Sif was sitting on her bed when she was suddenly called. Her mother called her and asked if she could watch her two little siblings and as good-hearted as Sif was, she did what her mother asked!

So there she sat, watching her sister playing and her brother trying to read books even though he couldn't read. Her family was unique and she wouldn't trade them for anything in the world! She loved her mother and father more than anyone else in the world and her two siblings were everything Sif had ever dreamed of!

Sometimes she wondered what it would have been like if her father had never met her mother back then or had never ridden to Cumberland. Would she then be the child of another happy couple? Or would she still be her father's daughter only with another mother?

Many hundreds of questions flashed through her mind and she would probably have sunk into them if her sister hadn't pulled her out of her thoughts! Sif looked at her little sister in puzzlement and tilted her head.

"Sif, look, there's father!" Stiorra and young Uhtred ran towards their father, while Sif was still sitting in the same place as 10 minutes ago. Only when Uhtred came walking up to her and ruffled her hair did she stand up and hug him!

"I missed you so much, father! How was your journey? Did you find Sihtric and Finan?" Sif had so many more questions, but she wanted to let her father arrive first and answer the questions she had already asked him.

"I missed you too, Sify! More than you can imagine even! And to your questions: my journey was good and yes, I found Sihtric and Finan!" he kissed her forehead and then smiled at her broadly. When Sif had released herself from her father's embrace, she looked around for Sihtric and Finan, but she could not find them!

"Father where are -" her word was cut off, for Uhtred entered the house looking for Lady Gisela. Sif became angry and tried to get her father to listen to her, but he was too fixated on finding his wife. Angry and sad, Sif left the house moments later and sat back down on her bench in front of the house.

Sometimes her father ignored her and actually she should be used to it by now, but it hurts anew every time! Of course she understood that her father wanted to see her mother, but why couldn't he listen to her for a second longer?

Was that so difficult? Or did he just not feel like having the conversation any more? Sif didn't know and that gnawed at her. Luckily for her, it was only early winter, so she could sit outside for hours without worrying.

At some point, a large shadow appeared in front of her and she was forced to look up. Father Beocca stood in front of her and smiled kindly at her. She smiled back and immediately tilted her head before asking what she could do for him.

"Father Beocca, what brings you here and what can I do for you?" he looked like he had to think of an answer before he finally answered her.

"I'm looking for your father! Where can I find him, Sify?" Sif actually knew that Father Beocca was looking for her father, only she found it funny to have him say it every time. But she was the only one who found it funny, because Father Beocca did not find it funny at all.

"He's inside looking for my mother! You might have to wait a while until he pays attention to you. Unless you like being ignored by him, then of course you can talk all you want!" Father Beocca noticed that Sif was irritated, so he decided not to ask any questions! He simply nodded at her before disappearing into the house. Now she sighed and lowered her head, feeling the anger threatening to erupt inside her!

At some point she got up and walked around Winchester. On the way to the market place, she wondered when they would go back to Cochham. She missed the little village and the people there and wished she was there now! That gave her a stupid idea for which her father and mother would behead her! But she didn't care, just like she didn't care about all the trouble her parents had ever given her!

So she changed her course and ran towards the stables. Once there, she checked to see if anyone was there who would tell on her to her parents. After making sure no one was there, she saddled her horse and rode out of town!

On the back of her horse she felt free! No one could hurt her and no one could tell her what to do! She got her horse when she turned 10. This year she would turn 13.

Her siblings were not much younger than her and she liked that. She could play with them and always had someone to talk to! Only sometimes she felt alone and like everything was hanging on her! She felt as if she was the second mother and if she did something wrong, everyone always acted as if the world was coming to an end!

It was awful and sometimes she wished she was the youngest in the family, just to avoid all the chores and obligations! But unfortunately it wasn't that easy and Sif realised that again and again! Nevertheless, she liked to help her mother and took as many tasks off her hands as she could!

While she was so lost in thought, she did not realise that she was not on her way to Coccham at all, but on her way to Danish Northumbria! Fear rose in her and everything in her body resisted riding any further, but her horse just kept going and she couldn't make her stop!

Of course, it didn't take long for the Danes to notice her and find a meal in her. Hæsten, one of the worst Danes she had ever met, smiled mischievously at her and tilted his head.

She was disgusted and just wanted to leave, but suddenly Hæsten grabbed the reins of her horse and led her and her horse into the camp.