Always Be By My Side - Sequel to Always Return to Me (The Last Kingdom Fan Fic)

Chapter 4

Nadia

As I nearly tumbled down the stairs in my hurry to get down into the hall, I saw that the tables had been set, piles of food brought, and pitchers of ale were in abundance. I quickly gave the last few orders to the cooks and servers and joined Cnut at the head table.

"Where's Heasten?" I asked him, as I took my seat.

"With his men. I think you intimidate him lady," Cnut chuckled.

"Me?" I smiled.

"I hope you do not take offense, but my lady said she had a surprise for this evening?" Cnut did not hold back.

"I do, but you'll have to wait a bit longer. It's coming."

"Then wait I shall," Cnut raised his glass to me and drank.

"Feasts are meant for victories, not losses," Heasten muttered as he slammed himself and his ale down at the table.

"If my lord would prefer eating outside, he may," I replied calmly.

"No need lady," Heasten recanted. "May I ask though what we feast for?"

"We feast for those who are now in Valhalla, and we feast for our friends who still live," Ragnar's voice sounded from behind me.

I turned to look over my shoulder at him dressed in his lightweight leather and fur collared cape. He'd pulled his hair back into a ponytail and tidied the two braids in his beard. He looked, magnificent.

The room went quiet as people stared in shock at his appearance. "Do my eyes deceive me?" Cnut asked, his jaw slack.

"They do not my cousin. It is really me," Ragnar replied, embracing Cnut.

"What dark magic is this?" Heasten asked, his eyes wide, his body still glued to his seat.

"No magic. I was left for dead, but unknown to you all, still had breath in me." Ragnar looked over the stunned faces in the room. He picked up a cup of ale and hailed it to everyone in the room as he spoke. "Brothers, honored guests, mighty warriors, you have fought hard. You were not victorious, but you fought. You shed blood. You proved to the Saxons that we will not yield!" Some cheer erupted at this. "We will rest, we will train, and we will rise again!" This time more cheers erupted, and men began thumping the table with their glasses. Ragnar toasted them all once more and insisted everyone feast and drink merrily in honor of the fallen who now feast in Valhalla. "And tomorrow we rebuild!"

I stared in awe at my dear Ragnar. I had almost forgotten what a strong presence he held when he walked into a room. Though he be gentle and kind at heart, there is a force to be reckoned with behind his soft brown eyes.

Cheers, singing, banging, and joy began to fill the hall. A new life was born from Ragnar's words, a new hope. The hall felt warm once more and I felt myself relax some. Ragnar sat down beside me, and I smiled at him. He smiled back and began chatting with Cnut who wanted to know everything. "You told me you had a surprise lady, I can tell you I wasn't expecting this," he grinned, his face still reeling with shock.

"Aye cousin. My wife nursed me from the brink of death to good health."

"You are lucky to have a woman like her," Cnut smiled.

"That I am," Ragnar laughed heartily. "That I am. We should find you a woman cousin."

"I have a woman cousin," Cnut replied.

"Why have we never heard of her?" I laughed.

"She is, how do you say it," Cnut struggled to find words.