#tlkafterparty

My contribution to the @tlkafterparty because there's been a lot of beautiful but angsty edits/moodboards and I thought we could use something humorous.

Prompt was: inspired by song lyrics

the last kingdom + purple for @tlkafterparty 

Top Gun/Fighter Pilot AU for our Uhtred and his Pretty Boys.

For @tlkafterparty AU prompt

Samwise Gamgee | The Two Towers by J.R.R Tolkien

Here we are finally with the third chapter!

this one took me sooo long it was exausting, i really had lack of inspiration hahaha. Finally this tow idiots are going to actually DO something! i'm sorry nothing exciting happend in the prevoius chapters but I really enjoyed the introducing process and wanted to make it as clear as possible.

as always I hope you all will enjoy the new chapter and will forgive me for any error you may find beacause, still, english is not my first language. Also toward the end of this chapeter there migh be some cringy stuff but those are for the sake of the story...so bare with those as well, thanks!

Enjoy!

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Another couple weeks had passed from the night Leofric and y/n had talked and explained themselves. Since then, y/n had begun to reach for her guard more, wanting to catch up the time wasted staying inside her house. She wanted to go for rides in the woods or explore her childhood home and the fields nearby, going for walks in the near village… basically doing everything she wanted to do since her arrival but avoided to in order to stay away from Leofric. Being always accompanied by the warrior had its perks: they ended up spending a lot of time together, getting to know each other and get acquainted. Uthred and Mildrith had left some days prior, but he didn’t miss the change in Leofric mood and was happy his friend seemed more at ease.

Leofric didn’t realise how being near the girl affected him. they talked a lot; she was very eager to know as much as possible about his life as warrior and he was always happy to satisfy her curiosity, but as they became more accustomed to one another, even when they stood in silence together it was comfortable. He felt like she wasn’t really his lord daughter but a friend and started to get comfortable around her, looking at her like someone he truly cared about, a friend.

She too had noticed how, when they were alone, he was more relaxed and the usual frown that adorned his face went away. He allowed himself to be more informal around her, making sarcastic remarks and snarky jokes like they were actual friends; finding out she was able to reply with just as much humor. Both were glad of the familiarity that grew among themselves. But for y/n was hard to think of him only as her friend/guard when, every time she looked at his face smiling or laughing, the only thought that emerged in her mind was how handsome he looked, and this left her wavering.

Leofric too felt torn as they grew closer.  He couldn’t help himself but to admire her. He already knew she was full of virtues: kind, intelligent, witty. But as they got closer, he found out she was not just a beautiful lady whose smile enlightened his days and everything that surrounded him; she was also smart and compassionate, resourceful and brave, always ready to explore or learn something new, generous, always patient and extremely well-read. She never acted with superiority or scornful around him though, like most ladies did. Deep down Leofric had realised he was not just smitten over her, he was falling for her, hard. He couldn’t allow himself to admit it though, not only for the social distance and the consciousness they could never be together but also because he felt unworthy of her. He was a rude man, a simple soldier who belonged to her father just as a cow did, he lacked manners and had witnessed and committed atrocities he wished she could never even imagine. Before her he felt a brute, worse than a heathen. Nonetheless when they were alone together, he tended to forget all those very concrete obstacles and let his mind wander.

 When they went to the local village and someone she knew approached them he couldn’t help but got a bit more tense, almost defensive, if it was a man. He realised that she was kind to everyone she came across but for the warrior she appeared a little naive sometimes and he feared someone could take advantage of her and Leofric didn’t like the idea.

There had been an occasion when Loefric had lost control a little. He was in Winchester, with lord Odda, young Odda and y/n had reached them some days after their arrival. Odda had instructed Leofric to escort his daughter around the city and in the palace when the warrior was not busy with the king or his lord. Leofric was more than happy to oblige, his acquaintance with the girl had grown most valuable for the warrior in the pasts days. He knew the city was more dangerous than the countryside and was just happy to spend more time with the lady. He had just been dismissed from the council and was heading outside, when he spotted lady y/n in the garden been approached by Aethelwold. The young man was a constant bother for Leofric and he wasn’t thrilled by the idea of him disturbing the peaceful lady, so he got closer; just in case.

“How pleasing to meet you here Lady y/n! It’s been so long since the city had been graced with the presence of Lord Odda beautiful daughter” Aetherlwold begun approaching her. “Good evening lord Aethelwold” she replied politely “I was wondering if you would do me the favour of joining me sometimes for a walk around the city, or just to let me spend some time in your company while you’re visiting Winchester. It would be good for us to get to know each other better…” y/n looked at Aethelwold puzzled, not sure if she understood the young man intention clearly, she noticed Leofric nearby and was relieved by his presence, “I don’t think to understand you lord…” Leofric had heard Aethelwold and became more wary, already guessing his intention and noticing y/n seemed a bit uneasy. “It would be a great benefit for the future for a young lady to get to know her future king and husband” Aethelwold said moving closer and placing a hand on her arm. Y/n eyes widened at that, “I don’t think I understand you lord, the new king Alfred has just begun his reign… and lady Aelswith is very healthy…” she tried to reply distancing herself. Leofric felt blood rush to his ear watching the scene. Something roared in his chest, not only for Aethelwold’s idiocy but seeing lady y/n being treated in that way by a man so beneath her had the warrior see red.

Before he realised it, he got between them shielding his lady from the weasel and pushing him to the ground “It’ll be wiser if ya stop speaking treachery and harassing ladies or I’ll have the pleasure to arrest your idiotic arse” “I thought your duty was to protect royalty not to attack them Leofric” aethelwold tried to respond getting up “I’ve been instruct to escort the lady y/n on her staying in Winchester to guard her from street rats like ya”. Leofric barked then he turned to the lady “m’lady are you alright?” he sounded concerned and gentler speaking to her, she smiled at him and nodded “yes, thank you Loefric, could you escort me to the lady Aelswith for the prayers please?” the warrior nodded, and they walked off.

Saying y/n was relived from Loefric intervention was an understatement; he was the only person she wished to be there to help her. Nonetheless Aethelwold words left her a bit concerned. “Loefric… did my father ever spoke of- my… ehm…” she didn’t have to finish the sentence for him to know was she was talking about. He tensed a little, having to think of her marriage stung him.  Leofric knew she would have to marry, eventually, but he avoided to think of it as much as he could. It was foolish of him really to even wander of the possibility of her staying unmarried at her father house where he could keep seeing her everyday and have their horse rides and chatter for the rest of their days. But again: he couldn’t help himself on the matter. He was falling for her, heavily, furthermore as they get to spend time together.

They had stopped walking by then and he looked down at her. She was looking at him, a bit of apprehension in her eyes. “Not that I know lady, but if I know anything I’ll tell you… and be sure: your father would never bethrow you to that morron” Leofric reassured her, not while I’m still breathing. She nodded and then smiled at him “thank you Leofric”, then she entered the chapel where lady Aelswith was waiting for her.

Once returned to her house in Devonshire y/n kept thinking about Loefric. They didn’t get to spend much time together in Winchester, aside from when he defended her with lord Atherwold they bearly saw each other. He was always busy with Alfred or her father and she spent most of her time with Lady Aelswith. She missed the company of the warrior; he didn’t have the manners of a nobleman, and could be often considered rude, but he was always respectful towards her, and she didn’t mind his blunt behaviour. She would have preferred a loyal and honest man who could be a bit harsh from time to time rather than a courteous one who will turn out to be a weasel. And as y/n got to know Leofric she discovered he was a kind heart and a smart man even if uneducated, he made her laugh and make her feel safe.

She was aware of the feelings developing inside her heart and often felt despair thinking about the fact that nothing could ever become of them, knowing she would have to marry and leave her father’s estate. But she couldn’t help herself to think about him and recall the night they met. Indulging in its memory and fantasizing about a life where she really was just a maid who could hope to be court by a simple warrior and live a simple and happy life together. She knew someday she will have to say goodbye to her childish hopes and feelings… but for the time being she was thankful her father hasn’t given any signs of a hypothetical marriage for her. She wasn’t sure her father wanted a nobleman for her marriage but surely, he would never allow a union with a peasant, even if he very much respected Loefric and trusted him.

Tow more weeks passed before her father returned home and even then, he would only stay for a couple days before returning to Winchester. As soon as she got the chance y/n mentioned that she needed to get something form the market the next day knowing her father would have sent Loefric with her. She really wanted to spend some time with him, so she didn’t complain. The next morning when y/n went to look for him, he didn’t complain either, having missed her company, and was gladly escorting her to the market, enjoying their usual chatter and the familiarity the were accustomed to by now.

When they arrived at the market she went on with her errands and Leofric waited for her, always keeping an eye on her. Not that anyone would dare disturb the daughter of Lord Odda in his own village, but just in case. As they were leaving y/n was approached by a young man, Frig, he often tried to approach her with some lame excuses or just by starting a conversation with her. It was obvious he was trying to court her, and it was just as obvious she didn’t reciprocate the interest. Several time she had tried to deter him, discouraging him, even replying in a rather rude way, for a lady, but he appeared to be clueless toward her hints, he was almost encouraged by them, maybe hoping that his perseverance will be rewarded someday. At the beginning Leofric was suspicious of him but now he just pitied the lad.

As usual Frig approached her with a smile handing her a flower, which she politely accepted “How’s your day going lady?” “Very well, thank you Frig” Loefric was just a few steps away and could see she was a little awkward since she really didn’t know how to reject him without being rude anymore. “I was wondering if you would fancy to a walk in the woods or to ride together sometimes” “he suggested and Loefric saw y/n sigh heavily “I don’t think it could be possible, you know my father don’t let me leave the house unguarded” “then maybe I could come by to get you-“ “I’m afraid that also is not possible, he only trust Loefric and really won’t let me out of his sight. I’m sorry but now I really should get back home” she quickly excused herself and started to walk away followed by an amused Leofric “but you’re heading to the woods!” he observed “I’d like to take a longer path!” she responded still walking away “then I may escort you” he replied “I’d enjoy some time by myself” “but you are not alone!” he practically shouted the last sentence and y/n pretend not to have heard that.

“That wasn’t a very lady-like performance, lady” Loefric noticed, clearly amused, as they reached the woods. She sighed “I know, but he just won’t let got! I don’t know how to make it clearer” they looked at each other and laughed “I have to say that is very amusing to see the poor lad struggle but maybe you should free him of this misery” she groaned at his comment “I know… but let’s not talk about him anymore” she looked at their surroundings and instantly looked more relaxed. “How was your staying in Winchester?” she asked him, “Nothing exciting, we’re still monitoring the Danes movements, some boring meetings… usual stuff… lady Aelswith pestering everyone with the commandments and reminding everyone she meets to pray… not even Beocca is that relentless about it” “it sounds like you miss the tedious job of guarding a little lady like me” he fell silent at that.

During his saying in Winchester, Leofric had reflected a lot about their relationship and had come to understand that, even if he wanted to be as close to her as possible, it would have been just more dangerous for both, for her, as more time passed. Loefric worried that if they became any closer, he would have eventually been unable to hold his feelings and offend her. “Sometimes I fear it is that y’a know?” he replied absentmindedly “I won’t be worried until you say you miss lord Uhtred” she teased him. Y/n was still looking at the woods, they were near a river she often visited. She really enjoyed the peace of the place and during their outing they often spend time there.

He looked at her and understand he could no longer go on with this. “Lady y/n I have talk to you about something.” She then turned to him with a quizzical look “During the past months it has been a real honour to serve you and became closer to you, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I can not be your guard anymore.” “Leofric what are you saying? Has my father changed his mind?” “Is not that lady, I just can’t serve you appropriately anymore” “is there something wrong? Don’t tell me I’ve tired you out with my walks in the woods warrior Leofric” he smiled at her tease “it’s not that lady…” “then what is it? You’re worrying me, I’ve come to count you as my friend now Loefric and really would like to understand if there is something wrong I might have done to upset you so much that you may wish to stop being my guard…”

She was now closer to him, facing the warrior and looking at him with her impossible sincere eyes and again he felt immensely vulnerable under her gaze. Leofric took a deep breath and looked beyond her like he would do talking to his superior

 “Is not that lady. Ever since we met, I’ve been attracted to you. As we’ve become closer, I developed feelings for you, and they grew ever more as we’ve got more accustomed, fiercer by the day. I’ve tried to contain myself, out of respect for your father but most importantly for you. But I worry that if I keep being as close to you as we are now, I’m afraid I may not be able to contain myself anymore. It’s been an immense honour to be your guard and friend but, as I said, I’m afraid I cannot do this any longer. I fear to offend you, by speaking so plainly, but it’s the right thing to do. I tried but I cannot help myself but to be smitten by you; and to think that you will eventually marry some other lords like is expected is an unbearable torture, even knowing is inevitable. I’m sorry but I must be honest. I will ask your father not to be your personal guard anymore and to be sent away so that I may never offend you again and in order for you to live the life you deserve-”

Leofric probably had never talked so much so fast in his entire life; and before he could finish his monologue, he was cut of by her. She was listening at him intently and when she understood what he was saying, she felt immense relief washing over her. It seemed that the warrior was too caught up in his claim to notice the growing smile on her face. So she raised on her tiptoe, cupped his face and kissed him.

He froze, not realizing right away what was happening. When he, finally, understood he was so overcome by ease and utter exultation he wrapped his arm around her and lifted her up returning the kiss with great passion.

 Time around them seemed to stop and when they parted, after quite some time really, their eyes expressed absolute relief and adoration for the other. “Do not fear warrior Leofric, your feelings are well reciprocated” she whispered caressing his scarred face. He smiled, twirling her in his arms and kissed her again briefly. “That was very un-lady-like of you, little lady” he grinned “and that was a big speech for a bear” she replied with a matching grin “what will we do with your father then?” she sighed “lets wait for a while before we tell him anything” “and what’s is to tell?” “That we’re courting obviously” she stated playfully rolling her eyes. He agreed with her.

Another entry for the @tlkafterparty

Prompt: Inspired by song lyrics

— Marbles, The Amazing Devil

If I fail, you must go to Frankia.

Not without you.