A Saint To A Sinner

2.12

The following morning, Y/N got up to help Thyra and Father Beocca pack their things, as they were to return to Winchester.
"How does he still manage to sleep through all this?" Father Beocca asked, looking at Finan, who was still asleep in the tent.
"He needs the rest. He has been through a lot." Y/N said, as she handed their bags to Sihtric, who helped tie it to their horses. Y/N walked over to Finans horse, handing it some food, before she climbed up onto the horse.
"You have gotten better." Sihtric laughed, watching her climb onto Finan's horse. Y/N nodded as she kicked the horse, moving it around Sihtric playfully.
"Finan!" Uhtred shouted. Y/N watched from the horse as Finan stirred. A confused look on his face, as he looked around him. "We ride now, Finan. Pack your things." Finan grumbled something under his breath as he started to pack his things. While Y/N moved the horse around in circles while she waited for Finan.
"Finan hurry up." Y/N shouted with laughter.
"Do not rush me, woman." Finan huffed, feeling slightly bewildered.
"Why did yu not wake me." Finan grumbled as he climbed onto the horse behind her.
"You slept like a baby. I did not wish to disturb you." Finan tightened his arms around her waist, accepting the answer.

The journey to Wincelcumb seemed to be quicker when they departed with Father Beocca and Thyra. Part of Y/N was saddened to watch them return to Winchester, but their home was in Winchester. Whereas Y/Ns was always on the road. Wherever Finan and Sihtric was, so was she. They were her home. Even if they were miles away from Cookham, they were still her home.
"I will look for the Lady Æthelflaed. I'm sure the nuns will feed you." Uhtred pointed them towards the kitchen, where they headed, taking Skade with them.
"Poor nuns. The guards must have been ransacking their food." Osferth said, picking up a few things. Finan grabbed a piece of bread, handing it to Y/N, before finding some ale.
"Make it edible, will yu, boy." Finan grumbled as he walked past, inspecting the bowl that Osferth had started to prepare.
"Leave him be." Sihtric said as he took the bread that Y/N passed him. Sihtric looked at it with a frown. "Why are you not eating." Y/N patted her stomach. She had gone past the hungry stage and now felt sick.
"My stomach has shrunk." Finan ripped a bit of the bread from Sihtric's hand. Forcing it into her mouth. "Yur stomach doesn't shrink." Y/N rolled her eyes as she sat down at the table next to Sihtric, drinking the ale that Finan found. Her eyes burned into the cup as she avoided Skades glare.
"Y/N." Osferth passed Y/N the bowl of mashed food. Y/N smiled gently before pulling a face at Sihtric, who did the same. It was a mixture between porridge and broth.
"Osferth, what is this?" Sihtric questioned. For once, it did not look edible, but they still ste it.
"It is good to see you all again." Y/N looked up to see the Lady Æthelflaed, who was surrounded by nuns and an Abbess.

The Abbess reminded her of her sister Hild. She wondered how she was and whether a church had been built in Cookham yet.
"They have eaten all the food." The Abbess almost growled at them. Finan and Y/N snickered at the Abbess. She had a scolding nature about her, but Y/N wasn't amused by the Abbess. It was the Lady Æthelflaed. As much as she looked healthy, there was a sign of weight change. The woman was pregnant.
"Are yu going to eat it?" Y/N stopped and looked at the bowl confused.
"What?!" Y/N hadn't realised she had stopped eating again.
"What's bothering yu?" Finan shifted his body slightly to talk to her. Y/N shook her head, refusing to speak, when Sihtric kicked her foot to answer.
"She's pregnant." Finan nodded softly, squeezing her thigh. It bothered them all, that they lost their child at the hands of Skade, but they also nearly lost her along with it.
"We'll have one. One day. When we are settled. I swear it to yu." Finan promised. He meant it, but it wasn't the right time if Ragnar was going to cause a war with Wessex or if Skade was still around.
"It could be Erik's." Sihtric whispered, trying to lighten the situation.
"You gossip worse than Finan." Y/N mimicked, pulling a face at him, when the Lady Æthelflaed spoke to her.

"Sorry, Lady, I did not hear your question?" Y/N spoke up, addressing her. The Lady Æthelflaed smiled at her gently, looking back at the Abbess.
"I was explaining to the Abbess that your husbands are indeed good warriors." Y/N nodded, agreeing with her statement.
"They are."
"They?!" The Abbess gasped. "That is ungodly."
"Oh Lord. Yu've done it now, woman." Y/N tried her hardest not to laugh at how uncomfortable the Abbess now was.
"Though they are better than your guards, Lady." Y/N stated, looking at Sihtric, who laughed.
"They are not guards. Their swords are trinkets." Finan and Y/N laughed at Sihtric's words. They were rather useless her guards.
"I do not like you, young man." Y/N snorted at the Abbess. "You have a very high opinion of yourself." Y/N giggled alongside Sihtric, finding new amusement in their journey.
"I am heathen. I am godless and an enemy of Alfred, but what I will do is keep you alive." Uhtred said in amusement.
"And who is it that wishes me dead?"
"Several people, I imagine." Finan whispered to Sihtric and Y/N, who were trying to stifle their laughs.
"Shut up." Y/N playfully slapped Finan on the arm, still trying to digest her bowl of food.
"What Uhtred is saying is that the lands are changing. Men are becoming sick with greed, and we must all be on our guard." Lady Æthelflaed tried to explain what Uhtred meant.
"I know when I'm hearing half-truths. I do not like him." The Abbess got up before looking at Skade. "I like her even less." Y/N couldn't help but laugh, her stomach tightening in laughter. It was the first time she truly laughed, and it ached her stomach.