The next week was the coronation. Alfred and the rest of the royal household came up from Wessex to ensure the smooth transition of power and to help prepare for the coronation. Athelflead put Astrid, Sihtric, and Finan in charge of making sure the city was secure for the event. Astrid and a few trusted men manned the front gate, making sure no one unwanted entered. Finan and some guards were posted outside the church itself, and Sihtric, along with the rest of Aethelflead's men patrolled the grounds. She stood on the rampart above the gate, eyes scanning the tree line when she heard a growl from behind her that she knew all too well.

She turned around and looked down to the ground to see Sihtric looking up at her. "Hello my love, miss me too much?"

"You know it, beautiful. Has anyone tried to kill you yet?" He looked incredibly handsome looking up at her, eyes full of longing. She wanted so badly to clamber down and have him right there and then, but Uhtred would have her head and Sihtric's balls for leaving their posts, so she resisted the urge.

"Not yet. What about you?" Astrid leaned on the post in front of her, smiling down at him, making him clear his throat before he answered.

"Do you think my sword would be this clean if they had?" He drew his sword, kissed the end of it, and held it up to her. Astrid did the same with her sword, making them almost touch. Astrid sheathed her sword when she saw Osferth round the corner. Sihtric followed her gaze and sheathed his sword too.

"What is it Osferth?" Sihtric asked as Osferth walked up to them.

"The ceremony is about to start, and Athelflead wants you two there as well." He said, his usual small smile on his face.

"Really? All right then." Astrid said. She looked at the guards on the parapet with her. "You guys have got this from here, right?" They all nodded, and Astrid parkoured down the wall, using some nearby scaffolding and crates, landing in front of Sihtric. He smiled and gave her a quick peck on the lips before the three of them walked toward the chapel

They found space to stand in the back of the church next to Finan, with Uhtred standing at the front with Aethelflead. Sihtric took Astrid's hand and kissed her cheek. Both he and Astrid grew bored quickly as they were not used to the lengthy Christian ceremonies. Osferth and Finan had taught them the hymns, so they got to sing along every once in a while, but it was mostly just standing there listening to the priest talk about their god for what felt like an eternity. Astrid eventually lent her head on Sihtric's shoulder, and he put his free hand on her neck, his thumb running along her jaw.

At least Sihtric makes this Christian nonsense somewhat bearable Astrid thought, smiling wistfully. She turned her head and kissed Sihtric's hand, finger by finger, trying to be as subtle as possible. She was glad that Osferth and Finan were on the other side of Sihtric from her, otherwise, they would have gotten some looks from them. Eventually, Atehelflead was crowned, met with thunderous applause from everyone in attendance. She walked down the aisle, and gave Astrid a little wink, seeing Sihtric's hand entwined with Astrid's. The baby bump was starting to show now, and Aethelflead's respect for Astrid had clearly grown, even if the child was conceived out of wedlock, which went against every marriage convention the Christian faith had. They all exited the church and, apart from Athelflead, Uhtred and the Wittan, everyone went to the various pubs in the city.

Once everyone had settled, Astrid said to Sihtric, Finan, and Osferth, "I don't know about you, but I would love to know what Uhtred and the Wittan are planning for Bebbanburg."

"I am actually quite curious myself." Finan nodded, glancing at Osferth and Sihtric, who nodded too. "Shall we put Sihtric's spying skills to use shall we?"

They all got up from the table, and with Sihtric and Astrid in the lead, the four of them snuck up to the throne room where the Wittan was gathered. Sihtric pointed to an open window, and they all sat down underneath it, Sihtric and Astrid in the middle, with Finan and Osferth on either side.

"What's in it for us?" One of the Aeldormen said pointedly.

"There will be a buffer along the northern border if the Scots decide to invade." Aethelflead spoke up, "the Danes will also get a place to peacefully settle and build a life here, which will mean that they will have no reason to further encroach on our lands."

Another Aeldoeman raised a concern, "but how can we be sure that that they won't invade?" He said, "can you, Lord Uhtred, be absolutely certain that the Danes will be happy in Bebbanburg's lands?"

"Because my lord," Uhtred replied, "I know the Danes. I was raised by one of the most prominent Danes of the time. I know their ways, as I am one of them, and I can assure you, they will be content with the lands surrounding Bebbanburg."

"And what," continued the Aeldorman, "is your plan?"

"Some of my men and I will sneak in by the sea gate, and cause a distraction inside the castle while the rest of my men, alongside your army, will wait outside for a signal. Once this signal is sent, you will attack the gate." Uhtred explained.

Astrid whispered in Sihtric's ear, "he could have told us about this plan!"

He replied, "knowing Uhtred, he probably came up with it in the last five minutes." He held her hand, squeezing it.

"And how many men will you need for this?" A third Aeldorman asked.

"100 will do. They are likely to be worn and low on men from the Scots invading." Uhtred was bullshitting that number, Astrid knew, he always did with the details of battles.

Alfred finally spoke. "I can give you 200 men on top of that, Uhtred, along with your children. After all you have given for Wessex, England, and my daughter, you deserve your rightful inheritance." Uhtred started to say 'thank you', but he was interrupted by Alfred. "But, you must swear to help Wessex if ever she needs you."

"Of course, Lord." Astrid knew that tone all too well. Sihtric used it when they were alone together. Astrid guessed Uhtred was looking at Athelflead, secretly making that oath to her alone.

"It is settled then." Alfred raised his voice slightly, turning on his kingly tone, "200 Wessex men along with 100 Mercians will join Uhtred and his men in taking Bebbanburg, shall we say, in a week, yes?"

"Yes, Lord." Everyone in the room said in unison, then there was scraping of chairs and rustling of fabric, meaning they had all gotten up from their chairs.

"Alright, back to the ale house!" Finan said, grabbing Sihtric by the shoulder and getting up, "back to the alehouse!"

Astrid jumped up too, grabbing Osferth by the arm. They sprinted back to the alehouse, sitting down just as Uhtred walked in. He sat down and was about to start speaking when Finan interrupted.

"Let me guess, the Mercians have agreed to help us out, and we are to create a diversion while the Mercians get in position to attack?"

"How did you know?" Uhtred gave Finan a side eye. Sihtric and Finan made eye contact and almost started laughing.

"Ah, just a good guess lord." Finan took a swig of his ale.

"Right. Well we are to leave in a week. Finan and Sihtric, you two are to come with me to create the diversion, we will go on a path along the cliff. Osferth and Astrid, you will be with the Mercians to ensure they attack at the right time. We will send a signal, you will know it when you see it."

"Yes lord," they all said in unison. Uhtred nodded, then walked away, probably to hump Aethelflead. Astrid looked to Sihtric, who had his Mjolnir pendant in his hands instead of his ale.

She put a hand on his thigh and asked quietly, "my love, what is wrong?" Sihtric looked to her, concern in his eyes. "Finan, Osferth, I trust you two can drink for us for a moment?"

"You know Finan can drink enough for all of us, lady," Osferth said, a small smile on his face. Astrid nodded, then pulled Sihtric away to the corner of the alehouse.

"So, what is troubling you?" Astrid held Sihtric's hands in hers and tried to meet his eye, but he kept looking away. "My love, you can tell me."

"I'm just scared about what will happen to you, and Osferth, when we attack Bebbanburg. If something happens, I won't be there..."

"I survived for years under Bloodhair. I will be fine with the Saxons. Plus, I can't die, someone needs to keep an eye on you guys."

"That is true..." he lent forward so his forehead rested on hers. "Just promise me you'll stay safe... please."

"Of course." They both grabbed a hold of their Mjolnir pendants and linked their fingers together.

"Finan wants to know if, and I quote, 'you lovebirds are ready to get back to drinking and do less thinking'" Osferth approached meekly, keeping his eyes on the floor. Sihtric and Astrid smiled.

"Yes, we are, Osferth," Astrid said, quickly giving Sihtric a kiss, dragging him back to the table.