╚════════*.·:·.☽✧    ✦  ✧☾.·:·.*════════╝

"Lord Uhtred." Sigebriht says as he turns away from the window. The kitten she cradled in her arms hissed lowly at the man as Finan shielded her from view, she smirked when the boy gulped in fright.

"Lord Sigebriht you stand with Aethelwold?" Uhtred questioned in disbelief.

"I stand for a strong Wessex, where exactly do you stand lord? May I ask, is it with Edward?" Finan moved to sit down as Aethelwold poured Uhtred some ale. Angrboda felt Finan tug at her dress lightly, when she turned Finan patted his thigh. She hesitated for a moment but noticed the kitten had lifted his paw out for the Irishman's touch, she followed the kitten's lead and sat down in Finan's lap and watched as he reached around her to pet the fluff ball.

"You say it as though there are men against Edward?" Uhtred said accusingly. He didn't even bother to acknowledge the exiled prince and cursed one, it was best not to.

"There are men who doubt him, yes. But if Uhtred were to stand alongside him—" He is cut off by Aethelwold who hands Uhtred the cup.

"I was at Ethandun, I stood beside you in a shield wall. He is barely a man." Aethelwold snapped in irritation.

"And Alfred could barely lift a sword above his head, yet he was a man to follow." Uhtred defended.

"I say again, Edward is not Alfred. He is not a man to follow. The Danes know this." Aethelwold says with a scoff. Finan reached out to tap her wrist and raised an eyebrow, she looked to her left and noticed the Aethelwold glaring at her.

"You're still with them, admit it." Finan spoke with boredom as he leaned back in the chair.

"I am for Wessex."

"Lord, you did not answer my question. Where does Uhtred stand?" Sigebriht questions and Uhtred sits the cup down. He looks at Finan as they leave and Finan gives them a mocking smile. Angrboda felt the kitten nip at her hand lightly to gain her attention, she smiled down at the cat and raked her fingers through his fur.

Later Beocca, Finan, Thyra, and Uhtred sit at the table at Thyra's home once again. Finan rubs his head as he holds his cup, the man is stressed and worried for his friend. Angrboda placed a hand on his shoulder in silent reassurance as the others watched Thyra.

"I will not leave Winchester, I cannot." Uhtred says determinedly.

"You can and you must." Finan says.

"Not until Edward is king." Uhtred claims with a small amount of bitterness.

"You promised Alfred this?" Beocca stated.

"I did."

"If the pardon does not hold, then you cannot stay and wait to be imprisoned and killed." Finan pleads with the Dane.

"Where else should he go?" Thyra defends as she moves to Beocca's side.

"Anyway a horse can take him, anywhere a ship can go." Finan stressed as he rubbed his beard.

"Uhtred came here for a reason. He came for Ragnar's blood, he has a task to fulfill. The blood must be kept safe, a battle is coming. You must choose a side." Thyra said ominously and Angrboda frowned at that.

"The problem being is neither side wants him." Finan claims and Uhtred chuckled in disbelief, she cracked a smile at his offended expression.

"Which is a further reason why you must stay, wait for Edward. Which is why Alfred asked you for what seemed like a simple promise." Beocca claimed in realization.

"Bastard thinks." Uhtred mumbled.

"He knows your honor, Uhtred. That is all." Thyra claimed softly and placed her hand on Beocca's shoulder.

Not much time has lasted when the announcement of Alfred's death is emotional for most of Wessex and an opportunity for the rest. Finan, Thyra, and Uhtred stand amongst the people as they begin Alfred's funeral ceremony. Tidman begins to harass Thyra once again and she quickly leaves to avoid a scene, Finan watches in confusion. Angrboda is with Uhtred, and the moment Thyra runs out she sends a silent prayer to the gods to keep the woman safe.

Steapa quietly and slowly makes his way to Uhtred, he leans down to whisper to the man in hopes of not disturbing the grieving family. Beocca watches from his place up front and makes eye contact with the queens, he frowns at the sight.

"Lord, I have orders to kill you, should you not leave the hall quietly." Uhtred sighs but does as asked and Finan runs out to get answers. Angrboda followed with a sense of dread, Uhtred being arrested wasn't good for anyone.

"Steapa, what is this? Hmm, what is this?" Finan shouts in desperation and confusion. Steapa motions to the guards and they slam him against the brick pillar.

"Finan, do nothing." Uhtred demanded as he followed Steapa.

"He's a free man." Finan says defeated as he slumps against the wall. Angrboda rested her hand on his arm to help the man calm down, this was about to get messy.