Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 57

The next day once a final ravaging of the settlement had been completed to the satisfaction of both parties, we parted ways with Svein, who had plans to head south. We later learned that he had raided Odda the Younger's tribute to Alfred at Cynuit, razing it to the ground. He retrieved as many of Ubba's bones as he could and gave him a proper Danish funeral. Inclusive of burning some monks alive on the pyre. 

Uhtred wanted to sail further North, but Leofric insisted it was time we returned south. Begrudgingly, we listened to him and returned to Uhtred and Mildreth's settlement in Oxton.  The remaining summer was calm, and the harvest bountiful. Mildreth occupied herself with cleaning, the baby, and church. She seemed to have a blind eye towards Uhtred's absence from their home. We spent much of the time in my small cottage tucked away in the woods, and when we weren't there, we were hunting or training.

One day we were down on the homestead tending the fields, when Uhtred's current least favorite person approached. The priest's name was Wirken, and he had the Lady Mildreth's ear. Uhtred grumbled something about the man being a pig before brushing the dirt off his hands and stalking into his hall. I shrugged and resumed weeding.

~~~~~

Back in the safety of my cozy cottage, I prepared my rabbit stew. On cue, Uhtred stomped in. He flopped down and helped himself to some ale. "Have you eaten?" I asked him. He shook his head. I handed him a small bowl of stew. I served myself a slightly larger portion and silently, but heartily ate. Uhtred finished his stew and ale. His mood seeming to have improved. When I had drained the last drop from my bowl I looked at him. "Now, tell me what's got you upset?"

"The Church is collecting on their debt."

"Ah."

"They want to hold a trial about the debt, and the wergild for that pig of a man Oswald's death."

"But you have a plan?"

"I need the silver plate."

"It's where you left it."

"Good," he smiled. "Will you go with me tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"In the meantime," he gently took my hands in his and planted a kiss on the back of them. I had learned months ago to not feel sorry for Mildreth. I suspected she knew what went on when Uhtred was away, and chose to be blind to it. She preferred to find solace in her god, and money thieving church. Her unwavering loyalty and faith was admirable. I couldn't help but wonder if only she applied it to her marriage to Uhtred, then maybe they could've been happy. But it was my fortune she did not. Uhtred interrupted my thoughts as he pressed his forehead against mine. "The gods have blessed me," he whispered.

"Have they?" I whispered back.

"Men accumulate silver, yet, the greatest wealth many spend a lifetime searching for."

"And what's that?"

"Someone to share it with." 

"Did you steal that from Ravn?" I chuckled softly. I felt the good kind of chills run down my spine as Uhtred stroked my cheek. Like pieces to a puzzle, we fit together. 

"Perhaps," he replied, silencing me with his lips. The moon rose high in the sky, and the night owl undoubtedly cried out. But the two of us remained oblivious to the creatures stalking in the night as we laid tightly wrapped in one another's safe embrace.

~~~~~

The next morning we rode to Exanceaster without a word to Mildrith. Uhtred feared that if she knew what he was up to she would've wanted to come and certainly would have made difficult for him to execute his plan. We brought Haesten and eighteen other warriors Uhtred had accumulated and trained over time. Our small party looked battle ready, and we rode into the city with all eyes wearily following us.