𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐀𝐓𝐇, tlk

i. The King's prize.

Æthelstan Of Wessex—

Æthelstan looks at Uhtred without moving his sword from where it is lodged, at the throat of the man who raised him and took him under his wing for years. They look at each other for seconds, which seem like hours to Æthelstan who struggles internally with his conscience which reminds him of who he is and who he has kneeling before him. He is King now, it is his duty to establish order and respect.

"Bring them to me." Æthelstan orders without looking away from Uhtred.

Three knights dismount their horses and seize the three young men that Æthelstan took hostage, going to the fortress to free Ingilmunder. The three young men are swung in front of Uhtred, who doesn't move—trying to figure out who's hiding under the hoods, staring at them.

Æthelstan signals to the knights who discover the faces of the three young men, and Uhtred tries to get up abruptly as they do so but he is stopped by Æthelstan who presses his sword even more to his throat, forcing him to remain on his knees in front of him.

"Ærys!" Sihtric screams in rage as he tries to free himself from the hold one of the knights has on him.

Æthelstan turns to Sihtric who continues to struggle and fidget, before turning to Ærys who stands with his head held high—compared to Edmund who has his head lowered, and Osbert who looks at Uhtred apologetically.

He looks at the young man in question and remembers how the latter put himself between him and Edmund to protect the younger. Æthelstan remembers how Ærys' gaze did not leave him, even though he had an sword at his throat and an armada of knights surrounding him. Despite all this, the young man was ready to lose his life, to save Osbert and Edmund's.

"Æthelstan release them, please..." Uhtred whispers, looking at the three tied young men. "I'll sign your treaty but let these boys go..."

"Stop yourself, Lord Uhtred!" Ærys hisses through his teeth. "Do not submit to him!"

Æthelstan turns to one of the knights closest to Ærys and he gives him a simple nod. A slap then land on Ærys' cheek who does not flinch and who continues to look Uhtred in the eyes, a black rage veiling his green irises turning them almost gray.

"His majesty did not allow you to speak, you ignorant."

Æthelstan sighs softly, pressing his sword even more under Uhtred's throat, who still does not move but who looks at him again, his gaze completely empty of emotion. It's not like before. Æthelstan knows he has just touched a nerve, since Uhtred has stopped looking at him with compassion and love as he did just before summoning the three young men.

"You are in no position to give suggestions Uhtred. It is up to me to set my conditions, and they are as follows: You cede Northumbria to me and you give up your title as king of these lands, I will leave you your son as well as my father's son but I'm keeping this one." Æthelstan declares, pointing at Ærys without turning towards him. "And finally you, Finan, Sihtric and anyone else from Bebbanburg shall not set foot in Wessex again without my permission."

Æthelstan looks Uhtred in the eyes, Uhtred who looks back at him with pity, with disgust, with bitterness and with shame. "Take what you want from me but leave those boys alone... leave Ærys with us." Uhtred finally says without an ounce of emotion. "Don't take him away from us... don't take him away from Sihtric." he whispers without looking down.

A terrible feeling grips Æthelstan as he sees how Uhtred is willing to give up his land for the three young men. He is ready to sell himself for the boy.