Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 68

Guthrum looked less than pleased to see me again. The last time I had seen him, I was cutting down his men while Uhtred crudely insulted his mother.

I watched his cold eyes stare at Svein's blade then return back to me. "And I suppose you expect a reward for killing him?"

"No lord," I replied calmly.

"Then what do you want?"

"Nothing lord."

"Nobody wants nothing," he sneered. "We're Danes. We always want something. Even the filthy Saxons want something." He raised his brow at me. "Are you a spy for the Saxons?"

"Lord Guthrum I vouch for her. She is no spy," Ragnar cut in to my annoyance.

Guthrum scoffed and addressed me once again. "I see your lord steps in once again to defend you." He turned to Ragnar, "why do you keep defending these blood traitors?"

"I'm no blood traitor," I snarled.

Guthrum wheeled back to me. "You've killed your own kin for that traitor."

"Uhtred's no traitor."

"He joined the Saxons!"

"You gave him no choice! He came to you for help and you tried to kill him!"

"Your insolence girl will be your downfall!" He shouted, drawing his blade and pointing it at my throat. I stood firm, not stupid enough to draw. Though it was admittedly tempting. Adding Guthrum to my list of the slayed...

The room was silent as everyone stared at us. My heart raced in my chest, but I kept my face as stoic as I could. Unlike Ubba or Svein, Guthrum wasn't rash. He was a brute, but not stupid. Killing me would end his alliance with Ragnar, an alliance he couldn't afford to lose. "Give me one good reason not to remove your treacherous head from your shoulders," he growled low.

"I have none," I replied, steadying my voice as best I could.

Guthrum smirked at my answer and I felt relief flood within me as he lowered his blade and returned it to his side. "Good. I'm tired of the excuses." He waved his hand, dismissing everyone. People scurried out. Ragnar brushed past me and as I turned to follow, Guthrum's words surprised me,"Welcome home Melgaard."

I nodded at him and departed.

~~~~~
A safe distance away from Guthrum, Ragnar and Brida stared at me. "What?"

"I thought he was going to kill you," Brida exclaimed.

I shrugged. "I probably would've deserved it."

"You wanted him to kill you?" Brida practically whispered.

I shrugged, not really sure what I wanted. Perhaps part of me had hoped Guthrum would run me through and end my misery.

"Uhtred's not worth your life," Ragnar grumbled. "I love my brother, but he's a fool."

"Tak," I halfheartedly replied.

"Don't go dying yet. You still have to help me kill Kjartan," Ragnar clapped me on the back.

A glimmer of light entered my fallen soul. In my misery I had forgotten the other things I had to live for. I nodded at Ragnar who smiled at me gently before taking off to attend to things.

Brida stayed with me and we sat in silence a while. "Uhtred sent you away?" She asked.

"He released me from all oaths to him and told me to return to you and Ragnar."

"I'm sure he had a reason," Brida said, not missing a beat.

"Well, if you figure it out, let me know," I groaned.

"How is Alfred?" Brida asked.

"Not dead yet," I chuckled. She smiled, but I could tell she was studying my face, my every move. Brida was no fool and by far less trusting than Ragnar. "What?" I asked her.

"Is Uhtred still sworn to Alfred?" She asked. I shrugged and watched her mind at work. 

There was no hiding from her. Uhtred must've known that too when he sent me away, stripping me of any vows I had made to him, including my childhood vow to help him take back his birthright, Bebbanburg. Right? The final blow was making me swear on my life that I would not return to him unless he called for me. The words made me sick, but I did as he asked. That was the night I swore to never be vulnerable again.

"Uhtred broke your heart," Brida interrupted my thoughts. I stared at her and slowly nodded. She continued to watch me, probably reading my mind, putting me on edge. But then she surprised me, pulling me into a tight hug. "I know how you feel," she whispered before releasing me. "Well, I can't heal a broken heart, but we can at least keep you distracted for a while," she grinned. I didn't have a chance to ask her what she meant before I found myself being dragged off to the area that had been set up for sparring practice.

Standing across from her, I studied her stance. I hadn't practiced with Brida in a long time and wondered what new tricks she might have up her sleeve. Like me, Brida preferred using an axe. Shield on one arm, axe wielded by the other. 

"First blood?" She asked, a wide grin on her face.

I gave her a small nod. Brida struck like a viper. I barely had time to block her blow with my shield arm. A crowd began to gather around, intrigued by our match. Hooting and hollering began, bets were taken. A wild look entered Brida's eye and I couldn't help but smile. I let her lunge at me a few more times, blocking and watching her every move. As she moved to strike again, I side stepped her and smacked her backside with my shield, winning a few laughs. She growled and whirled around, thrusting her shield into me. I felt my feet stagger, but somehow kept my footing. It was my turn to return the favor. Adrenaline shot through me and I charged at her, knocking her off balance and down to the ground. I was on top of her in moments, with my axe to her throat, drawing a tiny bit of blood. She gazed at me with a grin and yielded. I helped her to her feet and we both wandered away from the ring, sore, but happy. The sounds of cheering and discontent men rang behind us.

~~~~~

A few days passed, and I understood why my and Brida's sparring match was so exciting to the men. There was absolutely nothing to do. I was permitted to go with a few raiding parties, but beyond that we were all just waiting. Waiting for spring to come. In the many hours of nothingness I wandered the town, with Barth tailing me like a dog its master, except in this case it was Guthrum's way of telling me he didn't trust me.

"You drink a lot for a woman," Barth looked at me with admiration as I downed a third mug of ale.

"I'm bored," I complained, taking another swig. I was not much of a drinker, as drink dulls the senses, but dulling my senses is exactly what I wanted to do. What else did I have to lose?

"I could help you with that." Barth smiled wickedly.

"Not that bored," I retorted. He scoffed and took a drink. "So, what does Guthrum want?" I asked.

"Haven't the faintest idea," he smiled over the brim of his mug.

"I know he's having you follow me."

Barth shrugged. "Just supposed to keep you out of trouble."

I was attempting to come up with a witty reply when a Saxon bard started to badly sing. I cringed at his off-key voice and joined in the booing and jeering. But the man continued on, singing a sad song of wandering man. His hood remained over his head, which I thought odd, but as he turned, I caught a glimpse of the face beneath and felt my heart stop. Alfred.