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King Alfred still looked at Asteria and even Sihtric got scared by his facial expressions! Once King Alfred walked over to them, Asteria swallowed and grabbed Sihtric's hand! He squeezed it and kissed her temple...only making matters worse! Asteria looked at her father and he lifted his right hand to gently caress her right cheek! He then pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her forehead! Æthelflæd and Edward smiled at them and Uhtred just looked at Sihtric, who was still holding Asteria's hand! After King Alfred and Asteria broke away from each other, he gave Sihtric a warning look! Sihtric only lowered his head and sighed...
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King Alfred:"Uhtred, how come my daughters travel with you?...(*Uhtred looked at him*)...why were you in Wincelcumb? Did Æthelflæd ask you to come there?"
Uhtred:(*he sighed*)"Something like that, Lord King!...(*King Alfred tilted his head*)...Danes have attacked the nunnery in Wincelcumb and wanted to kidnap Æthelflæd! Asteria is travelling with us because it's no longer safe for her in Wincelcumb!"
King Alfred:"The reason I don't have you killed on the spot is because you are here in the company of my daughters and under their protection!...(*he caressed Æthelflæd's right cheek*)...nevertheless, I have another question: what has your young Dane got to do with my youngest daughter, Uhtred?"
Uhtred:(*he looked at Sihtric*)"Sihtric and Finan protected Asteria when Hæsten and his men attacked!...(*Finan and Sihtric looked at each other*)...that's all, Lord King, I swear!"

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King Alfred did not believe Uhtred and Æthelflæd noticed that! He then asked Uhtred and his men to leave the hall and look for a table outside! Asteria's eyes widened and she felt the urge to go with Sihtric...so she did! She still held his hand and followed him outside, which made her fathers eyes widen! Uhtred, Finan, Osferth, Sihtric and Asteria now sat outside in the cold and waited for something to happen! After a while, Æthelflæd sat down besides Finan and Edward joined moments later...
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Edward:"I came to sit with my sisters, the outlaws for a while!....(*Asteria lifted her head*)...it's good to know you are safe, my beautiful sisters!"
Æthelflæd:(*she laughed*)"You grow with every day, Edward!...(*Father Beocca sat down besides Osferth*)...how are you doing all alone in Winchester?"
Father Beocca:"He is doing well and he is getting wiser every day!...(*Edward grinned*)...but he has something to tell you!"
Uhtred:(*he watched as Osferth disappeared*)"What do you have to tell us?...(*Edward swallowed*)...does your father want to have Sihtric skinned for touching Asteria?"
Edward:"No, I would know about that!...(*they laughed*)...Uhtred, how many men does Hæsten have?"

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Uhtred tilted his head and thought briefly! Father Beocca and Asteria looked at each other before she felt Sihtric's hand on her left thigh! It sent shivers down her spine and her eyes slightly widened! Father Beocca noticed and looked at Sihtric...only making him grin! Father Beocca shook his head and listened to Uhtred's and Edward's conversation! Uhtred told Edward, how many men Hæsten had and was now watching as Edward thought briefly...
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Edward:"And how many men do you need to take the fortress and defeat Hæsten?...(*Finan lifted his head*)...I'm on your side, Uhtred! What my father doesn't see has long been clear to the rest of us: Hæsten must be defeated!"
Asteria:(*she tilted her head*)"Edward, you want to help us?...(*Edward nodded*)...but father will punish you for it and mother will give you another of her lectures..."
Edward:"My sweet little sister...(*Asteria felt his hands grab hers*)...I will always help Uhtred! No matter what punishment I get for it or how many lectures I have to listen to!"
Finan:(*he cleared his throat*)"If Uhtred tells you how many men he needs, can you guarantee that he will get them?...(*Edward nodded*)...now that's a word, young Edward!"
Æthelflæd:"Edward, are you certain?...(*Edward looked at her*)...I don't want you to make empty promises..."

~~~~~~
Edward sighed before he stood up and followed Father Beocca inside! Uhtred, Finan and Sihtric looked at each other before they watched as Asteria also stood up and disappeared moments later! Sihtric looked after her until she was fully gone and then he sighed...he knew, that they wouldn't stand a chance! Meanwhile: Father Beocca and Edward reached King Alfred's chambers and Father Beocca knocked on the door! Somehow Edward noticed, that Asteria was following them and smiled...
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Father Beocca:"Lord King, it looks like there's something you should know!...(*King Alfred tilted his head*)...Edward, would you come in here, please?"
Edward:(*he entered his fathers chambers*)"May my dear sister also enter, father?...(*King Alfred nodded*)...Asteria, please come in!"
Asteria:"Father, Father Beocca! I didn't mean to interrupt, I'm sorry if I do!...(*Edward grabbed her right hand*)...I just want to spend a little more time with you, father!"
King Alfred:(*he smiled at her*)"I would like that too, Asteria!...(*Asteria smiled back*)...come, sit with me!"
Father Beocca:"Well, actually we came to talk to you, Lord King!...(*he watched as Asteria sat down*)...respectively Edward wants to talk to you!"
King Alfred:(*he looked at Edward*)"My son, what do you want to tell me?...(*Edward swallowed*)...you know you can talk to me about anything!"

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Edward nodded and walked towards his father! King Alfred watched him do so and prepared, for what he might have to say! As Edward cleared his throat, Asteria swallowed and prayed, that her father, wouldn't punish her brother too hard! Father Beocca lowered his head and listened, as Edward began talking! When Edward was done talking, King Alfred stood up and Asteria became anxious! She watched as her father lowered his head and Edward took a step back...but that didn't matter: he was being yelled at anyway!
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King Alfred:"Do you have any idea what you've done?!...(*Edward lowered his head*)...promising men to an outlaw for a harebrained scheme is irresponsible, Edward!"
Edward:(*he sighed*)"But father, Uhtred is right!...(*King Alfred's eyes widened*)...Hæsten must be defeated and if we wait any longer he may soon possess not only the fortress of Beamfleot but probably Winchester as well!"
King Alfred:"Nevertheless, you have no right to promise my men to someone who can't be trusted!...(*Edward lifted his head*)...I'm disappointed in you, Edward! You put everyone around you in danger and don't even realise it!"
Asteria:(*she looked at her father*)"Father, he only meant well!...(*King Alfred turned his head*)...Uhtred and his men have protected me! He deserves the men Edward promised him to defeat what is probably the greatest danger at the moment!"

~~~~~~
King Alfred looked at his daughter and lowered his head! Asteria took a deep breath and waited for him to speak up again! Edward and Father Beocca waited as well, and when he lifted his head, it seemed like, he wanted to say something! Disappointment was written all over his face and Asteria could see it in his eyes: he was disappointed in her as well! King Alfred soon cleared his throat and spoke up again, making Asteria flinch and Edward protectively stand right in front of her...
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King Alfred:"How dare you stab your own father in the back?!...(*Asteria flinched*)...I'm disappointed in you too, Asteria! For a moment I was glad you were here, but now I think it would have been better if you had stayed in Wincelcumb!"
Edward:(*he protectively shoved her behind himself*)"How can you say such a thing, father?!...(*King Alfred realised, what he just said*)...Asteria is here because Hæsten had tracked down Æthelflæd and attacked Wincelcumb! Do you think she'd be safe there?! I can't believe you dare treat her the way you treat me!"
Father Beocca:"How about we all calm down and take a deep breath?...(*Edward shot him a warning look*)...okay, I can already see that this was a stupid idea!"

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Right when Father Beocca said his last word, Asteria stormed out of the room! King Alfred sighed and ran after his daughter...he wanted to apologise! Meanwhile: Uhtred, Sihtric, Finan and Osferth still sat outside and Æthelflæd went to get some ale! When she came back, she placed the mugs on the table and watched as Asteria walked towards them! Her eyes were red and she was crying...it broke Æthelflæd's heart! The moment Asteria reached the table, she sat down besides Sihtric and placed her head on his chest! His eyes widened, but he immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer! He rested his head on hers and kissed her temple! Uhtred watched in worry and noticed, that King Alfred stood right besides him...
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