A Lily From The Ashes

A Lily in the Dark

She was carried along by the crowds, showing their respect for the passed Monarch. Not much said but sobs were loud. Many feared for the future of the kingdom as the neighboring king, her baby brother had claimed the throne for himself. In a far corner a cloaked figure was leaning against the bearings of a house to hold itself from collapsing from the grief. Looking through the crowds to decode the reactions of the various witnesses. Only to catch the comforting eyes of a young man standing near the heartbroken Lord Uthred. She quickly wiped away the tears making their way down her chin as she turned around to leave the town. Hoping the eye contact was just in her head, he should not know of her survival. As hard as it was to leave behind the people she loved most it was just easier if they thought her dead. If they knew of the things she had suffered they would look at her with pitiful eyes. Making her way down the small roads of the village she bumped into the shoulder of a rather built pagan man, sending her bum first into the dusty road. She quickly recognized him as another of Lord Uthreds men. They both quickly started apologizing to the other for the collision. He extended his arm down towards the young girl, to help pull her back onto her feet. He didn't look as heartless and dangerous as the rumors make him out to, she thought as she was staring into his big brown eyes, slightly reminding her of the kettle her grandparents were raising. She was quickly brought out of her daydream as she heard a familiar voice yelling "Sihtric!" from somewhere around the corner. She took the opportunity when the warrior turned his head, to disappear down a small alleyway nearby. Ducking behind some barrels.

"What are you standing around out here for, Finian wants to stop by the alehouse."

"I was just..." You could hear him trail off. "Never mind, let's go."

After waiting to make sure they would be far away she hurried to the guesthouse and boarded the door to keep out any unwanted visitors. After some thorough thoughts she came to the conclusion she could not stay any longer. The men hired to bring her back to her so-called owner would most likely come looking soon. Not to mention The chance of running into Osferth was too big, judging from the look of love for Aetelfled she had felt from Uthreds eyes at the ceremony, the gang would most likely be staying in town for a while. She started gathering her few belongings and slung them into the small backpack. Making her way out into the now dark streets most people were either inside eating or at the different ale-houses. She made her way to the one she had heard Uthreds men frequented when they were in town. Sneaking a last look at her brother, he seemed happy and content. Smiling at what an outstanding man her previous weak and frail brother had become. She didn't notice that she too had caught the eyes of a curious soul within the loud and rowdy ale-house. She closed her eyes holding back tears and in her mind apologized for making him think he was alone. But seeing him laugh among friends it was clear to her it was for the best. She stepped back from the window and headed for the gate. Not yet knowing where she would go, but for now she would just head out into the woods and she would find a village and acquire a horse for the long journey. Suddenly the feeling of watching eyes hit her and she looked around not seeing anyone, maybe it was just her paranoia. She picked up her pace searching for a place to sleep for the night. Suddenly she heard a branch snap, she was not alone. She slowly grabbed a hold of a small knife hidden under her sleeve and listened for another clue as to where her threat was located. Quickly sending the small blade flying towards the perpetrator as she turned around only to see it fly straight into a tree, nobody in sight. Pulling out another knife from the opposite sleeve to ready herself. This time the sound of crunching leaves came from her back, before she could react she felt the cold edge of a sword at the side of her neck. "Drop the knife." She slowly pulled her hand out of her sleeve. Raising her hands above her head, to show they were empty. Her eyes traveled from the edge of the steel and up the blade all the way to the eyes of Sihtric. Somewhat relieved it was not one of your hunters. She felt the blade slightly loosen as their eyes met, and she slowly dropped to her knees to surrender.

"Lily." a low voice let out, yet clearly heard in the dead of night.

Both of your heads snapped towards the approaching figure.

"You know her?" He questioned the baby monk who was slowly making his way towards them.

"My baby sister, Lilith." He informed as he fell to his knees in front of her. "It can't be, you're dead. They showed me your grave." Eyes started filling his eyes.

Sihtric removed his sword from her neck, and stepped back from the sobbing siblings.

"How? Why?" he started asking his emotions, going crazy, not believing she was right in front of him.

"It was just..." She began, his hands moving up to touch her face to confirm she was real. "It was better that way."

"Look at you, you're all grown up now." She gushed as her hands made their way to cherish his face.

"Speak for yourself," he laughed at her. "You're a lady."

"I hate to interrupt but we should probably make our way back inside the city walls. It's not safe out here." Sihtric Spoke handed her the blade he had retrieved while they had been bawling their eyes out on the forest floor.

He held out his arm to pull her up from the ground yet again, as he had done earlier in the day. "I can't, I have to leave." She informed the men, just as they took the first step towards the city, assuming she would follow.

Osferth turned back to look at her "What no, you're not leaving it's not safe for you to travel alone at night." he belted at her. "I just got you back. I'm not letting you out of my sight again."

"Ossy." she sighed at him. raising her free hand to unravel his fingers holding onto her arm. "It's for the better, You're doing fine. Look at you, you're a great warrior just like Uncle. You don't have to worry about me, just think of me as dead." At a loss for words he just stared as she turned around lifting her hood back up to hide her sorrow. She walked away from the men. OSferth was about to go after her but was stopped by Sithrics arm, he was about to tell him off but was stopped by Sithric raising his hand to motion for the young man to stay in his place and keep quiet. Handing him his sword and ax to make for a better stealth mission. As the dane silently made his way around in a half circle not leaving her out of his sight as he looked for a chance to spring on her. When he saw an opening he ran to tackle her to the ground. Straddling her and with one hand holding her hands together while the other started loosening her belt from around her waist. "My apologies, m'lady. I mean no harm." Not far away Osferth was standing listening to some kind of signal from his friend. He heard some rustling from dry leaves and shortly after he heard his sister yelling."What do you think you're doing, unhand me right now." He ran towards the commotion and by the time he had reached them. He was met by playfully smirking Sihtric holding and a baffled Lilith tied up sitting against a tree, her hair messy and filled with leaves. "Hand me your belt." Sihtric ordered.

Osferth hesitantly started to unbuckle his belt. "She's not a prisoner." he quietly said as he handed him the belt.

"Should I untie her, and send her running into the forest, then?" He asked and started untying the knot around her legs he had just finished.

"No!" he quickly answered, stopping him.

Sihtric got up and dusted himself off, looking proudly down at his prey. "Now all we need is a big branch and an apple," he said smugly.

"You are not carrying me like some wild hog!" she yelled at them. in defeat.

"You're right, that would definitely get some questions at the gate. Sack of grains it is." he said as he leaned down and effortlessly threw her over his shoulder, and started the journey back to town. "My bag!" Lily called out to her brother and he quickly turned around and grabbed the bag that had been thrown to the side, during the apprehension. "You do realize this is a kidnapping right." She tried to guilt her brother as he was pulling out debris from her hair. Noticing him turn soft, Sihtric stated. "Don't try to sweet talk him, I, Sightric Kjartansson is your captor. I, alone. He is just an innocent bystander who happened to be your brother and couldn't fight me off." Taking responsibility and assuring Osferth he would not be punished for withholding his sister against her will. Not that anyone would dare act drastically in a matter involving Uhtred men.

Tired of fighting it, Lily raised her head to see Osferth smiling at her. Deep down she was happy she could spend time with her brother. She was however unsure if it was really okay for her to stay longer in Aegelesburg. Putting their lives in danger.