▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
PROLOGUE ─── ❛ king vs danes

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

The young Athena Ragnardóttir's hands danced in the water beneath her, leaning over the boat she sat on. The young Dane would see her first war, that is what her father and young Ragnar told her.

She had crafted her own sword, one that fit in her palm and she knew how to wield it, having much practice with her brother.

A hiss left her lips as she quickly turned her head, pulling her braid from the grip of whomever pulled it. "Ragnar." She hissed, her eyes narrowed as she put her braid behind her. "Must you fool about?"

Her brother merely chuckled at her words, ruffling her hair up as she let out another groan of annoyance. "Are you excited, sister?" He asked, sitting beside her as she softened her glare. "For your first battle."

"Perhaps." She smirked, looking down to her sword, the handle red and black, the colours she had picked. And an owl embroiled into the handle—the owl a sign of wisdom. "It'll be good to use my sword against those God loving Saxons." She hummed as Young Ragnar nudged her arm with a grin.

"That's the spirit!" He cheered, making her smack his arm with a laugh, scrunching her nose as she did so. "Blood will be shed, and you will stay by my side, are we clear?"

"Crystal." Athena nodded her head, looking up at him with a grin. "And you will put that shield I crafted you to good use, yes?"

"It will be stained with the blood of Saxons when we're finished, sister." Young Ragnar ruffled her hair up once more as she wafted his hand away. "Your craftwork will not go unused."

"Good." Athena smirked, looking back down at the water and leaning down to cup some water in her hand, looking over at Ragnar over her shoulder before throwing the cold water on him.

Young Ragnar adjusted the helmet on Athena's head, the blonde complaining that it was too big for her head.

She adjusted the sword in her hands, smiling at the owl embroiled into it. The Saxons were to make their move just yet.

Athena sighed as she climbed onto her white horse, petting its side as she looked over to her brother and father with a grin.

She was thrilled. It would be her first battle, and she'd make sure it would not be her last. She was raised a Dane and she would fight like a Dane.

She did not care if the elder Dane's had any doubts about her capabilities. She had been able to put Young Ragnar on his arse multiple times, being younger and smaller than him.

She would fight for her people and for her family. And she would fight like a true Dane.

The rest of the Danes formed a line in the burnt down forest, waiting for the Saxons to make their move.

Athena remained by Young Ragnar's side, behind their men. Athena kept her head high as she held onto the handle of her sword, looking at the trees for any sign of movement, and when she did, she nudged her brother and pointed to the Saxons.

"Are you ready?" Young Ragnar asked his younger sister, making Athena nod her head, grin on her face as she tightened her grip on her sword.

The pair watched as the Saxons walked forwards, swords and shields in hands. The Dane's were quick to make the shield wall, something Athena had suggested to use to block off the Saxons.

Athena couldn't help but smirk at that, watching as the Saxons charged forwards. "Kill thrm all!" She heard a yell from the Saxons.

But the Danes did not move, they kept their position as the Saxons clashed against them. Athena's grip tightened on her sword, her knuckles turning white. She waited for Young Ragnar's signal for her to join the battle.

"Ease!" Was yelled as the Danes moved backwards, keeping the wall in tact as the Saxons charged forwards, sticking their swords into the gaps of the wall.

More Saxons ran forwards, and Athena grinned, knowing that the plan was working. She watched as more of the Danes came from the trees and formed a shield wall, trapping the Saxons.

"Kill them all!" Her father shouted to the Danes, cheers leaving the lips of the warriors. Young Ragnar nodded his head to Athena, making her pull out her sword, patting the side of her horse.

Herself and her brother charged forwards, attacking anyone with their blades that they could reach.

A cheer left Athena's lips as her blade connected with a head of a Saxon. She grunted as she pulled her sword back, watching the man fall to the ground.

She ignored the blood that splattered onto her, and she wore the blood of her enemies with pride. She lifted her bloodied sword into the air with a yell, going to attack more Saxons.

A Saxon broke out of the shield wall, pushing the Dane's away as Ragnar noticed. "Take him!" He yelled, pointing the sword at the man as Athena and Young Ragnar rounded around the corner.

Athena didn't think twice as she pulled on the reigns of her horse, making it run forwards and colliding with the Saxon, making the man fall to the ground.

"Close the shield wall!" Ragnar yelled to his men as the Saxon got back on his feet. Athena turned around, moving to her brother. "Close the wall and take him!"

A Dane moved forwards and pushed the blade into the man's throat, making the Saxon fall to his knees, blood pouring from hips lips.

Her father moved to pick up the Saxons shield, looking over at the fight. They were winning.

A yell made Athena turn her head, to see a boy, younger than her, rush forwards and throw his sword against Ragnar.

Ragnar blocked his blow, looking down at the young boy in amusement. The young boy attacked again. "He's like a wasp." Young Ragnar chuckled, taking off his helmet.

"Annoying and irritating?" Athena grinned at the young boy, turning to her brother. "Sounds like you." She stuck her tongue between her teeth as she grinned.

Ragnar broke the child's sword before pushing the young boy to the floor. "Wasp had lost its sting." Young Ragnar grinned as their father turned to them.

"Poor thing." Athena tilted her head to the side, fake pity dripping from her voice as she grinned at her father.

The three didn't realise the young boy had gotten back on his feet until a grunt left Ragnar's lips.

The boy had stabbed him in the leg with his broken sword, making Ragnar hit him across the face and sending him tumbling to the floor.

"The boy had spirit." Athena chuckled, looking at the boy, then her father. "He fights like a Dane, not a Saxon." She hummed with a frown, turning to her brother.

Ragnar turned back around, looking down at the boy before knocking him unconscious.

They had won the war against the Saxons, and her father had captured the young boy, claiming he could be of use.

The Dane's drowned in their cups in victory, torturing the people they have captured, then killing them.

Athena had her own cup, celebrating with her father and brother. She had survived and won her first battle. She had killed Saxons and survived.

Even though she was only fourteen, she had fought for her people with courage. She was a true Dane, born and bred. And she would never be anything else.

She celebrated the win of her people, clashing her cup against her brothers. Athena knew she couldn't stay up too long, having to retreat and find her sister, Thyra.

She had promised she would spend the night with Thyra, not having seen her all day, and Athena was true to her word.

It had been a couple of weeks since the battle, and things were growing better every day. Ragnar had decided to keep the boy and girl they had captured, Uhtred and Brida.

Athena treated both children with respect, made sure they were both okay, well-fed and healthy. Her father wanted to raise them into Dane's, and she would help.

Athena sat in a chair, letting Thyra play with her blonde locks. She turned when she saw the young Brida walk in, bucket in her hand.

Athena flashed the girl a smile, which was returned by the young girl. "Brida, be careful not to spill the water." Athena's mother spoke, making Athena look up at her. "You'll turn the floor to mud." Brida nodded her head at her words. "Uhtred, woof needs to be chopped."

The young boy walked out, nodding his head as he held the axe in his hand. "Will there be time for Uhtred to play?" The young Thyra asked, her hands brushing through Athena's hair.

"Only when work is done." Their mother replied, leaning on the banister above them before turning back.

"Athena, will you join us?" Thyra asked with hope, making Athena turn around, ignoring Young Ragnar's chuckle.

"Only if you wish to have me, sister." Athena pinched Thyra'd cheeks, making the redhead nod her head, a giggle leaving her lips.

And Athena did join Thyra, Brida and Uhtred, watching them play with a small smile. She carved a piece of wood, looking up at her sister as she pleased for Uhtred to save her.

"A wolf." Brida thought, holding a stick in her hand as she turned to Uhtred.

"That's it, a wolf!" Uhtred nodded his head, holding onto a different stick as he wafted it about.

"Boar. Watch out!" Brida called to Uhtred, running around as Uhtred nodded his head.

"I saw it! It's sharp teeth and yellow eyes!" Uhtred gasped as Athena chuckled at their imagination, finding it adorable.

"Don't let the wolves get to me, Uhtred!" Thyra spoke down to the children in a fake pleading voice.

"Use fire to keep them away!" Uhtred told Brida, wafting the stick once more.

"I see them." Brida nodded her head. "They're as big as Ubba and smell worse." She jested, making Athena let out a laugh, which made Brida grin.

Athena stood up with a smile, grabbing her sword as she put away her knife, walking over to Uhtred and handing him the wood she had carved into a fake sword.

"Here, you will need this to protect Thyra." She sarcastically said, making Uhtred grab the wooden sword with a grin.

"I want one!" Brida complained as Athena chuckled, standing in front of her and ruffling her hair. "Can you make me one? Please, Thena?"

"If you wish." Athena chuckled at the nickname, pressing her finger against Brida's nose, making the young girl scrunch her nose up with a grin. "I must go craft a sword for the lady." She bowed as the children around chuckled. "If you need me, holler, I will head." She told the three better retreating back home.

The three children had returned back home before night, the family sitting around the table as Uhtred and Brida sat alone.

Athena sat beside Thyra, taking a sip from her cup as she watched Young Ragnar stand, pointing to Uhtred. "What's this?" He asked Uhtred, pointing to his bruised eye. "You been fighting again?" He grinned, making Uhtred nod his head.

Athena frowned, it must of happened when she left. "Yes." Uhtred uttered, casting his eyes down.

"With Sven?" Young Ragnar asked as he moved to sit down beside Athena.

"Kjartan's son?" Their mother asked, sitting down. Athena felt Thyra tense beside her, making the blonde frown, turning to her sister and stroking her back.

"Yes." Uhtred answered with another nod.

"Uhtred, he's much bigger than you." Athena sighed, tilting her head to the side as she stared at the boy with a soft look.

"He's a turd." Uhtred shrugged her shoulder, making Athena press her hand to her lips, lowering her head so nobody could hear her quiet laugh.

Young Ragnar nudged her arm, shaking his head with his own grin, making Athena nudge him back with a glare.

"Why do you say that?" Sigrid asked, frown on her face as she stared at the boy.

"Who started it?" Ravn asked, sitting on the other side of Thyra. Uhtred didn't answer until the blind man spoke once more. "Who began the fight?"

"I began the fight." Uhtred uttered, his head still bowed as he spoke.

"For no other reason than that he's a turd?" Ravn sighed, shaking his head at Uhtred's words.

"Danes have murdered for less." Uhtred sarcastically said, rolling his eyes. Athena bit her cheek, immediately looking over to her father.

"Uhtred, that's enough." Sigrid warned him, shaking her head as she put down her food.

"You want to be sold, boy?" Ragnar asked, eating some of his food.

"I wish to eat." Uhtred simply said, turning to Ragnar from his place on the floor.

"Speak up!"

"I wish to eat." He said more clearer, a small glare on his face as he started at Ragnar.

"You want to eat?" Ragnar nodded his head, standing up. Athena sighed, leaning back in her chair as her eyes landed on Uhtred. "You want to eat?" He asked againt, soaking towards Uhtred and Brida. "You know what? I say you starve." He kicked the food away from Uhtred, making Brida back away against the wall.

"Fighting is expected, disobedience is not." Ragnar roughly pulled up Uhtred, making Athena sit up, her eyes full of worry as Ragnar slapped him.

"Sven began the fight!" Thyra quickly stood, looking over at their father with wide eyes. Athena turned to her, holding onto her arm as she told them what had happened. And what Sven had done to Thyra.

That made Athena's blood boil, turning to her father, who immediately let go of Uhtred and turned to Thyra.

Athena sat on her horse, Uhtred sat infront of her as she held onto him, making sure he did not fall, beside her brother as they rose into Kjartan's lands. Athena was angry for what the boy had done to her sister.

She gripped her sword, knuckles turning white as they stopped outside Kjartan's home, already seeing the man stand outside.

Athena got off her horse, helping Uhtred down before gently petting it, moving to go stand beside her father and brother, looking up at Kjartan. "Earl Ragnar, let me first say, he's a good boy." Kjartan started, his eyes pleading as he stepped forwards.

"He brought a sword onto my land." Ragnar gritted his teeth as he stared at Kjartan. "I will have words with him."

"In time, he'll serve in your ship-"

"He had offended me!"

"He will honour you. He meant no harm."

"He meant no harm?!" Ragnar yelled in his face, shaking his head. "He looked at my daughter's nakedness!"

"And he was punished." Kjartan promised, nodding his head as he turned to Uhtred. "Your Saxon slave cut him." He glared at Uhtred, making him move closer beside Athena, who glared at Kjartan.

"Shall I make a square of branches? Are you gonna fight me for your son or fetch him?" Ragnar challenged Kjartan, who gave in, nodding his head as he moved towards the door, opening it and pulling Sven out.

"Tell him what you have to say."

Athena's gaze narrowed as she looked at the blonde boy, gripping onto her sword. She would gladly kill the Dane boy for taking advantage of her younger sister.

"I'm sorry." Sven uttered, his head hung low.

"He can't hear you."

"I'm sorry, lord, for what I did." Sven repeated, meeting Ragnar's gaze with worry.

"You laid hands on my daughter." Ragnar moved to stand close to the boy, his voice threatening. "You stripped her naked-"

"Half—naked, lord." Sven corrected as Athena tilted her head, as if that made what he did any better.

"He's at an age, Lord." Kjartan held his son's shoulder, looking up at Ragnar with regret.

Ragnar turned to Uhtred, who was still beside Athena, holding onto her arm. "Is this true? Half-naked?" He asked the young boy, who nodded his head.

Ragnar nodded his head, turning back to Sven. "Then I shall only take his one eye." Ragnar breathed out as Sven's eyes widened with fear.

"No, lord, please!"

Kjartan's pleads were cut short as he grabbed his sword, hitting the handle in Sven's eye, making the bit drop to the floor in pain.

"Kjartan, you are banished from my land." Ragnar declared, putting his sword away as his gaze narrowed at the older man.

Sven cried out on the ground, holding his bleeding eye. Athena smirked, holding onto Uhtred's shoulder as she looked up at Kjartan.

"He's lucky it was only one eye." Athena hissed as Kjartan turned to her with narrowed eyes. "I pleaded to take out both eyes, his tongue, and his hands." She gritted her teeth, glaring down at Sven before turning around, guiding Uhtred back to her horse and helped him on, before following.

Athena softly brushed her hands through Thyra's hair, a soft look on her face as the redhead moved closer towards her.

"I swear to you, Thyra..." Athena started, her voice soft as Thyra turned to face her. "I will never let a man—or boy—harm you never again."

"Do you promise?" Thyra uttered, a sad look on her face as Athena nodded her head, lifting her both her hands up and sticking out her pinky, her other hand on her chain around her neck—Thor's hammer.

"I promise—I swear it to you." Athena smiled, watching as Thyra lifted her arm, connecting their pinkies together with a soft smile. "On Thor's hammer."

Thyra chuckled, moving to wrap her arms around Athena's neck in a hug, leaning into her touch, like it was her safe place.

"What did father do to him?" Thyra softly asked, her head laid on Athena's chest. Athena sighed, running her hand over Thyra's head.

"Father took his eye." Athena softly said as Thyra nodded her head, leaning more closer to Athena. "I said I would take both eyes, his tongue, and hands." Athena chuckled as Thyra softly sighed. "Nobody will ever harm you—never again." Athena repeated, her words soft as she pressed her lips against Thyra's forehead.

It now had been years since then, Athena was a woman. She had grown, as had her siblings, who included Uhtred.

Her sister was to marry, and Athena promised she would cut the man's hands off if he ever disrespected Thyra, but the redhead merely giggled.

Athena had crafted Thyra's wedding necklace, which Thyra adored and treasured, showing it to everyone. "Mother, look!" Thyra showed the necklace to their mother.

"It's beautiful. It really is." Their mother nodded with a smile as she climbed the wooden ladders. "I can't believing I'm losing you already." She sighed as she looked over to Athena, who was play—fighting with her father. "I was sure it would be your sister first."

Athena turned her head, tilting her head to the side as she looked at her mother and sister. "No man will ever be good enough for my hand in marriage, mother." Athena shook her head, a yelp leaving her lips as Ragnar put her into a playful headlock, ruffling her hair up. "Thyra just did my hair!" She complained, pushing Ragnar off of her with a grin as she adjusted the braids in her hair with a huff.

"Oh, look at this place." They turned to see Uhtred walk in, grin on his face as he looked around at the decorations.

"Uhtred, do you like my wedding necklace?" Thyra continued to show off the necklace with a smile. Athena softly rolled her eyes, standing behind her grandfather as she leaned on his chair.

"I do." Uhtred nodded his head as he stared at it. "Very pretty."

"Perhaps I shall make you one, I'm sure it would suit you." Athena teased, scrunching her nose up as Uhtred walked over to her, ruffling her hair with a grin. "Will you stop!" She complained with a groan, smacking his arm.

"He doesn't know anything about necklaces." Ravn spoke up, holding onto his cane as Athena moved towards Thyra, who adjusted the braids in her hair. "You might as well ask me." The blind man added with a chuckle.

"Uhtred, with me." Ragnar spoke as Uhtred turned to him. "You can help me slaughter the goats."

"I've only just washed." Uhtred complained as he grabbed his fur coat. Athena chuckled as she sat beside her sister.

"The goats will be pleased." Ragnar simply said as he walked out of the house, making Uhtred follow.

"Later you can sweep the floor." Brida walked in, a teasing look on her face as she looked at Uhtred, who jumped in her direction. She chuckled, dodging him as she walked towards Athena. "I can't wait for the day for you to marry." She teased as she walked into the stable. "Who knows, maybe Young Ragnar will bring back a fine Irishman as your suitor."

"That will never happen!" Athena called to her, shaking her head with a sigh, making Brida and Thyra giggle. "When will you marry my brother?" She then asked Brida, a teasing look on her face as Brida turned to her, eyes wide.

"Hush, Thena." Brida tapped her arm, making Athena grin, scrunching her nose as the woman walked past her.

"I will make you your own wedding necklace!" Athena called out to her as Brida spun around, her eyes narrowed as Athena and Thyra chuckled.

For some reason, Athena couldn't sleep. She feared something was going to happen, but she did not know it.

So, she decided she'd go on a walk to the nearest river and bathe. And that is what she did.

Athena ran her hands through her blonde hair, a sigh leaving her lips as she stared at the moon. The night was comforting to her, the silence only being broken by the chirps of birds singing away.

Athena tried to relax, but she couldn't. Something was wrong, but she didn't know what.

A soft groan left her lips as she rinsed the water out of her hair and stepped out of the river, quickly drying off and putting her clothes back on.

She held onto Thor's hammer around her neck as she walked through the forest, her eyes casted down on the floor as her foot crushed every leaf underneath her feet.

When she heard running footsteps, she turned around, holding onto her sword as she narrowed her eyes. She saw two figures running in the distance, and she recognised both of them.

"Uhtred?" She called out, watching as the figures dropped and turned to her. "Brida?" She dropped her hand from her sword as she jogged towards them. "What is wrong?" She asked as they breathed heavily.

"Something is wrong." Was all Uhtred said as the three started to run back home, running through the trees as quick as they could.

Athena's eyes widened as they landed on a fire, which engulfed a house. "No." Athena uttered as she ran quicker, coming closer to their home.

The three ran as fast as they could, coming out of the clearing to see their home set alight. Athena froze as she stared at the flames, Uhtred and Brida by her side as they watched a man, whom was engulfed in flames, Fight of the men around him.

Athena recognised the yell of the man. It was Ragnar.

"No." Athena shook her head as she held her hand over her chest, her breaths becoming heavy as she kept her eyes on the scene. "No." She uttered as she saw Kjartan stick a sword into her father.

Her eyes watered as she leaned into Uhtred, afraid her legs would give way. Their family was dead. Their mother, their father, their sister, their grandfather.

They were all gone. And young Ragnar was in Ireland.

They were alone. They had nothing. Kjartan would take everything.

It was now morning, Athena, Uhtred and Brida had not moved from their place from the night before, watching as Kjartan's men searched their home.

"They're searching for Ragnar's wealth." Brida uttered to them, watching the scene with narrowed eyes.

Athena huddled against the tree, not wanting to look at her home—her home that was now destroyed. "They'll never find it."

"Search in the back!" They'd head Kjartan yell to him men. "We're leaving soon!"

Athena leaned her forehead against her knees, not listening to Uhtred and Brida's conversation. She kept her eyes low.

Her father had died a warriors death, and would go to Valhalla. But what if her other family? Would they?

She blinked away the thoughts as Uhtred stood up, walking away from the trees as Brida stayed beside her.

Brida turned to Athena, her eyes full of worry as she moved towards the girl and pulling her into a hug.

Athena leaned into her touch, allowing herself to cry quietly into her shoulder. Brida kept her comforting arms around her, not letting go of her.

— Maddie's notes.

Oof, sorry Athena. Your family=ashes...

This is literally just the introduction chapter and it has so many words AHAHAHSSHAH

Oopsies. Have to set the plot. Am I right?

I hope yall love this chapter! And I love writing small hits and sneaky things to my books, if you know what I have added, please, do tell... HAHSHSHSHSH

but I love Athena's bonds with people, she cares so much for the ones she loves. Ik she finna be joyous when she sees Thyra.

24th July 2024
4310 words yah