Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 65

"Let her go Leofric," Alfred ordered. Leofric lowered his arm and stood to the side. The tent stilled. Alfred looked at me. "Explain."

All eyes fell on me and I explained the plan I had drawn up.

"How would you guarantee Svein believes you?"

"I've already told him you have raised a garrison."

"We have no such force," Beocca replied.

"But he doesn't know that."

"This is madness," Aelswith helpfully added.

"You would rather wait for them to discover where you really are?" Uhtred asked. "Tara's plan buys you time lord. Time to gather a real garrison and drive Guthrum back. Is that not why you write those letters?"

"Leofric?"

"Lord."

"The men we have, will that be enough?"

"To burn ships, aye lord. To fight an army, no."

"I'll take care of the army," I said.

"With bloodshed?" Alfred asked.

"Unless you plan to yield to the Danes, then yes. As a Dane myself, I can tell you, they will not be stopped with nice words or the fear of your god. We have our own gods. If you do not wish to fight a war, then you should not be a king."

"Treacherous!" Aelswith's mouth opened wide.

"It is the truth."

"A king should want peace," Alfred spoke.

"But war is on your doorstep, and you have a choice to make."

"Why do you fight your own people?" Alfred asked.

"Svein of Denmark is but a shadow in the body of a man." Beocca and the other priests present crossed themselves at my words. "His thirst for blood and pain surpasses his ties to the living. I know you think us Danes to be ruthless pagans, but we are not." I paused, looking to Uhtred. "We are warriors at heart, but a true warrior knows honor and discipline. Svein knows nothing of that."

"A rousing speech from a pagan," One of the priests jested. "But they are words full of deceit."

"What do you know of honor? You hoard wealth while those you pretend to care about starve and die in the streets," I snapped at him. "At least we pagans take care of our own."

"She has you there father," Uhtred chuckled.

"Enough. I will pray on this matter." With that Alfred ended the meeting and sent us all away. My weapons were returned to me and I soon found myself back in my and Uhtred's hut.

"You made quite the entrance," Uhtred smiled. "Why are you helping Alfred?"

"I am helping you."

"By destroying Svein?"

"Svein is here to kill Alfred. He will kill anyone in his path, including you."

"Who said I would stand in the way?" Uhtred smiled.

"You are sworn to Alfred Uhtred. I know your heart and your honor will not let you let him die for as long as you draw breath."

"Ah." Uhtred sat down near the fire. "I can beat Svein."

"You can't," I replied, sitting down next to him.

"I killed Ubba."

"You got lucky."

Uhtred scoffed but pulled me to him, nuzzling his head against mine. "How'd you get Svein to believe you anyway?"

"I told him the truth. I have a blood vengeance I want help settling."

"Kjartan?"

"Kjartan."

Uhtred rested his head on mine and we sat in silence staring at the flames. We stared so long, I was unaware of falling asleep. I woke wrapped in his arms. The fire was barely embers. I attempted to move to stoke it, but felt Uhtred's grip tighten. "Don't go," he murmured into my hair.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"I mean don't go to Svein."

"What other option is there? Cut off the head and the snake dies."

"He won't let you leave there without a fight. Or the tides will kill you. Or... You don't plan on coming back do you?" His voice hitched.

"Don't be ridiculous, I have no intention of dying."

"What mischief have you planned?"

"The best kind," I smiled, feeling him relax some.

~~~~~

The next few days were a blur of preparations, practice, and some minor altercations. Alfred had left Leofric and Uhtred to oversee the operations and remained locked away with his priests, assumedly in prayer. Aelswith stood at the top of the dock, watching in stony silence as we loaded the few punts with what the men termed "fire bombs". The time had come and I parted ways with Uhtred. He held my face close to his, pressing our foreheads together. "Be careful."

"I'm not the one carrying fire bombs," I snickered. Uhtred rolled his eyes at me.

"Promise?"

"Yes," I yielded. The time for foolery was over. I had my part to play and he had his. "See you soon," I whispered. He nodded and without warning his lips quickly brushed mine. I was startled at his public affection and would've fallen backwards if not for the post behind me. I could feel heat creeping on my face and turned away quickly, not missing Aelswith's accusing glare. How the pious lady I cared nothing for made me feel shame, I do not know. I half tripped, half stepped into my punt and shoved off before I could change my mind.

~~~~~

Svein was waiting for me on the embankment when I arrived. His two guards stood nearby at the ready. I smiled sweetly at them and marched right up to their lord. I could feel him raking his eyes over me and fought the urge to throw myself into the marsh water. "Lord," I nodded at him.

"So, you came back." His face was amused, but something darker laid beneath the surface that sent chills up my spine.

"I did."

"How do I know you are not leading me into a trap?" His fingers brushed the hilt of his sword.

"Oh I am most certainly leading you into a trap," I replied, doing my best to smile. He raised his eyebrow in surprise, having expected me to deny his accusation. "You really think that by now Alfred hasn't figured out I am going to betray him?"

"I'm listening."

"His men are on their way now to burn your ships."

"Are they now?"

"He's also most likely fled his camp by now."

"Then tell me, Tara Melgaard, what use are you to me now?" His two bodyguards' hands went to the hilts of their blades. I eyed them, but did not flinch.

"Well, you may want to look to your left." All eyes shifted to where I was looking, as a cloud of birds rose from the marsh in flight. Smoke tailing behind them. "Wonder what has them all scared," I contemplated calmly.

Without warning, Svein began ordering his men towards the disturbance. "Kill anything that moves".  Danes ran in disorganized chaos as they followed their lord's orders. Then another explosion sounded to our right as more smoke billowed toward the sky.

"I'd say Alfred's men are here." Svein shot daggers at me and began barking orders to his men to also run to the other disturbance. He wheeled on me and I saw the hellfire in his eyes. It was too bad he was a soulless bastard. Svein in war mode was a sight to behold and I'll admit caused a small tingle in my gut. But then his eyes glazed over with murder. I drew Naegling in response, but to my surprise he rushed past me and toward the chaos. He turned, "Coming Melgaard?"

I grinned at him and quickly followed. My mind raced, sped up by adrenaline. Is this plan really going to work?