A Saint To A Sinner

2.17

Y/N, Osferth and Sihtric sat awkwardly at the table. Not speaking a word to each other. Occasionally, Osferth would look up and look between the two, not one would speak to the other.
"Do you think..." Osferth awkwardly started, "we will go back to Wessex soon?"
"I do not know. We go wherever Uhtred goes." Y/N said with a sigh as she saw Finan approach with Uhtred to the Lady Æthelflaed. The three of them looked up, waiting for an answer.
"If the Lady, Y/N does not mind, then I wish use her horse." Æthelflaed requested. Y/N sighed, looking at Uhtred with a groan. "Can't she ride with you."
"It will slow things down. Though I'm sure your husbands won't mind."
"But I mind." Y/N murmered.
"What was that Y/N?" Uhtred asked. Y/N smiled with a glare in her eyes.
"I said I'll ride with Sihtric."
"Good." Uhtred said as he walked away with Finan, who smirked.
"And where are we going?" Osferth shouted. Y/N shook her head, following them to the stables. Where, Sihtric held the horse, allowing Y/N to climb up before he climbed up behind her. Y/N awkwardly rearranged her hood, to keep the wind from getting to her.
"We ride to Avelsburg." Uhtred spoke as he rode in front of them. Finan rode alongside him to try and comfort him. While Y/N sat awkwardly with Sihtric.

Every so often, Y/N would look at his hands on the reigns. She wanted to hold them. She wanted to hear him speak to her, but nothing would come out. Instead, she stared at his pale, cold hands, which clutched the reigns so tightly. In the end, she reached for them, placing her cold hands over his, placing his hands in her hers. Her thumb gently rubbed over his. Sihtric pulled one of his arms away, making her heart drop, yet he placed his right arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She let out a gentle smile as she felt his arm around her waist. Even if he did not speak through the journey, he still kept his arm against her stomach.

The closer they got to Avelsburg, Y/N saw Steapa's men guarding the outside of Æthlered's estate.
"Why so many men?"
"Alfred is dying. They don't want any threats." Sihtric whispered to her as he held her tighter. She laid back against his chest after hearing the comfort of his voice. Sihtric moved his hand from her waist to his sword once Uhtreds got off of his sword and approached Steapa.
"No weapons." Æthlered commanded, causing them all to roll their eyes.
"Lord Æthelred, like you, we stand against the Danes." Finan shouted, refusing to give up his sword.
"No weapons is the command, irishman. None at all." Steapa said as he walked back inside. Leaving them to remove their weapons. Y/N unsheathed her sword, handing it over to the guard.

"Come." Sihtric held his hand outwards for her to take it, to help her get down. She took it instantly as she jumped down, almost holding it a second too long, as he quickly released it and headed towards Uhtred.
"My father can not suspect my husband is the traitor?" Lady Æthelflaed warned them.
"We should kill yur husband and be done with it." Finan said as he looked at his wife with an amused expression.
"And begin a war between Wessex and Mercia, now?"
"Lady, i'm joking." Finan, nudged Y/N. A smirk fell on his lips. "We'll kill him tomorrow." Y/N rolled her eyes at his sense of humour.
"Halt. Stop." Steapa said, stopping them.
"We know what, halt means big man." Y/N sighed, looking at Sihtric, who shook his head at Finans playfulness. Lady Æthelflaed approached, asking Steapa, kindly for food.
"You may enter the halls, My Lady, but the outlaws do not." Y/N looked at Finan, almost begging him silently not to start anything, as she watched him shuffle his breeches.
"Um, what if I need to piss?" Finan said as he ignored his wife's scolding look.
"Then take out your cock." Steapa challenged.
"And if yu mistake it for a weapon. What, then?"
"Then your wife will have to find a replacement." Uhtred quickly pushed his way between the two in case Finan did start a fight, over the mention of his wife. "Food and ale, would be appreciated, Steapa."
Steapa patted Finan before heading off.
"And Steapa. Meat and lots of Ale." Finan called before turning around to push his wife forward. "I do need to piss though."