Lady Ælswith:"What are you thinking about?...(*Aviana snapped out of her thoughts*)...you may be Queen of Wessex today, you can't be dreamy!"
Aviana:(*sighed*)"And yet no one thinks about, that I don't want that at all!...(*Lady Ælswith also sighed*)...now Edward is really old enough to be appointed heir!"
Lady Ælswith:"But your father wants you to be Queen!...(*she rubbed Aviana's back*)...I am sure you will make a wonderful Queen!"
Aviana:(*lowered her head*)"When will we be done here?...(*Lady Ælswith shrugged her shoulders*)...I still want to go outside!"
Lady Ælswith:"Then go, we can continue later!...(*Aviana kissed her mother on the cheek*)...I love you too, my girl!"
~~~~~~~
Aviana left her chambers and ran outside! She caught sight of Uhtred and immediately ran towards him! He turned around and immediately wrapped his arms around her waist to hug her! Sihtric and Hild turned their head to see, who came running towards them! After Aviana broke away from Uhtred, she turned her attention to Hild, Halig and Sihtric! She asked for Clapa...Uhtred told her, that he remained in Eoferwic! After a few moments, Aviana remembered her promise towards Osferth!

So she prepared to ask Uhtred...as she did so, he raised an eyebrow! She told him, that Osferth is her half brother and therefore, Alfred's bastard son! Uhtred thought briefly, before nodding! Aviana again fell around his neck and soon left to look for Osferth! A few hours later, the two of them, caught up with Uhtred and the others, as they sat outside an ale house! Aviana introduced Osferth and told him, that he was safe with the boys and Hild! Sihtric excused himself, when he saw, that Aviana walked back towards the palace! He crossed her way and she nearly ran into him! Her eyes widened but then she laughed...somehow she missed Sihtric!
~~~~~~~
Aviana:"Sihtric, how good to see you!...(*she pulled him into a tight hug*)...I missed you and your beautiful smile! How have you been?"
Sihtric:(*smiled at her*)"I am fine, thank you Aviana!...(*she smiled back at him*)...what's all the glitter on your dress for?"
Aviana:"My father is dying and my mother has been given the task of preparing me for my coronation!...(*Sihtric's eyes widened*)...my father probably only has a few days left and then it's time..."
Sihtric:(*sighed*)"Is a heathen like me allowed to talk to you at all then?...(*they laughed*)...I am happy for you but I see the fear in your eyes!"
Aviana:"I am not ready to be Queen!...(*she sighed*)...my brother is now 5, a good age to be called heir! But my father is stubborn..."
Sihtric:(*gently rubbed her hands*)"He is just too proud that something as beautiful as you is his daughter!...(*Aviana blushed*)...sorry, I shouldn't have said that out loud..."
Aviana:"There is nothing to apologise for!...(*Sihtric lifted his head*)...thank you for the beautiful compliment! Actually, men are not nice to women, but you are different!"
Sihtric:(*slightly smiled*)"I guess my mother raised me well!...(*Aviana nodded*)...the short years she lived, at least..."
~~~~~~~
Aviana wanted to say something, when she heard a painful whistle! Her mother stood upon the stairs and looked her dead in the eye...she hated it when Aviana talked to Danes! Lady Ælswith never understood, when her daughter actually started to like Danes! So Aviana said goodbye to Sihtric and walked towards her mother...Sihtric looked after her until she fully disappeared! Then he went back to the others and joined them, as they saddled their horses, to ride back to Eoferwic!

At dusk they rode off! After a while, they reached Eoferwic and Sihtric told the others, that Aviana was about to become Queen! Uhtred's and Hild's faces dropped...Osferth just smiled! He was proud of his sister even though he knew, that his father now fully forgot about him! His other sister and his brother, do not even know that he existed! It was just Aviana he really talked to...and of course his cousin Æthelwold! Speaking of Æthelwold: he somehow was mad at Aviana for becoming Queen, even though she never asked for it! Lady Ælswith finished her preparations for the day and said goodbye to her daughter! Aviana soon went to bed and thought about the day...with a big grin on her face! The next morning she was awakened by her cousin...he was literally banging on the door! She stumbled to the door and opened it with sleepy eyes...only to see his angry face!
~~~~~~~
Aviana:"A wonderful good morning to you too cousin!...(*he ignored her attempt*)...did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?"
Æthelwold:(*rolled his eyes*)"Shut up, you are as much a thief as your father is a thief!...(*Aviana's eyes widened*)...when were you going to tell me that your coronation was imminent?"
Aviana:"Judging by your anger, it was the right decision not to tell you!...(*Æthelwold punched against the door*)...would you please leave my door in one piece?"
Æthelwold:(*laughed maliciously*)"Dear cousin, did you seriously think you could take the piss out of me?...(*Aviana shook her head*)...then don't even try!"
Aviana:"Æthelwold, I have never done anything to you!...(*she took a step back*)...would you like to come in and we'll settle this in my chambers?"
Æthelwold:(*nodded and stepped into her chambers*)"Has your mother prepared you well for your coronation?...(*Aviana nodded and closed the door*)...is your dress ready yet?"
Aviana:"The last details are still missing, but then it's ready!...(*she smiled*)...thank you for paying me a visit! I'm sure we could have sorted it out over breakfast!"
Æthelwold:(*shook his head*)"There are some things you can't sort out in front of everyone!...(*Aviana frowned*)...I'm sorry cousin, but some problems just have to be tackled head on!"
~~~~~~~
He knocked her out and brought her to his horse! Everything went unnoticed and he actually got out of Winchester! He rode towards Lundene, where the brothers Erik and Sigefrid Thurgilsson stayed! After a while he reached Lundene and the two brothers were actually impressed...they didn't believe in him and they didn't believe he would actually kidnapp his cousin! But Æthelwold did and with that he made some new enemies! Meanwhile: Lady Ælswith was currently on her way to Aviana's chambers and when she saw, that the door was wide open, she immediately began to worry!

In Aviana's chambers everything was messy and Lady Ælswith knew, that something was wrong! She immediately fetched some guards and told Leofric, to fetch Uhtred, his men and Hild! Soon after, Leofric caught up with Uhtred and told him what happened! Uhtred's face immediately dropped and he fetched his men and Hild! After a while they rode off...but they didn't know where to! Leofric rode back to Winchester, he needed to take care of Lady Ælswith! Sihtric suggested, that they pay Lundene a visit! Uhtred raised an eyebrow, but then he remembered, that Erik and Sigefrid wanted to stay in Lundene! Sihtric knew, that if somebody was so dumb to kidnap the princess and future Queen of Wessex, that he/she would bring her to the two brothers! And somehow Osferth had the feeling, that his dumb cousin was the one who kidnapped his sister!
~~~~~~~
Osferth:"Lord?...(*Uhtred turned his head*)...I have a feeling that my cousin Æthelwold has kidnapped my sister! He is still angry, that he is not on the throne, which is why he will try everything to prevent her coronation!"
Uhtred:(*sighed*)"Then we have to find Ana quickly!...(*Osferth nodded*)...Sihtric, is that Æthelwold's horse? If so, then this bastard is really stupid!"
Sihtric:"It's Æthelwold's horse, Lord!...(*Uhtred sighed and Osferth shook his head*)...do you think he really brought her here or is he trying to throw us off the scent?"
Hild:(*jumped off her horse*)"Let's find out!...(*Sihtric raised an eyebrow*)...you can't just ride through the gates like nothing is wrong! Precisely because Sigefrid wants to kill you!"
Halig:"Hild is right, Sihtric!...(*Sihtric rolled his eyes and jumped off his horse as well*)...wonderful, who goes the waterway?"
Uhtred:(*smirked*)"Always the one who asks!...(*Halig gave him an annoyed look*)...since that's settled, I'd say we are not waisting any more time!"
Sihtric:"I am close behind you, Lord!...(*he looked at Osferth*)...baby monk, you are coming with me and Uhtred! Then you don't have to kill so many guards!"
~~~~~~~
Osferth nodded and followed Sihtric! After they reached the fortress, Uhtred saw Æthelwold walking around the town! Then he caught sight of Aviana...he raised one hand and stopped in his tracks! Sihtric and Osferth also stopped and looked in the same direction as Uhtred...Sihtric's heart skipped a few beats! He saw men walking around Aviana, observing her like she was a trophy! He was disgusted and Uhtred noticed that...he nodded at him and Sihtric then continued his walk! Osferth looked after him, before he saw, that Sihtric drew his axe!

Uhtred put one hand on his sword and waited for Halig and Hild to arrive! After they caught up with Uhtred and Osferth, they silently followed Sihtric! Sihtric now reached the great hall and locked eyes with Aviana! A weak smile appeared on her face and she just shook her head...he frowned! She slightly pointed at Erik and Sigefrid...these two were sitting right in front of her and the back entrance! After a while Erik stood up and Sigefrid followed him soon after...that was Sihtric's opportunity and he used it! He ran towards Aviana's cage and freed her...he needed to be quick! Uhtred, Halig and Hild killed Erik's and Sigefrid's men, meanwhile Osferth prepared the horses for the escape! After what felt like ages Uhtred, Hild, Halig Aviana and Sihtric reached Osferth! Sihtric then helped Aviana to get on his horse, before climbing on it as well! Uhtred and the others waited until Sihtric was ready and then they rode off! Æthelwold somehow noticed their escape, because suddenly Erik, Sigefrid and their men were behind them!
~~~~~~~
Sihtric:"Lord, there are too many men! We cannot do this alone!...(*Uhtred closed his eyes for a moment*)...I can protect Aviana but I cannot guarantee, that I can protect Osferth!"
Uhtred:(*took a deep breath*)"Sihtric you must try, I beg you!...(*life flashed before Sihtric's eyes*)...you are my best warrior and most loyal henchman, I trust in your abilities and your intellect!"
Sihtric:"I will try, but I cannot guarantee, that all 3 of us will get out of there alive!...(*Uhtred nodded at him*)...Ana, if I put my sword in your hand, do you know how to use it?"
Aviana:(*shook her head*)"I can barely handle a fork and a knife, Sihtric!...(*Sihtric sighed*)...the pointed end has to go to the front, according to logic, right?"
Sihtric:"That is right, yes!...(*Aviana took a Deep breath*)...and you're only killing Erik's and Sigefrid's men with it, do you understand me?!"
Aviana:(*nodded*)"Yes Sihtric, I understood you!...(*Sihtric concentrated on stopping his horse*)...Sihtric I am scared!"
Sihtric:"I know, but everything will be fine!..(*Aviana clung around his waist*)...Ana, I will not leave you behind! I will protect you with my life and I promise you, that I will try to protect Osferth at least as well!"
~~~~~~~
Aviana knew, that he would do what he just promised! Uhtred, Hild and Halig stopped their horses and Sihtric soon did the same...he jumped off his horse and waited for Osferth to catch up! When he did, they got into position...Osferth and Aviana behind Uhtred, Hild, Halig and Sihtric! Erik, Sigefrid and their men caught up and prepared themselves for their first attack! Sihtric dodged Sigefrid's attack and his hand still remained on Aviana's arm! Osferth stayed behind Uhtred and watched carefully!

Aviana's face dropped the second she saw, that Sigefrid nearly broke Sihtric's arm! But Sihtric dodged in the last moment...unfortunately he lost sight of Aviana! He yelled her name and the moment she wanted to ran towards him, Erik came riding from behind! Sihtric drew his axe and threw it at Erik...the axe hit Erik in his right shoulder and he fell from his horse! Halig then finished Sihtric's work and Sigefrid's eyes widened in shock! His brother was killed and Sihtric was to blame...so it again was: Sigefrid vs Sihtric! But this time, Sihtric had help: Uhtred finished killing half of the men and stood now at Sihtric's side! Hild and Halig brought Osferth and Aviana to safety...and together they watched as Sihtric and Uhtred fought against Sigefrid! Uhtred cut open Sigefrid's leg and Sihtric rammed his sword through Sigefrid's throat! As he lay dead, Aviana broke away from Halig's grip and ran towards Sihtric and Uhtred! First she hugged Uhtred and then she fell around Sihtric's neck! His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close, never giving her the feeling of letting her go! He buried his face in her hair and she cried into the space between his shoulders and his neck!
~~~~~~~