Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 41

I awoke lazily, and somewhat unaware of my surroundings. The trees, the soft sunrise, a new day beginning. I felt a strange sense of safety and the ground felt unusually comfortable. The ground. I opened my eyes wider and realized that my head was not on the ground as it normally was when I woke. I fought a small smile and kept my giggle stifled. I felt foolish, yet simultaneously didn't care. I rolled away slightly and rested my head on my arm as I stared at a peacefully sleeping Uhtred. I watched his chest rise and fall as he breathed steadily. I couldn't help but smile, remembering the events of the night before.

Heads pressed together. Breathe mingling. Uhtred's arms wrapping themselves gently, yet tightly around me, pulling me ever closer. His whispers caressing my ear. His lips pressed against mine. I closed my eyes and fell back into the pure few hours of bliss before we both drifted off to sleep, my head nestled in his shoulder, and his arms wrapped protectively around me. 

"What are you thinking about?"

My eyes snapped open and I felt my face reddening. "Nothing," I protested too quickly.

Uhtred raised his eyebrow at me and smirked. "Nothing?"

"You should get back, it's almost dawn," I tried changing the subject.

"Mmm..." he replied lazily.

I watched him stretch his arms over his head as he continued to stare at me. I suddenly was aware of the state of my appearance and could feel my face growing ever redder. Dammit. I hid beneath the thick fur blanket pondered how to escape. I didn't have much time to devise a plan for I felt Uhtred's arms tugging me back towards him. I kept my back to him and nuzzled my chin on his forearm which laid across my chest. His warm breath on the back of my neck sent tingles through my body and I attempted to turn my head to look up at him. 

"I want to stay here," he said gently.

"You can't."

"Why not?"

"Leofric will come looking for you if you don't return."

"Let him."

"Uhtred," I playfully grumbled.

"Hmm?" he responded, his head nuzzled in my hair. "You smell nice."

I couldn't help but snigger at this for known only to me, it had been a few months since I last took a bath. The icy winter river was too cold for my liking.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"Nothing," I replied, still smiling.

"I like it when you smile," he said, surprising me.

I frowned at him. He chuckled and bopped my nose with his finger. I nuzzled my head deeper into his neck and he planted a quick kiss on my lips. I felt him stir and begin to sit up. I followed suit. Uhtred stretched once more before searching for his clothes. I silently watched him and wondered what would happen now. There was the slight issue of his being married to Mildrith, and of course the overshadowing presence of Alfred lingering in the background. I highly doubted Alfred would approve of Uhtred's actions, but then again, based on the stories I'd heard about him, the supposedly godly good king would prove to be a bit of a hypocrite if he commented on the matter.

Uhtred smiled at me and bent back down to plant a kiss on my forehead. I smiled back at him and felt my heart sink slightly as I watched him walk off and back towards the homestead. His homestead. I laid beneath the furs for a while longer, pondering things before deciding to get up and find something useful to do.

~~~~~

The day dragged on and I for the first time in the eight months we'd be living here, I felt lonely in my seclusion in the woods. I was warming my food when I heard men shouting in the distance. I quickly stamped out my small fire and drew my sword. I crept towards the sound and found myself standing on a hill looking over a valley through which crossed a long line of Danes. 

I squinted, trying to see if I recognized anyone, but didn't. They marched through as though I wasn't there. A chill crept over me, as I slowly realized they weren't supposed to be here. They had come for war.

I took my best guess at how many of them there were and took off towards the homestead. I arrived to find everyone in blissful ignorance of the Danes crossing the lower lands. I spotted Leofric standing outside the hall. 

"Long time no see," he chuckled gruffly at me.

"Where's Uhtred?"

"Inside," he replied, sobering from the seriousness of my tone.

I didn't wait for an invitation and barged straight into the hall. Uhtred was seating at the table eating his supper with Mildrith. I avoided her eyes and relayed to Uhtred what I'd seen. His face grew grim and he ordered for the horses to be brought. Despite Mildrith's protests Uhtred, Leofric, and I rode off to the top of the valley to scout the incoming Danes. 

"The never ending line of Danes march," Uhtred commented as we watched from our vantage point.

"I don't recognize them. They bear no markings of their master," I replied.

"Hmm,"  Uhtred thought. "Leofric, what lays in that direction?"

"The fortress Werham."

"They'll easily take the fortress," I commented.

"Indeed," Uhtred agreed, his brow furrowed.

"How many do you see?" Leofric asked.

"The question is how many will follow," Uhtred replied.

"All," I replied.

"All?" Uhtred seemed amused.

"They're starving for food, blood, war," I responded.

"Aye," Uhtred agreed. "Leofric, everyone at the homestead should go to the hills."

"Yes arseling," Leofric replied, understanding what he was tasked to do.

Uhtred waited until he was out of earshot before looking at me. "War is upon us. You'll have to decide which side you fight for."

Without blinking I replied, "I fight with you."

Uhtred nodded his head solemnly. "So be it."

We continued in silence to watch the as Uhtred had described them, never ending line of marching Danes. After a while Uhtred decided we should get back to the homestead and then to Winchester to warn Alfred and the lords there of the impending battle.

"What about Mildrith?" I asked as we rode back.

"She comes to Winchester with us. It'll be safer for her there," he replied calmly.

"Aye," I agreed, trying to figure out where he was.

Uhtred caught me eyeing him. "What?"

"You seem distant. Lost in thought," I replied.

"I can't help but worry, what if it's Ragnar I face on the battlefield," he replied, his honesty taking me by surprise.  He halted his horse. "It was easier when it was Ubba or Guthrum wanting me dead. But Ragnar's different."

My heart ached for him. I bit my lip slightly while I gathered my thoughts. I placed my hand on his and he looked at me. "You're brothers. I do not think you'd kill him, nor he you."

"Brothers have killed one another before."

I smiled slightly at him. "You'll know what's right when the time comes. Follow your instinct."

He smiled back, though I could tell this conflict still weighed heavily on his mind. I decided then that if it came to it, I'd fight Ragnar so Uhtred didn't have to. Sure, he'd probably hate me for life, but at least he wouldn't have to live with the guilty conscious of having killed his brother.