God heard my prayers-Wessex the 9th century

Aviana:"Good morning, little whirlwind!...(*Samarthia smiled at her*)...did my little girl sleep well? Or did something worry you?"
Samarthia:(*thought briefly*)"Father was making funny noises!...(*Sihtric lifted his head when he heard his 'name'*)...I think he was snoring!"
Sihtric:"And I think, that you should focus more on sleeping!...(*Samarthia giggled when Sihtric tickled her*)...good morning to you too my beautiful wife!"
Aviana:(*turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck*)"Good morning handsome!...(*they kissed*)...did you sleep well? Is there anything to complain about?"
Samarthia:"So if father has anything to complain about, I am the next Queen of Wessex!...(*both Aviana's and Sihtric's faces dropped*)...did I say something wrong?"
Sihtric:(*quickly shook his head*)"No everything is fine, don't worry!...(*he shoved Aviana out of the room*)...what the hell? How does she know about the succession?!"
Aviana:"If I knew that, I would answer your question, nine times wise!...(*Sihtric rolled his eyes*)...do you think I should betray my brother and put my daughter on the throne, as the new heir instead of him?"
Sihtric:(*thought briefly*)"Remember that you are pregnant and don't know, what gender our child will be!...(*Aviana looked at him*)...so before you start thinking about new heirs to the throne, you have to die first and hope, your brother will be sensible and let you sort it out!"
Aviana:"If he doesn't cooperate, I will set Æthelflæd on him!...(*they laughed*)...where are our boys? Actually, they always say hello or good morning every day..."
~~~~~~~
Suddenly Uhtred, Finan and Osferth appeared and Aviana laughed! Sihtric rolled his eyes whilst laughing and re-entering the room! He then fed Samarthia and Uhtred gently rubbed little Samarthia's cheeks, before he turned to Aviana! Lady Ælswith fetched her...she needed her in the throne room! Once she rolled her eyes at the thought, she got up and disappeared! On their way out of their chambers, Sihtric and Samarthia crossed princess Æthelflæd's and prince Edward's way!

The two of them smiled at them before heading to the marketplace! Edward and Æthelflæd were on their way to Uhtred, Finan and Osferth...somehow Edward remembered his half-brother! Æthelflæd eyed the young monk before widely smiling at him! Meanwhile: Aviana reached the throne room and her eyes nearly fell out of her skull, when she caught sight of Danes! Somehow they looked peaceful...she just didn't understand why they were in Winchester! Lady Ælswith was scared but she needed to look brave...eventually searching for security, whilst looking at her eldest daughter! Aviana approached the Danes and her mother...thinking about putting her hand on her sword, just in case!
~~~~~~~
Lady Ælswith:"This is my eldest daughter Aviana!...(*the Danes looked at her from top to bottom*)...now, of course, I would like to know what you want here?"
older Dane:(*smirked*)"Gold, silver and women!...(*Lady Ælswith gave the Dane a disgusted look*)...what a beautiful palace you have!"
Aviana:"You enter my lands, my city, my hall and then expect a nice gesture from me?!...(*the Danes flinched*)...you can look for women somewhere else, here I treat my people with respect and honour, you disgusting good-for-nothing!"
younger Dane:(*stood up and walked towards her*)"For only the daughter of a deceased King and his grieving widow, you sure are angry!...(*Aviana spat at his feet*)...Lady I started to like you, but now you have made a mistake!"
Lady Ælswith:"What do you want from us? We have nothing to give you!...(*the Danes turned around*)...please spare us...I will do everything, so please spare us!"
older Dane:(*thought briefly*)"You said that this beautiful girl is your eldest daughter, does that mean you have another daughter?...(*Aviana's heart sank*)...if so, would you allow us to look at her? We would spare you and if we like her, we would take her directly with us!"
Aviana:"I do not have a sister, nor do I have a brother!...(*Lady Ælswith looked at Aviana*)...my mother made a mistake, it happens!"
younger Dane:(*looked at Lady Ælswith*)"Do not take us for fools!...(*Aviana flinched*)...King Alfred had 3 children, well actually 4 but that doesn't matter! So tell us: where is your sister? Or should we take you instead?"
older Dane:"We have read the chronicles!...(*Aviana's gaze darkened*)...Queen Aviana it is an honour to finally meet you! The most dangerous Queen of these lands and the greatest danger to those who seek her crown!"
Lady Ælswith:(*tears rose in her eyes*)"I cannot risk losing another one of my children!...(*the Danes looked at each other*)...neither the Queen nor the princess are up for trail!"
~~~~~~~
The Danes didn't like Lady Ælswith's words and immediately grabbed Aviana's wrist! Lady Ælswith was petrified...she watched how these Danes did not treat her daughter, the Queen, tenderly! The younger Dane opened the door and the older Dane fought with Aviana...she refused with all her strength to leave the room! After a time she got weak and the Dane swung her over his shoulder and left the room with her...Lady Ælswith lost her daughter to Danes again! Meanwhile: Sihtric, Uhtred, Finan and Osferth played with Samarthia when suddenly a weak frame caught their attention! Finan immediately stood up and helped Lady Ælswith to sit down! She needed a few moments before she found the strength to speak up...and when she did, Sihtric's gaze immediately darkened!

He jumped off his seat, ran towards his horse and waited for the others to follow him! Uhtred looked at Lady Ælswith, who gave him a approving nod! She took care of Samarthia and watched as the boys rode off! Soon princess Æthelflæd and prince Edward came running towards their mother...visibly terrified! Meanwhile: The Danes reached their camp...it was not far from Dunholm, the fortress Lord Ragnar held! The younger Dane threw her a piece of bread and gave her a mug of ale! She wanted to smile at him but he kidnapped her! Aviana couldn't believe, that something like that happened to her again...it was like a never ending nightmare! She just hoped, they wouldn't do such things, Hæsten did to her...she nearly prayed! The older Dane watched her closely...he didn't want to harm her, but she was stubborn and pedalled on the way to the camp! After a while he sat down besides her and waited for her to look at him...
~~~~~~~
older Dane:"This whole situation got out of hand!...(*Aviana rolled her eyes at him*)...I am sincerely sorry, Queen Aviana! It is not and has never been my intention to harm you!"
Aviana:(*sighed*)"Then why did you kidnap me?!...(*the older Dane lowered his head*)...you may not want to harm me physically but psychologically this has already happened!"
older Dane:"As I said I am sorry!...(*Aviana refused to look at him*)...do you have a family? A husband, children? Anything like that?"
Aviana:(*tears rose in her eyes*)"I have a husband and a daughter!...(*her gaze met his*)...I am sorry, you are supposed to look strong as a Queen, right?"
older Dane:"Believe me, you are the strongest Queen I have ever seen!...(*they laughed and he wiped away her tears*)...tell me, what is your daughters name?"
Aviana:(*smiled*)"Her name is Samarthia!...(*the older Dane smiled as well*)...she is now 2 years old and definitely keeping us on our toes!"
older Dane:"I take your word for it!...(*the older Dane looked up at the sky*)...my daughter and my wife died...that was almost 4 years ago!"
Aviana:(*her eyes widened*)"What happened?...(*the older Dane sighed*)...sorry I shouldn't have asked that...it is not my place!"
older Dane:"A fire was the cause of their death!...(*Aviana looked at the older Dane*)...to be honest, I don't even know why I left them alone that night..."
~~~~~~~
Before Aviana could say anything, she heard a familiar voice! She turned around to meet Guthred's gaze...she immediately stood up and hugged the Dane tight! The older Dane, who was still sitting at the same spot, gave her a confused look...then Lady Gisela appeared! Aviana also hugged her tight and Gisela instantly buried her face in Aviana's hair! She pulled Aviana closer to her chest and continued hugging her! After a while, the five of them sat in Eoferwic's great hall! The younger Dane apologised for his behaviour and Aviana eventually forgave him! They drank ale and laughed...it felt like home! When nightfall came, Gisela showed Aviana the way to her house and wished her the best night! Aviana returned that with a huge smile and immediately went to bed! She was awakened the next morning, with Guthred knocking on her door!

She opened it and he told her, that the breakfast was ready! Gisela, the older Dane and Guthred sat at the table, talking and laughing! Aviana entered the great hall the exact same moment, as the younger Dane did! Meanwhile: Sihtric, Uhtred, Finan and Osferth rode through many villages and many big towns but Aviana was nowhere to be found! Sihtric nearly lost hope...he thought briefly and asked Uhtred, if it would be clever to ask Guthred, if they could rest the night in Eoferwic! Uhtred shrugged his shoulders...but they rode through the gates of Eoferwic anyway! Gisela immediately looked out of the window, opened the door and ran towards Uhtred!
~~~~~~~
Gisela:"Uhtred, my beloved, where have you suddenly come from?...(*Uhtred placed a kiss on Gisela's forehead*)...I am glad that you and your men are here!"
Guthred:(*came walking towards them*)"Uhtred, my old friend!...(*they hugged*)...are you looking for a place to stay? Or would you like to grace us with your presence for a few days?"
Uhtred:"Looking at my beloved Gisela, a few days in Eoferwic doesn't sound too bad!...(*he turned his head, only to find approving nods*)...so it is confirmed: we are staying a few days!"
Gisela:(*wrapped her arms around his waist*)"Good, then we have time for us!...(*Uhtred smiled at her*)...Finan, Sihtric and I don't know your name yet...who are you?"
Osferth:"I am Osferth Lady, I am simply called Osferth!...(*Gisela smiled at him, grabbing his wrist and pulling him into a hug*)...I like you already, Lady!"
Finan:(*grinned*)"Gisela, you wouldn't happen to have any ale for us, do you?...(*Gisela thought briefly*)...or has Uhtred drunk it all on his countless nightly visits?"
Sihtric:"More likely: did he even have the time?...(*Finan and Sihtric laughed*)...it is good to see you again, Lady Gisela! I Hope you have been well and have nothing to complain about?"
Gisela:(*cupped his face in her hands*)"I have missed you, loyal and brave warrior, Sihtric!...(*Sihtric widely smiled at her*)...I am doing fine! There is nothing to complain about and nothing to worry about!"
~~~~~~~
They walked into the great hall and Sihtric's eyes immediately locked with Aviana's! She instantly jumped off her seat and ran towards him! He immediately wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close! She buried her face in the notch between his shoulders and his neck! He kissed her forehead gently and lifted her head with his fingers under her chin! She had red eyes...she cried and he would find and kill the person, who made her cry! His gaze immediately met the older Danes gaze and he let go off Aviana! She turned her head in confusion...only when she saw, what he was doing, she smiled!

The younger Dane swallowed...he has heard many stories of Uhtred and his men but he certainly never wanted to meet them in person! Well not in a fight obviously...having a round of ale maybe! Sihtric pulled the older Dane to his feet...looking him dead in the eye, drawing his dagger! Gisela, Guthred and Uhtred sat down, watching in amusement! Finan and Osferth had to stifle their laughter and Aviana for once, relaxed! The older Dane threw her a begging look...as if she was the one who tore someone away from their family! The younger Dane appeared behind Sihtric, tapping on his shoulder!
~~~~~~~
younger Dane:"You are Sihtric Kjartansson, right?...(*Sihtric turned his head*)...would you be so kind to let my friend go? Maybe you could sit down with me and we could talk about it?"
Sihtric:(*rolled his eyes*)"Why would I?...(*Finan and Osferth burst out laughing*)...looks like you are amusing my friends, my Lord and my Lady!"
younger Dane:"Have a heart, Sihtric and leave my friend alone!...(*Sihtric raised an eyebrow because of that comment*)...of course you already have a heart, a very pure one I think, don't you?"
Sihtric:(*tilted his head*)"Tell me, what are you trying to do?...(*the younger Dane scratched his head*)...I don't know what I find funnier, your laughable attempts to talk some sense into me or your friend who looks like he is about to shit himself!"
Gisela:"I don't know why I thought Ana would visit...(*Sihtric got confused*)...until I found out that moron 1 and moron 2, rode to Winchester and kidnapped her!"
Uhtred:(*smirked*)"I think Sihtric now has permission to hurt your friend!...(*the younger Dane swallowed and the older Dane tried to clear his throat*)...oh wait, I think our husky little bird wants to say something!"
older Dane:"The Queen and I talked and I know she was comfortable!...(*Sihtric's blood began to boil*)...we laughed and told each other the fate of our families!"
Finan:(*glanced over at Aviana*)"Kill him Sihtric, now!...(*Sihtric searched for approval and found it in Gisela's nod*)...that is going to be a great feast!"
Guthred:"Before you kill him, Sihtric, ask your beloved if she objects!...(*Aviana felt the stares of the others*)...so what is your decision, Ana? Can he live or should Sihtric kill him?"
~~~~~~~
Aviana's stomach tensed up and she grabbed the back of the chair she was sitting on! Uhtred and Osferth both turned their heads and looked at her...they were worried! Sihtric looked at the older Dane and eventually let go off him! Finan gave him a confused look before also turning his head into the direction Sihtric was pointing to! Finan's heart broke at the sight of Aviana...he immediately jumped off his seat and rushed to her side! He held her hair, in case she needed to throw up! Uhtred rubbed her back and Osferth stroked her head...Sihtric just stood on the other side of the hall and did nothing!

Aviana's face was pained and tears rose in her eyes! It also broke Sihtric's heart, but something inside him, held him back! Aviana looked over to Sihtric, but all she could see was her husband not even wanting to look at her! Guthred fetched some of his men, to bring some blankets and Gisela ran to prepare a bed for Aviana! Uhtred soon carried her into the house and laid her on the warm bed! Osferth and Finan closely followed, saying goodbye to their friend and sister! Sihtric was nowhere to be seen and it made Uhtred's blood boil...he began looking for his best friend and found him, sitting in the great hall! He had his face placed in his hands...Uhtred heard sobs! Uhtred calmed down and approached his best friend slowly...he didn't want to scare him! When he sat down besides him, Sihtric lifted his head to look at Uhtred! At the sight of him, Uhtred flinched...someone punched him, his nose was definitely broken and Uhtred swore to himself, that he will find out who did this!
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