A Saint To A Sinner

2.38

That time had come where Y/N must leave Winchester to return to Cookham. She could not stay in Winchester when she knew a battle would take place, but Y/N knew she could not force Sihtric to stay with her, nor Finan. They both wanted to fight in the battle, and she would not stop them. Not this time. She had decided to go back on her own with Hild by her side and wait for them there.
"Are you ready?" Sihric asked as he tied her bags to the horse. Y/N smiled softly as she reached for the necklace.
"What are you doing?" Sihtric did not understand her intentions when she placed the necklace back over his head.
"You are to stay with Finan. I can not stop you from fighting in the battle. I will return with Hild." Sihtric frowned as if she had done the same thing to him. As if she had told him that she did not love him anymore.
"I do not understand. I am coming with you to Cookham, I do not need to fight." Sihtric frowned at her words. Y/N placed her hands over his, bringing it up to her lips to kiss them.
"Uhtred needs you!" Y/N almost shouted at him, grabbing his face to look at her. She placed her forehead against his.
"I know you want to stay, but you know I would also fight in that battle. So, you must fight in there for me."
"I really dislike you sometimes, woman. Why do you always have to be like this." Sihtric sighed, knowing she was right.

Finan approached to say goodbye to them.
"Yu will look after them, Hild?" Hild shook her head as she held Cynlæf, waving his tiny hand to his father's.
"I thought you said Y/N could handle herself." Hild said. Finan looked at Sihtric, who laughed.
"I meant the villagers at Cookham. They may become afraid. Ouch! I'm joking, woman, I swear!" Finan rubbed his arm that Y/N playfully punched. Y/N wrapped her arms around Finans shoulder, placing a kiss on his lips before she climbed on her horse. Sihtric took Cynlæf from Hild, kissing his tiny head before passing him to Finan.
"Be good to yur mother, and don't piss her off." Y/N glared at Finan once more who whispered, "because that's yur fathers job." Finan said as he held Cynlæf up to Y/N, who wrapped him tightly in a sling, closely to her body.
"We will be back before you know it." Sihtric said as he patted her leg before patting the back of the horse to send them off.

For once Y/N did not feel uneasy about leaving her husbands behind for the first time in a while. She felt a strange sense of confidence that bestowed upon her when she had Cynlæf.
"For once I am suprised they left you. Especially Finan." Y/N looked at her sister with carefully, a look that reminded her it wasn't Sihtrics fault.
"That is not what I meant. Finan has always had such a weakness when it came to you." Y/N laughed at Hilds words. She knew Finan was always soft with her, and it never did come as a suprise to her. Finan gave her guidance. He taught her how to be logical with a firm heart, and he taught her how to sin. Although others may say Sihtric taught her how to sin.
"And what about Sihtric?" Hild laughed at Y/N with an amused expression.
"He made you a Pagan. That is all I have to say." Y/N rolled her eyes as she looked at Hild.
"Alright. Sihtric is completely smitten in his own Danish way, but what I will say is Sihtric has learned to show his emotions more." Hild said. "I saw it in Cookham when they returned with the seer. It was like his whole life was gone without you, and all I could see was hatred. If Uhtred did not kill her, I think Sihtric would have."
"You think so?" Y/N looked at her sister curiously.
"I know so. I have never seen his face twist in rage every time she walked past." Y/N sighed as she looked at Cynlæf who was sound asleep against her chest. She reminded herself that when they returned to her, she would do her duty to be a better wife to them and reward them well for the way they have looked after her all these years.