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Upon the arrival of the heathens, Althena was within her chambers. Her maids had laced her into her dress, braided all of her hair intricately, and left her to stare at her own reflection. As she looked at herself, she couldn't help but grow nervous. Here she was, dressed like a queen in every sense. But she was not a queen. She was a girl. A scared girl.
Everything that she'd ever known was soon to be ripped away from her. All her beliefs, her customs, the people that she loved with every fibre of her being. And why? If it was Alwin in her position, he would refuse. His needs always became above the needs of her people. And, though she had every mind to refuse, though this entire exchange made her feel like some loose woman on a street corner, she persisted. It was her damnation, her virtue, her soul. All of those things mattered a great deal to her. But they mattered a great deal to the men, women, and children of her kingdom also. And her soul was a worthy price to pay for the souls of the innocent people that she was born to protect.
Silently, she took a deep breath, wiping the cold tears from her cheeks. She lifted her chin, steadying the crown that sat atop her head, and looked at herself again with a nod. "You can do this." She spoke reassuringly, regaining her composure. And, finally, she walked outside her chamber door and towards the vast noise of the hall in which her brother schemed with the north men.
When she reached the large double doors, she simply flicked her hand and they were opened by two guards. The hall fell silent. Everyone turned to look at her, heathens and Saxons alike. Though she could feel her legs shaking beneath her gown, her face pale as she felt the overwhelming urge to turn and run, she remained resolute and hardened her features.
"Ah, sister, I'm glad you could join us." Alwin spoke in false kindness. Had she not been a lady, she may very well have spat on the floor at his insulting demeanor.
"Brother," She smiled falsely, eyes glaring daggers at the young fool before her. "I'm so glad that you are feeling well enough to host this dinner. I'd heard you'd caught something from one of the old women that you pay for company."
Her face was stone cold and expressionless as Alwin almost choked on his wine. She could see the few heathens that understood her holding back their laughter towards the idiot King.
"You were right," One of them said, vibrant blue eyes and jet black hair. She didn't see his crippled legs from beneath the table, but if she had she likely would've been to afraid to walk closer. After all, what Saxon did not fear Ivar The Boneless? "She is... Firey." He smirked, lifting his cup to his lips as he looked between the princess and her brother with intrigue.
"And she will be a good wife-" Alwin began but the pagan stopped him once more.
"Not for me." He spoke calmly. "She'll marry my brother, Ubbe."
The man beside him looked just as shocked as Althena and Alwin, and she assumed that this was the brother that he was speaking of. He pulled the leader aside, muttering words in their foreign tongue of how he refused to just be sold off without even being consulted. Though Althena understood little of what he said, she couldn't help but agree with what she could gather. She felt much the same. However, the older brother was quickly silenced by the leader and they turned to Alwin once more - Ubbe remaining with a rather unhappy expression to say the least.
"My brother wants to know if your sister has agreed to these terms, or whether she is in a similar situation." Ivar spoke with an eye-roll, clearly already sick of these politics and simply wanting what he had come there for.
"My sister knows what's best for her people." Alwin declared on her behalf.
Ubbe looked over towards the girl and, for the briefest moment, their eyes met. He didn't need to read her thoughts to know what she was thinking, it was clear upon her face. She didn't want this. And just as Ivar had told him that this was for his people - simply to silence him - he knew that Alwin had done the same to her.
Althena walked forwards, into the centre of the room full of Vikings, her head still high. "Your majesty, if you will excuse me." She bowed towards her brother and he waved her off dismissively. Slowly she turned towards the three brothers. "Heathens," She bid farewell with a bitter tone before turning and leaving.
Ubbe couldn't help but smile at the girl's tenacity. She stood in room full of Viking warriors and simply didn't seem to care. That was fortitude.
But what he didn't see was what happened when the doors closed behind her. Althena, dropped down to the floor, once she was certain that none could see her. Her chest heaved as she attempted to muffle her sorrowful cries.
This was it.
This was the end. Or was it?
So I kinda lost muse for this book for a while but ngl I'm really feeling it again. Plus Ubbe is literally my favourite🤷🤷 -Rhi
