Always Be By My Side - Sequel to Always Return to Me (The Last Kingdom Fan Fic)

Chapter 21

We knelt there on the ground a while longer, Uhtred holding on tightly, his head rested upon my shoulder like a child. I rubbed his back and let him tire himself out. Ragnar may be Uhtred's brother, but somehow in all that our family went through, I became the mother he never had.

The afternoon sun was sinking low as we walked back through the gates where Finan met us. The two exchanged their usual lighthearted foolery before Uhtred excused himself with the Irishman watching after him. "Thank you milady," he said softly.

"How many times do I have to tell you to not call me lady," I frowned at him, a small smile tugging at my lips.

"You'll always be milady to me," he grinned sheepishly. "What did you say to him?"

"I don't know what you mean," I smiled innocently.

"Well whatever it was, thank you."

"No, thank you," I said, surprising the Irishman. I laughed at his puzzled expression. "Uhtred would not have made it this far without you Finan. We are indebted to you for that." I smiled as a flush of red crossed his face.

"No. No," he continued to blush. "Though silver wouldn't hurt I suppose," he winked, trying to joke off his embarrassment.

"Finan?" Uhtred summoned him from across the way.

"Coming lord." He gave a quick bow to me, "Lady," he winked and stumbled off.

"What did you do to him?" A voice asked, as arms wrapped themselves around my waist.

"Wouldn't you like to know," I replied sweetly, leaning into Ragnar.

"The Irishman's face was as red as fire," Ragnar replied, gently spinning me around to face him.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were jealous my love," I taunted, bopping Ragnar's nose with my finger.

"Me? Never," he playfully growled.

"Mhmm," I smiled back at him, planting a quick kiss on his lips.

~~~~~

The week passed quickly and Uhtred and his men were due to be on their way back south with Ragnar and, after much convincing and some amount of threatening, I traveling with them. Concerns were raised about Wihtgar marching against Dunholm, but much like Bebbanburg, our fortress was impenetrable and with fewer people they would be able to hold out under siege until Ragnar and I could march back with our army. This too had been planned out. Unusual as it was, three messengers would be concealed outside of Dunholm, ready to ride to us should a siege occur. Satisfied that our children, people, and home would be safe should Wihtgar or the Scots come, we were soon on our way, with our weapons strapped to our sides and shields upon our backs, riding south.

Ragnar

The journey was slow, for despite my wife's protests that she was fine, I refused to let her push herself too hard. Uhtred was silent most of the journey and was reclusive whenever we made camp. He seemed to appreciate the slower pace as he figured out what he wanted to do. From what I could gather, some of his men wanted to aid Edward, while others agreed they shouldn't get involved in the impending war. But fate always has a way of stepping in and Uhtred's decision was soon made for him.

We had been riding for a few days when we crossed paths with a man I could've done without ever seeing again.

"Danes," The Irishman warned us as we rounded the bend.

"It's Haesten," Uhtred replied.

"Where is he going?" Kjartan's bastard asked.

"He's with his kinfolk, he won't want to fight," The Irishman responded.