Not Too Late

Another To Protect

Yn's POV

I take my shoes off and walk along the small beach. I sit in the same spot that I pushed Igor's boat out. I watch as the sun slowly starts to go down behind the hills. "Beautiful isn't it?" I jump up and draw my swords quickly ready to take a life. He puts one of his hands up as he is holding himself up with the other. "I'm not here for you, this was purely coincidental" I'm hesitant to withdraw me swords as I could kill him right now. "Will you put them down? I didn't even come here with any men" I look around and don't spot anyone. I take a leap of faith and lower my weapons.

I put them back in their places and plop myself down on the sand. I feel him watching me like a hawk. I scooch over slightly without saying a word. He takes this as an opportunity to sit beside me. "You happy now that you have Kattegat?" "Why are you curious ?" "No just thought I'd make things about you so we don't have to talk about how you're going to kill me" I pull my knees up to my chest and lean my chin on one of them. "And why didn't you leave?" "Oh yea I'm just gonna swim all the way to Igor?" I scoff and roll my eyes. "I'm happy I won" "at least that's something"

I side glance him to see him smiling. "You have two choices King Ivar, let me leave or kill me. Either one would be good for me" "How so?" I turn my head and look him up and down. He watches as I scan him from head to toe. I shake my head and look away from him. "It doesn't matter" I stand up but he grabs my ankle. "It matters if it bothers you" I lean down and pry off his fingers. "I'm an object, Ivar. Whatever I feel doesn't matter so I don't acknowledge it" We make eye contact. His piercing blue eyes seem to look right through me. I gulp hard and walk away. "I hope to see you again Yn, hopefully in the near future we'll be doing business and not trying to kill each other" I scoff at the statement. "I will always be trying to kill Vikings and you could never change my mind"

*

Night falls and I crouch behind a barrel of hay. I've been waiting here for about an hour now waiting for the warriors to move away from the docks with their torches. They wonder along the sandbank before moving further away from the boats. I quietly go up to the docks only to find King Harald snooping around the boats. I sneak up on him and use the end of my knife to knock him unconscious. I roll him into one of the boats before I grab the one furthest away from the sand bank. I load my belongings onto the boat and start rowing off. I see the torches come closer so I row faster. By the time they reach the end of the dock I'm already on my way.

*

I stand in the throne room as Alfred walks out. "You're back" "wheres-" "Yn!" Judith comes running towards me and I open my arms to her. We embrace each other before she kisses me on the cheek. She steps back and looks me over. "You look well, which is a first" "considering I just came out of a war, that's a first" She hugs me once more. "We're having supper you must join us" I simply nod my head and she drags me to the dining table. She places me at the end of the table opposite of Alfred. There's a woman sitting near Alfred that I don't recognize. Alfred must notice as he introduces her.

"This is my wife Elsewith, Elsewith this is Yn the famous warrior I had mentioned" She looks me up and down. "You look young to be the most famous killer in all the lands" "you're telling me" I laugh and Elsewith smiles. Alfred stands up and looks directly at me. "I would like to apologize for my behavior on your last visit. I did take your kindness for granted and i have had time to reflect on my actions" "you are forgiven King Alfred" Maybe. "So how long have you known Alfred and Judith?" "Hard to say but when did you two get hitched?"

"It was quickly done since we have an heir on the way" Elsewith holds a hand over her stomach. The food is set down onto the table in front of me but I still look at Elsewith's stomach. "We were thinking of making you the godmother" I swing my head towards Alfred. "What's a godmother?" "So if Elsewith, Judith and myself died you would be responsible for our child" I look down at my plate of food. Me? And a child? "I've heard you're the best in person to keep someone safe" I look at Elsewith. I don't say a word and just stare at the thing in her stomach. The thing that possibly could be my responsibility one day. Could I protect it if it was handed to me?.

I stand up and take a deep breath."you guys won't die before your child is grown fully so it won't come to me looking after him. Now if you excuse me I need to breathe" I head out to the spare room. I place my bag under the bed and then head for the balcony. I stare up at the night sky. I don't know whether the gods are punishing me or giving me a gift in being a godmother to that child. Alfred stands beside me and watches the stars with me. "You don't like the idea of being a godmother?" I just shrug my shoulders. "I don't know, I've always been on my own. I just hope I have the freedom I want when or if that day comes but your child will be safe either way" "I know that's why we want you to look after it"

I turn my back on the night sky and lean against the railing. "Say goodnight to Judith and Elsewith for me will you?" He nods his head and I lead him out the door. I shut it behind him and head to my bed before drifting off to sleep.