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‘Come join us Ingrith!’ Finan called out to her, stopping her as she walked down the street past Rumcofa’s alehouse on her way home. She paused and turned to him, a hopeful smile on his face as he looked up at her from where he sat at a table with Sihtric and Osferth. ‘Please,’ he added, slight pleading in his eyes.
Ingrith sighed. ‘Fine, I’ll join you for one drink.’
Finan’s face split into a wide grin, happy that she accepted his request, before shoving Osferth off the bench so that she could take his place beside him.
It had been a few months since Lord Uhtred and his men had come to Rumcofa, and slowly Ingrith, like the other residents, were getting used to their presence. She often saw them down by the river, overseeing the traders and collecting the tolls, patrolling the town and organising the Mercian guards, and, of course, at the ale house.
She had been wary of them at first, like most people had been, but the more she got to know them, the more she found she liked them. She had first been introduced to the rag tag group of warriors through Sihtric’s wife, Sidgeflaed, whom she had formed a friendship with soon after she had joined her husband in the town. Now she considered them all friends – Finan especially.
What had begun as one drink, soon spread to two, then three and then they began to lose count. By the time they left the alehouse, darkness had descended around them, the torches lining the streets having been lit and most people retiring to the warmth of their homes. As they walked home, Ingrith could tell she had, had one too many cups of ale, feeling a little dizzy and laughing far louder and more frequently than she would whilst sober.
However, the men must have been drinking for a while before she arrived as they were all in much worse shape, Osferth stumbling and Sihtric slurring his words. The worst by far was Finan who was barely conscious and was being supported under each arm by Sihtric and Osferth.
‘Good lord, he’s heavy,’ grumbled Osferth with a frown. ‘Why did the Irish bastard have to try and drink Rumcofa dry?’
‘He was trying to impress Ingrith,’ Sihtric smirked, getting her attention.
‘Why do you say that?’ she asked as she walked behind them as they struggled further down the quiet street.
Sihtric just shrugged, before groaning loudly at bearing all of Finan’s weight as Osferth let go to dive to the side of the street and throw up.
‘I thought you were supposed to be the sensible one?’ Ingrith asked him with a giggle. ‘Aren’t you a monk? Or is it common for monks to throw their guts up from ale?’
‘More common than you might think,’ Finan mumbled drunkenly, seeming to have regained consciousness, still being supported by a smirking Sihtric.
‘I am the sensible one,’ Osferth glared back at them, ‘but those two are a bad influence.’
‘Oh I don’t doubt that,’ Ingrith laughed back.
They carried on down the street until they reached Ingrith’s small home. She paused at the door, turning to say goodnight to the others, Finan once again passed out and being carried by an annoyed, tired looking Sihtric and a slightly ill looking Osferth.
‘Why don’t you leave Finan here?’ she asked, thinking with a frown that Sihtric and Osferth still had a very long way to go to take Finan back to his bed, which was the other side of the town near Uhtred’s hall. ‘You don’t really want to carry him all the way back, do you?’
‘Are you sure?’ Sihtric asked, seeming slightly unsure.
She nodded.
‘Thank you blessed Jesus and Mary,’ Osferth groaned, not waiting to see if Ingrith would change her mind before pulling Finan through her front door and dumping him rather unceremoniously onto her bed with Sihtric’s help. ‘Ingrith, you are an angel,’ the former monk grinned at her with relief.
‘I’m not so sure about that,’ she answered with a slight smirk. ‘Now you two get to bed – and I don’t want to hear you moaning about having sore heads in the morning. It was your own fault!’
They both bid her a goodnight and then left, closing the door behind them. She let out a sigh once they were gone, before setting about making a fire, the flickering flames bringing warmth into the small room.
She looked back at Finan who was sprawled out across her bed, light snores coming from him as he slept soundly. She couldn’t help but smile fondly as she walked over to the bed to check on him. He seemed so peaceful when asleep. She gently pushed his hair off his forehead, running her eyes over the features of his face which were illuminated by the flickering orange glow from the fire in the hearth.
‘Good night Finan,’ she sighed, a strange feeling in her chest.
Seeing as Finan was spread out across her whole bed, and he was too heavy for her to move, she curled up in some furs in the chair beside the fire. It was not the most comfortable of places to sleep, but she had slept in worse, and she fell asleep quick enough.
---
She woke the next morning to find Finan gone. It was already well into morning so she guessed he must have been needed by Uhtred, but she was still disappointed and slightly hurt that he would just leave without saying anything to her.
She went about her day as normal, nursing the slight hangover she had gained from the night before as she went. After running her various errands around the town, she returned to her house to find Finan waiting on her doorstep, shuffling his feet anxiously in the dirt.
He almost jumped when he saw her approaching, trying to hide (unsuccessfully) the bunch of flowers in his hand behind his back.
‘Hello Finan,’ she greeted him with a tentative smile.
‘Hey,’ he smiled nervously back, ‘I, err, wanted to apologise for last night. And to thank ya’ for putting me up, ya’ didn’t have to.’
‘I couldn’t let poor Sihtric and Osferth struggle to carry you all the way across town, could I?’ she scoffed with a roll of her eyes, coming to stand in front.
‘Right,’ he nodded, ‘erm, I got ya’ these.’ He held out the bench of flowers towards her, which she took after a moment’s hesitation. ‘To say thank you.’
‘They are beautiful. Although next time I’d rather you not pass out black out drunk in my bed.’
‘Yeah, I’ll bear that in mind.’
There was an awkward moment’s pause as they both stood on her doorstep, looking at each other, waiting for the other to leave or say something.
‘Well then I-‘
‘I guess, I better-‘
They began to talk over each other, both stopping to let the other speak.
‘No, you go-’
‘No, it’s nothing-’
They both looked at each other before bursting out laughing. Ingrith shook her head, looking back down at the flowers he had given her.
‘I had a great time last night,’ she finally said, meeting his eyes which softened at her words. ‘I don’t think I have ever laughed that much.’
‘I had a lovely night too.’
‘I’m surprised you can remember it,’ she smirked back at him.
He chuckled at that. ‘True, but I… I like spending time with ya’, Ingrith.’
She felt her cheeks begin to burn. ‘Good,’ she answered, ‘because I like spending time with you too. When you’re not too drunk to stand, that is.’ He smiled broadly at her, crinkles forming in the corners of his eyes. ‘I’ll see you around Finan,’ she said softly with a warm smile. ‘Now, get lost I am busy,’ she grinned, giving him a playful shove.
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Ingrith was sat at home, mending a rip in one of her dresses by the light of the fire and the twinkling candle beside her, when a knock came from her front door. She got up to answer it with a frown, wondering who could be visiting her so late in the evening.
She opened the door to find Finan learning heavily against the door frame.
‘Finan? What in Odin’s name are you doing here?’
He smiled broadly at the sight of her, pushing himself off the doorframe and swaying violently. ‘Ingrith! I… I just wanted to talk to ya’,’ he mumbled, his accent thick from the obvious amounts of ale he had drunk.
‘Are you drunk, again?’ she asked, slightly exasperated although a slight smile tugged at her lips.
‘No,’ he answered defensively before giving her a sheepish smile, ‘well, maybe.’
‘Go to bed, Finan, I will talk to you in the morning.’
‘No!’ he insisted. ‘I have things I need to say, and… and they can’t wait.’
‘Alright,’ she answered uncertainly, opening the door wider to allow him to come inside. ‘You better come inside then.’
He followed her inside, watching her intently. Once she had shut the door behind them, he came to stand close in front of her, swaying on his feet.
‘You are so beautiful,’ he breathed.
‘And you are drunk.’
‘No! Well… yes, I am – but, I mean it! Ingrith, you are beautiful… and you are… funny…’
‘Finan,’ she sighed, not wanting him to say something whilst drunk he would later regret.
There had been something growing between them; soft looks and small touches, seeking the other out whilst in a crowd. She had grown to trust him completely. And yet, she wasn’t sure what this thing they had was, or where it would lead.
‘Stay here tonight,’ she added before he had time to argue with her. ‘You are in no fit state to walk home on your own.’
‘Are ya’ worried about me?’ he smirked down at her.
‘Yes, I am,’ she answered simply. ‘Now, come on. Get some sleep, we can talk in the morning.’
He sighed as if he was defeated before nodding. She watched as his shaking hands tried to unlace his boots, finally batting his hands aside to remove them herself. He climbed on top of the bed, thankfully not spreading out across the entire mattress this time, allowing for her to climb in beside him.
‘Why do you drink so much?’
‘Perhaps I just like taste?’ he murmured, his eyes beginning to look heavy as he fought to continue to look at her.
‘As long as it is just that. That you’re not drowning your sorrows,’ she murmured in reply, studying his face which was only inches from hers. ‘I hope you know I’m always here for you.’
‘I do know that,’ he sighed, his eye lids finally closing. ‘But I wasn’t drinking to forget. I was drinking so I would have the courage to tell ya’ I love you.’
‘Finan,’ she gasped. ‘I-‘ her words died on her tongue as light snores filled the room, Finan falling peacefully asleep opposite her.
---
She woke up before Finan, getting up and fetching some fresh water from the well and beginning to prepare them both some breakfast. She kept glancing back at him as she worked, thinking back on his words the previous night, wondering if he had meant them. She wanted his words to be true; she cared for him more than anyone and she felt they had a connection like none she had ever shared before.
She heard him groan behind her as he slowly began to wake up. She couldn’t help but bite her lip nervously as she took a cup of water and went to sit beside the bed.
‘Morning,’ she murmured hesitantly, giving him a soft smile as he blinked blearily up at you. ‘This is becoming rather a habit.’
‘Sorry,’ he groaned, looking confusedly around him like he couldn’t remember how he had ended up there. ‘I didn’t… shit I just turned up at your door, didn’t I?’
‘Yep,’ she smiled, a slight chuckle leaving her lips as she watched him screw up his face in embarrassment. ‘I don’t mind really.’
He gave her a weak smile before his face dropped and his eyes widened as a realisation hit him. ‘Shit! Did I…? Did I tell ya’ that I love you?’
Her heart fell as she nodded. It was probably just something he said whilst drunk – of course he hadn’t really meant it.
‘What did you say back?’ he asked suddenly, anxiety lining his features.
‘You passed out before I got the chance.’
‘Oh,’ he answered sheepishly, before nervously meeting her eyes once more. ‘But… if you had… answered, what would you have said?’
She looked into his eyes, so full of hope and longing, and realised that he had meant what he had said, and that she loved him too. She placed her hand on the back of his neck and drew him towards her, kissing him gently and lovingly, trying to convey all her feelings in a way words couldn’t accurately express.
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Ingrith was once again sitting beside the fire in her home – which she now shared with Finan. She sat looking into the flames, waiting for her husband to return from the alehouse. She would have joined him and the others, however she had spent her evening with Sidgeflaed, helping her to look after her many children and catching up on all the local gossip.
A loud knock came from the door, accompanied by lots of giggling. She crossed the room and opened the door to find Finan, Osferth and Aethelstan giggling uncontrollably beside a bemused looking Sihtric.
‘Shhhhhh!’ Finan hushed his friends dramatically, his finger pressed to his lips. ‘We have to be quiet, Ingrith can’t know I’m drunk.’
She rolled her eyes at them. ‘Finan,’ she said sternly to get his attention, her husband immediately straightening up and trying his best to look sober.
‘Good evening, my beautiful wife,’ he grinned, coming forward to kiss her cheek, his breath smelling of ale.
‘I thought you were only going for a couple of drinks?’ she frowned at the three men, ignoring Finan’s flattery. ‘You will be a bad influence on Aethelstan!’ she added, glancing sympathetically at the young teenager who would definitely have a terrible hangover the next day. ‘I will tell Uhtred.’
‘Uhtred won’t care,’ Sihtric dismissed with a smirk.
‘Then maybe I will tell your wife!’ Ingrith shot back, Sihtric’s face immediately falling – his wife’s wrath obviously more of a threat than Uhtred’s.
‘Now, off to bed the lot of you – and make sure Aethelstan gets home okay!’
They all nodded, Osferth putting his arm around Aethelstan as they continued down the street. She shut the door and turned to see Finan already sitting on the edge of the bed, clumsily attempting to untie his boots.
‘Let me do it,’ she sighed, going over and kneeling in front of him.
‘Ya’ aren’t really mad, are ya’?’ he asked worriedly.
‘No,’ she answered, a smile tugging at the edge of her lips, ‘although next time you go out and have fun, you might invite me?’ He smiled lovingly up at her as she threw his boots aside and got him a cup of water. ‘Here, drink this.’
He took the water from her and drank a few mouthfuls before putting it aside. He pulled her closer towards him, so she stood between his legs and wrapped his arms around her middle, his head resting against her stomach.
‘I love ya’ so much,’ he mumbled against the fabric of her dress, his warms wrapping tighter around her.
‘I love you too,’ she replied with a small sigh, running her fingers through his hair. ‘Now let’s go to bed and get some sleep, shall we?’ she whispered, leaning down to kiss the top of his head.