How the tables have suddenly turned.
Aethelbald fights with one arm. He knows he cannot win. So like the coward he is, he quickly shoves through the men and mounts his horse, riding away and deserting his army. The soldiers who fight for him look in horror at their so-called leader’s form growing smaller in the distance because he’s not coming back.
When I get closer to them, the fight in them dies, and some lower their weapons in surrender. Others, however, would rather take their own lives than fight for me once again. So like their leader, they follow his lead and flee the scene.
I let them go because the next time we meet, it will be in battle.
A dozen or so men remain, accepting whatever fate befalls them for their decision. Brothers help their fallen comrades stand and tend to their wounds.
Skarth frantically approaches, ready to tear off Sigrith’s head. “The children are okay. Sigrith was on our side all along,” I spat out quickly. “Ulf has our sons. He’s here with Aeden and his Irish army.”
“They are all right?” he asks, his eyes softening.
“Yes, my love. Sigrith ensured our sons were okay. She was always on our side. She was merely pretending because she was fighting for us when we could not.”
Sigrith bows her head. “Forgive me, brother. I tried to protect Loki, but they harmed him when I was not there.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Sister.”
Sigrith slowly raises her chin, tears in her eyes. “Allow me to free you.”
She retrieves the key from a metal loop around her waist and cautiously approaches Skarth, unlatching the lock of his shackles. Once he is free, she steps back and accepts whatever punishment he deems fit for her betrayal.
But when he embraces her tightly, she realizes there is no punishment because she did what any of us would do.
He speaks Norse to her, stroking her hair lovingly. The sight brings tears to my eyes.
“Mother!”
Somehow, through chaos, everything is where it should be.
Sune and Loki come running toward me, their beautiful faces filling my heart in the way only a child can do. They launch into my arms as I crouch down to meet them. I cannot contain my tears. I am finally whole once again.
I peer at Skarth over the heads of our sons. He is apprehensive. But I nod that it’ll be okay.
Loki pulls away, wiping the tears from my cheek.
“I failed you, my son,” I say, touching over his eye patch.
“I do not need my eyes to see,” he states with a smile.
Once upon a time, his visions troubled me, but now, I see how special he truly is. “You are my life. As are you, Sune.”
Sune is slightly standoffish. Not that I can blame him, and when Skarth approaches, he steps in front of me, my forever protector.
Skarth drops to one knee and bows his head. “Forgive me, son. If you cannot, I understand. You were there for your mother and brother when I wasn’t. You are a warrior. Fearless and righteous. I am proud of you.”
I don’t push Sune. He can have all the time he needs.
Loki stands in front of Skarth and places his hand over the crest of his head. “A crown soon sits here, Father.”
Could it be…I rule with a king, a Viking king?
Skarth slowly lifts his chin, nothing but love and adoration swirling in his eyes. “You are a miracle, my son. Chosen by the gods to speak for them. I love you. I love you both.”
The sight is too much because my family is whole for the first time.
And when Ulf appears, I realize he is part of that family unit. He smiles, and my heart almost bursts with joy.
