Chapter Text
Now that their little group was all together and safe again, Uhtred announced "Well it looks like we won't be making it to Coccham tonight. We better find a place to make camp. At least the storm has moved off."
"Lord," Sihtric spoke up. "I'm not sure that it's wise to move the lady."
Uhtred nodded his head in agreement as he took a closer look at their current surroundings. The copse of trees provided some shelter and would decrease their visibility to anyone passing on the road. The ravine behind them provided one less direction for potential enemies to come from. "I suppose this is a good a place as any. Baby Monk, with me."
While Uhtred and Osferth started to set up camp and tend to the horses, Sihtric and Finan began tending to Eadith. Sihtric crouched down next to the Mercian woman who had quickly become part of their little family and stroked his hand over her forehead. Looking at Finan he said, “I’m not sure what we can do for the hit she took to the head. Thankfully, she doesn’t have an open wound there," as he looked more closely at the side of her head. "I’m sure the fall didn’t do anything to help her already broken ribs though. We can at least clean up these cuts and bind her ankle to keep it from swelling anymore. I’m going to go down and get some fresh water before it gets too dark. I’ll see if I can find some herbs to make a poultice to apply to some of the bigger wounds.”
Finan started tearing up his spare shirt to use for bandages as Eadith continued to lie against the tree. Whether she was unconscious or simply sleeping, he wasn’t sure. He carefully unlaced her boot on the leg with the wounded ankle and was taken aback as he got a look at the bruising and swelling that had already taken place. He was able to move her foot up and down, nothing appeared to be broken or out of place, so he took that as a good sign. Then, as gingerly as he could, he bound it with the bandages he had prepared. The fact that Eadith had no reaction to all of that worried the Irishman. With nothing left to do until Sihtric returned, Finan sat there next to Eadith, smoothing her hair and worrying if she was going to be okay.
Finan was exhausted. He knew they all were - from the siege, and the battle at Wessex, and now their travels. But Finan was drained emotionally as well. Fighting his feelings for Eadith, the battle with his self control not only in the woods yesterday, but seemingly constantly, then acting like an arse to her in an effort to “protect her” from him; he was worn out.
Finan gently took her spot against the tree and placed her head in his lap. Once again, he found his fingers entwined in her red locks and he found he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. Just as he was dozing off, he felt a hand weakly tugging at the fem of his tunic. Looking down hopefully, he saw his fiery angel gazing up at him. Smiling weakly, she said in barely more than a whisper, “Finan, you came for me.”
Realizing these were the same words she’d said at the bottom of the ravine, Finan fought to keep a concerned look off his face. “Of course we did, lass. You’re one of us now and we’re not so easy ta get rid of,” trying to lighten things up. “Here, let’s see if we can get some water into you, aye?”
Finan helped her sit up, leaning her against his chest. “Wow,” Eadith grimaced and held her head, I really took a fall, I guess.”
“That ya did, my lady. Here drink some of this for me now,” holding the skin up to her mouth. “Nice and slow there, that’s it,” as he gazed at her bruised but still beautiful face. Even with all the chaos of the past afternoon, Finan could help but be grateful for holding this woman in his arms. It just felt so right, so good. He couldn’t help but feel that she didn’t belong anywhere else but right here with him.
Eadith licked her dry lips, a look of confusion coming over her face. “What happened? Where are we? Is the siege over? How did we get out of Wessex?”
Finan’s eyebrows knit together in concern as he realized that the hit to her head must have messed with her memory more than he thought. Unsure how to proceed without alarming her, he simply said, “All is well Eadith. Nothin’ more ta worry about anymore. We can fill ya in once ye are rested a bit more.” Seeing Sihtric returning, he gently situated Eadith up against the tree once more, wanting to talk to him out of earshot. “I’ll be right back with Sihtric and we’ll get ye patched up. Don’t ya go tryin’ to get up now.”