A Saint To A Sinner

4.2

"Yu can not be serious woman!" Finan huffed as he held Kåre and Young Finan in his arms. A stressed look on his face as he watched Y/N climb onto his horse.
"How am I supposed to look after them?" Finan said worriedly as he looked back at his children, play fighting with Sihtric. They were only messing around because Eir wanted to join in with her wooden sword.
"You have Sihtric! Besides, I am only going to Saltwic to persuade the Queen to give us a new estate." Y/N said in amusement as she looked back at Sihtric with a smile across her face. "I will be back in five days. Do not fret Finan. I am sure you can entertain your children."
"I meant Sihtric!" Finan said with a laugh, before he lifted his sons up to his wife so she could bid them goodbye.
"Make sure yu get a big one, ay?" Finan winked at her, making Y/N roll her eyes.
"We have a plan. Do we not, Uhtred?" Y/N said, making Finan groan. He knew what his wife was like when she had a plan. Her plans were worse than Uhtreds. They were incredibly impulsive.
"We do. Don't worry, Finan. Me and Y/N came up with something last night." Uhtred said as he climbed on to his horse. Y/N winked at her husband before kicking her horse, heading towards Saltwic.

If Y/N had to be honest, she was slightly nervous to leave her husbands behind with their children. They were all at different ages and needed different kinds of attention. Cynlæf and Æthelstan were ready to go to war and become warriors. Eir seemed to find amusement in reading, whereas Young Finan and Kåre were still so young. They needed a lot more attention. To be honest, all her children needed a lot of attention, giving the parents no time for themselves. She was hoping that if they gained another estate, they could have a lot more free time as the children would have something new to be distracted by.
"Lord Uhtred. Lady Y/N. It is good to see you again." Lord Aldhelm greeted from the gates. Y/N smiled up at him with a nod to greet him.
"We are here to see the Lady Æthelflaed." Uhtred said, "we have an offer."
"Let them in." Lord Aldhelm called, opening the gates for them. Y/N kicked her horse forward and entered the gates. Saltwic had not changed much, but it prospered rather well under the influence of Lady Æthelflaed.
"Lord Uhtred and Lady Y/N. What do I owe for this visit?" Lady Æthelflaed greeted them. All most surprised to see Y/N here without her husbands. Y/N nearly laughed when she watched Ælfwynn run out, at the sound of Y/Ns name, thinking Cynlæf was with her. Ælfwynn quickly composed herself when she saw Y/N and greeted her with an awkward nod.
"We have come by with an offer, Lady." Uhtred said with a smirk, making Y/N roll her eyes.
"We are looking for trade, and we wanted to negotiate a deal with you, Lady Æthelflaed." Y/N interrupted Uhtred and Æthelflaeds gaze. As much as she wanted the two to rekindle their love, she understood Æthelflaed's loyalty was much greater to Mercia.
"We will talk over dinner." Æthelflaed stated as she guided them into the hall.

Y/N sat beside Lord Aldhelm opposite Ælfwynn who avoided the woman's gaze.
"How is, the Lady Ælfwynn?" Y/N asked gently. A tone of amusement in her voice.
"My daughter is well." Æthelflaed snapped as she glared at the woman."If your negotiation deal offers a marriage pact then I must reject." Y/N almost choked on her drink. What marriage pact? What has my son been up to?
"Lady, forgive me. There is no marriage pact. We are only here to suggest a financial trade deal." Y/N said awkwardly as she looked at her cup.
"Oh!" Lady Æthelflaed said, making her daughter blush awkwardly. "Continue with your offer." Uhtred could not help but snicker as she watched the uncomfortable scene unfold between the two women. Who, for some reason, never particularly liked each other. Y/Ns reason was understandable, as it stemmed from being a slave, but in the end, Y/N just found her quite frustrating, and she did not know why. As for Æthelflaed, she was not quite sure why the woman did not like her back. She certainly despised her more now that Cynlæf seemed to be involved with her daughter.
"As you know, Cookham is a rather small estate and has become slightly over-populated." Uhtred started, looking at Y/N, who glared at him.
"Rumcofa is right on the border between Northumbria and Mercia. If we hold it. We can bring in trade from either side." Uhtred said as he looked at Y/N, who nodded.
"And we can bring in trade from their to Frankia from the main river out towards the sea. It will be a great alliance, and we could also trade with Sigtryggr and Stiorra in Eoferwic." Y/N said confidently. "It will also give the Danes another place they feel safe in along with a place to trade."
"And what of the fyrd?" Æthelflaed questioned.
"We can raise the fyrd with the people of Rumcofa to help militarised the imports and exports. If the people of Cookham choose to join us, I am sure they will, too, join the fyrd, as it would mean wealth and security for them." Uhtred assured. They really did have a plan and a good one. Except they did not know what they were going to sell to Frankia.
"It is a good plan, Lady. Uhtred and his men will deal with the fyrd and the trade." Y/N assured with a smile.
"And what will you do, Lady?" Lord Aldhelm questioned. Y/N put down the cup slowly, realising she was going back to her useless role of being a housewife.
"Teaching the children how to fight!" She stated with a nod. She was clearly not fooling anyone at this stage. "I will do what a woman does best, and that is keep all men in line!"
"It is the most important role. We must have an important woman to watch over us." Uhtred said as he stifled his laughter.

Lady Æthelflaed thought it over and agreed with them. Allowing them to have Runcorn, as long as a small percentage of wealth goes back into Mercia. Lady Athelflaed allowed them to have a few guards until they were settled, which they greatly appreciated and thanked her on the way out.
"One more thing, Lady Y/N!" Lady Æthelflaed called, making Y/N turn around. "I do not want my daughter involved with Cynlæf, so I would advise you to keep him occupied." Y/N raised her eyebrow as she looked at her before nodding.
"When we get to Rumcora. I am going to need some servants, " Y/N said with a huff as she climbed onto the horse. Uhtred laughed at her words, telling her, he thought "Finan and Sihtric was enough." They were, but she needed extra help. She really wanted to get back and train with a sword. Even though she was offered, many times, if she wanted servants, she still rejected them. Thinking she could handle it alone. Which she could but, she really wanted to pick that sword up.