~Behind The Legends~

Chapter 9: Kjartan

As we leave the gates of the hall, I look down and suddenly see Sihtric, he seems out of breath, that he ran here. I feel my heart drop. He hasn't changed a bit, I suddenly fill with joy. I laugh a bit

"Sihtric." I say airily, I run down the stairs and straight into his arms, he holds me close, savouring the hug. I feel him stroke my hair back and sigh of relief. When we finally separate he moves the hair from my face and smiles at me, I chuckle and smiles back, sniffling and almost crying

"Hi." I say airily, he smiles more

"Hi." I want to kiss him, but I can feel everyone's eyes on us... everyone is watching. That's when I'm cut off by Uhtred clearing his throat. We suddenly jump apart and stand apart a little to face dad, he eyes up Sihtric for a minute then looks at me

"So, this is the guy Ragnar was talking about?" I shoot a look to Ragnar, he looks around and avoids eye contact with me, i mutter

"Traitor." Uhtred takes a second

"I'm not mad, Frey." I look at him a bit taken back

"You are not?" He shakes his head and frowns a little

"As long as he loves, cares and will protect you. I have no quarrel." Uhtred then eyes up Sihtric again, he tries to hide a smile

"I do, lord." He says without any hesitation, I smile at him as he tries to act as serious as possible, Uhtred then nods

"You have my blessing." I become a bit taken back, but overall happy, dad then points

"To date. Not anything else... yet, maybe." Uhtred then pats Sihtric's back

"Welcome to the family." He then pulls him close and mutter in her ear

"Hurt her in any way, I will kill you." I look at Uhtred a little annoyed

"Brother!" He lets Sihtric go and chuckles

"I'm joking. Come, let's drink." I hear our men rejoice that they are allowed to drink now. Uhtred walks off and leads them, Sihtric then takes my hand. I become a little taken back but then settle into it, I smile at him and we begin to walk to the table. Clapa has now joined us also, it is nice to see him again as well. He brings in the drinks for us, we drink our way through the rest of the day and soon the night. That's until Hild notice's that Uhtred's drawing his arm back quite a bit and investigates. She gently pulls his arm back and forth, then go

"You're lucky, nothings broken. It will hurt wielding your sword, though." Ragnar speaks

"Well, we cannot wait for the wounded." Uhtred puts his top back on properly and looks at him

"You might not have to wait for the wounded." Brida jokes

"We should kill him." I smile and shake my head at her, Uhtred chuckles sarcastically. Brida then continues

"Guthred... the turd king." Beocca does not seem impressed with her

"Do you ever tire of menace?" She looks back at him with some sass

"I do not." Finan then speaks up

"If we are successful in taking Dunholm, who gets to keep it?" I nod and set down my ale

"Yes, who does?" Beocca responds quickly

"Guthred. Guthred, naturally." Clapa speaks

"He has Eoferwic." Uhtred keeps his eyes on Ragnar

"Ragnar should have it." Ragnar panics a little and keeps to him humble roots

"No." Beocca once again interrupts