Uhtred:"Sihtric, who did this to you?...(*Sihtric whimpered in pain*)...was it those two Danes? It is my fault that this happened to you...I am sorry my friend!"
Sihtric:(*wiped the blood from his nose*)"No one is to blame for my stupidity, Lord!...(*Uhtred sighed*)...if I hadn't been so stupid and just killed that bastard, he and his friend wouldn't have my damned and beloved axe!"
Uhtred:"We will get your axe back and then you kill those two bastards!...(*he put a hand on Sihtric's shoulder*)...what stopped you from killing them when they attacked you?"
Sihtric:(*he lowered his head*)"Ana told one of them about Samarthia, Uhtred!...(*Uhtred's eyes widened*)...and they know where Ana comes from! They are going to get my little one and kill her...at least that is what they said!"
Uhtred:"No one even touches my niece!...(*Sihtric tried to stand up but his stomach hurt*)...I am going to get Osferth and Finan, then we will get out of here and save your little one! You stay here and rest!"
~~~~~~~
Sihtric didn't contradict him, because he knew it was pointless! Uhtred stood up and left the great hall...then he went to find Finan and Osferth! Meanwhile: the younger Dane knocked on Hild's door and when she opened, he knocked her out and looked for Samarthia! Little did he know, that she was with Steapa? The older Dane waited outside the house and when his friend returned without the little girl, he nearly killed him! They pulled their hood over their heads and took a walk around Winchester! Steapa and Samarthia helped Lady Ælswith in the garden! Well basically only Samarthia helped her grandmother, as Steapa was there to protect them! Edward and Æthelflæd soon joined them and left the palace without any protection! All the other guards were sitting in an ale house and didn't care about the palace!

Steapa had a weird feeling and when Samarthia wanted to get something from the throne room, he sent Edward to go with her, instead of going himself! The two of them finally reached the throne room and there they waited...the younger Dane immediately smirked when he caught sight of the little girl! The older Dane just stood there and watched Edward nearly collapse because of how scared he was! Samarthia wanted to scream, but the younger Dane covered her mouth! Then he shoved her towards his friend...he then grabbed her by her wrist and shoved her out of the palace! Edward didn't dare to move...not until Uhtred, Finan and Osferth came running into the throne room! Edward then explained what happened and as fast as they arrived, they were gone again! Sihtric was right: they wanted to kill his little girl! Meanwhile: Sihtric rested and when he opened his eyes, Gisela warmly smiled down at him! She gave him a cup of water and he gratefully drank it! Gisela then asked him something...
~~~~~~~
Gisela:"Sihtric, why didn't you run to Ana like the others did?...(*Sihtric fought back tears*)...she was helpless and she was in pain...I don't judge you, but I would like to understand!"
Sihtric:(*tears rolled down his cheeks*)"Do you know that feeling, when everything inside you fails and you cannot move?...(*Gisela nodded*)...it was exactly this feeling, that held me back, Gisa! I would have liked to run to her, to take her in my arms and tell her, that everything would be alright...but I couldn't..."
Gisela:"If you tell her that, she will understand what part of her recovery was missing!...(*Sihtric nodded*)...I have received word from Beocca...they have kidnapped Samarthia, I am so sorry Sihtric! Uhtred, Finan and Osferth were too late..."
Sihtric:(*his blood began to boil*)"I am not going to blame them!...(*Gisela exhaled with relief*)...but if I find those two Danes, I will skin them and feed their guts to the pigs!"
Gisela:"That is the warrior I know!...(*they hugged*)...I will now go to Ana and bring her new blankets...she is cold and I fear she gets sick!"
~~~~~~~
Gisela left and Sihtric sat up in his bed! He decided to follow her and at least now be there for his wife! Meanwhile: Uhtred, Finan and Osferth knew where these Danes had their camp! Osferth jumped off his horse when they reached it and slowly approached the main tent! He opened it carefully and he immediately was greeted by Samarthia! She hugged his leg and didn't want to let go...Uhtred soon appeared behind him and Samarthia immediately began to smile! Finan looked for the Danes and made sure, that Osferth got Samarthia safely out of the tent! Somehow Eadith appeared and Finan needed a moment to realise, that she was probably here as a hostage!

Uhtred called for his men, then he saw Eadith! He wasn't even sure, when they last saw her! But he was sure, that they needed to rescue her! He told Finan to hurry and he immediately rushed to Eadith...he rescued his beloved and together they rode off to Eoferwic! When they reached it, a depressing feeling overcame them...Osferth swallowed! Sihtric was sitting in front of the great hall...waiting for something to happen! When he caught sight of Samarthia, he immediately jumped off his seat and greeted his daughter! When she saw him as well, she carefully jumped off Osferth's horse and ran into Sihtric's arms! He held her close and hugged her tight...never in his life he felt such fear! Aviana was awake and soon joined them outside...and of course she immediately caught sight of her daughter as well! She walked over to her and Sihtric and put a hand on his shoulder! He turned his head and smiled at his wife...then he saw Eadith! Sihtric frowned until he saw the bruises on her wrists! Aviana looked at her before walking over to her and hugging her tight! Eadith looked like, she needed that hug...Aviana was glad to see her friend!
~~~~~~~
Eadith:"Thank you for rescuing me!...(*she carefully took Finan's hand*)...honestly, I don't know how long I have been there and how many times I have prayed, that someone would finally rescue me!"
Finan:(*looked at her*)"Did you know that Samarthia was there as well?...(*Eadith nodded*)...were you together or did you at least talk to each other?"
Samarthia:"Eadith told me stories and braided my hair!...(*Aviana lifted her head and smiled at Eadith*)...she also fed me and made sure, the Danes let go off me!"
Aviana:(*her eyes widened*)"What have those Danes done to you?!...(*Samarthia flinched*)...I have had enough of the behaviour of those Danes, who think they own the world! Today I will ride back to Winchester and work out a plan with Steapa!"
Sihtric:"You want to ride back to Winchester all by yourself?...(*Aviana nodded*)...have you lost your mind?! Those bastards are still out there and they have already managed to take you away from me once...I won't play along a second time!"
Aviana:(*her blood began to boil*)"Too bad you have nothing to say in this case, Sihtric!...(*Sihtric went quiet*)...I will return alone and you will remain here until Steapa and I have a sensible plan! I am not the only one in danger, Sihtric! Just look at Eadith or Gisela...do you seriously think those bastards are only after my royal arse?!"
Uhtred:"Calm down, both of you!...(*Aviana turned her head*)...at least let Osferth or Finan return back to Winchester with you! A little security is better than none, Ana!"
Gisela:(*took his hand*)"Our Queen is a grown woman and we should start trusting her!...(*everyone turned their heads in Gisela's direction*)...have a good journey, beautiful Ana! Send word when you arrive in Winchester and don't take any shortcuts on your way!"
~~~~~~~
Aviana nodded and kissed her daughters forehead! Then she wanted to look at Sihtric, but he just shook his head and refused to look at her! Her heart broke...knowing she couldn't tell him about her plan! Uhtred, Finan and Osferth said their goodbyes to her, whilst Gisela walked her towards the stables! They said their goodbyes before Aviana rode off! Eadith looked at Finan and squeezed his hand slightly! Samarthia kept holding Sihtric's hand...she was sad that her mother left, but she was glad, that she had Sihtric!

Aviana soon reached Winchester and immediately crossed Lady Ælswith's way! They hugged and talked about what happened! Then they walked towards the throne room...there she told her mother about her plan and that she would not be allowed to tell Sihtric and the others about it under any circumstances! Lady Ælswith nodded and Aviana turned to Steapa and discussed the execution of the plan with him! Meanwhile: Sihtric and Samarthia played with the dogs which walked through the streets of Eoferwic! Uhtred, Finan and Osferth sat in the great hall, discussing Aviana's sudden departure and what could be the trigger! Soon Gisela and Guthred joined them...sitting down besides them and brought their ideas to the table! Gisela knew, that Uhtred would hate her, when he finds out, that she knew about the plan! Her, Aviana and Steapa carried that plan out...Guthred rubbed his sisters back and Finan drank his ale! Eadith watered the horses...then she joined the others in the great hall!
~~~~~~~
Gisela:"Eadith please sit down with us!...(*Eadith nodded and sat down in Finan's lap*)...what have you been doing out there for so long? We have missed you already!"
Eadith:(*smiled*)"I gave the horses water to drink and breathed in the refreshing air for a few minutes!...(*Gisela nodded at her and Finan kissed her shoulders*)...do you have any idea why Ana left in such a hurry?"
Finan:"All we know is, that it makes Sihtric extremely angry!...(*he sighed*)...but it must have something to do with those Danes! I cannot think of any other reason!"
Osferth:(*thought briefly*)"My sister would not be so stupid, to put herself in danger without an elaborate plan!...(*everyone turned their heads in his direction*)...I mean she is the Queen of Winchester, or better the Queen of Wessex! She'd be miserable if she didn't think about it!"
Uhtred:"You think your sister has a plan and didn't let us in on it?...(*Osferth nodded*)...but why shouldn't she tell us? More importantly: why wouldn't she tell Sihtric?"
Guthred:(*shrugged his shoulders*)"Perhaps her plan involves risking her life and she knows Sihtric would lock her up, rather than let her carry out the plan?...(*Gisela's face dropped*)...sister, what's wrong?"
Gisela:"Oh nothing I was just thinking of something!...(*Uhtred gave her a worried look*)...I am fine, Uhtred, don't worry!"
Osferth:(*his face froze*)"Ana is pregnant or am I mistaken?!...(*Uhtred's and Finan's faces dropped*)...we have to go to Winchester and stop her from doing whatever it is she is about to do!"
~~~~~~~
They stormed out of the great hall and looked for Sihtric! He was still playing with Samarthia...but they found him quickly! Uhtred told him what was going on and he immediately jumped on his feet and was about to head to his horse! Samarthia still held his hand...he gave her an heartbreaking look! Gisela ensured, that she would take care of Samarthia! Eadith also remained in Eoferwic...Finan kissed her forehead before saying his goodbyes! Then they rode off and reached Winchester after a while! Luckily Aviana was still there and Sihtric immediately jumped off his horse and ran towards the throne room!

Right before Aviana left the throne room, he grabbed her wrist, which made her stop in her tracks! She gave him an angry look, but he returned the angry look and he was even angrier! She sighed before telling Steapa to stop...she needed to have this conversation with her husband! Steapa told her, that he would wait outside...she nodded at him before he disappeared! Uhtred, Finan and Osferth soon joined the two of them! Osferth and Finan made sure, that she couldn't escape, whilst Uhtred helped Sihtric!
~~~~~~~