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"CENRIC, STAND DOWN YOUR MEN."
Aethelflaed, Young Uhtred, Sihtric and Aldhelm had finally arrived back in Aegelsbrug after a long day of travelling. Aethelflaed had remained quiet the majority of the journey. Inside she was hurting, her daughter was dead and she wasn't even there to comfort her in her last moments.
"Lady, I cannot. The king forbids it." The guard, Cenric said.
Aethelflaed swallowed thickly. Her eyes were puffy from crying and she constantly felt as though she were about to spew.
"I am told this is where my daughters body is." Her tone was cold. Full of hatred for her brother. "This is where your King had led us." Cenric looked at the broken women. "Cenric, please, in the name of Alfred, open the gates and stand down your men." The men could hear that Aethelfaled was about to break down, so hesitantly, he nodded and let them through the gates.
Lady Aelswith, who had heard the commotion, ran to the gates only to see her eldest daughter.
"Oh, my dearest girl, you've come home." She pressed grabbing her daughter in her embrace.
"Aelfwynn is dead." She sobbed, finally feeling as though she were able to show her true emotions now that she was within the presence of her mother.
"No, child." She stopped. "A miracle has occurred and you are mistaken in heartbreak." Her daughter froze. Was she hearing correctly? Her heart began to beat faster as she gasped and ran past her mother into the castle.
"Sister!" Cirilla called when she saw her sister rush down the corridor to Aelfwynns room.
"Ciri." Aethelfaled and ran over to her younger sister, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Your alive." She laughed as tears ran down her face.
"I am." She smiled, tears gathering in her own eyes as she held her sister. "Aelfwynn is well also." A small smile fell onto Cirillas face as she pulled away from their hug. "Come."
Entering the dimly lit room, Aethelfaled saw her only child lying on her bed. She looked peacefully asleep. Releasing a sigh of relief, she approached her daughter and placed a kiss upon her head.
"Mama?" The feeling if her mothers body woke the girl from her slumber and she immediately rapped her arms around her mother, the pair held each other tightly, their time apart from each other only making their love grow stronger.
Aelswith and Cirilla stood arm in arm as they watched the pair reunite with a smile on their faces.
"Don't you think it's time for you to bless me with a grandchild, Cirilla." Lady Aleswith murmured, her eyes still trained into her eldest daughter.
Cirillas smile dropped as she turned to her mother, rolling her eyes.
"Nieces and Nephews are enough for me just now." She assured.
