A Saint To A Sinner

5.7

After the funeral, they set off down to Rumcofa to be with their families. They had been away, far too long from them, and since Eir had begun to have a temperament like Stiorra, they knew their daughter would grow miserable being with the children, even if Ingrith was there. Suprisingly for them, Eir seemed to enjoy spending time looking after her younger brothers. That is what she told them, until Ingrith informed them that Eir spent much of her time keeping guard at the post by the river. Even Kåre joined her with his incredibly long sword, that was slightly too big for him. Despite the happy greetings, Y/N did notice Æthelstan avoided Eir and she knew why. She could not blame him, but at the same time, Eir was her daughter.
"Eir?" Y/N called softly.
"I found Cynlæf and I scolded him." Eir said proudly as she looked at her fathers.
"Where is that bleeding boy?" Finan huffed.
"Hiding from your wrath." Finan chuckled and pulled her into a hug.
"Go and find him. I need to talk to Eir. It is a woman's conversation." Y/N said
"Ah. Ah. We don't need to hear, no more." Finan said.

Y/N smiled and took her daughters hand in hers as they walked along the pier. Eir looked at her mother nervously, knowing something was wrong.
"Mother? Has something happened?" Eir asked.
"Yes, but that is not what I need to talk to you." Y/N said as she sat down on a crate. "Just listen to me for a while, alright? I know you have feelings for Æthelstan... strong ones... and I am not against that at all." Y/N said as she patted Eirs hands, "but... Æthelstan is King Edwards son and being a Kings recognised son can come at a great cost for him... all I am saying is, Æthelstan may be forced to choose a path and that path I do not know, nor can I advise and dissuade... all I am saying is... as a friend, I would say be careful." Eir nodded at her words. Listening to her words carefully.
"And as a mother?" Eir whispered.
"As your mother, I would hope you do not involve yourself anymore, no matter how hard it may be, but I know you are young and you may do the opposite of what I say so be careful." Y/N said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I know, mother. I know nothing would happen, is because I am a Dane." Y/N looked up at and shook her head, grabbing her daughters face with her hands. "Do not even say otherwise. I look like Father. My hair is curly."
"That is a poor excuse to lay upon yourself and to suggest otherwise is an offence to where you came from." Y/N smiled at her before looking out towards the docks.
"Lady, Y/N. May I speak with you." Y/N turned her head around to find Father Benedict.
"Mother, what did you do to make a priest come and see you?" Eir asked with a smirk.
"May have killed one accidentally." Y/N whispered as she stood up, walking towards Father Benedict. Father Benedict looked at her before her daughter, "I was instructed to pass on a message to you, and you alone."
"And what may that be, Father?" Finan questioned as he approached them with his arms crossed.
"Well?" Sihtric questioned.
"I have been instructed by the Lady Ælswith to pass on a message to Lady Y/N. It is an agreement, in which Lady Ælswith knows you will agree to." Father Benedict stated, making the three of them frown.
"What have I agreed with, Father." Y/N asked.
"Lady Ælswith has asked for your son Cynlæf to go to Buccstan on Sunday to marry the Lady Ælfwynn. She even rote a letter... here." Father Benedict said, handing the piece of paper to Y/N.
"I am sorry, but what?" Finan said. Y/N looked up at opened the letter:

Dear Lady Y/N,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have written this letter in urgency, as I hope you will consider my marriage proposal between the Lady Ælfwynn and Cynlæf.

It may come as a suprise to you that I agree with this marriage, considering my daughter did not, but in times of need, I know your son, Cynlæf, will do well to look after her, as he has done so far, in protecting her from those who threaten her. I know you, too, understand these are difficult times, so I urge you to allow these children to be happy.

Lady Ælswith.

Y/N folded the letter in her hands, handing it to Sihtric. She had just advised one child not to act impulsively while the other child is to marry the Lady of Mercia. It was completely contradictory.
"I urge you to accept now." Father Benedict encouraged.
"Do not force my wife into an agreement that she should consider." Sihtric argued as he passed the letter to Finan.
"Fine. Speak to my son. He is old enough to make his own descions." Y/N said, as she clasped her hands together. She could not stop her children from growing up, but if it was true, what the Lady Ælswith had said, and that her son had secretly been protecting the Lady Ælfwynn, then she a lot of respect for him.
"Looks like my son has become a secret little guard." Finan jested. Y/N could see behind Finans jokes. He was too worried about what this meant for their son Cynlæf.

The three of them stood there, watching Father Benedict approach their son, just as someone entered Rumcofa.
"Is that... Hæsten?" Y/N said. Finan and Sihtric looked at each other as they watched Hæsten approach.
"The great warrior Hæsten, a man of trade. I have heard of this, but I did not believe it." Uhtred said as he approached Hæsten.
"A trader and owner of thirty ships. You should see my settlement Uhtred." Hæsten said as he looked at them with a smile. "Twice the size or this one, fertile farms and fat women. Not like this... this is only fit for pigs..."
"You have plenty insults for a man who can no long weild a sword." Y/N stated as she stepped forward, completely fed up with Hæsten.
"Hmm. I have missed my favourite whore... oh I apologise... I forgot your daughter was present." Hæsten stated. Finan and Sihric glared at him as they stepped closer to Eir as they were unsure of Hæstens intentions.
"You have overstayed your welcome." Sihtric said.
"No! I must speak with Uhtred, somewhere out of sight." Hæsten stated.
"There is nothing I want from you." Uhtred answered carefully.
"Believe me, Uhtred, we must speak." Hæsten stated.
"For once, Hæsten does look rather concerned about something." Y/N stated, as she looked back at her husbands. "I will talk then."
Y/N followed Hæsten towards the stables carefully. They stopped at a card which was covered.
"What is it, then?" Y/N asked, only to gasp when the cover was pulled off.
"A missionary said it was Sigtryggr." Hæsten answered. Y/N knew why he was concerned, this would cause a major threat for all of them.
"I will get Uhtred..."