A Saint To A Sinner

4.4

They settled in to Rumcofa very easily and asserted their position over the Danes rather quickly when Uhtred allowed the practice of Paganism here. There was still a lot to do here, but they got to work very quickly. Sihtric taught Cynlæf and Æthelstan how to keep watch and when to spy, in case there were unannounced traiders. While Finan kept an eye on the docks, planning trade to Frankia and even as far as Frisia. Y/N, on the other hand, was allowed to control the export of goods to countries, while Osferth trained the military. As for their new friend Ingrith, she helped aid the children, teaching them the ways of Pagan practice. They had done a lot, but they needed to do more. They still had yet to create a toll on goods, along with broadening their harvest but they where doing well. That was until Lady Æthelflaed refused to support them anymore because of Cynlæf.
"I can not believe you, Cynlæf!" Y/N shouted as her son stood there with his hands clasped in front of him apologetically. Allowing his mother to scold him.
"Wait until your fathers hear, what you have gone and done!" Y/N shouted.
"Please, mother. Do not tell Father. He will keep me on that post for days." Cynlæf begged. He could handle Finan knowing but not Sihtric. Sihtric had already told him off back in Cookham.
"What will I keep you on the post for?" Sihtric said as he came around the corner with his arms crossed. A frown forming on his face as he watched Cynlæf nervously shuffle.
"Where's Fin?" Y/N huffed, as she looked behind her. Sihtric squeezed her shoulder reassuringly as he went to get Finan.
"It was nothing bad." Cynlæf assured, when Finan came in with his arms crossed. Waiting for his son to explain.
"If it is not that bad, then tell us why yur mother is upset?" Finan said. Cynlæf looked down, rocking on his heels awkwardly.
"Cynlæf humped Ælfwynn and got banned from seeing her." Y/N spat. Her face twisted from anger to rage as she watched Sihtric and Finan smirk. "You have got to be kidding me. This is not funny!"
"No. Of course it's not!" Sihtric said with a snicker. Y/N crossed her arms as she waited for her husbands to tell her son off.
"What where yu thinking? Humping the Lady Ælfwynn of Mercia!" Finan said.
"I know, father. I'm sorry." Cynlæf said as he looked down.
"Yu should be. If yur going to hump royalty, do not get caught!" Finan said, making Sihtrics burst into laughter, confusing the boy.
"That's it!" Y/N said as she stormed out like a mad woman.
"Y/N! Y/N!" Finan called apologetically. Trying his hardest not to enrage his wife
"Look, next time, come to us instead of your mother. As now we have to go and calm her down before the people of Rumcofa feel her wrath, " Sihtric whispered, hitting his sons arm before going out to find his angry wife.

In truth, Y/N was not angry that her son had lost his virginity. It was the fact he humped Æthelflaeds daughter. There was no way now the two women were going to be friends when her son had gone and stole Ælfwynns virtue, making her unmarriable.
"Lady, mother?" Æthelstan greeted as he came from his post, a smile on his face.
"You. What trouble are you causing me?" Y/N frowned, pointing at the teenager in front of her. Æthelstan awkwardly laughed, knowing his best friend had been caught and scolded by his mother.
"None. Except I knew." Æthelstan admitted honestly.
"Hmmm. I did not birth you, but I can scold you." Y/N said, raising her eyebrows at him.
"I know. I know." Æthelstan said. A playful look in his eye as he walked off. Y/N shook her head as she sat by the docks quietly. Thinking to herself. How life was very different to how it started with just Cynlæf on her own.
"You know I am sorry." Sihtric grovelled, as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, kissing her cheek. Y/N grumbled, pushing him slightly off of her. Sihtric took her hands in his, kissing it gently, trying to soothe her.
"I know you are angry at Cynlæf for causing conflict, but he is not a boy anymore." Sihtric assured.
"He is my boy!" Y/N said, pointing towards her heart. "I just don't want my son... huh... I know Ælfwynn is a sweet girl... It's just her mother." Y/N said with a grumble, making Sihtric laugh.
"He is my son too. And Finans. You can not protect him from these mistakes. He has to learn." Sihtric assured.
"Yeah. And what if Eir... falls in love with Æthelstan!" She said as an example, making sihtric frown.
"Uh. That is different!" Sihtric said,  looking behind him as Finan approached. Finan sat behind her, pulling her into his lap.
"Finan!" She growled, making Finan wrap his legs around her, pulling her onto her side so he could kiss her all over her face.
"Do not fret over such things. Ay!" Finan whispered as he sat up, holding her in his arms.
"Look. I tell yu something that will cheer yu up." Finan said as he kissed her neck. "Yur friend Ingrith and Osferth has something going on." Y/N looked back at him with a confused look. Surely not? Ingrith was a lot older.
"You sure, Finan. Your eyes may be deceiving you?!" Y/N said, completely confused, but he shook his head.
"I saw it with my very eyes!" Finan said, and Sihtric agreed. There was going to be a new love story soon.