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Dalia looked at Sihtric and immediately darkened her gaze! He didn't know what he did, to upset her, but decided to not ask it any further either! At some point Gisela came walking into the great hall and she had Uhtred's and her children with her! Dalia immediately turned at the sound of a voice, talking about her hair! Her eyes soon locked eyes with a little girl, who barely could see the top of the table!
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Gisela:"Hello Dalia! How nice that you accepted Uhtred's invitation!...(*Dalia stood up to greet Gisela*)...did the boys give you a good welcome?"
Dalia:(*nodded whilst laughing*)"I can't complain!...(*Gisela laughed as well*)...Coccham is really beautiful!"
Uhtred:"Wait until you see the lake!...(*Dalia turned her head*)...Sihtric, would you like to show Dalia the lake?"
Sihtric:(*smirked*)"If she promises not to drown me in it, then yes!...(*he looked at Dalia*)...do you promise?"
Dalia:"I will do my best not to drown you, Sihtric!...(*he slightly laughed*)...see you later friends!"

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Dalia and Sihtric stood up and left the great hall! Uhtred and Finan looked at one another and burst out laughing! They loved teasing Sihtric because they knew, that Dalia liked him! And now that Sihtric was married, Dalia distanced from him! Sihtric didn't understand and lived happily with his wife! Osferth and Gisela shook their heads before they also left the great hall! Once Sihtric and Dalia reached the lake, her eyes immediately widened and she happily turned to Sihtric...
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Dalia:"Oh my God, Sihtric, this is beautiful!...(*Sihtric smiled*)...are you often here at the lake?"
Sihtric:(*nodded*)"If Uhtred allows it and I have nothing else to do, I allow my soul to take time out and come here!...(*Dalia sat down on the jetty*)...do you want to put your feet in the water?"
Dalia:"I think I might like that!...(*Sihtric laughed*)...are there any battles ahead?"
Sihtric:(*shrugged his shoulders*)"I won't know until I find myself in the middle of a battle!...(*Dalia laughed*)...are you comfortable here in Coccham?"
Dalia:"Yes, but only because you guys are such great company!...(*Sihtric proudly smiled*)...however, I have to go back to Aylesbury soon!"

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Sihtric shot her a sad look and after a few more minutes, they stood up and walked back to the great hall! Dalia said her goodbyes and then she rode off towards Aylesbury! Finan and Uhtred nudged Sihtric's side and began teasing him...he just rolled his eyes at his two best friends!
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Finan:"You like her, admit it!...(*Sihtric turned his head*)...if you deny it, it won't get any better!"
Sihtric:(*rolled his eyes*)"Finan, I'm married!...(*Finan tilted his head*)...even if I liked Dalia, I could never leave my wife!"
Uhtred:"Didn't you see the way Dalia looked at you before she found out you were married?...(*Sihtric shook his head*)...are you blind or just stupid?"
Finan:(*giggled*)"He is blinded by love! And I'm not talking about his wife!...(*Sihtric kicked Finan*)...I knew it!"
Osferth:"You are mean, I hope you know that!...(*Finan turned to Osferth*)...Sihtric should not have to choose between the two of them! If he loves one more than the other, time will tell!"
Sihtric:(*sighed*)"How many times do I have to tell you: I don't love Dalia!...(*Osferth went quiet*)...and I won't have to choose between the two of them, because I would choose my wife every time!"

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Uhtred shot him the ‚who believes will be blessed' look, before he turned around and locked eyes with Gisela! Meanwhile: Dalia reached Aylesbury and when she entered her house, she immediately sat down on her bed and thought about the conversation with Sihtric! She was torn between banning him from her life forever, or living with the pain, that he was married and that their love seemed hopeless! Dalia soon decided, that it would be best for her mental health, if she would ban him from her life and she would do so, the next time she would meet him in Winchester! After a heartbreaking incident hit Winchester, Dalia decided to travel to see if she could help...
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Uhtred:(*turned around when he heard a voice*)"Dalia, what are you doing here?...(*Dalia looked at him*)...it's much safer in Aylesbury than here!"
Dalia:"I can't help from there, Uhtred!...(*Uhtred sighed*)...what exactly happened?"
Finan:(*wrapped his arms around her from behind*)"Lunden was taken by two brothers!...(*Dalia leaned against the Irishman*)...Uhtred is on his way to present a plan to King Alfred!"
Osferth:"However, I fear that Æthelflæd's husband was quicker!...(*Finan shot him a warning look*)...would you like to join us for a mug of ale while we wait?"
Dalia:(*nodded*)"As long as Sihtric and his wife stay away from me, it shouldn't be a problem!...(*Finan and Osferth looked at each other*)...I have decided to ban him from my life...forever!"

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She proudly smiled at the two men standing in front of her, with their mouths wide open! Osferth couldn't believe she just said that and Finan rubbed his beard! The moment Sihtric joined them at the ale house, Dalia's gaze darkened and she leaned further into the Irishman's warm embrace! He hadn't let go of her once and she was kind of thankful for that! Once they sat down and Sihtric managed to get her attention, he spoke up...
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Sihtric:"Do you think Uhtred will have any luck explaining his plan to the King?...(*Finan shrugged his shoulders*)...no matter what we end up doing: it has to be done quickly!"
Dalia:(*smirked*)"It's a good thing you have a wife you're only too happy to come back to, isn't it?...(*Finan slapped her shoulder*)...do you tell her such nonsense even when you're in bed together?"
Sihtric:"I have no idea what business it is of yours!...(*Dalia laughed maliciously*)...are you jealous?"
Dalia:(*her eyes widened*)"Who should I be jealous of?...(*Osferth stifled his laughter*)...am I supposed to be jealous of your wife?"
Finan:"No, you're not!...(*she looked at him*)...can you settle your differences some other time?"

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Dalia rolled her eyes and moments later Uhtred came back! He told his men, that they would ride back to Coccham and remain there until King Alfred makes a decision! Sihtric, Finan and Osferth nodded and saddled their horses! Suddenly Sihtric's wife came walking towards them and brought Sihtric some food! This time she was about to ride with the small group! So Dalia decided to remain in Winchester and disappeared moments before the boys rode off!
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Osferth:"I guess Dalia is learning to despise you, Sihtric!...(*Sigdeflaed looked at Osferth*)...doesn't that bother you at all?"
Sihtric:(*shook his head*)"Why should it bother me, Osferth?...(*Osferth shrugged his shoulders*)...she is a grown woman who is old enough to make her own decisions! So if her latest decision is to despise me, let her do it!"
Uhtred:"Keep telling yourself that, Sihtric!...(*Sihtric rolled his eyes*)...maybe you'll be lucky and she'll forget you very quickly so that you'll never be humiliated by her again!"
Sigdeflaed:(*tilted her head*)"Sihtric was humiliated by her?...(*Finan nodded whilst laughing*)...I would have loved to have seen that!"
Uhtred:"And I'm just starting to like you, Sig!...(*she laughed*)...welcome to Coccham, Sig!"

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Sigdeflaed jumped off her horse and looked around! She looked at the many beautiful houses, that decorated the streets of Coccham! Uhtred, Finan, Osferth and Sihtric watched her do so with a huge grin on their faces and they were soon joined by Gisela! Sigdeflaed introduced herself to Gisela and within seconds they were friends! Sihtric widely smiled at his wife and led his horse to the stables! Uhtred and Finan prepared the weapons they would need and brought them into the stables! Soon word from King Alfred reached Uhtred and he called out for his men...
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Uhtred:"The time has come: we are marching into Lunden!...(*Finan looked at Sihtric*)...Osferth, I would suggest that you remain here with Gisela and Sig! After all, we don't want you to get your holy hands dirty!"
Osferth:(*sighed but nodded*)"I will take good care of them!...(*Sihtric lifted his head*)...it's best to come back alive!"
Finan:"Don't worry baby monk, I'll be kicking your arse for a long time!...(*Osferth rolled his eyes*)...see you soon Gisela and Sig!"
Gisela:(*kissed Uhtred's forehead*)"Good luck boys!...(*Uhtred sent her a soft smile*)...take back Lunden and when you're back here, we'll celebrate!"

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Uhtred nodded and then they rode off! Once they reached Lunden, they set off a camp! Dalia, Æthelflæd, Thyra and a few of Æthelflæd's maids were to remain there until Lunden was taken back! Sihtric didn't like the thought of leaving Dalia in the camp without any protection, but he needed to follow Uhtred! Once they said goodbye to the girls, they marched into Lunden and were surprised to see, that no one was there! Uhtred soon realised, that it was a trap, but Lord Æthelred was blinded by his so thought victory! When a fire let the men of Æthelred's guard flinch, Uhtred knew, that the brothers attacked their camp! Father Beocca's only thought was Thyra and Sihtric's only thought was Dalia...he would never forgive himself if anything happens to her!
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