Anabella or short ‚Bella' lives in denial as she was just a poor slave! After years of living like a worthless slave, a warrior named Uhtred Ragnarsson and his ‚pretty boys' rescued her from her, what she called it ‚destiny'!
Uhtred was kind to her...
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~~~~~~ It was a warm summer day, Anabella was doing her daily chores when suddenly loud screams filled her ears! She was used to hear loud screams but these ones were different...they were filled with fear! She decided to put the bucket she held in her hands down and went outside to see what was going on! She caught sight of four men...three of them were warriors and one of them was a monk! Anabella hid behind the old barn and watched from a safe distance! She watched as her master got killed and it made her happy...she was now finally free! One of the warriors discovered her and then spoke to his Lord... ~~~~~~
warrior 1:"Don't be afraid, we are here to take you away from here!...(*Anabella hesitant took the warriors hand*)...my name is Uhtred Ragnarsson, your new Lord and your eternal home, if that is what you want!" Anabella:(*looked at the other three*)"Nice to meet you, Uhtred!...(*Uhtred smiled at her*)...my name is Anabella! I would like to accept your offer, because I don't know where else to go..." warrior 2:"Don't you have any family nearby?...(*Anabella shook her head*)...I'm sorry to hear that! I'm Finan by the way, nice to welcome you!" Uhtred:(*pointed at the monk and the third warrior*)"That's Sihtric and Osferth over there!...(*the two men nodded at Anabella*)...forgive our sudden appearance, but it looks like the Princess of Winchester is worried about the safety of her people!"
~~~~~~ Anabella waved it off and smiled at Uhtred! Then the boys walked over to their horses and waited for Anabella to follow them! Soon Uhtred realised, that she had no horse so he offered her to ride with him on his horse! She agreed and then they rode off towards Winchester! Anabella often turned her head to look at Sihtric, but he just looked away or rolled his eyes! She wasn't sure whether to like or hate him...it was a difficult decision! ~~~~~~
Finan:"Welcome back to Winchester, Anabella!...(*Anabella smiled at the Irishman*)...don't worry, we're only staying one night! Tomorrow morning we ride on to Coccham to Uhtred's wife and children!" Anabella:(*looked at Uhtred*)"Wife and children, then, Uhtred?...(*Uhtred proudly nodded*)...I look forward to meeting your family!" Osferth:"Lady Gisela is the sweetest soul in all of Coccham!...(*Finan nodded*)...she will love you!" Uhtred:(*nodded*)"But now I would like to introduce you to two other important people in my life!...(*Anabella jumped off his horse*)...are you familiar with priests?"
~~~~~~ Anabella nodded and followed Uhtred! The other three led the horses to the stables and joined them moments later! Uhtred knocked on the priests door and a woman with red hair and warm eyes opened the door! She immediately pulled Uhtred into a tight hug and widely smiled at Anabella! She smiled back and soon they were let in! ~~~~~~
Uhtred:"Anabella, this is my sister Thyra!...(*the two women smiled at each other*)...and that man there on the chair, that's Father Beocca!" Father Beocca:(*lifted his head*)"Welcome to our home, Lady!...(*Anabella tilted her head*)...would you like something to drink?" Anabella:"That would be very nice, thank you!...(*Father Beocca smiled and then stood up*)...you have a beautiful house!" Thyra:(*sat down*)"Thank you, Anabella!...(*Uhtred looked at the two women*)...Uhtred, where are your friends?" Uhtred:"The three of them should be here any moment!...(*Thyra laughed*)...actually, that's what Finan said!"
~~~~~~ Thyra continued laughing and Uhtred just sighed! Father Beocca gave Anabella a mug of ale and she thankfully smiled at him! Moments later the door swung wide open and the missing three men entered the house! Anabella immediately turned her head, when she felt Sihtric's warm breath on her neck! He glanced down at her and had his typical annoyed expression on his face! Yup now she was sure: he hated her and that's when she decided, that she hated him! ~~~~~~
Osferth:"Good day! We were wondering if you missed us!...(*Uhtred shook his head*)...typical! But now we are here and the horses have something to drink!" Finan:(*laughed*)"That's right!...(*he looked at Uhtred*)...Lord, the King wants to see you!" Uhtred:"Who told you that, Finan?...(*Finan lowered his head*)...did Steapa give you the information?" Osferth:(*took a sip of his ale*)"Yes, it was Steapa and you are supposed to bring Anabella!...(*Anabella turned her head*)...the King wants to make sure that Anabella will be all right in our presence..."
~~~~~~ Uhtred sighed again and then he stood up! Anabella looked at him before following him towards the palace! They walked towards the throne room and Uhtred knocked on the door! King Alfred soon let them in and he widely smiled at the once inhabitant of Winchester! But Anabella didn't want to be reminded about her live before slavery... ~~~~~~
King Alfred:"I see you have found her, Uhtred!...(*Uhtred nodded*)...Anabella, are you comfortable in Uhtred's presence?" Anabella:(*nodded*)"Yes, Lord King, I am!...(*King Alfred smiled*)...I couldn't have imagined a better rescue!" Uhtred:"Always at your service, MyLady!...(*Anabella giggled*)...would you like to go and find Æthelflæd to thank her?" Anabella:(*nodded*)"I would like that, thank you Uhtred!...(*he widely smiled at her*)...see you later!"
~~~~~~ Anabella left the throne room and walked towards Æthelflæd's chambers! She somehow remembered everything about the palace and that made finding Æthelflæd a lot easier! On her way she saw Lady Ælswith, who widely smiled at her! When she reached Æthelflæd's chambers, she realised, that Æthelflæd wasn't there! So she walked towards the marketplace and crossed Lord Æthelwold's way...he always bugged her and she hated him with a passion! ~~~~~~
Æthelwold:"Well, well, well, if it isn't Anabella!...(*she rolled her eyes*)...how did you escape your master?" Anabella:(*shot him an annoyed look*)"That's none of your business!...(*Æthelwold laughed*)...are you drunk again?" Æthelwold:"Maybe a little bit!...(*Anabella sighed*)...who are you looking for anyway?" Anabella:(*rolled her eyes again*)"That's none of your business either!...(*Æthelwold got angry*)...why are you getting angry now?" Æthelwold:"I haven't seen you in 4 years and you act like you hate me!...(*Anabella raised an eyebrow*)...tell me why are you here?" Anabella:(*took a deep breath*)"Firstly, I really hate you and I'm not just pretending to and secondly, I wanted to visit Winchester again!...(*she fake smiled at him*)...may I go on now?"
~~~~~~ Æthelwold remained silent so Anabella assumed he was done talking! In fact: he was not! He grabbed her wrist the moment she wanted to walk away and so she was forced to stop in her tracks! She turned around and looked him dead in the eye! He tightened his grip and now Anabella realised, that he was definitely not only drunk a little! His gaze darkened and Anabella felt uncomfortable! Meanwhile: Uhtred and King Alfred talked about possible upcoming battles, whilst Sihtric and Finan were walking the streets of Winchester! At some point they heard Æthelwold's voice and Sihtric caught sight of Anabella! Even though he hated her and had absolutely no explanation for that, he ran towards the two of them and helped her... ~~~~~~
