Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 11

"How do you do that?" he laughed leaning on the fence, watching me wring the chicken's neck.

"You gotta be aggressive, no mercy," I chuckled.

"No mercy eh?" he smiled, raising his eyebrows.

"None," I said with a serious face that quickly became a smile.

Uhtred let out a laugh and wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we walked back towards the hall. "Life is good," he beamed.

"It is indeed," I agreed.

"Ragnar is making a name for himself. Thyra is getting married," he smiled. "And what is next for you?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I chuckled, playfully punching him in the arm.

"Settle down perhaps," he grinned.

"What about fighting in many shield walls?" I asked.

"I can have a family and fight in shield walls," he replied.

"I suppose," I contemplated. "Well I'll never settle down. I will fight in a shield wall until I die."

Uhtred looked at my face and laughed, "you're not kidding, are you?"

"Nope," I smiled broadly.

"What if the right man came along?" he inquired.

"What are the odds a man is looking for a warrior as a wife?" I replied sadly.

"Well, I hope you receive much glory and many riches."

"As do I."

We continued walking and talking until we reached the outside of the hall. Brida was carrying pails of something or another which Uhtred rushed to help her with. He must've said something teasing her, for she playfully smacked him on the chest. I smiled at them and stood gripping the chicken in my fist a little too tightly.

"You know it's already dead," Earl Ragnar laughed, coming up behind me.

"What?" I asked confused. I looked down at the chicken in my grip. "Oh."

After the wedding I'm planning another raid South. I'd like you to come with me," he said.

"Of course, Lord," I smiled. "I'd love to. I'd be honored to."

"Good. Good," he replied, watching Uhtred leaning against the wall of the hall making Brida laugh.

I felt his eyes watching me and shifted uncomfortably, the chicken flopping against my leg. I waited for him ot say something, but instead he murmured and inaudible, "hmm," and strode off stoking his beard and whistling. I rolled my eyes after him and approached where Uhtred and Brida stood.

"Tara!" Brida greeted me with a large smile.

"Brida," I smiled back, resting my arm across her shoulders, the dead chicken dangling near her.

"What mischief have you two been up to then?" she asked.

"The usual," I laughed. "Beating Uhtred onto his arse."

"You did not..."

"Oh hush," I silenced the protesting Uhtred.

Brida laughed at our bickering and we all went into the hall to deliver our catches to Lady Ragnarson, who was waiting for us with her hands on her hips. We were lightly scolded for "taking our sweet time," as she put it, and our "punishment" for being so "dreadfully slow" was for Brida and I to pick wildflowers and bring them to Thyra and her friends who were making garlands. Meanwhile, Uhtred was sent to help gather enough wood for the big night of the feast. Brida and I happily ran through the meadow collecting wildflowers of yellow, purple, and white. Uhtred moped and dragged his feet towards the pile of lumbar waiting to be divided.

~~~~~

Night fell, and we were all sitting around the fire eating our supper of potatoes. Sigrid insisted that was all we were to have, for the cooks were spending most of their time preparing for the great wedding feast. I eyed the white mush on my plate and moved it around in an unamused manner. A fork suddenly came swooping into my mush and I unsuccessfully elbowed Uhtred in an attempt to stop him from stealing my supper. Earl Ragnar laughed and Sigrid scowled. Our elbows were tangled as we crashed backwards onto the floor, wrestling for the bite of potatoe.

"Do we not feed you enough?" Sigrid half scolded, half laughed.

"They are growing warriors," Earl Ragnar beamed proudly.

"They still act like children," she whined.

"I find them quite amusing," Thyra commented in her newly aquired lady-like manner.

"Fools," Ravn said, a smile tickling the side of his lips.

"Give it back!" I shouted, grabbing at Uhtred's arm.

"Give what back?" he asked, successfully shoving the food into his mouth.

"Eww!" I frowned, letting up my grip.

"You want it now?" he asked, showing me his food.

"Stop being such a child," I scolded.

"You first," he flashed me a devious grin.

"How is that she is the older one, acts more like a kid than me?" a voice rang from the shadows.

We all turned around to see Ivar standing in the doorway smiling.

"Ivar!" I shouted excitedly and bounded over to squeeze my stick thin brother to death.

"Goodness me, what has Lord Ubba been feeding you?" Sigrid exclaimed with alarm.

"Believe me, Lord Ubba feeds me well, Lady," Ivar replied, smiling.

"You could've fooled me," she huffed, scooping a hearty portion of food onto a plate and holding it out.

I released Ivar and he accepted the plate, sitting down next to me. Everyone had a million questions for him, which he coolly deflected and insisted that there would be time to talk later, and at the feast he would tell his tales.

"When did you grow up?" I teased, pinching his cheek lightly.

"I've always been grown up," he retorted.

"Uh huh," I replied.

"Congratulations Thyra!" Ivar turned his attention to her.

"Ta Ivar," she replied politely.

"Ivar, it is good to have you home," Earl Ragnar said.

"It is good to be home Lord," Ivar nodded.

"Will you be staying with us long?" Ravn asked.

"Sadly no. I am here for the festivities of Thyra's wedding, and then must return back to Lord Ubba," Ivar responded.

"Pity," Ravn said. "The young are always in such a hurry," he added on quietly.

"I'm just happy you're here now," I smiled at him.

"As am I sister, as am I," he replied, accepting a cup of ale and taking a large gulp.

"And he drinks now!" Earl Ragnar roared with laughed.

Wesoon were all laughing and every once in a while, trying to pry stories out ofIvar, who was very good at pretending to not hear us. It was a lovely evening,all of but Rangar the Younger, reunited in the light and warmth of the hall. Atlast it was time for bed, and Ivar wanted to sleep on the floor of our room,but I finally convinced him to sleep in the bed with me like old times. Heseemed happier not on the ground, and whispered stories of Lord Ubba and hisconquests until I drifted off to sleep.