Lady Ælswith:"Aviana, angel could you listen to me for a second?...(*Aviana turned her head*)...if you marry Sihtric, but after a while you feel unwell, just know that the marriage can be annulled!"
Aviana:(*smiled at her mother*)"I know, thank you mother!...(*she gave her a tight hug*)...what do you think of my dress? Lola and Greer have chosen it!"
Lady Ælswith:"Then tell your girls, it's a beautiful dress!...(*Aviana and Lady Ælswith widely smiled at each other*)...Edward, Æthelflæd what do you think of your sisters dress?"
Edward:(*looked her up and down*)"She is beautiful, as always and this dress suits her!...(*Aviana gave her little brother a kiss on the forehead*)...you will be a good Queen and wife, sister!"
Æthelflæd:"I agree with Edward in everything he says!...(*Aviana turned to face her sister*)...I am already looking forward to my nephews or/and nieces!"
Lady Ælswith:(*nodded*)"I think we all do!...(*she squeezed Aviana's hand*)...and now don't keep your husband waiting any longer, Queen Aviana!"
~~~~~~~
Aviana giggled before she opened the door and walked towards the throne room! Lady Ælswith, Edward and Æthelflæd were following...Edward was holding Aviana's dress! As Lady Ælswith opened the door to the throne room, she immediately caught sight of Sihtric! He was standing there, sweating and being anxious! She giggled and nodded at Uhtred...he then tapped on Sihtric's shoulder! With one quick movement he turned around and tears rolled down his cheeks immediately...it were tears of joy! Osferth, Hild, Halig and Clapa also turned around and Osferth's eyes lit up immediately! His sister was truly breathtaking...and Sihtric knew that!

Aviana was now standing besides Sihtric and she was holding his hand! Squeezing it gently...calming him down! He glanced over at her...widely smiling! Father Beocca spoke the marriage vows and declared Sihtric and Aviana shortly afterwards, lawfully to husband and wife! Aviana instantly turned her head and pulled Sihtric into a long and intense kiss! The whole crowd applauded and cheered, just like at her coronation! Lady Ælswith wiped away her tears and Hild just stood there, smiling widely! Uhtred and Osferth reminded Sihtric about his speech...so he cleared his throat and began talking...
~~~~~~~
Sihtric:"This goes out to my beautiful and enchanting wife! Thank you for coming into my life, I will try to be a good husband to you! That you fell in love with me is nothing short of a miracle but I wouldn't change a thing! I love you now and I promise that I will love you forever!"
~~~~~~~
Aviana cried and hugged him tight! Uhtred, Osferth, Halig, Hild and Clapa hugged and congratulated Sihtric and Aviana! Sihtric then walked over to Lady Ælswith and thanked her...he didn't expect a hug, but she hugged him tight! Wanting him to promise her, that he will take care of her daughter! He promised and then he walked back over to his friends and his wife! Aviana turned heard, when she felt his fingers find their way to her fingers!
~~~~~~~
Uhtred:(*raised a cup of ale*)"Cheers to our new married couple!...(*Aviana and Sihtric laughed*)...that you enjoy your wedding night and don't let anything bother you!"
Sihtric:"I will not force my wife to do anything she does not want of her own free will, Lord!...(*Aviana went quiet and looked at Sihtric*)...I am not a monster...I want her to feel comfortable!"
Aviana:(*kissed his cheek*)"And I love you for that, Sihtric Kjartansson!...(*he met her gaze*)...as long as I am with you, I always feel good!"
Osferth:"I really don't want to disturb you, but I have a question!...(*Aviana and Sihtric looked at Osferth*)...as Queen, you must stay here, but where will Sihtric and the rest of us live?"
Aviana:(*widely smiled and called her mother to her*)"Mother, is it alright if I award each of my friends a room in the palace?...(*Lady Ælswith nodded*)...thank you mother! That settles your question, brother!"
Uhtred:"This is a great honour, thank you, Your Grace!...(*Aviana's eyes widened*)...did I say something wrong? If so, I am sorry!"
Sihtric:(*chuckled*)"I think she looks at you like that because you still haven't started calling her by her name again!...(*Uhtred titled his head*)...would you excuse me for a moment?"
~~~~~~~
Aviana nodded and Sihtric disappeared! Uhtred, Osferth, Halig and Clapa followed Aviana, as she showed them their chambers! At night fall, she went to see Sihtric...she found him standing near the stables, talking to father Beocca! Aviana heard rumours of a whore, wanting to get Sihtric's attention! Father Beocca introduced a warrior to Sihtric, Aviana has never seen this man before! She approached them and the warrior instantly went down to one knee! He greeted her, and Aviana smiled at him! Father Beocca said his goodbyes before he went home...Sihtric widely smiled at Aviana! The warrior introduced himself to her...his name was Finan! He wanted to serve Uhtred and she assured him, that she will talk to him!

He then asked where he could stay and Aviana quickly showed him his chambers! Sihtric then followed her down to their chambers, as she was now sharing it with him! The next morning, the two of them remained silent about their first night together, even though Uhtred wanted to know every detail! Finan then came and joined the others for breakfast! Aviana nearly choked on her ale when she remembered her promise! She turned to Uhtred and whispered in his ear...he then looked Finan up and down! After a little while of thinking, Uhtred eventually turned to Finan and told him, his decision! Uhtred's group now had a new member...Finan was welcomed in heartily!
~~~~~~~
Osferth:"Where are you from, Finan?...(*Finan lifted his head*)...I have never seen you here before! This leads me to believe that you are not from here!"
Finan:(*chuckled*)"I am from Ireland! However, I haven't seen my country in a long time!...(*Aviana frowned*)...I escaped from slavery yesterday! I was held for 5 years..."
Aviana:"That's terrible! Sorry to hear that, Finan!...(*he smiled at her*)...I will organise a bath for you if you want one! I will also have new clothes and a sword procured for you!"
Finan:(*marvelled*)"Thank you, your Grace!...(*Aviana softly smiled at him*)...Wessex has been blessed with a gracious Queen!"
Sihtric:"True words, my friend!...(*the two men clashed their mugs of ale*)...how did you escape? I imagine that escaping is difficult!"
Finan:(*sighed*)"One night the slave traders forgot to lock our door!...(*Sihtric listened carefully*)...there I stole a sword and killed the slave traders, the rest was easy!"
Osferth:"You deserve a bath for your courage alone!...(*everyone laughed*)...sister, could I have a word with you? Alone and in private?"
~~~~~~~
Aviana nodded, stood up and followed her brother! She noticed that something was wrong, he acted weird! Osferth paced back and forth...he was anxious! Aviana placed one hand on his cheek and pulled him into a hug! He then eventually began talking...and her eyes immediately widened! Tears rolled down his cheeks and it broke her heart! He was asking her, if she thought about disowning him! She could never...never in a million years, would she disown her own siblings!

She quickly shook her head and tighten her grip! She wanted him to know, that he was safe with her! Lady Ælswith listened to their conversation from behind and it also broke her heart! She never had the chance to talk to Osferth...it only reminded her about the fact, that he was not her son! But she wanted to change that, as all of Uhtred's men would stay in Winchester! Soon Aviana and Osferth went back to the others and Uhtred glanced over at her with a concerned look! She waved it off and smiled at him...even though it hurt her, that her brother thought of her that way! Sihtric noticed, that Osferth cried and immediately put an arm around his shoulders to comfort him! Osferth lifted his head to smile at Sihtric...Aviana's heart smiled! She loved seeing her boys together...and they were all staying in Winchester!
~~~~~~~
Sihtric:(*whispered in her ear*)"If any of my friends get the idea of wanting more from you than friendship, then...(*Aviana's body shivered*)...I will be forced to take you somewhere far away!"
Aviana:"Sihtric, next time you make a joke like that, I will rip your head off!...(*they laughed*)...I love you, Sihtric! And I am glad you chose me...I heard the rumours!"
Sihtric:(*his face froze*)"What rumours are you talking about, my love?...(*Aviana sighed*)...should I be worried? In any life I would chose you, Ana!"
Aviana:"Rumours are circulating that a whore wants to be your wife!...(*Sihtric's eyes widened*)...I can't protect you from being touched in the streets, Sihtric..."
Sihtric:(*gently rubbed her back*)"Anyone who tries to touch me ends up with no fingers left to try with!...(*Aviana slightly smiled*)...banish these dark thoughts from your mind, my little pearl!"
Aviana:"I see the looks, Sihtric!...(*now he was the one who sighed*)...not from you, I know...but from all these lustful women! It makes my blood boil!"
Sihtric:(*stroked the hair out of her face*)"Should I take away the sight of these women?...(*Aviana now slightly giggled*)...or are you going to lock me in our chambers?"
Aviana:"If I did that, I would be no better than any slave trader!...(*she kissed his temple*)...you are so drop dead gorgeous...your eyes, your cheekbones! In general your whole face is drop dead gorgeous, Sihtric!"
Sihtric:(*he blushed*)"Ana, stop you are flattering me!...(*he put an arm around her waist*)...but while we are on the subject: you are the most stunning woman I have ever seen!"
~~~~~~~
Aviana also blushed but giggled anyway! She saw Sihtric in a way, no one would ever understand! From the moment she saw him, she wanted to be with him! 5 months later: Uhtred and his men were called to battle and Aviana needed to remain in Winchester and say goodbye to Sihtric! Finan, Osferth and Uhtred waited for Sihtric at the stables...they said goodbye to Aviana long ago! Clapa and Halig were killed in a nearly forgotten battle, that was why Hild put her sword down and continued being an abbess! Aviana missed Clapa and Halig but she was glad, to have Hild with her!

After she said goodbye, she turned to Lady Ælswith! Her mother gently rubbed her back and wiped away her tears! Osferth turned around one last time before he rode through the gates! Edward and Æthelflæd were playing in the courtyard! Aviana loved watching her siblings play...but she needed to discuss politics in the throne room! Steapa, her newest guard was the replacement for Leofric! Leofric also died, but he was ill...just like her father! Lord Æthelwold, returned to Winchester and Aviana wasn't happy about it! She fetched Steapa and told him, to bring Lord Æthelwold into the throne room! Steapa did as he was told and moments later, her cousin was standing in front of her...with the brightest grin! Lady Ælswith excused herself, as she promised Hild, to help her in the garden!
~~~~~~~
Aviana:"What is it about 'I never want to see you at my palace court again' that you didn't understand?...(*Æthelwold continued grinning*)...stop grinning like an idiot!"
Æthelwold:(*cleared his throat*)"I have heard, that your husband and Uhtred have gone to battle!...(*Aviana tilted her head*)...so Winchester is unprotected, is it not?"
Aviana:"Spit it out, what are you up to?...(*Æthelwold walked over to her*)...if you brought your friends, you can leave right away! I don't want to feed you or them!"
Æthelwold:(*rolled his eyes*)"Too bad and I thought I could introduce you to my new friends!...(*he moved closer and Steapa put his hand on his sword*)...who is your new guard, anyway?"
Aviana:"None of your fucking business, Æthelwold!...(*Æthelwold flinched*)...sometimes I wonder if anything in your brain is working at all!"
Æthelwold:(*laughed*)"So you haven't lost your sense of humour after all, I like that!...(*Aviana glanced over at Steapa*)...what do you mean by that looks?"
Steapa:"The looks on my and your Queen's face mean, that you are pissing her off!...(*Aviana giggled*)...that is why she just allowed me to kindly remove you from the hall!"
~~~~~~~
Steapa did what Aviana begged him to do and after a while, she found peace again! Meanwhile: Uhtred, Finan, Sihtric, Osferth and plenty of Uhtred's other men, arrived at Tettenhall! Waiting for Cnut and some other Danes to arrive...Danes his brother fought with! In the past 5 months, Uhtred betrayed his brother and his once great love Brida! They wanted Winchester, but didn't knew, that Alfred died! It didn't bother Brida, she wanted Winchester anyway! Sihtric immediately shook his head and Finan joined him! Osferth just sighed and Uhtred once again, needed to leave his brother!

Uhtred feared, that he would meet Ragnar on the battlefield! Now they wouldn't fight side by side...now they were enemies! Sihtric and Finan made sure, that Osferth was being protected! And then they waited...for hours and hours! When they heard horses, they saw, that Cnut's army was way too big for Uhtred's men alone! He swallowed and prayed for a miracle...and the miracle happened! Aviana sent men from Wessex to help Uhtred, defeat the Danes! She was truly an angel sent from heaven! After Aviana's men arrived, Uhtred made sure, his men were ready as well! Then they fought...it was a long fight and many men died! Osferth decided to be part of the fighting, so he grabbed himself an axe and killed some Danes! Sihtric had a proud grin on his face, as he was knocked out from behind! His body hit the ground and his head ached...blood ran down his head and cheeks! Finan noticed and came to Sihtric's rescue...just in time! He was his shield and after a while, Sihtric was back on his feet! Uhtred checked on him, before turning his attention back to the battlefield! He didn't see his brother...he only saw Brida! And she was angry...not with him, but with Cnut and a traitor, who's name was well known...
~~~~~~~