Through life comes death. Through war comes heartache and destruction. The gods work in mysterious ways and it is up to you to follow the path they have laid for you, but you don't always have to do it alone.
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All the way to where Ivar had decided we were to fight Æthelwulf I could see Hvitserk and Ubbe watching me out of the corner of my eye. Their constant watch was beginning to annoy me but I tried not to focus on it as we trudged through the mud towards Wessex. We were coming up to Repton, another cesspit in England much like Wessex, when Ivar spoke with Bjorn about changing our path towards a new battlefield scattered amongst the trees. Ivar took Floki and some of the army. I began to feel nervous, my mind tracked back to Benji. I hadn't seen him since I left and I knew he was going to pledge his allegiance to Ecbert. There was the possibility I would meet him on the battlefield and that scared me the most. I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn't notice Æthelwulf's army in the distance. It wasn't until Hvitserk stopped me that I realised, I turned to face him offering a silent thank you as he smiled at me, his hazel eyes made me forget what was happening for a brief moment. I watched from the bushes as Æthelwulf and his men walked past, grabbing my arrow I readied it drawing it back. At the signal I released hitting my target, running back through the forest we hid from the army as horns from Ivar and the rest of the army could be heard. I watched as the Saxon army moved towards Ivar, peering from the trees I watched their confusion as they watched Ivar leave. I could see the Saxon army stop as I watched with suspense, they turned and headed towards where our boats were. I smirked knowing Ivar had already thought about this, "Let's go!" Bjorn commanded as we all headed towards the boats and met up with Ivar and the rest of the army ambushing Æthelwulf and his army.
The Saxons came full force as Bjorn called for a shield wall, something I had yet to understand, standing behind I watched as the vikings stood strong. Hvitserk and Sigurd were yelling with such passion, Ivar was in his chariot encouraging the great heathen army. Fighting between both armies ensued and blood drenched the battle field. I cut down so many Saxon soldiers, my arms were getting heavy and sweat was pooling in my armour. My furs were weighing me down so I lost them in the process of fighting off a Saxon soldier. He was young, around the same age as me, but that didn't stop me. It was either him or me and my survival instincts kicked in, ducking from each of his hit I quickly stepped up cutting his stomach. He fell to the ground and his helmet slipped off of his head, I glanced down and stared in shock. It was Gale. It was almost as if time stood still in that moment, he was so young and had his whole life ahead of him and I had killed him. I collapsed to the ground and sat trying to recollect my emotions but it was hard and I struggled.
"Arini!" Looking up at that voice, the voice I hadn't heard for months, that voice I hadn't heard since I left Wessex. I searched and searched for the source and there he was, standing in the thick of it. I got up and I ran, ran as fast as I could. "Benji!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as he turned his head to look at me. Tears of joy began streaming down my face, I was so happy to see my brother. It felt like time slowed as I saw the viking behind him with his raised sword, "NO!" I yelled as loud as I could with wide eyes. Time picked back up as I grabbed my axe throwing it at the viking, it made it's way to the vikings chest but it wasn't fast enough. Running towards Benji I caught him just as he was about to fall, blood covering the both of us. "Arini," Benji choked as he lay on my lap, "I've missed you sister, I told you we would be reunited," He smiled while I couldn't help but cry. "You need to stay strong, I will look after you," I cried as I watched Benji struggle. I placed pressure on his wound and looked around as I watched Æthelwulf retreat, anxiously I searched to see if anyone else I knew had survived. I could see Ivar with Hvitserk and Ubbe in the distance, "Ivar!" I tried gaining his attention as all three brothers looked towards me. "Arini, are you okay?" Ubbe questioned looking down towards Benji lying in my arms. "Who's this?" He added on. "I need help! It's my brother Benji, he's hurt!" I couldn't help but cry hearing Benji groan in my arms. Hvitserk and Ubbe make quick work of grabbing Benji and putting him onto Ivar's chariot, "take him back and get the healers to tend to his wounds then we will head to Wessex," Ubbe said giving Ivar brief instructions. "I want to go with him," I said trying to get onto Ivar's chariot before I am stopped by Ubbe. "He needs to rest and you need to help us when we get to Wessex. The healers will look after him, I promise you," Ubbe tried to reassure me. My eyes move from Ubbe back to Benji and then to Ivar. Ivar nods and takes Benji away with him, I am nervous to say the least but for some reason I trust these brothers with my life.
Taking a deep breath I turn back around and follow Hvitserk and Ubbe to meet up with Sigurd and Bjorn. We made our way towards Wessex, the vikings began raiding the place, ransacking everything. No one could be seen, it was clear Æthelwulf had fled. "Bjorn! In here!" Hvitserk yelled as we all followed. Bishop Edmund was dead on the floor, no doubt by the hands of Hvitserk, and Ecbert was whimpering in the corner. I locked eyes with Ecbert seeing how reduced he was in this state, far from the great King he was when I left. Ivar had finally arrived seeing Ecbert alive he was furious, "he should die by blood eagle!" Ivar demanded but Bjorn had other plans. Pulling everyone to the side they began talking in hushed voices, I was too fixated on the man in front of me. The man I used to fear who was now almost pleading for his life, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him although this was all is own doing. The brothers are still discussing things when Ecbert piped up, "I will sign over East Anglia if you agree to let me choose my own death," he asks trying to keep what little dignity he has left. Watching the brothers take in the offer they all begin to argue, I rolled my eyes at their childish bickering. Bjorn, being the oldest, had the final say and agreed to Ecbert's terms. I am curious as to why Ecbert was so eager to sign East Anglia over and something didn't sit right however this is the brothers choice not mine. So it is settled, Ecbert begins signing over East Anglia, my mind drifts back to the events of today and my heart hurts. "Ivar, how is my brother?" I ask in a hushed tone, although Ivar is annoyed at his brothers he still offers me a sympathetic response, "he was in a bad way when we arrived but the best healers are working on him to make sure he is okay. They will be travelling in a day and you will be able to see him," he smiles putting my nerves to rest.
The brother were deep in discussion again when I decided to head down the halls, Wessex had not changed in the time I had been away although the rooms were a mess due to the rush of the Saxons fleeing. I came to the same door I used to see everyday, the one I would share with the other girls when I was working for the King. Slowly opening the door I couldn't help but silently weep, stepping in bed sheets and pillows were discarded all over the place. Forgotten belongings offering reminders of memories and people I hold dear to my heart, more specifically Elizabeth. I wondered where on this Earth she was, was she still alive, was she okay. Questions I couldn't help but ponder on in the deafening silence surrounding me. The sunlight shone through the tiny window on the southern wall filling me with hope and calmness. I felt like an outsider yet again in this place, I was English having grown up learning about Christ. I was now fighting along side the great Heathen army, tearing down the place I had first belonged. The Vikings were people who made me feel alive but I had yet to fully learn about who they were. Who was I and where did I fit? This question was the strongest of them all and the one I could not answer yet, and I wasn't sure I would ever be able to answer it. That didn't matter right now, what did was surviving and making sure Benji was okay. "Arini, there is a feast to celebrate the win we have had. I would love for you to join us," Hvitserk stole me away from my thoughts. Turning around I lost myself in his hazel eyes, a genuine smile graced my face, "Of course Hvitserk," I agreed. We stood there staring at each other, he radiated a sense of safety, I felt as long as I was near him I would be protected, lost in this moment I hadn't realised the space dwindling between us. He had managed to close the gap between us before I had fully noticed, it wasn't until his hands found my waist that I truly grasped how close we were but I didn't mind. Staring into eyes much like an autumn forest, they were beautiful. My blue eyes flickered down to his plump lips as I gulp at the thought of kissing him. Hvitserk must have had the same idea because in one small moment his lips were placed gently on mine. I melted into him, it felt right. Breaking apart I smiled at him while his right hand caressed mu face, "where did you learn to kiss like that?" He quizzed. The comment made me laugh remembering Margrethe had said the same thing. "We should head to the feast," I say avoiding his question. Hvitserk raised his brow but nodded as I began following behind, time to celebrate the great success of the Great Heathen army.
