The Forgotten Princess | Avery x Leofric x Uhtred | The Last Kingdom

A haunting past

They were on the roads for the next couple of days, whenever they stopped for rest each evening Avery and Sihtric spend the hours exploring one another's bodies. There was plenty of time for sleep, but in that moment, they did not care for rest. On the third evening of spending their nights together, they decided sleep was finally needed. They would need their energy, but Sihtric joined her beneath her makeshift shelter he had built her, just holding her close and letting her sleep. It was the most peaceful sleep she had in years, but she knew her heart still yearned for her son. She had abandoned him, and she hoped he would forgive her. She would wait for his forgiveness, however long it would take.

This would be their last day of riding, the last day of hiding in blissful happiness with Sihtric. She knew his loyalty to Uhtred would outweigh his feelings for her. And once Avery saw Uhtred again, she would be reminded where her heart truly lies and who it beat for.

When they finally reached the gates of Coccham they were greeted by a heartbreaking sight, a newborn baby crying for a mother who would never answer the cries. Childbirth was a battlefield each woman would have to face. The Lady Gisela had given Uhtred three children, two sons and a daughter before her life was claimed. But because of the timing her death was blamed on the curse. Avery had held back, hiding behind one of the buildings as she watched Uhtred break down in the arms of his oldest friend Hild.

In his grief he decided to leave his children in the care of Hild and leave for battle once again. He needed to know how to break the curse, before he lost someone else that he cared for. Avery remained hidden, knowing her sudden reappearance would be too much for him to handle in that moment. Once Sihtric had finished preparing the horses he let the others go ahead and he remained behind to ride with Avery.

"You will have to face him." Sihtric spoke plainly, not wanting to dance around the subject or the obvious tension that was lingering in that moment.

"I know, but he has just lost his wife. He needs some time to process his emotions first before I spring this on him." Her eyes were forward, watching the group in the distance as she remained by Sihtric's side.

"He is losing the will to fight, knowing you are here for him will give him the strength he needs to remain strong. Skade will be powerless against him." Since they had returned to the group, the last week or so was never discussed. And as selfish as it seemed, Avery was missing the attention.

"I do believe you seem to think he cares for me more than he actually does. You were the one who came to find me, you have been the one to protect me. Not Uhtred." This was the closest Avery would ever get to admitting her feelings for Sihtric. She was still confused at how she could love multiple people, how she had feelings for him, Finan and Uhtred. All for different reasons and the way they would make her feel.

"You know why. I feel things for you that I never thought possible, but my loyalty is with Uhtred." Just as he was about to put an end to their affair, they noticed that the others had suddenly stopped. Uhtred's horse riderless and Finan shouting for a cart so they can get him to safety.

Avery and Sihtric suddenly testing the speed of their own horses to catch up with the others. It seemed she could no longer remain hidden.

"It is her. She is squeezing the life out of me. This curse is going to kill me. I need to find Brida." Uhtred spoke weakly, his skin was pale and flush to the touch. His eyes growing wide as he saw Avery as she let her hood fall and reveal her face to him. "An angel. The Gods taunt me." He still believed her to be dead.

"Uhtred. You cannot leave us." Avery whispered and moved to settle on the cart beside him. She held his hand, holding a damp rag against his forehead in an attempt to calm his fever but to Uhtred she was a spirit come to taunt him. In his fever he was being taunted by Leofric, who expressed his hatred for the Dane for stealing his Princess and making her carry his babe. The first person to confirm his suspicions. But was it all lies? He could not trust his own mind.