𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 ➻ 𝐚𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧

i. father, brother, prince

life in Rumcofa

"Isn't it strange?" Finan's thick voice cut through the clashing of wooden sparring swords, cutting through the concentration of Uhtred. Watching the two children attentively, a young girl with dark chestnut hair that replicated his own, and eyes that were so familiar, scarily, as he wondered where she could have inherited them. The young boy was strong, dark curls falling across his eyes, his blows often sending her flying, though that was only if he managed to catch her, a show of agility  vs strength.

"What's strange?" Osferth asked, joining them at the table as his eyes darted to Sihtric, who coached two young children tentatively.
"Well...erm," Chocking up, his patience wearing thin knowing damn well what he was about to say. It was strange, that the young girl resembled Gisela more than his own daughter with her. Stiorra had Gisela's spirit and attitude, though, she had Gisela's build and face, her eyes were Uhtred's- strong willed and determined to accomplish greatness. To lead. The eyes of Klara were gentle and understanding but filled with the same fire behind Gisela.
"What is it Finan?"

Hesitation.
His men were more his family than any of his true family were. They were the men that had stood by him through everything, not because of money or status but because they all grew to care for one another. Years spent together. Bonded as brothers and as one family. Uhtred knew that there couldn't be anything his men said to him that could make him feel anger or hatred. His men knew him, they were the other parts of him, completed him. Sometimes they knew him better than himself.

"It's strange that the young Klara looks a bit like Gisela," He blurted in almost one word, for fear of the reaction sparked from Uhtred, after a silence, words came spilling out again,
"I just mean, she reminds me of her. Even so young, she could almost pass as Stiorra's sister."
"She is her sister,"
"Lord, I just meant-"
Uhtred sighed, giving a haughty laugh before clamping his shoulder.
"I am aware. Believe me Finnan, I see it."

Roughly the same age as young Aethelstan, it hadn't been any of his interest to oversee a child not his own, let alone another girl- whom he cannot remember the circumstances for when she was conceived. Occasionally he thought about how the gods decided to play a cruel joke on him, having to raise two children again. The irony of her looking like Gisela, settled again in a place they were able to call home. Uhtred felt the missing piece of Gisela in raising the two, but he was never alone, Finan, Sihtric and Osferth had always been there to help raise them. The missing presence of a woman has grown to be more noticeable as Klara grew, in time Uhtred knew that they would need guidance. With Stiorra being the only viable option.

"I think it'd be good to take Klara to Eoforwic. To Stiorra. This time perhaps a little longer,"
"What're you thinking lord?"
They needn't even ask, I sense they are well aware, asking only to confirm their own beliefs.
"We lack women here to guide her. Strong women. Hild had been there to guide Stiorra, It is only fair that young Klara had someone there as well."
"We could guide her Lord," Osferth offered, a shy smile on his lips. He'd always valued him. The baby monk of their brotherhood. The boy who he'd watched grow and guided into the man he is now.

"I know you men are well capable," He paused, looking at each of them around the table, "but Klara needs a woman in her life."
The thought of sending his daughter away pained him, his children all grown. The gods had given him another chance to be a father, he understood that but what use is he as a father without a woman helping him raise his child. Aethelstan was different, his father had wanted him to grow as a warrior, to be surrounded by his men- strong men, that knew morals and respect. He did not want his daughter to grow as a warrior for the sake of not giving her any choice of what she wanted in life. Klara had spoken to him about many things, most included asking about the battles and people that have impacted his life. He told her of Father Beocca, of Thyra, Young Ragnar and even Brida. The little girl and young Aethelstan had given him new hope and purpose.