A Saint To A Sinner

2.26

A month had passed, and there was still no sight of Finan. There was no hearing of a battle. There was nothing, and it worried Y/N. She had sought to Father Beocca for any news, but there was none. That the only news Father Beocca could give her was the news of a marriage pact between Lord Edward and Lady Ælflaed. She wondered if Alfred would call Uhtred back to the wedding as there were talks in the town of Alfred wanting Uhtred to swear himself to Edward. Y/N knew that meant swearing himself for life, and Uhtred would not agree to it.

All Y/N could do was occupy herself with cleaning Father Beocca's house or accompanying Thyra around Winchester. Unlike today, Y/N spent it in a bucket of water. Not moving nor washing herself, only staring at the water. Wondering whether her life would always be like this, witing in Winchester for Finan to return, instead of fighting.
"Y/N?! Do you want to go to the market?" Thyra called. Distracting her from her thoughts.
"One second." Y/N said, as she quickly scrubbed herself. Carefully attending to the scar on her shoulder. Allowing it to burn as she rubbed it before standing up, looking around for her clothes, catching sight of her form in the copper jug. Her face frowned as she looked at the jug. Moving around to see if the image changed.
"When did you appear." She whispered, her heart fluttered as she looked at the bump. A small bump that she hadn't noticed, nor had she realised.
"Oh. I am so sorry." Thyra said as she walked in, placing her hands over her eyes.
"Thyra." Y/N said as she pulled the dress off the chair. "I'm pregnant." Thyra peeked through her hands, to see if she had dressed herself.
"You just realised." Thyra grinned as she pulled at the woman's hand.
"Realised." Thyra laughed as she gave Y/N her shoes.
"Me and Beocca noticed it a few weeks ago. We thought you knew and wanted to keep it a secret, so we did not push." Y/N shook her head at Thyra's words. She felt like a fool. How could she not have known she was pregnant. That her body had changed. That a new life was formed.

Once she stepped out into the village, she felt threatened and nerved by society. She felt uncomfortable around those she did not know. She felt unsafe. She worried that the child would be taken from her again. That if she hid her stomach, no one would know and then no one would attempt to take it from her.
"The Lord King calls for the attention of his citizens." The Town Cryer yelled. Sounding his bell, grabbing the attention of those who passed by.
"What could that mean?" Y/N asked Thyra. "Can only be a call for a punishment." Thyra said, grabbing her arm as they walked to the centre. Manoeuvring their way through the crowds.
"Is that?" Y/N whispered, as she noticed Æthlewold being dragged by the guards. "What in the Heavens has he done now." Y/N asked, as she watched Æthelwold harshly be pulled down to the bench. Her hands clutched at her stomach as she watched a man lifted up a mental rod. Shoving it straight into Æthlewold's eye as he screamed in pain, through the stuffed bandage.
"Y/N." Thyra pulled at her arm, telling her she should not watch such a thing, but Y/N remained still. Watching the guards wrap it around his eye, covering the ugly dark hole.

Y/N shook her head, removing herself from the crowd as she headed back towards the market. Thyra followed in toe, as they looked for things to pick up for dinner. Y/N had noticed over the last few weeks that the stares had started. The whispers of her and two husbands. Whispers of her becoming a Pagan. That Thyra corrupted her. That she was being converted.
"Do not listen to them. They have nothing better to do." Y/N assured Thyra, squeezing her arm, as she looked at those who watched them carefully.
"And besides. What is wrong with becoming a Pagan." Y/N said as she picked up some beads, handing them to Thyra. "I could even be carrying one, and may that piss them off even further."