▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ─── ❛ alliances

SKIN AND BONES ₊˚.༄𖥸 ── 
𑁍₊𓄹 -- ❪ the last kingdom ❫. 𓄹
╭ ‧₊˚⊹    你好，欢迎光临           
╰ ✦ the blade that kills╭ ᘒ ✦

Valeria prayed that the plan would work. That the army would successfully take Lundene back from the Dane brothers.

She prayed that her brother and Aldhelm would not be harmed, and the warriors of Mercia.

But, she also prayed that the Irishman, whom had lingered in her thoughts, would not be harmed in the battle.

But, Valeria tried to ignore her worrying thoughts as she sat in her tent, braiding Æthelflæd's hair into two plaits.

The two women sat in a comforting silence, embracing each other's presence. Valeria had grown to care for the girl as if Æthelflæd was her sister.

Valeria had been by Æthelflæd's side since the woman came to Mercia. Valeria helped her get use to Mercia as a whole, which Æthelflæd was grateful for. She was glad she would not be alone.

Æthelflæd then cleared her throat, fidgeting with her hands as Valeria ran her fingers through her hair. "Do you think the plan will work?"

Sitting up, Valeria slowly nodded her head as she bit her inner cheek. "I do hope so, sister." Valeria softly smiled down at the younger girl. "Besides, i have heard of all the battles Lord Uhtred has participated in. And he stands victorious against the Danes."

Æthelflæd grinned at that, nodding in agreement. "He brings victory to England." Valeria nodded her head as well at that. "He is like a good look charm."

A chuckle left Valeria's lips at her words, finishing one of Æthelflæd's braids as she tied it up with a ribbon. "A good luck charm?" Valeria repeated in a questioning tone.

"Yes." Æthelflæd joined in with Valeria's chuckles, looking over her shoulder at the dark haired woman. "It sounds absurd, I know." She then quickly said, shaking her head.

But Valeria softly smiled, squeezing Æthelflæd's shoulder. "No it does not." She shook her head, watching as Æthelflæd mimicked her smile, turning her head back around. "I suppose we all have a good luck charm."

"Do you?" Æthelflæd asked, raising her brow in interest as Valeria worked on her other braid.

Valeria shrugged her shoulders, concentrating on Æthelflæd's hair. "I do not think so." She shook her head, pursing her lips. "Luck is a foreign thing to me."

Brows pinching together, Æthelflæd took in her words, slowly nodding her head with a slight frown. "Well, perhaps you do and you do not even know it."

Valeria bit her inner cheek at her words, quickly finding the braid as she tied it with a ribbon once more. "Perhaps." She hummed, her words quiet as she dropped her hands on her lap.

Æthelflæd turned around when she knew Valeria had finished her hair, looking up at the older woman. The smile returned to her lips as she reached out to hold onto Valeria's hand. "We have each other now, yes?"

Valeria nodded her head, smile decorating her lips as she stared down at the younger girl. "Yes, that we do." She hummed in agreement, making Æthelflæd's smile widen. "You have me and I have you, sister."

Her smile did not falter, a genuine smile bracing her lips as she stared down at Æthelflæd.

Before either of them could say anything else, shouts and screams could be heard as well as clashes. "Danes!" Valerie recognised the petrified voice of Thyra. "Death is coming!"

Valeria and Æthelflæd both jumped up at those words, their eyes widening as they shared looks.

Valeria did not say anything as she reached for her sword, swiftly reaching out to hold onto Æthelflæd's hand. "Æthelflæd!" Thyra's shouts grew louder and closer. "Valeria!"

"Thyra!" Valeria shouted back, pushing Æthelflæd behind her as she made her way towards the opening of the tent. "Thyra!"

Valeria almost jumped as a figure appeared in front of her, but relaxed as she noticed the red hair of Thyra. "We must run!" Thyra tightly held onto the arm Valeria was holding her sword in. "The forest!"

Swallowing thickly, Valeria nodded her head as she looked over her shoulder at Æthelflæd. "Do not let go, okay!"

Æthelflæd frantically nodded her head, using both hands to hold onto Valeria's other arm. And with that, the three moved away from the tent, taking off in a sprint.

Valeria tried her best not to trip over her own dress as she ran, avoiding the running figures and the Danes on top of horses.

Her breaths grew uneven and panicked as she gripped her sword tighter, one thing on her mind. She had to protect Æthelflæd.

"Do not stop!" Thyra called to the two, taking the lead as her hand slipped from Valeria's arm. "Run!"

Valeria and Æthelflæd didn't have to be told twice as they stuck together, sprinting towards the forest as they avoided the Danes.

Valeria's heart thumped against her chest, her breaths heavy, her eyes wide as she heard the screams of people.

But, all she could do was block out the screams and cries as the quickly dodged a tree, pulling Æthelflæd behind her.

She was too focused on running, that she didn't even notice she had dropped her sword when she almost tripped up.

But she couldn't stop.

Thyra had now completely disappeared, leaving Æthelflæd and Valeria on their own, running through the trees as the Danes grew closer.

A yelp left Æthelflæd's lips as she tripped over her own feet, stumbling to the ground and bringing Valeria down with her.

A grunt left Valeria's lips as her back landed on the ground. But, she tried to scramble back up to her feet, reaching for Æthelflæd.

"Leave the King's daughter alive!"

Valeria panted heavily, tears prickling at her eyes as she tried to back away from the Danes growing closer to her and Æthelflæd.

Æthelflæd quickly sat up, reaching for Valeria's hand. But a cry left her lips as she was roughly pulled from the ground. "And what about the other?" One of the Danes said, pointing to Valeria.

"Kill the wench."

Blinking heavily, Valeria realised her sword was missing. So, she swiftly leaned forwards to grab the dagger she always had sheathed against her ankle.

Æthelflæd screamed out as she tried to get herself out of the Danes grip, watching as one of the Danes made Terri way towards Valeria.

Valeria swallowed thickly, watching as the Dane grew closer towards her. She gripped the dagger at her side. She would not go down without a fight.

But, bridge Valeria could attack the Dane that pointed his axe at her, Æthelflæd screamed. "No! Stop!" She called out, tears streaming down her face. "She is the sister of Lord Æthelred!" Valeria squeezed her eyes closed that as the Danes paused. "And if you kill her, you have killed yourself!" Æthelflæd frantically spoke, not wanting Valeria to be brutally slain by these Danes. "Mercia will retaliate!"

Valeria's grip on her dagger loosened, her heart beating against her chest as she stared up at the Danes.

"Bring her as well." One of the Danes ordered. "Erik and Sigefrid will choose what they do with her."

Valeria had never feared for her life. She had never been in a situation where she would have to fear for her life.

But now, she was in the Danes nest.

Grubby arms were wrapped around her waist, tight. But, Valeria did not care, only keeping her eyes on Æthelflæd.

Valeria did not know where the Danes were going, or where they were taking them. All Valeria could do was hold onto the horses mane she sat on top off.

The Dane behind her, Sigefrid, did not say a whole world as they traveled. Valeria felt numb, fearing for her life.

She knew of what the Danes were capable of. But, she didn't think she'd ever be in the presence of the Danes.

It did not take long to turn nightfall. Valeria watched as a fortress came in sight, the lights illuminating the town.

Valeria swallowed thickly as she tore her gaze away from the walls of Beamfleot, her eyes landing on Æthelflæd, whom looked just as terrified as her.

"See this?" Sigefrid spoke towards his brother, riding his horse closer towards Erik as he pointed to the Danes surrounding the fortress. "Warriors join us by the day." He grinned as he looked at his brother, then Æthelflæd. "With word of our capture, there will be more."

Valeria felt a shiver run down her spine at his words fanning against her neck. All she could do was tighten her grip on the horses mane as the gates opened.

Cheers instantly filled Valeria's ears, her eyes landing on the many Danes looking up at them.

"What did I say?" Sigefrid yells silenced the cheers from the Danes, all turning to him. "I told you I would invite King Alfred's daughter, and she is here!" He pointed his sword-hand in the direction of Ætthelflæd.

Æthelflæd's petrified eyes looked over to Valeria, whom looked back at her with the same expression. But Valeria had to stay strong for the younger woman. "And..." Valeria squeezed her eyes shut, feeling Sigefrid's arm tighten around her waist. "The weasel lord of Mercia's sister!"

The Dames cheered at that, making Valeria's skin crawl. All she could do was stare helplessly at Æthelflæd. "I swear to the gods that these prizes will not be sold cheaply!" Sigefrid continued to speak to his men. "There will be wealth and glory for every man here!"

Valeria was beyond relieved that herself and Æthelflæd would share a cell, that they both would not be alone.

They were brought food my Erik's men, water and the minimum essentials. But, both girls wished to bathe in an actual river.

So, the two came up with a plan that they would not eat until they got what they wanted.

And, surprisingly, it worked.

Erik had agreed that if they ate, they would be able to go to the river to properly bathe. And he kept his word.

Æthelflæd practically clung onto Valeria's arm as they walked through the grounds of Beamfleot. The Danes were eyeing the two females like prey.

But, Valeria refused to show weakness to these Danes. So, she held her head high as she looked around at the Danes.

When they walked past the stables, Valeria's eyes landed on a familiar looking Dane. Her brows pinched together slightly, analysing the rat looking Dane.

Then it clicked.

He was one of Uhtred's oathmen—Sihtric.

Valeria looked away immediately, not wanting to cause any suspicion as they walked out of the gates of Beamfleot.

Both girls stayed silent as they walked out into the forest and towards the lake. A group of Erik's men were leading the way, but also guarding from behind. So, Æthelflæd and Valeria were stuck in the middle.

Erik had also brought two other women to help the ladies wash, which Valeria wasn't use to. She had handmaidens, but she didn't really see any use for them back in Mercia.

Erik and his men stopped a distance away from the lake as Æthelflæd, Valeria and the two other women made their way towards the lake.

Valeria ignored the Danes eyes burning into her back and Æthelflæd's, swiftly unclasping her blue cloak and handing it to the woman behind her.

Then, Valeria untied her dress, pulling it over her head as her curls hit her back. Shivers ran through her body as the cool air hit her bare skin.

She swiftly made her way into the water, stopping when it went up to her chest. Æthelflæd soon followed her, standing a few feet away from her.

"Do not react." Valeria uttered, running her hands over her arms, keeping her eyes in front of her. Æthelflæd hummed, slowly nodding her head. "I believe one of Lord Uhtred's men is here."

Æthelflæd's eyes widened as she washed her arms. "Are you sure?" She quietly questioned.

Valeria hummed, pursing her lips as she cupped the water in her hands, bringing it to her face. "Well, Sihtric is the rat-looking Dane, yes?" She slowly said, running her hands over her face. "Perhaps he is a spy for Lord Uhtred."

Æthelflæd smiled at that, subtly nodding her head as she washed her hair. "Perhaps he is." She uttered, relieved.

"He has seen you alive, he will return to Lord Uhtred and they will tell your father that you live." Valeria suggested, shrugging her shoulders.

"And you." Æthelflæd quickly said, turning her head to the side to look at Valeria. But Valeria pursed her lips once more.

Valeria was beyond furious when she had heard Æthelflæd tell Erik that she had been mistreated by Æthelred.

Now, it was all making sense to Valeria. The sudden change in Æthelflæd when she arrived to Mercia.

Valeria knew there must of been a reason to it. But to find out her brother was the cause of it, that made her blood boil. Why would her brother do such a thing?

Æthelflæd tried to brush the situation off, saying she didn't mean it, but Valerie could see through the lies.

"Why did you never say anything?" Valeria uttered, her back against the wall as she sat in the cot. "Did you not trust me?" She then added, her tone soft.

Æthelflæd's brows pinched together at that, turning to Valeria. "Of course I trust you." Æthelflæd didn't hesitate to reach out and grab a hold of Valeria's hand. "I..." Æthelflæd heavily sighed. "I did not wish for you to see your brother in a different way."

"But he has mistreated you, Æthelflæd." Valeria instantly shook her head, sitting up as she rested her other hand on Æthelflæd's. "I would not sit idly and let him treat you with no respect—the respect you deserve."

Æthelflæd sadly smiled at that, lowering her head as she looked at their hands. Valeria bit her inner cheek as she tried to wrap her head around the whole thing.

"I promise, when we get out of here, my brother will never mistreat you—or harm you—ever again. I swear it on the book." Valeria insisted, her words holding a strong truth to them.

"Thank you." Æthelflæd breathed out, swiftly moving to embrace Valeria into a hug. Valeria quickly accepted the embrace, resting her head on Æthelflæd's shoulder.

"I will always be there for you, sister."

"As will I."

Valeria could not seem to find sleep, not when she was on her own. She had seen the growing connection between Æthelflæd and Erik, whom had only cared for the woman.

Now, Valeria was in the cell on her own whilst Æthelflæd was with Erik. All Valeria could do was stare up at the roof, lying flat on her back as her hands rested on her stomach.

She laid with her eyes closed, but sleep would not come to her. A sigh left Valeria's lips as she opened her and sat up, running a hand through her unkempt hair.

Her eyes moved towards the doors as they opened, making her sigh in relief, thinking it was Æthelflæd.

But it wasn't.

Valeria's brows pinched together as her eyes landed on a Dane, whom looked like he had too much ale. "What are you doing here?" Valeria instantly spoke, moving her back against the wall as the Dane stumbled towards her. "You should not be here." Her voice wavered as she spoke.

But, the Dane let out a skin crawling laugh, making Valeria swallow thickly as she looked around for anything she could defend herself with. "You will not tell me where I should not be, bitch."

Before Valeria could even blink, the Dane moved towards her and abruptly grabbed onto her wrist, making her let out a yelp as she was tugged forwards.

All Valeria could do was kick and struggle in the Danes grip, but the Dane silenced her cries as he used his over hand to cover her mouth.

Her muffled cries were silenced by the Danes hand, but she continued to fight against the Danes hold. "The more you fight, the more it will hurt."

Valeria's heart sunk at that, tears blurring her vision as she shook her head. Her pleads were silenced as the Dane roughly handled her. But, his weight made it hard for Valeria to fight back. 

Valeria used her free hand to try and push the Dane away from her, but that only ended with the Danes hand circling around her throat, making her choke in pain.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Valeria tried to slap the Dane's arm away, her body fighting against his grip.

Her heart thumped against her chest when she heard him remove his belt, which made Valeria fight of flight kick in.

Her eyes snapped open, ignoring the burning pain in her throat as she looked for a dagger. And she couldn't help but feel relieved when she saw one stabbed to the Dane's side.

So, when the Dane was looking away, she swiftly reached forwards for the dagger, abruptly slicing the man's arm, that was around her neck.

The Dane cried out in pain as he backed away, letting Valeria breathe properly. Her breath was raspy as her eyes grew wide. But, she could not stop. She had to make sure she was safe.

It was evident the Dane was beyond fuming, holding onto his arm as it bled. He went to attack Valeria, but Valeria was quick to stand, a grunt leaving her lips as she brought the dagger into his chest in a frantic motion.

She didn't stop after she pulled the dagger out. Instead, she pushed the dagger into his chest again, and again, until the Dane collapsed to the ground, holding onto his chest.

But, Valeria did not stop there.

She crouched to the Dane's side, her body shaking as she brought the dagger to his chest again, and again.

Even when the Dane was dead she did not stop.

Tears burned her eyes as they streamed down her side. Blood now coated the gown she was wearing, her hands now crimson.

She did not stop until she was pulled away from the Dane, the dagger falling from her hands. "Val!" She only snapped out of her daze when she heard Æthelflæd's voice.

Valeria's mouth was now dry as she looked back down at the dead body, her eyes growing wide.

She had killed someone.

"He—he attacked me." She choked out, her body growing limp in Erik's arms. "I..." She shook her head, bringing her hands to her mouth. "I killed him."

"Val. Valeria." Æthelflæd didn't hesitate to move forwards, grasping onto Valeria's shaking arms. "Breathe."

Valeria frantically shook her head, feeling Erik's arms soon disappear from around her waist. "I killed him." Valeria uttered, her eyes remaining on the Dane.

Æthelflæd's own eyes grew teary as she stared at Valeria. She regretted leaving her alone. "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry." Æthelflæd embraced Valeria into a hug.

But Valeria stood, her shaking arms at her side as her breaths were uneven. Her eyes didn't tare away from the dead body. "I will take care of him." Erik told Æthelflæd, pursing his lips as he stared down at the man.

— madeleines notes.

Yeah, only the fourth chapter and I'm making my baby suffer.

BUT ITS FOR THE LOREEEEE!!!!!

these chapters are important for Valeria's character, but also the sister-relationship between Valeria and and Æthelflæd.

But Valeria knows what Æthelred is capable of. AND SHE AINF HAPPY!!!

But I'm sorry Val :(

20th October 2024
3270 words