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ladyinred2248 · 26 days

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The Scottish Princess, Finan x Reader

Summary: Finan meets King Constantin's daughter in Winchester, who is emotionally manipulated by King Alfred and is seeking a reprieve. Multiple parts, WIP.

TW: Emotional manipulation, Panic attacks, Sexual Themes. Mature. Minors DNI.

Your father had secured the borders of Scotland from all directions and felt steadfast in his treaty with King Alfred, a new treaty of peace that you had organized almost singularly during a visit to Wessex. What he did not know is exactly how you had managed to achieve this peace treaty between your nations.

You were coming of age now, a young woman of 20 years and for the past few years since the treaty had been enacted, you would journey to Wessex every Spring through Autumn and bestow news of the north and surrounding kingdoms to King Alfred as part of the union between nations. Well, at least that is what it seemed to outsiders and to Lady Aelswith. Alfred took a great liking to you, and the two of you had been having an affair for two years now. Although sexually you were pleased to share Alfred’s bed, emotionally you felt unfulfilled, and the guilt of the affair was tearing you apart. You knew Alfred did not think of you as indispensable, as he would never betray his beloved Aelswith - whether for personal reasons or political - so you were determined to end the affair this Spring when you arrived back in Wessex. Any feelings that had grown for the King inside your heart were unrealistic, and you often reminded yourself of this during the winters back home in Scotland when you missed his presence and his touch. When you were in Wessex, you spent months together whilst knowing that he had an obligation to fulfill his husbandly duties as well as those of Kingship, giving him space to do so. However, you were always at his beck and call to return to him every other night as he demanded. It was youth’s foolishness at its peak, and you were consistently manipulated by his handsome charms. It made you feel like a simple whore rather than a woman of nobility. When Alfred sent word that he wanted you to travel to Wessex again this Spring, you had decided to obey, if only to escape the monotony of palace life, yearning for a glimpse of the outside world away from your duties and decorating your father, the King’s, presence. But you were determined to end the affair this year, once and for all, in hopes you could find a noble man and start living again.

You arrived in Winchester on a Spring morning, arriving through the gates with your guard and almost immediately being gestured to the palace by Alfred’s men.

“Your Highness. The King awaits you urgently.” His guardsman stated, taking you away wistfully into the palace.

As you were guided through the palace corridors, three men passed you by. There was one leading while two others walked slightly behind him, the leader seemingly a Dane judging by his looks with long hair pulled into braids, and kohl blackened eyes that were as blue as the ocean. The second was young, perhaps younger than you, a true Dane it seemed as you took in his armor and stature. The third man was different, a bearded Saxon man with tall, broad shoulders and a breathtaking physique.

The Leader nodded to you with a smirk as he passed, and you managed a small smile. As you passed them by, you turned your head back in order to gain another glimpse of the Saxon, who met your gaze as he did the exact same thing.

You entered the King’s hall, a guard gesturing for you to enter the bedchamber. You pushed the door open slowly, peeking in and around, and it instantly made you feel dread in the pit of your stomach. The feeling of being deceitful that you knew all too well.

“Lord King,” you addressed Alfred as soon as he made his presence known from the back corner.

“Hello, Princess.” he managed to speak out before moving for you quickly, lustfully grabbing your body and bestowing a searing kiss to your lips, his tongue tracing yours as you wrapped your arms around him. You fell into his embrace with ease for several moments until he motioned you closer to his bed. You pulled away from him to speak.

“Lord King, I - we must speak,” you managed to get out as his lips came to your neck and his hands ravaged across your body.

“Later,” he whispered as he tugged at the straps of your dress.

“Lord King!” You addressed him sternly, pushing him away from you. Alfred paused and adjusted himself and his clothing, then looked into your eyes.

“My apologies, Your Highness. My hunger for you is… unwaning, it seems. We have been apart for a long time. Come, sit.” He said calmly as he gestured you over to the table in his chamber. You smirked at him, grabbing his hand in yours to squeeze it for a moment which led him to give you a soft, half smile. He always had a very serious demeanor.

“Tell me how your Kingdom fared this past Winter. Tell me what is on your mind.” He said quietly as he looked at you from across the table.

“It fared well, Lord King, despite a raid or two to the East.” You replied softly. You continued to update him on current events, and then grew silent as your mind switched to the inevitable.

“Lord King, we cannot… I cannot keep traveling to Winchester to live a lie.” You spoke.

Alfred looked down and contemplated for a moment.

“Life is rarely fair,” He said softly, his half smile returning as he took your hand in his. “Are you telling me that you no longer want me?”

You hesitated to answer his question. It’s not that you didn’t want him. The physical chemistry between the two of you was there. It was the dynamic, the politics, the deception of it all.

He waited a moment for you to reply, and when you didn’t, he stood from the table and walked over to you. The King gestured you up from the table, taking your hand and leading you to the bed. He kissed you hungrily, his hands running up and down your body as you returned his gestures. Before your mind could catch up, you were naked in the presence of the King, in his bed with his body on top of yours. He gave your body what it had been aching for all winter, bringing you to the edge beneath him several times, but the emotional connection was lacking. You wondered if you loved him. How could you not? This was the third Spring that you had answered his call. It was impossible to not get attached. But love? That had to be deeper, you thought. You knew it had to. This could not be love; It could only bring misery to all. You succumbed to desire, the desire to feel wanted or cherished, even if it wasn’t ideal.

You left Alfred’s chamber in a haze, the guards showing you to your quarters. As you got settled and tried to calm the nerves festering within you, you decided that you would go for a walk, perhaps to the Alehouse in Winchester to blow off some steam. After all, being Scottish royalty in Winchester gave you discretion as you were not well known. You adorned your cloak and left the palace, being careful not to be seen by Alfred’s guards.

You approached the bustling Alehouse as dusk settled, taking care to be aware of your surroundings but also moving with confidence. Another reason that you agreed to come to Winchester every year was so that you could feel a sense of freedom, normalcy even that was not alloted to you by your overbearing father. You stepped inside the Alehouse, coming to the counter to request a drink.

Uhtred, Finan, and Sihtric had been at a table nearby, laughing and chatting as they drank. As you stood at the counter you took the hood of your cloak down and as Finan glanced over, he recognized you from the palace instantly. His typical boisterous confidence waned as he watched you from across the room, tempted to walk up to you and speak but he hesitated.

As you took a few large gulps of ale, you glanced across the room and caught the Irishman staring at you. He looked down quickly, but you held your gaze on him and recognized him immediately as well. You held your gaze until he felt your eyes on him, looking up again to meet your eyes with a smirk before getting pulled back into conversation with the men. You assumed that this had to be Lord Uhtred and his men, as you heard everyone address Uhtred as “Lord.” Alfred had told you of Uhtred, hearing valiant stories of him and the men who followed him, but you had yet to have the pleasure of introductions. The King preferred you to be discreet.

As you finished another mug of ale, you placed coins on the counter and stood to leave, walking back out into the crisp night air, knowing that the King would get suspicious of your whereabouts if you stayed away for too long.

A presence in the dark startled you outside as you reached for your dagger, only to come in contact with Lord Uhtred’s mysterious Saxon man.

“I, uh, sorry.. I didn’t mean to scare ya.” Finan said with a soft chuckle and his hands raised.

You giggled as you sheathed your dagger. “That’s alright... I’m sorry, but I don’t entertain men from Alehouses.”

Finan laughed. “I didn’t assume that you did. You are a noble, yes? This can’t be a safe place for ya.”

You observed Finan’s stance and assumed his kindness was genuine. He smiled softly at you with twinkling dark eyes and you returned the smile as you spoke.

“I am fine, thank you. I can take care of myself.” You replied, turning to walk away down the street.

Finan nervously hesitated, trying to think of what to say to make you stay with him for a moment. He thought you were enchanting and your confidence attracted him. He moved quickly to catch up with you.

“Hey! Uh, maybe I could escort you back?” He asked.

You noted his accent. It wasn’t Scottish, it was Irish.

“Well…I suppose.” You answered.

He walked next to you quietly for a moment.

“Your accent.. you are far from home, lady.” Finan said as you met his eyes, giving him a smirk.

“So are you.”

Finan was easy to talk with and comfortable to be around, something you had experienced so seldomly at the palace or back home with all the intolerable noble men. He coaxed deep laughs from your belly, making you realize how long it had been since you had laughed at all. He flirted with you subtly, pinching your side to tickle you as you giggled.

As the two of you got closer to the Palace after your long walk, the same familiar dread festered in the pit of your stomach. You took a hand to your belly, taking a deep breath as anxiety hit you again, stopping to lean against a tree. You couldn’t keep living this way. But as far as you knew - Alfred could have as much control as he wanted over you. Especially now that you had submitted yourself to him again.

Finan looked at you and witnessed the disdain and discomfort you held, his brows furrowing with concern as he leaned his arm above you against the same tree.

“Hey, are ya alright?”

You hesitated before answering, taking a gulp as tears filled your eyes.

“No… no I am not… I cannot go back, I cannot!!!” You responded as your hands started shaking, a panic attack festering inside you as your heart raced to no end.

“Hey, it’s alright,” Finan said lightheartedly as he took your arms gently, gesturing for you to sit down with him. “Just breathe, you’re okay… you’re okay,” he whispered as he took your hands, looking into your eyes. He was so familiar with what you were going through.

“I cannot… I cannot…” you continued to pant as you sat with Finan on the ground, tears falling from your eyes onto your warm cheeks. He interlaced his fingers with yours as he sat with you, looking at you intently.

“Breathe with me, pretty girl… it's going to be okay. I’m here with ya.” He comforted, bringing you back down to earth slowly.

After your breathing had come closer to normal and you stopped shaking as much in Finan’s hands, he took the back of his hand to your cheek, a slight caress that continued to bring your awareness back.

“What is it that you fear? Has someone mistreated ya?” He whispered.

You brought your eyes to Finan’s again, hesitating to answer for a moment as you looked into his deep brown eyes.

“I…the King, he… I am ashamed…” is all you could muster out, tears filling your eyes again as Finan looked at you.

“I’ve heard he’s a real arse when it comes to women...” Finan responded with disdain.

“I just… I can’t do it anymore. He controls my life and I can’t live like this anymore,” You replied sternly as your anxiety turned to anger. You got up from your seated position, starting to walk in the opposite direction of the palace.

Finan stood and trudged after you. “Lady, uh, where are ya goin’?”

“Anywhere but here.” You mumbled, just loud enough for Finan to hear.

“Lady,” Finan started as he caught up to you and sighed. “… it’s not safe for ya to wander the streets at night. You can have my room at the Inn.”

Tears fell from your eyes again as you turned around and came closer to Finan, burying your face in his chest as your arms wrapped around his torso. He let you grasp him for a moment, hesitant at first, then brought his strong arms around you to hold you. You stayed with him like that for a moment, until Finan grew nervous, looking around for onlookers for fear of being seen with you. He pulled away and took your hand in his.

“Come, let’s go.”

You nodded and followed him to the Inn, his large strong hand enveloping yours. It was quiet and only a few townspeople were out and about. He took you up the stairs to a modest room, and as you entered Finan fumbled with his things, nervously preoccupying himself with making space for you. He then lit the hearth, quietly keeping to himself as you took in the space.

The King had noticed your absence as the night hour grew late, and he was silently furious.

“Lord King, she is not within the Palace.” Alfred’s guard told him after they had searched high and low for you throughout the grounds.

Your anxiety had ceased now that you were within four walls, but you were aware of Finan keeping his distance from you as he sat at the table, pouring you both a glass of wine. He turned to look at you and handed you the glass.

“You can, uh.. have the bed.” He mumbled as you looked at him, searing into his gaze and making his heart race. You took the glass from him, taking a sip before setting it down, your eyes remaining on him. He was stunning, even with all of his armor you imagined his body would be tantalizing underneath it. You hadn’t been in the close presence of a true warrior such as this, and he was treating you so sweetly, a pure gentleman. He had settled your body and mind just by being near. In a strange way, it made your heart and your core ache for him.

You took Finan’s hand again, this time turning his palm up and bringing it to your mouth, bestowing a wet kiss to his calloused palm. He took a deep breath as he watched you, his eyes lingering on your lips as you traced his hand with them. He felt his cock grow hard and pulled his hand away from you, holding your eye contact.

“Do you not crave a woman’s touch?” You whispered to him as he held your gaze.

He smirked at you, his eyes deep with lust.

“And if it gets me killed? I have a feeling that you are an important woman.”

You looked at him innocently, moving closer to him until your noses almost touched. You longed to kiss him and feel his tongue, the combination of ale and his handsome gaze on you making you feel steadfast in your feelings of wanton desire. You longed for him to touch your body and fulfill your needs as you witnessed the light red flush across his cheeks.

“You can take pleasure from me, Irishman. I permit it.” You whispered in his ear, giving Finan a deep shudder throughout his body. You bravely brought your hand down to graze at his hard cock in his trousers, causing Finan to let out a soft moan.

“Not… until you tell me who ya are.” He replied sternly as he jumped away, looking at you with the same desire but a change in his eyes.

You sighed, turning away from him as you stepped away slowly. He watched you as you crossed your arms and turned back to face him. You didn’t want to admit who you were to him. You would rather enjoy yourself and be ravaged by a man who didn’t seek to control your life.

“The daughter of King Constantin.” You replied hesitantly.

Finan’s eyes widened as his breath caught in his throat, causing him to cough before he spoke.

“No. No way. This is not happenin’. Absolutely not!”

You released your arms and came closer to him again, putting your hands on his arms and seeking to align with Finan’s gaze again as his shocked expression didn’t fade.

“I only seek to be my own woman.” You muttered to him.

“No. Not only are you a royal, but Alfred desires you? No. I value my freedom, lady.” He said, pulling away from your grasp.

You sighed as you watched him walk back to the table, pouring a glass of ale and turning back to look at you as he gulped it down, then sat down with a sigh.

“You can stay here for tonight. That… is all.” He commanded.

You smirked at him. “Thank you, Finan.”

“No, don’t thank me. In fact… stay over there,” he gestured at the distance between you, chuckling lightly.

You grinned at him and took a few steps closer to him, grabbing your cup of wine from the table and taking a drink. Finan immediately stood from the table, begging distance from you.

“No! Nope,” he said with his hands up as he stepped away from you. His actions made you giggle again.

“Finan, I am not the devil!” You chuckled.

Finan laughed deeply, grabbing his ale and taking a gulp as you continued to slowly come close to him, backing him into a wall.

“Keep your distance from me, temptress!” He chuckled, signing the cross at his chest with his hand, dodging your attempt to come closer to him.

You grabbed his hand with yours and pulled him towards you as he continued to pull away.

“Agh,” he groaned.

You giggled and brought your face close to his, your noses touching as you both became serious. You grazed your lips softly over his, waiting for him to deepen your soft touch into a kiss as he bestowed his hands upon your hips, pulling you closer to him.

Suddenly, a harsh knock came upon the door, Uhtred shouting from behind it.

“Finan, the King requests our assistance!”

You pulled away from Finan, holding his eye contact as he shook his head.

“No, please… don’t answer.” You pleaded. Finan sighed as he looked at you, then walked away and gestured to open the door. Uhtred looked in and saw you standing there, keeping his gaze on you for a moment until he looked to Finan. Uhtred rolled his eyes.

“And what is this?!” Uhtred asked sternly, recognizing you from the palace.

“It’s… the reason the King asks for our assistance, I presume.” Finan smirked.

Sihtric had followed and joined Uhtred at the door, looking to you in surprise. He then looked at Finan and laughed, which brought a small smile to Uhtred’s lips.

@gemini-mama @bhxrdy @alexagirlie @whitedarkmoonflower @persephones-journey @king-alfred @itbmojojoejo

#finan the agile #the last kingdom #finan tlk #finan tlk fanfic #tlk fandom #tlk fanfic #finan x reader #the last kingdom smut #the last kingdom finan

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mommytauriel · 11 months

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+ · 。~ promised to another p3

pairing: sihtric x female! reader | genre: forbidden romance? Angst, fluff | warnings: none that I know of | wc: 6.3k |

synopsis: eight months since everything in your life has changed, and it seems like things won't stop changing.

request: yes

note: I’m so sorry this took so long for me to get out! I was just really struggling on writing this part! This is more like a filler part. I do still hope you guys enjoy it!

Part one Part two Part three

The first week being back in Winchester was hard, actually the first few months being back in Winchester was hard…in many different ways. Mentally you were exhausted, staying up late at night and stressing yourself to sleep thinking about Uhtred, and what he's going through. You didn't even want to think about how emotionally hard it was for you. The guilt you felt, the pain you felt with Uhtred gone and you leaving sihtric.

It was physically hard because you were exhausted. You spent your nights staying up late, crying and thinking about Uhtred and sihtric. And when you did finally fall asleep, you didn't get to sleep for long because Lady Aelswith would make sure you were up so you could join her for morning prayers and breakfast with Aethelflaed.

The fourth month you were tired of being sad, so you forced yourself to leave your room more. It wasn't healthy to lock yourself up in your room and avoid everyone. Matthew was happy to see that you were starting to get better, he had missed you. Matthew was against it at first because he was worried you would get hurt, but the two of you would go on walks through the village of Winchester. He noticed that it was helping you so he kept his worries to himself and just stayed alert.

By the six month you were feeling more like yourself. You still had your moments of sadness; you just now knew how to handle them better. You have started doing many things to distract yourself from your feelings, you did a lot of reading, most of them being books that King Alfred has suggested. You spent more time with Matthew and Aethelflaed, Aethelflaed even joining you and Matthew on your walks. It was nice.

The seventh month is when things started to feel more real for you. King Alfred had been lenient with you for the prior months but now that you seemed more yourself, he wasn't going to hold back. Whenever he had time, the two of you would be in his study, reading and learning more about history. And you enjoyed it most of the time, but when he would bring up Arthur and your future with him…your enjoyment turned to dread. You didn't want to talk about Arthur and the doom of your future with him. Lady Aelswith would try to talk to you about Arthur too, telling you about her and the king's betrothal and how she didn't like it at first but it was her duty to become a good wife to him. She even offered to teach you some ways on becoming a good wife, and well you couldn't exactly decline. You didn't want to learn how to be a good wife, you didn't want to be a wife in general!

The eighth month was no different.

Throughout those eight months you barely saw Arthur. Then again, you were also actively avoiding the blue-eyed man. It also helped that Arthur was very busy, busy with the king or busy going back and forth from Mercia and Winchester. You weren't complaining. The two of you have talked a few times, well more like he talked, and you just ‘listened’. A small part of you felt a little bad for treating Arthur like that, a very small part. Arthur has been kind to you, and you hated it.

The garden in the back of the castle had quickly become your place of solace and solitude. If you went early enough in the morning, you would be completely alone…besides the times Matthew would join you. It was a very peaceful place; you could walk around and look at the flowers or sit at the bench and read…or just sit there and think. Today you were reading.

Before you met sihtric you enjoyed reading love stories, but now you couldn't bear to read one. Just like how you couldn't dare to see public affection, it all reminded you of sihtric. And how you couldn't be with him. It hurt seeing or reading someone being so happy and in love when you weren't. You would feel a tug at your heart and soon your eyes would water it really hurt. So now you stick to history books, they aren't as fun but now you don't have to worry about crying while reading it.

“What book are you reading today My lady?” A deep and familiar voice breaks you out of your thoughts. You blink a few times and look up from the page you have been reading over and over again. You squint your eyes from the bright sun that shines, when you look up at Matthew's figure. He was standing in front of you, clad in his black leather armor with his hands behind his back, a small smile on his face as he looked down at you.

“The same book I was reading yesterday Matthew” You retorted with a sigh, closing the book and playing with the leather corners of the book cover. Matthew hums in remembrance, his eyes looking over your figure. He was happy to see that you look way better than you did months ago, you looked well rested. But he could still see some sadness in your eyes.

“Lady Aethelflaed requests you to join her for breakfast” Matthew tells you, watching as your eyes lighten up at the mention of your dear friend. You stand up from the bench and with your free hand that's not holding your book, you fix your dress. You offer Matthew a small smile “Let's go then, wouldn't want to keep the princess waiting.”

Matthew nods and leads the way towards Lady Aethelflaed’s room, She had breakfast sent to her room for the two of you. The two of you enjoyed your mornings where you had breakfasts together, the safety of being alone in her room let the two of you gossip as much as you wanted without getting scolded by Lady Aelswith.

The two of you stopped in front of Aethelflaeds’s room, you greeted the guard who stood out of her room with a small smile while Matthew greeted him with a nod. Matthew softly knocked on the lady's door for you before he stepped back. You heard the sound of feet rushing towards the door and not even a few seconds later the wood door was being opened quickly. A smiling Aethelflaed greeting you.

“Y/n! I've missed you, come in” Lady Aethelflaed smiles as she grabs your arm and pulls you into her room, you laugh at her eagerness and let her drag you into her room. You glance behind you to see Matthew giving a smile before he closes the door, leaving the two of you alone. You look back at her and see a wide smile on her face and a giggle escape past your lips. “You saw me yesterday Aethelflaed.”

“I know that but still, i missed you” She giggled herself as she let go of your arm and walked towards the table in her room, which the two of you have eaten at many times before. You set your book on her bed before you follow her across her room. The princess’s room had a bunch of vases of flowers that the two of you had handpicked, her room was so fresh and comfy.

“This looks delicious” you tell her as you look over the spread of food and drinks on the table. Athelflaed smiles and sits down at the table, pouring herself a cup of water “I asked for some of your favorites.”

“You truly do spoil me” You send her a teasing wink as you sit down in the chair across from her, popping a green grape in your mouth. Athelflaed blushes and starts eating some of the fruit on her plate. You smile at her shy antics before you start digging into your food. It wasn't long before the two of you jumped into a conversation.

“I know I have said this hundreds of times, but I'm so glad that you're back. It's nice to have someone I can talk to without worrying, mother is going to find out about what we have talked about” Aethelflaed tells you with a genuine smile after the two of you stopped laughing from the conversation beforehand. (The conversation being about a cute stable hand boy that had caught Athelflaeds attention) It was adorable seeing her so flustered talking about him, it kinda reminded you about how if was for you and sihtric.

Athelflaed’s words comforted you and made you sad at the same time. They were comforting because you truly did miss her too, but they were sad because if it was up to you…you wouldn't have come back. Sometimes at night while you lay alone in your dark room, you would think about what you would be doing now if you never left, if Uhtred was never sold. You would have nights filled with laughter at ale houses with Uhtred and there was no doubt that you and sihtric would become closer. Maybe I would have told him I loved him already…I’ll never know now.

“Speaking of missing you, I may or may not have overheard Arthur talking with my dad last night” Aethelflaed’s sweet but mischievous voice breaks you out of your sad thoughts. You blink a few times and look up from your plate to her. You raise your eyebrow at her words, stopping yourself from rolling your eyes at the mention of Arthur. You grip your fork tighter and give her a faint smirk “Overheard? You mean you eavesdropped?”

“Y/n” She said with an embarrassed whine, gently kicking you under the table before continuing with a mischievous grin on her face “Don't you want to know what they were talking about?”

“I have a feeling you were going to tell me anyway” You recalled from past memories, you knew she was going to tell you anyway. Aethelflaed doesn't pick up on the sarcasm in your town and she leans forward, excitement in her tone “They were talking about you, well more like Arthur was talking about you…he seems quite smitten with you.”

“I don't know how he could be, we've barely talked” You responded with a confused look and annoyance in your tone. How could he be smitten with me? You made sure that the two of you had barely any chance to talk. You don't want him to like you, no you want him to hate you…it would make it easier if he did. It didn't feel right knowing that someone was liking you like that, it felt as if you were betraying sihtric in a way. You didn't like this feeling.

“Arthur is a really nice guy y/n! You should give him a chance, who knows you might even find yourself liking him” Aethelflaed says cheerfully, again not noticing your tone. Aethelflaed has always wanted to fall in love, to have someone by her side for everything. Her desire to have that kinda love, blinded her from the negative parts that came with it. She didn't see the negative parts of your betrothal to arthur. But how could she? She didn't know about me and sihtric.

She didn't know about how you were feeling, the feeling of being trapped in a relationship you didn't want, the heartbreak you felt with sihtric. There was no chance that you could find yourself liking arthur. To you, Arthur was just the guy that's ruining the happy future you hoped you and sihtric would have together. Maybe it was ruined the moment you left eoferwic.

“Not likely”

It seems my luck has run out; you think with a bitter sigh when you see who's standing at the other end of the hall. You had just left Aethelflaed’s room a few minutes ago after spending a few hours laughing and talking, you then parted ways with Matthew who was called off to do something. You were in a happy mood but that quickly joined to a mood of annoyance when you see your betrothed standing across from you, a smile on his face.

“Lady y/n, I've been meaning to talk to you” Arthur says with a sweet smile as he steps closer to you. Your grip on your book tightens and you hold it to your chest, you offer him a weak smile.

“I apologize but I have to get going, maybe another time” You spoke quietly as you tried to walk past him, only to stop dead in your tracks when you felt Arthur softly grab your arm to stop you. You let out a sigh, you knew you couldn't avoid him this time. You turn to face him and see him giving you a pleading look. You sigh again and move your arm out of his grip and mutter “You only have a few minutes.”

“That's all i need” He replied with a charming smile, he cleared his throat before continuing “I wanted to apologize, I've been busy these past months and i haven't spent much time with you, I haven't gotten to know you.”

“There's not much to know” you say in a dismissive tone, making it your mission to look anywhere but his face. You settle on the flower painting on the wall behind him. Arthur notices the dismissiveness in your tone and your actions, but he still tries to keep the conversation going. So, he ignores it and keeps the smile on his lips. “I don't know about that; I have a feeling there's a lot to know about you.”

“Feelings can be wrong” You snapped as you finally looked at him, the two of you locked eyes. Arthur could tell that there was more to your words, a lot more meaning. I want to find out, he thinks. “You don't like me, do you?”

“Is it that obvious?” You ask him sarcastically with a bitter tone as you tilt your head. Arthur stills for a moment and all the confidence he had going into the conversation with you disappears, at the sound of the bitterness in your tone. King Arthur had told him you would not be happy about the betrothal, but he didn't think you would be this difficult, especially with him being so nice to you. Is it going to be like this every time we talk? he thinks with a disappointed sigh.

“Anything else?” You snapped him out of his thoughts.

“Your friend uhtred, I saw him walk into the king's study” Arthur spoke with little emotion in his tone, it was obvious you didn't want this…he wasn't going to try so hard for nothing. He was tired of making the first move, one day you were going to realize that whether the two of you like it or not, you will be wed. He will just have to wait until you're willing to try, or when you're in a better mood.

“Uhtred? He’s here?” your stone-cold persona dropped as soon as his words came out. Chills of shock run through your body, and you find yourself dropping your arms to your side, your grip on your book loosening. Uhtred, the Uhtred who you thought of as a brother was here in Winchester, in the castle? I have to see him.

“The King doesn't want anyone to know yet, but I thought you should know. I know you guys were close, you must have missed him” he tells you in a soft tone, offering you one smaller smile before leaving you. You stood there for a few moments as you watched him walk away, you watched as his strong posture faltered and his hand moved up to rub the back of his neck.

There was no denying that you felt bad about how you treated him, he went out of his way to tell you that Uhtred was back. He told you when the king told him that no one must know. He did that for you and all you did was treat him unkindly. You don't let yourself stand there guilty for much longer. I have to see Uhtred.

You rushed down the hall towards the king's study, holding onto your dress so you won't trip. Your footsteps echo through the hallway, you make an abrupt stop as you turn the corner to the hallway that leads to the king's study. Just as you turn the corner the door at the end of the hallway opens and out steps steapa and matthew, following them is Uhtred.

You hold your breath and your eyes immediately water at the sight, you pay no attention to steapa and Matthew, you just look straight at uhtred. You couldn't believe it. You watch as he looks up from the ground, he has a look of anger on his face but when he notices you standing at the other end of the hallway, his face softens, and his eyes widen.

Before you could think, your legs were already rushing towards him, and he met you halfway. You closed your eyes as you threw your arms around his shoulders. You let out a sigh of relief when you felt that he was truly there, he's really here. Uhtred wraps his arms around your waist and holds you close. The pain he felt when you jumped in his arms did not compare to the feeling of relief that he was feeling, you were okay, you were safe. Uhtred tightens his hold on you and just closes his eyes and relishes in the moment. you were really here.

“Oh Uhtred” You sniffle out, a few tears slowly rolling down your cheeks, you had imagined this moment for months, but this was better than anything you could have imagined. To have him really back. One of his hands moves to cup the back of your head. His heart hurts when he hears you sniffles of sadness, he whispers soothingly “Shh, it's okay little flower, don't cry.”

“I didn't think i would ever see you again” You cried quietly, your hold on him not loosening. You were afraid to let go, afraid that if you let go of him, he would disappear. Matthew and steapa watch from afar, both of their hearts warm at the heartfelt reunion.

“It's okay y/n, i'm here now.”

But for how long was the real question?

Uhtred didn't stay long. You got the answer to your question. You tried to be understanding, you knew that what he was going to do was important, important to the king and important to him. But you couldn't help but feel a little upset that he left you so soon. I didn't have enough time with him. After the two of you reunited, you spent the next few hours together talking. Well, more like you talked and he listened. You refrained from telling him about Arthur, you didn't want to ruin the moment. You were surprised when he told you that Lady Gisela was here with him, you would have to see her soon, you missed her.

He then left you after he promised to see you soon, the next time you saw him was the next day when he was getting ready to leave. You found out two new things that morning, he was leaving, and he had gotten married. You were hurt by the new information. Hurt that he was leaving so soon and hurt that you weren't invited to his and lady Gisela's wedding. But like you said, you tried to be understanding.

It's okay y/n, he’ll be back soon. You think to yourself as you stand by Lady Aethelflaed’s side, watching as Uhtred and his company leave Winchester. You glance at Gisela who's watching Uhtred leave, a look of sadness on her face. You truly felt for her, her husband just got back, and now he's leaving. You glance at Aethelflaed to see her watching Uhtred go, a look of adoration on her face. Your eyes widened, she looked lovestruck. How interesting.

You glance back at Uhtred, and you can't help but feel a little emotional as you watch him ride out of sight. You let out a sigh before turning around and walking back into the castle, Matthew following behind you. Both of you were feeling quite down at the moment, you because of Uhtred and him because of Hild..he would never say it aloud, but you knew the truth.

“Are you alright my lady?” Matthew asks behind you, his voice gentle and worried. You sigh and fold your arms in front of you as you walk towards the gardens in the back of the castle, in the need of some solace.

“I’m just tired Matthew, I’m just tired.”

The next day you spent your morning eating breakfast alone in your room, you didn't go out to the garden, instead you read in your quiet room. You didn't really want to see anyone; you also didn't want to run into Arthur. You knew you had to talk to Arthur soon, you had to apologize. But you just weren't ready for that.

You were peacefully reading until Matthew knocked on your door and let you know that Lady Gisela would like to see you in the village. For a second you considered declining, you were in no mood to be around anyone. But it was Lady Gisela, she knew no one here, she probably felt so alone and out of place. So, you told Matthew yes and you got out of your bed and walked towards your door.

Matthew greeted you with a small smile when you opened your door, and you greeted him back with a smile of your own, a weak smile. Matthew grew a little worried, he didn't want you to go back to how you were months ago. He wouldn't let that happen, not again. The two of you walked in silence through the castle and to the steps at the entrance of the castle. Standing there at the bottom of the steps was Lady Gisela, a smile forming on her lips when she sees you approaching her. She had missed you.

“Y/n! thank you for joining me” Gisela beamed as she pulled you into her arms for a hug. You smile softly and hug her back, relaxing into her comforting embrace. After a few moments you pull away and link your arm in hers, the negative feelings you felt earlier were slowly leaving you. “Thank you for inviting me, it will be nice getting out of the castle.”

“Do you not leave often?” Gisela asks you as the two of you start walking, Matthew walking a few steps behind you. Lady Gisela thought about you a lot through the eight months, like others she was worried about you and how you were taking this change. So, she was happy to see that you were okay, well at least seemed to be okay.

“Me and Matthew go on walks out of the castle quite a lot, sometimes aethelflaed joins us. But I haven't really had a chance these past few days” you tell her, and she smiles at your words.

“So, tell me, how has it been living back here in Winchester?”

“It's definitely been different since the last time I was here, I lived carefree. But now it's…oh never mind” You let out an annoyed sigh when you couldn't put your feelings in words. Gisela frowns and squeezes your arm reassuringly and when you look at her, she gives you a comforting smile.

“It's okay y/n, just tell me what's on your mind” Gisela said softly as she looked at your side profile. What was bothering you so much? She wonders.

“I am betrothed to Arthur of Mercia” you say quickly before you could stop yourself, you needed to get this off your chest. There was no one else you could talk to about this. You didn't look at Gisela when she gasped at your words, you just kept walking. Gisela’s eyes widen at your words “What? When did this happen?”

“The king told me the day I came back” You frowned as you looked back on that day, so much sadness and heartbreak. Everything changed that day.

“And how do you feel about this?” Gisela frowned as well, she had an idea on how you were feeling, and she knew it wasn't a good feeling. She continued to rub your arm reassuringly as the two you walked, she waited for your answer.

You let out a heavy breath before responding. “I feel a lot of things, but it doesn't matter how I feel, the king has made it clear that it's my duty to marry, my duty to marry Arthur.”

“Oh y/n, have you told Uhtred? If you are not happy with this you know Uhtred will find a way to stop this” Gisela halted her steps, causing you to stop as well. Matthew stopped a few steps behind the two of you and he looked around, making sure there was no danger to you. You look away from her when you see the look of pity she gives you. I don't want pity; I want a way out of this betrothal.

“I didn't want him to worry” You shake your head no; you feared Uhtred might try to kill Arthur if he found out. I can't tell Uhtred, not yet. You move to continue walking but Lady Gisela stops you by gently holding onto your arms. You look at her and she gives you a look a look of sympathy and says “He will always worry about you y/n, you know that.”

“If you ask him to get you out of the betrothal, he will do everything he can to get you out of it” Lady Gisela tells you, her tone serious. You nod and continue walking, Gisela walking by your side. You think about her words, Uhtred has made it clear that he would do anything for you. Would he hurt Arthur? Would he argue with the king? Would he take you away from the castle? You didn't know what he would do, but you knew that what he would do, no matter what it is, would only cause more problems. I didn't want that. I just want my life back to the way it used to be.

“That's what I’m afraid of” You mumble to yourself as the two of you continue walking. Was there a way to save me from this situation, without things getting bad? There is no way King Alfred would give up on this betrothal, it meant so much for him…well it meant so much for England. You weren't stupid you knew why this was happening, it was for alliances, it was for resources. It wasn't for love.

It would be love if it was sihtric…

“Who is it?” Her calming voice broke you out of your sad thoughts about your lost lover. You tilt your head and give her a confused look. “What do you mean?”

“I can see it in your eyes, you're in love. So, who is it?” Lady Gisela repeats her question, watching your side profile for your reaction. So much has happened, she felt bad that she wasn't there to help you with it. Matthew, who overheard the question, stiffened.

“It’s…it’s sihtric” You whisper to her with a flustered smile. This was the first time you said it aloud. You of course thought about it, you thought about it a lot. But saying it out loud, it made it more real. God, you missed him, every day you wished that you had more time with him.

“Sihtric?” She repeats his name as she slows down her steps. She had a feeling there was something going on between the two of you, but still. She had hoped you didn't say his name when she asked you.

“Yes, sihtric he’s- Gisela what's wrong?” You ask her when you noticed she stopped walking with you. She holds onto your forearm and looks at you with sympathy, she didn't know how to tell you this. “Oh y/n i…”

“What is it?” You give her a confused look, but you start to worry when you notice the look on her face. Why is she looking at me like that? you think anxiously. Matthew took a step forward to the two ladies’, concerned as well.

“I’m sorry y/n, before I left, I saw him with a woman…they were quite close” Gisela tells you in a soft tone, hoping that it would break the news to you easier. Matthews's grip tightens on the hilt of his sword and his jaw clenched in anger at her words. You felt your arms drop to your side and your heart stop at her words. No no no, sihtric he wouldn't do that, he wouldn't do that to me. You didn't think you knew words to describe how you were feeling at that moment, all that you could say was a quiet and emotionless “Oh.”

“I could be wrong, sihtric is a good man, he wouldn't do that to you” Lady Gisela says quickly, feeling terrible when she sees the storm of sadness in your eyes, but the emotionless look on your face. She couldn't just not tell you; she couldn't do that to you. But like Gisela said, sihtric is a good man, he wouldn't do that to you, right? Did she see wrong?

“Are you sure it was him?” You ask her in a weak tone, your eyes begging her to realize that she did see wrong. You don't think you could handle another heartbreak, not like this. You move your hand to your side, finding it hard to breathe with the tight dress and your panicky state. I’m not okay, everything is not okay, I can't do this anymore.

“Yes…but like i said, i could be wrong” Gisela tells you, but you don't focus on her words, in fact you couldn't really focus on anything. It felt as if you were stuck and everything was moving past you, you were stuck…you were alone. You started to feel overwhelmed and started to breathe heavily as the sounds around you got too loud and the sound of your heartbeat was pounding through your ears. I need to get out of here.

“I apologize Lady Gisela, I'm not feeling too well, I should retire to my room” You weakly voice out, your eyes averting to the dirt ground they were standing on. You couldn't look at her, you couldn't let her see how hurt you were. I don't want anyone to see me like this.

“Oh, of course. I hope you feel better” Gisela tells you with a worried smile, she wanted to say more, to have you stay with her, but she just didn't know what to say. She knew you were feeling heartbroken, you needed some space. You don't wait for her to say anything else before you turn around and walk back to the castle, your dress ruffling against your legs as you walk quickly. You averted your eyes from Matthew when you passed him, Matthew was right, sihtric wasn't good for me.

Every step you took your heart pounded harder in your ears and your heart broke even more. You bring your shaky hand to wipe off a tear that escaped from your watery eyes before anyone could see it. Like Lady Gisela said, she could be wrong about sihtric.

But it was too late, the doubt had already sunk in.

You didn't know what to do. You had become so dependent on the thought that sihtric cared for you too, that you were special to him. So, hearing Lady Gisela's words really hurt, in ways you weren't prepared for. Did I really spend these eight months being heartbroken for a guy that didn't even care about me? You think bitterly as you stare down at the bush of flowers.

You have been in the garden for an hour or so. After you left Gisela you went to your room, and cried in your bed until your cheeks became sore, but you soon felt trapped in your room and with your thoughts. So, you decided to take a visit to the gardens. It was difficult to convince Matthew to let you go on your own, but he reluctantly agreed when he saw your watery eyes. You needed to be alone, in a place you felt comfortable. You had a lot to think about.

There was a part of you that believed that Lady Gisela simply saw wrong and that he cared about you. But the other part of you knew that he was a man, and you have heard many stories about man and how unfaithful they are. Sihtric wasn't like that, he was different right? He had to be. You were so caught up in your depressing thoughts that you didn't hear the upcoming footsteps, you only noticed that someone joined you, when they sat by your side on the stone bench.

You wipe your cheeks, making sure there was no evidence of you crying before you looked up at the person sitting next to you. You sniffle and tilt your head to see the side profile of Arthur. He was looking down at the bush of flowers, his hands folded in his lap, and he had an emotionless look on his face. But when he feels your stare, he turns his head to look at you, giving you a small smile. He had noticed your red eyes, but he didn't say anything about it.

“I’ve been looking for you, Lady Aethelflaed said I would find you here. It's a nice spot” Arthur mused as he looked around the garden, he had seen this place many times, simply just walking past or walking through. He's never really spent any time there, he can see why you like it. He had seen you on the same bench the two of you were sitting on, many times before. He just never had the courage to talk to you, you always looked so content. He didn't want to ruin that.

“It is very peaceful” You voiced out quietly, taking a deep breath, smelling the many scents of the flowers that surrounded the two of you. It truly was peaceful. You look towards the willow tree that gave the bench you were sitting on, shade. It was a hot evening, but the shade made the weather feel perfect. Arthur watched your side profile, watching as you close your eyes for a second to take another deep breath. You looked so peaceful, so beautiful.

“I wanted to apologize” Arthur started as he broke the silence. You look away from the willow tree and to him, a confused look on your face. When you see the sincerity in his blue eyes you can't help but feel guilty. You cut him off quickly, before he can say anything else. “You have nothing to apologize for Arthur”

“I should be the one apologizing, i have done nothing but treat you terribly when all you have done was treat me nicely” You continued, you tone soft and guilty. You couldn't look into his eyes anymore, you felt guilty for the way you treated him. You look down at your lap where your fidgeting hands rested. You clear your throat before you look back up, tilting your head and locking eyes with blue eyes. “I really am sorry Arthur.”

“I forgive you y/n, and I understand why you did” He nodded, giving you a reassuring smile. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. How could he be so understanding? So sweet? I wouldn't be if i were him you thought.

“A person with no sight could see that you aren't happy with this betrothal” Arthur began after he let out a tired sigh. You look down at your lap again, feeling bad. He was right. Arthur continues, his tone kind and promising.

“I know I am not the person you want to marry, but I promise I will try to be someone you would actually like to be around.”

“I don't hate you Arthur” You spoke softly, as you shook your head no. His words had comforted you in a way you didn't expect. But your words were true, you didn't hate him. He was kind, understanding, and handsome. You couldn't hate him, you tried to…but you just couldn't. Things would be easier if I did.

“You just hate the thought of being with me” he says straightforwardly. Arthur watches as your lips part and your eyes soften, he knew he was right. And it hurts. He really wanted you to like him, because he liked you. He barely knew you, but the things he had heard about you, he liked. There was just something about you, your aura.

“Arthur I-”

“It's okay y/n, I understand. I really do” he tells you with a nod and fake smile, his tone a lot sadder than he wanted it to. He looked away from you and back to the bush of flowers, beautiful purple violets. He loved violets, he had a feeling you liked them to.

“Can, can we start over?” You broke the silence with your hopeful tone. You knew that there wasn't a way to stop you and his betrothal, so there was no reason to keep up this stone-cold act anymore. The hope you had was gone, just like sihtric. It's time for me to move on. His eyes widen at your words, and his look of shock turns to a content smile. “I'd like that.”

“Friends?” Arthur asks you with his charming smile, holding his hand out for you to shake, his eyes not leaving yours. A laugh escapes your lips, and you offer him a smile of your own, shaking his hand. I'd like that.

“Friends”

note: sadly no sihtric in this part :( but that’s okay, he will be back in the next part! I’m sorry for all the angst but like it was needed 😫

This is definitely not my best writing, but I just wanted to get this out as fast as I could. like I said at the top note, I was really struggling with this part. I rewrote it like 2 times.

The next chapter will be the three year time skip, and just a warning! Reader will be different, it’s been three years a lot will have changed for her, and her relationship with sihtric will also be different. I hope you guys are excited cause I’m lowkey worried about writing the next part (I have no idea what’s going to happen, genuinely)

I really hope you guys enjoyed this part! Please let me know in the comments how you feel! And feel free to send in some asks about the series, I would love to answer them!

Comments, likes and reblogs are very much appreciated!

taglist: @clairacassidy @mads-weasley @haikyusfics @emilyhufflepufftlk @bubblyabs @kitkat1690 @brianochka @solinarimoon

#the last kingdom #the last kingdom x reader #sihtric kjartansson #sihtric x reader #sihtric imagine #the last kingdom fanfic #arnas fedaravicius #sihtric the last kingdom #sihtric tlk #sihtric

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aelswiths · 27 days

Text

Aelswith x Alfred (being so cute and married) in 2x05

For @kingslionheart, @ladyfenring, @garunsdottir

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sihtricfedaraaahvicius · 11 months

Note

I was wondering, if you are taking requests, if you could please write something where the reader is King Alfred’s daughter and there was word through the streets of her life being endangered. Uhtred could not protect her since he was away with his men, except Sihtric. So Sihtric is her protector and they get to know each other better and fall in love. At first she is hesitant cause he is a Dane, but quickly realizes he is sweet and caring. One night he is watching her fall asleep to protect her and there is an assassination attempt on her life and he kills the assassin and earns King Alfred’s respect and he now allows him to be with her daughter, even though her mother protests harshly against it. :D

Warnings: mention of violence and blood (short), slightly suggestive.

pairing: Sihtric x you (f)

Summary: see request!

Word count: 4,2k

Note: I turned this into a lowkey enemy to lover fic, I hope you'll enjoy it! Thank you for the request and for your patience :)

taglist: @clairacassidy @finanmoghra @uunotheangel @hb8301 @bathedinheat @neonhairspray @anaeve @bubblyabs @travelingmypassion @sylas-the-grim @anditsmywholeheart @bubbles-for-all-of-us

'I can have you hung before noon, remember that.'

********************

'I am threatened by Danes so you will place me under the protection of a Dane!?'

'It is the only way, (y/n), I must do what is wise.'

'And you consider this wise, father?'

'You will not question my decisions! Uhtred and his men have proven themselves loyal to me. And the Dane is the only one who didn't march with Uhtred, so only he can offer his protection.'

'And why did he not march, father? Is he to spy on us?'

'No!'

'Mother!' you said, and turned to her, 'you can not agree to this!'

'It is for your own safety, my child,' Aelswith smiled quickly, but weakly.

Your father, king Alfred, knew that Uhtred and his men were loyal, and now that word on the street was that some Danes were out to capture you, he turned to Sihtric for help, to prevent you from being captured or killed. Sihtric was to guard you, day and night. You weren't happy with his decision, but you also knew you would not change your father's mind. ********************

You rolled your eyes at the Dane, who had just entered your bedroom and now leaned back against the door while a servant unbraided your hair.

'My name is Sihtric, princess, I am here to-'

'I know why you are here,' you cut him off, 'and I do not like it.'

Sihtric had nothing to say to that, so he just nodded and looked at the floor while the servant brushed her fingers through your hair after she untangled your last braid.

'I apologise for being a bother,' he eventually said, 'but I have been ordered to stay in your room when you sleep.'

'What!' you yelled. You had not been made aware of this, but your servant nodded at you to confirm Sihtric spoke the truth, to which you sighed loudly.

'Fine,' you huffed, 'but I wish to change into my nightgown now. I need you both to leave.'

'Yes, my lady,' Sihtric said politely and he left, as did your servant after you motioned her to leave your room.

You just couldn't believe this. A Dane watching you at night? Had your father even considered the things that this heathen of a man might try to do to you at night? You did not trust him one bit, and you did not want him in your room at night. Or anywhere near you for that matter. You quickly grabbed a small bag and gathered some of your belongings, then you threw your cloak around your shoulders and opened your window as quietly as you could.

You used to hate not having a nice view from your room, but tonight, you were happy that you could easily climb out of your window and reach the ground beneath your feet with only a small jump. Which is exactly what you did and you tiptoed through the garden, around a dark corner, but you came to a quick halt when you abruptly bumped into someone. You looked up, startled, and felt even more startled when you saw it was the Dane.

'My lady,' Sihtric smiled, eyebrows raised, 'if you think I am a fool-' 'No, I think you are a traitor because-' '-You will have to try harder next time to escape me, princess.' '-You are a Dane and I do not trust you.'

You both stared at each other for a moment. And if your eyes could kill, Sihtric would've been dead by now, but instead, the man was alive and he looked down at you with a playful look on his face,making him look quite attractive, actually, which angered you even more. 'I wish to leave,' you said curtly and crossed your arms. 'You can leave,' Sihtric said as he looked around. 'Really?' you gasped lightly, even hopeful maybe. 'Yes,' Sihtric smiled, 'I could perhaps… help you.' 'You would help me leave?' 'Yes, my lady,' Sihtric said and he leaned in, 'I will help you leave, you have my word.' 'Goodness! Thank y-' 'I will help you leave this garden and escort you back to your room,' Sihtric grinned, and he took your arm politely, but firmly, and he dragged you back inside the castle.

********************

You huffed as you sat down on your bed while Sihtric closed your bedroom door. He turned to face you and placed his hands in front of his belt, resting his palms on the hilt of his sword.

'I do not like you,' you hissed, arms crossed again. 'Because I am to watch you day and night?' 'Because you are a Dane.' 'I am, lady. And what have I done to make you hate me?' He caught you there. He actually hadn't done anything to you personally, except for ruining your attempt to escape his protection. You rolled your eyes at him and shrugged, to which he chuckled and sat down on a chair next to the door. 'If you still wish to sleep, princess, you can do so. But I will not be leaving this room.' 'I still need to change into my nightgown.' 'You had your time to change before you tried to escape, lady.' 'But I didn't change then, did I?' Sihtric looked at you, unimpressed but amused, and he blinked a few times.

'And that is your own doing, do not blame me for your foolish attempt to escape.' 'You can not be here when I undress.' 'I will be here the whole time, my lady,' Sihtric chuckled. You groaned in frustration. 'Fine! But you will turn around.' 'I will,' Sihtric smiled, and he suddenly stood up and walked over to you. Oh, no, you thought, see, he already wants to lay his hands on me.

You closed your eyes as he neared you, only to peek through your squinted eyes when he never touched you, and you found out Sihtric was standing next to you, making sure your window was locked. He stepped back from you and walked to the chair again, where he kept his back turned to you.

'You can change, lady, I will not look. You have my word.' 'I've heard you say that before,' you snarled. 'And did I not keep my word?' Sihtric smirked as he quickly glanced over his shoulder and locked eyes with you. 'Do not look!' you snapped, 'actually, I wish for you to fetch my servant.' 'My lady,' Sihtric sighed and looked away from you, 'I am here to protect you, not to follow your orders. If you wish to have your servant, I can walk you to find her.' You stomped your feet in frustration at yet another failed attempt to escape the Dane. You sighed and snatched your nightgown from its hanger. You changed as quickly as you could and jumped in bed, fearing that Sihtric might look at you again and turn into a savage when he sees your exposed skin. For Danes could not control their lust for women, or so you were told.

'You can turn now,' you huffed as you pulled your blanket up to your chin.

Sihtric nodded with a smile and sat down on the chair again, watching your every move, much to your annoyance. The silence was long and uncomfortable. To you, at least, Sihtric seemed to have no problem at all with just staring at the wall, but you quickly became bored by looking at your ceiling. You turned to lay on your side to face your protector.

'How did you know I climbed out of the window?' you asked.

'Because that is what I would have done, my lady,' Sihtric said with a slight smirk.

And for a moment, you felt yourself smile at the Dane. But you caught yourself and quickly composed your face.

'You're so predictable,' you hissed.

'So are you, lady, which means that maybe we are not that different,' Sihtric smiled.

You quickly turned your back to him and covered your face with your blanket, so he would never be able to see you desperately trying to suppress another smile. Maybe he was cute, after all.

********************

'Lady,' your servant whispered as she nudged you awake, 'it is time to wake up.'

You groaned and rubbed your eyes and you felt a slight shock when you saw Sihtric was still sitting on the chair you had last seen him on before you eventually dozed off.

Sihtric gave you a slight smile and bowed his head, 'I will leave so you may get dressed,' his voice was soft and sleepy, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine.

'Thank you,' you said with a yawn, 'will you wait around the corner in the garden again?' You couldn't help yourself from taunting him, and you felt yourself blush when the Dane laughed softly at your words.

'If you wish me to do so, princess, I will, otherwise I'd like to stay inside and have breakfast.'

You watched Sihtric close the door behind him and you asked your servant where Sihtric was supposed to have his breakfast.

'He will eat with the servants, my lady, your mother will not have a Dane at her table.'

'Oh,' you frowned and shook your head. You let your servant tie your dress and you thought quietly for a moment.

'Will you find Sihtric for me?' you asked when she was done.

'Of course, my lady, what do I need to tell him?'

'Tell him,' you paused, and felt your lips curl into a smile, 'tell him to wait for me in the garden.'

'The garden, my lady?'

'Do not speak of this to anyone except for him,' you told your servant, 'and will you fetch me a basket with some fresh apples and bread along with some water?'

'Yes, my lady.'

And when your servant brought you all you had asked for, you asked her to leave you alone for a moment. You locked the door behind her, took the basket with food and water and you climbed out of your window again, but this time you were expecting to walk into the Dane.

********************

'If you dislike me so much,' Sihtric asked with his mouth full of bread, 'why did you ask for me to find you and eat with me?' He looked at you with an amused look, as he was laying on the grass next to you, on his side, with his head propped on his hand.

'Well,' you said, and took a bite out of your apple while you looked down at him, 'I felt bad that you stayed awake all night, to protect me. And then I heard you were supposed to eat with the servants, it didn't seem fair to me.' You smiled at him as you leaned back on your elbows.

'So the princess is taking a liking to me?' Sihtric smirked lightly.

'I can have you hung before noon, remember that,' you grinned, to which Sihtric chuckled and took a sip of water.

'But then there would be no one to protect you, my lady,' he said after a short silence.

You had actually forgotten about the reason why Sihtric was there with you, as you had started to like his company and his cheeky jokes. And you felt your smile fall from your face as he said those words just now.

'Do you really think the Danes will try to capture me? Or kill me?'

'It would be foolish to think they wouldn't, my lady, you are worth a lot of silver, dead or alive,' Sihtric said and sat up as he saw your concern, 'but I swear I will not let anything happen to you.'

You smiled weakly and sighed, trying to shake your concern. You sat quietly for a while and then remembered it had been hours since you last taunted Sihtric, so you felt it was time again.

'I wish to bathe.'

'To bathe?' Sihtric frowned, 'where?'

'There, in the river,' you cocked your head to the water close by.

'Lady,' Sihtric chuckled and licked his lips, 'that is not a place for a princess to bathe.'

'Still, I wish to,' you said and crossed your arms.

Sihtric sighed and rolled his eyes, being very aware that this was just another attempt to escape him.

'Fine,' he said as he got up and held his hand out to you. When you accepted his help he pulled you up on your feet, and you couldn't help but feel flustered at the rough feeling of his hand in yours, and you kind of liked his touch.

'You will have to turn away again, when I undress.'

'Lady, do not fully undress. Not here, if anything happens-'

'I wish to bathe,' you said curtly, but you knew he was right, it was not safe to fully undress here. But you weren't going to admit that to the Dane, because if you didn't undress, he wouldn't turn around, and then you couldn't attempt to run from him.

'Lady,' Sihtric sighed, but he stopped talking when he saw your face and remembered how you could have him hanged before noon, 'fine,' he huffed.

Sihtric turned around and you untied the linen belt around your waist, which you threw on the ground, close to Sihtric's feet so he could see it and would assume you were undressing fully, but you never took off your dress.

You smiled and tiptoed away from him, towards the river. But before you could step in you glanced over your shoulder and saw Sihtric turn around, who knew you had been too quiet for a few seconds too long. When you locked eyes, he slightly gasped and cursed upon seeing how far you had snuck away from him. You broke out into a laugh and ran into the water when Sihtric began to run towards you.

He was very fast, and you knew you could never outrun him, but that didn't stop you. Not even when you heard he had run into the water and was quickly closing in on you. You laughed as you were up to your waist in the river, trying to move away from him, but you suddenly felt his arms wrap around your waist. You giggled and tried to fight his embrace, but he was strong. Very strong. Very muscular, you thought, and smiled at the feeling of his arms around you.

'Lady!' he huffed, but you heard the chuckle in his voice as he tried to drag you out of the water.

'No!' you yelled, and somehow you managed to slip out of his arms. You were both caught by surprise and you giggled again when you turned away from him. But Sihtric was quick to grab your hand and he pulled you towards him, a little harder than intended, causing your body to crash into his and you had to grab onto his armour to keep yourself from stumbling, while he grabbed onto your waist to keep you up on your feet.

'Lady!' he chuckled. And suddenly, when you looked up at him, you found that your face was close to his, really close. You smiled nervously at him and your eyes darted from his eyes to his lips. Those lips, you thought. And with not a single thought left in your head you pulled him close and you kissed his lips. And to your surprise, Sihtric didn't hesitate and kissed you back almost immediately. And you were shocked at the fact that out of all the Saxon men you've kissed, this Dane turned out to be the best kisser you've ever had. You both quickly got lost in the heat of the moment, and no one was ever supposed to know about the unholy act that had taken place at the side of the river that morning. ********************

'You should rest, my lady,' Sihtric said as he watched you change into your nightgown. He smiled at the sight of you and leaned back on his chair.

'I will,' you smiled back, 'are you sure you can stay up all night again?'

'Yes, lady, I'm sure. You can sleep safely.'

You walked over to him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

'Thank you,' you whispered, 'good night, Sihtric.'

'Good night, princess.' ********************

You don't know how many hours had passed when you woke up again, but you do know it had to be early morning. You were rudely awoken by the sound of a sword clattering on the floor and you quickly sat up in bed, clutching your blankets. You screamed at the sight of a man crawling on your floor, covered in blood, trying to grab his sword. But you watched Sihtric kick the sword away before he planted his axe into the neck of the already bloody man, who groaned and started to twitch as a puddle of blood quickly surrounded his body.

'Princess!' Sihtric said and he quickly ran over to you, 'are you okay?'

'I… I…' you swallowed hard. You looked at Sihtric and suddenly you felt yourself become sick. You pushed Sihtric away and you leaned over the side of your bed, throwing up whatever it was you had eaten for dinner.

'My lady,' Sihtric said, concerned, and you felt how he carefully pulled your hair away from your face while he squeezed your shoulder lightly, 'it's okay. We all throw up the first time we see this amount of blood.'

You chuckled lightly and closed your eyes, making sure you weren't going to be sick again. Then suddenly your servant rushed in along with your father, your mother and a bunch of guards.

'Daughter!' Aelswith screamed and she ran to you, 'have you been hurt?' she asked and she gave Sihtric a filthy look, causing him to pull away from you and back off.

'No, mother,' you sighed, 'the man never got close. Sihtric,' you paused and looked up at him, 'Sihtric saved my life.'

'The Dane?' your mother scoffed and gave him another filthy look, 'the Dane saved your life?'

'His name is Sihtric, mother,' you said sternly and saw how Sihtric blushed at your attempt to defend him. Aelswith grimaced at the Dane and hugged you tight, while your father, Alfred, took Sihtric apart and thanked him for saving your life.

Alfred also informed Sihtric that he had heard about your little adventure at the river, and said that he should have Sihtric hanged for it. But now that he had saved your life, Alfred said he had earned his respect, but he also warned Sihtric that he would still be hanged if he ever dared to hump you in public again. Sihtric said he understood and never meant to disrespect you. And your father also believed that it wasn't just Sihtric's fault. Alfred wasn't a saint either, and as you were his daughter, he was sure that you had been taunting Sihtric enough to make him lose his self control with you.

********************

'But, mother, I love him!' you shouted, during yet another argument about your relationship with Sihtric. It had been several weeks since he had saved your life, and you had simply fallen in love with him. Sihtric watched the argument unfold as he leaned against a pillar, close to you.

'No! I do not want to hear another word! You will not shame our legacy by being with a… with a Dane!' Aelswith said curtly as she gave Sihtric a disgusted look, to which he raised his eyebrow.

'Father?' you huffed.

'My dear,' Alfred turned to Aelswith, 'the Dane has saved her life. And I know he has grown fond of her, and she did too of him.'

'But he is still a Dane!'

'Always will be a Dane,' Sihtric mumbled, irritated.

'And a good man,' Alfred said calmly, 'a man who has proven he is capable of protecting our daughter.'

'But he is a Dane,' Aelswith hissed again, 'a pagan! What if he fills the head of our daughter with those heathen lies?'

'Mother, please,' you sighed, but she was right to be concerned. Sihtric had told you about his gods, and you had developed an interest in his religion. And Sihtric smirked lightly at your mother, as she had no idea that just the night before you had joined Sihtric in making a sacrifice to his gods.

'It is better,' Alfred said, 'to allow her to be with the pagan, then to forbid her. At least now we know they are together. If they see each other in secret, we will not know what will happen.'

'I know what will happen!' Aelswith snarled, 'the filthy Dane will lay his hands on her. On my innocent daughter,' she let out a sob and clutched her cross pendant, 'I cannot stand thinking about it. He will not disgrace her!'

Sihtric cleared his throat and shifted awkwardly, remembering how he has disgraced you almost every night ever since the first time, and sometimes even twice a day.

'Mother,' you laughed out loud, 'he already disgraced me.' You heard Sihtric cough lightly behind you, as he seemed to choke on his own saliva.

'Be quiet!' Alfred hissed at you, but you couldn't hide your grin.

'He has not! Tell me he has not!' your mother cried.

'He has,' Alfred rolled his eyes, growing tired of his dramatic wife, 'and I have given Sihtric permission to be with our daughter.'

'No, no, how could you?' Aelswith wailed.

'Mother,' you said sternly, 'I love him.' This only caused your mother to cry in despair and you looked at your father, who sighed and threw his hands up, while Sihtric tried to disappear out of view.

'Sihtric is to become a part of our family, and you will have to accept it,' Alfred said to his wife and then turned to you, 'he has asked for permission to marry you. And if you wish to, then you will have my blessing.'

'Over my dead body!' Aelswith whined, 'I will not accept that rat in our family.'

'Hey!' Sihtric snapped, but was wise to not speak further.

You shook your head and bit your lip, 'Mother, I fear you will have to accept him soon. Unless you want me to raise a bastard child.'

Alfred smiled lightly at your announcement and Aelswith looked as if she was looking at the Devil himself when she looked at Sihtric.

'You… you carry his child?' she asked and turned back to you.

'It seems I do,' you smiled and took Sihtric's hand, who still avoided all eye contact with your mother, 'I love him and he looks after me, mother, what more could you want for me?'

'For him to be a Christian!'

'That will not happen,' Sihtric scoffed

'Mother, you can't ask that of him.'

'He will be baptised!' Aelswith said.

'I will never!' Sihtric hissed, and you had to hold your lover back from taking a step closer to your mother, who let out a frightened yelp and became even more dramatic.

'See! See!' she sobbed, 'he tried to attack me! You can never trust a pagan! They are devils! Heathens! I will pray for you, boy,' she said and made the sign of the cross.

'Stop disrespecting him!' you shouted while Sihtric just sighed and shook his head. He was tired of being scolded by your mother.

'Heathen! Heathen!' Aelswith yelled while pointing her finger at Sihtric, who now had his arm around you, which wasn't making the situation any better.

'Silence!' Alfred ordered loudly, to which you all became quiet, 'this is the last we will speak of it. Sihtric is to marry our daughter, under the condition that he agrees to never have any right to claim Wessex.'

Sihtric nodded quickly to Alfred's words, he didn't care about the lands you were to rule one day, he just wanted to be with you and to be there for your child when the time came.

'May they can become an example of how both Saxon and Dane can live in peace and even find love,' Alfred said, 'like they have.'

'Thank you, father,' you smiled and you turned to Sihtric to wrap your arms around his neck.

Your mother silently weeped and bit her tongue, knowing she could never change your mind.

And it would take years for her to warm up to Sihtric, even when she saw how good of a father and husband he is. Eventually, she had grown to somewhat like him, but she was never going to admit that. And you didn't care. All you cared about was your family with Sihtric.

And some nights you'd remember that last argument before you got married, and you were thankful that your father had stood up for you, but even if he had disapproved, you knew you would still be with Sihtric one way or another. He had saved your life, and in a way, by making him the happiest he could be and giving him a family of his own, you had also saved his life. And together you hoped to save many innocent lives, both Saxon and Dane, because peace and love could grow between them if they looked beyond religion.

And some nights you'd lie awake in bed, in Sihtric's arms, and you'd smile at how much you had hated him when you first met. While now, you would simply give your life for him, as you loved him with your whole heart, and no one would ever be able to keep you away from him.

#sihtric kjartansson #sihtric x reader #sihtric x you #the last kingdom fic #sihtric fic #the last kingdom #sihtric #sihtric kjartanson #tlk

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