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Father Beocca immediately sensed, that something was wrong and shot the young woman, a questioning look! Aurora sighed before looking into the priests eyes and finally speaking up...
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Aurora:"Have you heard about the two Danes who came here this morning?...(*Father Beocca shook his head*)...how is it that the most attentive inhabitant of Winchester was unaware of this?"
Father Beocca:(*he laughed*)"I don't know, little one, but go on!...(*Aurora lowered her head*)...you are sad, which means that something has happened that has hurt your good-natured heart!"
Aurora:"The two Danes are called Uhtred and Brida! They asked for a hearing with King Alfred, which they got!...(*Father Beocca's eyes widened*)...Beocca, is everything okay? Do you know the two Danes?"
Father Beocca:(*nodded*)"I have known Uhtred since he was a little boy!...(*Aurora's face dropped*)...Aury, what happened to the two of them?"
Aurora:"King Alfred and my father have decided to have the two of them taken to the dungeon!...(*Father Beocca shook his head*)...what are you going to do?"

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Father Beocca shrugged his shoulders before he stood up and walked towards his door! Aurora thought briefly before she stood up as well and followed him! They walked towards the palace, but Aurora parted ways with Father Beocca, when they walked past the kitchen! Father Beocca shot her a questioning look, but when she pointed at the bread and some ale, Father Beocca understood, that she wanted to bring some of that to Uhtred and Brida! He shot her a supportive smile before he continued his way to the throne room! Aurora entered the kitchen, took some bread and some ale and disappeared to the dungeon section! When she reached Uhtred's and Brida's cell, the two of them immediately smiled at her...
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Uhtred:"Aurora! What are you doing down here?...(*Aurora gave him the bread and the ale*)...you brought us something to eat and drink? Why?"
Aurora:(*she lowered her head*)"Because you don't deserve to be locked up down here! This was done to you unjustly and I will do everything to get you out of here as soon as possible!...(*Brida softly smiled at her*)...Father Beocca is on his way to King Alfred and my father right now! I think he wants to negotiate your release!"
Uhtred:"You spoke to Father Beocca?...(*Aurora nodded*)...how is he?! Is he doing well here in Winchester?!"
Brida:(*she put one hand on his shoulder*)"Uhtred, don't overwhelm Aurora with so many questions!...(*Uhtred sighed*)...she will answer everything in time!"

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Aurora widely smiled at Brida and reached her hands out for Uhtred and Brida to take them! When they did, Aurora moved closer to the cell door and looked the two of them deep into their eyes! Brida was still enchanted by Aurora's kindness and Uhtred seemed to get lost in Aurora's eyes! After a while, Aurora sighed and began answering Uhtred's questions...
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Aurora:"Father Beocca is doing wonderfully and is comfortable here in Winchester!...(*Uhtred's tensed expression softened*)...he has a cute little house and even visits an ale house from time to time!"
Uhtred:(*he slightly laughed*)"I don't know him like that!...(*Aurora laughed as well*)...still, I'm glad he's doing well here! Do you think he'll get King Alfred to release us?"
Aurora:"If not him, then I honestly don't know who has the ability to!...(*Brida sighed*)...I hope you will be released soon!"
Brida:(*she lifted her head*)"Thank you, Aurora!...(*Aurora nodded at her*)...I have never met a nicer, kind-hearted and prettier Saxon!"
Uhtred:"I agree with that! You really are a godsend, Aurora!...(*Aurora blushed*)...your future husband can consider himself lucky and if he doesn't, I'll pay him a visit!"
Aurora:(*she slightly laughed*)"I hope I won't be married off too soon to any man my father finds descriptive!...(*Brida squeezed her hand*)...I am afraid of the time after the wedding...what if he doesn't treat me well?"

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Right before Uhtred could answer, Odda the younger stood behind Aurora and angrily looked down at her! He roughly pulled her back on her feet and turned her around, so that she faced him! Aurora's eyes widened and her face twisted in fear! Uhtred and Brida flinched and Uhtred's gaze immediately darkened! Odda the younger tightened his grip on his sisters arms and dragged her to the door, which led out of the dungeon! Uhtred yelled her name and only heard her whimper because of the pain! Brida sat down and buried her head in her hands! Meanwhile: Odda the younger and Aurora reached the throne room! Father Beocca, Odda and King Alfred turned their heads, when Odda the younger angrily shouted! Aurora was frightened and her posture was dejected!
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King Alfred:"Odda the younger, what is the reason for your anger?...(*King Alfred looked at Aurora*)...and what can your poor sister do about it?"
Odda the younger:(*he snorted*)"My 'poor' sister is exactly the reason for my anger!...(*Odda shook his head*)...she visited the prisoners and brought them food and ale!"
Odda:"And that's why you treat your sister like she was some whore who disobeyed you?!...(*Odda the younger flinched*)...let go of Aurora and think about what you have done to your sister!"
Father Beocca:(*nodded*)"And then you tell us what's so bad about bringing food and ale to the prisoners!...(*Odda the younger lowered his head*)...Aurora, are you all right?"

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Aurora nodded and looked at her father! He opened his arms for a hug and she instantly walked over to him! He held his daughter tight and kissed the top of her head! King Alfred smiled at the two of them and then turned to Odda the younger! He cleared his throat and then addressed the young man...
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King Alfred:"What I'm about to tell you will probably make you even angrier!...(*Odda the younger frowned*)...I have decided to release the prisoners and bring Uhtred into my service!"
Father Beocca:(*his eyes widened*)"Uhtred is a free spirit, he will resist!...(*King Alfred sighed*)...at least let me talk to him beforehand!"
Odda:"That's a sensible suggestion, Beocca!...(*Father Beocca rolled his eyes*)...what do you intend to tell Uhtred?"
Aurora:(*she looked up at her father*)"Presumably that he will be released but only if he swears an oath to King Alfred!...(*King Alfred slightly smiled at Aurora*)...which I don't think is a bad idea! I like Uhtred and his understanding of war could be an advantage for the Kingdom of Wessex!"
King Alfred:"Odda, have I ever mentioned what a tremendously good job you've done raising your adorable daughter?...(*Odda and Aurora laughed*)...thank you, Aurora! You have just spoken from my soul and I would like you to always be here by your father's and my side from now on!"

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Aurora's and Odda the younger's eyes widened! Father Beocca and Odda just smiled and gave Aurora a supportive nod! Aurora couldn't believe, what the King just offered her and needed a moment to process what just happened! Odda the younger got angry and lowered his head...he loved his sister more than anything, but he hated it, that she was always everyone's first choice and he hated it, that she was their parents favourite child! He shot her a dirty look, when she turned around to look at her beloved brother! But after seeing his facial expression and seeing how angry he was at her, she quickly turned back around and looked at King Alfred instead...
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Odda:"So what do you say, darling?...(*Aurora's eyes lit up*)...will you accept King Alfred's offer?"
Aurora:(*she took a deep breath*)"Yes, I accept King Alfred's offer to be his second right hand!...(*King Alfred smiled*)...thank you, Lord King, that means a lot to me!"
King Alfred:"No, I have to thank you, Aurora!...(*she tilted her head*)...without you, nothing would be right here at court and without you, your father and I would often not know what to do!"
Father Beocca:(*nodded*)"Not to mention that without our lovely Aurora, no one here at court would know what justice means!...(*Odda nodded as well*)...you are a real asset in all aspects, Aurora!"
Odda:"And I am extremely proud to call you my daughter, darling!...(*Aurora's eyes filled with tears*)...I love you, my little sunflower!"

~~~~~~
Aurora smiled and wiped away some tears, which escaped her eyes! Odda the younger turned around and stormed out of the throne room! Aurora immediately turned her head, excused herself and ran after her big brother! He walked towards an ale house and she had difficulties to keep up with him! Luckily he sat down outside of the ale house, so Aurora just sat down opposite of him and tried to get his attention somehow! It was difficult, as he didn't want to look at her and avoided every eye contact, she tried to make! She sighed and took his hands in her own...he looked down at their intertwined fingers and a small smile formed on his face! In moments like this, he couldn't be angry at his sister, he just loved her too much and she loved him!
~~~~~~

Aurora:"Can you tell me why you were so angry with me?...(*Odda the younger sighed*)...Ods, I love you and you know that, but I can't stand it when you're angry with me!"
Odda the younger:(*he lifted his head*)"All the love you get from mother and father and the fact that you are always favoured in everything destroys me inside, Aury!...(*Aurora's eyes widened*)...I'm so sorry, I know it's not your fault!"
Aurora:"How come you never said anything?...(*Odda the younger shrugged his shoulders*)...we could have talked about it, even with mother and father!"
Odda the younger:(*he shook his head*)"You know very well that father never listens to me!...(*Aurora lowered her head*)...and mother only has eyes for you anyway!"
Aurora:"That's not true, Odda!...(*she sighed*)...why do you say that about our parents?"

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Odda the younger didn't say another word, stood up and walked away! Aurora turned her head to see where he was going, but she soon gave up and walked back to the palace! Odda and King Alfred were talking to Leofric when Aurora entered the throne room! Leofric immediately turned around and saw, that Aurora was upset! After he was done taking to King Alfred and Odda, he went over to where Aurora was sat and knelt down in front of her...
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