Love love love characters that present themselves as emotionally open social butterflies but the more you see of them the more obvious it is that they’re the most closed off fuckers in the story. Sure, they want to help you with your personal problems and messy emotions, but if you turn that shit back on them, they’ll shut down or deflect every time. Why are you sticking your nose in their business anyway? It’s not like it matters. They’re not a person, they’re just a role being played. They’re the guy who fixes things and saves people. Please ignore the man behind the mask, he’s fine. Everything’s fine.
Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.
A/N: Extremely, very loosely based on Clíodhna (Klee-uh-na) the Queen of the Banshees.
Part Two - Samhain : One More Soul
The Last Kingdom Master List
There she was singing as she went, he could see her through the crowd, wandering down the street, around the corner, and into the – past the Ale House? Finan huffed, clutching the cross that hung around his neck, fighting the urge to place the smithed pendant in his mouth as he stood wondering what she could be up to. Pulling the dark cloak hood over his head, he slipped through the shadows to find out.
He'd been following her for the better part of the evening, since she'd left her quarters. When they had parted ways earlier, before the sun had set, he'd told her to meet him at the ale house, if her lady would allow it. His Lord, Uhtred, didn't care much what sort of endeavors the Irishman got up to, so long as he was present when his lord needed him. Careful to stay in the shadows, wishing not to be seen, Finan moved like a ghost. They did not refer to him as Finan the Agile for naught.
Chuckling to himself, he slipped past the ale house, not before stealing a glance inside. At their usual spot he took note of Uhtred, Sihtric, and Osferth. Sihtric was too busy with his face glued to his wife's to pay the other two men much attention. Why if Finan had a wife like that, she'd be lucky if he ever let her leave his bed. Peeking in the small window, he heard a group of guardsmen coming, not wanting to be spotted he ducked back into the night and followed her path.
Stalking his prey through the darkness, Finan couldn't help but feel the rush that coursed through his body. Tonight, of all nights, he should know better than to play around. Samhain was the night of mischief, magic, and things beyond a man's wildest imagination. If Finan were to get caught out here by a ghost or an angry spirit, there was no telling what they would do to him. A soft laugh into the dark, he continued to watch, trying to find her in the dimming light as they got further away from the village.
He should have known that she'd try to get one over on him, as he was constantly teasing her. Ah, she took it in great stride. He was Lord Uhtred's right hand man, she would be foolish not to give in to his advances. The way she would twirl her hair and bat her eyes at him, as Finan shamelessly chatted with her day after day, often distracting her from her duties. Since she had arrived in town a little over a fortnight, Finan had been taken with her. Those stunning blue eyes, her hair like coal, and that intoxicating smile. She had been far too gorgeous to be a maid, but what had he known? She was like nothing he'd ever laid eyes upon. As striking as Clíodhna herself.
Around the bend, Finan stopped, the road dark and vanishing before him. If he continued, then he followed straight to the river. It was a wee bit cold for that tonight. Huffing in the dark, he stood looking around. Nothing but the far off sound of an owl, perhaps a Samhain demon coming to grab his soul? Finan laughed nervously. Since being forced out of Ireland, he hadn't given much thought to the night. Superstitious as he was.
Pulling the hideous mask from his face, Finan lowered the cloak, turning to head back to the ale house. Some how he had lost sight of her in pursuit. Kicking at a stone with his boot, he grumbled and scratched his bearded cheek, the mask he'd carved had caused a rather unpleasant feeling. Eh, he'd tuck it away when he returned to his home, use it another time to torment Baby Monk or something, just for the hell of it.
Finan walked back along the road, not another person in sight, no doubt they were all in the ale house celebrating the end of the harvest and the coming of winter. Tomorrow, Lord Uhtred would hold a feast in honour of a plentiful harvest. Finan couldn't wait, there would be music, dancing, ale, and loads of gorgeous women who would no doubt want a man for the cold months.
Darkness giving way to the light of the town, Finan strode into the ale house, a bit confused and a little annoyed that he hadn't found her. She was good, wherever she was hiding. Tomorrow when she went to fetch water for the wash, he could find her then and congratulate her on her hiding skills. Sitting with a heavy thud on the bench next to Uhtred; Finan caught the eye of the red headed bar maid. A single nod and the gorgeous lady was at his side with a cup and a pitcher of ale.
“You look like you needed this.” She teased before placing the pitcher in front of the sulking Irishman.
“Aye, I thank ya.” He gently placed a small coin in her hand and gave a nod.
“You're late, where were you off to?” Osferth looked at his friend across the table, moving ever so slightly not to be caught in the middle of Sihtric and his wife as they all but made another child in front of the entire ale house.
“I was off to find a friend.” Finan lifted the wooden cup, taking a long drink.
Uhtred laughed at the admission. “A friend? We are your only friends, Finan.”
“Bah.” Finan scowled before breaking into a smile. Wiping his hand across his mouth, the foam from the ale trapped in his beard. “You lot are far too hairy and do not possess the correct parts, to be the sort of friend that I was looking for.”
“Ah a woman.” Rolling his eyes, Osferth gave his head a shake. “And did you find one?”
“I did, although she disappeared. Perhaps I will seek her out tomorrow.”
“Perhaps she is hiding because you look like a fool in that mask you carved.” Uhtred teased his friend. Slapping him on the back.
“I happen to know she appreciates my work. She told me so yesterday.” Finan boasted pouring more ale for Osferth. “Do you not remember me speaking to her, when we were watching the young guardsmen?”
“I do not recall a woman.” frowning, Uhtred huffed, pouring his own ale, since Finan had seemed to forget he was there.
“You do not?” Finan found that hard to believe. How could a man, such as Uhtred, not see a woman as gorgeous as that? Describing the very maid who had captured his attention, Finan sat eager for one of his friends to say something. Surely Osferth would remember her. Shaking his head, the warrior monk pursed his lips.
“Have you hit your head, Finan?”
“I have not.” Finan insisted, leaning across the table he smacked Sihtric as hard as he could to gain his attention.
“Ouch!” Sihtric cried, his grip on Ealhswith loosening.
“Ah, you've come up for air.” Finan grunted with a gleam in his eyes. “Sihtric, I need you to tell them about the woman from the river, the one who works for the baker's wife.”
“Do you mean Gudrun?” Sihtric's mismatched eyes focused on the fresh cup of ale before him. As if magic, the ale had refilled.
“No, the younger woman. The woman with the dark hair and rosy cheeks.” Finan insisted, they were clearly trying to torment him.
“The only young woman who works for the Baker's wife is Astrid. She is a child and has light hair.” Taking the cup from her husband, Ealhswith confirmed.
Ignoring Finan and his delusions, Uhtred shrugged and went back to his drinking. Sihtric placed the cup down and whispered something in Ealhswith's ear causing her to giggle, ignoring Finan. Sitting hunched over the table, staring into the fire at the end of the room, Finan lifted his gaze to Osferth who was watching him intently.
“Perhaps you've mistaken her for another?”
“I know what I have saw.” Finan grunted.
“I do not doubt you.” Osferth shrugged and lifted his cup of ale.
Raising his cup of ale, Finan glanced around the room. If she had managed to slip in here, surely he would have spotted her by now. Another cup, followed by another, then another, until he'd lost count Finan stood – barely. Stumbling over his own feet, Uhtred had gone long ago, shortly followed by Sihtric and Ealhswith. No doubt come Yule they would be announcing another child on the way. Osferth sat in the half empty ale house, slumped over the table. Jerking upright when Finan slapped him on the back.
“Time to leave.”
“Uh.” Osferth grunted, pushing himself to his feet. Collecting his satchel and slinging over across his body, he picked up Finan's mask – a rather grotesque piece with large carved eyes, an angry brow and mouth, with an impossibly large nose. Giggling, Osferth took the leather lace placing it over his head.
Following Finan into the dark, he stayed quiet. In the dark of the night, the streets nearly desolate, Finan laid his eyes upon her. Standing in the middle of the square, she wore the same dress that he'd seen her in earlier. Raven hair tied neatly in a braid and her glowing ocean eyes...Finan gulped and felt the forced of the ale he'd consumed returning.
Stumbling backwards, he knocked into someone or rather something. Turning to see the hideous wooden face jeering at him, Finan screamed and lurched to the side, the ale catching up to him as it landed across his boots. Grabbing his cross, he muttered whatever prayers he could think of to deliver him from such evil beings.
“Finan.” the beast with the wild face called his name.
“Leave me be.” Finan cowered, wanting to curl into a ball. “Leave me...” He paused as the beast spoke his name once more.
Lifting the mask, Osferth stared at him blankly. “Are you quite alright?”
“She was there! Did you not...” He pointed to where she'd stood. “Her face turned into...”
“I do not see a woman, Finan.” Osferth confirmed, dropping the mask and helping Finan to his feet. “Perhaps we should get you in to rest. Sleep off some of the ale.”
Rubbing his head, Finan nodded and groaned. “Aye. But I know what I saw.”
“I believe you.” Osferth clapped him on the shoulder. Guiding him across the square to his quarters.
“But...if you did not see her then. Is she? Have I? Am I still alive?”
“You are very much alive. I am very much real. Come now, we shall discuss this another day.” Osferth steering Finan toward his door. “Sleep and tomorrow, the woman and all of this will be but a bad dream.”
“A dream? That's it! It's a...” Finan paused, suddenly unable to speak. In the distance a wailing scream caused his blood to run cold and the warmth drain from his body. “D-did you hear that?” He stammered.
“I hear nothing but a muttering fool.” Osferth answered shoving Finan into his quarters. “Sleep.”
“Sleep.” Finan repeated as he stumbled across the hut, his bed a few inches away he dropped onto the furs, legs dangling over the side as he fell face first into the soft furs and warm body.
Warm body?
Soaked in a cold sweat, Finan shouted and rose straight up as if he were a man shooting up from the grave. His chest heaving and his breath short. Clutching the fur around his naked body, he shivered in the air. A crackling of a fire in the next room caught his attention. The body beside him turned, a hand reaching for his arm. Finan watched in terror as the hand grasped his forearm. Shouting and jumping, he pulled away.
“Finan?” A soft voice spoke his name, floating around the dark room. “Are you okay my love?”
“I-I don't....know?”
“Was it another terror? The boat? Conall?” The voice spoke to him of things he had so rarely spoke of.
“A woman and a disfigured face.” He muttered, clutching the furs between his fingers.
“It's okay. You're safe my love.” Sitting up, she gently rubbed his shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to his bare skin. “I am here.”
Glancing over his right shoulder to the woman speaking, Finan's heart began to thump wildly in his chest. There she was, the hair dark as night, the shining ocean blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and...he reached out touching her face with this battle hardened hands. Her skin soft as silk, as she leaned into his touch with a smile. Furs shifting, Finan took in her naked form, as if by some miracle she were in his bed.
“You're not real.”
“What is that?” A sharp smack landed against his chest. Rubbing the spot where her hand had connected, she glared at him. “I do happen to think I am very real. I will have you know that...”
“By god you are real.” Finan began to laugh. Pulling his skin between his thumb and forefinger he muttered under his breath. “I am real. You are real. How?”
“Finan.” Her tone scolding, she glowered at him and crossed her arms over her bare chest. “What have I told you about eating too much boar before going to bed? It will rot your brain.”
“Mo shíorghra, forgive me.” Finan's laugh rang through the hut. “From now on, I will do what my gorgeous wife demands.”
Settled back into the furs, Finan reached his arm out, pulling her body into his. Relaxed and less of a mess than when he'd woke shouting, Finan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The next time he woke, he would be quick to find his bed void of a warm body and nothing but a faded memory left behind.
Mo shíorghra – my eternal love
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