Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 26

Upon our arrival back we were greeted by Father Beocca and the same aggressive man Uhtred had challenged before. We were forced to give up our weapons once more and were led into the royal court room. I looked about and felt nothing royal about it apart from the solitary chair that sat elevated above the rest. "It feels like we've walked into a Saxon crypt," I whispered to Brida, winning a laugh.

"Shh," Uhtred warned.

I stuck my tongue out at his warning and continued to look about us, deeply disappointed in the castle. I had seen slaughter sheds that looked more welcoming than this gloomy chamber. After waiting a bit longer Father Beocca returned to the throne room with Alfred and a new man I assumed was the famed King Aethelred of Wessex. Uhtred moved to greet the men while Brida and I remained in our corner of the room, refusing to engage with the Saxon men. I glared at Alfred as he looked our way and listened as Uhtred revealed what he uncovered at Readingum. I noticed that he left out the information that Ragnar the Younger had returned from Ireland and was with the fleet at Readingum.

"And what would you have me do?" The King asked, after hearing Uhtred's news.

"You should march. Meet them on the road," Uhtred said, almost desperately.

"Winter is upon us, why are you so sure that the Danes will march?" The King questioned.

"Lord, if they were going to winter, they would've stayed in Lunden," Uhtred insisted again.

"And we are supposed to merely take your word for it?" Alfred cut in. "Why should we trust what you have to say?" he challenged. King Aethelred seemed to also want to know the answer to this question.

"The Danes are no fools. They would never survive the winter at Readingum. They will not wait for spring to march. They will march now," I found myself saying before I could stop myself.

"And who might you be?" King Aethelred asked, taking an interest.

"Tara Melgaard," I replied calmly, stepping closer to where the men conversed.

"A Dane lord," Beocca said disapprovingly.

"You don't have to trust us but think about it logistically. Would you winter in Readingum? You face the harsh winter winds from all sides, little to no food, no farmlands and barns nearby to raid. Plus, your ships would be in great danger should the river turn to ice, which it undoubtably will. Readingum is a major disadvantage to whatever army is fool enough to occupy there," I said calmly.

King Aethelred seemed to consider my words and Alfred looked almost impressed. "You speak like a native to Readingum," King Aethelred said amused.

"We did watch it for a couple of days," I replied.

"So, you did," The king said more to himself than me. "Where do you propose we meet them then?" He asked Uhtred.

"On the road. Abbendum seems like a good vantage point," Uhtred replied calmly.

"You went alone. Why alone?" Alfred interrupted.

"I wasn't alone. I was with Brida and Tara," Uhtred teased.

"Yes two, Danes," Alfred mused before continuing on. "Why should we trust you? How are we to know you're not loyal to the Danes, leading us into some sort of trap. You've lived as one."

"Why Abbendum?" King Aethelred interjected before Uhtred could reply to his brother.

"Have you heard of Aeses Hill lord?" Uhtred asked. The king nodded. "You'd have the advantage. The Danes would need to march up to you. The pass is narrow so you can't be outflanked. The Danes will march uphill to kill you because they don't fear you."

"Why is that?" An older grey bearded man asked sternly.

"You're meek farmers in their minds," I replied for Uhtred. The man looked amused.

"What proof is there that they will attack?" The king asked.

"Jackdaws," Uhtred said, holding out bird feet he had cut down from the trees where we had been hiding. "The Danes hang them only days before they march."

"You expect us to believe you and your jackdaws?" Another man spoke from the shadows.

All eyes turned to the pale faced man emerging. His beaty black eyes scanned our faces and rested cruelly upon Uhtred. "Why should we believe you are for Wessex?" he challenged.

"I am on your side. My sword is for Wessex," Uhtred insisted, talking over the stupid little man.

I looked to Brida who looked deeply pained by Uhtred's proclamation. I tried to shoot her a small smile, but she quickly turned her gaze away from me.

"Don't speak over a noble," the man yelled over Uhtred, drawing my attention back to him.

"Silence Young Odda," The king yelled at the pale man.

"Lord," Young Odda nodded, lowering his head.

Uhtred looked pleased at Odda's scolding.

"What say you Alfred? He's your man is he not?" King Aethelred rounded on his brother.

All eyes turned towards Alfred who was silently leaning against the wall taking us all in. After what felt like forever he finally spoke. "If we are to believe Uhtred and fight, then I'd prefer to od it from top of a hill than the flat." He looked at Uhtred's expecting face a moment. "I say Wessex marches."

Relief spread on Uhtred's face and he gave Alfred a wide grin, but unfortunately Alfred wasn't finished speaking yet, "take them," he said calmly. Before we had time to react, we found ourselves being dragged from the room. Brida was fighting against three guards shouting to be let go. Uhtred on my left, was shouting "my sword is for Wessex! I fight for Wessex! Beocca do something!"

"Have faith Uhtred!" Beocca shouted after us.

I glared at the priest as I was dragged kicking and cursing every Saxon in that room.

We were guided outdoors and shoved into three large hanging cages. Brida spat her anger at any misfortunate person passing by. We were hoisted and left to dangle above the front entrance of the castle, onlookers goggling at us from the square below.

Uhtred had fallen deathly silent, while Brida refused to look at either one of us. My eyes met his ad he gave me a small smile. I rolled my eyes and proudly turned my head away. Inside I kept hoping he knew what he was doing.

A few hours passed and soon the men of Wessex, led by King Aethelred and his brother Alfred were marching away to Abbendum. I found myself praying to the gods that if Ragnar was amongst the army of Danes that was soon to meet these Saxons, that he would survive.

We sat silently in our cages watching the town bustle beneath us. Lots of curious people suddenly fearless because of our restrained state, came out to see us. We were a spectacle and Brida ensured she showed her full wrath at every possible moment. She moved from swearing at Uhtred to swearing at the newly emboldened Saxons below us. Uhtred looked to me and I just shrugged. Night fell and we were finally lowered only to be moved to the dungeon within the castle.