Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 13

The night of the feast arrived quick. I was impressed at the massive size and numbers of dishes that Sigrid and the cooks had prepared. Everything was meant to be perfect for her only daughter being married. I looked up at the high table and saw Earl Ragnar and Sigrid happily chatting away with one another. Thyra looked beautiful in her plain white dress and crown of flowers upon her head. She and Ravn were deep in conversation. He was most likely giving her advice and wishing her well. I noticed that Uhtred was missing from the table.

I wondered where he could have gotten to but my attentions were interrupted by Ivar slamming a mug of ale down and sitting beside me.

"Heya sis," he said, slightly drunkenly.

"How much have you had?" I asked.

"You're not my mother," he laughed.

I smiled, knowing he was full right, but couldn't help myself. "Have you eaten anything?"

"Lots," he grinned.

"Good."

"Cheer up," he chuckled.

I stared at him straight faced, and he soon gave up trying to improve my mood and turned to the man next to him and soon had a crowd around him as he relayed the great victory of Lord Ubba. I smiled and felt proud that my brother had found his way. A surge of jealousy struck, and I got up from the table and wandered out of the hall for some fresh air.

I wandered about mumbling to myself about how I should've just become a skald like Ivar, then I'd have my place in life and know where I stood. I grimaced at my thoughts and pushed them away. I shouldn't be feeling jealous of Ivar, I should be happy for him. My time would come, I just needed to be patient. I had high hopes of joining Ragnar the Younger once he returned from Ireland. He was due back any day now, though nobody knew which day that might be. I tried to convince Earl Ragnar to let me go to Ireland to join up with his son but was denied. Earl Ragnar insisted that it was best I stay put and wait for Ragnar to come back. I begrudgingly agreed and have since waited to join his army.

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" I heard a voice call behind me.

I turned to find a young man, Akel, standing behind me. I sucked in my cheek and stared coldly at him. "Getting some fresh air."

"It's a lovely night is it not?" he asked, stepping closer.

I eyed him carefully and felt my hand slide towards my dagger. "It is."

"The wedding sure is great," he smiled at me.

"Is it?" I asked, feeling uneasy.

"A woman married to a loving husband, is that not how it should be?" He had now closed the distance between us and was standing next to me.

"For some," I replied.

"You are a funny woman," he laughed.

"Please excuse me, I'm going to go back inside," I said, trying to push past him.

Mistake number one, he grabbed ahold of my wrist. I stared at his hand and asked him to remove it from my person. Mistake number two, he laughed at this request. I gave him one more warning. Mistake number three, he did not heed my warning. I slammed my forehead into his head. Blood gushed out of his nose.

"You bitch," he screamed, grasping his nose. "I think it's broken!"

"Serves you right!" I spat, kicking him backwards. He tumbled onto the ground. "When a woman asks you to leave her alone you do it, are we clear?"

He pathetically nodded. I turned on my heel and went back to the hall feeling rather giddy with myself.

I retook my seat at the table and Ivar's eyes went wide as he looked at me. "What happened to you?"

"What do you mean?" I asked looked at myself. There was blood down my front. "Damn bastard bled on me," I scowled.

I was summoned to the main table. Apparently, my appearance had drawn the attention of Earl Ragnar.

"Do I want to know what happened?" he asked sternly.

"The bastard deserved more than what he got," I frowned.

"Tara, that is not how a lady behaves," Sigrid scolded me.

"Explain," Ravn said.

"Akel got rough with me, so I just got rough back," I smiled evilly.

Earl Ragnar hid a laugh behind a cough and Sigrid just shook her head in disbelief at me. "You should marry her to someone Ragnar."

"Tara will have no man that is not of her own choosing," he smiled at me.

Sigrid seemed done trying and turned her attentions to Thyra who was oblivious to what was happening. I felt slightly bad that this was her night and I had started trouble. "I am sorry for causing trouble on the eve of Thyra's wedding," I said, hanging my head.

"Never be sorry for protecting yourself, or those you love," Earl Ragnar said, gently lifting my face to meet his.

"Yes Lord," I smiled back at him.

"Perhaps you should sit beside me for the rest of the night," Ravn said gently, patting the empty seat by him.

I thanked him and enjoyed the rest of the feast by his side. I noticed Earl Ragnar whisper something to one of his men who promptly exited the hall, probably on a search for Akel.