Northumbria ✓

18

Is it just me or does he seem really hot here *laughs awkwardly*

She had watched him leave from her window, with Elfreda assuring her he will be alright. Then, later on, Ronja came waddling inside, without permission, even though Arne tried to stop her. But he backed down as soon as he felt Gorm's leering eyes.

Something Aethelthryth did not understand. Did the Vikings not mind a relationship between men. Of course, it happened in her culture too. But behind closed door. This tall Viking flirted with any male that flirted back, openly. The dark-skinned woman asked her if they wanted to have dinner with her. Aethelthryth accepted seeing the woman's lonely look. Elfreda also shily said she would accompany her, but Cyneburga was out again. She much rather enjoyed the tavern these men had set up. Cyneburga drank and fooled around with men. At least that is what Arne told her when she asked. Aethelthryth didn't understand her friends, but she didn't dare to judge.

So that is where she was sitting now, in the empty hall. She could see the contrast, before it was swarming with Vikings, feasting and laughing. Now it was silent, and only five people were sitting at the table, Arne, who was helping Elfreda pull the meat from the bones of the mutton. Both looked at each other shily. She had to admit it was quite adorable.

Obviously, Elfreda was shily gazing at his hands or eyes. Aethelthryth knew that she found him attractive, but she was still unsure if Arne liked men or women. Or maybe he preferred both. Vikings didn't seem to put much thought into who they were humping, as Ubbe said.

Then there was Gorm, she did not hear the man say a word, but he intimidated her. Ubbe told her that Gorm was here to make sure that Ubbe followed the path Irvina wanted, but the male spent too much time following Ronja to know what Ubbe was even up to. Ronja was sitting across her, hand on her belly while the other hand was nervously tapping at the table. Once in a while, she would pick up the dried fruit and dip it in honey. The table was so silent that Aethelthryth kept pushing food into her mouth. She would preferably do that than try to fill the silence.

She felt like it was eternity when Ronja finally opened her mouth. But maybe Aethelthryth would've been happier if she didn't, "When were you going to inform us that the pigheaded Lords had no plan to negotiate?" Aethelthryth dabbed the corners of her mouth. She was nervous that Ronja was going to grab the knife next to her and throw it at her throat. She also knew the woman wouldn't miss.

"I had no idea what their plans were," she calmly answered back. Ronja scoffed before straightening her shoulders, "But you must've suspected?" Aethelthryth did her best to hold Ronja's eyes. She might listen to Ubbe, but she was not going to be intimidated.

She tapped the table, "I had a mild suspicion." Did Ubbe also know that the Lords weren't coming? Was that why he was so troubled when he returned from their meeting. Ronja scoffed, clearly mad that she had lied to her.

"We learned from Lord Ecgberht that the Lords had no plan to join us." Aethelthryth scoffed. Of course, Ecgberht would snitch. The man had nothing better to do than betray his own people. What he thought they would give him, she wasn't sure. "We had to learn from a man thinking with his dick than a woman who one of our own loves." Aethelthryth glared at her words. She wouldn't go as far and say love, but she did understand Ronja's opinion. But Ubbe had to know too, and he did not go after her throat like this woman.

Ronja leaned onto the table, threateningly, "Do you know what else we learned?"

Aethelthryth wanted to tell that she did not want to know. She wanted to know what they were planning to do to her. "That one of you pretty gals are selling information." This time her brows furrowed. Was that idiot Ecgberht throwing her to the wolves? Ronja's finger glided over the edge of the knife. The smirk playing on her lips was dangerous. Elfreda, next to her, gasped at the accusation, and Arne next to her straightened. He shot Aethelthryth a reassuring look, but she was anything but assured.

The pregnant woman giggled before relaxing into her seat, "Relax, it's that brunette that keeps trying to suck Ivar's ass." Aethelthryh's eyes widened. Cyneburga was helping those Lords?! Was that why she pried her way to those men, especially to those who knew English. She made them relax, gave them what they wanted, and they probably talked. Ronja raised a brow as Aethelthryth put the pieces together. Her friend sold their lives. Did she believe that the Lords would save them? Right now, the safest place was with these barbarians.

"I am only giving you time to process that soon her head will be on a spike before the gates." Aethelthryth looked at the table. Cyneburga and her grew side by side since they were hunted by Aelle. Her father, a friend of Aethelthryh's father, took them in. And they grew side by side. Aethelthryth could see the jealousy in her eyes. Everyone always gave her better things. Lately, she wasn't a doting friend either. She spent much time with Ubbe or wallowed in her own confusion, usually about her feelings for the said man. Her heart was heavy with guilt.

Elfreda took her hand, "We understand." Aethelthryth did not understand, but she just nodded. That's why Ubbe didn't tell her anything. Ubbe did not want her to feel sad because of her friend's betrayal. This shouldn't be happening, her father was supposed to easily defeat Aelle, not go against Vikings. They weren't supposed to for years plunder her lands and then come knocking on her door. And she definitely wasn't supposed to go to their side.

The sad silence was broken by crying noises outside. Ronja stood to her feet with a scowl as the roars of men and sword clashing outside was heard. "Probably another scuffle!" Gorm grabbed her elbow making sure to hide her behind her as they both walked towards the window overseeing the yard.

Gorm turned to Ronja with a stone-cold look, "I doubt we had so many men to join such a scuffle." Ronja scoffed and pushed him out of her way. An angry growl left her lips.

Aethelthryth walked to her side, "I guess Egcberht didn't tell you they were planning to attack." Ronja turned to gave her a threatening look. They were, as these pagans said, fucked.