Happy Sunday, chapter seven in here !
Thank you guys for the reviews and feedbacks on my English, really appreciated ;)
Aewyrth sat down, looking at her hands. She should had hit him back. She should had the courage to do that. She was not brave, not even enough to defend herself against her husband. She was not crying anymore.
"You fine?"
It was Halfdan, asking her this question for the second time today. She simply nodded. She did not really think about all of this. She suddenly accepted their offer to supper with them, without thinking about the language problem.
"I'm really sorry you have to witness to that."
"Sorry." Harald repeated after her, only understanding this word in her sentence.
"Yes, sorry."
The brothers were sitting in front of her, on the other side of the table. Aewyrth remembered what Harald said about the slaughters in the countryside.
"Soldiers from Mercia. How?"
"Don't know Mercia."
So she was right. He was lying. Harald did not know what Mercian soldiers looked like. She was sure Northmen were at the origin of the massacre.
"You did it. Not Mercia."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Harald looked at his brother and talked to him in his language. The King could understand a bit of her, but his brother was completely lost.
"Supper first."
"No. You say why. Why Mercia?"
She was aware it would not be easy for her to understand his motives, but she had to try.
"Easy."
"How is that easy to accuse my people?! Please, bring your translator."
"Translator? Ulfar."
Halfdan stoop up after his brother's words and left the room. Aewyrth gazed at Harald, anger in her eyes. She deeply cared about Mercia. It was where she was born, where she grew up. Her parents were not really rich, but they dealt a lot with the rulers of the Kingdom. They were fabric dealers. After a few minutes of silence, Halfdan came back with the translator.
"You need me, lady Aewyrth?"
"Yes, I would like to hear Harald's explanation about his accusations towards Mercia."
The translator, Ulfar, seemed surprised for a few seconds, before asking Harald.
"He knows nothing about England. When he had to explain himself, all he thought about was the only kingdom he knew in England, besides Wessex. You talked to him about your birth kingdom."
"Yes, but now, he put Mercia in a really difficult situation. For god sake, he does not even know what a Mercian soldier looks like!"
"That did not bother him. He says he's really sorry if he hurt you, that was not his intention."
"I don't care about his apologizes. He did that to those farmers. Has he any shred of regrets?"
"He does not."
Aewyrth stood up, her eyes fixing Harald's. Ulfar was right. No sign of regrets in his eyes.
"I am going to leave now. Please, don't try to speak to me. Not anymore."
She walked towards the door, but she stopped after hearing her name. She turned her head, looking at the three pagans. She was surprised to actually be alone with them so much. It was not normal for a married woman. The customs were clearly not the same between the two cultures.
"What? Why are you so interested in me? Is it because I'm easygoing with you? Well guess what, I am not the girl you want. You can't just come here and court the first woman you see. This is not how we do things in here. And even if my husband he's a monster, you have no rights to do that."
She wanted to remind him that God what watching, but he would not give a single damn about Him. Harald talked to Ulfar, while Halfdan was looking at her.
"He likes you because you have no fear in your eyes when he talks to you. Everyone in England seems afraid of them. Which is good. But you are not. That is why you intrigued him so much."
"Well I won't intrigue him much longer. I'm going back to Mercia very soon."
"When?"
"I don't know. When Aethelwulf arranges everything. I don't want to stay here. I've suffered enough."
She shook her head and put her hand on the door knob.
"What about your friends here?"
"I will miss them, very much. But I want to be free."
"He says he could kill him."
Aewyrth froze. Her eyes were stuck on the wooden door. What did the translator just say? He must be wrong. He was wrong.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Harald says he can kill your husband, if you want him to."
"I want him dead. But if someone has to murder him, that will be me. Thanks for the offer, anyways."
"So you're just going to run away? Not face him?"
"What can I do? You guys saw how he acts towards me. I'm not strong."
She let go of the door knob and faced the Northmen. Aewyrth was puzzled.
"If you truly wish to be the one who will kill your husband, then Harald will help you."
"How?"
"He will teach you how to fight, how to defend yourself. In exchange, he wants you to continue teaching him English."
She looked at Harald. He seemed sincere about his offer. She crossed her arms on her chest.
"I'll think about it but I won't forget what you did. Never."
He nodded after hearing the translation. Aewyrth went back to the door and left the room. She immediately searched for Aethelwulf. She needed an answer. She knew she only asked him a few minutes ago, but she had to know. She finally found him outside, in the gardens.
"Sire. Do you have any news about my request?"
"Not yet my Lady, I'm sorry."
"I can't stay here any longer Aethelwulf. After what I did, he is going to kill me."
"I know, I know. As for now, you can stay in Judith's chambers. You will be safe here. I'll tell you as soon as I have news. Is it going to be alright?"
She thought about Harald's offer. That will help her for the time being.
"I think so. Thank you."
She bowed to him as he left. Aewyrth went to the first guard she saw.
"Hi, could you please deliver a message to the pagan ruler?"
"Yes, my lady."
"Tell him I accept his offer and that I will see him tomorrow."
The guard promptly left. Aewyrth looked at her hands. She was shaking. For how long was she like that? She needed to rest. The night was here. She headed to Judith's chambers. She thought of her future. She had no idea how to picture it. Would she stay here forever and eventually get rid of Eadwig? Or would she run away to Mercia? She knew Kwenthrith would welcome her with opened arms. Since she had an important spot at Ecbert's court, the Mercian Queen was delighted to have an ally here. Maybe she won't be happy about her leaving this opportunity to help her. That did not occur to her. She was completely lost. She needed to sleep, she would think about all of this tomorrow.
So, did you like this chapter? Please tell me!
Things will go faster next chapter :)
Again, feedbacks on my English and reviews are really appreciated, so don't hesitate!
