A Saint To A Sinner

5.9

Plans had changed for them all, their spirit was broken and their families were destroyed. Y/N had to let her son leave to protect Ælfwynn, while Eir rode alongside them to King Edwards army. She was a girl of fourteen going into a battle because Finan refused to leave her.
"You will say nothing, when we speak to King Edward." Uhtred stated. Getting a nod from them all, as they walked in.
"Lord King, we bring grave news. Sigtryggr did not kill the Queen. It was the work of Æthelhelms men." Uhtred said, but Edward denied the claims. "No Saxon would ever condemn his daughter to such an end."
"He did not order her death. It was the visionary Aalys he sought to kill. When the moment came, the Queen sacrificed herself to save the girl."
"Do you have proof of this?" Lord Aldhelm interrupted.
"I have spoken to Aalys. I have seen the horror in her eyes." Uhtred promised.
"And Sigtryggr had no part in this?" Edward wanted to confirm.
"He could not have planned it. No one knew the Queen travelled. Lord, Æthelhelm must be hunted down and bought to justice. Ælflaeds blood is on his hands. As is, Y/Ns son Finan. And Osferths. Your fathers natural son." Y/N clenched her hands at the name of her son being mentioned.
"I am sorry to hear it. I am sorry to all of you, on your loss." Edward said as he looked at her. Finan slowly reached out to grab her hand to stop her from causing scene in front of Edward. Y/N allowed him to hold her hand as she watched them discuss what to do with Æthelhelm.
"Lord Aldhelm. Send word to Aegelesburg. Ælfweard is to be shielded from his grandfather's influence and protected by my personal guard." Edward demanded.
"That order should extend to Æthelstan. He stands between Ælfweard and the throne." Uhtred said.
"I sent Æthelstan to find Æthelhelm." Aldhelm admitted, making them all freeze.

Y/N looked back at Sihtric with a guilty look on her face. Maybe she should not have left Æthelstan in Aegelesburg, but it was too late now.
"We will ride to Æthelhelms camp." Uhtred said, before looking back at Eir with an uncomfortable look, before looking back at Edward.
"I will look after Eir until you return. She will be guarded, closely, I swear it." King Edward assured. Eir sighed as she gripped her broken arm.
"Yu better, Edward." Finan said.
"Be safe and fight with the opposite band if you need to. Trust no one until we come back." Y/N bought her daughter into a hug, kissing her forehead before she readied herself back on her horse to go to Æthelhelms camp. The quicker they ended this, the quicker they could go back to their families, but it already looked to late. Sigtryggr had already reached the camp first. Y/N looked back at her husband's with a frustrated look, it was now impossible to prevent.
"Find Æthelstan and keep Æthelhelm alive." Uhtred ordered.

The four of them ran straight into battle with their swords to find Æthelhelm. Their grief clouded their minds as they thought their way through.
"Y/N let's go!" Sihtric called but Y/N ignored him. She had enough of waiting around and saving people. She had lost her son at the hands of Saxons, when she heard Finan shouting. "ÆTHELHELM YUR A DEAD MAN! COME AND FIGHT ME!" Y/N looked to the other side when she realised Edwards men had joined.
"Finan! Finan, you can't. Trust me you can't." Y/N screamed as she tried to pull him back.
"Remember what Uhtred said. Finan, please." Y/N pulled at his arm, trying to drag him back, as she glared at Æthelhelm. Finan allowed her to drag him towards Uhtred, trying to calm him down. Finan fell down and screamed in anger. Y/N just looked at him and allowed him to scream. She knew he wanted to kill Æthelhelm to avenge Young Finans death, in hopes for his wife to forgive him, but she already had.
"Finan!" Y/N grabbed his face, wiping his tears. Her eyes too were watering.
"Mother?"
"What are you doing here?" Y/N scolded.
"The King wants to send Sigtryggr to his death." Eir shouted.

Y/N followed Eir back to where Sihtric and Æthelstan was. While Stiorra and Sigtryggr where embracing each other. Sihtric grabbed Eir, placing his hand on her shoulder comfortingly as they watched. Finan held Y/Ns hand as they watched Uhtred sentence Sigtryggr to death. Y/N could only imagine how Stiorra felt. She could not imagine her own husband's death. Y/N looked over to see Sihtric had Eirs face buried into his chest.
"Uhtred will want us to go to Eoferwic to ensure Stiorra is safe." Y/N whispered.
"We won't be there for long. Ingrith and Young Uhtred has hidden the children. We will be with them soon."