, until she felt his hand on her shoulder.

She let him pull her up from her seat, embracing her into a comforting hug. Athena hesitated at first, but slowly wrapped her arms around his waist and rested the side of her face on his chest.

Athena always felt a strange sense of comfort with Finan. They had instantly clicked and became friends, their matching banter and love for ale. That had a lot of similarities, despite being raised completely differently.

She completely relaxed in his touch, feeling him rest his chin on top of her head. "Come on, you need to rest. You can't drink your worries away forever." Finan told her, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other hand running through her hair.

"I can try." Athena uttered against his chest, slightly raising her head to look up at him, a slight smile on her lips.

Fidgeting with her hair, Athena tried to braid her hair, but it was a fail. She let out a sigh, letting go of her hair and resting her back against Finan's side.

Finan had practically forced her to wake up, threatening to throw water on her head if she didn't get out of bed.

She also saw Gisela and her children before walking out of the walls and outside with Finan and Clapa.

Athena slightly moved as Finan raised his arm, throwing a rock at the other stacked rocks. "Does this game have a name?" Finan asked Clapa, turning his head to the side.

Athena kept her stare on her rings, listening to the two men talk. "Stones." Clapa simply said, throwing his rock at the stack, only to miss.

Finan raised his brow, getting ready to throw his rock. "And why's it called that?" Finan asked, turning his head to the stacked stones once more.

Athena moved once more as Finan moved his arm, throwing the rock at the stack, only to miss again. "It's Rypere." Clapa suddenly said, making Athena quickly sit up, turning her body into the direction of where Clapa was pointing.

She saw Rypere on his horse, but there was no sign of Sihtric. Athena knew he'd refused to leave Melusine with the Dane's on her own, which Athena was grateful for.

"He must have news from Beamfleot." Finan muttered as he watched the man ride into camp. "We'll go and tell Uhtred." He shrugged his shoulder slightly, making Athena stand up.

Before either of the men stood, Athena reached for one of the rocks in Finan's hand, aiming it towards the stack of rocks before throwing it, successfully hitting the stack. "Bullseye." She grinned, turning around to look down at the men.

Before Finan could stand, Clapa shoved the Irishman off of the log they sat on, making Finan fall back on the ground. "Uhtred!" Clapa yelled as he abruptly stood up.

Athena couldn't help but chuckle, watching Finan sit up from the floor. "That made my day." Athena breathed out, grinning at Clapa, who returned her grin, happy to make her smile. "Thank you, Clapa."

Athena then reached to grab her sword, only to be pulled back by her hand, a yelp leaving her lips as she fell back on the ground beside Finan.

She didn't miss the amused look Finan sent her way as he went to sit up, but Athena pushed him down once more, pressing her hand into his chest and making him groan as he fell back once more.

Athena scrambled to reach for her sword, letting Clapa pick her up with ease, as if she was a feather, and helping her stand. "Thank you." Athena grinned at the Dane man once more, patting his arm.

"Uhtred!" Athena then yelled also, watching as Finan quickly got up, grabbing his weapons and following Clapa and Athena.

When Rypere told them of the safety of Melusine and Æthelflæd, they quickly went to Winchester, to tell Alfred the news of his daughter.

They waited for Alfred to let them into the hall, and once he did, the doors opened and Uhtred, Athena, Finan and Gisela walked in. "Lord." Uhtred spoke first, walking towards the King. "Lady Ælswith."

Athena stayed back momentarily, between Gisela and Finan, as she watched her brother carefully. "I am here with news of Æthelflæd."

"From the Northmen?" Æthelred immediately spoke up, making Athena narrow her eyes at the man, even if he could not see her. He didn't look even the slightest bit of afraid for his newly wife.

Uhtred slowly turned his head to look at the Mercian man. "From my own skies who sleep within the walls of Bleamfleot." Uhtred corrected with a tilted head. "Lord, Æthelflæd is alive."

And so was Melusine. And Athena couldn't help but be relieved at that news. She was alive, but Athena did not know of what was happening to her. "My men have seen her with their own eyes, along side Lady Melusine." Uhtred continued to speak to the King.

Ælswith let out a relieved sigh, tears in her eyes as she smiled at the news. "Praise Him." She uttered, turning to her husband.

"Praise Him to the heavens." Alfred then said, nodding his head as he spoke.

"Then why have they not made clear their demands?" A man spoke from the side, making everyone turn to him.

Uhtred closed his eyes for a moment, turning around to look at the man. "They've been spreading news of their hostages, Lord."

"Boasting?" Æthelred scoffed at Uhtred's words, looking over to the king. "About seizing women?"

"Boating of the army they will raise with the ransom." Uhtred corrected with a pointed look, looking down at the Mercian man.

Then, Lord Odda stood up. "This is what I fear, Lord." He stood, looking around the hall. "No man in this hall should be in any doubt. When their demands arrive, they will be considerable." He slowly nodded his head. "As will be the consequences."

"Of course they will make outrageous demands." Alfred quickly spoke up, sitting up in his seat. "That is the purpose of a strong negotiation, to ensure there is agreement."

Lord Odda sat as the kings words, frown on his face. "You intent to negotiate, Lord?" Odda hesitantly asked with a raised brow.

"I intent to recover my daughter." Alfred corrected, sending a sharp look towards the man. "And lady Melusine." He added, making Athena nod at his words. She was grateful he was considering her in this circumstance.

Another man then stood. "Regardless of the price, Lord?" He spoke, shrugging his shoulders. "Mercia is not a land of plenty. Far from it."

"Wessex shall pay its share of silver and if necessary, its share of blood!" Alfred abruptly stood up at the man's words, his voice sharp as he spoke. "I will do what needs to be done. If that means negotiation, I will negotiate!"

Athena couldn't help but admire the kings willingness to loose everything for his daughter, it made her respect him even more. "Lord, I would advise that you sigh attend the negotiations." Uhtred wearily spoke, arms crossed her his chest. "The presence of the king and father would only increase their price."

"But if not the king, then who?"

The crowd started to murmur at the man's words, speaking back and forth as the King remained silent for a moment.

"There will be silence." Alfred then said, making everyone in the room shut up. "Æthelred." He turned to look down at the man, who suddenly stood. "It must be you. This is for Mercia to resolve. You just go to Beamfleot."

Æthelred's jaw clenched at that, but he nodded his head nevertheless. "Of course, Lord."

Athena narrowed her eyes at the man, watching as Aldhelm quickly stood beside him. "And a representative of Wessex, Lord." Another man spoke. "And the burden of your daughter is to be shared between the two kingdoms."

Lord Odda went to stand, but Beocca was quick to speak. "I will suggest that the Lord Uhtred represents Wessex. Along side Lady Athena." Beocca nodded at the pair. "Especially considering Lady Melusine is one of theirs."

Athena nodded her head at that, turning to look back at the King. "Agreed." Æthelwold then said as he stood up.

Athena noticed the Kings hesitance as he stared at Uhtred. He was still exiled from Winchester, not trusted. But Athena had not broken any of her oaths, she stayed true to them, and she was not banished.

Athena hesitantly stepped forwards, moving to stand beside Uhtred, sending Uhtred a small smile before turning to the king. "I would happily represent Wessex for the safe return of both Lady Æthelflæd and Lady Melusine, that is if you'll allow me and my brother to do so, Lord." Athena lifted her head confidently, looking up at Alfred. "We do know the ways of the Danes, after all." She added with a weary look.

Alfred looked down at the siblings, his gaze weary. Beocca then stood, looking over at Alfred. "Forgive me, Lord, but I do believe they are your only choice." Beocca told him with a pointed look.

Alfred looked around at Beocca's words, closing his eyes for a moment before speaking up: "Uhtred. Athena, you will both accompany Æthelred."

Athena let out a quiet sigh at that, nodding her head at the King. "We will do all we can, Lord." Uhtred promised with a nod. "Lady." He nodded at Ælswith.

"I will insure your daughter will be safely returned to you both, I swear it." Athena promised them, sharing a look with Ælswith, who sadly smiled at her. "As well as my dear friend, Lady Melusine."

— madeleines notes.

My girl Athena will do ANYTHING to get Meluisje and Æthelflæd. My girl will scrap these Dane's with her bare hands.

BUT FINAN TRYING TO HELP COMFORT ATHENA IN ANY WAY HE COULD. UGH.

And I need to write more of Clapa and Athena's friendship, they're too adorable tbh. He's just a massive softie in my eyes. And they will have a greater friendship, I swear.

But claps and finan trying to cheer her up AWE.

And the way Sihtric didn't think twice to go to Beamfleot for his future wife AUGH. He's a down bad puppy for Meluisne. Can't blame him. Oopsies.

But there will be more scenes of Melusine with the Dane's and Æthelflæd, going into detail to her character and the person she is..

Me and Jordan are planning, and I feel bad IM SORRY. Melusine deserves better 2024!!!

But oh em gee, results day Thursday, shitting bricks. IS ANYONE ELSE GETTING THEIR GCSE RESULTS!?!? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

But I am terrified, I literally hope I have a atleast got a four in everything, that's all I'm praying for is a four. PLEASE I BEG.

But I hope you enjoyed this sad chapter. Athena love, you have turned into a massive softie, caring for these Saxons, you are really a changed woman.

I hope I was able to describe how Athena was feeling, instead of saying "she was feeling sad", I guess English language comes in use for writing, so YAY.

20th August 2024
3917 words