The lady and the bear
Hiii, this is my first time posting something I write. I want to apologize first for all the typos and incorrect grammar you will definetly find... other tha that I hope you all can enjoy this little fic i write on Loefric from The Last Kingdom because THIS MAN DESERVE MORE APPRECIATION! I will probably base a series on this, just for the fun of it, we'll see--
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They were finally approaching the tavern where they’ll spend the last night of traveling before arriving at y/n’s father estate in Devon.
It had been a long time since she’d been home, having been sent to her mother’s relatives when she only had been 10 she didn’t get to see her parents and brother much, only when her father wasn’t busy serving the king and had some times to travel with the rest of the family to visit her, which wasn’t often.
In the meantime, almost 10 years had passed, her mother family had try to find her a suitor to marry but no one had fulfilled the only condition she had set: that her future husband had to be as an honourable man as her father was known to be. Therefore, her relatives had sent her back to her parents hoping they’ll have a better luck at finding an appropriate match.
Y/n was exited to be back home, she missed her family and she knew that the problem of her suitors would be put off since she had always been most cherished by her father, thereby she hoped he would not be so eager to send her away again any time soon. Arriving at the tavern for the night her only thought was to enjoy the last night away before she would have been stuck in her family’s estate away from most form of entertainment.
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Uhtred had left his house with Mildrith because word had reached them that the younger daughter of Lord Odda was coming back home. Since she and Mildrith used to be very close as kids, his wife wanted to go greet her childhood friend and Lord Odda had sent Leofric to escort them and help along the way. Given that Mildrith was at the begging of her pregnancy and felt often sick and tired, even if lord Odda’s estate was less than a one-day travel away from Uhtred house, they decided to give her some rest and spend the night at a tavern along the way.
They arrived at the tavern as it was getting dark and as soon as they got off the horses Mildrith excused herself and retired to rest, leaving the two men with all the evening to fool around and drink. With some luck Leofric would have even found some company for the night when Uhtred would return to his wife.
Y/n had travelled with two maids one of which was an old, and really strict, lady. In hence Y/n and the other maid, Eloise, had conceived a plan to escape her supervision at night if they wanted to stay up after supper, which was not rare… they would pretend to go to sleep when the old lady suggested to and wait for her to start snoring to sneak out. During supper they’ve seen some men playing instrument in the country yard of the tavern and the girls where hopping to enjoy some music and perhaps get to know some interesting people, having discovered during their journey that alehouses were often flooded with such people.
When they were finally able to escape the old maid the country yard was already quite lively, musicians were playing their instruments and some people were dancing, some were laughing, it was a warming sight, given all the recent bad news of the Danes raiding everywhere.
At first the girls danced a bit and then decided to order something to drink and enjoy the rest of the evening peacefully. Y/n had noticed a couple of men at a table, one looked like a dane but was quite handsome the other looked more like a bear, for his size and also because he was frowning most of the time, they looked an unusual pair but seemed good friends nonetheless. She caught the tall one staring at her more than once however she as well found herself looking for him, there was something that made her feel drawn to him, like she was supposed to know him… After Eloise came back with their ale, they started looking for a place to sit but it appeared to be none except for a bench at the table where the tow men were. Y/n felt a bit hesitant at the realisation but proposed Eloise to approach them anyway.
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“If that’s how Saxons approach women there’s no wonder you’re still on yourself” Uhtred teased Loefric, he’d been staring at a girl for as long as they’ve been at the tavern, “’s not that, I feel like I’ve already met her but can’t remember when…” the other grunted “well you could just approach her and ask if you tow already met, before you scare her for staring all night, it could also be a good way for you to find company for the night” Uhtred teased and Leofric glared at him “are you drunk already? Thought danes could bare more than jus a couple of pints” “what? Like you haven’t thought about it”
Leofric didn’t replied hoping the arseling would eventually stop. He wasn’t wrong though, the young lady was quite fair, with long blonde locks that shined in the torch light and a bright smile that often enlightened her face; she was wearing a simple dark red robe, like a maid, that enhanced her figure nonetheless. She looked like she was the same age as Mildrith so she must have been younger than the warrior. It seemed that she was in the company of only another maid, a girl with brown hair that seemed a bit shyer than her. There was something very familiar in her expression and her ways that kept him from stop staring at her, but he really couldn’t pin point what was it… “Looks like she decided to face the bear and ask you to stop creeping at her”, said Uhtred.
While they were talking the two girls were making their way towards them. “May we sit with you lords?” the brunette girl asked as they reached their table “if you are brave enough, is not every day to see two young ladies alone on the road” Uhtred answered as they sat in front of them, Loefric didn’t say anything and just hold into his cup “is not every day to find a saxon warrior and a dane drinking like friends in an alehouse neither” the blonde girl replied “friends 's a strong word, may we ask how come you ladies are here all alone?” Leofric questioned “it wouldn’t be very wise to reveal our business to stranger men. You should at least present yourself” the girl replyed “fair enough: I’m Uhtred of Bebbanburg, ealdorman of king Alfred and he is Leofric, we are escorting my wife to see a childhood friend, but she’s resting at the moment, now you know who we are” “very well… I’m Catlyn and she’s Eloise, we are accompanying our lady to see her family” “and where is she now?” asked Loefric, the tow girl exchanged an amused look “she’s resting, she’s a bit old and wouldn’t really be pleased to see us like this” said Eloise “oh really?” “yeah she’s cranky old lady who’s never happy about anything” y/n huffed.
It was true, her other maid, Catlyn, was always complaining, especially about how y/n’s behaviour was not very lady-like. “She must not be so please by your behaviour then girl, talking to random men and drinking beer like a farmer” Leofric pointed out making y/n laugh “no, but when she’s asleep we like to get to know the people in the taverns we’re staying. So: tell us something interesting” “have you take us for your entertainment of the night? That’s very bold for a simple maid” Leofric teased and y/n flushed making Eloise grin “is just that the life of a warrior must be way more interesting than the one of a simple maid” y/n replied leaning forward to Leofric who sat across her and making him laugh amusedly “as you wish then lady”.
The rest of the night was spent with Uhtred and Leofric sharing stories of their adventures, even if after a while it was just Loefric trying to impress y/n with the wierder stories as Uhtred watched him make a fool of himself while he sipped his ale and said little. Eloise had left them a short while ago to go to sleep. Leofric seemed very pleased by the attention he was receiving and pretty much ignored everything around him except for the young lady in front of him. It has been a while since he had any kind of interaction with a woman and he felt intrigued by her; not only because he still couldn’t figure out the familiarity she inspired him but also because he’d found her really charming other than beautiful. He was entranced by her and, if he hadn’t been so caught in his own mind, he would have noticed how she was as equally captivated by the soldier, playfully swooning at tales of his feats and flirting with witty remarks. This whole situation left Uhtred very amused and so he decided to not interfere in his friend doing and left them on their own.
Loefric noticed that by then almost no one was left in the country yard, it was getting chilly and he could see her shivering little, maybe after all he will have company for the night… “we should head inside, it’s getting late” he proposed and they got up. She felt a bit tipsy as she wasn’t really used to ale. As she stood up she realised that the man was much taller than she imagined, she barely reached his shoulder and felt to lean onto him as they approached the tavern’s chambers. He subtly led her to the room he was staying in hoping to size his chance. As they were getting closer to his door, she stumbled on something and he caught her by the waist, now they were facing each other and she looked so delicate in the dim light of the hallway.
She looked up at him and noticed the permanent scowl on his face had left his features. With that gone y/n had to admit he indeed looked handsome, even with all the scars on his face. She had found herself considering that multiple times during the night while he shared his stories, having to admit he was growing on her and that now that they were so close y/n felt even more drawn to him. She knew she wasn’t behaving like she was supposed to, but he thrilled her and she couldn’t find the strength in herself to stop it. He was towering over her and reached to put some hair behind her ear but he didn’t remove his hand, caressing her cheek lightly. She felt her heart thumping loudly and her face turned red once more. He was looking at her intently and, even if his eyes were unreadable to her, she found tenderness in his gaze.
Unconsciously they got closer “you ‘aright girl?” “yes…I-...” she was unable to finish her sentence because before she realised Leofric had cupped her cheek and lean in to kiss her. At first they both remained still, either not unsure of what to do, without even realizing what was happening, they both reacted and started to grab at each other. Y/n reached to wrap her arms around his neck while his other arm embrace her waist and pull her closer to him. It was rough kiss, filed with want and enthusiasm. Y/n felt she should have stop it, a lady wasn’t supposed to act like this, but she couldn’t care less. She wanted him and she felt intoxicated kissing him. It was her first time doing something so reckless and the feeling was exhilarating. Now her back was against the wall and his hand were roaming on her body. They were heavy and rough gripping her hip and pressing her into him. He lightly bit her lower lip causing her to part her lips, he slip his tongue between them and heard her release a shaky moan and tighten her arms around him. She felt a tingle in her stomach and like her skin was burning.
They both knew next thing to happen was entering his room but just as they were reaching his door someone stepped in the hallway stumbling on something. At the sudden noise they broke away. Y/n felt it was the right time to slip away before she could do something foolish and while Loefric was turned to see who it was she quietly entered her own chamber.
Leofric turned to check who it was and saw Uhtred bumping in to a wall. Leofric glared at his friend “what? Did I interrupted something? I had to piss!” the dane asked. Leofric noticed then that the girl had left him and he felt he really could have killed Uhtred. “I swear arseling I will kill you”
Hiii! finally I was able to finish this chapeter, I hoped to publish once a week but I don't know if I'll be able to. As always I apologize
