Chapter 11: Return to Life

Sihtric waved the sword around in front of him. Then he turned, using the force of the swing to spin around and slash at the ground. Then he lifted it above his head and spun again, around and around.

"Stop showing off." Uhtred called from where he watched a few feet away, safely out of range of the sharp and deadly weapon.

Finan smiled as he leaned into the other man's space and brushed against his shoulder. "I quite enjoy watching him show off."

Uhtred tilted his head and yeah, he was admiring watching the boy. He loved the way the boy's arms moved and he wished Sihtric had peeled off his armor and undershirt. He longed to watch the way the boy's muscles really moved. But he also wanted to feel the weight of his sword in his own hands. "That's my sword." He whined.

Sihtric smiled as he listened to them idly. He acted like he couldn't hear their hushed voices but he was good at listening. And he would have to admit that maybe he was showing off a bit. He was equally enjoying the attention and the weight of his Lord's prized sword in his hands. Reluctantly, he stopped and straightened up. He turned towards them and held the sword out. "If you think you can wield it, come take it from me, Lord."

Uhtred narrowed his eyes and strutted forward. He stood up to his full height, even if he was a bit shorter than the boy, and he reached towards him. Sihtric flipped the sword and held the pommel out to him, as Uhtred had done to him over a year ago. Uhtred lifted his eyes to Sihtric and stared into those mismatched eyes as he had before. He smiled and touched his hand to the pommel of Serpent-Breath. He closed his hand around her and Sihtric let go. Immediately, his arm fell under her weight and he struggled for a moment to lift her. "Fuck." He hissed, clenching his jaw. He gripped her pommel with both hands and managed to lift her weight up. Had the blade always been so heavy?

"Here." Sihtric reached over and touched his hand to Uhtred's gently. He let his fingers linger over Uhtred's for a moment before he wrapped his hand on the pommel, just below Uhtred's. He gripped it tightly and Uhtred let go and stepped back. The Lord dropped his gaze to the ground and let out a sigh. Sihtric reached out and hooked his fingers under Uhtred's chin. He forced the Lord to look into his eyes and the boy smiled at him. "You will be able to hold her again, Lord." He said softly. "I promise you will. And I will help you."

Uhtred stepped forward and quickly wrapped his arms around his puppy's neck. He pulled the boy flush against him and practically attacked his mouth. Sihtric stumbled backwards in surprise and Uhtred followed him. He bit at the boy's bottom lip and licked into his mouth. Sihtric let out a moan and wrapped his arm around the Lord's waist for a moment.

A smile stretched across Finan's face as he watched for a moment. Then he glanced around quickly, making sure they were still alone.

Sihtric moaned again as Uhtred continued his attack. And then, just as suddenly, Sihtric detached himself and pushed Uhtred away. He stumbled backwards and shook his head. "No, no, no, no." The boy breathed out and shook his head again.

Uhtred breathed out heavily and rolled his eyes. "Stop… being so… dramatic." He huffed out.

Sihtric shook his head again and held up his free hand. "Lord… as I've already said. I will not be engaging in any activities that will threaten your recovery." He shifted his gaze to Finan for a moment. "Either of your recoveries." He added as he tightened his hold on Serpent-Breath. He lifted the blade and held her out in front of him. "No more!"

Uhtred breathed out and threw his head back dramatically. "But I don't want to wait that long!" He whined out.

Sihtric eyed him and shook his head. "I don't care what you want!" He said, his tone sharp and clipped. "I said no and you will behave!" Uhtred opened his mouth and Sihtric lifted the sword again. "You will behave!" He repeated. "And you will listen to me and do as I say!"

Finan's eyes widened slightly and the smile stretched across his whole face. He watched the boy's outburst and he quite enjoyed the commanding tone of his voice. His gaze flitted to Uhtred and he wondered if the man would continue to fight against the boy. He almost wished he would. Finan wanted to see what Uhtred's rebellion would bring out in their boy.

Uhtred sighed deeply and turned away. He bit his lip and tried to suppress a shiver that racked his whole body. Finan eyed him knowingly and Uhtred swore he could feel the man's heated gaze on him. "Don't start." He hissed.

Finan continued to smile at him. "I wasn't going to say anything." He said, holding up his hands. "But you didn't answer the boy."

Uhtred glared at him for a moment before letting out a sigh. He turned back to Sihtric and nodded his head. "I will." He breathed out.

Sihtric smiled and backed up a step. He glanced down at the ground and picked up two sticks he had found earlier and left there, before bringing Uhtred and Finan. He bent over, picked them up, and then stepped forward again. He held the sticks out to Uhtred and Finan, a wide smile on his face.

Uhtred glared down at the stick his puppy held towards him. "What is that for?"

"You cannot hold a sword." Sihtric said with a straight face. "You will hold a stick."

Uhtred lifted his glare to Sihtric. "A stick. Like a child."

Sihtric nodded his head. "For a couple days, yes. You will practice with it until you can hold Serpent-Breath with one hand. Without your arm shaking. Then you can have her back." He lifted the sword high and held her against his shoulder. He smiled and tilted his head. "And when you can beat me in a swordfight, you can have me." His gaze shifted to Finan, making sure the Irishman knew he was included.

Finan raised an eyebrow as he reached for one of the offered sticks. He gripped the bottom tightly as if holding it just like he would a sword. "I am up for the challenge." He said, meeting Sihtric's gaze.

Uhtred frowned and grabbed the other stick from the boy. "Oh I am very up for the boy."

… … ...

The next few days were much the same. Traveling for a few hours and then stopping. When they did, Sihtric put them through relentless drills and exercises. He kept true to his promise of not engaging in any dalliances. They still slept beside and intertwined with each other at night but Sihtric made sure Uhtred was too spent from the training that the Lord always fell asleep first and remained so through the whole night.

Uhtred leaned over his plate as he devoured everything on it. He hardly even spared a moment to chew each bite properly before swallowing and moving on to the next. On either side of him sat Finan and Sihtric. Across the fire sat Ragnar and Hild as well, and a few others.

It was one of the others that was watching Uhtred with a close eye, that had been watching him just as closely since his rescue. The large man leaned forward and tilted his head. "It seems your appetite has returned, Lord." He said curiously.

Uhtred smiled and nodded his head. "It has, Steapa." He said after swallowing.

The man smiled and nodded. "I am pleased. Alfred waits… for your return."

Uhtred stopped and lowered his plate. He looked over the fire at the man and shook his head. "We have business here, Steapa, in the north."

"No, Uhtred." Ragnar shook his head and breathed out a sigh. "I gave my word. We go to Wessex."

Uhtred frowned and shook his head. "But we're here, now. We must act." He insisted. "We cannot wait! We must take Dunholm and kill Kjartan! For everything he has done!" Sihtric flinched at the mention of his father's name. He tried to cover it by reaching for Uhtred's plate and taking it from the Lord before he dropped it. Uhtred glanced sideways at him and nodded before turning back to Ragnar. "We cannot wait." He repeated.

Ragnar sighed and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "I gave my word, Uhtred… to King Alfred when he sent me to save you. We go directly to Wessex, Kjartan can wait… and Thyra… must wait." He said with reluctance.

"Thyra?" Sihtric gasped the name and looked at Uhtred.

Uhtred glanced sideways at his puppy and nodded his head. "Our sister."

"Thyra… is your sister…" Sihtric repeated slowly, his eyes wide. He shook his head and breathed out.

Ragnar turned his gaze on the boy. "You know her?"

Sihtric turned to look at him and nodded his head. "I do, Earl Ragnar. When I was younger… I… would sometimes… be left with her… when my mother was occupied…" He said slowly and swallowed.

Uhtred reached up and touched the boy's neck. He slid his fingers to the back of his puppy's neck and gripped him gently. Sihtric breathed out and dropped his gaze to his lap. He clenched his fists and Uhtred watched him. "Is she alright?" He asked softly, leaning closer.

Sihtric bit his lip and breathed out. "She was alive when I was last there. But... alright is another matter." Uhtred wanted to question the puppy more but he felt the way the boy was trying not to tremble beside him. He would wait and ask for more later.

Ragnar let out a sigh and shook his head. "As long as she is alive, she can wait."

Uhtred pulled his hand away from his puppy and glared at his brother. "Thyra must wait?" He practically spat and stood up. "She has waited long enough!"

Ragnar lifted his head and breathed out. "Sit down, brother. I know, I know. And we will seize Dunholm and make Kjartan pay for everything he has done to our family. But for now, we must return to Wessex, as swiftly as we can if you are up for it."

Uhtred sunk back down with a pout and sighed. "I am but…" He shook his head and leaned forward. "I cannot bear the thought of just leaving. Not when we are so close!"

"Think, brother." Ragnar said softly, looking into his eyes. "We cannot take Dunholm, not by ourselves."

"I have a plan." Uhtred insisted. "A plan I have been thinking on for over a year."

"A year is a long time, Uhtred." Ragnar straightened up and shook his head. "A lot has changed. We do not know the state of Dunholm or of Kjartan. We will need time to prepare. We will need Alfred's support."

Uhtred sighed deeply and looked away. He felt the anger boiling in the pit of his stomach. Kjartan had taken everything from him and Uhtred felt like the man was still mocking him. Him and Sven both. He wanted to burn the whole place to the ground. He wanted to tear the place apart, stone by stone, and destroy everything and everyone until there was no trace of the fort or of Kjartan ever having been there. He felt Sihtric shifting closer to him and he had another reason to destroy Kjartan. He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed out again. "Fine. We return to Alfred now but we will return for Thyra and we will destroy Kjartan and everything he has."

A smile spread across Ragnar's face and he nodded his head. "That is a promise, brother."

Uhtred glanced over at Steapa and tilted his head. "Are you happy now?"

The stoic guard nodded his head. "I am."

Uhtred rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Alright. We leave for Wessex at first light. And we ride hard. No more of this stopping. We can take it. We have recovered enough."

Beside him, Finan leaned forward, speaking for the first time. "Aye." He nodded.

Sihtric leaned forward as well, leaning his elbows on his knees. "Lords…" He said softly, glancing at Uhtred beside him and then across the fire at Ragnar. "We should make one stop."

Uhtred turned to look at him and tilted his head. "What for?"

"Gisela." Sihtric said softly. "She is closer, on the way to Wessex. She isn't safe here. We need to take her with us."

Uhtred felt something different in the pit of his stomach at his boy's concern for the woman. He dropped his gaze to the ground. "Hild mentioned you knew where she was and that she was safe."

"I did say that." Hild nodded, speaking up for the first time. "But only as long as her brother does not find her."

Sihtric nodded his head. "We can't leave her here. Guthred has men searching for her everywhere. We have to take her." He turned to Steapa. "She's on the way to Wessex. It won't take much time."

"You know where she is?" Uhtred asked, turning back to Sihtric.

The boy looked at him and nodded. "I do."

Uhtred nodded his head. "Alright. Then at first light, we rescue the pretender King's sister and take her to Wessex."

Ragnar nodded. "We best all get some sleep."

Uhtred nodded and stood up. "Yes. Fin, Sihtric." They stood up and the three headed off, towards their sleeping spot in silence. "Sihtric…" Uhtred didn't break the silence until they were out of earshot. He sat down on the furs and held his hand out to the boy.

Sihtric tilted his head and put his hand in Uhtred's without hesitation. "Yes, Lord?"

Uhtred pulled on him and Sihtric sat down beside him. "Sihtric… you can say no… but I'd like to ask about my sister." Sihtric sucked in a sharp breath and looked away. Uhtred continued as Finan sat down beside them. "I'm only asking about her. You do not have to say anything you aren't comfortable with."

Sihtric breathed out and bit his lip but he nodded his head. "She… she's very strong… Sven is afraid of her…" The boy closed his eyes and shook his head as a tremble passed through him at the mention of his brother's name. Finan leaned closer and pressed himself to Sihtric's side. He rested his chin on the boy's shoulder and the trembling stopped.

Uhtred lifted his hand and touched Sihtric's cheek. The boy sighed and leaned into the touch. "Don't talk about him, Sihtric. Just Thyra."

Sihtric nodded. "She was supposed to be... his… wife… but she refused. They… Kjartan… locked her up… in a cage… with the attack dogs… but she trained them…"

Uhtred's eyes widened. "They caged her up with dogs?"

Sihtric breathed out and nodded. "They did, Lord."

Uhtred clenched his jaw. "But you talked with her?"

Sihtric nodded again. "Not a lot… about herself… she didn't talk about herself. She talked a lot about her brothers in the beginning… but she never mentioned names. And she asked me a lot of questions and taught me about the Gods. My mother… was a Saxon… she didn't know a lot…" He trailed off and sighed again.

Uhtred waited a moment but the boy didn't continue. "You said she wasn't alright." He prompted.

Sihtric nodded and leaned again into his Lord's touch. "Her mind, Lord."

Uhtred sighed and nodded his head. "Thank you, Sihtric." He rubbed his thumb against the boy's sharp cheek bone. "Good boy." A whimper escaped the boy's throat before he could stop it. Then his eyes widened and his face flushed.

Finan let out a laugh and stretched his neck out to place a kiss against the boy's cheek. "You are a very good and very brave boy. We know it's not easy for you to talk about."

Sihtric shivered at the feeling of Finan's beard against his cheek and he bit his lip. "I… I'm trying…" He said softly.

"We know." Uhtred nodded his head.

"I was not chastising you." Finan said softly. "You do not have to tell us anything." He continued softly. "But we will listen if you decide you do."

"When you are ready." Uhtred added.

Finan nodded. "Yes, only when you are ready." He repeated. "We will never force you."

Uhtred smiled and let his hand drift lower, his fingers grazing the boy's tattoo on his neck. "We will never judge you."

"Or fault you." Finan whispered softly, pressing his lips against the boy's cheek again. "Whatever happened to you wasn't your fault."

Sihtric pulled away from both of them suddenly and rolled away, moving before either Uhtred or Finan even realized his intent. The boy stood up and turned, taking a step away from them. He put his hands on his hips as he took another step. It was too much. He wasn't used to such kindness and such tenderness. The feelings suddenly flooding his senses were making him almost light headed. He stood there for a moment longer before he turned and quickly stepped back towards them. He knelt down and shoved himself between them and laid down on the furs. "Sleep." He mumbled out.

Uhtred glanced at Finan and he shrugged. "I'm sorry that what we've discussed has hurt you." Sihtric didn't answer and Uhtred didn't blame him. His puppy had spoken enough tonight. "Sihtric… can we… touch you?"

"Hold you." Finan corrected. "While we sleep, he means."

"Yes." Uhtred nodded. "That is what I meant."

Sihtric nodded his head and again didn't answer.

Uhtred laid down beside him and Finan curled up against the boy's front. They both wrapped their arms around him as best they could and held him close. Finan didn't even spare a thought to glance around to see if anyone saw them.

… … ...

Uhtred stared at the weathered building in front of them as he dismounted his horse. Sihtric was already down and heading across the field. "Sihtric, you're sure?"

The boy didn't pause his movements but he glanced over his shoulder. "Yes, Lord. She's been here since her brother betrayed you."

Finan stepped up beside Uhtred, looking around. "It looks like a small forgotten place. What was it called again?"

"Epchester." Uhtred answered as he hurried after Sihtric. "Come on."

Sihtric was already at the door to the nunnery, his ear pressed against it. He distinctly heard voices he recognized but he couldn't make out all the words. He pushed away and waved Uhtred forward. "She is inside, Lord. With Guthred's men." He added.

Uhtred looked at Sihtric and once again felt something weird stirring in his stomach that he didn't want to address. He pushed it down and reached for the doors. He threw them open as hard as he could and burst inside. Sihtric and Finan were right behind him and a moment later, Hild and Ragnar followed and pulled the doors shut.

In the center of the church stood Eadred, Guthred's vile Abbot. Uhtred's eyes narrowed as they settled on the man and he still remembered the Abbot's voice calling for Sihtric's death. Beside Eadred, an unknown guard held a knife to Gisela's neck. Two other men stood in the room and Uhtred recognized them. Brother Trew, a monk who had been involved with King Guthred, and Aidan, one of his uncle Aelfric's priests.

Sihtric's eyes widened as they settled on Gisela. He opened his mouth as she met his gaze, a silent question passing between them. She quickly nodded her head and Sihtric breathed out and stepped closer to Uhtred.

Uhtred ignored the exchange as he stepped closer into the foray. He held up his hand, his eyes on Eadred. "You will let her go!"

The vile Abbot smiled and shook his head. "You are too late!" He spat.

"You will let her go!" Uhtred repeated, his voice louder.

"She is married now." The Abbot shrieked. "She belongs to Aelfric."

Gisela narrowed her eyes and glared at Eadred. "It is a lie! I belong to no one!"

Uhtred glanced around the room. "Where is Aelfric? If he is not here, then he cannot be married."

Eadred scoffed and rolled his head. "By proxy, you fool!" He turned and pointed at Aelfric's man, Aidan, standing just behind him. "This man stood beside her in place of Aelfric."

On the other side of Gisela, Brother Trew spoke up. "Uhtred, in the eyes of God, she is married."

"He is not here!" Uhtred insisted, shaking his head. "There is no marriage, it is a lie."

"She is married and it cannot be undone!" Eadred shrieked, getting louder with each word he spoke. The man was tiny but he had a good set of lungs on him and no fear.

Ragnar tilted his head as he stepped closer to Uhtred. He crossed his arms and smiled. "Kill the priest. Make her a widow."

"No!" Aidan's eyes widened and he shook his head. "I… I have a wife already... a different wife!" The small priest stuttered over the words and the man looked seconds from pissing himself or fainting or both.

Brother Trew held up his hand and shook his head. "Gisela is married to Aelfric, not to Aidan."

Ragnar rolled his eyes as he stepped even closer to his brother, enough to bump his shoulder into Uhtred's. "Uhtred, I am bored with this." He pulled out his sword. "Let's just kill them all, take the girl, and be done with this." Behind them, Finan and Sihtric both stepped forward, unsheathing their weapons as well.

Eadred's eyes widened for a moment, fear flashing across his eyes. It passed quickly and the Abbot narrowed his eyes and glared at them. He sighed and lifted his hand. "Release her." The guard released her and stepped back.

Gisela pushed away from the man and ran across the room. She smiled at Uhtred as she weaved between him and Ragnar, moving to stand beside Sihtric.

The boy pressed closer to her for a moment and dropped his voice. "Are they alright?"

Gisela nodded. "Yes, they are."

Uhtred turned, following her movements. He tilted his head, frowning. "Who?"

"It does not matter!" Eadred shouted. "She is married!"

Uhtred turned back to him. "She leaves with us."

"Do as you wish." Eadred said with a shrug. "In sight of God, she is married. She belongs to Aelfric."

"I do not!" Gisela shouted

Uhtred stepped closer. "Say she belongs to Aelfric again."

The Abbot smiled. "She belongs to Aelfric."

Uhtred grabbed Eadred, holding tightly to the collar of his robe. He shook the man violently for a moment and glared at him. "She what?"

"She belongs to Aelfric." Eadred sneered.

"Uhtred!" Hild shook as she watched the scene unfold. Her eyes were wide and she stepped forward. "Uhtred, he is a man of God!"

Uhtred was trying hard to contain himself but his control was slowly seeping out of him. This man was responsible for everything that had happened to him over the last year. Eadred had had Guthred's ear and put the idea into the pretender King's ear. "Say it one more time, priest, and I swear the devil will take you."

Eadred's eyes narrowed and his eyes blazed with anger. "You're nothing but a Godless heathen and the whore is married!" He spat.

Uhtred pulled out his dagger and plunged its blade into the Abbot's chest in a fluid motion. The man sputtered and Uhtred released him and stepped back. He watched as the man fell dead at his feet. He didn't feel remorse for killing the vile man. The Abbot had taunted him and practically asked for his own death. Uhtred turned his gaze upon the nearly pissing himself priest and pointed the tip of his bloodied dagger at the man. "You will go to my uncle… and when he asks of his wife, you will tell him she is under the protection of Uhtred of Bebbanburg and that I will come for him."

Finan and Sihtric were already at the door, pulling it open when Uhtred turned. Sihtric wrapped his arm around Gisela and pulled her out. Finan followed, and Uhtred and Ragnar were close behind. Hild remained for a moment longer before turning and pushing past all of them. She didn't say anything as she headed towards the horses.

"Hild!" Sihtric called after her.

"Let her be." Uhtred said, waving his arm.

Sihtric breathed out and turned to Gisela. "We should be fast. We don't know how close your brother is."

She nodded and turned. "This way." She headed the opposite way of the horses and Sihtric followed.

Uhtred frowned for a moment, watching them. "Boy, you just said we need to leave! Where are you going?" His puppy didn't stop or slow or even pause to answer. He kept on following after Gisela. Uhtred glanced back at Ragnar and Finan. Both men shrugged at him. Uhtred sighed and turned back to follow after them. Finan quickly followed as well.

"I'll stay here." Ragnar called. "Check on Hild and ready the horses."

Gisela led them through a maze of small, modest houses, each one looking just identical as the last. Sihtric walked beside her, seeming to be just as comfortable navigating as Gisela was. Uhtred and Finan had caught up and fell in step behind them and again, Uhtred wondered exactly what the relationship was between these two. They turned and headed down a small alley and through another until finally, Gisela stopped in front of a house, looking exactly like all the others. Sihtric opened the door and held it open. Gisela slipped inside and motioned for them to follow her.

Uhtred eyed Sihtric curiously as he stepped closer. He stopped just in the doorway and the boy simply smiled at him. Uhtred opened his mouth but a sudden noise stopped him. He turned and looked inside the small house. A baby cried. He knew he heard it. He stepped inside and Gisela was standing in the center, cradling something in her arms. She made soothing noises as she smiled down at the bundle she held tight to her chest. Uhtred's eyes widened as he stepped towards her.

Finan followed silently and Sihtric pulled the door closed behind them. The boy stepped around the Irishman and his Lord and stepped closer to Gisela. He leaned over her shoulder and peered down at the bundle in her arms. A smile laced his features and he shook his head. "I can't believe how big he's gotten."

Gisela breathed out and nodded her head. "Bigger by the day." She paused and leaned around Sihtric. The boy stepped out of the way and Gisela looked at Uhtred. "Don't just stand there. Come meet your son."

Uhtred's eyes widened more and his mouth dropped open. His mind reeled as her words sunk in. He tried to think, tried to do the math in his head. His first thoughts when he heard the baby cry was that Sihtric had been the father but to hear Gisela name him instead… Uhtred's head swam and he felt dizzy. He stumbled backwards and Finan reached out to steady him.

Sihtric smiled again and reached out to grab Uhtred's hand. He pulled the Lord closer and stepped around behind him. "Lord, go on." He said, pushing him.

Uhtred glanced over his shoulder at Sihtric. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He turned back to Gisela, suddenly right in front of him. She tilted her arms and showed him the small baby in her arms. Uhtred sucked in a breath as he stared at him. "Mine…" He said softly.

Gisela nodded her head. "You are the only one, Uhtred."

Uhtred swallowed as he looked down at the baby again. "A son…"

Gisela nodded her head. "I named him Uhtred, after you. Sihtric told me that was the custom in your family."

"Uhtred…" He said softly, still a bit in shock. In all his dreams of returning home, a child had never even occurred to him. He opened his mouth but was once again silenced by the sound of a baby crying. A second baby.

Sihtric smiled again and turned. He headed towards the crib and bent down. He picked up the tiny bundle and walked back over towards Uhtred. "And this is Stiorra, your daughter."

Uhtred's eyes widened. "There's two of them?"

"Twins, Uhtred." Gisela said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "Yes, there are two of them."

Sihtric laughed and stepped closer. He held the baby out to Uhtred. "Want to hold her?" Uhtred took the tiny baby from Sihtric and fumbled for a moment. But then she cried and Sihtric frowned. "No! Not like that!" He hissed, moving closer again. "Give her to me! You are not allowed to touch her!" He held her against him and she stopped crying almost immediately.

Finan stepped up behind Uhtred and watched. "How are you so good with them?"

Sihtric shrugged. "Just… am, I guess."

"Sihtric was here when they were born." Gisela answered, smiling at him.

Uhtred looked at the boy. "You were?"

Sihtric turned slightly and nodded. "I was."

"He helped hide me." Gisela added.

"Why?" Uhtred asked.

"For you, Lord." The boy answered softly.

Uhtred nodded slowly. "So this is why… Hild said you spent time with Gisela… and why you were so adamant about saving her…"

Sihtric nodded his head. "Yes, Lord. Why else would I…"

Uhtred shook his head and turned to Gisela. "You want to bring them to Wessex?"

"I want them where they will be safe." She answered. "I fear what my brother will do if he finds out I have given birth to your children. His plans to use me for bartering will be ruined. I do not want to believe that my brother is capable of harming children… but I do not know what to believe anymore. I never believed he would try to force me…" She sighed and shook her head.

Uhtred narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "No one will touch them! No one will touch you!"

Gisela breathed out and smiled. "Thank you, Uhtred."

Uhtred nodded. "We need to go."

Finan had stepped closer to Sihtric and stared down at the tiny girl in the boy's arms. He smiled and wiggled his fingers in her face and Sihtric laughed. But at Uhtred's voice, Finan straightened up and nodded. "Aye, Lord. We do. Traveling with babies though…"

Sihtric frowned and hugged the tiny Stiorra to his chest. "They're coming with us!"

Finan held up his hands. "I wasn't gonna suggest leaving them. Just that it will be difficult and they'll slow us down. So we need to get going."

Uhtred nodded and headed towards the door. "Let's go."

"So much for not stopping." Finan mumbled as he followed them out.

… … ...

Uhtred sighed as he stepped into Alfred's study. He was thoroughly exhausted. Traveling with infants was exhausting. They constantly needed to be fed and rocked and changed and they never seemed to stop crying. He hadn't slept the last several nights, not since the twins had come into his life. Though he had to admit, he was enjoying watching both Sihtric and Finan doting upon them. But still, he couldn't believe he was a father again. He never imagined it happening for him, not after the loss of his first son.

"I trust you are in good health."

Alfred's voice roused him from his thoughts. Uhtred shook his head and turned. The King leaned over his desk, staring at something along its surface. Uhtred was too far away to tell what it was, not that he even cared. He didn't want to be there. He was only there because Steapa had practically dragged him into the castle and shoved him into the study and then proceeded to stand off to the side, silently staring at him. He breathed out and smiled. "I improve with each passing day." He answered evenly. "And you, Lord?"

Alfred straightened up and glanced at him. He smiled and then quickly grimaced, placing his hand over his stomach. "God afflicts me." He answered, his voice pained. "But there is purpose in that, so I must be glad of it." He turned and moved away from the desk, towards another table, full of lit candles. "Earl Ragnar, he is a good man. I should like to free both him and Brida." The King said, changing the subject.

Uhtred's eyes followed the man and he smiled again. "Thank you, Lord, for all you have done…" He started but then the King interrupted him and started prattling on about his candles. Uhtred stared at him, completely taken aback by the absurdity of the King's words. He could care less about the King's candles and for a moment, he wondered about the man's mind, flitting from topic to topic so quickly. Uhtred shook his head and lifted his hands. "Lord, why did you have me rescued?" He asked tiredly. "Why have you brought me here?" There was a bit of a whine in his voice and he didn't even try to mask it. He was tired and the King was trying his patience. But Alfred was the King, after all. Uhtred supposed the man got away with doing whatever he wanted.

Alfred straightened up again and stepped away from his candles. "Because I was able." He answered. "Because it is what you deserve. Though I will admit… I would like you in my service again."

Uhtred pursed his lips and shook his head. "I am grateful, Lord, but I have my own destiny to follow."

Alfred nodded slowly and tilted his head. "You killed the Abbot Eadred." He stated dryly.

Uhtred glanced at Steapa for a moment and sighed. "He was a weasel, Lord. Who deserved to die."

Alfred stepped closer to him, his voice rising. "A holy weasel without a sword whom you killed on blessed ground. However, you were in the company of Earl Ragnar, in his charge, under my orders. I hold him responsible."

Uhtred's eyes widened and he shook his head. "No, Lord, it was me and me alone. You cannot blame Ragnar!"

Alfred raised an eyebrow and stared at him. "I can and I do. He will stand trial."

"No!" Uhtred moved closer to Alfred but Steapa followed, blocking his path. Uhtred glanced back at him and sighed.

Alfred turned and walked across the study towards his chair. He sat down, leaned back, and looked at Uhtred. "You are a great warrior, Uhtred." He said softly. "You are a Saxon who is also a Dane. The very embodiment of the England that must emerge. I request that you enter my service."

"Lord…" Uhtred sighed deeply and shook his head. "I have been a slave! I wish to remain a free man."

Alfred tilted his head. "What is it that you wish for Earl Ragnar?"

Uhtred rolled his eyes and sighed again. He should have known this was Alfred's game all along, the only reason he allowed Ragnar free to search for him. "Lord, please."

Alfred leaned forward a bit and raised his voice again. "A man of God was slaughtered, someone must answer. It will be you… or it will be Earl Ragnar. You may choose. Your sword, Uhtred, or your brother. You can be a free man within my service."

Uhtred sighed again. "Ragnar goes free."

Alfred nodded. "He has earned it. Swear."

Uhtred looked away and breathed out. "I, Uhtred of…"

"It is the custom to kneel." Alfred interrupted loudly.

Uhtred sighed again and turned away for a moment. Then he stepped forward and kneeled in front of the King. When he met the King's gaze, he wasn't happy. "I, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, pledge my sword to you, Alfred of Wessex."