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

Chapter 8

Nadia

As instructed, Sihtric, Finan, and Osferth were waiting for me at the spring door. I handed them bread and ale. We sat by the small spring and basked in the shade of the wall. I knew the three had many questions, but they were famished and happily stuffed their faces with the bread and ale. I waited for them to finish.

"Thank you, lady," Osferth thanked me. Sihtric and Finan nodded in agreement.

"Why all this secrecy?" Finan asked.

"You have other guests that we probably wouldn't be welcomed by," Sihtric chimed in.

"Aye. Cnut and Earl Haesten are here," I answered.

"Thought as much," Sihtric replied.

"Oh?"

"After the battle of Holme, they were unaccounted for. We knew they fled north, figured it was to you."

"Cnut probably thought he had a lordship to claim," Finan scoffed.

"You don't like Cnut?" I asked, curious.

"No. Though with the exception of you and Uhtred, I don't like any Danes." I chuckled at his response. He grinned.

"I don't suppose you can tell us what they are up to lady?" Osferth asked.

"Drinking, eating, humping," I replied, smiling, though indicating I would not betray whatever plans were being hatched.

"It's alright. We've put you in a bad position, we apologize," Finan cut in.

"You three are always welcome here. And Uhtred too of course."

"Thank ye kindly."

"Please rest a while. I am having beds made up in the kitchen for you. Sorry we can't be more hospitable at the moment."

"You've done plenty lady. We are grateful to you," Finan replied.

I stood to go but turned on my heel. "How is Uhtred?" I asked, unable to help myself.

"He is well. He spends time with his children, he farms the land," Finan answered.

"And he's ready to take back Bebbanburg," Osferth added.

"Is he happy?"

The three of them exchanged glances and nodded. "Quite happy," Sihtric laughed.

"What?"

"The Lady Aethelflaed shares his bed some nights," Sihtric responded.

"Sihtric!" Finan scolded him.

"I see," I bit my lip and let out a small chuckle. "Well, I am glad he is happy. And the Lady Aethelflaed? She is well also?"

"Yes lady."

"And her son?"

"She is well too," Finan chuckled and exchanged glances with the other two.

"She?"

"Aye, the Lady had a little girl."

"I thought... well, never mind that. Good. I am glad," I smiled, thinking happily that my secret niece was in good hands and Aethelflaed's husband had yet to discover the truth.

"Well, I will leave you three. Promise me you will stay out of trouble?" They promised me they would, and I told them I'd be back to check on them later. I left the kitchens and as I turned back into the hall ran into Earl Haestan.

"Good morning, Lord Haesten."

"Lady," he grumbled at me.

"Can I have something brought for you?"