ix. bonding
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Once she and Erik wrapped up Sigefrid's wound as best as they could the two pulled her into a hug. She would never admit it but at some point the siblings all started to cry, each grieving for a sibling that they thought was dead.
"You're alive. How?" Erik asked, he wiped away her tears and gave her a small smile.
"Father sold me to a slaver ship. I was there for ten years, I had managed to free myself and Ragnar found me. I've been with him and Uhtred ever since. I truly thought I would never see you both again." She reached up to hold Sigefrid's face in her hands and put her forehead against his. His hand reached up and gripped her neck before breaking down into sobs. She moved into his lap as he held her, his face on her shoulder, she rubbed his back to soothe him. She turned to the blonde and reached for him, Erik quickly held her hand with a strong grip.
"Come with us." Erik begged his sister.
"I cannot. I wish I could, every part of me wants that. But I made an oath to Ragnar and Uhtred. I must stay with them."
"Please, don't do this. I can't lose you again, little one." Sigefrid begged, she kissed his head and smiled at them sadly. She would have to choose Uhtred, it's the gods will.
"I am sorry, but my destiny lies with Uhtred." She whispered gently.
"No, we're sorry. We failed you. And you were sold to people that tortured you." Erik was looking at her arms and hands with anger in his eyes. The rope marks were burned into her from when she was a child, from the day her mother was burned alive and Gene was sold.
"I want to give you something. We had it made for you on your birthday a few years back, in honor of you." Erik moved to search for a wooden box at the end of his bed. Sigefrid was looking at her and it hurt to know he was trying to memorize what she looked like in case this was the last time they met.
She felt Erik move next to her and gasped in awe when she saw a sword in his outstretched hands. She picked it up and admired it, the hilt of the blade had runic engraving in it, protection she realized, and the base of the sword held what looked to be a crystal or stone. She felt the tears flow from her eyes when she realized the crystal was both her brother's blood bound together with amber to secure its state. She pulled Erik into her arms and sobbed knowing that even in death the two would always be with her.
"Thank you." She then kissed each brother on the forehead and regrettably knew they must leave now for their safety. Helping Sigefrid into the ship was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do, Erik helped him up and they pulled her into one last hug.
"I love you." She whispered to the two fierce warriors.
"I love you too, little one." Sigefrid said moving the blonde hair from her face with sadness in his eyes. She hesitated for a moment before using the sword to cut her hair, she handed them both a lock of hair. They gave her a sad smile as they cradled it, she knew they would merge it into their own braids, giving them something to have of her.
"I love you, Genevieve." Erik said trying not to cry, but failed as a tear slid down his face. She slowly walked away knowing that their gaze would stay on her until they disappeared. Once she reached the horse Brida left for her she rode to Eoferwic without looking back.
By the time she reached the town it was nightfall, she dismounted the horse and walked to the Danes who were feasting outside. Ragnar and Uhtred both watched her with poorly hidden concern and Brida frowned as she walked past them without a word. Gene decided to sit next to Finan, the Irishman was the closest she would ever get to her mom's Irish accent, and after her brothers were banished she needed that comfort.
The moment she sat down Finan immediately pushed over some food and Ale, she smiled gratefully at the man. He didn't mention it when she leaned heavily into his side nor did he mention it when she didn't touch her food.
"We should kill him," Gene wasn't sure how long she was lost in thought with her head resting on Finan's arm but Brida snapped her out of it. Gene looked at the girl in confusion and Uhtred chuckled making Brida smile. "Guthred, the turd king."
"Do you never tire of menace?" Beocca asked. Finan glanced down at the blonde seer and leaned over to kiss her head.
"I do not."
"If we are successful in taking Dunholm, who gets to keep it?" Finan asks, he dips his bread in the Ale and takes a bite.
"Guthred. Guthred, naturally." The priest says.
"He has Eoferwic." An older man with white facial hair says she's never seen the dane before. She glanced to the man's right and noticed a boy staring at her, a look of understanding clouding his two different colored eyes. They're the most beautiful eyes she's ever seen. Even more beautiful than Ragnar's. He's the most beautiful man she's ever laid eyes on. She gently nudged Finan to gain his attention, he hummed and turned to look at her.
"Who that?" She asks him, nodding subtly at the boy. Finan narrows his eyes for a moment in thought before leaning over to whisper in her ear.
"Sihtric, he's Kjartan's bastard son." His beard scratches her ear making her cringe and playfully shoves him. Before she could ask another question he tore a piece of the bread and once again dipped it into the Ale. Instead of eating it, he motioned at her.
"Eat, sweetheart. I'm not above telling Ragnar and Uhtred." She huffed in defeat and opened her mouth, he grinned and put the bread in her mouth. She hated that the combination was good.
"You have shit in your eye." Uhtred said, looking straight at Aethelwold, Brida and Finan started laughing. Soon after, Finan starts telling a story about a terrified warrior he killed.
"He was crying like a baby, so I just," He made cutting and stabbing motions. "Oh, his eyes were popping out." The men laughed at his story, and Gene just smiled. For a brief moment, she could forget the longing in her heart that just wanted her brothers.
"Uhtred? Uhtred, will you join me, please? Please." The conversations stop upon seeing the turd king. Uhtred walks up to him reluctantly, and the coward starts talking quietly to Uhtred.
Uhtred slaps him.
Since the departure of her brothers, Gene had finally laughed. She quickly covered her mouth and hid her face in Finan's side. He patted her head in amusement, he noticed Ragnar was watching her too with an expression full of love.
"Uhtred, no!" Beocca stands immediately. After the turd king left, humiliated, Ragnar walked up to Uhtred.
"Sihtric." The boy with beautiful eyes stands and quickly walks to the brothers.
"Lord?"
"You lied to me." The boy glanced between the two brothers in panic causing Gene to frown.
"Lord, I-I would never—"
"You told me Dunholm has no weaknesses yet last time I was there, I saw a door along the east hall to a water spring." Uhtred informed Gene noticed Finan was just as lost as her.
"Yes, lord, but you could never bring an army through it."
"I would not be bringing an army." Uhtred and Ragnar smirked at one another.
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