New chapter ! Hope you guys like this one :)

I also started a poll on my profile, to know if you guys like Aewyrth.


"Is your arm fine?" Judith was looking at Aewyrth, concerned.

Aewyrth shook her heard. She was fine. At least for the moment. She knew he would hurt her the next time he sees her. She wanted to defend herself, but he was too strong for her. She had no real strength.

"Those pagans. Are they here to rob us?"

"I don't know for sure. The last time they were here, they made some agreements with the Ecbert. Like the colony."

"But there is no colony anymore. How do you think King Ragnar is going to react?"

Judith shook her head. Just like Aewyrth, she had no idea. But she knew what the Northmen were capable of. Aewyrth was new to all of this. She rubbed the hand against her arm. She will certainly have bruises.

"This blond man. The way he laughed. I don't know how to take that. Did you see him before?"

"No. He's a new face. They all are, actually."

A silence fell in the room. Aewyrth went to the window, looking outside for the second time of the day. She was afraid. Afraid of the Northmen, afraid of her husband. She was afraid of the upcoming days, even hours. And all she could do was waiting.

Aewyrth and Judith talked for a few hours, mostly about the past visit of the pagans. Judith explained every details to her, even the ones about the monk Athelstan. She knew her friend had an affair, but she never explained her everything. Aewyrth was quite shocked about all the heard.

"That's it. The whole story behind Alfred's birth."

"I'm so sorry Judith, that he had to leave."

"It's fine. I hope he is with King Ragnar at the moment and that I will see him very soon."

Aewyrth put her hand on Judith shoulder, smiling at her. She truly hopped her friend would see her lover again.

"I think it's time to dinner. I wonder how Ecbert managed with the Northmen." Judith said as she stood up. "Come on."

She held Aewyrth's arm and dragged her out of the room. They walked toward to dining room, which was full with servants.

"Supper is almost ready your Highness."

A few people also entered the room. Prince Aethelwulf with some noble men. Aewyrth's husband was not among them. She guessed that he was not invited tonight. She turned to Judith.

"Eadwig is not here. I should leave."

"No, you stay for supper. He can eat in the other room alone. I'll make sure he does not hurt you."

"Thank you so much Judith."

She brunette smiled at her as the King entered the room, followed by a few Northmen. She recognized King Harald, the blond one and the translator. Ecbert showed the guest where to sit. Aewyrth was sitting next to Judith and in front of the translator. Aethelwulf sat on the left of his father and the Northman ruler on the right.

"Good evening my dear friends. Let's pray to thank god for this food."

Aewyrth joined her hand together and closed her eyes. King Ecbert started the blessing she knew by heart, like every good Christian. She opened her eyes, just of curiosity. Of course the Northmen were not praying. Why would they? They were looking at them, smile and interrogation of their faces. Aewyrth could tell it was their first time among Christians for most of them.

"Amen."

Everyone opened their eyes again. The servants started to bring food on the table. She was not used to be here without her husband. He would usually sit beside her and ruin her evening. Harald started talking to his translator, while looking at the two women.

"King Harald would like to know who are those beautiful ladies."

"This is Lady Aewyrth, the wife of one of my dear friends. And this is Princess Judith, my precious daughter in law."

The Northman translated Ecbert's words to his King. He raised his glass of wine and smiled at Aewyrth and Judith.

"Hello!"

"Good evening your Highness!"

Aewyrth was actually surprised by her direct answer. Since Eadwig was not here, she felt more relaxed. King Harald laughed and asked for a translation. That was clearly not an easy way to make conversation. The blond also started to talk to her. She felt weird being the center of the attention. She could feel eyes all over her.

"Halfdan wants to know where your husband is."

"He was not invited tonight." Ecbert replied before she could. "Lady Aewyrth is here because she is a very close friend to my son's wife."

The translator did his job as he talked to the blond man, who seemed to be called Halfdan. Aewyrth studied the two Northmen features. They did not really look alike, but the tattoos on their faces made her think they were family.

"He is very pleased to meet you."

"So am I."

She smiled at Halfdan. She learned about that, politeness, even in the company of people really different from her. She was well educated.

"So, King Harald, what do you think of Wessex?"

Ecbert's eyes were questioning. Aewyrth looked at the Northmen, who were talking to their translator.

"He says it's a beautiful kingdom, with many lands to farm. And the food is good. You also have good buildings."

King Ecbert seemed satisfied with this answer. The rest of the diner went well. The two Kings talked politics and agreements. Aewyrth did not pay much attention to it. She stood next to Judith at the end of the supper, greeting the noble men who were leaving.

"I am walking you to your room." Judith said.

"I hope Eadwig is not there."

Judith could see the anxiety on her friend's face. And she was apparently not alone; Halfdan was walking toward her with the translator.

"Halfdan wondered if he upset you with his questions."

"Oh no, not at all!"

"He also would like to walk you to your room."

Aewyrth was astonished by the proposition. The looked at Judith, who had the same reaction. It was not the kind of suggestion which was appropriate, especially towards a married woman. But she would actually be appeased if Judith and Halfdan were here, in case of Eadwig's reaction.

"Yes, you can come along."

"Please, follow us." Judith said as they started walking.

Aewyrth did not know what to talk about. She was so surprised by the attention she got from the Northmen. She did not understand it. He heard Halfdan talking to his fellow Northman.

"He says it was a good diner and he enjoyed the company."

"So did I. It is nice to see new faces."

"Do you have any news of the monk, Athelstan?" Judith asked.

After translation, Halfdan looked puzzled. They were already at her door and there was no sign of Eadwig. Thank god.

"King Ragnar's Christian?" the translator said, repeating Halfdan question. "He is dead."

Aewyrth immediately looked at Judith. She was shaking. The Northman clearly understood, no language needed.

"I need to go."

"Judith…"

"I'll talk to you tomorrow. I promise."

Judith squeezed her friend's hand and left, quickly. Aewyrth was alone with the two Northmen. It was quite intimidating. Halfdan slightly bow to her before talking.

"He wishes you a goodnight."

"Thank you, you too."

She shyly smiled at him as she entered her room. She stood in the center of the room, completely destabilized by the way the situation turned out.


Thank you for reading :)

I'll try to update every sunday so see you next week !