Athelstan The Viking Monk

A story in two parts, written by princess-from-another-galaxy .

Athelstan was a monk at the Lindisfarne Monastery, known for his quiet devotion to his studies and his skill with languages. He had spent many years learning Old Norse, and it was this knowledge that would save his life on the day that the Vikings came.

The raid was sudden and brutal, with the monastery being overrun by Ragnar and his fierce warriors. The other monks were slain without mercy, their bodies left to rot on the cold stone floor of the monastery.

But Athelstan was different. As the Vikings approached him, he began to speak to them in their own language, pleading for his life. The Vikings were surprised to hear one of their own tongue being spoken by a monk, and they hesitated.

Ragnar, the leader of the war band, stepped forward and looked at Athelstan with curiosity. He asked the monk why he knew their language, and Athelstan told him of his love of languages and his desire to learn more about the world beyond the monastery walls.

Ragnar was impressed by Athelstan’s intelligence and knowledge, and he decided to spare the monk’s life. Instead of killing him, he took him captive and brought him back to his camp, where Athelstan would become a valuable asset, helping Ragnar and his warriors communicate with other Norsemen and learn more about the lands they were raiding.

Despite the circumstances, Athelstan found himself drawn to the Vikings and their way of life. He learned their customs and traditions, and even fought alongside them in battles. He became a trusted member of the war band, and his loyalty was tested many times.

But no matter what challenges he faced, Athelstan remained true to his faith and his beliefs. He never forgot who he was or where he came from, and he always remained grateful to Ragnar and his men for sparing his life and giving him the opportunity to learn and grow.

In the end, Athelstan’s time with the Vikings came to an end, and he returned to his monastery. But he would never forget the lessons he had learned and the experiences he had had, and he would always be grateful to Ragnar and his warriors for the adventure of a lifetime.

After the Battle of Wessex, Athelstan discovered a critically wounded Rollo lying on the battlefield. Without hesitation, he rushed to Rollo’s side and helped him to safety.

When Rollo regained consciousness and realized that Athelstan was the one who had rescued him, he was filled with disgust and rage. He could not believe that his old friend had turned his back on their Viking ways and returned to his Christian faith. He even threatened to kill Athelstan for his betrayal.

But Athelstan was unafraid. He knew that Rollo was in a weakened state, and he was able to talk him down and prevent him from doing anything rash.

Later, King Ecbert summoned Athelstan to his court and asked him to serve as his envoy to the Vikings. The king wanted Athelstan to go to the Viking camp and negotiate a peace treaty, in the hopes of ending the raids and bringing some much-needed stability to the kingdom.

Athelstan agreed, and he set off on his mission. When he arrived at the Viking camp, he was greeted by Bjorn, his old friend from his days with Ragnar. The two men were happy to see each other, and they spent some time catching up on old times.

Athelstan also informed Bjorn and the other Vikings that Rollo was alive and recovering from his wounds. This news came as a great relief to everyone, as they had thought that Rollo had fallen in battle.

After meeting with Ragnar, Athelstan and the Viking leader had a heartfelt conversation about their respective gods and beliefs. Ragnar tried to convince Athelstan to come back with him and return to their old ways, but Athelstan was steadfast in his faith.

In the end, Ragnar and Athelstan parted ways, but not before agreeing to continue their discussions in the future.

Hours later, Ragnar, Horik, and Lagertha met with King Ecbert and negotiated a peace treaty. In exchange for ending their raids, the Vikings were given a large amount of land to settle on.

During this time, Athelstan met and fell in love with Judith, the king’s beautiful and intelligent daughter. The two of them enjoyed a brief affair, and Judith became pregnant with Athelstan’s child.

Despite the challenges and hardships they faced, Athelstan and Judith remained devoted to each other and their unborn child. They knew that their love was forbidden and that they would face many obstacles, but they were determined to make it work.

As the years passed, Athelstan and Judith raised their child in peace, surrounded by the love and support of their friends and family. And though they would never forget their tumultuous past, they were grateful for the new life they had built together.

* * *

Athelstan sat in the great hall of the castle, his eyes fixed on the young boy who sat before him. This was Alfred, the son of Athelstan and Judith, and he was a bright and curious child with a thirst for knowledge. Athelstan took it upon himself to teach Alfred the Viking language of Old-Norse, as well as other subjects such as history and philosophy. Alfred proved to be a quick learner, and he soon became fluent in Old-Norse. He would often spend hours poring over books and scrolls with his father, learning everything he could about the Viking way of life.

Athelstan had been teaching Alfred the Old-Norse language for many years, and the boy had proven to be a quick learner. He had memorized many of the words and phrases that Athelstan had taught him, and he was eager to learn more.

“Alfred, my son, it is time for your lesson,” Athelstan said, his voice firm but gentle. “Today, we will learn some new words in Old-Norse.”

Alfred’s eyes lit up with excitement, and he leaned forward, eager to hear what his father had to say.

“First, we will start with some basic words and phrases,” Athelstan said, holding up a piece of parchment with the words written on it. “Hello is Heill, goodbye is Bless, yes is Já, and no is Nei. Can you repeat these words after me?”

Alfred repeated the words, his pronunciation perfect. Athelstan smiled with pride, impressed by his son’s progress.

“Excellent, my son,” Athelstan said, continuing with the lesson. “Next, we will learn some words related to war and combat. A warrior is a Víkingur, a shieldmaiden is a Skjaldmær, a sword is a Sverð, and an axe is an Ás. Can you repeat these words after me?”

Alfred repeated the words, his voice strong and confident. Athelstan nodded in approval, pleased with his son’s ability to learn and retain the language.

“Now, we will move on to some words related to nature and the world around us,” Athelstan said, holding up a new piece of parchment. “A castle is a Kastali, a town is a Bær, a village is a Bygd, a field is an Eng, a mountain is a Fjall, a river is an Á, and the sea is a Sjó. Can you repeat these words after me?”

Alfred repeated the words, his pronunciation flawless. Athelstan was impressed by his son’s ability to learn and speak the language with such ease and proficiency.

“Finally, we will learn some words related to the sky and the elements,” Athelstan said, holding up the last piece of parchment. “The sky is the Himinn, the sun is the Sól, the moon is the Máni, a star is a Stjarna, fire is Eldur, water is Vatn, earth is Jörð, and air is Loft. Can you repeat these words after me?”

Alfred repeated the words, his voice clear and strong. Athelstan smiled with pride, knowing that his son was well on his way to becoming a master of the Old-Norse language.

“You have done well, my son,” Athelstan said, clapping his hands in approval. “You have learned many words and phrases in Old-Norse, and you have shown great skill and proficiency in speaking the language. I am proud of you, and I know that you will continue to grow and learn in the years to come.”

Alfred smiled, grateful for his father’s guidance and support. He knew that the knowledge and skills that Athelstan had taught him would be invaluable as he grew older and took on the responsibilities of being a king.

“Thank you, father,” Alfred said, bowing his head in respect. “I am grateful for everything you have taught me, and I will continue to learn and grow in the Old-Norse language and in other subjects as well. I know that your wisdom and guidance will be with me always.”

Athelstan smiled, touched by his son’s words. He knew that Alfred would go on to great things, and he was proud to have played a part in his education and growth.

“You are welcome, my son,” Athelstan said, patting Alfred on the shoulder. “I have faith in you, and I know that you will become a great king and a wise and just ruler. May the Old-Norse language and all that I have taught you serve you well in the years to come.”

And with that, the lesson came to an end, and Athelstan and Alfred went their separate ways, each knowing that they had played a part in the other’s growth and success.

But Alfred was not just a student of knowledge – he was also a brave and valiant warrior. He inherited his father’s fighting skills and his mother’s strength of character, and he quickly became a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Despite his many talents, Alfred remained humble and dedicated to his studies. He knew that knowledge was power, and he was determined to become the wisest and most respected leader in the land.

As he grew older, Alfred continued to learn and grow, becoming a great warrior and a wise and just ruler. He fought bravely in many battles, and his bravery and skill on the battlefield earned him the respect of his people. He would always be grateful to his father, Athelstan, for teaching him the ways of the Vikings and for giving him the knowledge and skills he needed to succeed.

Eventually, Alfred was named the King of Wessex, and he immediately set to work uniting the various kingdoms of England under his rule. He was a fair and just ruler, and he worked tirelessly to bring peace and prosperity to his people.

One of the biggest challenges facing Alfred was the threat of Viking invasions. The Vikings had been raiding the English coast for years, causing destruction and chaos wherever they went.

But Alfred was not afraid of the Vikings. He knew that they respected strength and courage, and he was determined to show them that the English were not to be trifled with.

So, he began to negotiate with the Viking leaders, using his knowledge of Old-Norse to talk to them in their own language. He offered them land and wealth in exchange for peace, and many of the Viking leaders agreed to his terms.

Alfred’s strategy worked, and the Viking raids began to decline. The English people were grateful to their king for bringing peace and stability to the land, and they hailed him as a hero.

In the end, Alfred’s knowledge of Old-Norse proved to be a valuable asset, allowing him to make peace with the Viking invaders and bring an end to their destructive raids. He would always be remembered as a great king and a skilled diplomat, thanks to his ability to speak the language of the Vikings.