Aviana:"Father, please reconsider your decision!...(*Lady Ælswith lifted her head*)...I can never be Queen of Wessex while Edward lives!"
King Alfred:"And yet I have decided to make you my heir!...(*Aviana's eyes widened*)...you cannot refuse your father's wish!"
Lady Ælswith:(*stood up*)"Yet she can tell you, that you are making her a big target!...(*King Alfred turned his head*)...I'm not going to sit here and wait for some Danish army to march in and take our daughter hostage!"
King Alfred:"And I'm not going to sit here and listen to your insane notions!...(*Lady Ælswith lowered her head*)...my decision has been made: Aviana, you will become Queen as soon as I pass away!"
Aviana:(*tears rose in her eyes*)"Father please don't ask me to do this!...(*King Alfred looked her dead in the eye*)...I am not ready to become Queen of Wessex!"
~~~~~~~
Lady Ælswith just shook her head and left the throne room! Aviana soon followed her and shortly bumped into Uhtred and Leofric...nearly ran over her own brother! Osferth gave her a worried look before he continued his walk to his chambers! Uhtred gave Aviana a questioning look before he asked her to sit down! Leofric decided to fetch Father Beocca and tell him about Iseult's sudden death! Uhtred sat down with Aviana and was soon joined by Lord Æthelwold...he hated this man! Lord Æthelwold hugged Aviana tight and she cried into his shirt! She told him, that her father decided to make her his heir! Uhtred's eyes widened and Lord Æthelwold got angry! He stood up and stormed towards the palace! Uhtred rubbed Aviana's shoulder and told her, that everything was going to be fine!

Little did he know, that Alfred's condition got worse day by day? Lady Ælswith asked every healer in Winchester to help her husband but they all ran out of ideas! Uhtred sighed, looking at Aviana thinking about, that he needed to leave Winchester by sunrise! He was about to reunite with his brother Ragnar and his lost love Brida! Together they would hunt down a Dane named Kjartan! Hild and a Saxon named Halig would join Uhtred and they would take a Dane named Clapa with them! As the sun came up the next morning, Uhtred saddled his horse and waited for Hild and Halig! After a little while they left Winchester and rode towards Wiltunscir! On their way they met up with Clapa and finally reunited with Ragnar!
~~~~~~~
Ragnar:"Look who it is!...(*Brida turned her head and immediately smiled*)...Uhtred Ragnarsson and a few friends!"
Uhtred:(*widely smiled*)"I missed you, brother!...(*they hugged*)...I see you have kept our warrior alive! How are you doing, Brida?"
Brida:"I am fine thank you, Uhtred!...(*she looked at Ragnar*)...but I am with Ragnar now! I hope this is not a problem for you!"
Uhtred:(*shook his head*)"Don't worry, everything is fine!...(*he turned his head*)...these are my friends: Hild, Halig and Clapa!"
Ragnar:"Welcome to Wiltunscir!...(*Hild smiled and Brida gave her a cup of ale*)...have you thought about how to stop Kjartan?"
Uhtred:(*sighed*)"I could ask the King of Wessex for troops!...(*Ragnar nodded*)...I also heard that Sven is engaged in slave trade and is holding a Dane named Guthred captive!"
Brida:"And how is this Guthred supposed to be of use to us?...(*Hild took a sip of her ale*)...I mean you don't know this Guthred and you don't even know if he's really with Sven!"
Uhtred:(*smirked*)"What I do know is, that we won't know unless we go and see!...(*Halig and Ragnar nodded*)...so who's coming with me?"
~~~~~~~
Hild and Halig raised their hands! After a while of discussing, they rode off! They reached Sven's camp and found the mentioned Guthred! Uhtred, Halig and Hild killed half of Sven's men, before freeing Guthred and watching Sven flee! They brought Guthred back to Cumbraland! There they were welcomed by many abbesses and Guthred's sister, Gisela! Uhtred soon had his eyes on her, and she had her eyes on him! Halig and Hild cared for food, ale and entertainment! A few days later, Danes came riding into Cumbraland! Claiming to need help, but refusing to tell, who sent them! In fact they were Kjartan's men and had the task to bring Uhtred to Dunholm! Kjartan's men somehow failed and were killed...only one survived! Uhtred needed one of his men alive and he took him to Winchester! Hild, Halig and Clapa followed Uhtred and they were greeted by Aviana and Lady Ælswith!

King Alfred's condition got worse and somehow everyone in Winchester feared, that their King would pass away, sooner than predicted! Uhtred told Leofric to take Kjartan's man to the dungeon...Uhtred wanted to talk to him! At dusk, Uhtred visited the prisoner and decided to listen to him! He told Halig to come with him, so he did! The prisoner remained silent at first, but spoke up after a while! Halig never lost sight of the prisoner and the prisoner never lost sight of Halig! Uhtred wanted to know the prisoners name...he wanted to know why Kjartan sent a man like him...
~~~~~~~
Uhtred:"What is your name and why did Kjartan send you?...(*the prisoner looked up*)...will you silence me or kill me when you have the chance?!"
prisoner:(*shook his head*)"I am not loyal to Kjartan and never will be!...(*Uhtred looked at Halig*)...I want to bargain and I wish to serve you, Lord!"
Uhtred:"What, one of Kjartan's men?...(*the prisoner shook his head*)...if you are not Kjartan's man, what in God's name are you?"
prisoner:(*smirked*)"I am Kjartan's bastard son who whelped on a slave girl!...(*Uhtred's eyes widened*)...and you are Uhtred Ragnarsson and I wish to serve you, Lord! My name is Sihtric!"
Halig:"Your sword for your life?...(*Sihtric nodded*)...can you fight? With sword and axe, I mean? Lord, we could use another warrior!"
Uhtred:(*nodded*)"Sihtric, you are under my protection from today and you will fight for me!...(*Sihtric widely smiled*)...tomorrow we will ride back to Cumbraland and help King Guthred gather troops to sic against your father!"
Sihtric:"Lord, how exactly did you envisage taking Dunholm?...(*Uhtred shrugged his shoulders*)...the fortress of Dunholm has no weak points!"
Halig:(*raised an eyebrow*)"This could be harder than we thought!...(*Sihtric nodded*)...perhaps we first ask the King of Wessex for troops?"
~~~~~~~
The three men left the dungeon and crossed Aviana's way! Her eyes immediately locked with Sihtric's and she forgot the world for a moment! Then she remembered, where she was about to head to and disappeared! Uhtred entered the throne room and stood in front of King Alfred! Somehow he upset the King with his concerns and had to leave Winchester shortly after sunset and rode back to Cumbraland! After they rode trough Cumbraland's gates, Sihtric immediately felt, that something was wrong! Guthred wasn't in his great hall and Gisela wasn't anywhere near her house...Uhtred began to worry! Sihtric, Clapa and Halig jumped off their horses and walked around the village and looked for Gisela and Guthred!

Uhtred went with Hild, they were looking for the other inhabitants and the abbesses! After a while, Sihtric and Halig found Gisela...she was tied up and a big Dane was standing behind her! Sihtric wanted to draw his sword, when he heard a voice! He turned around and Aviana stood behind him! He gave her a questioning look, when the Dane behind him, attacked him with his sword! Aviana let out a scream and suddenly Uhtred and Hild came running towards them! Clapa saved Sihtric and Halig brought Aviana to safety!
~~~~~~~
Uhtred:"Identify yourself and tell us why you are here!...(*the Dane looked at Uhtred*)...and if you attack one of my men again, I will kill you!"
Dane:(*smirked*)"My name is Sigefrid!...(*Uhtred's eyes widened*)...actually, I'm here to offer you my help! My brother Erik and I only wanted to pay King Guthred a visit, but he attacked us!"
Sihtric:"For nearly killing me, you've got a pretty big mouth!...(*Sigefrid looked at Sihtric*)...and don't look so lustfully at the poor girl behind me!"
Sigefrid:(*shook his head*)"Come on, you are a Dane too, you know that feeling!...(*Sihtric shook his head*)...what is your name, pretty Lady?"
Aviana:"None of your fucking business, Dane!...(*Sigefrid got angry and drew his sword again*)...kill me and you will make enemies all over Wessex!"
Sigefrid:(*he lowered his sword*)"Why all over Wessex?...(*Aviana looked at him*)...are you a close relative to the weasel King?"
Aviana:"If I tell you now, I'll put myself in even greater danger!...(*Uhtred looked at her and gave her a warning look*)...so I decided not to tell you!"
Sigefrid:(*held his sword against her throat*)"One more word and you can view Wessex from
the earth!...(*fear rose in Aviana's eyes and Sihtric rammed his sword into Sigefrid's leg*)...damn bastard! You will pay for this wound sooner or later!"
~~~~~~~
He let go off Aviana and Gisela and climbed on his horse and rode off! Sihtric turned his head to Aviana and she looked deep into his eyes...Uhtred freed Gisela from the ties! He brought her away from the trouble and Sihtric took care of Aviana! Clapa, Halig and Hild took care of the horses and walked away from Sihtric and Aviana! Aviana thanked Sihtric for saving her life...she has never been that close to a Dane! Yet she felt safe, when she was around him...yet she wanted to spent more time with him! So she asked Uhtred, if she could travel with them...he agreed! Aviana run away from Wessex and literally hoped, she would find Uhtred! She rode besides Sihtric and behind her was Hild! Uhtred, Halig and Clapa rode at the front...being super careful and bright eyed!

Sihtric glanced over at Aviana...she had the most gorgeous face! She thought the same thing about Sihtric, but she didn't dare to say it out loud! At least not yet, because she didn't really knew Sihtric yet! Basically she didn't really knew Uhtred either...she avoided him and his company, so she hadn't had the chance, to get to know him! Clapa and Halig talked about Sigefrid, meanwhile Uhtred still had his hand on his sword! Sihtric turned his head to look at Hild...she enjoyed the sound of the nature! Aviana smiled the moment Sihtric looked at her...and he luckily smiled back! After a while, they reached Eoferwic!
~~~~~~~
Aviana:"Are you planning to spend the night here?...(*Uhtred nodded*)...okay perfect! I really appreciate that I can stay with you!"
Uhtred:(*smiled*)"For hating Danes, you are pretty friendly!...(*Aviana rolled her eyes*)...do you like Sihtric? Because I think he's got an eye on you!"
Aviana:"You think so? If so, it's a good match!...(*Uhtred nodded*)...I'll go over to him, see you later Uhtred! Oh, yeah do me a favour: don't trumped it all over the place, can you do that?"
Uhtred:(*laughed whilst nodding*)"Yeah I can do that!...(*Aviana raised an eyebrow*)...I promise, Ana! Did you already have that nickname?"
Aviana:"Yes, but usually only my parents call me Ana!...(*she walked over to Sihtric*)...hello my lifesaver! I wanted to thank you again! You know, for saving my life!"
Sihtric:(*turned around*)"Princess!...(*he bowed*)...it's an honour to meet you in person! Besides, you don't need to thank me! Saving the life of the princess of Wessex, is honour enough!"
Aviana:"You flatter me, Sihtric!...(*his eyes widened*)...Uhtred calls your name so often, I just had to remember it at some point!"
Sihtric:(*slightly smiled*)"What brings you so far away from Winchester?...(*Aviana sighed*)...do the duties of a princess press so hard, that you have to run away from home?"
Aviana:"Not that but it is something else that is bothering me!...(*Sihtric tilted his head*)...my father has named me his heir...I am to become Queen of Wessex and thus of Winchester upon his demise!"
Sihtric:(*his face dropped*)"But your mother gave birth to your brother only 2 years ago, right?...(*Aviana nodded*)...why was he not appointed heir?"
Aviana:"I was wondering the same thing!...(*Sihtric sighed*)...my brother is old enough to be called heir! Until he is old enough, someone would sit on the throne instead of him! I will never understand my fathers decision..."
Sihtric:(*sighed*)"With all due respect, princess...(*Aviana lifted her head*)...if you don't want people to look for you, I suggest you return to Winchester immediately!"
~~~~~~~
Aviana hesitated but nodded anyway and walked towards her horse! She nodded at Uhtred before riding off...he immediately looked at Sihtric! Sihtric then explained the situation and told Uhtred, that it is best for her, to return to Winchester! Halig and Hild nodded before entering the great hall! Sihtric continued watering and cleaning the horses before joining the others!

About 3 years later: Aviana turned 26; Æthelflæd turned 10 and Edward turned 5! Uhtred, his men and Hild, were to visit Winchester! As they rode through the gates, Sihtric immediately looked for Aviana! He still hasn't forget the first eye contact or their first conversation! He still dreamed about her and he desperately hoped, they would meet again! King Alfred's health worsened and Lady Ælswith prepared Aviana for her ceremony...but no one knew anything about it! Not even her siblings knew, that their big sister, would soon be Queen! Her half brother Osferth, was called to take care of the horses...and he did so without complaining! He turned 26 as well...Aviana and him became friends! He loved spending time with his sister and she loved spending time with her brother! She promised him, that she would talk to Uhtred, once he returned to Winchester...
~~~~~~~