The Dawn of the Lost

2

We sat by the fire. My head on his shoulder. "You were brave following me here," he said and squeezed my knee.

"Our bond led me here," I said.

"I always told you we would find each other," he said and brushed his fingers through my hair.

"I know," I rolled my eyes, "Uhtred you're always right," he chuckled and kissed the top of my head. I smiled and sighed.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing. I just know Ragnar expects me to return with you," I told him. 

"So you're not going to leave me?" He asked.

"No," I replied my eyes locking with his.

"They're going to think you betrayed them, like I did," he said.

"Uhtred, they abandoned me as soon as I left Ragnars side," I replied.

"I don't know whether you're foolish or brave," he said and kissed me gently. "I'm sure Ragnar will understand."

"I doubt it," I replied.

"Don't say that," he said.

"These Saxons have a strange way of punishing people," I said.

"I agree," he chuckled. "At least you weren't there to listen to his brothers speech."

"Was it that bad?" I giggled.

"It was indeed," he said wrapping his arm around my waist pulling me closer to him, and placed his lips on my neck.

"Not tonight," I said and tried to push him off.

"You always say that," he said nipping at my skin.

"I mean it," I said trying to hide my giggle.

"Of course you do," he said as he pulled me back. Luckily we landed on his bed. He pinned my arms down.

"Uhtred, I'm warning you," I said.

"What are you going to do?" He asked and continued while holding my legs down with his arm. I just laid back and sighed. "Thought so," he smiled. But we were soon interrupted by a Saxon.

"Uhtred, erm King Alfred wants to speak to you," he said awkwardly looking at us. I tried to hide behind Uhtred as he walked to the Saxon.

"Who's she?" He asked gesturing to me.

"Just a servant girl I picked up earlier," he said, I punched Uhtred in the back.

"She's a feisty one," he laughed.

"Just how I like them," Uhtred said which resulted in another hard punch to his back.

"Well whenever you're ready your king awaits," he said.

"Uhtred has no...ouch!" I cried as Uhtred stomped on my toe.

"I'll come soon," he said and the messenger left us.

"That was my toe!" I growled.

"I had to shut you up somehow, he would have known by your accent you're a Dane," he said, pulling his armour on.

"I'm coming with you," I said.

"He thinks you're my servant girl," he said.

"And? Can I not follow you my lord," I mocked.

"Fine," he gave in, and together we walked to the palace I kept as close to Uhtred as I could however I was not permitted to go with him to see the king, as much as I detested Uhtred persuaded me to stay in the hall. I sat my back against the bench peeling an apple with a knife, keeping my eyes on the guard.