Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 69

"You alright? You look like you've seen the un-dead," Barth asked, sounding half concerned, half amused.

I blinked, hoping I wasn't seeing what I thought I was, but sure enough I really did see Alfred sitting there singing to a tavern of drunk Danes, who seemed to be totally unaware that the prize of Wessex was sitting right there. What was he thinking? Also, how stupid or drunk were all of these Danes to not recognize him? "Fine," I mumbled, tearing my eyes away from Alfred. "I think I've had too much," I added, putting my empty tankard down.

Barth raised his eyebrow at me, but didn't ask any further questions. My mind raced. If Alfred was here then Uhtred should be too right? I scanned the room saw no sign of him. Barth now had his hand on my arm, trying to steady me. "I think you should go rest," he said gently.

I nodded and allowed him to escort me out. I took one last glance at Alfred who locked eyes with me before I found myself standing in the cold night air. Standing is a poor choice of words, more like leaning against Barth as the world tilted slightly. He chuckled at my predicament, but didn't say a word. I cursed myself for drinking so much as he helped me stumble along back to my quarters; a perk I suppose of being almost kin to Ragnar. As we meandered into the courtyard I spotted Ragnar and Brida talking to a familiar figure. Uhtred.

I felt my face redden as we got closer. Uhtred turned and stared at me clinging onto Barth for balance. "Tara," he said, surprised.

"Did you come to give Guthrum your head," I replied, starting to laugh out of control. "Barth here can help you." I gave Barth a playful punch.

"There will be no head taking while I'm here," Ragnar stepped in.

"Pity," I continued to chuckle. I could feel shame rising within me as Uhtred stared at me clutching onto the dark haired Dane, yet my drunk brain was in control and didn't care. "Your friend is in the tavern," I bobbed.

"What friend?" Ragnar asked, curious.

I was about to keep running my mouth when Uhtred intervened. "A whore I know."

At that point I lost it laughing and must've looked insane. But the idea of Alfred being a whore was too funny, let alone in my drunken stupor even funnier. "Tak Tara," Uhtred said before bidding us all farewell and hastily making his way towards the tavern. Brida's eyes watching his back.

"A whore?" Brida turned back to us and looked disgusted. I shrugged and forget most of what happened next, though I think I remember Ragnar threatening to murder Barth in a very creative way if he took advantage of me.

~~~~~

The next morning I awoke with my head pounding and swore that would be the last time I drank that much, broken heart or not. I laid on my back staring at the ceiling with little motivation to get out of bed. The events of the night came flooding back and I buried my face into my pillow. I had behaved rather poorly, and then of course there was Alfred and I didn't tell anyone, and... Uhtred. My heart pounded. Uhtred was there, he saw Barth holding onto me so I wouldn't topple over. I sighed heavily and cursed myself for caring. Why should I care? Uhtred's the one who cut me loose. I'm nobody's woman. I'm... But it was hopeless to convince myself that I didn't care about him. Right there and then I swore to myself I would never love again.

Happy with the knowledge of my decision I attempted to sit up and swung my legs over the edge of my bed. The room still spun some, but soon I was once again in control. Satisfied I could stand, I went off in search of information.

~~~~~

I half expected, or perhaps hoped, to see the courtyard full on onlookers as Guthrum paraded Alfred around, but to my dismay there was no Alfred on parade. The courtyard was filled with the usual Danish rabble all counting away time.

I found Ragnar attending to his sword. I plopped down on a hay bale next to him. "So she lives another day," he chuckled.

"What did Uhtred want?"

"To gossip like an old maid," Ragnar smirked.

"He was probably here spying for Alfred," I bitterly replied. Immediately regretting the words as they left my lips. Ragnar shrugged, unable to think poorly of his sworn brother.

"He says Alfred's still trapped in the swamp."

"That's not news," I half moaned, leaning backwards to hang off the hay bale.

"He will march to Dunholm with us once Wessex is settled."

"Why does he not join you now?" The treachery on my tongue stung.

"He is young, bored. But he will be back to take Dunholm," Ragnar insisted.

"You sound like an old man," I complained, rolling over to my stomach so I could see him better. Ragnar's face remained unreadable. What was going on in his thick skull?

"Uhtred serves the Saxons." Brida joined us. "He thinks they are going to take back Wessex."

"If we just sit here doing nothing, that probably will come to pass," I replied. I felt both of their eyes on me. "What?"

"Do you know something?" Brida asked, her eyes narrowing.

"I've told you all I know. They hate me and Uhtred sent me away." I paused. "If you two are so suspicious of him then why did you let him leave?"

They had no answer. Like me, they were torn between their loyalty as Danes, and the family bond that tied the four of us together. So instead, the three of us sat in an uncomfortable silence.

~~~~~

I lost track of the days, but seasons continued to pass and we remained stationary. Guthrum had no plans to do anything from what I could tell. He continued to cite the winter as being why, then when spring came he reasoned that he was waiting for men to come to his call. By this time I was sure Alfred had raised his fyrd with his fancy letters and would be coming to slaughter us while we sat like lame ducks.

Barth and I were sparring when word came that Alfred was marching and was near. So much for the Danes who were supposed to be watching the marsh for movement. Excitement arose in the camp. Light returned to the eyes of men who were on the point of going insane from idleness. We all waited for Guthrum to address us, but he remained absent. Ragnar was called to council several times and I could get very little information out of him. He was not pleased with whatever Guthrum was proposing or not proposing, but his word to the Earl prevented him from turning against him.

"The fool needs to head them off now," Ragnar snarled, barely audible.

"Guthrum is a fool," Brida agreed, gently patting Ragnar's hand. "But you should not be heard talking about him in that way."

"How many men are coming?" I asked, taking a swig of ale.

"From the marsh one thousand strong. How they raised that many men without the watchers knowing, I do not know," Ragnar grimaced.

"We can easily take one thousand men," Brida scoffed. "So why does Guthrum wait?"

"He wants all his men here," Ragnar replied.

"Guthrum is aging and losing his mind," I chuckled.

"Aye," Ragnar agreed. Brida gave both of us warning looks to lower our voices.

"With your permission lord, I'd like to ride south," I proposed.

Ragnar lifted his eyebrow, amusement peaking in his eyes. "And what would you do should I permit you to ride south?"

"What wouldn't I do?" I laughed.

"Permission granted..." He paused. "So long as Sogard goes with you."

I rolled my eyes. "Why?"

"Can't have Guthrum saying I'm operating against him," Ragnar smiled wickedly. I looked to Brida who shrugged. I took another long drink before grudgingly nodding. "So it's settled then," Ragnar beamed.