Moon-Heart | The Last Kingdom |

30.

Boom, Boom, Boom, "Lord!" the guard kept banging on the door, "It is time."

Lifting himself off the bed, Aelfweard groaned, "Alright! Alright!" Next to him Saehild stirred awake, hearing the commotion, "What more!?"

"The scouts have spotted the bustard atop the hill. Most of the men have gathered in the courtyard." the guard explained.

"Thank you." the princeling shouted.

Without second thought, Aelfweard began to dress, taking his chainmail and leather. The lord didn't take one look at Saehild, but she had seen that face before. The face of a man preparing for war. She could only hope that the words she laced inside his brain would prove fruitful. The silence only conveyed the chaos that waited on the outside of the small room. Biting her lip, Saehild threw off the sheet, pulling her trouser, shift, and leather back on. The two, dressed with each other's backs turned towards one another. No words needed to be spoken, even though both of them had millions of thoughts circling in their heads. Even the thick brick couldn't even stop the noise coming from the yard. Voices rose and bells rang. This was war.

Fastening her belt, Saehild turned to face Aelfweard, yet he remained still. Gently she placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. He leaned his head down to her hand, not wanting to forget what a human's soft touch was. Saehild allowed him to stay for as long as he needed. Both of their fathers had been through battle countless times, and it was their turn. Slowly, he turned towards Saehild, moving her hand along to his chest. She could feel his heart beating like it was going to jump out of his chest. With a sharp inhale, she pulled his chin up making him look at her. Those eyes, they had worry and anger all mixed into one. There was no unsureness anymore, Aelfweard made up his mind.

Saehild ran the pad of her thumb across the height of his cheek, "You still have a heart...so use it."

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Together, Lord Aelfweard and Lady Saehild climbed the ramparts, anxious for what was to happen. The outside village folk who had been lining the entrance had disappeared into the woods most likely. Looking over the spiked wood pillars, the lady could see the Wessex army in full...and Aethelstan. Someone seemed to be riding beside him, but they were too far. She already had a good idea of who it was, but truly the idea disgusted her. As the army begged closer, Aelfweard stood at an opening in the ramparts facing the front, with his sword laying on his shoulder. He gulped his fear down, knowing there was no used for it. Although Saehild wanted to do more, Aelfweard found a spot for her behind him. She stood with her hand at the ready, should anything happen. At the right advantage point, she could still get a good view of the front of the incoming party. Feeling her own heart start to race, Saehild kept searching for a sign that the others had made it in. Quickly realizing that only a few guards remained was a good tell. Now the only question was, where in god's name were they.

"Come no further! Aegelesbrug is loyal to me now!" Aelfweard yelled out, causing the army to halt, "We do not negotiate with bastards! Nor do we surrender." the words made the lady's blood boil, "You'll have to starve us out."

"I am not foolish, brother." Aethelstan cut him off, "I assumed you would place a trap. Perhaps delay me here until your forces could attack at rearguard." Aelfweard looked to the ground for a mere second, feeling a wave of defeat.

"Show him what's left of his men!" the robed man next to Aethelstan ordered.

Saehild took a step closer, craning her neck to see what Wessex had done. Each solider that Aelfweard had sent out was battered, accompanied by a Wessex man. Oddly some relief came over Saehild, knowing that at least Aethelstan was still a good warrior. Uhtred had taught him well enough that your enemy will try to stab you from every angle they get. Averting her eyes, she could see how the boy's shoulders fell with every word that Aethelstan spoke. Defeat was coming.