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Aurora sighed before looking into Leofric's eyes! He reached his hand out for her to take it and she did without hesitating! Leofric smiled at her and waited for her to say something! Aurora thought about a way, to not sound rude...she didn't want to talk bad about her brother, when he wasn't present! At some point she just began talking and instantly felt bad, when she realised, that she said too much...
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Leofric:"You want to tell me what's going on?...(*Aurora nodded*)...okay, thank you for your trust!"
Aurora:(*she slightly smiled*)"I had a fight with my brother!...(*Leofric sighed*)...he was angry with me and I asked him why..."
Leofric:"You felt guilty and just wanted to know why, am I right?...(*Aurora nodded again*)...what happened then?"
Aurora:(*she took a deep breath*)"He told me that he feels neglected and unjustly treated!...(*Odda lifted his head*)...he said that it destroys him inside that I seem to get all the love from mother and father and are always favoured in everything..."
Leofric:"Why would he say that?!...(*Aurora shrugged her shoulders*)...he knows that's not true, right?"
Aurora:(*she shook her head*)"Ods is stubborn and he doesn't realise that people want to help him!...(*Odda walked towards his daughter*)...I don't know how to talk to him anymore when he keeps seeing the bad in everything!"

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Aurora didn't notice her father standing right in front of her, when she continued to talk about Odda the younger! Only when her father cleared his throat, she stopped taking and looked up at him! Leofric sighed before he stood up and walked over to King Alfred! Odda sat down opposite of his daughter and took her hands in his own! They looked at each other for a few minutes, before Odda began talking...
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Odda:"Where is your brother the rat, now?...(*Aurora shrugged her shoulders*)...he is the most ungrateful boy I have ever met!"
Aurora:(*she sighed*)"Father, he just feels wronged that's all!...(*Odda shook his head*)...please don't be too hard on him when you see him, okay?"
Odda:"I can't promise anything but for you I'll try!...(*Aurora smiled at him*)...did his words hurt you?"
Aurora:(*she shook her head*)"No! It rather hurt me to see him so frustrated and sad!...(*Odda squeezed his daughters hands*)...I've never seen Ods like this, father..."
Odda:"I know and I'm sorry you have to see your brother like this!...(*Aurora lowered her head*)...but shall I tell you something that will cheer you up?"

~~~~~~
Aurora lifted her head and instantly nodded! Odda slightly laughed and before he could say anything, the doors to the throne room opened and Aurora immediately turned her head! Uhtred widely smiled at her and she instantly jumped off her seat to hug him! She pulled him into a loving hug and he rested his head on hers! After they broke away from each other, Aurora looked around for Brida! Uhtred informed her, that Brida has gone with his brother Ragnar and is travelling with him! Aurora saw the sadness in Uhtred's eyes and gently rubbed his back! He slightly smiled at her and King Alfred soon made his way over to where Uhtred and Aurora were standing...
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King Alfred:"Uhtred, how good it is to see you!...(*Uhtred nodded at him*)...have you given any thought to my offer?"
Uhtred:(*nodded*)"Yes, I have, Lord King!...(*Aurora tilted her head*)...I will swear an oath on you and come into your service!"
King Alfred:"Wise decision, Uhtred!...(*Uhtred lowered his head*)...tell me, where's your escort? Brida was her name, right?"
Uhtred:(*he sighed*)"Brida went with my brother Ragnar and is now travelling with him!...(*Aurora took his hand*)...I will see her again, I am sure of it!"
Aurora:"Yes, and then you will tell each other stories about your adventures!...(*King Alfred smiled at the young woman*)...this is going to be exciting! I can't wait for your return when you leave Winchester to bring justice!"
Odda:(*he laughed*)"I'm sorry, Uhtred! She's always like that!...(*Uhtred looked at Aurora*)...and that will probably never change!"
Uhtred:"Why the apology, Odda? Your daughter is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen!...(*Aurora blushed*)...and her manner is enchanting!"

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Odda widely smiled and patted Uhtred's shoulder! After a while, King Alfred excused himself and went to pray! Lady Ælswith soon entered the throne room and nearly had an heart attack, when she saw Uhtred! Aurora giggled and Uhtred just scratched his head! 2 months later: Uhtred, Odda, Odda the younger, Leofric and many of King Alfred's guards, where out there and fought the armies of Guthrum and Ubba! Aurora was currently sat in the library and read a book, when a maid came running into the holy room and called out for Aurora! She immediately lifted her head, stood up and walked towards the maid! She told Aurora, that her father, her brother and King Alfred's guards were back from battle...
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Eartha:"Lady, your father and brother are back from battle!...(*Aurora's eyes lit up*)...they are fine and they want to see you!"
Aurora:(*she smiled at Eartha*)"Thank you, Eartha!...(*Eartha smiled back*)...are Uhtred and Leofric back too?"
Eartha:"Sorry Lady...no one knows where they are!...(*Aurora's eyes widened*)...would you please follow me to the throne room?"
Aurora:(*nodded*)"But of course, Eartha!...(*Eartha began to walk*)...where do you think Uhtred and Leofric are?"
Eartha:"For your mental health, Lady, I hope Uhtred and Leofric are somewhere safe!...(*Aurora lowered her head*)...I'm sure they'll both be fine! I mean, both are good warriors who don't let themselves get down so easily!"

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The two young women reached the throne room and Eartha opened the doors! They entered and Odda immediately turned his head! Aurora thanked Eartha and watched her go, before she ran towards her father and hugged him tight! King Alfred softly smiled at the young woman and walked towards them! Odda the younger was currently taking care of the horses and came back moments later! When Aurora and Odda the younger made eye contact, Aurora broke away from her father and ran towards her big brother! Odda the younger immediately wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her long blonde hair! King Alfred and Odda watched their reunion and widely smiled! Once Aurora broke away from her brother, she listened to what happened in the battle...
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King Alfred:"Tell me, what happened in the battle?...(*Odda the younger looked at his father*)...are Ubba and Guthrum dead?"
Odda:(*he sighed*)"Ubba is dead, yes, but Guthrum is still alive!...(*King Alfred clenched his jaw*)...no idea how Uhtred managed to kill Ubba, but his men now belong to Guthrum..."
Odda the younger:"Uhtred didn't kill Ubba, father!...(*Aurora tilted her head*)...it was me, I killed Ubba!"
Aurora:(*her eyes widened*)"How did you manage that?!...(*Odda the younger turned his head*)...did you even have enough training and courage to do it?"
Odda the younger:"Obviously, stupid!...(*Aurora shot him a dirty look*)...you don't believe me, do you?"
Aurora:(*she shook her head*)"I don't believe a word you say!...(*Odda stifled his laughter*)...because knowing you, you hid behind Leofric and watched Uhtred save all your arses!"
King Alfred:"Is that true, Odda the younger?...(*Odda the younger lowered his head*)...if you don't want to give me an answer, I guess I'll ask Uhtred and Leofric when they come back!"
Odda:(*he cleared his throat*)"Lord King, with all due respect, but Uhtred and Leofric turned their backs on us when the battle was over and rode off towards Cornwall!...(*Aurora's face dropped*)...I don't think they'll be coming back here any time soon!"

~~~~~~
King Alfred got angry and soon left the throne room! Aurora looked at her brother and shook her head...she hated it when he lied! He lied to the King and wasn't even feeling bad about it! Odda just sighed and went after King Alfred, trying to soothe him! Aurora decided to leave the throne room as well, but was held back by her brother when she nearly reached the door! She turned around and shot him a questioning look! Odda the younger sighed before he cleared his throat and spoke up...
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Odda the younger:"I didn't mean to lie, please believe me!...(*Aurora rolled her eyes*)...of course Uhtred was the hero of the whole story! Why should a simple boy like me be the hero?"
Aurora:(*she took a deep breath*)"You know Odda, maybe you should stop being so obsessed with Uhtred!...(*Odda the younger's eyes widened*)...it doesn't suit you and it's annoying! So do us all a favour and shut your mouth next time and let the adults handle this kind of business, yeah?"
Odda the younger:"Me, obsessed with Uhtred? Is that you talking about yourself?...(*Aurora shot him a dirty look*)...you're also younger than me, so you don't have any say in such matters, Aurora!"
Aurora:(*she laughed*)"Yes, but Uhtred is older than you and if you listened to me you would have noticed that I wasn't talking about me!...(*Odda the younger lowered his head*)...besides, whether I'm obsessed with Uhtred is none of your business! You're just jealous that no one wants you!"

~~~~~~
Odda the younger's face dropped and Aurora disappeared! She was walking towards the marketplace, when she heard an all to familiar voice behind her! Aurora quickly turned her head and saw Uhtred, who was widely smiling at her! Leofric just shook his head and laughed...they're going to be in so much trouble! But for now, Aurora was happy to see Uhtred and Leofric in one piece and without any injuries! Uhtred jumped off his horse, walked towards Aurora and whispered something into her ear...it sent shivers down her spine and she needed to be careful, not to just randomly kiss Uhtred on open street! Instead she just smirked at him and watched as he and Leofric brought their horses to the stables...
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Aurora:"How was your little trip to Cornwall?...(*Leofric lifted his head*)...King Alfred knows the score! It's only a matter of time before you have to go before him and explain yourselves!"
Uhtred:(*he sighed*)"Does King Alfred at least know who killed Ubba?...(*Aurora nodded*)...good! What kind of punishment do you think we'll get, Aury?"
Aurora:"That's hard to say! If Lady Ælswith is involved, you can expect to be sentenced to death!...(*Uhtreds eyes widened*)...but if she has nothing to say in the matter, then at most you will have to fight each other...until one dies!"
Leofric:(*he lowered his head*)"Can't you talk to King Alfred and at least explain our reasons to him?...(*Aurora tilted her head*)...Aury, he listens to you and has never said no to a proposal from you!"

~~~~~~
Aurora lowered her head and thought briefly! After a while she eventually nodded and disappeared into the palace! She entered the throne room and asked King Alfred for a conversation in private! He raised an eyebrow, but told anyone to leave the room anyway! Aurora cleared her throat and then began talking about Leofric's and Uhtred's return! King Alfred got angry, but continued listening to Aurora...
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