CHAPTER THREE: LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
"How long?" Stella took a sip of chamomile tea, her eyes never leaving his.
"Many years."
"You spent many years there searching for your people?" Stella checked her watch.
"That is right," Uhtred smirked. "Time is different there. Just like your father told me."
"Did you find them?" Stella took a seat beside Uhtred at the kitchen island.
"Yes".
"All of them?"
"The ones that are dead and gone, yes."
"Father Beocca?"
"No," Uhtred frowned. "He is Christian. I imagine he is in Heaven. I was a good man…Is a good man.
"
"And you did all of this to talk to the ones who'd given their lives so you could live?"
"For the most part. I asked for their forgiveness, My Lady."
"Why?" Stella touched his cheek, wiping away the wetness on his face.
"Because, they followed me to their deaths, and…" Uhtred pulled Stella's hand from his face and held on to it. "I needed to know that they forgave me for it."
"And this was important enough for you to risk losing yourself to Valhalla?" Now Stella was crying. "Important enough to potentially being separated from the people in your life that are still alive?"
"Listen to me," Uhtred moved her over onto his lap. "If I thought that I wasn't strong enough to handle Valhalla, I wouldn't have gone through those doors. You, my children, my family - are my life! Do you hear me?" Stella nodded. "It almost felt as if I was being called to Valhalla. After the moat lowered, the doors opened as if Valhalla was waiting on me. When I stepped inside, it was…I'm not sure how to describe it… it looked like a version of my dreams of Valhalla. All my people, sitting around a table, enjoying the best cured meats, and good ale. Everyone is laughing and reminiscing about the days of old, telling war stories and rehashing their own warrior chronicles. And for a time, I commiserated about my own life. And, while I was reminiscing with the fallen, I dropped my staff. When I did, my good friend, Clapa, picked it up to hand it to me. As I took it, he started to disappear. When I asked him where he was going, he said 'To my bones'. I think…I think I may have resurrected him."
"Hild, Halig, and Ragnar told me about him when they were chronicling your history. He was a great man. Is that why we are leaving a few days early? You think he is alive? How is that even possible?"
"The staff is more powerful now…Astrid told me that he put it back together using bark from The Tree Of Life…"
"He desecrated my Grandfather?" Stella hopped off of Uhtred's lap, livid. "How dare he?" She rushed to her room to grab a sweater. The mist from The Floating Sea was very chilly this time of year.
"Where are you going?"
"To have a chat with Astrid! Then I'm going to tell my Daddy what he did!"
Uhtred burst out laughing. "I thought you told me that 'snitches get stitches'?" He laughed even harder when she glared at him. "Besides, your father already knows."
"And he was ok with it?"
"Do you think that Astrid would do something that would harm Yggdrasil?"
"No," Stella conceded. "I guess not."
"He is a right bastard, but, he is not malicious. He pieced my staff together for a reason. Of course, he did not tell me what that reason was - cheeky bastard!" Uhtred grinned. "We should finish packing."
"I'll finish packing, you can deal with the kids. It's close to bedtime, so, they should be getting sleepy by now. You can tell them the story of why it's Daddy's fault we are leaving so soon…" Stella grinned widely at the look of confusion on her husband's face.
"Me? Somehow that doesn't seem fair…"
"Oh well! You're the one who brought someone back to life, cutting our holiday short - you get to be the one to tell them that we are leaving early!"
"Fine!"
"Yep!" Stella chuckled and headed off to the bedroom to start packing.
XXXXXXXXXX
"I still do not understand how all of this is possible!" Lady Ælswith handed her daughter her binoculars so she could see the wonders that the people from 'the future' had laid across England. "But, it is marvelous, is it not? So much proof that God is real! He exists! I will admit, some of their ways are…different, but, their minds…can only be God given! Look at all the material they've already brought over! They say it was all scrap from after a great war that desecrated their world! They say they have enough materials to rebuild the entire world, plus then some!"
"Mother, you surprise me! You usually think people who are not as pious as you are heathens! Now you praise every move these people make, including them taking over the building up of our lands!" Lady Æthelflæd handed her mother the binoculars back. "I must experience this 'new life' you keep raving about!"
"I don't know if you will be trusted enough to be given knowing, but, the education they are offering will be available once their schools are built!" Lady Ælswith withdrew from the balcony of her rooms at Winchester Castle and began unzipping her luggage. She'd only arrived an hour prior and had been chatting with her daughter since. She didn't have much to unpack because she wouldn't be staying long. She pulled a stack of new dresses from her suitcase and started the process of hanging them up. "I've been here an hour, and you've yet to tell me why you summoned me here."
"Can I not want to just spend time with you?"
"Oh! Daughter! I'm pious, not stupid! Tell me."
"I wanted you to take to King Edward. He, um, wants to 'relocate' father's works…"
"Take me to him!" Lady Ælswith demanded. "Now!"
XXXXX
"What is the meaning of this?" Lady Ælswith snatched a book from the page's hands.
"On orders of the King, my Lady!"
"What orders? These are my husband's life's work!" The page ignored Lady Ælswith and continued tossing the vintage books and tomes into baskets. "At least tell me where you are taking his things!"
"To be stored, my Lady!"
"Take them to my rooms. King Alfred's works will find a proper home with me!"
"That will be fine, Mother!" King Edward announced as he came into the room.
"Every time I come here there is new insult!" Lady Æthelflæd opined. "Why are you ridding our home of father's things!"
"With this 'deal' that I have made with Uhtred's people, I'll be acquiring a new manor. I'm simply making sure that father's things are safe!"
"Hidden, is more like it!" Lady Ælswith huffed.
"You're being ridiculous! Uhtred told me himself that he plans on keeping the castle standing! He said it will be turned into a museum for history!"
"Yes! So that future people can point at it and laugh as they compare it to the 'technology feats' standing beside it!"
"Our history is nothing to laugh at!" Lady Ælswith bristled. "I've seen the other lands that the Grants have helped! They've been true to their words that they don't want to interrupt the beliefs and ways of life of the indigenous people! The places that have received help were proud to leave their historical markers standing! The Grants have taken great care to respect those people and their own architectural feats! For you to let your pride hide away everything your father achieved is shocking, to say the least!" With her words spoken, she exited her husband's library and went straight to her rooms to receive the items as they were brought to her.
XXXXX
"I want to thank you for alerting me to your brother's treachery," Lady Ælswith handed the last of the baskets to one of the armed guards who would escort her, and her husband's legacy to their new home.
"Thank you, Mother, but, that isn't the only…"
"Ah! Lady Ælswith! Leaving so soon?" Lord Ælthelhelm's smarmy visage made an appearance at the entrance of the castle - to make sure the woman he referred to daily as a 'witch' was actually leaving. He blamed her for all the change in the country, and he made no efforts to conceal his feelings.
"Yes, Lord Æthelhelm. I'm escorting my husband's things to their new home - where they will be on display for all to see."
"Magnificent works of fiction! They are a wonderful read! I'm sure those people will enjoy them greatly."
"What you consider 'works of fiction' is the complete opposite! You see, as the future changed, so did the subjects in these writings. What my husband failed to add, history, and a few of England's scholars corrected. I made sure of that. So, although your facts are wrong, your sentiment is right: they are fascinating reads!" Lady Ælswith turned to her guard to let him know she was ready, then turned back to her daughter. "When you tire of the shenanigans of Winchester's court, come visit me."
"I haven't been cleared by Uhtred…"
"Your daughter has no need to visit, Lady Ælswith," Lord Æthelhelm interjected. "I'm sure King Edward has already ordered her to stay within the castle manor. For her protection, you see."
"Well, daughter," Lady Ælswith addressed Æthelflæd pointedly. "There is no better place to be protected then within Bamburg Castle, or any where in Bebbanburg or Northumbria. I'm positive I can get you clearance."
"How soon?"
The look on her daughter's face told Lady Ælswith all she needed to know. "Right now. I can send one of my guards to escort you to pack you and your daughter's things. Pack everything. When we are done visiting, I shall return you to your own kingdom. I'm sure Mercia is lost without you."
"Thank you, Mother!" Lady Æthelflæd took off quickly, with a guard following.
"King Edward will not be pleased you are disobeying his orders."
"He cannot command me. I am no longer one of his subjects, Lord Æthelhelm. When you tell him of his daughter visiting with me, make sure you tell him that I said that!"
XXXXX
"Of course we will!" Stella was emphatic in her statement. She was raised to think that children were a blessing. She herself was adopted, and wouldn't dare consider putting an innocent child's life in danger. And 'they were so cute!' she thought as she picked up the little boy who was sucking his thumb. "I'll bath them and put them to bed. It's late, and I can tell that they are tired. Have they eaten?"
"Um…not since before we left!" Lady Æthelflæd answered. "Thank you, My Lady!"
"You don't need to thank me! I would never turn my back on children!" Stella turned to Uhtred. "Bring her," she commanded, before she turned and exited the Great Hall, Uhtred following behind, carrying the sleepy little girl in his arms.
"You see, Daughter. Everything will be alright!" Lady Ælswith beamed. "She even blessed you with knowing!"
Lady Æthelflæd wiped at the endless stream of tears on her face. "Yes, Mother, I will admit, you were right. My mind is still spinning! Did I receive everything there is to know? My mind fills like it is full!"
"Of course not, dear! They have to protect themselves! But, they blessed us with enough understanding so that things aren't so confusing."
"Did I do the right thing, Mother? Allowing Edward's children to be raised by the man he perceives as the enemy?"
"No Dear," Lady Ælswith took her daughter's hand and patted it. "While you were packing your things, your brother came to see me off. After he dismissed that cad of a father in law, he told me that he knew about Ecgwynn's death, and that his children from his former marriage were in danger. He proclaims to not know who is behind the danger, but…I think he is in denial. This has the markings of Lord Æthelhelm written all over it! Be that as it may, your brother gave his permission for the children to be raised by Uhtred. In fact, he even handed me the proof of their births so that Uhtred could document it, along with a written letter of permission to assert the children as his own."
"Well…that all seems nice and tidy!"
"Oh no, Dear! Trust me, Edward didn't become suddenly altruistic! He loves his children, I'm sure! But, he plans on making it known that he is their true father one day! The ways of our people won't change overnight! To Edward, his children are of blue blood, they are the inheritors of his legacy! That is why he decided to let the great warrior Uhtred raise them! He feels he'll benefit from that, one day. But, I don't have faith in that."
"Why not?"
"Because Uhtred is good!" Lady Ælswith squeezed Lady Æthelflæd's hands. "And so are his people! I know it took me a long time to see it, but, he is!"
"Everyone's been telling you this for years, Mother!" Lady Æthelflæd shook her head with laughter. "You never cease to amaze me, Mother!"
"I know I was slow on the uptick, but I know now the error of my ways! Those errors include forcing your brother to divorce his first wife to marry another for the purposes of gaining favor with her father! I made plenty of mistakes, and that is the biggest one! Thank goodness for Uhtred and his lovely wife!"
"She is very lovely," Lady Æthelflæd admitted wistfully.
"I'm glad you are no longer jealous!" Lady Ælswith giggled. "Your one, true, great love is out there, this I swear! But, believe me when I tell you, it is not Uhtred!"
XXXXXXXXXX
One of the things that Uhtred loved about his wife the most was her potty mouth. Most of the time, she was the epitome of elegance and class, but, when she was riled, the curse words flew, and she didn't care who witnessed the spew-age. "Dammit Uhtred! Now is not the time for you to be turned on! That motherfucker thinks he can just dispose of his family and then turn around and use them as leverage? The audacity!" Pushing away from him - and his hardness - she continued pacing in front of the open glass doors leading to their balcony. Clad in only a sports bra and his boxer briefs, she took a puff of the freshly rolled joint in her hand. "Why is it so fucking hot?" She passed the joint to Uhtred and fanned herself.
"I think it's your anger that is heating up the room. Come sit with me on the balcony, get some fresh air."
"I don't want fresh air!" Stella resisted. "What I want is for that arrogant asshole to disappear!"
"Stella…"
"I didn't say die, I said disappear! Are you gonna hit that?"
Uhtred did indeed want to hit it, but, not the joint. He took a puff anyway and passed it to his wife. "You need to smoke all of that."
"I can't."
"Yes, you can! You clearly need it!" Uhtred chuckled.
"For one, I don't need it!" Quickly, she stubbed the joint out in the ashtray on the glass and wrought iron table. "And, two, Stiorra is coming."
No sooner had she said the words there was a knock on the door. Uhtred crossed the large room and opened the door.
"Mommy? I need to get in your closet!" Without waiting for an answer, Stiorra marched over to Stella's closet and flung open the French doors. "I can't find anything to wear to the bonfire!"
"Hey! Ma'am! Excuse me!" Stella followed Stiorra into the two story room and snatched her favorite jeans from her oldest daughter. "You still haven't brought back the sweater you borrowed!"
"UGH!" Stiorra stomped out of the closet, then out of the room. Two minutes later, she was back with the sweater. "Here! Now can I?"
"Yes, you can!" Stella smirked, following her into the closet.
"What's this about a bonfire?"
"Oh my gosh, Dad! I told you about it already!"
"Refresh my memory," Uhtred said, leaning against the doorframe to the closet.
"Ugh! Fine!" she laid a pair of jeans across Stella's arms. "The bonfire is being held at Green Acres and everyone is going to be there! It's held every year the weekend before Indigenous People's Day!" She pilfered through her mother's infinite stacks of jeans, while she waited to hear her father's favorite word: NO. When she didn't hear it, she turned to see both her parent's shoulders moving up and down from silent laughter. "Aren't you guys too old to be acting so childish?"
"Girl! Stop! I'm still in my early 30's…"
"Ahem!" Uhtred side eyed his wife.
"Fine, mid 30's! It's your Daddy that's older than dirt! Stop playing with me!" Stella rolled her eyes and huffed her way out of the closet.
"Yes, I know about the traditional bonfire. I've been going to them every year since I met your mother, and she's been going to them all her life!"
"Does this mean you guys are going too?"
"Yep!" Stella yelled from the bedroom.
"I'm not a child! I can go by myself!"
"Why do you make everything about you? Our entire family will be there, including us!" Uhtred stood up straight from the doorframe. "What is with this attitude?"
"I'm a teenager, Dad! Being 'angsty' is what we do!" Stiorra pushed him out of the closet so that she could peruse her mother's wardrobe in peace.
"That's your child."
"Oh, now she's 'my child' when you're the one who raised her to speak her mind! I'm the one that said children should be seen and not heard, remember?" Uhtred stood on the balcony and relit the joint. He figured if Stella wasn't going to smoke it, he would.
"Yeah, you did say that," Stella giggled. "And that has to be the most antiquated stance on children I've ever heard! But, you are right, she does act like me. At least that is what my parents have been telling me for years!"
"No, no!" Uhtred shook his head. "They all act like you. Admit it, we raised a gaggle of head strong, articulate, stubborn…"
"Super smart!"
"I was going to add that in! Even with all the attitude, they are still amazing, right?" Uhtred passed the joint to Stella.
"Yes. They are," She took a puff. "That is why I don't understand why you are not angry about Edward trying to gain access to New America by using our children as leverage. Does he think we don't know what he's up too?"
"I'm not angry because I know it will never happen. H.O.M. is very selective about foreigners they let inside their borders. Edward never had a chance. You know this! And, I don't think he knows the extent of what we know. He tried to get it out of Æthelflæd, and, it didn't work. He's pissed that she won't allow him to use Mercia for his benefit." Uhtred entered the bedroom and peeked in on Stiorra to make sure she wasn't listening. He had no worries because she was too busy growing the pile of clothes she planned on 'borrowing' from her mother. He returned to the balcony and sat in a chair, then moved Stella over to his lap. "He thinks that Danes have been planted inside of Wessex."
"Why does he think that?" Stella licked the outer shell of his ear.
"There have been whispers of an uprising, but, he rounded up all the people he suspected of being traitors and had them hanged."
"What?" Stella began to rise from his lap, but his strong hands stayed her.
"It's his land."
"Only because you haven't asserted your authority!"
"So now you want me to?" Uhtred raised his eyebrows.
"I don't know!" Stella laid her head on his shoulder. "I just want my children to not fear their biological dad is going to pop up out of the shadows and take them away! They don't have our abilities! How are they going to protect themselves against people who will try to manipulate them?"
"You just said that all our children are smart!" He kissed her forehead. "You have to trust that when the time comes, they will be able to handle themselves accordingly! And, in the meantime…I'm going to handle everything else!"
"What does that mean?"
"Look, the Danes have always been a problem. Always. Ragnar raised me, and I loved him, but, he was a menace! Most Danes are! And though I learned to understand their ways, there was a reason I never really fought on their side! They are conquers, and pillagers. Warriors in constant search of land, wealth, women and battle. It's never ending…here she comes again…"
Stella looked up to see Stiorra coming out of her closet with her arms full of clothes. "Um, no ma'am!"
"Mommy!"
"I said 'no'! One item, that's it!"
"Two!"
"Fine, but put everything else back where you found it and I want to see what you picked out!"
"UGH! Fine!" Stiorra stomped back into the closet.
Uhtred laughed. "As I was saying, it is never ending with the Danes. They covet what doesn't belong to them. They covet the whole of Europe because their lands are cold, barren and wet."
"Why don't they just take the deal my family offered them?"
"Too used to their ways. They don't take kindly to change, but, yet, are jealous of others who evolve past them. I don't want to impose my will on them, but, I want the death to stop!"
"Whatever you decide, I will support you. Ok?" Stella pulled his hair away from his face.
"In a few years, all of our children will be in college…"
"You don't know that!" Stella chuckled.
"I do. 'Very smart' remember? I have complete faith that all of our children will take the path of their mother and all her other family members and go to college early, and graduate early. And," he took her hand and entwined their fingers together. "With our children in the safe care of your parents…"
"They are prepared!" Stella giggled.
"Then I will give more thought into what I'm to do about the Danes, and the benefit of England."
"And what about Edward?"
"Other than him riling you up, he isn't a problem. But, if he becomes one, we will handle it. Ok?"
"Ok," Stella nodded, laying her head back onto his chest.
"Ok, Mommy, I've finally picked something out." Stiorra walked out onto the balcony with one of Stella's designer dresses and a pair of heels.
"Try again."
"Mommy!"
"Hey!" Uhtred spoke sternly. "Your mother said 'try again'! Do it! Without the back talk! You are going to a bonfire, not a school dance! And even then, I wouldn't let you out of the house wearing that!"
"Mommy wears it!"
"Mommy is grown!" Uhtred said. "Would you like to be grounded all of winter break? We can pack it up now and leave Fort App and head right back home! Is that what you want?"
"Fine! I'll find something else!"
"Make it happen!" Uhtred called after his daughter after she'd already stomped away. "What are you doing?"
"Calling my Uncle Daryl," Stella answered, tapping her VirtuScreen.
"Sup Niece! What it do?" Daryl's face filled the screen. Stella could tell that he was beyond lit at the moment.
"Imma need to re-up, Uncle D."
"I got you. You need some seeds. I'll put a bag of those in with the order."
"Thanks, Uncle D!" Stella chuckled.
"When you want it?"
"We'll pick it up at the bonfire."
"Sup Uhtred! When did you get in?"
"This morning."
"You up for a hunt?" Daryl asked.
"You know it! When?" Uhtred peeked around Stella to look into the screen.
"Monday and Tuesday. We're hunting for the festival turkeys. Finan already said he was coming."
"Sihtric will probably want to come. And Clapa. I'm not sure about Osferth."
"Cool. What about you, Stella? You coming?"
"Are the girls coming?"
"Nope. Said they want to go to Greece, do some trading for Christmas."
"Greece? Nah, I'll go hunting with you guys!"
"Awesome! I'll tell your dad. Alright, let me get off of here, your Aunt is giving me the stank eye!"
"Bye Uncle Daryl!" Daryl ended the call and Stella closed her screen.
"Mommy!"
"Please go see what she wants before she wakes the rest of the house!" Uhtred stood Stella from his lap. "I'm going to go clean my hunting weapons before bed."
"Meet you in the shower in say…" Stella pantomimed checking her watch. "Two hours? That should be enough time for her to reject all my selections, then finally - begrudgingly - come to an agreement."
"Of course. You know how much I love shower time. And, don't get too frustrated with her. This time next year, the twins will be living here full time and you would've spent the entire semester crying every night because you miss them so much!"
"Yeah right!" Stella giggled.
"Don't 'yeah right' me! You're the one who made them stay home an extra year because you claimed they were 'too young' to be away from their parents, knowing full well that you were already in college by their age!"
"Yeah, but I lived at home with my parents, so…your point is mooted! Oww!" Stella giggled after being swatted on her behind.
"I'll meet you in the shower," Uhtred told her as he walked out of their bedroom, laughing.
XXXXX
"I got one, Daddy!"
"Good job, Angel!" Uhtred smiled proudly at his youngest, running towards the huge turkey she'd shot with her bow and arrow.
"Really good job!" Fitz smiled proudly as well.
"Beocca, Aaron, help your sister!"
The two boys ran after their little sister.
"Where are my other grandchildren?" Fitz walked beside Uhtred as they walked towards Angel and her catch.
"Well, Stiorra is with her friends and cousins, doing…whatever it is they do. Uhtred is with Cynlæf and the butchery team. Illana and Stan are spending time with Lady Ælswith - probably bored out of their minds."
"Olivia misses them when they're not around, but, I'm sure she'll understand… Why are you laughing?"
"Because you know very well that Olivia hordes all the grandchildren! And not just me and Stella's children! All of them!"
"She's very possessive, my wife!" Fitz chuckled. "I wanted to talk to you about what is going on with the Danes…"
"Stella mentioned something?"
"No, but you saying that makes me think that definitely is an issue."
"What do you know?"
"For a people as primitive as they are, with limited tools and access to materials, they are tremendously resourceful." Fitz stopped walking a little ways from the children who were getting help from Stephen and Noah with loading their turkeys onto a cart. "Our surveillance shows them building boats, Uhtred. Fairly large ones."
"How many?" Uhtred was now concerned. "How long?"
"I need you to understand…they're not building fleets, they're building a battalions - enough to hold tens of thousands of men. They're in it for the long haul. Is this something you can handle?"
"I've got my Guard. They are fierce men. I'll have them keep an eye on the situation, maybe send them to England, get a feel for what's going on, ground level."
"That could take years."
"I'll send the single ones. Ones with no children or woman to come home to. Maybe they'll meet a wife while they are there."
"And bring these imaginary wives where? Here?"
"Yes."
"That's a big ask. But, fine, as long as they pass H.O.M. I'm sure Rick won't deny entrance. And, before you ask, the answer is 'no' on bringing any Danes here. They've already proven themselves to be a hostile, volatile force with long memories."
"Not all of them."
"I can't take that chance. Neither will my siblings. And The Council is far removed from this. They deal macro problems. This oncoming war between the English and the Danes, is too micro for them. But," Fitz pulled off his hunting gloves and put them in his back pocket. Patting his jeans for a lighter, he found one in his other back pocket. He then pulled a joint out. He was going to light it as soon as he made his way back to the courtyard. "You've got time. Keep a watch on the Danes that travel to England on a mission of 'trade'. Those are the ones that'll end up staying, mixing amongst the population waiting on a sign from back home. Those are the ones you have to worry about. The ones who suddenly want to be Christian and marry into English families. Those are the ones that are spies."
Uhtred was suddenly angry. "What am I supposed to do with that information?" His voice carried, causing Angel, and her brothers to turn and look at them. "If I tell Edward, he will go on a witch hunt, route out all the people he considers 'pagan' and kill them all! Then put their bodies on display for all to see!"
"Can you chill?" Fitz gritted his teeth and forced a wide grin on his face. "If you make my Baby Girl mad at me… you know how long it took for her to speak to me after the last time?"
He couldn't help himself, he burst into laughter. "She told you to wash your mouth out with soap!"
"The fucked up thing about it is that you knew she was listening and didn't say anything! You just let me stand there, cursing out the losing soccer team I bet on, while she was listening! That's fucked up, Uhtred!" Fitz pointed his finger at Uhtred, who was still laughing.
"No," Uhtred straightened his posture. "What's fucked up is you sending drones to spy on other countries after telling me that you have faith in me to look after mine!" Uhtred returned Fitz's point. "Either you have faith in me doing what I have to do, or you don't."
"Pfft!" Fitz guffawed. "Get the fuck out of here! We watch everyone! You ain't special! And I don't give a fuck about how much I have faith in you, my child lives in on another continent. You must be out of your mind if you think I'm not going us everything at my disposal to watch over her. But you know that already!"
"My oldest daughter wanted to wear something called a 'body con' dress and high heels to the bonfire. Trust me, I get it!"
"Daddy!" Angel called out, as she came running towards her dad and granddad. She squinted her eyes at Fitz, then at Uhtred to make sure they weren't arguing like normal. When she thought everything was copacetic, she told Uhtred about Daryl and Stephen wanting to know if it was ok if her and her brothers helps dress the turkeys.
"Yes, you all can go. Do it quick before your mothers and aunts get back. You know how they are."
"Thanks Daddy! This is gonna be so cool! I get to help cut the turkey open!" Angel kissed her dad's cheek and ran back to where her uncles and brothers were waiting. After they were all in Stephen's vehicle, they were off to the butcher.
"Stella is going to be mad at you!"
"She'll be ok. Preparing a kill for the dinner table is tradition," Uhtred shrugged. "She's told me her own stories about going on hunts with her uncles.
"Yeah, she's a good hunter, that's for sure. But, since she's become a mother, she's become over protective - just like her mother."
"Pot, meet kettle."
"I know," Fitz chuckled. "No more questions from me about your fork of the woods. But, if you need anything, don't be prideful. Ok? Your family will back you up. Got it?"
"I got it," Uhtred nodded. "Hopefully, I won't need you. If I do, I know where to find you."
XXXXXXXXXX
"I don't want to meet with him! I don't know how to make that clearer!" Stan got up from his seat, shoving his hands in his denim pockets.
"Me either!" Illana agreed with her twin and stood by his side. "We love you, Grandmother, but, he's not our kin! We don't owe him shit!"
"Oh!" Lady Ælswith gasped. "Language young lady!"
"Grandmother! I've been married for a year and have a baby on the way! Stan has been married for three years and has two children! We are each accomplished in out own rights! Stop trying to little us!" Illana left her grandmother's living room and grabbed her things. She was tired of this and was ready to go home. "Stan, are you coming?"
"Yeah, give me a sec."
"I'll be in the car," Illana walked out of the door, and didn't look back.
"He's my son," Lady Ælswith blinked back tears as she offered her explanation. "Since my daughter, Lady Æthelflæd - your aunt, and Edward's sister - has taken ill, it's caused my son to reflect on his own mortality. The son he raised is not capable of running a country. It's the honest truth, and Edward knows that. He also knows how remarkable you and Illana have turned out…"
"Through no help of his! My parents, Mom and Dad, are the ones that raised us!"
"You don't think I know that? I was here! I helped raise you as well as your siblings!" Lady Ælswith stood, but the action made her dizzy, so she sat back down. "As I was saying," she clasped her hands together when her head stopped spinning. "He is my son. You have children, you know what it feels like to see them hurting. He just wants to meet you. That is all. If you don't want to continue the Wessex legacy, he will respect that."
"He has no choice," Stan said, not noticing his grandmother's faint state. He turned his head to look at her with admiration and respect. "I love you, Grandmother. That will never change. But, my parents are Uhtred Baldr Odinson of Bebbanburg, and Stella Grant-Odinson. This never ending talk of an oncoming war between Christians and Danes ever takes place, I know my dad will step up to the plate and end it. It's not a matter of feelings. I know it. If it is my - and my sister's - lot in life is to sit on a throne, it will be on his behest. We will always be children of Uhtred and Stella, and we will carry their names. Only their names into the future. Wessex will carry on with the other child Edward produced. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Lady Ælswith closed her eyes. "I will tell him your message."
"Thank you, Grandmother," Stan said. He kissed her cheek and bid her goodbye.
"I'm sorry, Mother," Lady Æthelflæd slowly made her way into the room.
"Should you be out of bed?" Lady Ælswith forgot about her own ailments and rushed to her daughter's side to help her to the couch.
"I was trying to make it here before the twins left, but, my body is capable of moving that fast." She set down, grateful to finally not be moving.
"They remind me of Alfred," Lady Ælswith admitted. "But, they are definitely Uhtred and Stella's children."
"You're just now realizing that?"
"No," Lady Ælswith smiled. "They would be so good for Wessex lineage remaining the crown jewel of England."
"You are being reminiscent. It doesn't serve you well, Mother."
"I know. My wish was to have our family issues resolved before I leave the Earthly plane. I fear Alfred would be upset to know that we are fractured in this way!"
"But," Lady Æthelflæd held tight to her mother's hand. "We are not fractured! All of your grandchildren flourish! Father's dream of a unified England is close! I can feel it! It does not matter who rules it, it matters that the English lands are united under one God! You have to have Faith, Mother!" Lady Æthelflæd closed her eyes and leaned back against the pillows on the couch. "Speaking of 'faith'…Uhtred has order a hospice team to watch over us both, 24 hours a day."
"I can take care of the both of us!"
"You can barely stand without getting dizzy! Take the help, Mother! It just may elongate our lives!"
"I shall not!" Lady Ælswith huffed. She knew her time was near. Alfred had been visiting her in her dreams, helping her get ready for the afterlife. "God's shining light is the only help I need!"
XXXXX
"You didn't bring my children." Edward glared at Uhtred with tears in his eyes. He'd thought he was the last one in the cathedral until Uhtred walked down the aisle and stood beside him.
"If you call them your children again, I'll kill you."
"They are all that I have left!" Edwards voice echoed.
"Then you have nothing." Uhtred stepped on the dais where Lady Ælswith's body was on display for all to see in her ivory and gold coffin. He laid a single red rose within then stepped down.
"You've taken everything from me, and you stand at my mother's Home Going and threaten my life!"
"It's not a threat." Uhtred stood before Edward, looking down on him with pity - despite his words. He held his arms out and was not surprised when Edwards aged, frail body moved into his embrace. "You were like a son to me, this you know. I've allowed you to remain 'King' in order for you to live out your father's wish for you. I didn't take 'everything'." Uhtred let go of Edward and took hold of his shoulders so that he may look at him, face to face. "But, when you are gone, there will be no 'King' to take your place."
"Then the Danes win? Is that what you are telling me?" Edward wrenched away from Uhtred. "Or is this your way of telling me that you are finally going to take your place on the throne that should have been yours all along?" Edward sat his weary bones on a pew facing his mother's visage. "We see the drones. My people know you spy. I know that they secretly wait for me to die so that they may benefit from the same wonders as the 'people across the sea'."
"Why have you not treated your people better? Why is there still poor people? We gave you the tools you needed for there to be a fair society here! And you wonder why your people leave your border in droves!"
"I'm the only reason way Danes haven't breached our borders! It is God's will to determine our lots in life! You are not God, Uhtred!" Edward bellowed, sending his voice across the cathedral once again.
"Neither are you!" Uhtred stated fiercely. "The difference between you and I is I don't seek to control. If I had, you, and people like you, would have been eradicated long ago! I thought - stupidly - that you would follow a guideline that is fair and just. But, just like the Danes, all you seek is to control through fear and violence!"
"And you let me!"
The truth and vitriol in Edward's words settled upon Uhtred like the weight of a thousand swords. Suddenly tired - a feeling he hadn't felt in years - Uhtred sat on the pew beside Edward. "I was holding out up that you'd remember who you really are. I remember the kid that I taught sword skills to. The kid who never failed to greet me whenever I came back from one of your father's many battles…"
"Battles you won, you and your sword."
"Yes. Battles I won for your father thinking he would do what he promised and help me retake Bebbanburg. He never did. I had to do it myself. Just like I will have to settle this beef between England and Daneland. But," Uhtred sighed, pinching his nose. He stood and straightened his suit jacket, then clasped his hands together in front of him. "Make no mistake. I'm done procrastinating. You see, outside of Europe, and this side of the world, the rest of the world is at peace. Indigenous tribes live in peace. Their cultures are being advanced while maintaining their cultural and religious beliefs - on all the continents but this one. To make matters worse, along with the Danes building boats and attempting to sail to peaceful shores, England, and other 'Christian' nations, are also building boats in an attempt to 'discover' other lands. As someone who has knowing I can tell you that won't work. My people have lived through the future consequences of what colonizing nations can do. For decades, I've known that I was going to have to put an end to the progressive violence happening. But, in kind with not wanting to interrupt a culture's way of life, I failed to remember that in thiscase, the ramifications could be apocalyptic."
"You're telling me to get prepared for what is to come, and I am telling you that I am. Before my sister, the Lady Æthelflæd's death, she told me some things in her delirious state. One of the things that she told me was that it has been decreed that in order to participate in battle with the under civilized nations - such as we - all New American participates have to use instruments known to the indigenous nations. I've spent the last ten years since her death making sure that every warrior within my nation is adequately trained, and armed. You taking kingship of my lands won't be easy." Edward stood up as well. "Just ask the Danes." Edward turned down the aisle and walked away.
When he got to the cathedral doors, Uhtred spoke loud and clearly. "Don't forget where you learned your 'Warrior' skills from." Uhtred smirked when he noticed the falter in 'King' Edwards steps.
XXXXXXXXXX
Uhtred landed the MiniFlyer in the middle of the two battle lines with ease. Many of the soldiers on the field had heard of flying objects that carry people to and fro, but had never seen one. While they were stunned still, Uhtred touched an icon on his VirtuScreen and sent the MiniFlyer away - not wanting it to get damaged - just in case.
In all his battles for - and against - England, he'd never seen this many soldiers - on either side. The Danes had, indeed, played the long game. Uhtred noticed several generations difference in the Dane Warriors, and they were all dressed in the finest of armer that Denmark had to offer. He was sure that their weapons were equally as fine.
All the Christians of Europe were finally on one accord, as they stood on the opposite side of the battlefield from the Danish 'heathens'. Uhtred realized that 'King' Edward had been true to his word, and wondered what it had cost the wayward monarch. Many Christians had proven to be just as maniacal as the 'heathens' and just as murderous. For them to all come together, Uhtred was sure that shady promises and underhanded deals had been made.
Uhtred stood alone as the flinty eyed warriors on both sides got over their initial shock and glared at him with malice. Regardless of what side of the battle line they were on, they all had an equal hatred for him. "I, Uhtred Baldr Odinson of Bebbanburg, am declaring myself King of all of Europe, and Dane Land and all Islands surrounding! As your king, I declare you to put your weapons down, go back to your homeland! This war is over!" Uhtred waited to see if anyone would comply. One no one did, he was not surprised. He stood his ground when he heard orders being given for attack on both sides. Calmly, he held his hand out and immediately, his staff appeared, glowing, and ready to settle the score. Gripping the staff, Uhtred slammed the pointed end into the ground and bellowed, "ENOUGH!"
Between the power of the singular word spoken and his staff, an immense power had been unleashed. A bright, blue light shot out of the impact of the staff hitting the ground and spread, sending all the warriors flying through the air. As the light continued to spread, Uhtred was consumed by his own power, causing his body to rise from the ground. He tried to close his eyes to the blinding light, not realizing that the source of the light was coming from him. It streamed out of his eyes, mouth and chest. When he thought he couldn't handle the sheer force of power, he felt more power welling up within him and then, force its way painfully out of his back. When he heard the swooshing of wind surrounding him, he looked from side to side to see brilliant, beautiful, white wings holding him up while the power he'd released spread around the world. In his inner mind, he saw that he wasn't the only one forced into transformation. All who were of Anunnaki descent either received, or had their wings renewed, and immediately used them to take flight.
Once the power depleted, Uhtred descended from his high height and touched his feet upon the ground. He watched patiently as the warriors slowly pulled themselves together, to stand. With his eyes still glowing a bright, cerulean blue, he looked out amongst the crowd and caught the eye of the one human who'd known him the longest. She was older, her long, straight hair all white, and had crinkles around her eyes, but, to Uhtred, she was still beautiful. Using a hand carved cane, she walked towards him, slowed by the ravishes of time, and stood before him. "How did you do that?"
Instead of answering, Uhtred touched her face, rubbing his thumb along her cheek. He could tell by the look in her eyes, that she still held all of his madness. "Brida. You still live."
Holding his hand on her face, Brida smiled. "Just barely. This battle is my last hope to go to Valhalla."
"Whenever you fall, I will take you, battle or not."
"You were floating in the sky, Uhtred. Are you the Christians God?"
"No. I wasn't floating, I was flying."
"In order to fly, you have to have wings. You must be a God - you haven't aged since we were youth!" She blinked back tears, now touching his face.
He realized that she couldn't see his wings, which meant that she was beautifully human. Her age was another clear indication. "You haven't either."
"You're still full of shit!" Brida laughed tearfully. "You were right."
"About what?"
"About us forever being entwined." She held out her arms, and Uhtred fell into them, as he had in their past. He knew it was a trap, but, he didn't care. He and Brida were two sides of the same coin. Even though she'd turned bitter, she will be remembered fondly by him, forever. As he held her frail body against his, he felt when she lifted her arm to try and stab him. And he felt when she lowered her arm because she just couldn't do it. "I love you, Uhtred." She told him, with her last breath.
"I love you too, Brida," he told her as he carried her through the sky. He looked down at her and saw that her eyes were still open, with a tell tell blank look. Crying profusely, he finally landed in front of the moat leading to the doors of Valhalla. It was then that he noticed that the doors had been widened. As he walked over the moat, he felt the presence of another room for afterlife, and he realized that Fitz had done what he said he would, and discovered Heaven.
As soon as the doors opened to Valhalla, Brida's eyes finally had the signs of life behind them. Uhtred sat Brida on her feet, and watched with pride as she smiled brightly, her youthful visage returning to the days of old.
"We're home? It looks the same!" Brida spoke in wonder as she walked around, looking at the place they called home as a youth. "Uhtred! Are you coming? I bet Earl Ragnar is already looking for us! I wonder if Ragnar the Younger is home from across the seas! Come on, let's go look! Thyra? Ragnar? Where is everyone?"
"You go ahead, I'll catch up," he called out to her, watching in fascination as she made her way into their childhood home. A few moments later, she came back out. "Uhtred! Earl Ragnar is Ravn said come join them for a pint of Ale!"
As much as Uhtred wanted to, he couldn't. He had to go check on the war in England. He waited until she went back in the house, then exited Valhalla.
XXXXX
"Where did you go?"
"I had to take an old friend home," Uhtred answered his wife, running his hands over her brilliant, white feathers, knowing how sensitive they were.
"Ooo, that feels good!" Stella returned the favor, not realizing what she was doing to him. "Did you know we had wings?"
"I did. Well," Uhtred thought for a minute. "I used to know, it all came back to me when I used my staff."
"That's a powerful staff!" Stella grinned.
"Not as powerful as this staff," Uhtred took her hand and moved it from his wings to his groin.
"We are in the middle of a battlefield, Uhtred."
"An empty battlefield. There is no one here," he reminded her.
"Because you scared everyone away! As soon as you flew up into the sky, our family descended to see each side throwing up white flags. Uncle Stephen is already drawing up a draft for the treaties that will need to be signed." Stella entwined her fingers through his. "You are officially, the king of all of Europe. You have a lot of responsibilities. Are you ready for all of that?"
"You say that as if you are not my queen and won't be taking care of 50% of the load."
"I never agreed to that."
"You did. The moment you said 'I do'!"
"Ugh!" Stella grumbled. "Fine, but, we're going on vacation first. I want to see my grandchildren."
"How many do we have now?" Uhtred paused in his walking to count them all in his head."
"12! How could you forget!"
"That is quite a legacy! We did good!" He kissed her lips. "Are you sure you don't want any more children?"
"Absolutely not! You should have seen all the Angels descending upon England! I think the world is filled with enough of us for now!"
"We are not 'Angels'," Uhtred corrected. "We are Anunnaki's from Asgard."
"Is that what we are calling Earth now? Asgard?" Stella chucked.
"I don't see why not."
XXXXXXXXXX
"Absolutely not!" Fitz denied. "Asgard is a part of Terra One, Terra One is not Asgard."
"Oh, honey! It's not like it's official. We'll just call our territories Asgard! I think it's a fine idea, to be honest!"
Fitz breathed in deeply, pondering the suggestion as he, and his wife watched over the Earth from their positions high in the sky. "I guess it will work. I mean, everyone is building their own castles within Grant Estates, we've moved all the other estates closer to us. I guess it wouldn't hurt building impenetrable walls around the entire area, making it closed off to non Asgardians. We could rummage up some mountains around us…"
"Why do you want to close us off from the rest of the world?"
"Because they can't evolve if we're holding their hands. I'm not saying we be completely hidden from them. I'm just saying that now that the world is no longer warring, we can focus on other things."
"Like?" Olivia's eyes gleamed.
"Spending time with our family. Getting to know all the descendants. And, there's a lot, so that will for sure take a long time. We also have to start working on our other plans…"
"I thought we had plenty of time before we had to start thinking about that…"
"Time waits for no one, no matter how immortal they are."
XXXXXXXXXX
"Estella, come now." Uhtred helped his wife off her knees, but, when she fainted, he had no other choice but to scoop her up into his arms. He knew she wouldn't take the funeral well, but, he thought she'd be able to cope better than she had - she was, quite literally, the strongest woman he'd ever known. But, he was biased, he knew. With Stella cradled in his arms, he walked away from their youngest child's pyre, the weight in his heart far heavier than the frail body in his arms. Unfurling his wings, he soared towards the sky and didn't land until he'd reached the balcony leading to their bedroom in the newly rebuilt Bamburg Castle in the city of The Kingdom in Beacon Hill. After laying her in their bed, he quickly get in bed with her, cuddling her in his arms. He was just as heartbroken as she was, but, one of them had to be strong for the other. His time would come later after her heart had healed. For now, he would be content to suffer the mourning alone, while he offered her all his support.
XXXXX
"Stella, your sisters are here. Are you up to see them today?" Uhtred knew she wouldn't answer, she'd been catatonic since the night of Angel's Home Going. He went about bathing and dressing her, combing her hair, and making her presentable for the women waiting for her appearance downstairs.
Sophia, Katy Did and Joi surrounded Stella in the living room after Uhtred sat her on the couch and made sure she was propped up so she wouldn't fall over.
"How long has she been like this?" Sophia questioned, her steely blue eyes piercing Uhtred.
"Since Angel died," Uhtred answered.
"That was years ago!" Katy Did exclaimed.
"How could you not tell us?" Joi demanded.
"What difference would it have made?" Uhtred touched his wife's cheek. "I've seen inside her mind. She's in a happy place, surrounded by our children. I've tried to pull her out. She won't come."
Sophia glanced at her sisters, then back at Uhtred. "I'm sorry, Uhtred. I can't imagine how painful that is for you."
The dam that'd been holding back his emotions broke with Sophia's empathetic words. He couldn't remember the last time someone had looked out for his feelings, especially after Angel - the last of their children to die. "If I could be in that happy place with her, I would. She won't let me. I think…I think she resents me for introducing so much pain to her world."
"But, you didn't. You introduced love eternal. She just needs to remember that," Katy Did said. "She clearly wasn't prepared her children deciding to not lead an immortal life."
"Were you prepared?" Uhtred asked, frustrated. It was one thing for his wife to snub him, it was another for practical strangers to do so, sister in laws or not. "You took the easy route!"
"Easy?" Katy Did stood angrily. "Do you think it was an 'easy' decision to give up our mortality? To hurt our parents that way? Our brothers gave up their mortalities a long time ago! They died before their children right beside their spouses because death is natural! But, we were the ones that stood by and picked up the pieces of our parents hurts! Hurt that was so deep that they turned into statues right along with Fatima, and Thom! Right along with our aunts, and uncles! Remember? Their statues now line The Rainbow Room! As per, their destiny! How can we, as their children inherited the best of them! But, it is our lot in life to spend eternity in Heaven, which our father found for us! For our children, and our children's children! Listen," Katy Did pulled on the sleeve of Uhtred's suit jacket until her turned from staring at his wife. "It was never our lot in life to live forever! It is not natural to out live your children! And, when I say 'children', I'm not just talking about the ones we gave birth to! Our descendants have moved out of Asgard and into the world. They are a part of the human race now! Helping the population grow! Wasn't that the point? For humans to prosper better than they had in all the other timelines and universes? You need to let her move on…even if you aren't ready to, she is."
"Me?" Uhtred was confused. Stella's state wasn't his doing. "You make it seem like I'm to blame for this!"
"Aren't you?" Joi questioned, standing. "I seem to recall in your wedding vows, you made her promise to never leave you. Look her," Joi gestured towards her sister. "This is her keeping her promise instead of allowing herself to age and die and going to Heaven where she can be with her children in eternal light!"
"No!" Uhtred denied, stumbling back from the women. "She promised because that is what she wanted! I promised the same to her!"
"Look at her, Uhtred," Sophia pleaded. "Is this how you want to spend forever?"
XXXXXXXXXX
"Do I look as old as you?" Stella's eyes focused on her husband who was laying beside her.
"You look as beautiful as ever, My Lady," Uhtred chuckled, taking her hand.
"You're sweet, as always." Stella turned her head towards the open balcony doors. "Is it morning? I feel like I've been sleeping for forever, but, I'm so tired."
"Then close your eyes, Goddess. Sleep with me."
"Ok, I will," Stella yawned.
XXXXX
"Get up, sleepy head! We've got so much to do today!" Stella pulled the blankets back from her, and hopped out, rushing towards the balcony doors to open them and welcome the day.
"Why so much sunshine so early in the day, Goddess?" Uhtred chuckled. "Tis early! Come, let me make love to you first!"
"No! That was the excuse yesterday! Or the day before…" Stella paused, wondering what day it was. "Doesn't matter! I'm not getting back in that bed with you! I want to visit the children! Can we please do that?"
"Of course, My Lady!" Uhtred got out of bed, stark naked, and pulled his wife into his arms. "Who should we visit first?"
Stella stepped back from Uhtred. "Maybe we should have a dinner, and invite them here! Ooo! What should I cook? Chicken? Beef? A salad would be nice…" Stella continued talking as she left their bedroom to check the stock in the kitchen pantry.
Uhtred grabbed a pair of boxers from his closet and followed his wife to the kitchen.
"Uhtred! Look! The food is already prepared! Now all we have to do is wait for everyone to show up!"
The knock on the door was the first of many as souls from a previous life showed up to reminisce about days of past. Times of old.
"I see that you didn't offer up a pyre for your Earthly body." Father Beocca grinned, offering Uhtred a bottle of wine as he entered the castle, followed by Thyra.
"I see you found your way back to him," Uhtred bussed his sister's cheek.
"Aye, Brother! I may have married another, but I still love Beocca. It's complicated!"
"Agree. A complication even the afterlife couldn't parse out!" Uhtred went to the kitchen to put the bottle in a cooler.
"This is so great, Husband!" Stella flung herself at Uhtred.
"You are happy?"
"I am! Our family is big, and happy and hungry!" she giggled, pulling herself from his arms. "And they are all here! I've never been happier!" Her large, beautiful smile filled Uhtred with love as he watched her flounce out of the kitchen to join the family.
"Seems this is your lot in the afterlife," Uhtred spoke out loud to his house.
"It isn't," Fitz responded, knowing Uhtred's statement wasn't for his ears.
"She needed this. Just for a little while…"
"Just for a little while," Fitz said, walking away from Uhtred. "She eventually has to wake up. We know what happens if the Odin's Sleep lasts too long! Resentments turn into grudges. My wife is getting worried. You need to help her with that if you ever plan on being with her in the real world!
XXXXX
"What are you doing out here?" Stella closed the door behind her, then stood beside her husband as he stood, looking out towards the beautiful out door scene depicting the sun going down behind the angles and curves of the Appalachian mountains.
"Waiting for you," Uhtred answered. "Are you ready?"
"I am."
Uhtred took Stella's hand and walked the wide, statued path between the two smaller mountains that led to the outer edge of Appalachia Valley. When they got to the end of the path, Uhtred pointed his staff at the two, large, doors so that they'd open, allowing them through. As soon as they passed, the doors shut with an overbearing sound.
"That sounded final." Stella grinned, laughing a bit.
"You know better than anyone that nothing is 'final'." Uhtred let go of Stella's hand.
Stella walked to a rose bush, and took a long sniff. "Yes, this is the place. Right?" When Uhtred didn't answer, she turned to see what he was doing. "Forever handsome," she said, standing on her tip toes to kiss his lips. She ran her hand over his cheeks, down his chest and rested her palm over his hand that was gripping his staff.
"Forever beautiful." Uhtred waited patiently as she found a resting place in the seat specially made for her to be comfortable in for a long, long time. Once her eyes were back on him, he tapped his staff on the ground, then stilled, a look of love on his face as he gazed at her while he stood guard in front of the gates to Asgard.
XXXXXXXXXX
Stella opened her eyes. A melancholy mood surrounding her. As she padded her way to the kitchen to fix herself a cup of coffee, she noticed her dad sitting at the kitchen island, sipping from his 'Number One Dad' mug.
"Yeesh! Dream, or a nightmare?"
"Both...Kind of," she responded off handedly. "Daddy, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure thing, Baby Girl, what's up?"
"When did you start remembering your dreams?"
Fitz knitted his eyebrows together, then, an epiphany occurred to him. "When I was able to understand that they were not dreams."
"Can I make them stop?" Stella absentmindedly fix her coffee, then sat beside Fitz at the island.
"I've never been able to."
"Great. The most powerful being in the universe can't make them stop…there's no hope for me, I guess."
"Stella…do you want to tell me about your dream?" Fitz sat down his mug and turned towards his daughter.
"No," she answered after some thought. "I changed my mind about the gap year. I think…I think I'm going to go ahead sign up for the Military."
"You don't want to see the 'outside' world? I thought you couldn't wait to observe 'the uncivilized' heathens beyond our walls?"
"Nah. I agree with The Council. They should be observed from a distance. For the protection of Asgard and all we hold dear. We don't want to corrupt their advancement."
"Wow," Fitz blinked. "This is a far cry from your previous argument of helping them because 'they can't help themselves'. That must have been one helluva dream…"
"The dream was very illuminating, yes."
"Ok," Fitz stood from his chair. "I'll let Abe know to expect your arrival."
"Thanks, Daddy."
"You're welcome, Baby Girl."
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OPUS III (DOES ANYBODY CARE) (ALBUM VERSION) by TEENA MARIE lyrics below
Memories past but not forgotten
The dye is cast-Soon ripe-Soon rotten
"Ars longa vita brevis-Art is long and life is short"
My euphonic heartache-Do I brag, complain or sport
It's not enough to say you care
You've got to spread the word
Have you heard
Jesus was just a man
The Bible tells us so
He gave more than just his hands
And he never said no
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Mary C Brockert
Opus III (Does Anybody Care) lyric