Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 34

"What did he want?" I asked, handing a sitting Uhtred a cup of ale.

"My service," he replied, taking a long gulp.

"Meaning?" I looked at him questioningly, my arms crossed across my chest.

Uhtred stared into his cup, not meeting my gaze. "He wants to me to work for him for a year. A year's service."

I furrowed my brow at him. "What do you get from this deal?"

"Bebbanburg."

"So, you have to kill Danes for a year and then Alfred will deliver you Bebbanburg?"

Uhtred silently half nodded, his eyes still avoiding mine. "Well, train the men of Wessex how to fight the Danes."

"Train them to kill Danes or kill Danes yourself, doesn't seem there's much of a difference to me. In the end you're still killing Danes," I huffed.

"You don't have to stay," Uhtred said, his voice steely cold.

I glanced at him as he drank more ale. Knocking back the pang of rejection I felt in my heart. "Did you promise Alfred a year?"

"Go back to the Danes Tara, it's not too late for you."

"Did you swear a year's service to Alfred?" I demanded.

Uhtred looked at me and his face said it all, he had. I sighed and felt my shoulder's drop as I sat next to him. He peered at me, patiently and perhaps wisely, waiting for me to speak first. After a bit of thinking I knew there was no longer any other way. Uhtred had sealed both our fates, now I would just have to learn to live with it and pray to the gods that we both make it out alive at the end. "So, when do we start?" I broke the silence. Uhtred turned to look at me. His eyes shroud in confusion. I smiled slightly at him. "Where you go, I go, remember?"

Without warning Uhtred pulled me into a tight hug. I felt the weight of his head rest on top of mine. My ear was pressed against his chest and I could hear his heart beat a soothing rhythmic sound. He began to speak and though I could not see his face, I heard the tears in his voice as he thanked me. A surge of something swelled in my own chest. Relief? No, something else much more frightening that I did not wish to consider. I playfully shoved Uhtred off me. "Don't go all soft on me now," I grinned.

He smiled at me with a new glint in his eyes. I felt my heart flutter and was relieved to see a furious Brida storming over to us. "WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME BEHIND?" She yelled at Uhtred, taking a swing at his jaw. I held back a chuckle as her fist met his jaw. Uhtred looked stunned but was quick to grab ahold of the second fist. He held on tight to Brida who was flailing wildly to break free. A slew of curses came flying out of her mouth and nearby spectators watched in both fear and amusement.

"You know that temper of yours is going to get you into big trouble one day," I teased her. I really knew I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help myself. I watched her break free of Uhtred's grip, though I could've sworn I saw him smile and release her, and turn her fury on me. I felt the ground hit my back and rolled out of the way as her foot came crashing downward. I quickly glanced at where my head had been and laughed. Brida looked down at me, confused, giving me enough time to sweep my legs under hers, causing her to fall backwards. Quick as a fox slaughtering its prey, I pounced upon her and sat on her chest as she kicked and screamed. I felt her nails claw my face. "Dammit Brida," I shouted, grabbing hold of her hands and pinning them against my side. I tightened my grip around her torso with my thighs and held on tight as she tried to buck and roll me off her.

After a bit she calmed, or tired, whatever the case she stopped. "If you're quite done, then I shall let go of you now," I smiled at her. She glared back at me but nodded her head. I let her go and was making to stand when she launched herself around my waist and threw us backwards. Uhtred laughed and I felt irritation rising in my chest.