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destinyisall-tlk · 1 year

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hurts too much to let you go

pairing: finan x eadith

summary: eadith and finan spend her last night together before she sets sail for francia

As the bitter night air hit Finan’s skin, it sobered away the last three cups of Ale he had drunk, causing him to ruffle his messy hair in frustration. The streets of Winchester still bore the reminder of the siege. It had been several months since Sigtryggr and his Danes took the biggest prize and negotiated peace and land, but the stain of the carnage still lingered. For Finan, it wasn’t that Sigtryggr managed to take and hold Winchester for thirty days. Nor was it, the weeks they spent in the camp outside the castle walls or even the battle that had Finan drinking to forget. He drank to forget Eadith. To forget that she would be departing on a boat for Frankia tomorrow, leaving behind a mountainous feeling of unknown.

He did not wish to burden her with his thoughts or cause guilt to sparkle in her eyes for deciding to pursue what her heart desired. The little time they had spent together, Finan was grateful. His selfishness in wanting her to stay, to build a life together, he was determined to keep too himself.

As Finan stumbled through the streets, he halted upon seeing Eadith waiting for him in front of his temporary place of residence. He, Sihtric and Osferth had stayed behind to help with the cleanup. Eadith too stayed as she recovered from her injuries. Finan often remembered watching Eadith from afar aiding the local people, and even from a distance, her kind and gentle nature eased his mood and calmed his mind.

“Eadith?”. Finan cleared his throat, making his way towards her.

She smiled, God how he was going to miss her smile.

“I was wondering if I had left my purple cloak here. I can not seem to find it within my possessions”.

Finan opened the door, allowing her inside. Both knowing there was no purple cloak to be found as Eadith had already taken it two days ago. But he didn’t correct her. Instead, Finan checked around the house.

“No purple cloak here. Are you sure you didn’t already pack it?”. He asked, taking a seat at the table, kicking off his boots and rubbing his sore feet.

“I must have. Thank you for searching”.

As Eadith turned to leave, there was a hesitance in her composure. Finan held his breath, exhaling when he saw Eadith’s hand touch the door handle.

“Eadith, what are we doing?”. He half-whispered, half-asked. Struggling with wanting her to answer the question that had been rattling inside of him for weeks, and struggling with not wanting her have heard his question and leave without saying a word.

She turned, leaning by the door, eyes lowered towards the dusty wooden floorboards. Finan walked over, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. Her glossy eyes tore him apart. The guilt and the sadness they were both feeling, no longer could be contained.

“We have something”. He whispered. “Tell me otherwise and I will shut my mouth and not speak of it again”.

“Of course we have something, Finan. You showed me kindness when I did not think I deserved it. You looked at me, not as Aethelred’s mistress, but as a lady. You-”. Eadith paused, taking a breath to steady her nerves. “You made me feel seen and safe”.

They stared at one another and started to memorize each other’s faces. To remain still in a moment that would quickly turn into a memory. And they sighed in unison at the frustration in wanting to dance on the fine line of wanting to explore what they shared, but also knowing there were complications in doing so. Eadith would not be here to provide Finan with the life he deserved, with children he envisioned running around. And Finan would not dare ask Eadith to put her dreams on hold to accommodate his wishes. Reaching for her hand, Finan gently rubbed his thumb over her soft skin. Eadith’s hands lingered over his shirt, chest rising with anticipation. And in a moment that neither wanted to overthink, they moved towards the furs.

next morning

“Finan, are you not going to say goodbye to Eadith?”. Osferth asked, finding the brooding Irishman sitting in the dining hall, getting warm by the fire crackling behind him.

“He's afraid to see her again after what happened last night”. Sihtric answered, smirking as he knew he was right.

Osferth sat down, frowning in confusion. Sihtric giving a subtle wink, laughing at Osferth’s innocent eyes widen in realization.

“Sihtric, shut your mouth, before I do it for you”. Finan warned.

“Told you. He rather sit here and sulk than say goodbye to Eadith again. His scared she’ll tell him last night was a mistake or something worse”.

“Sihtric”. Finan growled, staring intensely.

Osferth turned to Finan, “We don’t know when we’ll see her again. Finan, you have to say goodbye”.

Finan groaned, wanting nothing more to be left in peace. Yet, he was not going to find peace sitting in the hall. He stood, venturing out into the cold. In the distance he saw Eadith at the docks, waiting as her belongings were loaded onto the boat.

“Osferth, do not say a word”. He warned once more upon feeling Baby Monk’s presences beside him.

“I must, Finan. I know it is hard to see her go, but you will regret not saying goodbye one more time”.

“I can not, Baby Monk”.

Sharing Finan’s sad smile, Osferth walked towards the docks. He did not wish to pry, but his intentions were pure. He could not watch the people he cared about drown in words left unsaid.

“Eadith!”. He called out.

She glanced up, smiling upon his approach. “Have you come to wish me well on my journey to Francia?”.

Osferth nodded, nervously fiddling with the belt tied around his waist holding his sword, quietly speaking his genuine thoughts. “I know it is not my place, but Finan is stubborn and I know he would like to say goodbye, but he can not find the strength to do so”.

“Osferth, you are a good friend. But if Finan wishes not to say goodbye, you must not force him”.

“But he does want to, and I know it will bring both of you some comfort”.

“There is still time. If Finan wishes to speak what is on his mind, he knows where to find me”.

In defeat Osferth walked back towards the town, Sihtric waiting for him in the town square and patting his back. Together they walked towards an empty table, watching Finan pace up and down the street a few meters away.

Hours passed into the middle of the day and the boat was ready to head towards Francia. Time had run out and Eadith could no longer wait. Fixing her purple cloak, she stepped onto the boat, drawing a breath when the boat started to move.

“Eadith!”.

She turned her head, motioning for the man to stop rowing. Stepping back onto the dock with the help of Finan, he exhaled, “I was being a stubborn bastard, and Osferth was right, if I said nothing I would regret it”.

He exhaled again, not realizing his hands were shaking until Eadith gently squeezed them in comfort. “Last night-”.

“Finan, I do not regret what happened. And I will never forget your kindness or what you mean to me”. Cupping his cheek, the stubble from his beard tickled her hand, she kissed his cheek before stepping back onto the boat.

Finan stared aimlessly at the boat sailing down the river, turning to see Osferth and Sihtric waiting for him by the riverbank. He exhaled, struggling to return Osferth’s gentle smile.

“Ale?”. Sihtric asked, clapping Finan on the back

“Lots and lots of Ale”. Finan replied, looking over his shoulder to see the boat no longer visible, yet, he swore he could see the faintest thread of red hair in the distance.

“She will return, Finan. Have faith”.

Finding the strength for a half-smile to give Osferth, Finan took one last glance across the river. They loved each other, but for now, they had to settle for loving each other from afar.

#the last kingdom #finan #eadith #finan x eadith #writing

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the-common-cowgirl · 10 months

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The Lost Children -

Part 4

Summary: The group embarked on their mission only to be spotted by two of Brida’s scouts as they crossed into Mercia. A chase ensues and you are injured. Osferth cares for your injury and you both let pent up feelings free. Only, Osferth comes to his senses.

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Mentions of Animal Death, Blood, Injury, Fluff, Angst, Kissing, period typical slut shaming, religious guilt, mentions of arousal, heavy petting.

Word Count: 3.5K

“Don’t put that thing near me or I’ll bite it off, so help me G-“

You were cut off with Finan shoving a cloth into your mouth, gagging you.

“You need to be quiet when we mend your leg, girl.” Finan exclaimed with a hushed, hurried tone in the low bank you were in.

Of course you knew you needed to be quiet. Two of Brida’s scouts had spotted the group as you made your way into Mercia. This resulted in a small chase. Your old, bay horse tripped on a tree root in the chase, causing you to go flying from the horse and hurt your leg. The Dane scouts would have caught up to you lying on the ground and captured you if Osferth had not spun his horse around and lifted you into his saddle, successfully escaping the nearing scouts.

And now, you were in a low bank, with a cloth wrapped tightly around your head and through your teeth with Eadith hiking your skirt up so high that Osferth and Sihtric excused themselves for your modesty. Uhtred of course was busy keeping an eye out for the scouts if they should find the group.

A sharp stick was stuck under the skin of your thigh, poking the muscle. Enough so that when Eadith tried to pull it out, you kicked at her with your free leg, missing her by an inch. She must’ve been used to her patients retaliating, you thought between the surges of pain.

“Finan, grab her other leg,” Eadith ordered. As soon as he had hold of your other ankle, Eadith pulled with enough force that had you reeling in pain. Your hands flew on their own to push her off of you; this time you didn’t miss and she landed on her bottom in mud, painting the arse of her dress brown .

Clearly frustrated, “Go get someone to hold her hands too,” she barked at Finan who obeyed without hesitation, quickly jogging to where the men were. In little time, he came back with Osferth who had his eyes downcast, trying not to look at your exposed legs that neither Eadith or Finan seemed to give a second thought about. “Sit behind her and hold her arms tight.”

Osferth began to object behind you but Eadith shut him down immediately, “She is loosing a great deal of blood and she somehow has enough energy to keep fighting us.” Eadith’s lack of patience had Osferth obeying her order without objections this time. You felt Osferth move behind you to sit and he gently brought your hands behind your back as a cool sweat started to form on your brow and your gaze started to go hazy.

His soft grip felt comforting around your wrists but as Eadith tried again to pull the stick, your hands flew free of his hold and you tried to shove her again, this time, Osferth’s forearm reached around your front and pulled you flush against him. “Sorry,” he muttered - you were unsure if he was speaking to you or Eadith for lacking at his task.

Eadith had grown frustrated. “I cannot try many more times before the stick is too slick with blood to pull! Osferth, hold her tightly. Do not let her go. Same for you Finan.” Then her eyes turned on you, “For Heavens sake girl, stop resisting help.”

Your vision was darkening and you felt a strong hold on your wrists behind you, painfully so. It distracted you momentarily from the pain of the stick wedged into your thigh being ripped from your body. Every touch felt delayed or distant and you were vaguely aware of a muffled scream then it being cut short by a hand over your mouth. You head spun as the world tumbled forward and the last thing you heard was Osferth saying, “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

The world went black.

Your eyes felt heavy and a dull ache throbbed in your head as you were jolted awake. Slowly opening your eyes, you were met by a dimmed sky. Slowly realizing you were in the back of a covered wagon laying in the softest bed of furs you had ever slept on. Lifting your head took great effort due to the absence of your energy but when you did, you saw the back of Osferth’s head. As if he knew you were awake, he looked back at you and a smile broke across his face. He pulled the horse up to a halt and shouted for the group to do the same as he moved from the seat to the back of the wagon where you lay.

“How are you feeling?” He asked and took your hand, absentmindedly feeling for a stronger pulse but the action had your heart fluttering just a bit at how concerned he was for you.

“Heavy,” you replied as your head unceremoniously fell back into the soft furs. His thumb now brushed against your wrist gingerly. “Where did you get a wagon?”

“Sold your horse for meat to a nearby village to get the wagon.” Your eyebrows furrowed together in sadness as you looked at him. He gave a sorrowful look, “I’m sorry. I thought you didn’t care for the beast.”

“He was a good mount, he didn’t deserve death.” You were surprised at how your heart betrayed you and began to mourn for the old, ugly gelding.

“He was worse off than you after the fall. He welcomed death like an old friend after the pain he was in.” Osferth’s words made you feel better, knowing the bay was given a merciful death.

“He broke his leg?”

“Aye, lady.”

“Osferth, if I ever hurt myself so badly, make sure you give me a merciful death as well.” Your words were soft and true, he knew you weren’t speaking with sarcasm or anger like your normally did. You seemed too weak for that.

Your eyes were growing heavy again as you felt the wagon rock a little and Eadith’s voice, “She awoke?” Your eyes now closed but you knew Osferth nodded.

“She’ll make it then. She’s past the worst of it.” Eadith reassured him.

Sleep was beginning to embrace you again, despite its return, you were keenly aware of Osferth’s soothing thumb over your pulse.

“What about her fever,” he asked, quietly as if not to stir you.

Eadith was silent for a while before she answered him. “You’re a man of God, Osferth, pray.”

When you awoke again, the air was cool and there was no light but a flickering fire some distance away. You realized you had woken to the wagon shaking, someone was climbing in but you were too tired to care.

Your eyes found Osferth’s and he looked startled that you were awake but the shock soon faded as a smile spread across his face. You returned a weak smirk and you could almost see his heart flip.

“I - uh- brought you some stew.” He moved with a bowl and sat with his legs crossed beside your head. Setting the bowl down on the even wooden surface of the wagon that did not make up your soft bedding, he moved to help you prop yourself up. As you did so, your leg throbbed with a dull, burning pain and your head pounded. You could hear the group at the fire some distance away but could not see them due to the privacy the covered wagon offered.

Osferth smiled and grabbed the bowl., dipping the wooden spoon into the stew and gently blowing on it to make sure it wouldn’t burn you. The action was tender, sweet, foreign. You offered him a weak smile and he brought the spoon to you lips. As you slowly sipped the stew, you grew uncomfortable at the action of someone else feeding you, making you nearly lose your appetite. Once the first spoonful was gone and Osferth went in for a second scoop, you stopped him.

“I think I can feed myself,” you said trying to hide your discomfort.

Osferth furrowed his brows, “Are you sure? I can-“

“Yes,” you cut him off, “I’m certain of it.” You said with a little too much finality to be pleasant.

Osferth dropped his smirk a little and offered the bowl and spoon to your weakened hands. Feeding yourself took a bit more care as you were greatly reduced in strength, but you felt more comfortable this way.

Once you finished, you felt incredibly full and offered the bowl and utensil back to Osferth. “Did you like it?” He asked with a proud expression on his face.

You nodded, “Yes.” You willed yourself to be pleasant despite feeling as though you might vomit from how uncomfortably full your stomach felt.

“I made it.” He admitted with a smile, “I used to make it back in the monastery and the brothers devoured it.”

“Back in the nunnery, I was barred from the kitchens.” You admitted to him with a laugh as your stomach was easing down. You were grateful to share a similarity in your upbringing that wasn’t a sour memory.

Osferth laughed, “But why?”

“The sisters believed I was a cook of the devil for everything I cooked, somehow burned.” You laughed at the memory and Osferth laughed with you. It was a warming feeling; to feel humor again.

“So what were your chores at the nunnery?” He kept his bright eyes on you joyfully, simply happy that you were happy.

You huffed a short laugh through your nose, “To stay out of the way.” You both giggled at that. Once you recollected yourself, “Or gathering. I’m quite a good gatherer,” you admitted with pride.

Osferth raised his brows, “Oh really? Did you acquire that skill whilst doing your first chore?”

You tilted your head at his joke and eyed him in disbelief, “Did Osferth make a jest?” You both laughed. Once the laughing died down, you two just stared at each other in bliss, happy to be in the other’s company.

Then, a wave of realization washed over Osferth abruptly, and he shifted in sitting position. “Uh I forgot, I need to,” he stammered, suddenly uncomfortable, “Eadith is-“ he began, “Lady Eadith is busy. She asked me to,” he tripped over his words. “Lady Eadith asked me to clean your wound tonight.”

You gave a short chuckle at the reason for his sudden change in demeanor. “What must you do to it?” You asked, trying to sound like Osferth hiking up your skirt did not excite you.

Osferth began to blush. “Clean the would with a wetted rag and pour this over it,” he produced a small bottle of what you assumed was strong ale from a pouch that hung on his hip.

You nodded and reached for the hem of your now patched skirt. Osferth’s hand came to yours mid-grasp. “Wait, I’ll do it. I have to go get the rag wet in the river below.”

You nodded and Osferth left quickly. Your heart beat wildly at what was about to happen. You didn’t care about the prospect of pain from cleaning, just the mere thought that Osferth was going to see you immodestly had a light sweat breaking out over your body.

When he returned, you were still propped up, nervously biting your nail. Osferth settled next to your leg without a word, water droplets running between his slender fingers and down the bony knuckles of his hand. “May I?” He asked, bringing you from your trance.

“Yes,” you replied, not knowing what you agreed to let him do but knowing you’d most likely let Osferth do anything to you he so desired. You could almost hear the nuns that raised you calling you a harlot but you didn’t care in the wake of Osferth’s light touch at your ankle.

Osferth grasped the hem of your skirt and lifted your dress, keeping a hand on your other covered leg to protect your modesty and only reveal to him what he needed to see in order to clean your wound, nothing else. He rested the raised skirt on the bone of your hip and just below your undergarments. You kept his gaze trained on your wound; definitely not on your long, slender legs you were, for some reason, bending at the knee ever-so-slightly.

The wet rag moved against your wound and you sucking in a sharp breath. Osferth looked at you in terror, horrified that he hurt you more.

When the stinging subsided, you let out an uncomfortable, strained laugh, “Have you been doing this when I’ve been asleep? Not used to me being in pain?”

He shook his head, running the rag along your wound again gently, “No, Lady Eadith has been tending to you. This was the first time I was asked.” He moved the rag against you again, causing you to tense once more.

You let your head fall back, not wanting to look at the swollen pink wound anymore that you knew was infected from the discolored ooze Osferth was wiping away.

“That should do it,” Osferth announced to himself after some time of the cold rag gently caressing your wound. You heard the bottle uncork and prepared yourself for the worst of it. You remembered helping tend to wounds in the nunnery, when the alcohol was poured over the infected wounds, the girls would scream.

I will not scream, you told yourself, I am stronger than they were.

“This might hurt,” Osferth warned. Suddenly, the cold of the liquid touched your wound and you began to let out a squeal that had Osferth putting his hand over your mouth to silence you.

When it was over and the stinging subsided, he released his hand. “I’m sorry,” he apologized softly, “We are in Dane Land. We need to be quiet.”

You scoffed, “Tell the ones around the fire that.” You could still hear some of them talking even at this distance away. You pulled yourself back up to sit against the wagon sideboards.

Osferth bristled at your returning unpleasant attitude but did not say anything. He turned to set the bottle of strong ale at the front of the wagon. When his face found yours again briefly, then his cheeks turned the color of roses and he would not meet your eye, looking down to his hands.

Suddenly you realized your skirt was still hiked up to fully expose your injured leg and the tiniest glider at your undergarment. You began to chuckle at Osferth’s discomfort.

“Have you never seen a naked woman before Osferth?” You pulled your skirt down to cover yourself and he finally met your eye.

“What sins I have committed do not matter for it’s your innocence I am trying to protect.” He looked down to his hands again, they were clasped together.

Now he made you blush and you were glad he was not looking at you to see it. You liked the feeling his words gave you deep in your stomach, so you chased this feeling. “Who is to say I am innocent?” You smirked playfully.

Osferth slowly raised his brilliant blue eyes to connect with yours, eyeing you almost like a predator to find your jest hidden within your face but you were rather good at composing your lies. “Have you been with a man?” His voice was deeper, quieter, softer. You watched his tongue dance behind his teeth as he waited for your response.

Your lungs stopped working for what felt like a lifetime before you could collect yourself. Something about his aura, the way he asked you had you in a trance, you couldn’t lie now even if you wanted to. “No,” you breathed out, “I grew up in a nunnery. There wasn’t a chance.”

Osferth returned his vision to his hands once more, as he fiddled with a loose thread on his clothes. He seemed to be deep in thought. You wondered what he was thinking about in this moment. You longed to get inside his mind and pick it, to know if he imagined you under him. The mere thought of such an act gave way to an uncomfortable want at the apex of your thighs and you decided to do as you always did: not hold back.

“What are you thinking about?”

He met your eyes, and again, he had a deep look of desire in his blue eyes. He took in a quick breath. “I do not wish to tell you what I was - am thinking.” He looked down again, “I should repent.”

“You were thinking of me?” Your voice was soft like a gentle breeze through a field of wildflowers on a warm summer morning. Osferth considered in that moment you might be a living, breathing, walking siren for how you could sound so sweet when he knew you were anything but.

He met your eyes and nodded. “Tis not right,” he breathed, “Not fair to you.” Somehow he was closer to you than before. Who was leaning in? Neither of you could tell.

“I don’t care what’s right or wrong,” you whispered, running your hand up his leather armor and grasping the top of it, gently pulling him toward you, though, there was no resistance. “I want you,” was the last thing you said before your lips crashed on his.

He resisted at first, like the God-fearing monk he was taught to be, like the friend of Uhtred he was, like the caretaker he vowed to be to you, but as all pleasures of the flesh he had partaken in before, he decided he would repent afterward in order to taste salvation on the lips of a devil first.

You had never kissed anyone but you had seen it done between Eadith and Finan and the couples in Winchester. You had practiced on your pillow, and you wanted him, desperately. To say your first kiss was good was an understatement. With your novice lips working with Osferth’s expert lips, you felt like you may have met your God.

He pulled away from you but barely, enough to feel his heavy breath against your own. His eyes were heavy, his mouth hanging agape. “I’ve wanted you for so long,” he admitted.

“I’ve wanted you too,” you blushed, closing the small gap between your hungry mouths again and kissing Osferth with the fever of a rabid dog. He returned the want, the need tenfold and gently, but greedily, placed a large hand on your stomach, another around the bottom of your back and slid you down into a laying position.

He now hovered atop of your body, his large frame covering your own like a cloak of protection. Kneeling beside your body, one of his hands found purchase at the base of your head in your tender hairs and cradled you so that your head was tipped back and neck exposed. Slowly, he worked down your jaw to your neck, kissing and licking against your pulse.

An unfamiliar feeling of tight heat was building in your core and you moved your legs to gather friction against the mounting pressure at the apex of your thighs. When you did so, pain from your wound shot through your body and you let out a small whimper. It was enough for Osferth to stop his pursuit in the taste of your pulse.

He pulled back and you tried to grab his armor, pulling him back but he grasped your hands and shoved them away. “I’m sorry,” he stammered, “This is not right.”

Frustration bubbled up in your throat at his denial, “This is the only thing that’s ever felt right in my life!” You whined, sitting up, angry tears threatening to spill. You sat facing Osferth, propped against the sideboards of the wagon.

Osferth shook his head, “Not everything is about you.” Anger was hidden in his quick words.

You narrowed your eyes, “How could this not be about me? This would have been my first time if you would not have stopped.”

Osferth met your eyes defiantly, “Exactly. I cannot take your innocence! I am not your husband, I am not important enough in your life to do so.”

You rolled your eyes, “If I ask you to take me, then you are.”

He shook his head, jaw clenched hard, “No. That should be reserved for someone more special than me” He met your eye and for the first time in your time knowing him, you saw anger in his eyes, “Do not tempt me again. I will not forgive you if you cause me to sin in such a great way.”

With that, he stood and left angrily, the wagon rocking as he hopped out and away from you, leaving you along in the covered wagon, feeling denied, filthy and shamed.

Taglist: @godrakin @tssf-imagines @brianochka @victoriagaunt @fan-goddess

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#fanfic #the last kingdom #the lost children #osferth #osferth fluff #osferth smut #osferth x reader #eadith #Finan #smut #female reader

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moonlight-rider25 · 11 months

Text

Saint among Sinners

Chapter 7, in the Eadiths lady series.

Word count: 3344

Warnings: Your guess is as good as mine

Read chapter 6 “Spill the beans’ leading up to this chapter...

Uhtred strokes your cheek where your tear has fallen. You grasp his hand and lean your cheek softly against his huge weather palm.

“Please?” You ask again.

He casts his gaze down to his hand wrapped around yours and chuckles quietly to himself. He leans in against you, pressing his forehead to yours and you breathe in his safe familiar scent. You caress his cheek tenderly and peer into his blue sparkling eyes glimmering back at you. He slowly turns his head away from you and peers down at his lap.

“First…I need to know...” He says quietly avoiding your look.

Your heart quakes in your chest, you try desperately to remain calm as the butterflies in your belly begin to bounce around. He looks up to you with a wide grin. Your eyes light up waiting to hear what he's to say.

“...How come you're so good at this, faking an ailment thing?” He asks, unable to keep his face even any longer.

You exhale heavily and laugh wholeheartedly at his remark.

“Believe me, twas not an easy task!” You giggle.

You sit vibrating with laughter for a moment. He looks from your eyes back to your hand in his, laughter still thick in both your throats.

Once you’ve finally settled, you squeeze his palm a bit and try to look him seriously in the eye.

“So?.. Do we have a deal, my Lord?” You ask him plainly, trying not to show too much eagerness on your face.

“…I suppose I could sacrifice…. a day or two?” He asks sarcastically.

You giggle loudly at his remark. Clasping your hand over your mouth so as to not draw attention to you.

“Three?!” He teases dramatically looking back to you.

His big hand comes down upon yours, grasping your hand now between his. He stokes tiny circles around your knuckles and smiles madly.

“Longer!?” He asks with a snicker. “Please tell me, how long, woman?!” he chuckles, leaning playfully against you.

He brings your hand up to his lips and plants a tender long kiss on your knuckles where he just rubbed tiny circles. You gaze up into his stunning glimmering eyes and smile.

“As long as it takes.” you tell him.

He watches you carefully, peering deeply into your eyes as you gaze back up at him. His hand cups your chin softly and he slowly begins closing the gap between the two of you. Your eyes flutter shut and you hold your breath feeling him inch closer.

“I don’t think we have that much time..” He utters softly against your lips.

Your tender moment is quickly disrupted as you hear Eadith approaching, yelling her excitement of finding the herbs for your tea. Yours and Uhtred's eyes grow wide and you squeeze his hand tightly.

“You better be as good at this, as I am…” You whisper against him before he stands quickly pacing away from you.

“Eadith!” You call out, remembering to grasp your belly again. “Over here!”

She rushes over happily, Finan struggling to keep up with her, plops down next to you beside the tree, where Uhtred had just been.

“I’ve got it!” she hums gleefully. “All we need now is a fire, some hot water, and your belly should be good as new!”

You smile politely at her, remembering to keep your belly clasped. She spins around in her spot towards Finan, who's still huffing out of breath, and Uhtred, who's trying to hide the devilish smile dancing on his face.

“Could you two, go gather some firewood?” She pleads kindly.

Uhtred clears the laughter from his throat and smacks Finan on the back before heading off in the opposite direction.

“Of course my lady” Finan huffs, reluctantly following after Uhtred.

You sit trying to hide your own grin watching Uhtred's bad performance and quickly wipe it away as Eadith turns her attention back to you.

“You know, Eadith…I think I’m fine now, really.” You tell her.

“Nonsense!” She assures you, “I’ve got everything you need right here!” She tells you calmly, sorting through the plants from her bag.

“No Eadith!” You tell her more eagerly.

She stops and looks confused at you.

“It was just…lady troubles. That's all.”

“Oh!” she replies. “Well, in that case…” she continues happily “..We mine as well have some tea!”

~~~~~

Gathered around the fire, the day begins to drift away and the men; besides Uhtred, are visibly growing anxious. You try your best to act accordingly and Eadith tends lovingly to you, none the wiser. The fire crackles loudly and a spark drops out in front of you on the ground, you instinctively snuff it out with your shoe.

Uhtred sips water from his tin cup and meets Sihtrics eye. He swallows the sip dramatically, nodding towards him.

Sihtric watches as you do, and stands to face Uhtred.

"Lord, I believe lady Y/N is fine to travel, now's time to get moving before nightfall." He tells him in a concerned tone.

"Eh..you know Sihtric.." Uhtred begins.

The others turn their attention to him, including yourself.

"...I was thinking we might as well just make camp here for the night…" Uhtred replies stoically, peering off into the distance facing away from the group. "...Perhaps we could indulge ourselves a bit on the ale we have at hand…"

In seconds the men's faces light up meeting one another's eye, with delight painted across their faces. Finan leaps over the campfire heading towards the bags loaded up with many bottles of ale.

"I thought you'd never ask, my Lord!" Finan cackles, holding bottles up in the air.

Osferth, Sihtric, and Eadith waste no time joining Finan in dishing out the ale. You peer around the group with a satisfied smile when your eyes lock with Uhtred.

He stares in your direction, making no mind of hiding it from the others. You stare back watching and hoping the happiness you feel at this moment is also being felt by him as well. At least more so than any regret he may have; not be early on his arrival back to Wessex this time.

Eadith hands you a cup of ale and your stare with Uhtred breaks. You smile back at her as she giggles happily.

"I wonder what's gotten into him?" She says before taking a sip, gesturing towards Uhtred.

"...Who knows?.." You reply, hiding your smirk as you bring your own cup to your lips; your eyes meeting back with Uhtred who's also being handed a full cup of ale.

~~~~~

The moon looms far overhead beyond the tree leaves while the fire roars before you. The group has and still is indulging themselves with the stolen ale Finan has been able to acquire from past towns. Regardless of how it became, you're glad to have another night under the stars with the group.

Osferth, opening up from the drinks, has made himself quite comfortable beside Eadith. His arm wrapped gently around her neck as he wavers a bit back and forth listening to her as she speaks. Finan and Sihtric shout out a laugh in unison, seemingly sharing some grand story with Uhtred calmly beside them. Uhtred sits watching you from across the fire, and as if he's able to read your thoughts; looks around the group assuming they're all too intoxicated to make much note of his moment towards you.

Ale in hand, he seats himself beside you and pours you both a fresh cup. Eadith let's out a hearty cackle from beside you; you meet Uhreds look before laughing amusingly to yourselves.

"Would be ashamed to cut all this short." He says softly with a chuckle.

You nod, joining him in his amusement; watching the others.

"Hopefully Finan has enough stored away for the next few nights," he adds, taking a sip. "Otherwise we will be in a hurry…to get to the next town at least and stock up!"

You giggle madly at his words, unfortunately, drawing the attention of the others, over to the two of you in the process.

"AY!" Finan calls out from across the fire. "What are you two love birds doing over there!?"

Your heart sinks into your stomach and you feel your cheeks flush with red. Uhtred, also feeling the tension, stirs uncomfortably and turns his body towards the fire a bit.

Finan gets up and hobbles over to Eadith and Osferth. You're sure he can hear the beating in your chest as you finally exhale the lump in your throat down slowly.

Finan mocks the two entangled in each other before dramatically sitting himself blunting down between the two of them. Eadith cackles and scoots closer towards you, squishing you closer towards Uhtred. You inch carefully as Uhtred does nothing to move away… but instead, gently places his hand on your lower back. You allow yourself to enjoy the moment for a few brief seconds before turning your head toward Uhtred, and peer up lustfully at his big blue eyes. He smiles gently down at you with a smirk dancing across his face…

You both jump when Sihtric places himself on the other side of Uhtred, breathing a hot wave of ale breath on you. Finan chews thoughtfully on the end of a stick then points playfully to Eadith.

"I'm watching you!" He says sarcastically, pointing between Osferth and Eadith. The crooked circle bellows in laughter as cups are refilled; Uhtred's hand refuses to leave its spot on your back…

So badly you wish to spin your head around and grip his face between your hands and meet his lips with yours. Devouring his mouth, feeling his hot tongue against yours before pulling back and spying his brilliant blue eyes sparking down at you asking not to stop…, but instead you sit still, feeling his huge warm body so close to yours, and the soft tickle of his beard scratching at your temple. Before you can hear the words he tries to mumble, Osferth casts his hand in your direction.

"Us?!" Osferth states, still swallowing down his mouthful of ale. "What about those two?!" He says with a laugh pointing towards you and Uhtred.

You freeze, feeling your throat swell up yet again. The fear makes its way down toward your stomach.

"Can't I ask the lady if she's feeling better?" Uhtred quickly, and smoothly fibs.

His hand falling away from your back as the group seems to accept his lie well enough. The others mumble to themselves as you swallow hard, raising your cup to your mouth trying to hide the redness on your face that has formed. You try to relax again back towards Uhtred's hand but it has disappeared; not as quickly along with the knot in your stomach.

Osferth finishes his cup as Finan eagerly cheers him on.

"Now… sleep," the baby monk replies, tipping his cup upside down.

"Aw no, not yet!" You protest as eagerly as you can, trying not to sound too eager to spend more time next to Uhtred.

Sihtric drains the remains of his cup into his mouth before also agreeing and standing to join the baby monk.

"No! Come on, stay up with us!" You cry again; this time Eadith joining in your plea.

Uhtred makes no comment but begins to stand and walk towards his tent along with the others.

"Aw, forget them ladies…. They're not fun… we can have a good time just the three of us…" Finan jokes.

You and Eadith make eye contact knowing being alone with Finan in the middle of the woods is the very last thing you should be doing…

"Please!" You both beg now. "Don't go, come on, stay here!"

"And do what?" Sihtric snaps, his hands placed firmly on his waist.

You and Eadith sit quietly for a moment trying to come up with a reason…

"Oh I know!" Eadith cries out cheerfully. Let's play a game!"

Osferth strides back over the circle around the fire and seats himself, again by Finan who 'huraws' his return.

"What game?" The baby monk asks hopefully.

"Umm…" Eadith wavers a bit trying to think of one.

"Stones!" Finan pipes in.

"No, we are not playing your made up game Finan!" You tell him with a laugh.

"Oh I know!" Eadith says turning towards you. "What's that game we used to play in the field…back…when we were at…Madam Ells!?..." Eadith asks you through staggering words.

"Uhhhm…" you rack your brain trying to understand.

"Saint amongst Sinners!" She blurts out finally.

You raise an eyebrow at her and peer around the circle; clearly no one else has ever heard of the game.

Sihtric and Uhtred make their way back over and sit down around the fire as well, Uhtred much further away than before, but still beside you.

"Saint amongst Sinners? Well, clearly the Saint is baby monk..game over!" Sihtric states with a laugh.

"No, it's fun!" Eadith assures him all too gleefully. "We all go around the circle naming off ‘sins’ we've never partaken in…" She begins to inform the group.

"Oh yes, I do remember this." You add. "We all start with our hand out, palm open. One by one we all go around the circle and name something bad you’ve never done, but, believe the others may have. If you have, you close your palm and you're out for the rest of the game, but the last person with their palm open is the Saint!"

"Oh… I get it," Sihtric says plainly.

"You do?” Finan says with a straight face. “Well, could you explain it to the rest of us?" He shouts through a laugh across the circle.

"It's easy, watch, Eadith and I will start…" You tell them; sitting with your hand out palm open.

"I am a Saint, for I have never stolen…" you state.

The others copy your open hand and look blankly at each other.

"Now, if you have ever stolen, you close your palm and you're out." Eadith tells them.

She looks to Finan whose hand is still open.

"So you're out Finan, close your hand."

"Why! I've never stolen!" He argues.

"Where'd you get all this ale from?!" She asks with a cackle.

"That's not stealing…thats…its" He tries to reassure the group.

"Stealing, and you're out!" Replies Sihtric as the group roars in laughter.

"Dumb bloody game.." Finan spats sarcastically.

Eadith goes next, "I am a Saint, for I have never told a lie to my mother…"

You reluctantly close your hand and eye the circle seeing you're the only one.

"Dumb game isn't it!" Finan says with a smirk.

"How have you all never lied to your mothers?" You ask shocked, eyeing the others around the circle…

"Hard to lie to your mother when you haven't got one,” Osferth tells you apologetically.

The group roars with laughter, yet again.

~~~~~~~

After a few more rounds of the game it's clear; Osferth was in fact the leading Saint among Sinners in the group. Leading with not having laid with anyone outside of wedlock, not having shamed another publicly, and never telling a white lie… Beyond killing another being in or out of war, that round you found yourself winning. It was now Eadiths turn again, and with the ale flowing steadily she flashed you a quick devilish look and began with her hand open in the circle.

“I am the Saint among Sinners, for I have never lay beneath a blanket with Y/N..”

You’re sure the group could hear your heart slamming in your chest and you carefully eye the circle of hands before you, watching Uhtred reluctantly fold his hand closed and retract it from the view of the others.

You hold your breath in your throat as eyes grow wide meeting each other's looks, quickly followed by inaudible stammering and shouting from across the circle.

You flash Eadith a very disapproving look and try your best to be heard over all the men now shouting around the fire. Eadith, whos far too inebriated to appreciate your looks of terror, force you turn your attention to Uhtred; whose face is painted with a thick smirk as he takes a long sip of ale. You flash him a look of ‘help’ while he eyes you and downs the rest of his cup's contents.

Leading Eadith, the group begins chanting; “Uhtred, Y/N, tell us” while Uhtred and yourself grow restless in your seats.

“There's nothing to tell!” You shout desperately.

Uhtred shakes his head towards the group and lays back against his elbows on the ground. You turn your attention back to him and anticipate with a heaving heartbeat his words. His eyes avoiding yours makes your pulse increase even more..

“It just so happens…”

“It was just one time!” You interrupt him, shaking noticeable.

“...When we all thought Eadith was ill, and it was cold…we ended up under the same blanket in the horse stalls because it was cold!...”

The others ‘ohh’ and ‘ahhing’ over the lie you choose.

“It was just that once…and I’m not sure why Eadith is so adamant on forcing my hand in sharing the story seeing as she already knows…”

You flash her quick look of ‘stop it’ before adding “Who needs another drink?!”

Everyones cup raises and you quickly take the chance to lock arms with Eadith, hoist her up, and begin making your way towards the tent, to grab another stolen bottle of ale.

Eadith laughs as you guide her towards the tent flap.

“What in God's name are you doing?!” You ask in a rasped whisper.

Your heart; still beating rapidly in your chest as you cast the tent flap closed behind the two of you. She leans against the thick tree limb holding the structure secure. Laughter still in her throat, she shakes her head a bit from side to side. You pour her a cup, well knowing she doesn't need a refill and take a long sip from the long bottle neck. You wipe your mouth in disapproval and stare back at her with rage and disapproval in your eyes.

…“I told you…You're playing a very dangerous game Y/N.” she says aftering taking her own gulp from her cup.

“Eadith!” You snap coldly.

She rolls her eyes dramatically, turning her back towards you slowly, peering out from the tents flap back towards the men gathered at the fire.

“You and I were once unbreakable…” she begins with a sad tone in her voice, still staring out towards the men around the fire. “You’re like a sister to me… And still are… Or so I thought…”

You allow a heavy sigh to escape you before shaking your head. She turns back and your look has turned a bit softer now.

“...I’m not sure anymore…What I am sure of, is the secrets you’re are keeping from me these days…” Eadith says with a solemn look on her face.

“Eadith…If there was anything to tell… I would tell you…” You say slowly, before taking a long sip from the bottle. “The truth is I don’t know what to make of Uhtred and myself..”

She rolls her eyes yet again, gathering her dress ready to make her way back towards the group. You lock arms with her, carefully urging her back behind the faint barricade of the tent.

“Alright yes…some things have happened…” You tell her quietly.

She crossed her arms a bit, wavering in place balancing her cup in her crossed arms.

“I watched you slip into his tent last night…” she tells you with a look of drunken disapproval on her face.

You bite back your bottom lip unsure of what to say next. She sighs and casts her look back out towards the group, you peel back the tent flap a smidge, and peer out with her. Uhtred looks back towards the tent and smiles meeting your eye. Eadith, clearly seeing the interaction, no thanksthe lasto Uhtred, cranes her head towards you and allows the tent flap to shut.

“Alright you little Sinner…” Eadith says with a smirk. “Story time…”

Tags:@osferthsworld @emily-forever75-blog @sirenofavalon @rrtxcmt @cosmosworldd @elbereth-bluebird @chemitaromance @deadstarkblacksoul @kimi240302 @buglyberry

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icarusignite · 1 year

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Just finished The Last Kingdom, and I am absolutely blown away. Feeling abit inspired so would y'all be interested in some tlk fanfics. Probably mostly for sihtric since that's my new hyperfixation, lol, but I can do others too. Maybe like a series of short stories idk, thoughts and opinions are welcome :)

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lauwrite1225 · 9 months

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Exile - Finan x Eadith

You're not my homeland anymore; So what am I defendin' now?; You were my town; Now I'm in exile seein' you out. - exile, Taylor Swift

A/N: Just some old stuff i wrote and corrected tonight that i don't remember posting anywhere! Enjoy!

“So... You are not coming with us?” Finan summarized as they sat on Coccham’s docks, stunned by her decision.

They had received a letter from Lady Aethelflaed in the morning, asking for Uhtred to become the Lord of another small town in the North of Mercia. Rumcofa, she had written, was a Danish settlement and she thought Uhtred was the best person to rule there and protect the border.

Eadith shook her head, giving him an apologetic smile whilst her fingers toyed with one of her bracelets. “After everything that happened I don't really know who I am anymore.”

The Irishman frowned at her. “You're Eadith. The fiercest woman I have ever met.” He said, the slight humor in his tone making her laugh. How dearly he loved that sound.

She looked to the other side of the river, her chuckles fading into a sigh. “That's who I am to you, Finan. Even if I never doubted your words, I still would like to find by myself who I am. I don't think coming to Mercia with you will be of any help.”

Finan pursed his lips, not quite sure about what to answer. Most of Eadith's memories in Mercia were horrible, made of people who had abused her and Finan would kill them with his bare hands for the pain they caused her if they weren't already several feet underground. The thought made his fists clench on their own accord until Eadith’s gentle hand covered one of his.

He opened his palm slowly and allowed her to draw the scars on his skin with her thumb, like so many nights before while talking of everything and anything. Finan wasn't the kind to talk much about himself, he would rather listen and advise than open his heart. To Eadith, however, he revealed almost all of his deepest secrets without thinking twice.

Her eyes were focused on his hand and he tried not to stare at her too intently. He knew her face like the back of his hand by now, from her blue-green eyes to the few freckles on her cheeks. Or her delicate lips he had dreamed so many times to kiss while tangling his fingers in her fiery hair.

His gaze dropped to their almost joined hands; maybe it was meant to remain a dream.

She had taken him to the docks, she had talked about her project to no one else before. It could only mean she cared for him, but maybe not as much as he cared for her.

He took a deep breath and tried to focus on the trees moving into the wind to the other side of the Thames so his voice wouldn't shake. “And... What about us?”

Eadith stopped drawing shapes inside his palm but she didn't retreat her fingers, her soft and warm skin still tickling his calloused hand. Somehow, it pleased him that she needed a moment to think about her answer; he hadn't been a complete fool and fell for a woman who didn't share his feelings. Though, he didn't know if it would make letting her go any easier. It felt like what they had built together for all these months was only being wasted.

He tried to swallow the bitterness and simply listened as she eventually answered him. “I can't ask you to wait for me.”

“You don't have to.” He replied, meeting her eyes determinedly. He had waited all his life to meet her, what could be a few more months? Even years.

She bit down her lip, preventing her lips from curving into a soft smile. “I don't want you to wait for me. I don't know where I'll go nor when I'll be ready to come back to you. Maybe-” Her words trailed off, her voice not so calm anymore. She closed her eyes, a tear shining below her eyelashes that she wiped away before Finan could. “Maybe I'll never come back and I don't want you to wait forever for me.”

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard to give herself more strength. Finan wished she would never have to let him go. But he knew better that he had already lost her despite their joined hands.

“You are such a good man, Finan. The best man I have ever met and I will forever be grateful for all the joy you have brought me.”

He wanted to answer that he could bring her more joy, more happy days until the end of time, but the words died on his tongue. There was a growing hole inside his chest but while she was still holding his hand, he knew it wouldn't swallow all of him yet.

“Maybe if I come back, we will have another chance.” She said more quietly. “But we can't hold on to that hope. So, if you find someone to love you like you deserve to be, then do not think of me.”

Finan nodded solely but to be honest he had no idea how he could ever keep that promise. He had waited two decades to love someone again, how could he possibly love again before he is an old man?

She gave him a beautiful smile despite the tears falling down her cheeks. Then, she leaned toward him and kissed his bearded cheek, the fire it sent in his chest more aching than delightful. His fingers held her hand tightly as she moved back, the burn of her lips lingering on his skin.

Eadith squeezed his hand back one last time before they unlinked their fingers. It might be the middle of summer, the sun shining high in the clear sky, Finan flet suddenly cold. She stood up and the Irishman had to look away to resist pulling her back against him and begging her not to leave him.

He heard her footsteps against the wood as she walked but he didn't look back. He wasn't hers and she wasn't his anymore. If they had even belonged to each other once.

#it's sad sorry not sorry #the last kingdom #eadith #finan #eadith x finan #finan the agile #tlk

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thalys-artcorner · 1 year

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Finan and Eadith from The Last Kingdom and their children.

Seeing them was my favorite aspect of the Seven Kings Must Die movie :) Especially when they mentioned their youngest one was called Osferth.

#The Last Kingdom #the last kingdom fanart #finan the last kingdom #eadith of mercia #eadith the last kingdom #finan the agile #seven kings must die #fan art #my art #my fanart #digital art #digital drawing #fanartist #artists on tumblr #finan x eadith #tlk #7kmd

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magravenwrites · 1 year

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The Ghosts of Christmas' Past

Finan x Eadith

(GIF not mine)

Summary: After a year of plague, hard fighting and heartbreak, Uhtred and his men are ready to celebrate Yule with Coccham's newest residents; Aethelstan and Eadith. While the rest of the party seem to enjoy the festivities, Finan is disturbed at how little joy the season brings to Eadith. After following her outside, they talk of what it is to really have a home and a family.

Requested: Yes

A/N: This was posted on ao3 a while ago but thought it was about time I posted it here too. Set after season 4 but before season 5.

Thanks to @axe-does-writing for beta-reading this for me 💕

Enjoy!

---------------------------------------------------

The fire in the hearth cast a golden glow across the hall, its warmth could be felt throughout the room.

Finan relaxed back into his chair, letting the heat and contentment settle in his bones. It was nice to experience some peace for once. Particularly after their year of running up and down the country, losing loved one's, fighting in battles and evading the dreaded sickness.

Now, it was a time for peace, before Uhtred undoubtedly dragged them all into his mess once more.

He would take what he could while he had the chance.

It was nice for everyone to be together, laughing, drinking and feasting with their families.

While Uhtred was Pagan, he had still agreed to host a feast for Christmas. No doubt persuaded by Hild, who may or may not have threatened him had he not agreed to host the celebrations.

Uhtred had argued he would host the feast to celebrate Yule, rather than the Christian celebrations, but they all knew he did not need an excuse to hold a feast.

Finan gazed around the room, taking in the sound of laughter from the far side of the table where Sihtric sat with his wife, entertaining their many children.

Osferth had not long arrived after praying in the makeshift church with Hild. He now sat next to Sihtric, throwing the occasional comment here and there while eating his fill of the feast.

Aethelstan was sitting next to Finan; it would be the boy's first Yule with them and Finan was intent on making it a good one.

He knew what it was like to grow up too quickly, to have so much responsibility forced on his young shoulders. He'd be damned if he didn't let Aethelstan enjoy just one Yule as a child should.

With fun. With a family.

It was heartwarming to see the young boy sat at the table with a smile on his face, laughing at the stories Sihtric was telling, and eating his fill of the feast. He was slowly but surely coming out of his shell.

"Once you've finished your plate, you can go and listen to Sihtric's stories with the other children." He told him gently. "-and if you have a second helpin' of vegetables then I'll tell ya how to beat Young Sihtric in your next sparring match." He winked, chucking when the young boy immediately reached to spoon more of the vegetables onto his plate.

Osferth sent him a shrewd look from across the table "Are you not above bribing children Finan?" He teased.

"It's not bribin' - more… gentle persuasion. Besides, the boy needs feeding up if he's to be a big, strong, warrior one day." He argued lightly, ruffling Aethelstan's hair.

Finan's eyes moved past Osferth's shoulder, and settled on the latest edition to their ragtag group - Eadith, where she was sat warming herself in front of the fire.

If it wasn't for her bravery, they would all be dead. At first she had intended to go to Frankia, she had some family there. Finan was only glad when she had decided to return to Coocham with them instead.

He had not trusted her at first, but over the months he spent in her company he had grown to admire her. More than admire her, if truth be told.

She was sat by the fire, her gaze lost in the dancing flames. Finans breath hitched at her beauty. The golden glow of the flames shone off her hair and dress, making her look as though she were an angel. A fallen angel just for him.

Eadith gracefully rose from her seat, making her way for the door and exiting without even looking back at them once. She hadn't even taken her cloak with her.

Finans eyebrows furrowed in concern at her sudden exit. She had been relatively quiet all evening, but he thought that she was just enjoying the peace of the festivities.

He felt a sharp boot kick him from under the table, looking away from the door, he turned to glare at the offender.

He saw Baby Monk giving him a pointed look, inclining his head toward the door.

"Go after her, you know you want to. I'll keep an eye on the boy." He said.

After debating it a while in his head, he nodded in agreement, standing from the table to rush after her.

"Bless ya Baby Monk".

He only made it to the end of the table before turning on his heel back to Aethelstan's side.

"Make sure he finishes his plate." He warned, pointing a threatening finger between Osferth and the boy.

Osferth only rolled his eyes at his antics.

"I will, now stop stalling and go!"

Finally satisfied, Finan swiftly marched to the door, grabbing his cloak before heading outside.

Letting the door fall closed behind him, Finan was surprised to see it was still snowing outside. His breath instantly clouded in front of his face.

He spotted Eadith not too far away, sat on the bottom step to the hall, staring up at the snow. Her arms were wrapped around herself, shielding her from the cold.

He usually hated the cold. He had spent too many winters freezing his arse off at sea to hold any love of it now.

But he had to admit, there was a beauty and a stillness that snow brought like nothing else could. Or perhaps that was just the effect Eadith had on him.

As he descended the steps, getting closer to her, he noticed how the snowflakes settled on her hair and eyelashes, making her look even more beautiful.

"May I join you?" He asked as he stood a step behind her, not wanting to intrude.

Eadith looked over her shoulder at him, giving a small nod of her head with a gentle smile.

Finan gave a smile in return, glad she hadn't turned him away. He settled himself on the step next to her with a groan, making sure his cloak was securely around him to fight off the chill air.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a little while. Neither one of them wanted to break the peace.

Finan felt like a fool. He came out here to woo her. Now he couldn't think if a single thing to say.

He blew warm air into his hands, rubbing them together to keep them warm, in an attempt to stop fidgeting from nerves.

"Are you alright?" He asked, cringing internally at how awkward he sounded.

"I mean - you left the hall in a hurry - I just wanted to make sure you were alright?" He stumbled, by way of an explanation.

He wanted to kick himself. He prided himself on being able to be confident in any situation, particularly when it came to charming the ladies. So why was he now struggling to string two sentences together, as if he were a boy with his first crush?

Eadith, either oblivious to his awkwardness or choosing to ignore it, simply smiled lightly, taking a deep breath of the night air.

"I just needed some air," She replied quietly.

"You don't have ta hide things from me. There is something bothering you. If you feel ya need to talk, then you can always come ta me. If you want to. You're safe here."

"I fear that is part of the problem. I find that being here… I have never known such security before. Such comfort. Such peace. I am unused to not having to look over my shoulder, or not being seen as an object to use. It can be so…" She vaguely waved her hands in front of her, as if wanting to grasp the right word from the air.

"Overwhelming." Finan finished for her.

"Exactly." She gave him a puzzled expression, surprised he had managed to sum up how she was feeling so simply.

"I have never spent a Christmas amongst people I feel at home with. It is a foreign feeling. I always had my brother by my side, but we were always jumping from one court to another, trying to redeem our family name. It was never a happy time for us, and now he is not here either." Her arms tightened around herself, though whether it was for warmth or to comfort herself, Finan couldn't tell. He guessed it was probably a little of both.

He remained silent, letting her work through her thoughts and feelings, before he comforted her. He knew the importance of needing to process things first.

"I know he betrayed us. But I still miss him. He was the only family I had left." She sighed, holding back tears.

He shuffled closer to her, getting so close that their knees were lightly brushing together. He reached over, taking her hand in his.

Her hand felt like ice in his own, she had goosebumps raised on her arms, and he only just noticed how her teeth were beginning to chatter.

"Good God woman, you're freezing!" He exclaimed, immediately moving to cover her with his cloak. Shuffling closer still so they could share its warmth.

"I am fine," She protested lightly, giggling over his fussing.

"Don't be so stubborn, you'll catch your death in the cold like this." He enclosed his hands around her own, rubbing them to instill some warmth, trying to ignore the way just holding her hand made his palms tingle and his head spin.

"Thank you." She relented, sighing at the warmth he provided.

Unconsciously, she leant closer toward him, leaning on his shoulder.

Finan smiled softly at the weight of her pressed to his side, glad she was comfortable enough with him to be so close.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, each enjoying the other's presence, but as the minutes passed by, Finan felt he had to broach the subject of their conversation once more.

"I understand, y'know - about not having a family or a home ta call your own. Probably better than most." He started.

"Of course, you have been away from your homeland for so long. You must miss it dearly."

Finan huffed a laugh at that. If only it were so simple.

"Not quite. You may not know this… but I first met Uhtred on a slave ship." He told her looking her in the eye, watching the suprise cross her face.

"I am so sorry, I did not know…"

He shook his head, not wanting her sympathy. He swallowed thickly, attempting to hold back the tumultuous array of emotions that were threatening to burst from him. It was important she heard this.

"I was a foolish young man and I made mistakes. I spent three Winters pulling at the oar in payment for those mistakes.

My life in Ireland - it was not my own life. Everything was planned out for me, and I wanted to escape. It has been a long time since I have considered Ireland my home." He admitted.

Eadith listened in silence, her heart heavy knowing he had been through such torments.

"It took me time to adjust, but my home is now here." Finan continued, looking over their shoulders at the doors to the hall with a fondness in his eyes.

"Home is not always a place, Eadith, it is the people that make it so. Uhtred, Sihtric, Osferth, and the children… As long as I am with them, I know I am home. It is why I would follow them anywhere. It is my wish that one day, you will come to see this - us - as your new home too." He turned back to face her, their eyes meeting.

"I think I am already beginning to see it as one." She whispered, a small smile pulling at her lips.

Her eyes darted down to his lips before darting back to meet his gaze once more.

A smile grew on Finans own features, happy to hear the news. He leaned in closer to her, his smile turning into a smirk as a thought crossed his mind.

"You know, back in Ireland, to kiss an Irishman during a Christmas festival is considered good luck".

"Is it indeed?" Eadith laughed.

Finan beamed, adoring the sound.

"Well then, I am in need of some good luck." She leaned forward.

Finan closed the distance between them, his lips meeting her own. It was sweet and tender, and everything else around them seemed to disappear.

Eventually the need to breathe overpowered their ability to keep kissing, causing them to separate, their breaths heavy.

They shared a smile, letting their foreheads rest against each other, their fingers lacing together. Their breaths mingled in the cold air between them.

They sat there together in the quiet of the night, taking in the moment and considering what lay ahead of them in the future.

"What are you both doing freezing your arses off out here?" A voice shouted, startling the pair apart, both clearing their throats acting as if they had been caught doing something they shouldn't.

Looking ahead of them, Finan saw Uhtred making his way over to them, ascending the steps past them and to the doors of the hall with a grin on his face.

"Just takin' in the night air, Lord," Finan replied, getting to his feet and sending a scathing look to his friend at his untimely interruption.

"And will you be rejoining us in the hall, or will you be taking the fair lady home for the evening?" Uhtred smirked, eyebrow raised in question while he opened the door to the hall.

Finan looked to Eadith, unsure if she would want to return to being in company just yet. He could always offer to walk her home if she did not. Though not in the way Uhtred had intended it.

"We will rejoin the party Lord, I am not finished listening to tales of all your past misadventures yet." She giggled.

Finan offered her his hand, helping her to her feet. Not letting go even once she had caught her balance.

"I am happy for you both." Uhtred said seriously, before disappearing inside, leaving the door open for them.

Finan and Eadith shared a last breathless smile with each other before making their way up the steps and back to the feast.

Whatever had happened in their pasts, Finan was sure that they would continue onwards, able to finally find a home in each other.

Home was certainly where the heart is.

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Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

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#The Last Kingdom #tlk #finan #finan the agile #eadith #finan x eadith #uhtred #osferth #baby monk #aethelstan

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