King Athelstan of East Anglia visits Wessex with his niece, a young woman half Norse and half Frankish that, behind her walls, hides some secret. Sihtric might just have the key to open her up.
@lauwrite1225 gave me this cute idea of Finan paining with kids and I made it Fingrith because I love her 🥺
"This looks awful."
Little voices surrounding him laughed as Finan let out a heavy sigh. He was trying to think of a birthday gift for Aethelstan, when Sihtric and Astrid suggested making him his own shield. Danes would paint theirs in strong colors to represent their kinsman, and though the boy was no Dane it would be a good reminder of the kin who raises him.
Unfortunately for Finan, he could not paint.
So he did the next best thing, Finan recruited the children to help him.
Needless to say, chaos ensued.
After purchasing a sturdy shield, Finan collected Sihtric's gaggle of daughters and headed to the fields with them so paint. This way he would not need to worry about cleaning any messes when they were done.
And boy... did they make a mess.
"Uncle Finan are you sure we did this right?" Siggy asks him, giving him a concerned look.
"M'not sure, Sig," Finan groans, going to wipe his face with his hand but stopping when he sees how much paint he's covered in, "Perhaps we give this one to yer Ma and get Aethelstan one that isn't so... loud."
The shield itself was splattered in a large array of colors. Every shade Finan had purchased from the market was now part of this important part of a warriors protection.
If anything, the colorful mess would blind the enemy and make for a great escape.
"Finan?" His head snaps back to find Ingrith behind him with a picnic basket in her hands and a big smile on her face. One of her hands are lifted to her face, to block the sun from getting in her eyes, "Is this this where you've been hiding from me?"
"In- Ingrith," Finan stuttered and he stumbled rising to his feet, his nieces laughing as he steadies himself, "I did not know you were lookin' for me."
"Astrid sent me with lunch for the girls," Ingrith smiles as she walks into the field to where Finan is with Siggy, Randi and Sigrid. Upon seeing the shield, Ingrith chuckles, "What is this?"
"A mess..."
"Uncle Finan asked us to help him decorate a shield for Aethelstan's birthday," Siggy explains to her excitedly.
"We helped!" Randi added, a big smile on her face.
Sigrid, being too young to speak, coos in agreement and makes Ingrith laugh, "It is certainly the most unique shield I have ever seen."
"Ya don't gotta lie to us, Ingrith, we know it's bad," Finan groans, feeling defeated by his failed gift, "I'll probably use it for firewood tonight-"
"Nonsense!" Ingrith counters, handing Siggy the basket, "It just needs a little cleaning up."
For the next hour, Finan and the girls enjoy lunch while Ingrith takes a whack at fixing the shield for Aethelstan. Finan's eyes stay glued to her for the majority of the meal, except for whenever she would look up. Only then would he try to quickly change his gaze to not look like a total arseling.
By the time their meal is over, Ingrith puts down the paint and smiles.
"She is finished!" Ingrith announces happily as she holds up the shield, and then turns it around for all to see.
Siggy and Randi gasp with excitement at the sight of Ingrith's handy work. Finan isn't sure what magic the woman had used to fix the disaster they had created, but she had turned the shield from a loud mess to a beautiful design of strength.
"I can hardly believe this is the same shield," Finan chuckles, taking the shield from Ingrith's hands, "It's incredible, thank you Ingrith."
"It was not a problem at all," She smiles back at him sweetly.
"Ingrith, why did you call the shield a she?" Siggy asks the woman as she admires the shield from over Finan's shoulder.
"Because only a woman carries the strength to protect the man she cares for with such power," Ingrith replies, and when Finan glances up he can see her smiling at him softy, her cheeks blushed pink, "It is why men refer to all their weapons as women, because they know that women will always protect and provide."
Finan smiles back at her, his heart beating double time as they stare each other down.
Only to have the moment ruined by Siggy, "Uncle Finan! Can we go home and show Mother what we made for Aethelstan!?"
Finan clears his throat, carefully lowering the shield down as he nods his head, "Of course, m'sure she'll love to see it."
The girls cheer as they rise from the ground and start to run from the field. Finan and Ingrith rise as well, Finan holding the shield as Ingrith lifts Sigrid into her arms.
Finan stares at her awkwardly for a moment, clearing his throat before saying, "I really appreciate all yer help today, Ingrith."
"Not a problem at all, this was lovely," Ingrith tells him, blushing, "Perhaps next time we can come out here... without the children?"
