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

Second Chances

"I believed you would be better off without me. That everyone would. I hated being known as the damsel in distress when I knew I could fight better than most men on the battlefield. But being a Princess was holding me back. I made a stupid decision that made me miss out on all of your milestones. But I want to be here for you. I want you to know that I will be there if you want me to be." Of course, it was all his decision. He could decide that he hated her and never wanted to see her again. As much as that would break her heart, she would never blame him. It was her own stupid decisions that brought her down this path.

"We were all devastated. I lost my mother and my father and was too young to remember either of you. Uncle still holds a feast in your memory every year. Or he did until he married Mary." He finally placed his sword back in the holder, now over the initial shock of seeing his mother for the first time in person – well what he could remember.

"I thought about you every single day. But the longer I stayed away, the harder it would be to return. The harder it would be to earn your forgiveness. I kept convincing myself it would be better to stay away. But I have to face the consequences, I cannot keep running. There is something else I must tell you too, about your father." If she was going to face his hate, she may as well get all of the truth out in the open.

"I know. You had me convinced that both of my parents had been murdered. I have spent most of these years ruled by revenge. It is all I think about, finding the men who took you both from me." He seemed so hurt and this hurt her in return. She never considered this. She believed he would never remember her or even think about her because he was barely one when she left.

"Your father, he is not the man that you believe." She had barely started her declaration of truth when she heard him sigh and when he turned to face her, she saw the Uhtred's haunting gaze staring back at her.

"I know mother. The servants, they talk. Even now. Father was a drunk who disrespected his vows with anyone who would lay with him." Is that all Gregor would be remembered as? He was so much more than his mistakes. He had saved Avery from a horrible fate.

"No. Gregor was an honourable man. He took me as his wife when he knew I had already been tainted. He is not your father, your true father." Her fingers nervously twisted the rings that decorated her fingers before she found the courage to face him again. "Your father is alive. He does not know you are his child, but I believe he has his suspicions."

"So, my whole life has been a lie. Everything I have been taught is a lie. I am not even an heir to this place." This was too much. Too much information to give him at once but he needed to know. "I cannot claim these lands. I do not have any right."

"Gregor wanted you to be the future. He wanted you as his heir and that never changed. You will be an amazing Lord. It is in your blood. You have ties to Wessex and ties to Bebbanburg." When she saw the look of confusion, she dared to step a little closer, not wanting anyone else to hear what she was about to say next. "Your father. Your true father, he is called Uhtred. You have probably heard whispers about him from the servants. But he is not the man they claim, he is the most loyal man I have ever known."

"I am a Dane?" His own voice was now a whisper, of course he had heard stories. Uhtred was feared by many but respected by everyone. If the truth was revealed he would be the one who suffered. He was a bastard. Uhtred's bastard.

"No. You are a Saxon. You are the son of Avery, Princess of Wessex and the son of Uhtred, the true Lord of Bebbanburg. You are meant for greatness." Her hand dared to reach for his, in an attempt to reassure him. "You will be the Lord of Sherborne. You will be in an alliance with both Wessex and Mercia because of your cousins. You will help create a united England."