Kingdom of Northumbria- 804 AD

Why did Aedan have to complicate things? Why did he make her feel as though she had betrayed him? Her duty to her clan would always come before her own happiness. 

She couldn't sleep. No matter what she tried, her mind wouldn't shut down and she needed to clear it. 

Tualla waited until the hall had fallen quiet before creeping out. She ventured through the sleeping town in the hope of finding somewhere private. 

At the far end of the town, a section of palisade seemed to be missing. She found it odd that such a large town would leave itself vulnerable and curiosity got the better of her. 

Stopping where the palisade should be, she found herself staring down a sheer drop. Far below her on a narrow strip of sand, she could make out the remains of the wooden posts. 

She took a step back, holding her cloak tight, shuddering at the thought of falling down there.

Beyond it, the vast expanse of sea seemed to merge with the night sky, impossible to tell where one began and the other ended.

Away from the town lights, the stars seemed to shine brighter. Reflecting off the water, they appeared to dance on the waves.
Such a beautiful sight, one that would likely become a favourite of hers. 

She sat on the damp grass and leaned back. Under the stars, Tualla felt close to her mother, as though she could offer her guidance from the afterlife.

Tualla gazed at the familiar patterns above, searching for two distinct stars. Between them is where her star is said to have appeared. According to Dena, it had shone for three summers, dimming over time until it could no longer be seen, but sometimes, on a clear night like this, Tualla thought she could see a glimmer.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a presence behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who. "What are you doing here, Aedan?" 

"I thought I'd find you here." 

She felt him move closer, he stopped at her side and sat down.

"You haven't answered my question," she said without looking at him.

"I just want to talk." 

She scoffed at him. "You want to talk? After the way you've been behaving?"

"I know I've been acting childish. I promise I'll be good." He flashed her his playful grin and Tualla couldn't stay mad at him.

"You're never good." She laughed as she gave him a playful nudge.

"Well, I do try!" He winked and nudged her back. They fell into a comfortable silence, until he broke it with a long sigh. He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "When did life get so complicated?" 

"That's part of growing up."

"Things were so much simpler when we were children. Sometimes I wish we could go back to that and forget these past few years." Looking down at his hands, he began picking at the grass. "War changes a man." His voice cracked as he looked at Tualla with teary eyes. "I'm capable of horrific things."

"We all are." Her heart broke for him. Cupping his face, she stroked the hair on his cheek and stared into his steel-blue eyes. "It doesn't change what you mean to me." 

"If you knew the things I've seen and done, Tully… You're the reason I came back, the one thing I held onto. I thought I had you, but my father took you from me too." 

"Aedan—"

"I love you. I always have." 

Tualla's chest heaved with emotion. She wanted to say the words back to him, but that wouldn't be fair to either of them. 
But as Aedan leaned closer, she found herself doing the same. 

Their lips met. Tualla wanted to convey how she felt and poured it all into the kiss. Gentle at first, it soon became heated as Aedan laid her down on the grass. With his hands in her hair, he kissed her neck and collarbone. "Marry me instead," he whispered.

Tualla pushed him away. "You know I can't." Sitting up, she tidied her hair. "Why are you making this so hard?" 

"Because you're making a mistake."

"I'm not talking about this!" Tualla got to her feet and brushed her hands on her skirt before walking away, but Aedan caught her hand.

"I don't claim to be a good man, but these aren't good people, Tully. Do you know what I heard them say about us? About you?"

She yanked her hand away. "I don't care! You don't get to—"

"They said they should gut us in our sleep and that they'd never bow down to a Pagan whore." 

All of her anger and frustration boiled to the surface. "Our people aren't any better. They can be just as bad. This is my decision to make. It's my destiny."

"Damn destiny. We belong together." He stepped closer and lifted her chin. "Tell me you don't love me."

Folding her arms, Tualla struggled to look him in the eye. "Love doesn't protect our people."

"I can protect us." 

"With what? You don't have an army at your disposal." 

Aedan's jaw twitched as he tried to hold himself together. He knew he'd lost. "I won't give up," he said, shaking his head. "I can't let you go." 

Tualla backed away from him. "You have to." 

***

Accompanied by Padraig and Osric, Edwin took great pride as he pointed out a number of buildings and workshops around Elnwich. He took the time to greet everyone they encountered and seemed to go out of his way to make Tualla feel welcome. She couldn't help thinking Aedan's absence played a part in that. Even the dog seemed friendlier, sniffing her and asking to be petted.

In a quiet part of town, they followed Edwin to a large building set far away from anything else. The outer walls were made of oak planks and the thatched roof had to be the tallest Tualla had ever seen. 

"This is the church," Edwin said as they approached and invited them inside.

Tualla gasped at the display of wealth. A man-sized golden cross dominated the hall, drawing attention to the far wall. Candles on golden pillars surrounded a solid gold platform at the foot of the cross. 

Mesmerised, Tualla walked towards the display, wondering how many mercenaries the gold could buy. She stopped between two rows of wooden benches carved with intricate patterns.

Edwin moved beside her, satisfied with Tualla's awe as she took in the rest of the room. The tapestries portrayed people with gold rings circling their heads, some even had wings. They seemed to follow her every move, staring into her soul. Although omimous, she could appreciate the beauty and fine detail in them; they must have taken months to make and the threads shimmered as though woven with gold.

"As the lady of Elnwich," Edwin said, "you would be expected to attend weekly services and other important events."

"Would I be expected to convert?" Tualla hadn't given much thought to their different beliefs, but the idea of rejecting her gods dismayed her.

Edwin gave her a warm smile. "Although ideal, it is not essential. You'd be free to worship your own gods— in private, of course." 

The next place Edwin showed her, had to be her favourite. Greeted by Garrett, the head falconer, he escorted them around the mews. 

Eagles, falcons, kestrels and hawks, each with their own enclosure. Garrett explained the daily care as he went about his rounds.
"Would you like to hold one?" Garrett asked Tualla.

"Can I?" 

"Of course. They've been hand reared so they're used to being handled."

He gave Tualla a leather glove before transferring a falcon over. The bird stepped onto her arm without any coaxing and Tualla couldn't stop smiling. They were beautiful, more so up close. 

Tualla hesitantly reached out her other hand and let her fingers brush the soft brown feathers. The bird turned her head and nibbled at Tualla's fingers, causing Tualla to pull her hand away and break out in nervous laughter.

Garrett laughed too, digging his hand into a leather pouch and produced some raw meat. "She wants some food." He demonstrated how to feed her and let Tualla try.

"You're a natural," Edwin said, startling Tualla. He strode towards them and rubbed the bird's neck. "They're fascinating creatures. They make excellent companions and are skilled hunters. It’s a shame you have to leave on the morrow. I would have liked to have shown you them in action as I understand hunting is something you enjoy?” 

"Yes, I do.”

"Perhaps you would like one of your own?" 

"Really?"

"Garrett will have some fledglings in a few weeks. I'm sure he won't object to you assisting with the training." 

"I would like that very much." 

***

They spent the rest of the day out in the fields, getting to know the people before returning to the great hall for the remainder of the evening. As they ate, Tualla searched the hall for Aedan, but she couldn't see him.

"He's not here," Edwin said, as though he could read her thoughts. "He left late last night."

The look he gave her left her in no doubt that he knew what had happened between them and Tualla’s face flushed, cursing herself for being wreckless and stupid. Had she ruined everything in a moment of weakness? Preparing to apologise and potentially grovel, Tualla looked into Edwin's dark eyes and saw no anger there.

“I suppose we should set a date?” he asked with a hint of amusement.

Tualla exhaled a breath of relief. “The sooner the better, although I’d like some time to say goodbye to my family.”

“Would one month from now be suitable?”

“How about three weeks?”

“Very well. I shall make the arrangements with Padraig.”

Overall, Tualla thought her life would be comfortable and didn’t seem much different from home. Edwin had shown himself to be everything Padraig claimed; strong, logical and forgiving, leaving Tualla confident about her choice.

In three weeks time, she would be the lady of Elnwich.

Author's note-

As always, thanks for reading and if you enjoyed it, please consider voting or leaving a comment. I Love interacting with my readers ❤

I think things are going too smoothly for Tualla... I'll have to see what I can do about that!