Passion And Glory

Chapter 7: For Better Or For Worse

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Several weeks had passed since their departure from Guthrum's camp. The initial chaos and fear of detection had waned, now replaced by a silent unease as they navigated through unfamiliar lands.

Days blurred into nights, offering scant respite. And when they did have time to relax, it would only last for a few hours before they had to move on again. They had to be constantly on the alert for any signs of pursuit, never staying in one place for too long.

Yet, the silence between them was perhaps the most deafening of all. Liv and Kanut had exchanged few words since parting ways with Beamfloat. Liv showed lingering resentment towards Kanut for breaking his promise, making it difficult to bring up the subject of what transpired between him and Guthrum. Was it fear of his response, or a reluctance to face the truth?

On the other hand, Kanut grappled with his guilt, uncertain how to address the rift between them. It would be simple to elucidate the events involving Guthrum, yet the words eluded him. Fear gripped him - a fear of losing Liv's trust, a fear of her forsaking him.

As the moon hung low, casting elongated shadows across the forest floor, Liv and Kanut halted to rest. They had stumbled upon a small clearing embraced by towering trees, veiling most of the moon's glow.

Liv lay nestled against the furs and blankets spread across the tent floor, finding solace in the temporary respite. Gradually, she stirred from her peaceful slumber, eyelids parting to a dimly illuminated tent. Kanut's absence beside her stirred a flicker of concern within her.

Sitting up, she surveyed the emptied tent, Kanut's whereabouts a mystery. Anxiety gnawed at her insides - what if peril had befallen him in her unwitting sleep?

Emerging from the tent, she spotted Kanut seated next to a crackling fire he had kindled. Relief flooded her as she watched the flickering flames dance under the starlit sky.

 Approaching him, Liv observed Kanut's figure silhouetted against the warm glow of the fire, his eyes fixed on the dancing flames, lost in contemplation. Unaware of her presence at first he seemed absorbed in his thoughts. The crackling firelight cast ever-shifting shadows over his furrowed brow and rigid demeanor.

"Can't sleep?" Liv inquired softly as she settled beside him.

Startled by her voice, Kanut jumped slightly before turning to face her, exhaling a heavy sigh. "No, not really," he confessed. "I was just thinking... about everything that's happened."

"I know," Liv murmured gently, her hand finding its place on his shoulder. The weight of unspoken words hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the peculiar journey they found themselves on.

The silence stretched between them for a moment before Kanut finally spoke. "Look, Liv... I wanted to explain to you what happened between me and Guthrum. But I feared that you'd hate me for it," his voice laced with vulnerability.

Searching his eyes for any hint of deception, Liv reassured, "Kanut, I could never hate you." Their unspoken tensions hung heavy in the air, a barrier between them that cried out to be bridged.

"You've barely spoken to me since we left," Kanut observed. "I didn't think you'd bother to ask me why I did what I did."

Liv's gaze flickered towards the fire, pain and understanding etched on her features. "I've been giving you space, hoping you'd open up when ready. I didn't push, not wanting to drive you away. I was fearful of the truth yet eager to comprehend," she admitted softly, her voice tinged with longing for connection.

With a subtle touch, Liv prompted, "Please, Kanut, share with me. We can't continue this divide. I want to understand."

As their eyes locked, a rush of honesty flooded Kanut. "Before confronting Guthrum, uncertainty plagued my thoughts. I enlisted Loki's aid to divert the guards, wary of a potential outburst from him." Liv's furrowed brow betrayed her concern as Kanut revealed the risky gambit.

Liv interjected, "Smart yet perilous. Did Loki manage to distract them?"

Kanut nodded, continuing, "Loki staged a distraction, allowing me to slip inside unnoticed. Guthrum was surprised to see me but grew hostile at our departure. He branded us cowards and traitors for seeking a new path."

Liv recoiled at the memory of Guthrum's betrayal. "What did you do?" she inquired, her voice edged with emotion.

"I walked away initially, until he lunged at me, forcing me to defend myself," Kanut confessed, gauging Liv's reaction carefully. "I had no choice, Liv. If I hadn't reacted, he would have killed me."

Liv's eyes reflected a mix of emotions before she composed herself. "After all we did for him, the loyalty we showed, He still couldn't find it in his heart to spare us," her voice quivered with anger and disappointment.

Kanut reached for her hand, his plea earnest. "Liv, he manipulated us. I understand it's difficult to accept, but I had to act. I tried reason, but he was lost. It was a matter of survival," his voice soft yet resolute.

They sat in contemplative silence, hands entwined, the crackling fire punctuating the quiet as they pondered their uncertain path. Liv sought reassurance, "What now? Where do we go from here?"

Kanut exhaled, his gaze momentarily distant. "We can't linger in Northumbria. It's time to move south, seek shelter in Mercia or Wessex. Lesser conflict, fewer eyes," he proposed, eyes returning to Liv, his voice laden with resolve.

"But isn't it perilous, venturing into the unknown?" Liv questioned, uncertainty creasing her brow.

Kanut shrugged confidently. "As long as we keep our wits about us, we should be fine. Besides, we've been surviving on our own for a long time now. We can handle ourselves."

A shadow of doubt crossed Liv's face, contemplating the uncertainties ahead. Now that they were finally free from Gtuhrums control, would it be finally time to move on from the past. Or more importantly, Would Kanut be able to behind all the memories that had happen to them all those moons ago. 

 Kanut noticed Liv's discomfort and squeezed her hand gently. "What's on your mind love? You seem a bit troubled."

Liv regarded Kanut with a mix of tempered resolve and unspoken trepidation, their intertwined hands a testament to their bond. "Are you truly prepared to leave the past behind, Kanut? To forge a new future with me?" she asked, her voice laced with hope and concern.

Kanut met her gaze, his commitment shining through. "Liv, more than anything, I want to build a life with you. But a part of me can't help and think that he is still out there causing others the same pain he inflicted on us." He paused, "I need to know that I'm doing the right think with letting go. That he won't come back and hurt anyone else.

"Whenever that day comes, will be ready. But for now let's us focus on us. On what we can have now." Liv leans in and gently pecks her lips against his. "Come back to bed with me, my love. Let your worries trouble you no more."

With that the two shared a passionate embrace. Their kiss held a promise of unity and resilience, a testament to their unwavering bond amidst uncertainty and change.

Kanut may have still carried the memories with himself. But with Liv by his side, he would try dammit. For her, and only her....

End Of Chapter 7

Authors Note: Im Back Again!!! No, I have not given up on this story. As usual, Ive been busy with work.....and life.

 Posting this chapter has given me the motivation to keep pushing forward with my writing. And I plan to get even better with it in the future. Anyways hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I have so many ideas for these two. trust me, it will only progress even further.