Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 6

Back in the hall everyone had already supped and were getting ready to sleep for the night. Lady Sigrid sat Uhtred and I by the center fire and placed two heaping plates before us. I knew she was thankful to Uhtred for protecting her daughter, for she had given him a good cut of meat that slaves never were given. She kissed the top of my head and then went up to her bed. We hungrily chowed down on our food and when it was gone began quietly laughing about the turn of events.

"Did you see Kjartan's face?" Uhtred chuckled.

"I've never seen him look that frightened before," I agreed.

"And Sven, only has one eye now!" Uhtred said in amazement.

"He's lucky Earl Ragnar is fair," I replied.

"And they've been banished!" Uhtred exclaimed.

"Should make things nicer," I smiled. "No more fighting Uhtred," my smile turning into a frown.

"Yeah, yeah," he laughed. "But one day I will be a great warrior!"

"Not before me!" I protested.

We both laughed. "Let's agree, we will both be great warriors," he said, taking my hand into his.

"I'll hold you to that Uhtred," I said.

"It's agreed then," he grinned happily.

We both laughed and chatted some more as Earl Ragnar and his son came in. Ragnar the Younger splayed himself out on the bench across from us and began playing with a stick in the fire. Earl Ragnar beckoned for Uhtred to come sit by him. Uhtred gave my hand a quick squeeze before walking over to where Earl Ragnar sat.

"You made me real proud today Uhtred," he said.

"I only did what anyone else would."

"I want you to have this," Earl Ragnar held out an amulet of Thor's hammer.

"What is it?" Uhtred asked, his eyes wide.

"Thor's hammer. One of our gods," Earl Ragnar replied. "Take it."

"I can't," Uhtred struggled, trying to pull the amulet out of Earl Ragnar's tight grasp.

Earl Ragnar laughed and teased Uhtred that he must not really want it. Uhtred responded that he did want it and Earl Ragnar finally loosened his grip. Uhtred took the tiny hammer in the palm of his hand and looked it over.

"You're one of us now," Earl Ragnar smiled kindly.

"Does that mean Uhtred is no longer a slave?" I asked.

"It does," Earl Ragnar smiled back at me. "Though he will still be expected to pull his own weight."

Uhtred nodded his understanding and then asked of Demark. Earl Ragnar explained how there was no life back in our homeland. Crops and animals died. "We came here because the land is good, fertile."

"Why does Ragnar go away then?" Uhtred asked,

"To make my wealth," Ragnar the Younger responded. "If you want land or silver, you have to take it."

"I want to go to Ireland to fight too," I smiled.

"You're too little," Ragnar laughed.

"I am not," I protested, but soon was laughing along with the rest of them.

Earl Ragnar smiled ear to ear and told Uhtred he was proud of him once more before standing and going to to bed. I crept over to where Uhtred sat and we looked at the amulet.

"It's shiny," Uhtred smiled.

"It's made of silver," I replied.

Uhtred reached into his pocket and pulled out an orange rock that glinted in the firelight. He held his strange rock next to the amulet.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Something from Bebbanburg," Uhtred replied, letting me hold it.

"It's light for a rock," I commented.

"It's amber," he said, taking the stone back from me.

"You two should go to bed," Ragnar the Younger said from behind us.

"You're not the boss of us!" I challenged.

"Oh no?" Ragnar smiled deviously, wiggling his fingers at us.

"We're going!" I laughed before he could grab ahold of either of us.

I grabbed Uhtred's hand and tugged him away from the fire where Ragnar was laughing himself silly. I bid goodnight to him at the bottom of the stairs and quietly made my way up to where Ivar and I slept. Ivar was already fast asleep, and I carefully snuggled myself down beside him. The moment my head hit the pillow; I was out.