𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐑 <𝐬𝐢𝐡𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐤𝐣𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧>

2. 𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊 𝖞𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖘 𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖗

"I love her! I swear, I love her!" Sihtric was indignant, traipsing behind Uhtred and Finan in the night.

"We know, Sihtric- for Christ's sake, we knew before you did. Just marry the girl already!" Finan teased him.

"Sihtric, she's Gisela's sister, and a warrior," Uhtred interrupted, "The only reason she is not with us tonight is because she wanted to hunt that stag of hers! If you love her, do not change her."

Sihtric pushed himself forward, rushing to walk beside Uhtred now: "But that's just it- I won't. What I'm asking of you is a promise that if I make Lena my wife, then she can still be with us, fighting with us. Nothing has to change. I simply wish to marry her, to fight alongside her as her husband."

Uhtred simply shook his head, "And I wish you to kill Danes and survive the night. We're the only chance the villagers have. I will talk with Gisela when we return to Coccham."

Satisfied with Uhtred's answer, and childishly giddy at the idea of marrying Ghylena, Sihtric wore a smile on his face for the rest of the night.

<>

Sihtric was starting to worry.
Ghylena had never been gone for so long on a hunt; 2 days or 3, maybe- but 4? It was unsettling to say the least.

Finan was beside him, sharpening Uhtred's sword with a frown whilst Sihtric worked on Lena's.
"Tomorrow, Sihtric. If she's not back by tonight, we leave tomorrow morning to find her."

Clenching his jaw, Sihtric only nodded.
What if something had happened to her? Raiders, or an accident? What if she had fallen from Shaeda and been inj-

"OPEN THE GATES!"

Sihtric jumped up, hope sparking in him as he ran towards the gates, Finan following close behind.

He had never been more relieved to see Ghylena's mighty mount, Shaeda.

The woman herself was a sight to behold, walking alongside her horse as she guided him by the reins. Her bow was strung tight across her back, a deadly axe tucked in her belt, and her face and furs covered in a spray of blood.
Atop Shaeda was yet another anomaly- the strange sight of a huge wild boar secured tight with rope to the saddle, and with yet more wrappings from the saddle secured to the stag Shaeda was dragging behind him.

"Ghylena!" Sihtric shouted, gleefully sprinting to her, "Lena, what on earth took you so long!?"

She turned to him, clearly so exhausted that she had not heard his approach, only to be wrapped up in his arms and spun straight up off the ground. Laughing, she drew her arms around his neck, drawing her fingers through his hair when they pulled apart- his arms still around her waist holding her upright.
Shaeda, and the boar and stag were taken away, to be stabled and butchered respectively.

"Did I have you worried, my love?" Lena teased with an arched eyebrow.

"Near killed the little runt with the stress, huntress." Finan smiled, rubbing Ghylena on the shoulder before pulling her into a hug as well.

"I take it you were totally fine then, Finan," she patted his back.

"Only too happy to be rid of you."

Ghylena smacked his chest, then let them guide her to the burh to be fed and washed.
Sihtric's arm never left her shoulders.

"You missed the King's visit, you know?" Finan spoke, the sun blinding his eyes.

"Oh? Is that all?"

Sihtric shook his head in mirth, "No, the Lord Aethelwold was also here."

Disgust marred Lena's face at the thought of the man she disliked, "Well I'll thank the gods for sparing me his presence. What did he want?"

"He spoke of a dead man rising, and prophecies of kings." Finan said.

"So the usual nonsense."

Sihtric kissed her temple, "Yes, Lena, the usual nonsense. Erik also came, smuggled himself through the river on a trading boat. Apparently he was also visiting the dead man."

Ghylena frowned, "Still, nonsense. Unless I see it for myself, I won't trust the word of a man who's only desire is power."

Finan shrugged, "If Uhtred listens to Aethelwold, we may just see it ourselves."

<>

"The stag took me 2 days to track, elusive little bastard. I was on my way home by the 3rd day when that smelly hog attacked me in my camp. Managed to stab its guts before Shaeda kicked it in the head, thank god- the beast seemed intent on skewering me with its tusks." Ghylena was clean now, enjoying her usual nightly drink with Gisela and her family.

"And the wolf?" Gisela inquired, taking Young Uhtred by the hand to be put to bed, "Did you see it again?"

Lena shook her head, "No, but I travelled east, and I think that particular creature lives west of here."

Uhtred, who held baby Stiorra in his arms, spoke softly, "Perhaps it is a sign from the gods, proof you are on the right path now. You have come a long way since Cumbraland, sister."

The thought was sweet, and too tired to fight against it, she simply allowed herself to enjoy the sentiment, a small smile gracing her lips, "Perhaps, yes. Whatever the wolf means, I need sleep. Goodnight sweet Stiorra, don't keep your father up too late."

"Stiorra makes no promises." Uhtred watched Ghylena leave for her bed.

After Young Uhtred was in bed, fast asleep with his baby sister in her slumber opposite him, Gisela and Uhtred sat in their bed together, holding each other close as they spoke.
"Has he asked yet?" Gisela looked up at her husband.

Uhtred smirked, "He has. Even asked for my promise that she could keep fighting for me after the wedding, said he didn't want to change her in order to love her."

"He knows her well then, it's good that he respects her, no?"

"Ghylena could find no better man to marry, Gisela."

"Then why the hesitation?" She pushed herself onto her elbows now.

Uhtred caressed his wife's hair, brown like her sister's, their features so alike and yet their spirits so different, "What if I do? What if they marry and she keeps fighting, what if she pups and something happens to the babe because I allowed her to fight, all for a promise I made to Sihtric?"

"Uhtred, you cannot allow your fear of what may happen to stop what should happen. With or without your blessing, I don't think there's anything in this life that could stop Sihtric from loving my sister, and Lena will follow her heart no matter what. If the time comes where she is with child, then it will be dealt with in that moment."

"Perhaps you should be lord of this estate, my love, you seem far better than me at preparing for the future."

Gisela smiled, tucking herself back to his chest, "You simply need to learn to not stand in the way of the heart. And don't torture the poor boy, tell him soon that he may marry her."

"Alright, I will." Uhtred laughed.

Word Count = 1182

up next: 'two weddings and a proposal'...