A Saint To A Sinner

3.31

A/N: There is no way I could get rid of Y/N when she has so much to do and be a part of!!

Life is a strange thing. For some, it is the most valuable thing. The most sacred of all things. For others, a life is just something to bargain with. It is meaningless. To say when one dies another is born is true in many cases, as we have seen, but this time, it is not so accurate. A life can bring around another life without the deceased. It just takes a little bit of hope and a little bit of time. And maybe a little bit of the Christian God's help. That, is what Father Pyrlig had to do, bargain her life with the Christian God, by baptising her dying body in the river, while Stiorra held Y/Ns daughter close to her as she pleaded with Father Pyrlig that she would not want this. That Y/N would not want to be a Christian, but it was the only way, and times bad become desperate.

Once, Y/N was out of the water and laid back in a pile of furs that Stiorra and Æthelstan wrapped her in, that her body had started to heal. It had become more and more respondent. She had drank, but no words were spoken except for one. "Eir." No one knew what it meant, nor what she was trying to say until Æthelstan bought the child to her arms to show her, hoping it would bring her some hope.
"Eir." She said again, her hand lifted slightly, pointing towards the infant.
"Maybe, that's her name. She calls her Eir." Æthelstan said, still holding the baby up to show her, before he almost dropped it, at the sound of Finans frantic voice.
"Finan. You need to calm down." Father Pyrlig called out.
"Do not tell me Father to calm down when yu just told me that my wife has given birth an almost died." Finan shouted as he rushed in, almost falling at his feet at the sight of her. She looked lifeless. The colour had come back in her cheeks, but she was so skinny.
"Jesus Christ." Finan said as his hands reached towards her neck, trying to lift her head up. His eyes scanned towards Æthelstan who held the infant in shaky hands, almost too scared to approach him. Finan breathed out as he took the infant from him, looking down at the small thing in front of him.
"Y/N. Calls her Eir. Y-your daughter." Æthelstan said before rushing to get up, to go go Stiorra.
"A daughter?" Finan said as he held her close to him, planting a gentle kiss onto her tiny little head.
"A daughter ay?" Father Pyrlig said rather awkwardly as he kneeled down to force a vile into Y/Ns lips. Hoping it would help her.
"I would kill anyone for yu!" Finan cooed.
"Dear God. Pray Y/N wake up soon." Father Pyrlig made a cross, knowing Finan was left alone now as a father until she recovered.

Until then, Finan walked the streets of Aeglesburgs, holding his daughter close to his chest as he scanned the area for Uhtred, who still had yet to appear. Every day, he did the same routine. Woke up beside Y/N. Fed the children while Y/N had managed to feed Eir. Walk around Aeglesburgs on edge, feeling everyone was a threat to Uhtred, but in reality, he trusted no one near his daughter. Then he would go back to see Y/N with a smile as he sat with her. Then, go out one last time to look for Uhtred before settling back in with his wife, Æthelstan and Stiorra, for the night.

Except for this day, Y/N was well enough to walk around Aeglesburgs with Finan and Eir. Even though her body ached, she still made the effort to walk around as much as she could but also in hopes to find Uhtred as it was starting to worry them both. Y/N and Finan knew it was King Edwards doing, but what they did not know.
"Uh. There he is." Y/N said, as she tapped Finan, pointing to a badly beaten up Uhtred.
"Dear God!" Finan breathed out as they watched Uhtred walk towards them. His head was down like a saddened puppy.
"I'll find the man who did this..." Finan approached carefully, lifting his hand up touch Uhtreds bulging bruise that started to bleed on his head.
"What now?" Finan asked gently as he looked at his stolen friend. Uhtred patted him on the shoulder, shaking his head sadly before looking over to see Y/N and her daughter.
"How-w long have I been gone?" Uhtred asked, as he approached to see the Infant, pushing the cloth back to see its face.
"A few days." Finan grumbled as he watched Uhtred take Eir from her.
"What is her name?" Uhtred croaked out.
"Eir, apparently." Finan grumbled. He still hated the name, but it was too late to change it now.
"Eir? What a strange name... she is early? Did something happen? Are you well?" Finan gently took Eir from Uhtred. Telling him not to worry and that they were all fine. Uhtred nodded as he looked around for Stiorra and Æthelstan.
"Stiorra has insisted on helping Father Pyrlig, and I've tried to dissuade her, but-" Finan trailed off as he looked at Uhtred. A look Uhtred knew.
"She is too stubborn because she is my daughter?" Finan and Y/N smiled at Uhtreds words.
"And Æthelstan?" Uhtred asked worriedly.
"Still hiding, for now." Y/N said as she looked over to see Stiorra with Father Pyrlig.

The three of them walked over to see Stiorra and Father Pyrlig handing out the grain to the hungry citizens of Mercia.
"Yu would think the grain was silver." Finan said as he rearranged his daughter, placing her against his chest so her head would fall into the crease of his neck.
"It is getting worse." Uhtred said with a grumble before he panicked when Stiorra was pulled down. Finan quickly handed Eir back to Y/N, telling her to stand far away in case she was attacked. Finan managed to reach Stiorra, holding her gently to calm her down as she started to panic while Uhtred tried to calm the people down. Y/N cradled her daughter slightly, shielding her from the commotion as she cooed to her gently.
"I know you suffer, but turning on each other will not save you!" Uhtred spoke up. "You must work as one rather than quarrelling amongst yourselves. Now, get back behind a cart and form a line. Each person in time will be given what they need. Trust me. Mercian must not fight Mercian. Anyone who wants grain must keep the peace." Uhtred said, as he looked at each one of them. Finan walked over to help Uhtred control the ravenous people while Stiorra stood beside Y/N.
"The people should be grateful." Stiorra breathed out as she crossed her ams.
"People do stupid things when they are hungry and weak." Y/N whispered as she kissed her daughters head. "And people do stupid things when they are uncertain and afraid."
"Lord Uhtred, the King wishes to see you." Two of King Edwards men approached Uhtred. Y/N passed Eir straight to Stiorra, who grunted as she watched Y/N approach the guards who grabbed Uhtred.
"Yu can not do this!" Finan shouted, but Uhtred told them both to stand down. "If yu come back with another bruise I swear to God..."