It's never over // Sihtric Kjartansson

Chapter Seven

The quick knocking woke Tove, her sleep had been comfortable. She found herself partly entwined with Sihtric as he still snored.
"I'm coming in." it was Finan. Panic took her over. Hastily Tove snatched the furs from the end of the bed, narrowly managing to cover herself but selfishly leaving Sihtric exposed. Finan laughed loudly at the fact they were together and the fact Sihtric was naked.
"Finan!" Tove yelled alarmed and in a strange position in order to remain covered.
"Sorry." he had to pause and try to stop laughing. Sihtric launched a pillow at the open door. It shut partly as Finan delivered his message:
"Lord Uhtred wants me to tell you we are leaving for Lunden in less than an hour, we will leave with or without you. And preferably with clothes on."  Then the door shut.The pair could still hear Finan laughing as he walked away, they caught each others eye and burst out laughing.

Saddling up the horses was awkward, a silence was cast over them. Tove had had enough. She stopped, putting her hands on her hips.
"Enough with this okay, whatever you've got to say say it now or forever hold your peace." she said looking round at the men.
"So are you a thing now?" Finan was quick to ask, as expected. Sighing, Tove though for a second, last night there wasn't much talking they hadn't discussed what they were now.
"Yes." Sihtric answered. Tove flicked her eyes briefly to him, his reply made her feel good. It was a feeling in her stomach she couldn't explain. She raised her eyebrows and looked face to face instead of repeating the question. With no reply she turned away and returned to fastening her saddle.

The ride was not particularly long, it had only taken a few hours. Some of the journey on horse back, the rest on row boats, this had to be Tove's least favourite part of being a warrior.

"They say Lunden is dangerous." Sihtric said as they entered.
"Oh it is but Lunden is alive with every kind of life." Finan added.
"I hear women do not walk the streets, unguarded bodies are found in the river daily." Tove noticed just how close Sihtric was when he said this. Though they had only officially been a couple for a few hours, Sihtric had always been protective.
"Twice daily, with each and every tide." Uhtred kept the conversation going.
"Alright we get it" Tove complained, throwing her hands in the air.
"Lunden is not Winchester, one year here is worth ten elsewhere." Finan spoke again.
"Then why do you not live here?" mocked Sihtric
"And end up dead in the river do I look like a fool."
"Oh yes why would this beautiful lady live in such a dangerous place." Tove mocked.
"Ha ha." Finan joked back.
Finan was right, the streets were packed. Tove feared she would be separated from the group as they pushed and squeezed through crowds, Sihtric could tell she was uncomfortable and without any prompts put his arm around her waist keeping their hips touching and giving both of them comfort. Though this didn't stop him from looking at her more often than needed. As usual Uhtred took charge in leading his warriors, Aethered and his army.
"How is it that you know these streets so well Uhtred?" Aethelred accused.
"I stayed here for a time with Earl Ragnar the fearless for a time when I was a boy." Uhtred replied, not allowing himself to get riled up and staying calm.
"When you were a Dane?" He sounded proud of his comment. As Aethered continued to annoy Uhtred he pushed further into the group of Uhtreds warriors earning dirty looks.
"As you can see the one fact in our favour is that the whole of Lunden cannot be defended, it's too big. Even the wall surrounding the old Roman city would need hundreds of men."
"So the brothers position is weak?" Finally a Mercian who didn't talk through their arse, Tove thought as Aldhelm spoke. Uhtred stopped turning to the group as what he was saying was important.
"Not weak but Lundens been open to all tribes for a reason. It's not a far walk now, only I shall speak." Uhtred looked straight at Aethelred as he said the last part before he turned and began walking again
"You should ask for food and ale Lord." Clapa called after him. The rest of the group followed on but Sihtric stopped, removing his arm from Tove. She took hold of his hand and began to guide him but Sihtric did not move.
"What?" She said quietly.
"This is where I leave you." he held eye contact but Tove could tell he felt guilty because his struggle was obvious.
"A spy once more?"  Tove asked. Sihtric nodded a reply, bringing her into his arms as an attempted apology.
"When will I see you again?" Tove asked, upset that they had to be separated again.
"I do not know my love."
"My love?" She blushed, her somber expression replaced with a smile. Sihtric laughed, embarrassed
"Too much?"
"No! No I.. I like it." Tove reassured, she turned away expecting to see Uhtred and Finan making faces at them but she couldn't see them. Panic over took her.
"Tove, what's wrong?" Sihtric said following where her eyes looked.
"Shit, they're gone." her breath sped up. Tove broke from Sihtrics embrace quickly walking in the direction the men left. She felt a hand clasp her pinky, it guided her gently but quickly through the crowd until she spotted the group. The hand let go and when she looked around to say goodbye he was nowhere to be seen. She quickly walked to the front of the group standing in between Uhtred and Finan.
They had reached a large courtyard but to get to it they had to pass a short tunnel. Inside was a man nailed to a cross, Tove found this familiar. When she was younger Tove would ask Brida about her family and Brida would speak of Church and the Bible. She remembered the story of a noble Christian who was nailed to a cross in favour of his faith. Uhtred stopped, all of them fell silent looking at the sight.
"God preserve us." Aethelred said.
"It is a death nothing more." Finan said, not fully believing it himself . They walked past the dead priest quietly. They easily spotted the brothers with a group of priests. All eyes turned to the group as Haesten alerted their presence.
"He's everywhere." whispered Tove to Finan, he knew exactly what she was taking about.
"Uhtred Ragnarsson, future king of Mercia. Welcome to Lunden, your new home should you want it." The brother that spoke had dark hair, and his muscly shoulders on display.
"Siegfried, thought you might want to kill me still." Uhtred said walking towards him.
"Well for a long time I did but then I grew to like my new hand." Siegfried lifted his right arm displaying a point where his hand should be, at that moment it was sheathed in leather but Tove knew that wasn't always the case.
"Though I have to be careful when wiping my arse." both brothers laughed. Uhtred's warriors didn't find it so funny. The other brother which must be Eric by process of elimination, stepped forward taking Uhtreds hand.
"It's great to see you here Uhtred, though your friends are not familiar." he said looking over Uhtreds shoulder at the Saxon knights.
"This is Aethelred of Mercia" Uhtred introduced him sounding as unimpressed as the brothers were
"Lord." Eric said as a sign of respect "My spies tell me you are to marry Alfred's daughter."
"Your spies are wrong Lord, I've already married Alfred's daughter." Aethelred attempted to sound smart but only gained an eye roll from Tove. When she looked forward again she felt eyes on her, the eyes belonged to Siegfried. A slight smirk was paired with his prolonged stare. He took his eyes away from Tove to speak to Aethelred.
"How does she ride?" Siegfried said in all seriousness.
"I have no complaints." he replied. Tove furrowed her eyebrows, disgusted in the way men spoke about women, especially Aethelred talking about Alfred's daughter. Alfred would have taken his tounge for that and Tove would have volunteered her dagger.
"Uhtred, why is he here?" Eric asked growing impatient.
"I am here Lord to ask your price, for leaving Lunden."
"Alfred wished to negotiate." Uhtred added
"I wish to negotiate." said Aethelred, sounding like a whining child.
"We have only just arrived why would we want to leave?" replied Eric.
"You're warriors, you will know that Lunden is impossible to defend . Let's get this done." Aethelred answered, finally something reasonable comes out of his mouth.
"Is that a threat?" Siegfried became defensive.
"Your price." Aethelred ignored the comment.
"Sounds like a threat." he said again looking at his brother.
"I'm asking for a price Lords, for silver."
"Flesh is our price." Eric spoke this time.
"Your Bride Aethelflaed." he continued. Aethelreds lip twitched.
"Nonsense."
"She has great beauty, a great mind, I am in need of a wife." Eric said plainly.
"I am in need of a hump, we will share her." Siegfried added shrugging his shoulders.
"She is my wife." Aethelred said lowering his tone. Oh so now he cares about his wife's dignity, Tove thought.
"Well then maybe we can settle for your shield maiden instead." Siegfried stuck out his tongue licking his lips and took a few steps toward Tove. Finan shuffled his ankles only slightly noticeably, closer to Tove. It was only now did Uhtred and Aethelred spot the shining silver dagger she gripped in her hand. Uhtred was ready to move into action if either of the brothers got too close to Tove, he saw that her jaw was clenched and her knuckle was white.
"Perhaps you should come closer Siegfried, you can see what happens when a lamb goes to the butcher." Toves voice was deep and quiet. Her voice didn't shake but her hand did. Siegfried laughed and took another step forward. The atmosphere grew thick.
"Unlike your balls my threats are not empty." Tove continued. Finan smirked, if he wasn't about to fight a Dane war lord he would have laughed but for now he kept his composure. Tove could feel her heart thudding in her chest, she feared people could hear it.
"It has been a long walk from the river, we should start with a cup of ale and begin business." Uhtred spoke, attempting to diffuse the situation before someone was killed.
"Lord Uhtred is right, a cup of ale sounds perfect." Eric put his hand on Siegfried's shoulder leading him away and Uhtred walked closely behind followed by Aethelred. Tove took a deep breath, she sheathed her dagger. Finan waited with her placing a hand on her back.
"You alright?" He asked trying to catch her eye but Tove couldn't bring herself to look at him.
"I'm fine." she said calming down.
When Finan and Tove got to where the brothers had lead Uhtred and the rest of the group most men had a cup of ale in hand which Finan then had aswell. Uhtred approached Tove.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry, I should have said something."
"No not at all, you don't have to worry about me little Saxon. I've had many encounters with men just as disgusting." Uhtred nodded sympathetically and walked away again. Tove kept thinking of what she said, she didn't want Uhtred to worry but maybe an 'I'm fine' would have been enough. Siegfried was ranting on about Guthred, Tove knew of Guthred, he was a great warrior and held Winchester for a time, sent the king fleeing from the palace then he converted to a Christian and became Aethelstan. Tove did not pay attention to what they spoke of, she zoned out staring at a wall, broken out of her trance by Clapa tapping her gently on the shoulder.
"We need to be entertained!" Siegfried shouted, running out of the arched doorway back into the courtyard. It was bustling with people just like any other place in Lunden.
"Are you man enough to kill a priest?" He shouted out to a Dane who was sat drinking, immediately the Dane rose and removed his shirt. The square was made, the priest and the shirtless Dane were both equipped with a sword and shield. They edged around the square staying directly opposite each other.
"So if I kill him I am allowed to go free, that is the bargain?" The priest asked.
"That is the bargain." shouted back Eric.
"You hear that Bolton? He plans to kill you!" laughed Siegfried, the shirtless Dane laughed aswell. The fight began, it consisted of Bolton running toward the priest so the priest would hide under his shield, then Bolton walking backwards admiring the roars for the crowd. Bolton pushed the priest out of the square over and over, the priest was shoved back in over and over. The priest was knocked to the floor.
"Come on priest." shouted Siegfried. The crowd grew louder.
"Finish him!" Siegfried shouted to Bolton who was turned from the priest.
"3 pieces of silver says the priest wins." Tove said turning to Finan.
"You're on, have you seen the size of that Dane compared to the big bellied priest?" They shook hands and continued to watch the fight. The priest changed his tack tick now going for attack, he sliced Boltons arm causing him to cry out in pain and then be pushed to the ground. Bolton attempted to swing again but was countered and put in a headlock by the priest.
"Now I do not wish to kill this idiot as I'm sure his mother loves him." the priest began. Tove and Clapa laughed out loud, putting her hand out Tove demanded the silver Finan owed her.
"But do I have your word as warriors that I am now a free man?" The priest finished.
"You have my word." shouted Eric.
"If all your men fight like this then Alfred will have no trouble throwing you out of Lunden." the priest said triumphantly.
"Put down your sword." Eric replied, looking down embarrassed. The priest threw his sword to the group, bringing his arms up to where they would have been nailed to a cross. Tove found this priest both funny and respectable. With the priest's action Siegfried grew enraged, he began towards the square pushing Dane's out the way. His hand-blade was unsheathed and he used it to slash Boltons throat as he marched past him. Siegfried stopped, his nose almost touching the Priests.
"Where have you learned to fight like that priest? The monastery?" He growled.
"I am a Britain Lord, I was brought up killing Saxons." the priest's breath was heavy from the fight and most likely the fear he felt as Siegfried towered over him.
"Then join us, join me."
"2 years ago maybe, but now I will fight for my God and my freedom it seems." slowly the priest backed away.
"If it is acceptable I will return with the Lord Uhtred."
"But not before we've settled on a price." Aethelred jumped in. It was not the time and place for such comment and everyone knew it apart from him.
"I hope? How much?" He continued, now approaching Siegfried.

The brothers refused silver and sent those who came to bargain back to Winchester. Sihtric had rejoined Uhtred and his men on the road approaching Uhtred before quickly making his way to Tove. He asked her how it went. She wished not to talk about the incident with Siegfried and luckily he had not seen.

Upon arrival at Winchester Aethelred, Aldhelm and Uhtred were summoned by the king. Uhtred was the first to return to the inn, angry how the king was devising an attack without him. "It's been a long journey Lord, we should get some rest. I for one am in need of sleep" Tove suggested after they had heard Lord Uhtred out on what he had to say.
"Won't get much sleep with Sihtric next to you, he snores." Finan said knowing Tove and Sihtric would be sharing a room.
"Oh thank you for the warning Finan." Tove replied scrunching her face up mockingly.
"I feel for you having to sleep next to Sihtric he can get a bit handsy with beautiful women, especially ones like you." she said rising from her seat. Clapa laughed out loud smacking a not so smug Finan on the back. Tove took Sihtric by the hand as they walked to their room. It felt nice to be held, she liked doing it around other people so they know she's his.

"Something is bothering you." Sihtric whispered, the room was cold giving the couple a great excuse to get even closer than usual. He lay behind her, one arm under her head and wrapped around her waist his other hand he used to stroke her hair and caress her cheek.
"Why do you say that?" Tove replied, thinking of how she could have been acting different.
"The way Uhtred looks at you it's different, it's like he..." Sihtric paused searching for the word.
"He what?" Tove became defensive, what was he implying? That something was going on between her and Uhtred?
"Like your an injured animal that needs to be watched over." Tove thought for a minute, she thought back to earlier that day. Remembering what she said to Uhtred in Lunden. She sighed turning over to look at him. Sihtric's eyes were laced with worry,
"When we were negotiating, well, not formally but talking of it, Siegfried asked if I was to be apart of the bargain and he..." Tove searched for the right words, she wished not to exaggerate but to tell enough to make what she said to Uhtred justified. Sihtric's face was now twisted into an angry frown.
"Well he started getting close to me-"
"How close." he cut her off.
"Sihtric listen, please just hear me out." Sihtric took a deep breath and nodded.
"Well he made me feel threatened so I pulled my dagger. He wouldn't stop and I threatened him. Nothing happened but I was just shaken up and Uhtred asked if I was okay and I just said I've dealt with men like him before and I guess that's how he sees me now. I shouldn't have said it but." Tove sighed feeling embarrassed.
"You don't have to explain yourself." Sihtric reassured her, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Tove shrugged. She couldn't find the words. Sihtric watched as she stared down, he understood and didn't press her any more. Instead Sihtric pulled her close, finding comfort with the feeling of her heart beating against his.