The Dawn of the Lost

20

On the third day we made it back. I had borrowed Finans cloak I didn't want his men to know I was back just yet. Finan took me to Uhtred, he was asleep when I reached him. Finan closed the door behind me gently and stood outside it keeping guard. I pulled the buckle off the cloak and let it drop to the ground. The gentle thud was enough to make Uhtred stir.

"I'm not getting up, I've already told you this!" He exclaimed turning over with his back to me. I walked over to him and stroked a hand through his hair, I rested a hand on his shoulder and turned him over to face me. "Astrid!"He pulled me down onto the bed with him, "I've missed you." I pushed him away and sat on the chair next to him.

"I heard," I said. "Finan found me." His eyes roamed over me. 

"What happened to you?" He asked. 

"Stabbed, bought back from the dead," I replied. 

"Who was it?" he asked. 

"Doesn't matter, but I will get revenge on him," I said. 

"Tell me," he said, he rested a hand on my face, I took his hand away and laid it on the bed. "You're still holding a grudge about me huh?" He moved away from me. 

"Uhtred, you have a son and you're married but you never told me," I replied. 

"Had. I had a son," he said. 

"Wait, what?"  I asked.

"My son was killed, and his mother left me," he said. 

"U...Uhtred...I," all words failed me as I wrapped my arms around him. "You should have sent for me sooner." 

"I heard you were in a battle I didn't want to distract you," he said. 

"Don't be silly, you're hurting and you need me," I replied. "I have to admit I'm a little surprised especially after how I left you." 

"Yes it hurt, but Astrid I understand why you did what you did. You didn't have to leave me though," he said. 

"Yes I did. Ragnar made me rethink everything, but I am safer with you," I said. "Get up when you're ready." I stood up and walked to the door. 

"No, please, stay," he said sitting up. 

"From what I've heard you've been in bed long enough," I said, I knocked on the door and Finan opened it. "You have your leader back." 

"Will you be sticking around this time?" he asked following me to the window. 

"I hope to, I need Aethelwold to hear the rumours I'm hunting for him. He will come to fear me. When the time is right I..." Uhtred interrupted me. 

"We," he said walking out and joining us. 

"We?" I turned to face him. 

"Yes, we. We shall attack him," he said and tried to wrap his arms around my waist but swatted his hands away. 

"You only get one hug because you were sad," I said and walked out heading to the stables to greet my steed, Uhtred followed me. 

"You're just going to be cold to me?" he asked reaching for my arm.