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"I have to ask, lady. But who is your father? You speak of him often but never say his name." Nilsa looked at Finan in surprise, she hadn't realized she never told them her father's name. Alfie huffed when her attention was pulled away from him and neighed loudly to draw her back, she smiled at her horse and his dramatics.

Uhtred had left not long ago to meet with Beocca and Hild, she promised to join him soon as she always spared a few minutes with her horse.

"Steapa." Finan choked on his ale, Sihtric inhaled sharply, and Osferth dropped his cup altogether. She frowned at their reactions and was startled when Finan began to curse.

"We are so dead. He is going to take our balls." Finan mumbled in panic and she reached out to steady his frantic pacing.

"He will not, Finan. I will reassure him that the marriage was my idea and that no one is at fault but me." She squeezed his arm gently and Finan's eyes widened.

"He does not know of this marriage proposal?" Osferth questioned nervously and when she shook her head no they grew silent.

"You will live and have your balls intact, I promise you." She said with a playful smile as she walked away in search of her husband.

"Wait, lady!" Osferth quickly ran to her side with a shy smile. "I will escort you to him, it is not safe for you to walk alone." She nodded and reached up to ruffle his hair.

"Thank you, Osferth. That is very kind." As the two walked in silence she could feel his eyes watching her softly, she did not mention it nor did it make her uncomfortable. Uhtred and his men weren't rapists or known to be cruel, she knows that with her whole heart and soul. Osferth gave her another smile as she walked into the church where Uhtred ate with Hild and Beocca.

"Lady Nilsa! We have searched everywhere for you." Beocca shouted as she hugged him. Hild assessed her for any injuries and embraced the young woman.

"Not everywhere." She said teasingly as she moved to Uhtred and kissed his head, the Dane guided her to his lap as he offered her some of the fruit. Hild and Beocca stood frozen at the sight.

"Uhtred, what have you done?" Beocca began but Nilsa cut him off.

"No, he is not the one to blame. I asked him to marry me, for my selfish reasons. He simply said yes." Beocca sighed and rubbed his face with a loud groan.

"As long as you are happy and safe." Hild said and squeezed her hand lightly.

"I am, Hild. To both of those." As Uhtred rubbed her back lightly Beccoa and Hild sat back down and continued the conversation.

"It is indeed worth waiting for."

"Aelfric will finally see a reckoning." Hild says with confidence.

"Yes, never has a man deserved it more." Nilsa smiled at Beocca's claim and leaned against her husband's chest. She observed the Dane with curious eyes and decided to forgo all she was taught, she kissed him chastely.

"He is right, Uhtred." She speaks quietly so only he can hear as she caresses his jaw.

"He is now weakened and without allies." Uhtred explained and smacked her thigh gently in retaliation for the kiss, she liked to tease him a bit.

"He has no heir to assist him?"

"He did. A son...but the heir Wihtgar was banished. He died last summer in the southern sea." Uhtred said with a small smile and adjusted her in his lap so he could lean forward, he glanced at his wife who began to frown.

"Nil? What is it, my love?" Uhtred question in concern. She pointed to the black beetle scurrying around the table and Beocca made a disgusted noise at the sight of it.

"Those damned insects! I have killed three already crawling on the floor. They are noisy little things, tapping on the walls and eating our paper." Nilsa quickly lunged forward to grab it before he could kill it, she cradled the beetle close to her chest as it shivered in fear.

"You do not have to kill them, Beocca. They are harmless." She pets the insects gently as Uhtred caresses her thigh to soothe her.

"What does it say, Nil?"

"They are called the deathwatch beetle for a reason, Uhtred. It is said if they are tapping in the walls it is a sign of death to come. Although, you can avoid such a fate by safely transporting the beetle outside. But that is not the case anymore." She mumbled as she shot Beocca a glare, the beetle crawled up her arm and she giggled when it got tangled in her hair.

"It is a beetle," Beocca said bluntly. He never believes her, she thinks he sees her as insane most days.

"She has never been wrong." Hild defended and Nilsa smiled softly at the woman.

"Are you able to know who is to die?" Uhtred asked as he softly watched his wife.

"Unfortunately, no. I am sorry, Uhtred." Her husband just shakes his head and kisses her temple as he avoids squishing the insect.

"You can starve him out. Surround the fortress." Beocca claimed as he avoided looking at the insect. Hild and Uhtred smile at the priest. "What was your plan?"

"My plan is that you join us, both of you." Uhtred said as he glanced between his friends.

"Oh, I think my fighting days are over, Uhtred." Hild answered with a sad smile.

"You, then?" Beocca chuckled nervously.

"You don't want an old man."

"Beocca, you're not old. And you have mourned Thyra long enough. She would not want this sadness for you. Throw it off and return to Bebbanburg with me." Nilsa coos at the beetle and Uhtred finds it almost endearing.

"I cannot. Without me, the nuns would have no one to minister the sacraments. And the life of St. Cuthbert will not write itself. Take the fortress. I will join you when the hard work is done." Beocca informed him and Uhtred sighed.

"Then we will hold a feast there in your honor."

"You deserve to go back, Uhtred." Hild said.

"Yes, to restore your family to their rightful place." Nilsa rubbed Uhtred's shoulder when he grew tense, he relaxed immediately under her comforting hand.

"I want to make a home for my children to return to," He then looked at Nilsa who smiled at him. "And for any that may come in the future." He says moving his hand to her stomach as he caressed it.

"Are they well? Your children?" Hild asked happily as she leaned forward.

"Stiorra thrives. She lives at Aethelflæd's estate. My son, I do not see. Alfred's influence has made him holy. What news of Wessex?" Nilsa frowned when she noticed his pain and guided his head to lay against her chest as she stroked his hair, she would make sure he was reunited with his children soon enough.

"Wessex...thrives. Defenses are being strengthened against the Danes." Beocca says hesitantly and Nilsa snorts at that. Edward was too busy being cruel and no doubt manipulated by his father-in-law.

"Edward's son is now walking." Hild added.

"The king's wife is to be crowned queen." Nilsa froze at the news.

"Ælswith is the queen. She has earned that title." Nilsa snapped in anger. The queen has always been kind to her and now Ælswith's son was turning against her.

"It is unusual to honor the girl, whilst the widow Ælswith lives, to say the least. But Aelflaed has an ambitious father." Hild said agreeing with Nilsa.

"Yes, lord Aethelhelm is ambitious but King Edward just accepts this ambition from an Ealdorman?" Uhtred asked in confusion.

"Let's just say, we feel his father's absence."