This is a one shot about Athelstan's younger sister. If people like it I may create a longer version but for now it's just a short one shot. I own no one but Eloise!
Age 8
Eloise and Athelstan had been close since they were children. When Eloise would fall and scrape her knee's Athelstan would clean her wounds and when Athelstan was tormented by town boys for being more interested in art and books than games Eloise would smile his way.
Eloise was always smiling and laughing. Athelstan couldn't help but imagine how pretty she would be when she grew older. Her hair was dark and slightly curled, her eyes the color of the sea. One might have though Athelstan and Eloise were twins except for the fact that he was two years older than her. Athelstan knew that eventually they would grow older and things would change between the two of them. She would marry and he would take up some sort of work. But for now, they would be brother and sister and nothing could tear them apart.
Age 14
Athelstan was pleading with his parents not to send her away. He was leaving for the monastery wasn't that enough? God, she was only twelve. She needs to be with her mother not with some noble woman looking for girls to take into their care. He would leave, he'd go but she needed to stay with the family.
Eloise was crying in the background. She would leave everyone. She would leave Athelstan. He's too young to go to the monastery. This hardly seems fair, we have to leave because our parents can't afford the amount of children they had. Why are they doing this?
Athelstan's mother assured him that Eloise would be sent to a proper house with 'parents' that would care for her better than they could. They promised him that she would have a better life.
So that was it. They went their separate ways.
Age 20
Athelstan got the letter at the monastery that his sister had died in childbirth. She had married some man she met at a party and died less than a year later. Athelstan spent an entire day inside is rooms.
Present
Athelstan often wondered what Eloise would think of him now. A Viking who had turned his back on England and on his faith. Would she be proud that he followed his heart or disappointed that he was a turn cloak. And if Athelstan didn't believe in Heaven anymore than were was Eloise?