A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews, favorites and follows! I am so pleased that you enjoyed badass Hermione, taking control of her life back. We aren't quite to domestic bliss yet. You can follow me on tumblr (nauticalparamour) where I post sneak peeks, story updates and answer questions. Huge thank you to Ava Safari for beta reading this chapter!
Please let me know what you thought of chapter twenty-one and be on the lookout for chapter twenty-two soon!
After the battle was won, Thorfinn had wanted to do nothing more than throw Hermione over his shoulder and ride away with her to some place where he could enjoy her without being disturbed by anyone. However, it seemed as if that fate was not planned for the pair of them. Hermione had swept out of the battle as swiftly as she'd entered it, galloping off towards Woden knew where.
He, on the other hand, had been quickly inundated with questions about what happened now that the royal forces had surrendered. They'd actually succeeded in their coup of King Tom, but Thorfinn hadn't actually put any thought into what happened afterwards. There were prisoners to take, and towns people to calm, and for some reason everyone was looking to him for answers.
They'd had to work through the night and he wasn't able to slip away and look for the elusive Hermione until dawn had breached the horizon.
Thorfinn felt bone-weary, but he knew that he could not rest until he found the woman he loved. They had so much left to say to one another and he would not chance anything going wrong once again. He wanted to ask her about how the King had died and ascertain that she was alright. He'd promised that he'd protect her - that he wouldn't let anything happen to her - and he was very worried that he'd failed.
When he finally found her, Hermione was sitting in the middle of a sunbeam, her hair looking tousled and wild. She still wore the flower crown in her hair, though it now sat slightly askew and rumpled. Her underdress was dirty and bloody, with one sleeve ripped away. She looked like some sort of vengeful goddess of war, as though Tyr himself had taken the female form and walked the Earth.
She was joined by her brothers, one laying on the ground next to her while he chatted about their home, while the other held a small needle in his hand, repeatedly puncturing her arm with the bright blue woad. Her tattoo was taking on a more elaborate shape, as the once tiny dots were refreshed and converted into flowers.
He hated to break into the family moment, but he needed to speak with Hermione. Clearing his throat, he felt his heart skip the moment Hermione laid eyes on him. Her face was transformed by a bright smile. "Earl Thorfinn," she said with a teasing grin on her face. "How I have longed to be reunited with you."
Making short work of the distance between them, Thorfinn dropped to his knees once he reached her feet. "My darling Hermione, I have defeated armies for the chance to be in your presence once more," he said, his voice catching in his throat when she brought up her arm to cup his bearded cheek. He grabbed her hand and kissed the pads of her fingers, uncaring about the flaking blood he found there. "But I am afraid I wasn't there to protect you in the moment when you needed me."
Hermione's nostrils flared a bit at that. "It is true that I had to rely on myself in that moment," Hermione said with a swallow. "I am grateful that your father saw fit to train me with my dagger. The King would have raped me if I did not kill him." Her voice was cold and solemn as she remembered the moment not even half a day prior. "But kill him I did. I have learned to rely on myself."
"Never fear, Lady Hermione," Thorfinn said honestly, hoping to convey all of the feeling that he had in that moment. "Now that we are reunited, I will protect you for the rest of your days."
She bit her lip, her eyes dropping down to her lap before sweeping between her two brothers. "Aseu, Ario, may I speak with Thorfinn alone?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I will find you later to finish," she motioned to the bright band of blue that was vibrant and refreshed, confirming to herself that she was every bit the Briton that she claimed to be, reconnecting her to a life that she had left long ago.
The twin brothers looked between their older sister and the man that they had fought alongside with suspicion, but eventually agreed. Their brown eyes gave Thorfinn a look of warning as they left their sister alone with him, a small act of protection that Thorfinn thought was misplaced. They knew how much he loved their sister, and that he would never do anything to hurt her.
When they were finally alone, Thorfinn took her hand in his, amazed at how well they fit together, despite his own hand being much larger. His fingers traced up the inside of her forearm, stopping to rest just below the newly decorated tattoo. "It suits you, Hermione," he said softly, making cautious eye contact with her. "This reminds me of all those stolen moments on my father's farmstead."
Hermione swallowed, breaking their eye contact. "You cannot think that just because you've won your coup that you've won me as well," she said, disbelievingly. "Thorfinn, although I did not wish to be kidnapped by King Tom, you must know that we did not part on good terms."
He sighed, using his hand to cup her cheek, wanting to look deeply into her eyes so that she could see the depth of his feeling. "I am aware that we did not part on good terms, but I thought that we had agreed to try to start over as well," he countered, feeling a bit hurt that she still thought of him that way, but knowing that it was a necessary conversation. "We were trying to become friends once again."
She took a shuddering breath. "That is true. I had hoped that we could be friends."
"Had hoped? Surely you don't think that time has passed?" Thorfinn asked her, fear beginning to creep up in his heart. "Hermione, I must confess to you that before the King took you, I asked my father for permission to marry you, and he granted it."
A dark look passed over her face, and she pulled her hand out of his. "Oh, so as soon as Tom made it clear that he wanted me for a wife, you suddenly got the idea that I could be yours?" she asked sharply, annoyance evident in her voice. "The week before I was only good enough to warm your bed as a mistress while you had a wife, but as soon as someone else wants me, then you get it in your head that I should be yours? Do you know what I think?" She crossed her hands over her chest, looking at him with a disappointed frown. "I think that you only want to marry me now because the King married me."
Thorfinn shook his head, anger on his face. "That isn't true, Hermione! I want you as my wife because I love you," he told her ardently. "I've always loved you, I just didn't realize it."
"So why is it only now that I am hearing about it?" she asked, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
"Because I was stupid, unwise," Thorfinn answered. "I had never thought about marrying anyone until my father demanded it of me, but even then, I never once thought of giving you up. The minute that I sorted myself out, I asked him for your hand. He told me that I could only have it should I convince you to marry me."
Hermione was definitely faltering as he explained his words. "So you don't deny that the King's interest influenced you."
"Yes, the King made me see things clearly," Thorfinn answered. "But, my feelings for you have remained unchanged - now I just have a name for what it is. I love you, Hermione, daughter of Eni. And I have fought to free you from an unwanted suitor, avenged my father's death, but I will...respect your wishes now. If you'd like to banish me from your life forever, I will leave. However, I'd like to spend the rest of my days proving myself worthy of you."
Hermione was silent. Thorfinn wished that she would scream or yell at him, because then he would at least know what she was feeling. Finally, she pulled herself forward onto her knees, pressing a kiss to his lips, her cheeks wet with tears. Breaking the kiss, Hermione looked at him with tortured eyes. "Please, let me consider your words, Thorfinn. I care for you too deeply to rush my decision," she pleaded.
Although it felt like a dagger to his heart, Thorfinn nodded, agreeing to give her space. She stood abruptly, before stalking off in the direction of the royal apartments, leaving him sitting alone.
Hermione stared at her reflection in the mirror that was still in her rooms, knowing that she needed to act quickly if she was going to make it to the Witenagemot on time. It hadn't even been one day since she'd killed Tom, but they had already decided to assemble to choose the next ruler of the Kingdom of Slytherin.
She had expected to feel differently after killing a man, but instead, she only felt a sense of pride that she'd been able to defend herself, taking her fate into her own hands. Thorfinn had promised to protect her - and she knew that he'd taken on Kingdoms to do so - but there was a satisfaction in knowing that it was all down to her in the end that the battle's outcome was so positive.
Her new pride was only further stoked by her reunion with her father and brothers, who were content to listen to how she'd overpowered the King more than once. Aseu and Ario were such a wonderful reflection of who she could have been, and she was content to spend all morning in their presence, learning everything that she could about them and their sister Diseta, a young woman she longed to meet.
It had been Ario's idea to add to her tattoo, saying that she was a true warrior now, and that she deserved the markings to commemorate it. She was pleased to have something so permanent commemorating her connection to her family, to her roots.
Pulling on a new shift and overdress, Hermione wished that she could show off the blue ink to the assembled ealdormen, who'd looked down on her for her otherness, but knew that it wouldn't do her any good to purposefully provoke them. It was an era of change, and they would all have to learn to work together, if they wanted to have success. The change of power had been orchestrated by a half-Northman, Saxons, Dane, and Britons all together, and Hermione hoped that this would show the rest of the Kingdom just what could happen when they all worked together.
Striding into the Witen wearing a flattering blue overdress, Hermione was surprised to see how many faces remained from the Witen she'd attended when Tom presented her as his bride. Rodolphus had been replaced by Rabastan, who was speaking with a man called Rosier. Lucius Malfoy was no longer there, instead locked away, and was represented by his ashen-looking son, Draco. Theo represented his family. Eirik and Thorfinn stood in the circle, as did Fenrir and her father, Eni.
Bishop Severus appeared to be one of the only remaining familiar faces and she couldn't help but smirk at him when she entered the circle as well. "This is for wise men, Lady Hermione, not silly girls who think they know more than they do," he said firmly, not wanting her to influence the proceedings.
"On the contrary, Bishop Severus, I am the only one here who can represent the crown, seeing as my husband died without an heir," Hermione responded smartly.
"The only reason he died is because you killed him," Severus barked back, not appreciating her tone.
"Yes I did kill the King," Hermione said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "And you would do well to remember that, Severus."
"Is that a threat?" Severus asked coldly, staring her down with his impossibly dark eyes, looming over her as if he could stare her into submission. Too bad for him, she did not follow his god and any threats that he made didn't scare her.
"Enough, Severus," Rabastan said smoothly, stepping between the two of them. "I've invited Lady Hermione because I believe that her genuine council will be useful. Apparently my brother has been bribing and threatening other members of the Witen for years to get what he wanted. Obviously the old way wasn't working."
Severus sputtered in shock at hearing that Rodolphus would do something like that, but was quieted when the meeting was called to order. "We've gathered here to determine who should be the next leader of the Kingdom of Slytherin," Rosier's slightly-accented voice rang through the large hall. Immediately everyone quieted. "There are many among us who are worthy of the title."
"I for one think that there is only one person who has the ability to lead us," Rabastan's voice called out from next to her, shocking Hermione. "And, he is the man who brought us all together today. Earl Thorfinn, son of Ivar, should be the next King."
Some of the members of Tom's old retinue sputtered in shock at this pronouncement, grumbling that someone who had actively fought against the Kingdom should be able to rule it. Theo was quick to lend his voice to Thorfinn's name. "I agree with Rabastan," he said firmly. "Who among us is better suited?" he asked.
"You only wish to see him crowned because you are married to his sister," Draco Malfoy drawled from his spot, hands crossed over his chest in a show of petulance.
Theo's cheeks colored at the accusation, but he did not back down from his statement. "That may be true, but it is not the reason that I nominate Earl Thorfinn," Theo said, his voice raising in volume so that everyone could hear him. "I thought that the quest to save Lady Hermione was a fool's errand, one that was certain to end in death, and it was only under Thorfinn's guidance, knowledge and planning that we were successful. Yes, he does not have much experience, but I have seen him rely on wise counsel to assist him."
"Yes, but he went about it all wrong," Bishop Severus said, stepping forward into the circle. "If Earl Thorfinn had a grievance with the King, he should have come forward and brought his case to the esteemed Witen."
"With all due respect, Bishop Severus," Hermione interrupted the dark haired man. "We both know that Earl Thorfinn would not have gotten the outcome he deserved had he done that. For too long, King Tom had been taking what he wanted without anyone's knowledge - lands, women, the crown itself."
Gasps could be heard throughout the room that Hermione was willing to acknowledge what appeared to be an open secret that Tom had killed the prior King. "So, then we are in agreement? Earl Thorfinn should be the new King?" Rabastan asked shrewdly, his voice lending credence to Hermione's words, seeing as it was his brother who orchestrated much of Tom's rise to power.
Murmurs of agreement rang through the room and even Hermione found herself loudly agreeing with the question, lending her voice to her childhood friend. Cautiously, she glanced up at Thorfinn who had been largely silent up until this point, wanting to see his face. To her surprise, he looked stricken, as if he never imagined this possible outcome. His clear blue eyes sought her face out in the circle.
"I will agree to be your King, but only on one condition," Thorfinn said slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "I will only agree if you give your consent for Hermione to be my wife. She would rule by my side, not just as my Lady, but as my Queen."
"Are you insane?" Bishop Severus asked, aghast. "There is a reason this Kingdom hasn't used the title of Queen for decades. If you've missed your lessons, it's because the last Queen poisoned her husband. And Lady Hermione has just admitted to killing her previous husband - the King - here at the Witenagemot - and is proud of the fact! Absolutely not," he pronounced.
Thorfinn shook his head. "I'm not insane, I just know that there is no one better suited not only to me, but there is no woman better suited to assist in ruling this Kingdom. She is learned, she knows what goes into running a large estate from working with my father, she's a warrior, and she's already fought for this Kingdom," he explained his reasoning, his voice gaining confidence the longer he discussed her bona fides.
Hermione could feel her heart beating in her chest as a cheer erupted from the men who'd fought for her, starting with her brother Aseu, if she was not mistaken. It was lovely to hear all of the things that Thorfinn appreciated about her, that had nothing to do with their physical relationship.
"It sounds as if you have your consent, Earl Thorfinn," Theo shouted, a grin on his face.
But Thorfinn shook his head, sadly. "Not yet, Theo. Before my father died, he asserted that Hermione should choose her husband, and I will not take that privilege away from her now," he explained, before turning to stand in front of Hermione. "I do not expect an answer now, Lady Hermione, but please tell me that you will consider me for your husband."
Hermione swallowed hard, her stomach flip flopping with nerves seeing everyone's eyes on her, expectant. Biting her lower lip, she considered Thorfinn's request. "Earl Thorfinn, I believe this is a discussion better held in private," she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Will you speak with me outside?" she requested, before leading the blond out of the chamber to talk about their future.