#Vili the viking

[iinafarawaygalaxii]

Assassins Creed: Valhalla | Freyja’s Promise

Disenchanted: Chapter 3

Summary: The Legend has risen- but to a different world than the one she knew before. Marking the beginning of a prophecy she still fails to comprehend as her entire world flips upside down- unleashing its tantalizing fury.

Warnings: 18+, Blood, Gore, Angst, Death, Fluff, SFW

WC: 5.6k

Notes:

Bacraut - Asshole

Assassins Creed Valhalla | Eivor Varinsdottir x Vili Hemmingston

She opened her eyes to the bright sunlight, hearing birds chirp on the windowsill in complete taciturnity. It was the most peaceful locus she had woken up in a long time as she slowly sat up feeling a warm ping on her shoulder. She looked down to assess the damage trying to pull herself out of a fog that rested heavily on her shoulders, forcing her eyes wide with surprise when she saw that her wound had scarred- almost completely. She traced her fingers across the ungodly site she's now cursed with for the rest of her life, raising even more questions about the culprit and if he had been caught when she pressed down with a wince to check for a pain response. Though it wasn't nearly as painful compared to the beginning- But the question remained still...

How could she have healed this quickly?

The last thing she remembered was clutching onto Vili when he carried her throughout Jorvik... embarrassingly enough as that is- Everything else was a blank from there. No memory or sensation since then... Not even a dream. She reached for her head in confusion, recognizing that what was once braided, was not. "What...", She whispered to herself, seeing her tattered black hair flow over her shoulders. 'Hmm...Interesting', she thought. Reaching for the back of her head and felt knots that were in need of attention- No doubt from the amount of time she had been laying there; her first clue, as she got up in hopes of finding a thrall to draw her bath and was quickly blessed with one standing in the doorway.

*CRASHHH*

The servant stood still in shock, dropping a vase of water on the ground- a look she assumes will get in abundance given her reaction alone. "Jarlskona...-", The woman whispered, placing a hand above her heart, "You've... You've woken!", She declared happily as Eivor pointed out that she was indeed and was in need of cleansing. "Mention nothing-", the Raven demanded sending the servant off to grab the other women to draw her a bath of roses pedals and lavender salts that did not take long to procure.

And by the time she had stretched herself and de-robed, the bath was already filled and steaming with a hardiness that was far more than just alluring- it was sought after. She checked the temperature with a grin before delving in and submerging into a blanket of alleviation for the tender muscles that plagued her. And after a moments rest, the thralls had scrubbed her clean from head to toe- humming old nordic songs from her fathers age that was soothing and welcoming. To know they would be in such a good mood over her simply waking up... Warmed her heart but flustered her curiosity further, leading her to ask unfiltered questions in search of personal respite. "Tell me how long has it been?", The Jarlskona asked, sinking into the warmth of the tub for some much needed relief. "About what my Lady?", one of the women brushing Eivor's hair leaned down to listen, smiling warmly. The raven peeked over her shoulder with a raised brow and a smirk, watching the thrall with intent-

"How long have I been sleeping?"

She met with no response. Only looked over to the other thralls who's heads were low- avoiding eye contact as much as possible- their smiles completely vanished from sight. "What?", The raven cawed, sitting up in the tub to gain at least someones attention. "My Lady, I think it is best if you speak with the high lords." One mentioned, bowing low to the legend before them out of respect and shame. Eivor cocked her head slightly in confusion narrowing her eyes as she contemplated their behavior, "I shall then...", she responded not wanting to press further- given their positions. A law she wishes to expel from these lands, one day. Although, they were being awfully suspicious for a simple answer, leading her to believe it must've been longer than she thought.

They continued caring for Eivor, cleaning and sanitizing her wound, washed and brushed her hair, cutting her nails- bringing her back to a semi standard that felt like a breath of fresh air after the long sleep she's had and after an hour of soaking- and perpetual thinking, the thralls had finished braided her hair it in a usual fashion. Threading the golden beads throughout her locks as they prepared her clothes for the new day- "Thank you. Now leave-", Eivor commanded as they scurried off to spread the news- unhinged.

It wasn't difficult to get changed on her own but she was indeed sore. After dressing herself in a black silk tunic and pants, strapping on her brown belt and boots for extra measure, she made her way downstairs in a hurry- excited to see those she longed to speak to. After all she needed to know what happened and once she got to the base of the stairs, she overheard a heated debate between the chieftains of England making her pause-

Randvi: "-No that inadvisable. Northumbrias cave systems run deep, I say we send a scouts and a cartographer to map the magma tunnels and find our way to invade there."

Tewdwr: "Its just too risky Randvi, if they get caught the picts will have the maps before we do. Which will be dangerous in the long run for all of us-"

She backed against the wall at the last step, 'An invasion?', she thought, chiming into the discourse of the ton and continued to listen before she made her entrance, trying understand the position they are in.

Stowe: "No matter what... We need eyes if we are going to invade. Instead of the tunnels we should send the scouts into enemy territory over the mountain pass and have them find out what they can."

Erke: "I agree with Stowe we need reconnaissance before we take action"

Sigurd: "And if the scouts get caught?"

Broder: "They wont..."

Sigurd: "How can you be so sure?"

Broder: "Cause' the picts only have one target in mind and thats Eivor and England. If we send our raiders from Snottingham and Sciropscire up to the northern regions, we can get information quickly without being spotted by their forces... which are littered across Northumbrian territory.

Sigurd: "Broder, that would leave the southern territories of Northumbria AND Mercia defenseless, why in the 9 realms would we do that-?"

The room fell eerily silent as suspicion grew across their faces seeing Broder nervous and nearly sweating under the guise of certainty. Eivor took note, peaking around the corner when she saw the lords circle the man like a pack of lions defending its territory. It was so unlike him to be so strung, leading her to deeper questions about the East Anglian ally she did not wish to contemplate. She frowned when the pit of her stomach grew darker- feeling a tentative qualm beseech her mind as she watched everything unfold;

Stowe: "You seem to know a lot about their motive Broder. Care to explain where you're getting this information from?"

Erke: "Yes- and why pull all our raiders to a singular area? That would be foolish considering their mass of warriors."

Broder: "Are you accusing me of treason?"

Sigurd: "Should we?"

Broder: "How dare you..."

Axes were now in hand ready to jump when someone flinches, forcing the hall silent that indicated Eivor's need to jump in. She strode up to the table raising one hand while placing the other of Erke's weapon, "Stow away your axes. This isn't the time for petty battles...", Everyones eyes went wide as their mouths fell remained silent. People who were working, stopped to gawk at the Jarlskona before them- awake and in the flesh. Her pale skin represented the hell she had been through, and hollowed bones from lack of nutrition- showing how long she had been sleeping.

"E-Eivor...?"

Sigurd questioned bringing her in for a hug. "When did you wake?", He held his sister close, checking for any signs of distress when his hand pulled her shirt down to check the wound. "Im fine Sigurd...", she gently captured his hand from delving any further. Checking back with the ton and presented herself to them, "Tell me- what has happened since we last spoke? My wound is healed which makes me think I've been out for some time...", She looked around to everyone for an answer- all whom were still shocked that she was even awake- remaining silent

"Eivor, you've been out for 3 whole weeks... A lot had happened since that day-"

Randvi chimed as they all circled around trying to contain their excitement for her return given the link of events thats happened since her slumber. "You have no idea how good it is to see you Wolf-Kissed. A relief at best-", Broder came and placed a hand on her lower back forcing the raven to sneer and shrug him off. She now carried the same suspicion as her peers, folding her arms in disappointment and questioned his motives;

"Broder, before I came down, I overheard your strategy in the campaign against the picts. Now, I may have just woken up, but I am no fool. Suggesting to pull all our raiders to one area is imprudent and you know that- in any given situation like this-", she panned her hand over the map, showing what little allied totems they have against the pict masses in the north that vastly outweighed the limit of their own.

"-Especially after what happened to Soma which shows me you have not learned your lesson from the battle as I have..."

She glared back to him watching his brows furrow with discontent. He tilted his head a bit not knowing how to respond when he glanced down and peered back at her, "What are you insinuating, Mighty Raven?", he questioned, withdrawing himself to hear her wreathed speech in resistance against him, despite his... fondness for her. She tapped on the map and asked, "Insinuating? No... This is a warning-", she stepped up to the drengir, checking him from head to toe, "...For what-", he murmured with a scowl, feeling her swiftly adjust his cape with two quick tugs.

"To tread carefully. You never know who may stab you in the back-"

She looked at her shoulder and back to him before turning her attention back to the lords and chieftains and began to dive into the real questions. "Now... Tell me everything-", she said with her hands sprawled across the table watching Broder take his leave back to camp and no one stopped him. For the man had darker things in play that the legend has already snared. She nodded off the side for one of Vili's scouts to tag him and watch his movements feeling her trust begin to dwindle as the troubled man looked back before he left with maliciousness. "I hate to sympathize but he gets more and more apprehensive about all of this as time goes on. This is the best choice- at least for now...", Randvi stated looking back to Eivor as they watched the scout disappear into the crowds and begin his mission, "Yes, Alefgar had once warned us of such treachery- a wise man from a pack of fools. By the way, where is the Saxon Eldorman? I must speak with him-",

The lords all looked to each other introspectively when grave looks befell their faces and continued to explain how Alefgar had passed away in a scrimmage for information with a group of elite drengir who failed to save him before it was too late. The news was breaking but only got worse after finding out Halfdan had passed away from his illness and named Vili Hemmingston the crown.

Her mouth dropped-

Though it wasn't too much of a surprise, since this was something they were all prepared for. She just didn't imagine it would happen so quick and without her presence becoming almost too* overbearing to hear as Erke and Stowe continued to explain that the picts are planning an invasion in one months time and with how little resource's Jorvik has and the kingdom of Northumbria as a whole, couldn't agree on what to do going forward- losing time and energy towards their efforts.

"Here- the letter..."

Eivor grasped the parchment intently and read the words, 'The Wolf must die to save us from Ragnarok- Alimina has spoken; Find the Kissed one- and cast her bleeding heart into the ocean.' , Eivor's eyes closed, crushing the parchment in her fist. "Alimina....", She growled under her breath, finally knowing the name responsible for her scar and the damage done to her people. "When the time comes to strike her down- she is mine.", The raven burned the letter over a candle and held it up to watch it crisp into dust. "And who has knowledge of this?" She asked looking ovre the ton who weere hree to day as stowe camee up and grimly murmured,

"Everyone-"

She looked to her friends and family who were diplomacy torn. Each displaying different levels of energy airing on the side of fatigue when she looked back at the war table and analyzed the plans before her. It truly was too much to hear, feeling her heart protrude out of her chest for the loss of allies in her slumber and this shitty situation ahead of them- ahead of her that she had no clue what to begin with. A piece of her hugr hated itself and her vulnerability for putting them in this position, instantly thinking about Vili and his role in all of this that made her first growing concern to question about allies.

"Has Vili contacted King Ceowulf or Guthrum?"

The leaders looked to each other in distress. Having to relive their failures in her absence but relieved to hear her thoughts about reclaiming them. They gathered apprehensively folding their arms as they broke discouraging news, "Guthrum is dead Eivor... Lady Aselthswith took back East Anglia and Mercian boarders hamlets. King Ceowulf is here and being received by Vili as we speak...-", Eivor's heart began to pick up, seeing the father of a boy she had just saw in the afterlife no long ago- making her readjust her cape to let in more air as she cleared her throat-

"A shame... Its only a matter of time before Alimina, her Picts, and Aselthswith make their move. What is your strategy?"

The room remained silent all looking to Sigurd who forgot to divulge critical information about the Mercian Kings arrival. "We need to tell her-", Stowe said rubbing his forehead in distress and turned around unable to contain such a secret from her, "It needs to come from the King, not-", "Tell me what?", Eivor asked cutting her brother off while placing a hand on his shoulder, unnerved that he was holding secrets again- despite everything they have faced thus far and the things that are inquired to happen. "Do not hide things from me brother...", she murmured, tightening her grip to remind him of their promise long ago after their discovery of the Isu. "Sister... I-"

"Wolf-Kissed?"

She turned around and saw Vili at the entrance of the hall. Everyone heavily anticipating their meeting just as much as she did- now finally having the chance to seek the answers she needs from the 'King' himself. Eivor slowly released her hand from her brothers shoulders and started pacing cautiously towards him. "Arse-Stick?", She tipped her head a little, seeing a golden crown sit heavily above his brow and guessed he has been treated well given his new appearance that sent unnatural shivers down her spine. She felt her skin raise with bumps in tandem with her nervousness that slowly continued to elevate each step he took.

They made him clothes fit for a king.

A white silk tunic and finely woven cotton pants with brown, gold plated, boots. His armor was new and shiny, matching the gilded pattern throughout his fit as the straps that carried his bronze hammers was no doubt made from the finest leather they could seek. She could see how it was carefully threaded throughout his body for maximum efficiency to carry extra weapons. It was charming how his white wolf cape fit over his broad shoulders, bound together by a golden wolf pin, flowing just perfectly enough to get a full view of his body. She could feel her face flush, returning color where there was none as the crowds witnessed Vili's chest begin to rise- almost swearing they could see his eyes weld from excitement, sadness, worry and relief...

'Is that really her?'

He kept repeating to himself, inching closer to her. He raised a brow checking her state; Despite just waking, looked weary- fatigued even, making his mind race of all the things he needed to do to get her better before the dawn of battle. That was... until he saw her cheeks flush. He cocked his head with a grin unable to tell what she was thinking though the blush laid idle to ears spoke enough for itself as he picked up his speed watching Eivor do that same.

It was so unlike her to cause a scene like this, enough to make Sigurd and Randvi look to each other curiously- watching the two come into a full embrace. A firm, tight hug that carried- bewildered those who were watching. A sigh of relief escaped both their lips with a chuckle as Vili's hand dropped to her lower back to bring her in closer. "When...", He whispered in her ear still locked in arms forcing his grip tighter when he realized this was actually her in the flesh- awake in his arms."Not... long...", He gripped harder making Eivor's chest seize, "Vili...I... cant- Bre-", before he quickly let go, forcing Eivor to hunch over and catch her breath while reaching for his chest for balance.

"I see you're in good health..."

She responded with a cough, hearing them both chuckle. She stood back up after a moment and she took a second to look around seeing everyone watch them intently, he face began to flush again, closing in on the king to keep the conversation between them. "I need to speak to you... privately-", Eivor leaned into whisper, slightly embarrassed from their oversight, since her goal was to keep emotional attachments at a minimum and to present themselves as such without spectacle. "I was just thinking the same...", Vili muttered keeping the tone whilst leading her back upstairs to his room. "Stay here, all of you. Ceowulf will be here in a moment. He is speaking with Trygve about provisions-", He announced before following his comrade up the stairs, seeing Sigurd nod to the King to deliver the 'secret news' everyone was keeping.

Though things didn't go well, as planned.

The moment they had privacy he brought her back in for a hug. "You should've came to me when you woke...-", He said taking a step back before offering a seat on the bed with him. She took him up, of course, sitting close to her best friend with her elbows on her knees. "A king huh?", She asked looking over to see a crown sit boldly on top of his head. "There wasn't much time. We're.... in a state of emergency now-", He sighed, releasing the tension and stress thats been cooped up before reliving his failures again. "Between the Alimina, picts invading and Aselthswith... Were losing ground, resources, and time... Im kinda glad you're here Wolf-Kissed. We're in need of that thick skull of yours-", He flicked her head and received a push to the shoulder as they both chuckled before Eivor noticed a change in his demeanor.

She could sense his tension- His stress.

Placing a gently hand on his thigh to recapture his attention, forcing him to gaze upon her. "Halfdan wouldn't have chosen you if he knew you couldn't do it... Just like your father", She stood up placing herself in his frontal view. "Besides, you have all of Northumbria at your side... and me, Jarlskona of Ravenclans- of course.", kneeling in front of him to kiss the top of one of his hands, swearing her fealty to him- unbridled. "Im yours to command... my King-", She looked up to him with alluring eyes watching him begin to unravel, relax, and ready to take advantage of his kingliness.

A snide grin rose on his face grabbing her chin to bring her in closer. "I never thought I would see the day...", He whispered gazing at her lips before making eye contact watching her roll her own, "You only get it once, don't push your luck Arse- sti-oo", He brought her up for a kiss, shocking her still as she took it in, melding into him as if it were the first taste of a craving she had longed for. 'You cant', she thought to herself trying to find the will to let go that was fleeting every second that had passed. The pent up energy they both carried went a step too far when he lifted her onto him, hearing the crown fall from his head and roll on the floor. The heavy metal coming down with a clank that made him pause,

"Its King now-",

He said falling back onto the bed with her on top. "You'll always be an Arse-Stick to me...", She purred sitting back up to place a hand on his chest to keep him in place. A part of her didn't want to pursue this, especially with greater things ahead of them but the tension they've held in since they saw each other... Since that night- was bursting, uncontrolled and has been growing feral since their time in Snottingham forcing the childhood friends to re-examine their relationship.

His hand reached up to her cheek- testing the waters in sound of his heart beat pounding against his chest. His blood now pumping enough to be felt in between her legs, hot and throbbing against her core. She rolled her hips just once feeling his hand slither to her waist and up her naval- wanting her to move again.

"I told you it was a dragons tail...",

She rolled her eyes, interlinking their fingers with his as he rolled over on top- to be in control. "Eivor... theres something I need to tell you-", he changed his demeanor. The moment quickly dowsed like water to fire, as the young raven's eyebrow raised wondering what news could take precedent over... well this, "Then speak in plain words-", She exclaimed waiting to hear what everyones been so eager to tell as she watched his face sour.

He sat up, forcing Eivor to follow suit- using her elbows to prop herself up to listen as Vili cleared his throat and readjusted himself. "Eivor, Ceowulf is here for only one thing and its to pass the crown-", She immediately knew where this was going not wanting to take part while planning a quick escape outside the castle-longhouse. "-No", She said frankly- dead in his eye as if no question couldn't be more disappointing. "Eivor you didn't even hear the re-",

"I said no-"

She exclaimed yet again as she tried to escape their position but was pinned down by the king himself. Though he knew he was testing her patience, given she complied without struggle- her brow fire now more immense than before when he heard her laugh off the awkwardness and avoid eye contact. It was when she stopped she panned back to him with a menacing look, "Tread carefully, Vili Hemmingston-", She said calmly, awaiting the 'kings' answer as he let go and continued to straddle her;

Vili: "You wont like what I have to say Wolf-Kissed. So please... please just, be calm and listen to me-"

Eivor: "Begging doesn't suit you, your majesty."

Vili: "I wouldn't have to if the queen of stubbornness would LISTEN-!"

Eivor: "...."

Vili: "Do I have your attention?"

Eivor: "...."

Vili: *Sigh*, "You don't have to rule Mercia alone. You've already been named heir when you woke from deep sleep- everyone approves of it even the civilians. Now you're here, awake, with a crown to accept and a kingdom to protect.... But you don't have to do it alone. By contingency Sigurd became Jarl of Ravensclan and offered your hand to the King of Northumbria to solidify- whoaa!"

She pushed him off in rage.

The anger that was building with each word he spoke struck in her core, making it explode. Her anger lead her downstairs to confront Sigurd herself. Being inconsolable and bringing the rage of Helheim with her as her footsteps and Vili's voice commanding her to 'stop' was heard from below. "Well she knows now....", Randvi states, staring at the ceiling above with the tap of her foot knowing that Eivor would react this way. "You should've waited until she woke...", the table maiden continued, folding her arms at her ex who stated it was whats best for their clan and England.

"Well you're about to find whats best, Sigurd-",

She responded to the Ravensclan Jarl as Eivor emerged from the staircase in haste. She strode up to Sigurd, eyes pinned on her target like a predator catching its prey and punched him in the face with vigor- forcing the leaders to peel her off him. "HOW DARE YOU SIGURD! Pass me off like I'm some sort of cattle to be sold!", She tried to reach for him again but was pulled back by members of their clan. Randvi instantly stood in the middle trying to calm both parties as Sigurd decided to make things worse by announcing his intentions unwillingly. "I AM THE JARL OF RAVENSCLAN NOW, I DECIDE OUR FUTURE!-", Sigurd exclaimed forcing Eivor to growl and launch forward. "BACRAUT! THAT IS NOT YOUR DECISION TO MAKE", She screamed back, ready to fight to the death as King Ceowulf himself came and hooked his arms around Eivor to restrain her from further harm.

"You, now...-"

He ordered knowing she wouldn't dare hurt him in any way, shape, or form given their tight bond over his son who passed not long ago. "-Don't make me wait...-", He commanded sternly, bringing Eivor up and pushing her towards the kings stage. "Leaders of Mercian and Northumbrian territories are the only ones permitted to stay. Everyone else leave. Now-", The hall thinned as Eivor was found pacing back and fourth on the stage with Vili off to the side next to Ceowulf and the others. "I thought you said you could handle this-", The old king leaned in to whisper, "I didn't think she would react this way...-", Vili muttered disappointedly as he watched Eivor try her best to calm herself.

To be clear...

It wasn't that she didn't want to be queen. It was the fact that both Vili and her brother knew just how much she hated the idea of marriage and the things that come after. Much more- decisions being made about her life without her knowledge or consent which made everything even worse. 'Just sprinkle in a little prophecy and set the world on fire while they're at it', She thought plagued by poor decisions made on her behalf when she took a deep breath trying to sooth her hugr. Nevertheless, Sigurd always has a way of reigniting flames as he sat at the edge of a table facing towards the kings stage, watching his little sister unravel.

"You! Are the most- STUBBORN....- WOMAN! In existence! Just shut the hell up and LISTEN!",

Sigurd exclaimed holding a frozen pork chop against the eye she so desperately bruised. She stopped pacing seeing her inner peace fade as the rage came back willing to bruise his other eye to match as she prepared herself to launch at him again only to be caught by Vili this time. A huge mistake... Because she really... really, did not want to be touched. She launched for the King who dodged the attack.

"Wolff-Kisseddd...",

He exclaimed hesitantly, holding his hands out against her while trying to coax her out of a fight he already knew was coming. The Kings guard began to close in until Vili ordered them to stop, watching the Raven ready to strike as she got closer- backing him into a wall. "And you...? You knew this plan all along- yet..? You saw it fit to keep me guessing...-", she launched and they began fighting.

Each attempted punch was met with a dodge and every kick captured and let go. His main offensive was defensive- letting her run out of energy before re-approaching the topic. "You-", He dodge a punch to the face trying to speak through her rage but was still unwilling, "-didn't let me finish- whoa!", He exclaimed missing a close call to the chest as he escaped her attack area to gain some distance.

At this point everyone except Ceowulf was off the stage watching an oath be broken over and over again with each punch she tried to lay- attacking a King on his home ground. Thee equivalent of treason. Though everyone knew that it was deeper than that. Which made most turn a blind eye because at the end of the day... No one means more to them in the world than each other. Though they would never admit it publicly watching the raven attack its host.

"Shut up and fight me!",

She yelled, kicking up high but ended up dodging before he captured her leg and pushed into her till they were both on the floor. He decided to use his brute strength as a man to pin her down as he did above, straddling her with struggle but finally had an opening to lock her down by pinning her hands above her head with one hand and capturing her jaw with the other. "EIVOR STOP!", He yelled in pant, stunning her into place like a scolded puppy- ready to receive its punishment.

"-The idea was given but I ordered for it be YOUR decision!", He took a moment to catch his breath peering down with a fury she had not seen from him. "-Sigurd agreed to wait until we knew how you felt but kept the offer... which I accepted-", She was still frowning but squirmed no longer. Only stared at the man before her thinking about the big mistake she made because of her hot temper and inability to keep it contained. He let go of her wrist as she relaxed her arms, laying quietly to listen.

"Wolf...- Eivor... This reality we are facing? Is very much real and very much dangerous." He sneered, "You...you've been out for a while and a lot has happened- more than you can comprehend. But now? Is NOT the time to fight but rather time strategize our next move to protect OUR people.", He slowly stood up, hovering before her as she laid on the ground in confusion and anger- sadness and relief. "-If you don't want to unite the kingdom then fine... but at least help me protect it and its people..."

Nothing hurt worse that seeing his pleading eyes begging for her cooperation. A look she had never seen from him before, making her wonder why she would react so harshly without more information. She needed time to think and organize her thoughts as he continued, "All I ask is for your support, Eivor. Everything else can come later- under your discretion...", He held his arm out to her as everyone witnessed Eivor lay in debate trying to determine the best move.

Things would never be the same if she said yes. Their entire relationship would change- their whole dynamic. Not to mention... What would he expect from her, the people? This was too much at once with too little time boggling her mind in ways she could not comprehend- Especially since both Mercia and Northumbria are in a state of emergency and her life is in immediate danger.

Either way, she is set to be the Queen of Mercia. That much she will accept- regardless of what comes in the future and needed to get her affairs in order. She took his arm, lifting her back on her feet as she captured him by the chest pushing him against the war table till their bodies were touching. He used his hands to support himself, feeling her shake down to the bone which spoke to how furious she was about the overwhelming amount of information she received not long after waking- wanting space more than time as she let go of him slowly, seeing a single tear travel down her cheek.

"The die is cast then...",

She growled in anguish. The rage she had still present, but dormant enough to walk away. She nodded to him and king Ceowulf before taking her leave outside the castle-longhouse and calling for Aseir to take her outside of the walls and far from this retched place. It was only moments before Broder showed his face, hearing the ruckus from the ale house close by. He steps carried forcing Vili's attention as the Northumbrian king readjusted his cape to face him.

"She doesn't deserve someone like you...",

Broder exclaimed walking up to Vili and King Ceowulf with a horn in hand. Vili turned to face him angrily, still suspicious about his behavior since the time their saga began there in Jorvik and asked, "And that supposed to mean?", Vili had little patience feeling his brows furrow the closer the east Anglian man got, watching set him place his horn on the war table and opened his arms for all to hear,

"The Wolf-Kissed cant be tamed, especially with something as foolish as marriage... This- we all know. But what really matters is your casual remarks towards her that only blinds her from her true path- To glory...-" Broder placed himself face to face with the king. "-You should stay out of her way and let the raven do what she does best...", The man wreaked of ale making Vili growl and push him back slowly, "And whats that?", seeing Broder scoff and remove his hand from his chest, reaching for his axe showing Vili the stained silver and exclaimed-

"War"

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[vegtamr]

this is my favorite shot, why didn't anyone talk about vili's look?

[tyrannuspitch]

still thinking about odin sacrificing both his younger brothers to defeat surtur btw.

[eyvorkristinskjald]

Vili Hemmingsson

[fckyeahvikings]

I've been waiting for a little of the hype to die down a smidge but this was one thing that just happened to inch across my YouTube feed and I was immediately smitten by the redheaded warrioress that graced it. The said redhead, Sigrid, aside, let's have some fun under this cut for spoilers and mature themes.

It's quite simple: you'll either love it or absolutely hate it.

Twilight of the Gods was something that I had next to no prior knowledge of except that "300" was the first R rated movie I was able to legally see (I'm that old.)

Now, that being said, this animation - I won't insult it by calling it a cartoon - is definitely a mature-themed bunch of rag-tag half taken from Norse mythology figures with a female lead, Sigrid, that was actually, refreshingly, allowed to be herself, which happened to be a wildly emotive woman with a sex drive to boot. The story itself takes several creative licenses with Norse mythology, injects some run of the mill misogyny (i.e. frequent use of the word "cunt" vs anatomically correct vagina/vulva) and sets up for a season two.

If you can get past the fact that it's essentially a watered down Ragnarok that, again, you'll love or hate.

Each character is fleshed out in a halfway believable way although seemingly like they walked straight from the Prose or Poetic Eddas: a bit like cardboard cutouts of Viking ideals that have survived over the centuries and a little stiff for it.

I'm really trying not to sound like boo, this is garbage. Because it's really not. It... just isn't to everyone's taste, likely.

Here's what I did enjoy:

Sigrid. As a whole. Even though some aspects of all the characters do seem stiff, Sigrid being allowed to be an openly angry, grieving daughter (you'll find out why in the first episode) is something that isn't normally seen in mainstream media. Female rage incarnate.

Leif. Sigrid's betrothed. As far as animation goes, he's not hard to look at. He struck me as the older son that isn't trying to follow in his father's footsteps and regrets some things along the line (re: in a lot of ways, he reminded me of Vili Hemmingson from Assassin's Creed Valhalla almost immediately. Which, if you know me, you know I adore Vili in AC Valhalla. Leif was difficult not to see the resemblance in, especially when Leif seemed to be lacking in certain areas and greatly fleshed out in others. The same way that Vili seems to have half a character in his part of AC Valhalla and the other portion was chopped off.) His character is very honor driven though with some darker choices sprinkled in there for moral spice.

Loki. Finally allowed to be their Jotnar self, they have the depth you would expect for a depiction of Loki, down to the association of spiders with them. Loki's shapeshifting is flaunted, even down to the story behind Sleipnir, though with a fair dose of period-specific homophobia in that. (It's not so much that Loki was the mare, it was that Loki was the bottom.) Some people online have taken great exception to this, understandably, but this is unfortunately period specific and accurate to the Viking beliefs. The dynamics of Loki with their family, as a doting father figure willing to do pretty much anything to spare their children, is actually another refreshing take on the sagas. While Twilight of the Gods does have them relatively accurately depicted, the choice of Loki being decidedly presenting as an obviously male Jotnar is a bit jarring. Even in the sagas, Loki takes on a more Aesir (human) appearance and has red hair.

Freyja. Her design in Twilight of the Gods is absolutely exquisite, in my opinion. She's shown as a woman of color and of great power, wisdom and influence, even hobbled as she is in the story. She feels appropriately otherworldly. She also feels like the type of woman who would absolutely murder you and stage being the grieving widow while wearing an expensive fur coat all while wailing, "Oh, no, officer! I have no idea how this happened! *sniff* He was like this when I arrived! *uncontrollable sobbing*"

Baldr. Another design that I adored. Baldr's being a god of light was key in his design and it's obvious, he looks like a piece of the sun itself came into being in the animation. He has some of his mother's (Freyja's, as is most common now) features but he otherwise is simply golden and radiating light. He is rather impartial to his half-brother's rampaging but that's also saga accurate. Interestingly, this is one of the places where the series plays fast and loose with the mythology. He is pierced by a mistletoe dart but nothing of Fimbulwinter comes of it. The events of Ragnarok do happen but wildly out of order or not at all, Baldr is one of those.

Odin. I can't write all of this and not give the All Father a nod. Without giving away huge portions of the series, this is seriously one of my favorite depictions of him now. He managed to simultaneously be Havi, the Mad-One, and Odin, the all wise, all knowing All Father. He creeped me out endlessly and was as familiar to me as the back of my own hand at the same time.

What I didn't like:

Casual sexism. As period specific as it is, being aware of it when it's spoken does diminish the experience somewhat. Especially with Nidavellir. This could do with a warning unto itself: the way that women are used and then literally drowned in the dwarvish realm nearly wrecked and ruined things for me there. The use of "cunt" over any other word for female-presenting anatomy (vagina/vulva/etc) seemed juvenile. And while there are several sex scenes in the series, including two where it's male/male and woman/woman, there is no shown female climax. Just male. You just get the woman/women moaning seductively off-screen. It's an unfriendly reminder that the use of vagina and showing female pleasure onscreen would have ramped the rating of this from mature to outright pornography for those two things alone.

Thor. It's the second time that he's depicted as being outright abusive to his family (first being God of War's take.) If this was faithful to the sagas and to the Viking teachings on honor (among other things), it would have been grounds for Sif to readily divorce him. Which Thor would have borne the brunt of. The depictions of his brazenly, wantonly slaughtering Jotunns is saga accurate.

Egill. And the se of "ergi." It's not something that you just... have happen like that. Nor is it necessarily a brand. (If you want to squint and tilt your head, Loki calls Odin that in the flyting mess.) Some equate is to the modern F slur whereas the F slur didn't even exist as such then.

Tiwaz. IS TYR. WHY DID THEY MAKE HIM AN ABSOLUTE UNINTELLIGEBLE THING BEYOND COMPREHENSION. And is honestly is a glaring error in the entire story.

Still, a solid 8.5/10 for accuracy but 3.5/10 for the story in places and characters. The cons should definitely be addressed in a season two and these are just the ones that immediately sprung to mind without a complete rewatch (which I'm not prepared for yet.)

No, don't @ me on this. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

[rabbitcruiser]

Whirlpool Canyon, BC (No. 4)

According to Norse mythology, the first humans, Ask and Embla, were formed out of two pieces of driftwood, an ash and an elm, by the god Odin and his brothers, Vili and Vé. The Vikings would cast wood into the sea before making landfall. The location of the wood would be an indication as to where to build their mead halls. The wood used would found the high-seat pillars of the new hall.

Driftwood carried by Arctic rivers was the main, or sometimes only, source of wood for some Inuit and other Arctic populations living north of the tree line until they came into regular contact with European traders. Traditional Inuit boats such as the kayak were fashioned from driftwood frames covered in skins. The Inuit classified driftwood into seven different types, each possessing its own unique material and visual properties. Driftwood could be used to make bows if it was straight grained and in reasonably good condition; these were reinforced with sinew cables. The Inuit even made arrows from driftwood; these were often short and fitted with bone or antler foreshafts. Dry scrapings produced by working this material were collected, stored and used for the starting of fires year-round by Inuit. Wood that is burned today in these regions mainly consists of the remains of condemned wooden structures. Driftwood is still used as kindling by some. Woods with resinous qualities, such as cedar, are preferred for their lengthier burning times. 

The "Old Man of the Lake" in Crater Lake, Oregon is a full-size tree that has been bobbing vertically in the lake for more than a century. Due to the cold water of the lake, the tree has been well preserved.

Alice Gray, the legendary "Diana of the Dunes", who fought to preserve the Indiana Dunes which contain quantities of driftwood named her college "Driftwood", and made all her furniture from driftwood.

Source: Wikipedia

[perotovar]

@yopossum reporting for Silva duty 🫡

boy, do i have a good matchup for you, dear possum! thank you for your participation <3

behold, silva/ymir

-

Pronounced as EE-mir, translates to “Screamer”. The first being in Norse existence and the first Jotun. It’s said that that Ymir was born when fire from Muspelheim and ice from Niflheim met in the abyss of Ginnungagap. Think of it like the Norse version of the “big bang”. Ymir is an intersex Jotun and was suckled the cow Audhumla for his nourishment. While he slept, several other Jotun were conceived asexually by Ymir, and spontaneously sprang from between his legs and the sweat from his armpits.

Audhumla received her nourishment from a salt lick and a being named Buri, the first of the Aesir gods, was free from within. He produced a son, Borr, who mated with Bestla, one of Ymir’s descendants, and thus Odin and his two brothers, Vili and Vis, were born. The brothers slew Ymir and created the cosmos from his corpse. As one of the poems in the Poetic Edda words it:

From Ymir’s flesh, the earth was created, And from his sweat (in some versions, this is “blood”) the sea, Mountains from bone, Trees from hair, And from his skull, the sky. And from his eyebrows the blithe gods made Midgard, home of the sons of men, And from his brains They sculpted the grim clouds.

Thematically, Ymir represents the personification of the chaos before creation, which is also depicted as the impersonal void of Ginnungagap. Both Ymir and Ginnungagap are ways of talking about limitless potential that isn’t actualized, that hasn’t yet become the particular things that we find in the world around us. This is why the vikings described it as a void. It is quite literally “nothingness”.

But it contains what the Gods needed to create. In this case, the primal matter is Ymir’s body, which the gods tear apart to craft the elements.

Ymir is arguably one of the more important figures in the myths since his being creates everything around us.

Associations/Offerings: Cows. The Earth itself. Fire. Ice.

highly, highly recommend reading more up on him. there's a lot, which is surprising lol

and, your moodboard:

[khromplays]

Late updates about gays vikings in AC Valhalla! This game was definitely such a different experience than AC Odyssey for the better (and for the worst in some cases).

Anyway! My canon couple is male Eivor and Vili, his childhood friend he lost track of. Their love-hate relationship and the fact he can get recruited in his clan is such a nice touch compared to previous installments are definitely improvements. I’m also so glad about Stowe and Erke’s love story being kinda important in the main game 🥹

[fortheb0ys]

Lets play a game lol

Answer this and send this to whoever you want through asks :Dd

1. For some reason I imagine a viking behind the keyboard when I think of you. So number 1 has to be Vili from Assassin's Creed Valhalla. I think it's the gnome beard.

2. Makarov is the second cause I think about your Makarov fics almost daily😭

3. Soap cause I think you're both funny and smart. I think you're a very likable person and people genuinely like being around you.

4. And last but not least Ghost moreso Zombie Ghost cause you know *cough cough* that zussy fic😳

[krankittoeleven]

Snippet Sunday?!

Because Wednesday is sort of like a weird void in my week and I can't seem to remember that it's Wednesday when it actually is Wednesday, I present to you Snippet Sunday. It's just like WIP Wednesday, except it's on a day my brain acknowledges the existence of. =D

This is another snippet from CH 12 of Water of Life, just a quick little bit from a fluffy little scene with maybe just a little reminder that OH YEAH, these guys are Vikings that get in fights and stuff. LOL Hoping to have the chapter out next week but next week is also the most chaotic week of the year when all of my clients come yelling for tax advice despite the fact that I am not a certified accountant. So IDK, it depends on how needy everyone is *eyeroll* I love my job except the week before taxes are due.

Anyway...

Sighing, Vili casts his gaze over Ubba as he sleeps on his back. He is quiet and still except for the slow and steady rise and fall of his chest. It almost feels like an intrusive thing to see, like a private part of Ubba’s life he had not previously had access to, except in Jorvik when Ubba had been recovering from his injury. But even then, that had not been sleep so much as potion induced unconsciousness in which Ubba had often looked pained and uncomfortable, despite his many protests to the contrary upon waking. Any other time and Ubba would have been awake long before Vili had begun to stir, but here and now in the growing light of the early morning, Ubba looks comfortable and relaxed and it eases some of Vili’s anxiety that had been stirred up by his return.

Slowly, lazily, Ubba rolls onto his side, his hand sliding along the bedding as if he is searching for something. Searching for him, Vili realizes, as he uncrosses his legs and stretches them to their full length, giving Ubba’s hand something to find.

“You are awake early,” Ubba says, his voice husky with sleep as his hand settles on Vili’s ankle, his fingers caressing first, then squeezing.

It was still such a relief, an almost unbearable weight in and of itself, to feel Ubba’s touch again.

“Maybe you’re just up late?” Vili suggests, not wishing for Ubba to know just how much his being gone had affected him.

Ubba smiles, only half of it visible with the way his head is turned.

“Maybe,” Ubba agrees before he pushes himself up into a sitting position.

Vili scoots closer to meet him, and now he can better see that small patch of gray hair above Ubba’s lip that he’d noticed the night before, that he’d been staring at since the light first lit upon it that morning, and the new scar that leads up towards his cheekbone. Gently, Vili reaches up and turns Ubba’s head to the side and caresses the scar with the fingers of his other hand.

“What did they do to you in Dorstate?” Vili asks, curious not only about the scar, but also if it had come before or after the gray.

“Not Dorstate,” Ubba replies. “Even at home, I have the occasional enemy, perhaps in part because I left.”

“I hope they walked away worse off because of it,” Vili says, smiling, as he imagines Ubba very deftly defending himself.

Ubba turn his head back towards Vili, a surprisingly serious look on his face, considering the moment.

“They did not walk away.”

Ubba’s eye meet Vili’s and he holds them in his gaze, like he is frozen in a glacier.

“Good,” Vili says before leaning in to press his lips first against the scar and then Ubba’s lips. In all things he would have Ubba emerge victorious, no matter the cost.

[iinafarawaygalaxii]

Assassins Creed: Valhalla | Freyja’s Promise

A Ghosts Throne: Chapter 1

Summary: After this mornings escapade with the one and only, Prince of Snottingham, Vili- they discovered and killed many picts to safeguard their meeting later on that afternoon. After dealing with the insurgents and sharing a deep moment together,- Vili and Eivor had to force their attention elsewhere. The Althing.

Warnings: 18+ Blood, Gore

Rating: SFW

WC: 5.5k

Notes-

*My Eivor had black hair just FYI

*Make sure to read the prequel first! Hit the 'Previous' link down below to take you to the page instantly!

*The Great Heathen Battle: A battle that took place sometime around 865 lead by the Ragnarsson's to invade England with a coalition of Scandinavian soldiers. 

*My keyboard is jacked and causing mild issues while typing. Sorry for the errors ):

Assassins Creed Valhalla | Eivor Varinsdottir x Vili Hemmingston

Eivor, cloaked and watchful, entered the city gates alongside Vili. The bustle of everyday life provided a difference in the tension that gnawed at her. Merchants hawked their wares, children chased each other through the cobbled streets, and women gossiped by the town well. Each face she passed was a story waiting to be read – a weary farmer, a hopeful apprentice, a wizened crone with eyes that held a lifetime of hardship. Eivor wondered if they sensed the storm brewing on the horizon, seeing the state of these poor people in comparison to their cities as whispers of war carried on the wind. 

Civilian 1: "Invaders? In Jorvik? What is the King doing?!"

Civilian 2: "What about our Jarls? Our champions? We are no longer safe!"

Civilian 3: "What does Halfdan have to say? Cooped up in his castle without a word!"

Civilian 4: "Mercia would protect us. They have the strongest soldiers."

Civilian 5: "How can we protect a kingdom as vast as this? We are doomed..."

Eivor pushed through the throng of people, their voices rising in a cacophony of despair. Fragments of conversation reached her ears – "plague," "poverty," "capital failing." The desperation in their eyes mirrored the whispers reaching Jorvik – Northumbria was on the brink. No wonder the Picts sensed weakness and attacked. Concern gnawed at Eivor. This wasn't just a gathering of leaders, it was a last-ditch effort to save a kingdom from crumbling and why all the leaders are gathered here today-

To solve it

Eivor stopped before the crowd, hearing the instability and brooding of their words as their concerns were now being brought to King Halfdan's doorstep. It took Vili only a moment to catch up as he too stopped before the crowd hearing their concerns. For a kings mind who has been touched, he could not afford to be silent. "Have you ever wondered what it felt like to be raven feed Wolf-Kissed?", Villi exclaimed watching Bjonirs and Aseir's ears fall back from the crowds screeching and crowing making them want to leave as the young drengir's forced their stay, tightening their reigns. "No... But Im sure were about to find out.", Eivor quipped with a smile patting Aseir on the neck to calm her down before they pushed forward.

Eivor halted before the throng, the air thick with discontent. The people concerns, laced with desperation, crashed against the steps leading to King Halfdan. hordes of people gathered around in chant for answers. Vili materialized beside her, barely missing a beat. Though burdened by his past, he couldn't let the people suffer like this and Halfdan couldn't afford silence. "Have you ever wondered what it felt like to be raven feed Wolf-Kissed?" he whispered as Bjornir and Aseir, the loyal steeds, flattened their ears, agitated by the rising clamour. 

The young drengir, eager to prove herself, tightened the reins and placed a calming hand on Aseir's neck, ""No... But Im sure were about to find out."", she quipped looking over to vili in confidence.  This wasn't a time for theatrics; this time they needed answers. Upon riding through the horde outside of the walls, their blood stained clothes took notice...the reek of battle lust betraying them. With red dripping from their axes and dire wolves teeth they watched as the crowd began split and fell silent as the young Jarls pushed through the hoard, inching closer to the longhouse in an awkward silence.

They exchanged a silent glance and turned their attention to the crowd. A flicker of hope sparked in the weary faces as they watched the two leaders. An imperceptible lift of the chin here, a subtle quirk of the lips there- these small gestures, imbued with a quiet confidence that seemed to have a profound effect. As Eivor and Vili rode past, a ripple of movement ran through the throng. Whispers broke out, names exchanged in hushed tones: 

Civilian 1: "Its Eivor and Vili!"

Civilian 2: "They will protect us..",

Civilian 3: "Fiercest warriors I've know"

Civilian 4: "I put my faith in them"

Shee relaxed herself hearing the effect of her name in real time. Leaving one hand of the reign and letting the other free. These warriors, beloved by many across Europe, brought a spark of reassurance to the anxious crowd. That was... until a woman took her hand quickly, stopping moments before the longhouse. The woman's grip tightened around her wrist. "Eivor-", the woman rasped, her voice a mere whisper lost in the wind. Her eyes, clouded with worry were sunken beneath hollow cheeks and her thin arms, barely fleshed out, spoke volumes of hunger and hardship. Eivor felt a pang of anger as her gaze swept over the crowd - faces etched with despair, bodies gaunt with deprivation. Halfdan's madness, it seemed, was taking its toll. But answers? Those were not so easily bestowed.

But there was hope....

Vili's jaw clenched tight as he watched the interaction. Anger at the state of Jorvik burned in his eyes. He pivoted, his gaze sweeping over the gaunt faces of the crowd, a silent promise etched on his features. Eivor, catching his signal with a knowing nod and turned to the woman. "For now, take this-", Eivor said, her voice firm but gentle. She slipped a hefty pouch of silver into the woman's hand. A flicker of surprise and gratitude chimed across the feeble woman's face as she mumbled a blessing. With a determined glint in her eye. Eivor whipped her reigns to join Vili and together, they rode towards the front of the castle-longhouse, the weight of the people's hopes and desperation heavy on their shoulders. 

"People of Northumbria, your woes will soon be rewritten. We will find a solution and help bring back the peace, love, and prosperity Northumbria has proudly carried...", Vili took a deep breath nodding to Eivor to continue, "We only ask for your patience and understand the difficulties you're going through.... all too well- but fear not, the Raven and Hemming clan have brought provisions; rations, silver, and supplies to Northumbria to help sooth these concerns. Please see our people to help attend to your needs." She finished as the crowd begun chanting their names in praise all throughout Jorvik...

Crowd: "To the Hemming and Raven clan!"

Crowd: "For Vili! For Eivor!"

The roar of the crowd reached a fever pitch as Eivor and Vili dismounted. They exchanged a grin – pure, unadulterated joy in the face of the cheering throng. Vili, ever the performer, puffed out his chest, a hint of self-consciousness in his raised brow. "I was good wasn't I?", he bit his lower lip, lightly raising a brow in search for praise with a grin as he closed in to the wolf kissed. "Just- a tad...", She cooed, surveying his haphazardly cape and adjusted it with a mock grimace, leaving her hand of his chest with a chide smile, "If I didn't know any better Wolf-Kissed, Id say you're flirting with me-", She patted him down as her lips parted, chuckling at his silly comment before locking eyes, seeing a blush rise on her cheeks,

"Good thing you don't know any better-"

It was then the long house doors swung open with Halfdan in the center, looking castrated and sickly. It seemed the push on the door alone wiped him out completely as he beckoned the drengir forward with faint breaths, "Eivor...-Vili... come...", Nearly limping back to his throne with a pale face and his eyes hollowed. His crown sat crookedly just above his bow line as the two looked at each other in concern following close behind when they entered the warm halls of the castle-longhouse.

It was then the long house doors swung open and in the dim light, Halfdan stood, a frail figure cloaked in illness. The push of the door seemed to have drained him completely. His voice, little more than a raspy whisper, beckoned them forward. "Eivor... Vili... come...",  He shuffled back to his throne, a man once radiating power now reduced to a pale shadow- a ghost. His crown sat crookedly just above his brow, a painful reminder of his fading authority. A shared look of concern passed between Eivor and Vili as they followed him inside, the warmth of the longhouse offering little comfort in the face of this unexpected sight.

The aroma of woodsmoke and mead hung heavy in the air, a familiar comfort after the harshness of the morning. Gentle melodies from the bards in the corner created a deceptive sense of peace. A pang of longing for the true warmth of her own clan flickered through Eivor. The heavy thud of the longhouse doors slamming shut broke the tranquility. Turning, she saw the doors secured with a heavy lock – an unsettling act that contrasted with the welcoming ambience. Eivor scanned the room, her gaze lingering on the figures gathered around the war table. Vili trailed behind Halfdan, who moved with a weary gait towards the king's throne as she indentified each person at the war table.

Eivor's gaze swept across the war table. Tewdewr, Brodir, and Alefgar represented East Anglia and Mercia, their faces etched with concern. Sigurd and Randvi of Ravensthorpe sat stalwart beside Erke and Stowe of Lunden. Notably absent was Guthrum, King of the East Anglians, battling Lady Aethelswith for regional dominance. These were the remnants of Halfdan's dwindling alliance, leaders clinging to the hope of a tenuous peace within the fractured English landscape. She followed the tense silence as the gathered leaders watched Halfdan approach the high seat. Disapproval clouding their faces and a shared concern that deepened as Halfdan faltered. Vili, ever the stalwart companion, reached out to steady the ailing king, guiding him to the throne. 

What will become of Northumbria?

Halfdan called forth the allies to the war table set before him. With a raspy cough wracking his thin frame, he gestured weakly towards the chairs. "Sit...",  he commanded watching the leaders take their place as Eivor took hers between Sigurd and Randvi as Jarlskona. While the others grouped to their respected territories before they initiated the Althing, a building teension brick by brick as everyone now heeded their words carefully. "Now... tell me everything", the sickly king grumbled as their stories began with the assassination attempts- everyones part in the situation, and the letter that Eivor found. Erke and Stowe who reside very far south in Lunden announced evidence they found on their way, confirming Northumbria's suffering.

The picts have captured and severed their supply lines and was one of the many reasons why Lunden's traders never returned.

Halfdan, a storm cloud gathering above his sunken eyes, gestured for silence with a trembling hand. The court held its breath, the air thick with a potent mix of fear and pity. The king, once a beacon of strength, was now consumed by a darkness that mirrored the "iron sickness" plaguing him. His mind, once sharp, had become a labyrinth of paranoia- fixated on a prophecy and weaving elaborate connections to his illness that described the crumbling state of Northumbria. With a manic glint in his eye, he boasted of a secret hoard – a stark contrast to the desperate pleas of his starving people. It was a horrifying revelation, a reminder of why the kingdom teetered on the brink of collapse.

"He ailing and aiding in his delirium...."

Sigurd whispered, his voice barely a murmur. "It seems Moiria has managed to ease the seer's distress for now," she observed, watching the witch, Moiria, dab Halfdan's brow with a cool cloth. The king's frantic mumbling subsiding with each passing moment she was there, aiding him in his episode. Finally, aftere the king had calmed, she escorted him to his chambers- leaving the allies in a tense silence. A shared glance passed between Eivor and Sigurd when they realize the depths of Northumbrias suffering observing the withered King climb up the stairs on his last thread.

Another delay meant more instability- keeling for answers, and no plan.

A long sigh escaped Eivor's lips watching the witch take Halfdan to his room for treatment with his seer in toe- "The volva....", Eivor whispered to herself as the thought occurred that she could help clarify the meaning behind these letters though as she took steps towards the fate reader- she was captured by Vili himself in concern for Halfdan. "Wait Eivor... Give them time to calm him...", Vili was on the same page, looking in their direction- watching, as they force Halfdan's legs up the stairs. It was time for a change and it needed to happen quick. Unfortunately, for the King.... they didn't have the luxury to wait. "Let us continue..." Vili exclaimed as they all took their seats.

It was then the real discussion began.

Villi slammed the letter against the table, "Eivor is clearly the target...", he announces as the table nods in agreement. "The letter itself suggests she is. However... We need to know more.", Randvi responded as Erke and Stowe asked what happened before and after the letter was found. They nodded to one another and explained their grand venture and modulative exploits. "My guess is... there's plenty more passages than just that.", Vili stated resting a hand on his blackened beard rebounding back to the map of the Picts territory and the mountains.

"Well theres nothing we can do about it now. I suggest sending scouts to observe the mountains and find the other entry points", Alefgar points out. Which wasn't a bad idea, especially since information was exactly what they needed. "I Agree... once we've located the passages we can send raiders to secure those routes. Perhaps we can find something to go off of. Until then, it is best all chieftains stay in Jorvik to protect the king and their people until a new one is named-" Eivor stated, relaxing her tense shoulders before noticing everyones eyes were on her.

"What?",

Eivor asked as warm smiles sprawled across their faces. The ichor that dripped from her cheeks was now reaching the base of her jaw line. Covered from head to toe with their enemies life blood- a good reminder that, despite being a Jarlskona... she's still just as deadly. "You would think being a Jarl means staying away from trouble, but look at you two-", Randvi points to Vili and Eivor, folding her arms with a flirty smile and a light giggle.

"My dear Jarls have been getting into trouble for as long as Ive known them."

Eivor rolled her eyes, patting her blood soaked childhood friend on the back, "This Arse-Stick is responsible.", Eivor stated, "Yes... responsible for saving you-" Vili quipped returning the same grin as they began instinctively flirting. "I don't remember it like that....", Eivor folded her arms shrugging off his truth as Vili went to grab a couple arrows from the quiver on her hip as an example. He leaned on the table next to her, holding the first arrow in front of him but facing inches from her head. "You mean this isn't saving you...?", with a raised brow as he reenacted the shot that saved her life, slowly pushing the second arrow into the first to push it out of the way.

The shot that did indeed save her life.

She swatted the arrows out of the way trying to hide the grin that grew with each passing second, knowing it was time to swallow her pride- especially in front of this many allies who were watching their flirtatious behavior unfold. She took a deep breath and faced Vili with arrows in hand, snatching them back to her quiver. Now nervous about their watchful eyes, "Vili...", She grabbed his shoulder, gripping it tight if only to show her compassion, "Thank you-", she murmured, flicking his chest with a salacious smirk before taking a couple steps back, parting him with a gentle smile and a wink.

All for him.

Vili's mind drifted back to their passionate encounter under the waterfall, a memory fueled by the adrenaline of vanquishing King Riscige. The way she carried herself now – a true drengir, strong and unshakeable – sent a surge of admiration coursing through him. Her black hair whipped through the air as she turned, a warrior leaving the diplomatic battlefield. Even the blood trailing down her arm, a badge of recent conflict, added to her fierce beauty.

Vili felt a familiar heat rise within him, a warmth that went beyond lust. It was respect, a deep appreciation for the woman in front of him. He took a deep breath, momentarily overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions. A glance at their allies confirmed their shared understanding as he watched them all grin with ease- despite the weight of Halfdan's illness hanging heavy in the air. A short, humorless laugh escaped his lips, the only outward expression of his inner turmoil as the coming days would be a waiting game. A forced display of merriment while Halfdan's madness subsided. He excused himself, his gaze lingering on Eivor's retreating form, and followed her path, ready to face whatever challenges awaited.

Until then...

He vowed to stay away from the raven- For she brings out a side of him he didn't understand himself and after that lustful night under the waterfall many moons ago, he had hoped their relationship wouldn't progress further. Hoping that the vow they made to let their passions set sail only once would stand firm and unbreakable. But as each day they spent at each others side, was a day where their firm commitment became thinner and thinner.... It wasn't until later on that evening, and a couple days later when the sun had finally set and the feasting began- that he actually took notice.

Upon arrival, he saw all the leaders, except Broder who was most likely challenging drinkers outside the longhouse, happily conversing with Halfdan who's mind had finally calmed. At first everything seemed fine. He and members of his clan grabbed horns, sitting at a table in the corner of the longhouse, closets to the king. He leaned on one of the pillars as he men conversed, peering over a joyous scene to take in the tranquility that rarely showed since his arrival to England.

And thats when he saw her.

Clad in her clan colors of seafoam blue and raven black, Eivor cut a striking figure in the longhouse. The colors echoed the depths of her eyes – a detail Vili couldn't help but notice. He took a swig of his mead, a grin tugging at his lips. The warmth of the drink sparked a memory – the last time their skin had touched. It ignited a fire within him that had simmered ever since.His gaze followed her every move – the confident sway of her hips, the animated gestures as she spoke. Speaking of which... he paused mid-sip, his attention drawn to Eivor's sudden shift in demeanor. Her brow furrowed in concern as she observed the seer, who seemed disoriented by their conversation. The playful amusement on Vili's face evaporated, replaced by a sense of concern that mirrored Eivor's.

He knew she was working- not feasting.

He sipped his ale, eying the beautiful drengir from across the way, trying to tune into her conversation by watching her lips. And in the midst of his hyper focused vision, he was caught by his men who took the once in a lifetime chance to tease their Jarl. "She's beautiful isn't she?" one man whispered, closing the gap between them to see who the prince was staring at. Another crept up to his right adding oil to the fire as he hung an arm around him. "A blood soaked drengir...with Odin's eye... A powerful leader...", His men started giggling but Vili was lost in the complicated conversation she and volva were having- Completely unaware of the words being said. "Just... * hiccups * plow her Hemmingston Jarl. Give her a night she will always remember with that hemming hamma'...", another one of his men said kneeling before him but facing the same direction everyone else was- 

Towards Eivor

His men erupted in laughter patting their Jarl on the back to hype him up but to no avail. They weren't even sure Vili was listening. That was... until Eivor peered to him with a look of concern... He stood up straight quickly, nudging his drengir's arms off of him as he watched her disappear into the busy crowd of drunks outside the longhouse. He placed his horn on the table, rushing to follow them as his men cheered him on in thoughts he was taking their advice.

"SKAL!"

The men bellowed in the background as he took off into the distance to follow his childhood sweet heart through the crowds outside the longhouse. He kept a distance but trailed them up to the hill where the fate reader resides, watching them enter the hut quietly but swiftly. He picked up his pace, lingering outside of the hut to hear what was being said. Though as everything fell silent with only the chimes of the hollowed bones dangling above filling his ears, he hears a soft hum- one that grew louder by the second making him feel compelled to enter.

And so he did.

He pushed through cloth door, entering a warm space filled with scents of wood smoke, flowers and odd tinctures, seeing Eivor sitting on her knees before the seer who hovered above- waving sage around the young Jarls head, "My Prince Hemming, we've been waiting.... sit.", The seer commanded gesturing her hand next to Eivor who peaked over her shoulder with a sly grin. He had no idea what to expect only followed his orders by placing himself next to the raven feeder. "What is this?", he leaned in to whisper, watching the seer burn sage and wood smoke all around them, sprinkling peddles and of the sort into a circle- encapsulating them. "I don't know just go with it...", She whispered back, readjusting herself as she begun meditating. Vili, still confused, followed suit. Hearing the quiet hums of the seer as the voices from around Jorvik started to fade and his mind started to retreat.

They were in a trance

Both their heads dropped simultaneously now being brought into the dream world. Seeing clouded shapes and blurred images of a marriage. Two black hair strangers completing their vows, caressing each other with the northern lights in show. The woman's black braid bearing the golden beads Eivor has- making suspicions heighten as one thing lead after another and the vision faded to something new. A child running around as the black haired man lifting him into the air with the woman standing close by. The scene was set there in Jorvik- outside the longhouse on a summer morn. The snow had finally melted allowing the berry bushes to grow wildly throughout the city. The woman picked one, holding her swollen belly while beckoning her family to eat the fresh fruit as the visage quickly shifted to the boy now grown; training his little brother and sister to fight, showing the married couple teaching the little ones to properly hold an axe at the tender age of a few winters but over time... The vision grew dark with fire, blood, and war... The din of battle spears and axes hummed in the distance with smell of blood and iron laying sickly in the air. A mist of death and a visage of carnage- Everything the Vikings stood for. It was glorious to see the boy now fully grown standing over a fire laden castle bearing the Hemming colors, as sparked ashes and hazed soot filled the scene. The boy held the Hemming flag proudly into the sky as he set fire to the one that laid comfortably over the castle wall, watching it fall and burn slowly to the ground. Thats when the smells and scents started to become overbearing forcing both drengir's back to reality.

They both inhaled deeply.

Vili catching himself just moments before collapse, gripping his chest in pain. He was unable to breathe properly as this was the first time he had ever experienced such a vision. He looks over to Eivor who calmly pulled out of her haze and looked up to the seer who asked, "Do you see now?", giving the fate reader only but a nod. Eivor's focus turned to Vili, smiling warmly. The same smile that always seemed to render him useless, "Come on Vili Hemmingston. We have a feast to attend.", She offered her hand and Vili took it, lifting him up as they left the hut together in disbelief.

"What was that just now Wolf-Kissed?",

He grabbed her by the arm but felt the tension she was carrying. He gently let go watching the passerby's glance this way but didn't want to cause a scene. She rolled her eyes, turning to face him- checking if anyone was close by as she closed the gap to lean in and whisper, "Seriously Arse- Stick? Whats going on up there?", bopping his head a couple of times as he playfully shooed her away wanting to know the truth.

"Tell me Eivor..."

His voice now stern, but soft. He genuinely wanted to know who all those people were but learned that Eivor might not be able to answer as a small blush emerged on her cheeks. "Oh? The mighty Wolf-Kissed finally rendered speechless?", He grabbed her chin, a moment of vulnerability as her cheeks were now bright red spreading to her ears. A reaction he's never seen from her before. She folded her arms shrugging off his touch and laughed his statement off even though there was some truth to his words.

She was indeed too nervous to speak.

The whole purpose of a seer is to understand the messages the gods give them. Its up to the inquirer to discern what they mean and from what she could pick out is that this, 'Prophecy' was based off their future together. To bring that up after seeing it... sounded difficult and Eivor was well known for picking and choosing her battles. But the sweet look on his face- trying to make sense of the insensible, made her melt and he deserved to understand what was seen just as much as anyone else involved.

Though she wasn't one for spectacle nor implications of what love brings, Vili also brought out a side of her she didn't know she had. The amount of respect she carried for him made her realize that the vision could very well be possible. And in this moment- right now it almost seemed feasible.

Even if they wre both too prideful to admit it.

She closed the gap between them, waiting for an empty space of passerby's before gently grabbing his hand, looking up to him with something new.... The look of admiration though, shy... Eyes that told him everything he needed to know, ones he could stare at forever. "Vili...." She whispered leaning in closer to his neck as goosebumps erupted on his body. "We are prophecy", She gave him some space, watching his reaction but all he could do was stare at her. His eyes low, while putting two and two together.

The vision... it showed him something he never wanted, especially Eivor. The look between the two showed not love, but an answer to the riddle they've been solving. "We've been targeted time and time again...", Vili started to pace back and forth, grabbing his beard as he wondered how this connected to their case. Eivor folded her arms, also in deep thought but concluding the same as Vili as they both ignored the implications of prophecy. "The castle we saw... was that not one of King Alfred's castle in Wessex? The fire.... seaming like the work of Fenrir but was due to that boy laying siege. A possible outlet for Ragnarok?", Eivor remembered the banner that hung on the castles wall with the child in the vision standing over a bloodied battle field of smoke of fire. "And this is the Prophecy?", Vili asked as he paused looking to Eivor with a raised brow. He pointed to her and then himself,

"You and I...?",

Eivor grinned looking away without an answer. Something in them stirred in that moment. As if all of those promises they made for themselves suddenly vanished allowing new paths to glory unimagined. He had a wide grin realizing she did not deny it, "Oh?" he growled lowly, mildly turned on because... he saw 3. She tried to avoid eye contact but couldn't as the space between them grew smaller. She wanted to walk away but apart of her is so drawn to him, her damn legs wouldn't respond.

"That seems.... Apparent-"

She uttered, now caught in his trap. He grazed his finger across her cheek, admiring the braid that laid idle on her shoulder- seeing the golden hair beads threaded sparingly throughout her hair. He never noticed before but, her eyes matured- as blue as the salt licked seas that fade into a light green as the luscious forrest of Mercia. There was no one better to fit the visions they saw as he gently grabbed one of the beads in her hair. Their union would be one saga they skalds would sing for many many generations and the more they continued gazing at each other the more possible this reality seemed. He cupped her cheek- testing the waters as he watched her eyes lower, now unable to resist. She nuzzled slightly into his hand bringing up her own to cup his.

If only but a moment she could have this

The feeling of security and safety- the fear of the unknown completely vanishing from thought now opening her eyes, feeling the -true- love begin to grow. If conquering England was their destiny. They would do it. Together. It was already as if they read each others minds now inching closer to their lips to seal the deal. Their breathes now warming the space between them in a cold area like this- just like when they were kids. They were going to commit to each other right then and there.

"Eivor..." Vili mumbled, "Vili" She responded breathlessly

He placed his hand on her waist gripping gently. The whispers on the wind humming for them to get closer as the chill became biting for those around, but perfect for them. He tilted her face towards his mouth, their bodies nearly touching as they hear Aseir and Bjornir howling on the mountain before them. Something they didn't typically do. It stopped them both as they turned to face the howling. "Wha...?-", Then it was too late....A piercing sound came from behind. A high pitched whirl itching closing to them, breaking wind at vicarious speeds shooting Eivor...Right the chest.

The hero had fallen...

The screams and cries of the locals ignited chaos throughout Jorvik. The whole world stopped moving as Vili peered down to see the only person he's ever loved, bloodied on the ground before him. Her clothes now soaked in a red hue. Soldiers from both their clans blew their horns, signaling a search party for the person who shot her as he fell to his knees, unbelieved by the sight. Civilians started to flock around them as the seer rushed out to see what was wrong, immediately applying pressure and attention to the wound- Breaking the arrow out of her. "Villi!" She exclaimed trying to pull him out of his hazy state but to no avail. "Vili!!!", She gripped his arm with vigor, now gaining his attention. He looked to the seer still frozen from shock, "Help me-", She states calmly as Eivors family, Sigurd and Randvi cut through the crowd in haste helping Vili and the seer get Eivor back into the hut for safety. It was then work needed to be done quickly for the arrowhead that shot her....

was poisoned. 

Previous - Next

[reiverreturns]

tag 9 people you want to know better

tagged by @alethiometry, ty girl!

3 ships: front of mind at the moment are eivor/vili (idiot vikings in love), hangman/rooster (idiot pilots in love), and cassian/jyn (idiot rebels in love). why yes i do enjoy the ‘fight fight fight kiss kiss kiss’ dynamic why do you ask.

1st ever ship: oh gOD i don’t even remember. maybe ten/rose from doctor who? no actually i was really into hp as a young teen so probably something in that fandom but am i heck trawling the recesses of my memory for that nonsense. 

last song: maps by yeah yeah yeahs

last movie: falling for christmas (the netflix lindsay lohan christmas movie.) it’s terrible and i absolutely loved it you should all go watch it.

currently reading: the isle of glass by judith tarr. on paper it should be a book i love but idk just not clicking with it.

currently watching: yellowstone, and rewatching gavin and stacey.

currently consuming: nothing at the moment! last thing i had was a cup of tea the size of my head.

currently craving: i would murder someone with my bare hands for a doner kebab and a can of diet coke. 

tagging @depressedmacaron @forsty @zforzelma @properthieves @thelunarbar @the-navistar-carol @jaegershund (but zero pressure!)

[tyrannuspitch]

are you fucking serious (x)

[litapeanut]

My cat as Vili Torillsson the mighty cat of war, also a lost legend because he doesn't exist in proper norse mythology (yet?).

“Vili” and “Torill” are norse names that rhym with my real name. If this name had won the poll, it means that all the other cats that come after him would be named either “Torillsson” or “Torillsdottir”, very cool. And all of them would go to Valhalla after they die (sobbing).

* I love how the intricate Viking interlaces can be incorporated with yarn balls to fit the cat-themed narrative.

[serpent-sariah]

Dark Before the Dawn

Sigurd was very fortunate to have been able to carry Eivor's dead weight over his shoulder with the missing arm. How he did it, the Viking was unsure. Maybe it was the adrenaline coursing through his body. Maybe it was the newly found strength to carry her. Maybe it was of the above. He doesn't know.

He was also fortunate to Sýnin, who had gotten the rest of the crew's attention that Eivor wasn't breathing anymore, and that Bjorn helped carry the lifeless body the rest of the way down to the longship, what had been her longship.

The fallen Valkryie had once laid with her axe pressed firmly in her hands, on her chest. But now, it's to the side of her, cause she had come back from death's door, and now just sleeping, her breathing ragged.

They had lifted her head up onto a makeshift pillow made of her clothes, opening up her airways and putting her in regular clothes, as the others needed to be fixed from Basim tearing them open.

Sigurd watches her chest slowly rising and falling, giving him a small sigh of relief that she is still with them, still fighting, despite the extent of her injuries.

If he could've gotten to her in time... the clash of metal against metal flares through his mind, his eyes...

"How are we going to explain this to Hytham? Or the rest of the Clan?" Orm pulls him from his thoughts, bringing him back to reality. He had taken over the helm for Sigurd of the longship as he, Vili, and Yrsa had watched over Eivor's frail and pale body. On occasion, her fingers would flutter, telling them that she is still alive, someone would press their fingers to her neck to feel a heartbeat. She has one, it's faint, but growing stronger.

A fog clouds Sigurd's mind. "I do not know as of this moment."

"We've got to tell them something," Brondolf rests his arms from rowing, the boat just floating on the open ocean. They were closer to Ravensthorpe than Norway now.

Yrsa was about to say something, but she either forgot or didn't want to. She had been wanting revenge on Basim, even if she knew that he was not a worry anymore.

"We'll tell them the truth," Sigurd finally says. "That we found what we were looking for, but it wasn't for us. That Basim betrayed us, nearly taking one of our own. A friend, an ally, my dear sister. The people we've made alliances with need to know, too."

"The Christian Christmas holiday is coming up soon, I think Sariah asked about throwing a celebration with it," Yrsa kneels beside her friend. "If we host that, her alliances can come wish her a speedy recovery."

"I like that idea, I do," he watches as Eivor breathes in and exhales. The breath caught the people in the longship off-guard, as if they weren't expecting it right then.

[leofrith]

tagged by @aeide. thank you!! 💕i did this one not too long ago so i'm gonna try and change things up lmao

three ships: trying to name three different ones than last time uuuuuuh eivor/vili, tess/joel, kassandra/brasidas

first ship: i think the last time i did this i said abby/jimmy harper's island which is actually objectively wrong because i'm pretty sure my actual first and far more embarrassing ship was bella/edward twilight. if we wanna get technical. so.

last song: be on your way by daughter has been causing me psychic damage since it released

last movie: i honestly don't think i've sat down and watched a full movie since october. i'm gonna say coco just because i was sort of half watching it while my brother was watching it last week.

currently reading: this is how you lose the time war by amal el-mohtar and max gladstone

currently watching: succession (finally) and the last of us. also lowkey still need to continue with vikings and the last kingdom but i don't know if/when i'll finish those.

currently consuming: water!!!!!!!!!!

currently craving: affection and companionship. i am fucking YEARNING!!!

not formally tagging anyone cause like i said, i did this one not long ago and i tagged people then. but anyone who wants to do this can consider this a tag!! 💕