#✖ [Athelstan]

[crowsandmurder]

Sometimes, I look through old Versailles photos and I MISS the epicness of the show with the wardrobe, the drama, the fighting, the brothers, all of it. I need to write him more here. I miss him.

[crowsandmurder]

[ Continued // @kristnirpresti ]

He was nervous, winter had ended, and he was told he was going to be traveling with the monks. And he was nervous, he didn’t really want to go. He had grown comfortable in the monastery. It was not a particularly pretty spring day, a storm looked like it was going to come in. Athelstan never liked storms. The thought of sailing in one made his stomach churn. “I don’t know if I’m ready to go, Father.”

Father Cuthbert grew far too impatient, with the monks sometimes. He knew that was not how the Lord wanted it, but at the same time, he could not help it.  But, it was time for the Monks, especially the younger ones, like Athelstan to get out and travel with them. There was much to be learned even outside of the monastery.  “You are ready. Don’t be ridiculous. Every monk does this.” 

[crowsandmurder]

@kristnirpresti liked for a starter

Judith had not been happy when Alfred had told her that he wanted to live with his father, for a while. She knew that he had not been getting along with his stepfather, but it wasn’t like she would let him really send Alfred to military school. Her son was creative and she encouraged it, since she herself was an advocate for people getting to express themselves, creatively, no matter the gender.  But, she had possibly left out the part where if Alfred didn’t stay on his medicine, he may get sick. Her son was good at maintaining his medicine. His illness had been controlled since he was eight or so. When she got the call he was in the hospital, it didn’t take her long to get there. When she arrived, she demanded to see her son and pushed the door open.  Apparently, Alfred had gone for tests, but she found herself in front of his father, for the first time in a while.  They hadn’t really stayed close in contact. They had a son, but that was more or less it, and she had left out a part of Alfred’s medical history.

“Do you know how long it will be until he’s back? I need to see he’s alright, with my own eyes.” 

[crowsandmurder]

@kristnirpresti liked for a starter 

Judith had been shocked to see Athelstan show up with the Northmen. Ecbert had told her..that he was dead. She thought he was, for all those years. He did not know about Alfred, and she imagined that was not something that was going to be something that would be kept a secret for long. Alfred had pulled him aside and was likely telling him.  She didn’t like the Northmen in the Villa at all, but she knew her son would make the right choice, or that was what she prayed. It wasn’t until after the feast that she got a moment to speak with him.  She saw him by himself and took that opportunity but kept her voice low.

“I imagine my son enlightened you on who his father really is..” 

[ofodinn]

0ut-of-my-head‌:

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[crowsandmurder]

Continued // @kristnirpresti

“Well, don’t pick at the wound, that will only make it worse,” he commented, raising an eyebrow at the younger man. “Do we need to see someone?”

He looked at him, with a sigh. “You sound as bossy as you did, when I was a boy.”  He shrugged. “I am fine. It’s just some blood.”  He pulled his tunic away from it. “Maybe a lot of blood.” Things had been hectic since his father became King and he’d just needed some time to breathe.

[crowsandmurder]

Continued  // @godfavored

A melancholy smile crosses his features in response to her words.  He poses a question.  “In Wessex, or by your side?”

As he stares in her face and sees the longing that he knows his own face mirrors, he regrets asking such a question.  It wasn’t fair to ask— Not to her, not to himself.  For what they shared couldn’t last: It was too risky.  They could be killed or worse.  And while he was favored by Ecbert, Athelstan felt as though his relationship with Aethelwulf was paper-thin.  And Ecbert had a duty to his son and kingdom before an Apostate.

To keep from reaching out and caressing Judith’s face, Athelstan wraps his fingers tightly around the cross that hung loosely ‘round his neck.  He looks away from her face, hoping that by not looking at her, it will be easier to push her away.

“You know I cannot stay.” He murmurs, voice breathy. “My place is with Ragnar.” A pause before his tone changes– A hint of frustration in his voice.  “I do not feel welcome here in Wessex, Judith.  Regardless of my relationship with King Ecbert, I’m an apostate to the common folk and my former Brothers.” Another pause. “I don’t know that I belong anymore.”

Judith didn’t want him to go, didn’t understand why he’d want to go, really. He was English. England should be his home..not with these Northmen.  But, he seemed to be going to leave, and she was not sure what she thought about that.  He was one of the first people, who had actually paid attention to her. Her husband, he didn’t pay much attention to her and he was often gone. The King..he liked Athelstan.

She noticed that he didn’t look at her and a part of her felt as if, she had done something to deserve his rejection, despite the fact that things seemed to be okay with them. “Can’t stay...or won’t stay? We are your people. You have English blood, but yet, you want to go back with Ragnar Lothbrok..with them.”

She nodded. “Yes, you are an apostate, but have you tried to change their opinions or have you just resigned yourself to only be what they think? You’re a good man, a noble man, but yet, you ally yourself to the men who killed your brothers in Christ, when you were a monk.”  She knew she had no reason to talk about righteousness. She had sinned against God with him, but she didn’t regret it. 

“You are always welcome here, Athelstan.  It depends on where you want to be though,I suppose.” 

[crowsandmurder]

[ @kristnirpresti ] 

Bjorn was busy, a lot of the time. He was out of town, a lot, out of the country, even more than that. He had more or less taken over his father’s business, and it involved him being gone a lot. He knew that he wasn’t ‘always good at making time for his family. Sometimes, the antics made it easier to just ignore them, stay gone longer. But, he had relatively recently taken a new wife, so he was around a bit more of the time, anyway. Well sometimes.  He had been gone for a week or so, when he had checked his personal voicemail, and realized that he had a text from Athelstan. He wanted to talk about some things, or something like that. It was vague.  Athelstan was a long time friend. He’d known him, since he was a boy and he’d always make time for them.

He had spoken with Torvi when he returned as well, and he knew that his daugter was somewhat involved with his son. Alfred had always been calm from what he knew, but he wasn’t sure he approved, not that he’d spent time with Siggy recently.  The last time they’d been alone, he’d realized he sometimes did not know as much about her, as he could. But, he’d told Athelstan to stop by, and he’d meet him in the garden. It wasn’t cold like it could be, and he found himself, wondering if he liked home or being away more. He didn’t let himself think about it, or miss his children, his life here, until he was home. Business kept him very busy, but he was curious what he had to speak to him, about. He hoped it wasn’t about him and his father. His father had told him more than he wanted to know on their last international flight, together.  Hearing the gate open, he looked up and nodded, when he saw him.

“If you want to grab a drink, there’s beer in the fridge, or you know, water, or something.” 

[crowsandmurder]

[ @kristnirpresti ]

Ecbert had not missed that Athelstan had been spending time with his daughter-in-law. He’d spent his own time with Lagertha, pleased her like no other, he was sure. He was just that good at everything he did. But, he had noticed out of the corner of his eye when Athelstan and Judith had left his bath. People did not typically leave his bath that quick. Judith had said it was all wrong and Athelstan had followed her, while he was still very attractively naked. He’d spoken to Athelstan at first, about spending time with her, but he was curious. She was Aethelwulf’s wife, and it was bad enough that he knew he’d have to deal with Ragnar wanting his attention and probably trying to take him back when they returned from Mercia, but now he was following Judith while naked. It was..intriguing.

He stepped inside the room, and spotted Athelstan. “So not that I am someone who concerns myself with other’s affairs, but I did noticed you followed Judith when she left, while you were sans clothing. Were you able to comfort my daughter-in-law after abandoning me and Lagertha?” 

[crowsandmurder]

@theboatbuilderswife​ liked for a starter from the King with Questionable Morals

Ecbert wasn’t sure what he thought of this village, still. Ragnar Lothbrok had informed him he’d be lucky if someone didn’t kill him, but he still was determined to get Athelstan to return to England. He was sitting in the Great Hall, trying to figure out if he could eat the food that was prepared. He really didn’t like eating in such a dusty, dark environment. He looked over and noticed two people: one was that Northman he’d seen before with odd eye makeup and the other was a blonde. She was definitely good looking enough. Why was she with him, anyway?

He watched the man walk away to go talk to Ragnar or one of them. The man had been giving him looks. He was sure it was his crown, not even giving any thoughts to the fact that he was a Christian.  He glanced over at her, walking over. “Is that your husband? I wasn’t sure if he was or not. In case, Ragnar Lothbrok didn’t tell you, I’m King Ecbert, King of Wessex. I come from a land of clean people and buildings.”

[crowsandmurder]

@kristnirpresti gets young Bjorn

Björn didn’t necessarily enjoy being stuck at Floki’s. The Priest always seemed unnerved around Floki, or more like, they were trying to figure the other out. Plus, his father was still very ill. He was awake, and when he was awake, he was typically complaining. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do here. They’d been here for weeks. Gyda was busy with mother and Helga, and his father was half sulking, half sleeping.  Finally, he went over to Athelstan and he nudged him with his hand.

“Entertain me, Priest. I am bored. I am so bored, I’m starting to whine like father.”  

He also was curious. He knew Athelstan had saved his father’s life. He was not a typical slave, but why wouldn’t he have just let Ragnar die?

[crowsandmurder]

[ @norseblooded liked for a starter from the King with questionable morals ] 

Ecbert had saved Athelstan’s life. He had gotten him down off that cross, and yet, he had decided to go back to wherever it was that the Northmen came from. He knew the general area, and he had decided to do something entirely mature, things that Kings would do, of course. So, he handled it the best way that he possibly could and he got his own ship together, and they headed East. It took some time and to make it worse, he’d been sea sick. He sure hoped they had something for him to bathe in. 

He finally found the small village of Kattegat, although he found it rather dirty. Asking someone on the streets, they told him of a ‘Great Hall.’ He finally found it and walked in, his hand on his hips. He spotted a woman with a couple of the small children and he clapped his hands once. 

“Good, this is not just a small barn, after all. Do you know where Ragnar Lothbrok is? Or even better yet, Athelstan?” 

[crowsandmurder]

‘ I would never give you any cause to kill me. ‘ - kristnirpresti (for haraldson)

[ Meme -- > @kristnirpresti ]

The Earl looked at the man, the one Ragnar Lothbrok had insisted on taking as his only treasure, which made no sense to him. He was a Christian. He should be hanging like the others, but no not only did Ragnar take him as a slave, but he had him in the village with him now, and he raised his eyes, as he responded to him.

“Your existence is cause for me to kill you. Did you not see what was done to others like you? You’re a Christian, the only one left from the raid. I could very easily have you killed.”