A Saint To A Sinner

2.11

Y/N sat crossed legged. Her head laid tiredly against Sihtrics shoulder, as they waited for the negotiations to start.
"There will be a fight." Y/N played with the rings on Sihtrics fingers.
"You are right. Ragnar has always waged a war." Sihtric kissed the top of her head, fearing what would arise next.
"Then what do we do?" Y/N asked, looking up at him. "We can not make Uhtred choose between his brother and Ragnar." Sihtric looked at her. His eyes scanning her face, looking for an answer.
"Uhtred has children in Wessex. A family." Sihtric thought. "But he won't be convinced." Y/N sat up, an idea that came to her head, but she needed Finans advice.
"What are you thinking about?" Sihtric watched her.
"They are warriors. Good warriors?" Sihtric nodded, waiting for her answer. "Are they no better than Kjartan. I know you do not wish to hear his name, but..." Y/N's voice trailed off, looking at her carefully.
"You are right. They are no better. Which means they will want something."
"Lord Uhtred wants us in the hall." Finan called the two. Pulling them out of their discussion.
"Say nothing until we are alone." Sihtric whispered as they walked into the hall.

The hall was filled with Danes. Warriors. Each reminding her of Kjartans men. The way they chose loyalty as a facade before they took the power they wanted. And each bargained their worth. Claiming their right to leadership as they wished to become united. To slay Wessex and then, will they turn on each other.
"Together, we will attack Mercia, and we will attack Wessex. And we kill Alfred, " Haesten said as he proposed his strategy. "I find the pretty Athelflaed, and we all take our turn with her." Y/N couldn't help but cringe at his words. He lacked entertainment skills. Always reverting to humping a woman. Sihtric seemed to notice her discomfort and squeezed her leg in reassurance.
"Shall I be Leader. I killed the curse." Y/N whispered to Sihtric, who smirked at her. Her humour was finding its way back.
"You need some more victories first." Sihtric whispered in her ear.
"I will have. When they turn on each other." Sihtric sighed. Knowing she was right. They would turn on each other, and they would stab each other in the back.
"My sword is my brothers, no doubt." Uhtred said, handing his sword and his men over to Ragnar. The two looked at each other, knowing what that meant for them.

Sihtrics' face tightened as he looked at Finan. The three of them needed to talk. Y/N had only just recovered and could not go straight into battle. Whereas Sihtric did not wish to go to Battle either. He wished to return to Wessex with his wife and settle down with her. In reality, Sihtric was scared of losing her for good this time.
"We can not go against the men of Wessex." Osferth spoke up. Suggesting what they all thought.
"Be quiet, now." Finan clenched his cup of ale, refusing to look at his wife as he tried to think of a plan.
"They are our people. Finan, our friends."
"Osferth, be quiet." Finan growled, turning himself around to face Uhtred.
"He has a point." Y/N muttered, causing Finan to turn around and glare at her.
"Not another word. From any of you." Finan silenced them. He did not wish to fight, but he needed to make Uhtred see sense.
"Sihtric?"
"What did I say?" Finan said, looking at her.
"Do not snap at me." Y/N pointed at him. "I was asking him to go for a piss."

Shaking her head, she got up, leaving Finan inside. Sihtric and Osferth followed her out. Not wishing to be in the presence of the Danes.
"What do we do?" Osferth asked again.
"We do nothing. We say nothing until we speak to Finan on his own." Sihtric said, crossing his arms. Watching his wife whine before placing her head on his chest.
"I am so tired." Sihtric stroked he hair. Her and Osferth had not been asleep, and the sun was coming up.
"Come. Let us rest." Sihtric headed to the room they were saying in. "And you." Osferth followed awkwardly behind them.
"Let Osferth sleep on the bed." Y/N said as she rubbed her eyes.
"Y/N. I can sleep on the floor." Y/N shook her head. "I will sleep on Siht." Osferth accepted the answer, getting under the fur. While Y/N sat in between Sihtric's legs, pulling his cloak over them, as she buried her head in his neck. Trying to go to sleep.