Happily Married

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Avery settled into her new life quite well, she was often found playing with the children in the town and reading stories to them or even singing to them. She had become well loved by the townsfolk and when her stomach had grown too big to hide, everyone had celebrated the news about the new heir of Sherborne. So, Avery had sent two letters, one to her niece and another to her brother to reveal her condition. Of course, Alfred already knew and this whole marriage was his idea, but the Queen would only know this version of the truth. But with these letters she would risk the anger of Aethelred who had already confessed he didn't like the thought of her being with someone else and he would believe that her child was Gregor's.

"Congratulations on the child, my brother will be an amazing father." James stepped out from one of the buildings, he was older than Gregor and had a completely different style and look but he was in charge of the armies of Sherborne. In the months that Avery had been living here, she had grown close with James. The pair had similar personalities and he had grown quite protective of her, especially now she was growing a child.

"I do not doubt that. And you will be a fantastic uncle. You already do too much for them." She smiled, her hands sitting against the purple fabric that draped over her stomach. "Please join us again for dinner later tonight. I always enjoy your jokes."

James laughed softly, nodding his head before he left Avery at the door to the building, she had shared quite happily with Gregor for the last five months.

But her smile seemed to fade a little when she could smell the strong wine before she even entered their chambers. Gregor asleep face down buried in all of their quilts. She sighed softly and moved over towards the bed before pouring him a large glass of water, he would need to drink plenty to get rid of the aftereffects of whatever he had consumed today.

She also wet a small cloth, moving to sit on the edge of the bed as the wet fabric connected with his head and he was quick to wake up. A small smile present on his lips.

"My beautiful wife." He turned now, so he was laid on his back and she was able to place the wet cloth against his forehead properly. "Thank you."

"Do you want to talk about what is bothering you. Why you seek the comfort of your ale?" She tried to be understanding, but he tended to shut down at certain points. As welcoming as he was, when he was like this she felt alone. Sara had left to hand deliver her letters to Alfred and Aethelflaed.

"It has been a year since she died." He whispered out, his hand moving to settle on her stomach, and she would never deprive him of that moment. This child is his after all. Blood or not.

"I am so sorry. I had no idea. But drinking yourself senseless will not make this day any easier." Her left hand kept the wet cloth against his forehead and then her right hand settled on top of his, just letting him know that they were both here for him.

"I do not drink to make the day easier." His eyes closed in frustration, and he moved to sit up, her hand falling from his forehead but the hands on her stomach remained. "I am angry."

"I would be angry too. Losing someone you love in such a horrible way, but the alcohol will not help. You need to mourn them." Her words seemed to hit a nerve and his hand quickly dropped from her stomach and his palm dragged across his face as a small laugh left his lips which confused her at his drastic change of emotions.

"I am angry because it has only been a year and I have remarried; we are about to have a child and I find myself drawn to you. When you are not here, I look for you. At night I find myself thinking about you and you are my first thought when I wake. I am deeply enamoured with you." He reluctantly admitted, seeing how nervous he had grown she knew his words must have been true and the way he worded his attraction rendered her speechless.

The Forgotten Princess | Avery x Leofric x Uhtred | The Last KingdomWhere stories live. Discover now