Lady Ælswith:(*knocked on the door*)"May I come in, lovebirds?...(*Sihtric's and Aviana's eyes widened*)...do you want to put some clothes on beforehand?"
Aviana:"Mother, what exactly do you think you are doing here?...(*Lady Ælswith laughed*)...mother, give us 5 minutes! Then I will personally open the door for you!"
Lady Ælswith:(*waited*)"Ana, are you done already?...(*Aviana rolled her eyes before opening the door*)...what are you wearing? Is that Sihtric's shirt?"
Sihtric:"Good morning, Lady!...(*Lady Ælswith turned to Sihtric and smiled at him*)...I would go and wash myself now, so you excuse me?"
Aviana:(*looked him dead in the eye*)"You stay here, we go together!...(*Sihtric lowered his head and nodded*)...mother, we really don't have time for meetings right now! But see you in the throne room in a minute!"
Lady Ælswith:"If you say so, my child!...(*she kissed Aviana's forehead*)...I expect you in the throne room in 15 minutes at the latest, not a second longer!"
~~~~~~~
Aviana and Sihtric nodded then Lady Ælswith disappeared! Sihtric looked at Aviana...she was mad, that her mother ruined her peace! It made him laugh...and it made her laugh, because he was laughing! They went to the lake, nearby the old mill! Aviana washed her long hair and Sihtric braided it afterwards...they were a match from the heavens! Sihtric also washed his hair before washing his body...Aviana watched him do so! Then she washed her body...noticing his looks! The last 24 hours were like a paradise...they did it nearly everywhere! Not long until they would probably also do it in the lake...and judging by the look on Sihtric's face, he was down for it!

Aviana turned around, that made him giggle! He moved closer to her...she again felt his breath in her neck! Shivers ran down her spine...but when the breathing suddenly stopped, Aviana got scared! She turned around, panic stricken she looked around for Sihtric! He was nowhere to be found...her heart sank! Then suddenly someone grabbed her by the waist and pulled her deeper into the water! As the two of them reached the surface of the water, Aviana slammed against Sihtric's chest! He laughed and she rolled her eyes at his childish behaviour...but somehow she needed to admit, that it made him look even sexier! The 15 minutes were nearly over, but Aviana wanted one last thing from Sihtric: trying for a child!
~~~~~~~
Sihtric:"You have such a lustful look, what's going on this time?...(*Aviana swam over to him*)...don't tell me you want to do it here, where the whole world can see it?"
Aviana:(*she drew circles on his chest*)"I want a child, Sihtric!...(*he sighed, knowing how much she hoped for a child*)...I want to carry your child inside me, my love!"
Sihtric:"I know, my love!...(*he kissed her forehead*)...but we cannot possibly try it here! The risk of being caught and confronted is too high!"
Aviana:(*raised an eyebrow*)"Who should confront us?...(*Sihtric silenced*)...as far as I know, I am the Queen and since I see no reason to confront us, we can do it anywhere and no one will care!"
Sihtric:"Are you sure you want to do it on hard ground?...(*Aviana nodded*)...why can't I refuse you any wish? You always look at me with your beautiful big brown eyes..."
Aviana:(*grinned*)"I love you too!...(*she took his hand*)...come out of the water, you have washed long enough! We have more important things to do!"
Sihtric:"For example? Oh, right: attending your mother in the throne room!...(*Aviana's eyes widened*)...don't tell me you forgot...god Ana!"
~~~~~~~
The two of them walked fast...too fast! They nearly bumped into Uhtred and Finan, who were on their way to the palace! Osferth remained in his house, he was feeling sick and didn't want to cause any trouble! Finan stopped in his tracks, when he saw Aviana nearly running towards the palace! She quickly greeted the two warriors before taking Sihtric's hand, causing him to walk faster! Uhtred and Finan laughed and followed the two of them silently! When they finally reached the throne room, Lady Ælswith was already waiting...still being in the best mood! Aviana and Sihtric entered the throne room just in time...breathing heavily!

Sihtric who was known for his good stamina, joined his wife in nearly collapsing! Steapa and Lady Ælswith laughed at the sight of them and then Uhtred and Finan also entered the throne room! Finan's gaze immediately wandered to Sihtric, who was now leaning against Aviana's throne! Her mother sitting next to her, caused her to darken her gaze! She knew, that something was up! Steapa soon brought a prisoner into the throne room...Aviana recognised the man, he was a thief! The man spoke up and Aviana listened closely...the man was speaking about being freed and the possibility, of living a normal life! Lady Ælswith didn't care about his well-being...it was to her amusement, that the man nearly died in their dungeon! But Aviana didn't want to be known as a cruel Queen, as he was still one of her people! She smiled at him and told him, that soon someone would free him! Sihtric's, Finan's and Uhtred's eyes widened at Aviana's comment...how could she allow a thief to leave the dungeon? What was her plan and why?
~~~~~~~
Lady Ælswith:"Child have you completely lost your mind now?!...(*Aviana turned her head*)...this man is a thief and god knows what else!"
Aviana:(*took a deep breath*)"Yes and I am the Queen, thus I decide on my people and their punishment!...(*Lady Ælswith silenced*)...mother, you must learn to stop questioning your Queen's decisions!"
Lady Ælswith:"You are so eager to become a mother, that you block out everything else!...(*Aviana's eyes widened*)...it is not good for you! Trying too often and too hard harms the body!"
Aviana:(*looked her dead in the eye*)"What did I just say about questioning my decisions?!...(*Lady Ælswith cleared her throat*)...how often and how hard I try to put my life back together, is none of your fucking business, mother! Hæsten destroyed my life, so stop trying to take away, what could give my life meaning again!"
Lady Ælswith:"Honey, all I want you to realise is, that you are destroying your body!...(*Aviana got angry*)...as beautiful as it is to have children...it destroys everything you ever knew!"
Aviana:(*laughed maliciously*)"Then you probably should have stopped after the second child!...(*now Lady Ælswith's eyes widened*)...our conversation is over, you can go mother!"
~~~~~~~
Lady Ælswith nodded and stood up! She didn't turn around once more, before leaving the throne room! She knew, that she made her daughter angry! Sihtric was now rubbing Aviana's back...waiting for her to finally look at him! Uhtred and Finan were sitting besides her, stroking her head! Aviana was exhausted...everyone tried to tell her, how to live her life! She wanted to but it was without her child...it was without Sihtric's child! No matter how hard they tried...they failed! Was god sending her signals? Was he sending her signals to stop trying and finally accepting her fate? Even if he would, she would be too stubborn to accept it!

Finan excused himself, he wanted to check on Osferth! Uhtred and Sihtric remained in the throne room, silently looking at Aviana! She looked peaceful...but also exhausted! Sihtric decided to take her to bed...she definitely needed sleep! He opened the door and put her on the bed...she fell asleep immediately! He kissed her forehead before leaving the room and closing the door! He went outside to meet Uhtred...together they went to Osferth's house! The baby monk was already on his feet again and that made Finan laugh! Soon it was dinner time and Osferth cooked...he loved it and everyone loved his food! Father Beocca came by, having an indescribable expression on his face! Uhtred worried, but he didn't know why...
~~~~~~~
Uhtred:"Beocca, where are you going in such a hurry?...(*Beocca first looked at Sihtric, then he looked at Uhtred*)...why don't you join us for a minute?"
Beocca:(*waved it off*)"The Queen mother is calling for me!..(*Finan's eyes found Sihtric's gaze*)...and when that happens, it must be important! I don't want to keep the poor woman waiting, excuse me!"
Finan:"Say hello from us!...(*Beocca nodded before he disappeared*)...we all know it is not about Lady Ælswith, don't we?"
Osferth:(*frowned*)"But he said just now, that Lady Ælswith had sent for him?...(*Finan turned his head*)...who else would it be about?"
Sihtric:"I don't know, it is probably nothing to worry about!...(*Uhtred nodded*)...let's enjoy this beautiful evening, tomorrow there will be plenty to do again!"
Finan:(*sighed*)"I am just praying, that you are right with your assumption!...(*Sihtric looked at him*)...and I pray, that it has nothing to do with an important war!"
~~~~~~~
The night passed by and the next morning everyone was awakened by loud screams! Sihtric, Finan, Uhtred and Osferth slept outside with the horses...and Finan immediately sat himself up and looked around! Lady Ælswith was walking around...panic in her eyes! She definitely looked for Sihtric...fear rose in Finan! He tapped on Sihtric's shoulder and he turned around...Lady Ælswith was now standing right in front of him! His smiled faded when he saw her tears...was it because of Aviana? Did something happen to her?

Millions of questions ran through his mind on his way to their chambers! And when he opened the door, he found his wife lying unconscious in their bed! Fear, anger and sadness rose in him...he didn't know what to do or what to say! So he just stood there, looking at his wife! Uhtred, Finan and Osferth soon also entered the room...all three doing the same thing as Sihtric! Hours passed and Aviana eventually woke up...looking around for Sihtric! Beocca told her, that he waited outside and she thanked him! Soon Beocca left the room and sent Sihtric inside...when he entered the room, Aviana immediately pulled him in for a tight hug! He rested his head on hers, rubbing her back gently! Then they sat down...and she explained what happened! In that exact year, Aviana gave birth to a little girl...she was the most adorable child, Lady Ælswith has ever seen! Time jump: Exactly 2 years passed and everyone was older and wiser...Sihtric and Aviana celebrated their 28th birthday together...Edward celebrated his 7th birthday and Æthelflæd celebrated her 12th birthday! Aviana's and Sihtric's little girl was now 2 years old, keeping them on their toes! They named her Samarthia...that name really suited her! She was a joyful little girl...always about to explore the world! Between Aviana and Sihtric nothing much changed...they still loved each other unconditionally! And now, that they had a child, Sihtric wanted more! It made Aviana giggle, but she also couldn't deny him any wish...so they tried for another child! Months passed and nothing happened...but then she was pregnant again and it made Sihtric the happiest! Her mother, Uhtred, Finan, Osferth and Eadith were over the moon...they couldn't believe, that soon another mix of Sihtric and Aviana would try to rule the world!
~~~~~~~