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Gene pulled her children to her as she kneeled in front of them with a fake smile, she didn't want them to notice anything was wrong. Especially, now.

"I need you three to do me a favor, alright? I want you to go with Uncle Osferth," She glanced at the monk who smiled sadly at her. "He's going to show you some bunnies outside and then we're going to leave for an adventure." She knew Erik wasn't believing her but the boy nodded slowly.

"What about Uncle Ragnar?" Eithne asked quietly with a frown, Fintan nodded to agree with his sister.

"Osferth-" He interrupted her by placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course, Gene." She squeezed his hand in thanks as they waited. Not long after the door opened revealing her first love, Ragnar Ragnarsson. Her children ran to him happily, unaware of the dire circumstances. Ragnar kneeled to speak softly with them and Gene felt her heartache at the sight.

"I love you, little ones. Always listen to your parents, alright?" He said with a small smile.

"Are you going to visit us on the adventure?" Eithne questioned the man, Ragnar frowned and shook his head.

"I cannot, my dear. I have many things I must do, I am sorry." He stroked her hair and hugged all three, with Ragnar's help she was able to get the twins on one horse and her youngest son in Osferth's lap.

"Take care of them, Osferth."

"With my life, Gene." Ragnar yelled for the gates to be opened and she watched with a broken heart as her children waved happily believing they would see him again.

"Ragnar, promise me something, please?" The man nodded as he grabbed her hand in both of his. "When we leave, do not trust anyone but Brida." She watched him closely as he sighed.

"Gene-" She quickly shook her head and grabbed his wrist.

"Promise me."

"I cannot." He whispered making her scoff, of course, his stubbornness would get him killed. She decided not to fight him on it and hugged the man, he stroked her hair softly as he laid his head on hers. "I will miss you."

"We all will miss you, Ragnar. I wish things could have been different." She pulled away with a sad smile and moved to Sihtric, her husband kissing her forehead in concern. Not long after, Uhtred and Bloodhair battle in the square. She noticed Bloodhair gets the upper hand by head-butting Uhtred and letting his men cheat.

"You dirty bastards," Finan shouts. "Come on, lord. Get his shield! Come on! Christ, if you want to play that game."

"You are happy with this, Ragnar? You believe this to be a fair fight!" Beocca shouts angrily.

"It's a fight." Ragnar said stiffly.

"He deserves it, kill him! Take his balls!" Brida shouts. Gene frowned at the woman and her vengeance.

"Take his legs off Uhtred, lord here. His shoulder!" Uhtred starts to kick Bloodhair's ass making Finan shout happily. "Yes, lord!" Uhtred goes to kill him when Ragnar harshly shoves the man down.

"It's over."

"No, it's not over until he's dead." Bloodhair screams as he stands up.

"I say it is over."

"I demand my woman." Bloodhair shouts.

"I will not lose one single man before the true battle has begun." Ragnar informs them.

"It was to the death." Uhtred claims.

"If you disagree with me then fight me." Ragnar snapped and moved to Uhtred.

"Kill him, Ragnar. And be done with it." Brida snarled with anger.

"It is over. It is done, take what belongs to you. Take your witch." Ragnar says and Bloodhair seethes in anger.

"She belongs to me!" Bloodhair screams. Sihtric grabs her arm to stop her from attacking the man.

"I shall see you across the battlefield, no doubt. I will kill you." Ragnar warned.

"Leave while you're still alive. Alfred needs his ass to be wiped." Brida taunted but Uhtred did not reply as they followed Uhtred to the horses.

"Enjoy your prize." Cnut mocked as Uhtred cut Skade's bindings, Gene smirked when Uhtred shoved him.

"You ride with me now." Uhtred helps Skade on her horse as Sihtric helps her up on the horse with him.

"Skade, he must remain cursed, it is your duty!" Bloodhair demands.

"He has defeated you, twice over. I belong to Uhtred now." Skade claimed with a wicked smile.

"I've tasted your blood! What you see is mine! Ragnar, he cannot be allowed to leave." Bloodhair demands, Gene leaned back into Sihtric's chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I didn't mean to miss, next time I won't." Brida threatened and shot her a glare.

"The gates, now. Let us be rid of them." The group rode off into the snowy terrain, they met up with Osferth and her kids. Fintan immediately made grabby hands at Finan who smiled softly and picked him up to hold him. Erik and Eithne watched their parents with suspicion but chose not to say anything.

"This is where we must leave you. There's a ship waiting at Eoferwic, Alfred will be wondering where we are." Beocca says and looks at Uhtred with Thyra following along.

"Alfred will know exactly where you are." Uhtred replied.

"Yes, you that is most likely. Do not get yourself killed until Aethelflæd is safe." Beocca demands.

"That would be unfortunate." Uhtred agrees with a smile.

"It would and I would have had a wasted journey. Aethelflæd is important to the king and all Saxons. After she is safe, what then?" He asked the Dane.

"Fate will decide." Uhtred leans over to pat the priest on the back.

"Uhtred, you are my brother. And you shall always be my brother." Thyra speaks softly and then rides after Father Beocca leaving Uhtred stunned. Gene felt Sihtric kiss her neck to soothe her anxiety and she reached back to caress his neck.

"It will be alright, Genie. I will make it so." He whispered and she smiled at his promise.