#do NOT get me started on the time she brought up something embarrassing valka did on a transmission like it was a group chat

[natsumebookss]

Most magical girls after learning the villain tried to kill their dark counterpart after she outlived her usefulness: *shows unwavering sympathy towards their former enemy, hoping to reform them*

Actress Chevalier, the second she finds out the Manufacturer tried to kill Koto: "Heard you just got fired. Bet that fucking sucks."

[abbysfrenchbraid]

Kissed by a Wolf - Chapter 10

Masterlist

The Yuletide begins and the reader is in awe at the traditions and celebrations. They finally speak to Eda again. A terrible incident occurs.

Thank you all for your support, I wish you all the best for 2021!

CW for alcohol and food consumption, blood, death/loss, open wounds, animal sacrifice.

Inspo pic by @classicnovaproductions​

You woke up sore and cold the next morning, each muscle screaming at you as soon as you moved under the covers to feel around for Eivor. She was not next to you anymore. You sat up.

The room was empty, but there was a small note at the foot of the bed next to the curled up white cat. Birna rolled herself to the side when you reached out, expecting belly rubs, and you humbly obliged before finally grabbing the small piece of parchment. Next to it lay the small branch with dark red buds you had brought back from your walk yesterday.

My beautiful heather, my delicate dove, my strong, skilled warrior.

I received urgent message from a nearby village early this morning - they have been overrun by bandits and need our help. I took my men and hope to be back in time for the feast.

May the sun shine brightly on your face today and illuminate your spirit as the solstice blesses us all. Find Valka and join her in preparing the celebrations, she will take care of you. I leave my heart in your hands, keep it safe for me until I return.

Yours forever,

Eivor

You pressed the note and the branch to your chest. This was a love letter. A love letter from your rescuer, your suitor, your drengr , the woman who had devoted herself to you. No one had ever carried you the way Eivor did, literally and figuratively. You were sure now; she was the one for you. Tonight you would tell her. Tonight you would let her have you.

Energized and enthusiastic, you jumped out of bed and got dressed. You chose the beautiful dresses Eivor had bought you for your welcoming ceremony, the fabric a soft caress for your skin after days in prickly tunics and dirty pants on the training grounds. You combed out your hair, an easy task after Eivor had helped you detangle it in the bath.

Your thoughts wandered back to that evening in Valka’s warm tub, Eivor kneeling behind you and her soft fingers on your scalp. Her shaky breath on your forehead as you let your head fall backward, her quiet apologies for pulling on your hair, the water she poured over your head before stroking it with her big, warm hand.

Birna called you back to the present, giving you a judging look as you quickly put the comb down. You really were a lost case if a cat could make you all flustered and embarrassed about your feelings. Head over heels.

When you stepped outside, the sun really was shining down on you. The air was crisp and clear, the snow was glittering like tiny diamonds and everyone was already up and working. There was a gigantic pile of wood in front of the longhouse, people were hanging up decorations and candles everywhere, every house smelled like a different delicacy and you could hear singing in the longhouse.

You turned your back to the bustling village and made your way up to Valka’s cottage. She was crushing herbs in her mortar when you entered and let out a delighted sigh at your appearance.

“Y/N! You’re already dressed up, how wonderful! Will you help me today?”

“Good morning Valka. I am all yours.”

She shooed you around for the next few hours, binding together branches of pine and heather, making little bundles of incense and flowers, preparing things for the offering, and trying to teach you the songs that would be sung tonight.

“The winter solstice is my favorite day of the year,” she said, excitement in her eyes. “Everything that was dark will lighten up, everything that seemed dreadful and sad will show its good side, the days will get longer, the sun will shine brighter, we will feast and sing and laugh and forgive.”

“Forgive?”

“Yes, it is common in our clan to make your peace with the people you have quarreled with over the year, to give each other a new chance and let the returning sun melt away any resentment or hate.” She paused for a moment, then she gave you a side glance. “I think this could be an opportunity for you to speak to Randvi. Or to your friend, the lord’s daughter.”

You finished tying a knot around a bundle of herbs and wiped your hands on a rag.

“Do you think I need to? Randvi and I haven’t spoken in days, but there is no resentment left between us. And Eda seems to want to be without company.”

“No one truly wants to be alone. Besides, I do not think she was alone those last few days.”

You turned to her in surprise.

“What do you know?”

“Not much.” She smiled. “Randvi seemed less grey lately, less lonely and stone-faced. She is the one who gave Eda her freedom. I feel like they might have spent some time together.”

You had not thought of that, but she was right. Of course she was. Randvi had vanished for hours on end, leaving people asking for her all over the village since Eda was free, and she really did seem more cheerful. After all, they had a lot in common. Both instruments to their fathers’ politics, disregarded and to be married off for alliances. Both suddenly distanced from those they loved.

“I think you would do well to speak to Randvi and clear the air if you want to openly be with Eivor from now on.” The seeress gave you a knowing look and nodded. “Tonight is a perfect time to commit to this relationship.”

She took your hands into hers.

“I truly believe that you and Eivor are the perfect match. It would make me very happy to see you together.” She ran a hand through your hair. “Now, let me tame this mane for you, will you?”

You sat down obediently and Valka began to braid your hair, beginning with two small braids starting at your temple and running down and back along your hairline. A second braid on either side above the first one ran back the side of your head so only the top part of your hair was still free. Valka took some rosehip oil and massaged it into your scalp, then she took a wooden hairclip with a beautiful wolf carving and fastened it at the top of your head so your hair fell freely down your back without getting in your face.

Then she took some of the red powder she had used on you once already and dabbed it on your cheeks and lips.

“You look beautiful. Eivor will not be able to control herself.” Valka chuckled. You had to laugh, too. She had been so wise and mysterious, strange and stern when you had met her. Now you were joking and telling each other your secrets like actual close friends. It was so refreshing to not think about your every word and its consequences.

“Do you think so? Did you know she kissed me once already?” You looked down at your hands.

“I guessed it, but I knew you were still hurting after seeing her and Randvi together. You were right to make her wait. This way she knows you are serious about this and she can’t make any more mistakes.” She sighed and stared into the flames in the fireplace. “But I can assure you that Eivor would never hurt you or anyone purposely. She has a pure heart and by the way she looks at you, I can tell she will love and protect you until she takes her last breath.”

You folded your hands in your lap, your eyes still fixed on your fingers. How could anyone love someone this much? How did you deserve this, to be adored and cherished so purely and strongly?

“I will tell her tonight." Your voice was strong and unwavering now. "I am giving myself to her completely, no more hesitation and distance and uncertainty. I want to be hers.”

It felt like your heart was tearing itself apart in longing for Eivor. Now that she was gone, you could not wait to see her again, to feel her touch and hear her voice. Why had you waited so long? If only she was here right now, the things you would say and do…

“This night, the solstice, it has a special meaning. Special powers,” Valka interrupted your thoughts, “that can steer the course of the future.”

You shot her a questioning look. What was she hinting at? She gave you a smug smile.

“All I am saying is that a bond sealed during the solstice is charged with strength, luck, and resilience. Not only will the forging of the bond be… ecstatic, but it will have a lasting impact.”

Oh. She was talking about more than just telling Eivor you were hers. Your cheeks were burning now. Valka patted your hand and started looking for something on her large, cluttered table. Then she found a small tin and opened it to reveal the red paste that had stained your skin the night of your welcoming ceremony.

“Free your back for me, will you?”

You slipped out of your dress and crossed your arms to cover yourself. Valka dipped her digit into the mixture and gently began drawing on your warm skin. She seemed to write sigils, beginning at the back of your neck and then wandering down your spine, leaving a straight line of runes all the way from your head to your hips. Then she stepped in front of you and you lowered your arms so she could draw another rune between your breasts. She let the paint dry on your skin while she made some tea and handed you a jug, then she took a wet cloth and rubbed off the remainders, leaving behind perfect shapes on your skin.

“There. Now you are more than prepared for tonight. This will set everything in place.” Valka looked very satisfied. You got dressed and finished your tea.

“You were right. I should speak to Randvi.”

Valka nodded, then she handed you the gigantic linen sack filled with branches and decorations.

“Carry these to the longhouse for me, dear. They will know what to do with them. It is a good thing, burying your grievances and forgiving. A wise move.” She squeezed your hand, then you heaved the sack over your shoulder and set out for the longhouse.

The way down was slippery and you almost danced with death a few times, but you always managed to catch yourself and finally arrived at the longhouse unharmed. A woman at the entrance took the sack from you and ordered a few children to start hanging up the branches. You walked over to the map room, but it was deserted.

When you turned around, Norvid was standing before you. You instinctively threw your hands up in fright.

“Oh God, you scared me!” You pressed a hand to your chest and let out a shaky laugh.

“No need, my lady. I will not harass you like I did the other night. I just wanted to express my sincere apologies for bothering you like that. Eivor certainly taught me a lesson.” He looked seriously ashamed. You nodded.

“Thank you, Norvid. I appreciate you telling me. I have to admit, I was worried about the next time we might cross paths.”

He slapped his forehead dramatically and fell to one knee. You had to fight down a laugh.

“Please forgive me for my terrible demeanor. I will never lay so much as a finger on you again.” He looked up, batting his eyelashes at you. “Unless you want me to.”

You snorted.

“No need, thank you. Now get up, you sly dog.”

He stood up and wiped the dust from his trousers, then he grinned at you and gave you another small bow before excusing himself. You shook your head at so much boldness.

When you asked the woman at the front where Randvi was, she just gestured vaguely into the distance. You followed the direction of her finger and tried not to get run over by all the eager people preparing for tonight. It was already afternoon and soon the feast would begin. There was still no sign of Eivor.

Suddenly you heard bright laughter coming from between two huts to your right. It sounded very familiar. As you rounded the corner, you saw two women with their backs to you, cutting branches with dark thorny leaves and red berries from a tall bush. One had auburn hair and one dark brown. A branch cracked beneath your foot and Eda and Randvi turned around, the laughter leaving their faces.

You pressed your hands to your stomach, trying to keep your composure. Forgiveness. New beginnings. Solstice.

“Eda. Randvi. I was looking for you both. I wanted to speak to you.”

Eda furrowed her brows.

“Are you alright, Y/N?”

“Oh yes, I’m fine, wonderful actually. But we… our relationship, it is still strained from what happened in the last few weeks. Yuletide begins today and I… I thought maybe we could… find an understanding? Not just me and you, but also me and Randvi.”

You looked at the woman in blue and were relieved to find no anger or hatred in her eyes. There was actually a hint of a smile on her lips.

“As you may have guessed already, Eda and I have had some time to get to know each other,” she said and stepped forward. “Whatever you say to me, she can hear, too.”

Eda nodded. “The same goes for me.”

You took a deep breath and tried to still your shaky fingers.

“Well, Randvi, I just want to say that I am deeply sorry for all the pain my arrival here has caused you. Please know that I never intended to make things difficult for you. I had no idea what I was getting into. But now…”

Randvi came closer and placed a hand on your shoulder. She gave you a slightly pained smile.

“I know, Y/N. It is not your fault, neither is it Eivor’s or mine. I will heal, as we all do.” She quickly glanced over to Eda before sighing and putting her other hand on your shoulder as well. “I have seen the way she looks at you. I dream that one day someone will love me so fiercely, so unconditionally. Do you love her, too?”

“Yes, I do.” You just noticed now that tears had welled up in your eyes and quickly tried to wipe them away. “I really do.”

“Then it is only right that you two found your way into each other’s arms. I would be foolish to stand between you.”

Randvi lowered her gaze and stepped back. You turned to Eda, but before you could say anything, she took your hands in hers and spoke.

“Y/N, if there is an apology waiting on your tongue, spare it for the unlikely case you ever really wrong someone. I know I have put the weight of all my blame and resentment on you, but I was wrong. It was not your fault we were attacked and you had every right to try and start a better life here. I see that now.”

She squeezed your hands, smiling at you through tears.

“Randvi has shown me her world and even though she has walked a similar path to mine, she has the freedom to live as she pleases, she has power here and friends. I wish to have the same one day. The solstice shall be a new beginning for us all, and a chance for me to grow and open myself for new people, opportunities, and a new happiness.”

She wiped her cheek with her upper arm.

“It is what my mother would have wanted. It is what I want for Delia and Henry. It is only fair that I give you and myself the same chance.”

You pulled her in for a hug, the weight of a thousand stones falling off your shoulders. The pain of being hated by your closest friend had been unbearable. Thank God she had turned around and decided to give this life a try. You probably also had to thank Randvi, the countless hours she had spent with Eda and her endless patience and belief in the good.

“Thank you, Eda, thank you both for allowing me to reconcile with you. I do not want to quarrel with anyone here, no bad blood. This is my clan now, too.”

Randvi nodded and smiled, wrapping an arm around Eda’s shoulders as the dark-haired woman stepped back to her side.

“It is. You are both part of the family now.”

“You too?” you asked Eda, surprised. There had been no welcoming ritual for her yet. She gave you a shy smile.

“We had the ceremony last night. It was private.” She held out her arm with a golden bangle for you to see. Randvi pressed her lips together to stifle a grin.

Well, that was a surprise. A few weeks ago, Eda had cursed you for your interest in Eivor and now she was flirting with Randvi, a married woman? She really had turned around. Eda seemed to guess what you were thinking.

“Y/N, I apologize for my horrid comments when you first visited me. I understand now that things are different here, different than I was taught growing up. I’d be happy to talk about it with you later at the feast. I wronged you, and I am sincerely sorry. I wish you and Eivor all the best of luck.”

You could see pain flicker over Randvi’s face, but Eda tightened her grip around the auburn-haired woman’s waist and held your gaze. You nodded.

“Thank you.” You looked over to Randvi. “Is there any indication when they might be back?”

She sighed. “I hope they return before the celebrations begin. Yule can’t wait, but the ceremony will not be right without our drengrs . We’re just collecting some more decorations, but we will be back at the longhouse shortly. If you are idle, you could see if Sfáva needs help.”

As you walked back through the village, you noticed it was already getting darker. When would your drengr return to you? God forbid she was actually hurt or - no. You said a quick prayer, then you clapped your hands to shoo away your dark thoughts and focused on the path before you.

Just as you were about to cross the open space in front of the longhouse, making your way through the children admiring the gigantic woodpile for the bonfire, a horn sounded loudly from the docks. A wave of excitement went through the people in front of you and the children dropped everything to run to the docks and see the ship that had returned.

Looking behind you, you saw Valka rush down the hill with a big basket, looking worried. Did she sense a calamity? God, no. Please let Eivor be unharmed. Please, please return to me safely, my drengr.

You lifted your skirts and made your way down to the shore, surrounded by other women rushing to greet their husbands. The first warriors were already on solid ground.

They carried a wooden stretcher. Someone was lying on it, completely still. Your heart dropped.

You fought your way through the small crowd, craning your neck to try and find Eivor's blonde mane among the other men on the ship, but you could not see any specks of gold on the ship. The person on the stretcher however had light hair, long braids drenched in blood covering their face.

Someone let out a blood-curdling scream, loud enough to get through the rush of blood in your ears. A woman with flaming red hair stumbled forward. It was the Viking wife you had seen with Valka a while ago, the woman she had been infatuated with for a long time.

Even though you knew this was terrible, a tiny glimpse of hope sparked inside of you. Was it not Eivor after all on the stretcher? You finally made your way to the front when Valka pushed you aside and dropped her basket on the ground next to you before rushing to the woman’s side. The redhead had pushed the hair from the injured person’s face and revealed empty, staring eyes, a handsome, bearded face, and a terrible slash from his forehead down to his jaw.

Valka reached her just as she started wailing, wrapping her arms around the grieving woman and trying to soothe her. The men carrying the stretcher stood still, their eyes blank. The woman fell to her knees, cradling the dead man’s face and calling his name over and over again.

“He fought bravely and died a glorious death.” A loud, rough voice pierced the cacophony of chatter and crying and everyone immediately went quiet. You looked up to see Eivor standing at the foot of the stretcher. Her hair and most of her face were blackened with soot. Her eyes were full of sorrow.

“We sent him off to Valhalla and he shall wait there for all of us. Let us dedicate this solstice, this Yuletide to Alfarr and the glory he brought this clan. He will be dearly missed, never forgotten, and joyfully embraced when we join him in Valhalla.”

She nodded to the bearers of the stretcher and they set off toward the longhouse. Valka grabbed one arm of the woman that was still slumped on the ground and Eivor took the other, then they gently lifted her up and helped her walk behind the procession. It was quiet now, only a few sobs sounded through the clear night as the moon lit your path.

Eivor was alive. She had returned to you. You took a deep breath. Sigurd and Randvi were coming your way from the longhouse, followed by Eda. Randvi’s eyes widened at the sight before her and she dug her fingers into Sigurd’s arm, but the jarl kept his composure and just exchanged a silent nod with Eivor.

When you had reached the longhouse, a few younger men had already erected a table in one of the alcoves and put down linen sheets on it. Alfarr was lifted off the stretcher and placed on the table, his axe still fixed in his grip and laid down on his chest. Someone put down a tree stump on the ground next to his head and Valka and Eivor set his wife down on it. She was silent now, staring at her dead husband in disbelief.

It was curious. You knew she had been mistreated horribly by him, beaten and insulted until she had fled into Valka’s arms. Why was she so grief-stricken at his passing if she was in love with someone else and he had wronged her so terribly?

Valka looked up at you and gave you a knowing look. She would have answers for you later. Eivor’s gaze was fixed to the axe on Alfarr’s chest. She had not so much as glanced at you since her arrival. Did she even know you were here? You did not dare to go up to her and so you quietly retreated into the big hall where you sat down on one of the benches and put your hands into your head.

The childlike enthusiasm and excitement you had felt this morning had vanished. How was this evening going to play out now?

The wood of the bench creaked as someone sat down next to you. You looked up distractedly and found Norvid looking at you with a worried smile.

“How are you, my lady? Did you know Alfarr well?”

You rubbed your thighs and stared at the floor in front of you.

“No, I had never even seen him before. It’s just… I am not used to seeing this kind of violence. I witnessed it once, the night Williamsburg was raided. This is the first time since then.”

“I understand. It takes you back, does it not?” His hand hovered in the air between you, then he placed it on his knee. You nodded.

“You are a tough fighter,” he argued. “I have rarely seen someone learn so quickly and take to arms so well. If you wish to use those skills in the future, you must be prepared to see much more blood and death in the course of your life.”

You wanted to object, but then you realized that he was speaking the truth. If you were to become a warrior and fight at Eivor’s side, you would not only see violence, you would inflict it. That was the path you had chosen for yourself. You looked up at him and smiled.

“You’re right. Thank you for checking on me, I will be alright.” You touched his arm in a gesture of gratefulness and were just about to get up and look for Sfáva when you noticed a large figure in the corner of your eye.

Eivor was leaning against the wall next to the alcove, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed amidst the black paint. Her mouth was a straight line. When she caught your gaze, she pushed herself off the wall and strode to the entrance of the longhouse, vanishing before you could say anything. You jumped up and rushed after her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

You remembered the basket Valka had dropped down at the dock and made your way down to the water in hopes of retrieving it. As you came closer, you saw a dark-haired woman crouched over the spot, gathering items scattered on the snow and putting them back in the basket.

It was Eda, smiling when she noticed you coming toward her. You helped her pick up the last few strips of linen and leather sachets with herbs, then you offered to carry the basket, breaking the silence.

“What a terrible thing. Today, of all days.”

“Oh yes, a dreadful night for his poor wife,” Eda said. “I felt like all the blood in my veins froze when I saw him lying there, his wife sobbing for her dear beloved.”

Dear beloved? You were not so sure of that, but you dropped the thought.

“I felt the same. For a moment, I thought it was Eivor. My heart… it felt like the tiniest touch would make it shatter into a thousand pieces.”

“Now you know.” You could hear the pain in Eda’s voice. There was no bitterness or blame, only grief. “That’s what I felt that night.”

You took her hand and wove your fingers into hers.

“I still say a prayer for your mother every day. I am sure she is in a better place now, someone far away from all those who attempted to hold her prisoner. You will meet again one day and finally have peace together.”

“Thank you, Y/N.” Eda squeezed your hand. 

You separated at the longhouse and you went up to your hut. Maybe Eivor would be there. Your heart was beating hard against your ribcage and you had to force yourself to breathe steadily, not sure what to expect from her.

You knocked on the door and waited for a response, but there was none. When you entered, the hut was dark apart from a few smoldering coals in the fireplace. Birna was laying on a bundle of clothes on the floor, clothes you recognized as the ones Eivor had been wearing. You gave the cat a few light scratches under her chin, then you wrapped yourself in your fur coat and went back outside.

People were now coming to the longhouse from all directions and the windows were lit brightly. A few men could be heard singing a bittersweet song and someone was putting final touches on the woodpile outside. When you entered, most people were standing in small groups, talking, and drinking ale or mead. There was a big fire in the middle of the room, ready for the ox that was to be slaughtered. You saw Randvi, Eivor, and Valka huddled together next to the alcove entrance where Alfarr was lying. They were speaking in hushed voices, mixed emotions on their faces.

Eivor was clean again, her face bare except for a red rune on her forehead, definitely Valka’s work. You desperately wanted to go over to them and join the conversation, but you could not bring yourself to do it. The fear of rejection or being excluded was too great.

Suddenly Sigurd stood up on a table.

“My dear ravens, my drengrs , my family! Tonight, in the shortest night of the year, we experience the darkness, we are encased by it and it threatens to leak into our hearts. Today we have lost a great man to the darkness, but what keeps us hopeful is the certainty that he is in Valhalla now. Alfarr fought bravely and gloriously, he was welcomed by Odin with open arms!”

The other warriors cheered and raised their drinking horns.

“Let us now follow the lead of our wonderful seeress, our guide through the darkness, Valka! We shall make a sacrifice to the gods that will propitiate them and grant us light, warmth, and good fortune for the coming year. And then we shall feast, in tribute to all the drengrs that fought for this clan and in memory of Alfarr!”

Everyone started to make their way outside and you let the crowd carry you to the bonfire. A few men had led the village’s strongest, most prized ox to the open space. They had fastened the rope on its holster to a large metal nail which they had then hammered into the frozen ground right at the edge of the woodpile.

Valka stepped into the circle that the people had formed around the stacked wood. She looked glorious in the light of the torches, her golden headdress and her jewelry gleaming in the flames. She carried a large copper bowl and a beautiful, embezzled dagger. Sigurd stepped to her side and they stood at the head of the ox.

First, Valka sang a hauntingly beautiful song in Norwegian and Sigurd joined in for the last verse. He held another small speech in his mother tongue before taking the dagger from Valka. She held her hands over the ox’s head and blessed the animal. You made out the names of Odin and Freya, of Sigurd and Eivor, and some of the other drengrs .

Finally, Sigurd drew the dagger over the throat of the animal and you could see its eyes widening, but it could not cry out. Sigurd had made the perfect cut. Blood started spilling from its throat and Valka held her bowl under the thick read stream until she had filled the vessel. Then she stepped back and watched the blood run over the frozen ground, into the woodpile, and toward the longhouse.

She started singing another song and this time almost all of the Vikings joined in, lifting their hands over their heads and building a beautiful choir while the ox started to stagger. His front legs gave in first and he slowly fell to his knees, then he lay down completely, his ragged breaths making a gurgling sound as his body bled out.

The singing slowly got quieter and finally died along with the animal’s last breath. Valka called out Sigurd, Randvi and Eivor and they stood next to each other, holding out their open palms as the seeress dipped her finger in the steaming blood and drew a different rune onto every one of them. Then she called out another name.

“Yngvor! Step forward and cleanse yourself of sorrow and grief. Begin this Yuletide with hope for the future, drenched in the glory of your husband and the blood of this sacrifice.”

The red-haired woman, her face still puffy and pale from crying, stood in front of Valka. The seeress gave her a sincere smile, then she wet her finger with blood again and drew a vertical line on each of Yngvor’s cheeks, resembling the streams of tears she had cried earlier. Then Valka drew a circle on her forehead and put a dot in the middle.

She stepped back and nodded. Randvi stretched out a hand and put it on the woman’s shoulder in support. Everyone sang another short song, then the ceremony seemed to be over. Everyone spread out, most people heading for the longhouse as Lewin and a few other men knelt next to the ox and started skinning and disemboweling it.

Inside everyone sat down along the long tables a first course of food was passed around, mead and ale were poured out and the first songs of praise sounded through the hall. You sat with Aelfric, Hal, and Eda. They were all excitedly debating the meaning of the ritual and its different components, the runes, and what might still come in this long night. In the meantime, the ox was carried in on a long spit by eight men and hung over the fire to roast.

You were distracted by your strange reunion with Eivor - you had not even spoken a word after being so close during the last weeks. Of course, she had lost one of her men and if you knew her at all, she probably blamed herself for his death. But then the interaction with Norvid and her reaction to it - what was that? Was she jealous? There was no reason for that. You were hers and hers only. She should know that.

You risked a look to her table and your heart cramped up in your chest. Eivor was not eating, her fists were balled up next to her plate and her eyes fixed on the table. Her face was a stony mask, no emotion breaking the surface. Sigurd and Randvi were deep in conversation and you could hear two of her men at her side speaking about Alfarr and how well he had fought today. All you wanted was to go up to Eivor, take her hand and hold her tight. But you feared that she would reject you after everything you had seen of her today.

Hal pulled out his dice game and immediately declared that he would never play against you again. Instead, you taught the game to Eda who had great fun but went down without a single win. She was a hopeless case.

“Mind if I join you?”

You looked up to see Norvid standing next to you, a plate of dried fruit in his hand.

“They are going to make the first cut on the beast soon, but I figured that if all the drengrs get their meat first, we still have some time to spare. At least three rounds.” He grinned and the others eagerly invited him to sit. Soon they were laughing and bickering about their wagers.

When the meat was cut, everyone was patiently waiting in line for their share. Norvid stood behind you.

“How are you liking your first Yule so far?” he asked, a friendly twinkle in his eye.

“Oh, it’s very impressive. I have never seen an animal being sacrificed in that manner. It seemed very peaceful. I can hardly wait for the bonfire later.” You smiled at the thought of the gigantic pile of wood that would be ablaze soon - the biggest fire you had ever seen.

The meat was delicious and there were sides of roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and pickled cabbage. When it was finally time for the fire, everyone flocked outside again. The ox’s blood had seeped into the ground, leaving frozen red streaks around and leading into the woodpile.

You stood next to Eda as Sigurd and Valka joined together for another speech, then a young, blonde Viking woman with beautiful, intricate braids carried a great torch from the longhouse and handed it to Sigurd. Their eyes met and their gazes stayed locked for just a moment too long. You looked over to Randvi; she had seen it, too. She looked just the slightest bit surprised, but not affronted or disappointed at all. Interesting. Eivor stood next to her, her face still completely devoid of emotion. She stared at the woodpile, or rather through it into the distance.

Sigurd said another few words in Norwegian, then he went around the pile and set fire to the wood in different places. Finally, he pushed the torch into the bottom of the pile and everyone watched in awe as the stack ignited, the wood cracking and shifting as sparks flew in all directions.

You turned to Eda to joke about her bad luck in the dice game earlier when you noticed her dreamy gaze into the distance, her expression languorous and enchanted as the light of the flames danced over her face. You followed her eyes and landed on Randvi, who showed the exact same countenance.

“Eda?” you asked and she snapped out of her reverie immediately, trying to look innocent.

“Yes, dear?”

“What is happening between you and Randvi?”

She grabbed your arm and shushed you even though you had barely mumbled the question. Then she pulled you back a few steps, out of the circle, and got closer to you.

“I do not know what nature the bond between us will turn out to be. But she is the reason I smile again, the reason I eat and speak, the reason I yet stand before you. Something about her is so… gentle, so kind and caring. I have never met someone as selfless as her.”

You fought down a bitter laugh. Randvi was many things, but endlessly selfless was not one of them. You left it up for Eda to learn that herself. Reminding yourself of Valka's words and your reconciliation with Randvi earlier, you hoped that maybe Randvi had really changed. You did not want Eda to go through any more pain. Sighing, you put an arm around your friend’s shoulders.

“I hope you find peace and happiness here. I know I am still searching for it.”

Eda raised her eyebrows at you.

“I thought you had Eivor?”

“Well, yes. I had her. But I was not yet ready to commit to her and now that I am…” Your eyes wandered over to the beautiful blonde standing next to Sigurd like a statue. “I am not sure she wants me anymore.”

“I refuse to believe that. Everyone who ever laid eyes on you two knows you are madly in love.” You looked at Eda in surprise and she laughed. “Oh Y/N, you are destined to be together. You will make all our lives hell if you don’t finally find your way into each other’s arms.”

She giggled, a sound you had last heard when you were but young girls sharing secrets hidden in the stables of Williamsburg.

“Maybe the reason Eivor acts strangely is because she cannot control herself around you any longer. Maybe it is your touch that will give her peace.”

“Eda!” you whispered and slapped her hand, trying to contain your own laughter. You could feel yourself blushing at her proposition.

People were spreading out now, some staying at the fire, some going back to the longhouse or vanishing into the dark to do God knew what. Eda hooked her arm under yours and you were joining the others that were going back in when Norvid came up from behind.

“Good evening, my ladies!” He was fairly drunk again, but before you could say anything, Eda had let go of you and pulled him between you. She linked arms with him and he followed her example on your side, tucking your arm under his. The three of you stumbled along the path together and maybe it was the ale you had had, or the wonderfully clear night, or how unbelievable all this seemed to you, but you threw your head back and laughed, deeply and heartily. You had found your place here.

Just as you were about to enter the longhouse, you saw Eivor standing on the side, beckoning you over. You felt a jump in your stomach and took a deep breath.

“Go ahead, I won’t be long,” you told the others, secretly hoping the opposite. Eda and Norvid went without asking why, and for a moment you stood still, watching them enter the brightly lit room. They both tripped over a fir branch on the floor and struggled to untangle their arms, but while Norvid hit the floor with a loud thump and more laughter, Eda fell right into Randvi’s arms. You smiled to yourself. She was in good hands.

You turned to Eivor and she rounded the corner of the longhouse, motioning for you to follow her. It was the same spot where you had once found Valka and Yngvor, the red-haired woman, in loving embrace. Your heartbeat quickened and you were just about to ask Eivor what she planned to do with you when she whirled around and pushed you against the wall, her pupils blown and hot wrath burning behind them.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing,” she snarled, “little dove?”

-

Author’s note: this just keeps getting longer and longer - I hope you aren't bored of me yet. I promise you a lot of smut for the next chapter. Please do let me know what you think if you're still reading!

[asscreeds]

Heila - Chapter 3

photo by @freyastrider​ :”)

Eivor arranges for your clan’s rescue to the indignation of another. TW for alcohol consumption/inebriation, mentions and descriptions of death. Read on AO3 | Masterlist

As soon as Eivor bid you farewell, she set out to speak with Randvi to discuss sending scouts forward to Canterbury. Before rushing in blindly with axes drawn, she'd preferred to know if the Saxons had increased their numbers after you'd gone missing in the night… and, mortifyingly, if there were any members of your kith left to save. If they rode hard, they'd reach the city within hours. That was what she hoped, anyhow.

Entering the longhouse, she would never tire of the smell of woodsmoke and ale that greeted her. Gentle conversations hummed about the air as some of her vikingr wound down from their rigorous training sessions - they sent Eivor bright smiles, some even encouraging her to join them.

"Eivor!" one called out, raising his mug of ale in the air. "Will you join us for a drink?"

"I have other things to do," she said, and laughed as some made disappointed sounds and faces. "Fear not, my warriors. I will join you soon enough." This placated her intoxicated brethren well enough, and she took the chance to slip past them to the settlement's strategy room. Before she entered, she found Randvi turned away from her, scribbling away, writing something on a piece of parchment so harshly that she could hear the scratch of the quill from where she stood. Leaning against the archway she rapped her knuckles in a familiar pattern against the wood, and Randvi nearly jumped out of her skin, whirling around with wide eyes, dropping the quill and nearly spilling ink all over what she had been writing. "Eivor!" she yelped, and Eivor nearly felt her cheeks split from how much she smiled, chuckling, hiding it behind her knuckles and looking at Randvi slyly. "Did I Interrupt you?"

Randvi was uncharacteristically flushed. "I - no, well, yes, but…" Eivor only chuckled again, approaching the smaller woman and giving her a playful shake of her shoulder. "No worries, Randvi. I will not ask what you were writing of." This didn't seem to calm her, and Randvi could not meet the Wolf-kissed's eyes. Ever since Eivor had accidentally stumbled upon Randvi's note, 'it is becoming increasingly difficult to look across the alliance table at Eivor,' even after Eivor's somewhat rejection of Randvi's affections at the tower - 'It is best we wait,' she said, and the longer Sigurd was gone the more she had grown to regret those words - Randvi had been so embarrassed by the unintentional confession that whenever she was reminded of it she'd turn a new color. It endeared Eivor, in a fun and silly way where Randvi needn't be so embarrassed by such a thing (as she'd told her many times before), and it made her think of awkward young love; wanting more, but not knowing how to go about it and bumbling through it. Suddenly Eivor was reminded of Sigurd, and that Randvi was Sigurd's wife, and not hers, so she let her hand fall from the other woman's shoulder as she took a step back with a smaller, if bittersweet, smile.

Randvi, now visibly more composed, ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Hello, Eivor. Did you need something?" Ah, the old 'let's talk about the settlement to ignore what just happened.'

Eivor gave a nod, looking towards the Alliance map. "I'd like to send scouts to Canterbury, in Cent," she said, leaning over the table to attempt to map the quickest route in her head. 

"Cent? Weren't you just there?" Randvi questioned, crossing her arms as she approached the table wearily. It was suddenly very hard to look at Eivor again as the muscles in the warrior's arms bulged with the strain of holding herself up and the very specific angle Randvi was given of the woman's body made her think of… things.

Eivor looked up from the table and nodded again. "Yes, I was. But this is not for our clan. Do you remember y/n, the Dane I had told you about two nights ago?" 

"Yes… what of her?" Randvi seemed hesitative, unsure of where Eivor was going with this.

"Some members of her clan were imprisoned there, or converted, I am not sure. From what she had told me, they were not treated well… and… you've seen her, haven't you?" Randvi recalled seeing your pale, limp form in the warrior's arms when Eivor had returned yelling at the top of her lungs for Valka, and how even in the flickering light of torches she could see the extent of your injuries. In her mind, it had looked like you were attacked by a bear. She nodded.

"It… it does not sit well with me, to leave them behind in such a place. With luck most of them are still alive, or have been converted and are living a simpler life… but I fear it may not be the case. The city, especially near the church where they are, had been heavily guarded. And I fear that they may have increased the guard after I took y/n from death, or…" she huffed, and shook her head as she drew her fingers over the symbol that marked Cent on the map, "or if more of them had been disrespected like that, as some sort of punishment."

Randvi did not know you, nor did she know your clan, but understood that this mattered greatly to you. And apparently to Eivor, by extension. Putting two and two together, she realized it was not a bear that had attacked you, but that you had been whipped or maimed in religious persecution. She nodded again. "I will send them at once."

Eivor sent Randvi a weary smile. "Please, hurry. If they ride hard and follow the rivers south they will reach the city within hours." Randvi matched Eivor's smile, and the Wolf-Kissed left, returning to her warriors. 

Almost immediately she had a mug of Tekla's finest mead in her hand and a chorus of welcomes from the other vikingr, and she laughed as she sat down on a bench. While she was talking with Randvi they had started their own little feast; someone had gone out hunting earlier that day and brought back a boar, and they'd butchered and smoked it over the fire. Tarben was more than happy to provide fresh loaves of bread and even some sweets, like raspberry tarts. The sun was setting now, and even though they had done little over the past few days aside from train and spar, the overall mood was joyous and lighthearted. At some point someone had begun to sing and nearly everyone joined in, including a not-so sober Eivor, whose voice had dropped from that smooth sound to the rougher, hoarse rasp.

When the song ended they laughed and laughed, and then someone else came into the longhouse - Eivor could not see who, between the drink and her friends swaying bodies - then she felt a hand on her shoulder, and those in front of her suddenly quieted and stared, as if some great ugly beast or God stood over her. Glancing behind her she understood why. Dag. Beast it was.

Dag said nothing for a moment, only looking at Eivor with a nasty scowl and an iron-tight grip on her shoulder. Even though she'd drunk enough to feel it in the morning by now she could still smell the alcohol wafting from Dag, too. Instinctively she locked eyes with him and shrugged his hand off in a very clear message. Back off.

Dag somehow scowled even deeper and fought back a growl, slurring his speech. "Eivor! How nice to see you! Say, where is your brother? It's been some time since I last saw him!" he jabbed, the ale loosening his tongue and his mind into a sarcastic bitter mess.

Eivor was not having any of this. Especially not in front of half of the settlement. "Go away, Dag. I will speak with you later," she said, turning back to her mug of ale and chugging down the rest. Dag did not like that at all, no.

Frustrated and intoxicated he grabbed onto Eivor's shoulder and pushed then yanked, throwing her off balance and nearly sending her to the floor but, luckily, she caught herself. And reoriented herself, and sent Dag the most pissed off look, and suddenly the entire longhouse silenced. Dag was not phased.

Standing and facing the other viking directly, she continued to stare him down. Go on, dumbass. Disrespect me infront of everyone. See how it treats you in the coming days.

Dag took the bait. "Eivor, why do I find you here, drunk and revelling for no reason, when our jarl is missing? Hm? Do you not care for him?" he snarled, though he did step back a pace. Nervous. "Or are you glad to finally be rid of him ?" 

"End this, Dag. You and I both know that is not why he has not been found." 

"But how convenient it is for him to be missing for all these months!" Dag liked to talk with his body and, now drunk, stumbled about. "How convenient he has not been found in Grantebridge, Cent, Essexe, err… S-Snogginham… even Vinland! Have you no care for your people's jarl to be returned to them?" 

Eivor was tired of this. The other vikingr were, too. They understood why Eivor had not yet returned with Sigurd. Dag did not. Taking on a dangerous edge between infuriated and serpentine, she stalked toward Dag, getting in his space. "You know that is not why Sigurd is still missing. I have said it thrice now. And yet you continue to disrespect me like this, in front of all of Ravensthorpe, and even they know why. Sigurd trusted me to be his surrogate. If he were here, he would approve of me finding allies to strengthen our people. Why can't you, Dag?"

"Sigurd would not chase glory like this if you were missing, Eivor! He -"

Eivor cut him off. "He what? Would have to suffer you caterwauling in his ear every day, too? While he does the same things, finding friends and allies in the people of England to strengthen our place here? Both you and I know that he would chase glory. You're a fucking idiot if you think otherwise. He has trusted me to substitute him, as he would for me. We are the same, Dag. And you have disrespected me time and time again. Maybe he would approve of me sending you to Helheim if you even think about causing a scene like this again." Maybe the drink was loosening her tongue, too.

Dag visibly recoiled, then fumed, stepping into the shieldmaiden's space even more. Eivor grabbed him by his shoulders, shaking him. "Dag! Nobody wants him returned more than I do, Dag! Every single time I have an inkling of where he is he is taken from me again! What will it take to prove you this? Should we draw a circle? Should I give you more silver? Would you like to become an advisor so you can witness directly the piles of horse-shit dealings with inbred Saxons marrying and killing each other over a minor throne that I have to work with near daily? I don't even know if I can ally with all of England seeing that nearly every province hates the next! I'm sick of this! Of course I want Sigurd back, Dag!"

Dag simply let Eivor rant, closing his eyes somewhere halfway through to both think more clearly and stop the spinning of the room. He was silent for a moment, as if pondering something, and then looked towards Eivor with a grievous expression, slowly removing her hands from his shoulders.

"...no, you do not have to draw a holmgang. I have been an idiot many times over. I'm ale-addled but I can only ask that…" he paused, then suddenly dropped to a knee. The dog shows his belly. "Please, forgive me. It was… it was only that I could not face the potential of Sigurd's death, far from his home and his people. I have disrespected you and your brother by treating you these ways. I have broken the oath I promised to Sigurd. You should think of slaughtering me for it."

Finally. Eivor would not forgive easily, nor would she ever forget Dag's behavior over the last year, but she held out a hand to him. "I will not let a fine warrior go to waste like that. You can start apologizing by joining my crew again, Dag." To be honest she'd missed his silly stories as they sailed across ocean and river. Dag took her hand and stood, nodding. "Of course, Eivor." She squeezed his hand before letting go, and then the bustle of the other vikingr began again, and it was as if a collective sigh of relief came from every living being in Ravensthorpe. She did not feel as if she had to address everyone, either; it just came naturally, a weight lifted off her shoulders and respite rolled over everyone like a huge ocean wave. Exhausted from the encounter and by the mead muddying her mind she bid Dag farewell and stumbled up to her room. Dag then sat at one of the tables, and though alone at first he was quickly joined by the other warriors and was soon laughing and telling tales.

She didn't know how much she'd drank (she'd stopped counting after 9 or 10 mugs) but it was enough to make the process of opening her door, closing it, taking off the stupidly intricate straps of the assassin's blade and her boots, and crawling under her furs extremely difficult. By the time she had gotten to her bed she just threw herself on it and almost immediately passed out into a dreamless sleep. Miles away from the resting drengr, two scouts reached their destination, and what greeted them was not pretty.

...

"Eivor!" A knock at her door.

Groaning, Eivor snapped her eyes open then promptly shut them tight at the room spinning. She was still drunk, though in the weird realm of drunk-yet-hungover. "Give… give me a minute," she rasped out, throwing her arm over her face and willing her mind to reorient itself. "That is fine. But please, join me at the planning table as soon as you are able." Ah. Randvi.

Eivor did not know when she would be able. Gazing out into the darkness of her room she surmised it was now night, or maybe early morning? Slowly peeling herself from the confines of her bed she rubbed at her eyes, then lit a few more candles so she could see what she was doing. Throwing her boots, a lightly armored chestpiece, her weapons and her cape on she stumbled out and down to the planning room. It was early morning by the amount of drunk and sated warriors lying about the longhouse. She was not a morning person, but for Randvi, and how disturbed she had sounded, well…

 Turning the corner to the archway of the room, the Wolf-Kissed could see Randvi visibly pacing back and forth, worried. She sighed in immediate understanding, startling the smaller woman again yet less comically this time. "Eivor, the -" 

"The scouts returned with ill findings," she finished, leaning a great portion of her weight against the archway. By the Gods it was so difficult to stand and stay awake. Randvi nodded. "Yes, they have, and I fear it is more dire than we both thought," she said, throwing down a map drawn by one of the scouts. Eivor pinched the bridge of her nose. "Tell me."

"They've increased the guards tenfold, something about a thegn or some other visiting. The scouts did locate some of y/n's clan but they are… not in good shape. Corralled in cages like dogs, as thin as if they had not eaten properly in weeks. You were right about the Saxons punishing some of them for y/n's disappearance. They… they took at least three of them, left them to die as she was supposed to. It is too late for them. With their state and the strengthened garrison, it may be too great of a risk and too fruitless to try and recover them."

Eivor seethed. "No. That is not an option. I'll burn that city to the ground even if to save at least one of y/n's clan." This surprised Randvi. Eivor had only met you a few days prior, yet she was willing to destroy a city for you? Hmm. In Eivor's mind, she thought of her home being attacked, of every single family member being slaughtered and taken away from her by Kjotve. She could see the parallels. She would not let another soul suffer the cruelty she has endured.

"My men, drunk as they may be, should prepare to leave ere midday. We'll sail south, follow the rivers to Cent's northwestern border, then ride to the city, straight through to the prisons. Run in and out. Recover as many as we are able, they'll slaughter them all otherwise. Send forth two dozen horses to the harbor just past Roucistere, where the river Thames and Medeuuage meet the sea, there is a small harbor there," she said brusquely, turning from Randvi and leaving the other woman to fret and wake the other warriors (as gently as she could) to notify them of the plan. They will understand the suddenness, Eivor thought.

 Then her thoughts turned to you. I should tell her that we will recover what we can of her clan today. She made for Valka's hut, and by then the world had lightened just slightly so as the sun began to peak over the eastern hills. Pushing through the seeress' bone curtains as quietly as she could, she was surprised to see you already awake and crying into the arms of Valka.

Valka did not look to Eivor, only holding you in her lap and smoothing your hair out like a mother. You were breathing too fast, your face sweaty and pale.

"What happened?" came Eivor's gruff voice, still tinged with sleep and drink. Immediately your head snapped to her and a string of pleads came from your mouth, grasping towards her and taking one of her hands in yours.

"Please, Eivor, please. You must hurry, find my clan, find Gunnar, please! " You were hyperventilating again. The dream had been so real.

You had rested calmly for the first half of the day after Eivor left, and had woken up some time before the sun set to relieve yourself and help yourself to more bread and tea. The second time you fell asleep, however, you were plagued by a living nightmare.

All around you were the sounds of swords clashing, the smell of housefire, the pelt of freezing rain against your skin. You were back at the raid of the monastery, and everywhere you looked you could see copies of the same church, the endless battle of your kinsmen versus the Saxons, and though you longed to join them in beating back their forces you found that you were unarmed. Wading through the piles and piles of bodies upon the blood-stained ground you walked towards the most central copy of the church, and how small it made you feel, the spindling white spires of the marble roof rising into the air like teeth. You did not remember the incline leading to the church being this long or this steep, but who were you to question it? 

Finally you had reached the summit, and the church was so large and tall now that even the doorway was a singular, gigantic arch and the spires reached so high into the ash-clouded sky that you could no longer see where they ended. Did the church always have a blue and gold hue…? Your ponderings were cut short by the image of a long, long table surrounded by dozens and dozens of seats, all empty, save for one appearing in front of you. Seated in the middle-most chair was Gunnar, sitting perfectly still with his arms and hands laid in a cup in front of him, as if he were a statue. Slowly you approached, tentatively calling out "Gunnar?" to which he did not respond. When you got within eyesight of Gunnar's warm, joyous blue eyes (you had always thought he had the most calming and always jovial eyes you'd ever seen), he suddenly stood, though he did not move his arms from their position. He stood there until you called out another, even more hesitant "Gunnar."

Then, all at once, as if his neck had been spliced by some invisible force, his head toppled down from his shoulders right into his open palms. You screamed and cried, trying to rush forward though you were suddenly held back by hands, so many grasping hands, with vice grips on your skin that threatened to tear it from your very being. The scene before you shifted, and instead of Gunnar's own hands holding his head, a spear of twisting wood and hanging vine pierced through the back of his skull and sprung forth out of his forehead like a horn, and despite being visibly dead his eyes were not clouded as you'd expected, still carrying the same calming blue. Shocked, you could not move, and only stared forward into his eyes. You did not notice Frederik approaching you from your periphery.

He gently set a hand upon your shoulder, and you could only continue to look forward, weeping. "It's a shame, isn't it?" spoke Frederik, and when you turned to him he smiled, then grinned, until it grew wider and wider and his mouth split into two and his teeth lengthened, his eyes became slits, and his long golden-blonde hair turned to spikes. All at once he became a serpent, dripping venom upon the dessicated head of Gunnar, coiling scaled tendrils around the spear and the table. He hissed, flaring his nostrils, and reared back to strike. You willed yourself to move but could not find the strength to do it. You could not even close your eyes.

And then, behind him, a second pair of great and terrible eyes beset upon Frederik, and with a great roar that shook the entire world another serpent appeared with countless corpses upon its glittering back and wings, smoke billowing from it's nostrils like the ash-clouds of the raid. Before the Frederik-Serpent could strike, or turn around to look at the Great-Serpent, the jaws of the dragon rushed forward and snapped around the smaller serpent and Gunnar's head, crushing the both of them instantaneously into glittering blue dust and fog.

You woke up screaming.

Instantly Valka had been at your side, even though she had been pulled from her own sleep. You could not find the right words to describe what you had just seen. It was so, so wrong . You did not want to think of Gunnar dying such a way. You could not think of the friend you'd known since you were a child dying as a result of Frederik's oath breaking. You'd cried into Valka's chest as she held you close like your mother used to when you were a babe and after a while you tried to explain best your nightmare, and though your words were disjointed and few and far between, Valka could understand that it was a portent, and only willed you to calm yourself down, shushing you and petting your hair. You would calm down to breathe sometimes, then remember Gunnar's head and the two serpents and be sent into hysterics again. This continued for the better part of half an hour before Eivor arrived.

Eivor held your hand and squeezed it with both hands, looking deep into your eyes. "I have already made preparations to leave today with my men to retrieve what we can of your family," she said, and her words puzzled you for a moment before a wave of relief washed over you, calming you for the time being. She squeezed your hand again, and leaned in close to your face. While she was up this close, even through your teary vision, you noticed small details of her face that you'd never noticed before; the scar on her cheek dragging from the corner of her eye down to her mouth; another, smaller scar across her upper lip; how her nose seemed to have been broken at some point with how the bridge of it slightly bent at at angle to the right; a mess of scars on her neck that you could not imagine the origin of. She's been through a lot.  

She spoke lowly, calmly, and you found some sort of solace in the way her dulcet voice growled with the sound of tiredness. "I know it is difficult, but you need to prepare for the worst. I will do my best to save your people, but…" she paused, choosing her words carefully, "...but they have already spent so long imprisoned by the Saxons. There may not be many of them left," she confessed, her voice hitting a somber note. You understood immediately. It was as you feared, your rescue spurring on the indoctrination and culling of more of your clan. You gulped and nodded, holding back more tears, lip quivering. "Alright," you said, voice brittle. Eivor held onto your hand for a moment longer and gave it one last parting squeeze before leaving Valka and you to calm yourselves.

It was still early morning, and her warriors would not be ready for the ride just yet, so she set about to prepare her actual armor and clean her weapons (and take a much needed and calming bath), then helped to prepare for the attack. Rowan had already lended her the horses needed for the journey, and Gunnar did not mind distributing more of his higher-quality weapons and armor to her warriors. Despite being on such a short notice after a night of revelling, there was a certain electricity to the air, energizing everyone to prepare as fast they could. Or maybe it was the fact that the warriors were excited to go back to pillaging and battle after nearly 3 weeks of sparring. To her joy, she found Dag amongst those preparing for the day ahead. Hours passed quickly, and final preparations were made just before the sun hit its highest point in the sky.

Gathering her vikingr, she quickly rebriefed them on the plan, then bid them to board the ship to Canterbury. Given the fair weather, the speed of her longship and their blood-hungered weapons, they would reach the city within 3 hours.

They would return by nightfall with sorrow.

[leximina]

Word count: 1,590

Note: I can't be stopped when I write something feat the Light Fury.

Parts: Only one which is this one

Random add-on: Zee is an OC of mine if your wondering

Characters: Me, the Light Fury, Zee and Valka

The Moon's Light For The Night • Httyd Selfship story • AlexisFury

It was one of those nights where I had a lonnng flight back home. As I flew I felt the wind blow past me and I calmed. I had fought a Monstrous Nightmare ten minutes ago besides that Monstrous Nightmare had attacked out of nowhere startling me. So I was on guard but I always loved the calm ocean breeze blowing on my scales. 

I flew beyond a place called Berk. I heard from a Nadder that was my friend despite the fact they followed an Alpha. I never despised them for that. As I was thinking they told me that they're Alpha and the Alpha's friend had taken back her son from Berk to have him live with her(my AU my rules). I find that a little heartbreaking for whoever the boy's father is. I mean if I was the boy's father I would be hurt. But I've heard that story and had that thought many times before.

As I flew I heard cooing. As if someone was curious. I sniffed the air knowing my smell was a bit better than my sight. As I sniffed I sensed someone flying next to me to my left. When I looked to my left I saw bright blue eyes. I tilted my head for a second and then stopped. Something my father told me was to never get distracted while flying so it's why I stopped. The blue eyes flew a little ahead of me. "I guess they didn't think I would stop" I thought to myself as I watched the eyes turn around because for a second they had disappeared and now I was looking at them once again.

Soon enough a dragon formed around the bright blue eyes. I tilted my head even more which surprised the dragon at how my head was very tilted. I realized that they were confused and stopped tilting my head giving a smile that said "sorry about that". After that the dragon cooed and flew closer to me. I was very confused because this has never happened to me before I had no idea what to expect. The dragon stopped and looked at me as if expecting me to do something. This was an awkward situation. "This must be a female if they're looking at me expecting to dance with them in the sky or something similar" I thought to myself as I just stared at her.

Knowing very little of what was happening and being completely nervous and wanting to shrink into myself cause I'm not only embarrassing myself but I would embarrass her because I wasn't a male. Looked both ways expecting one of my sisters or someone one of us knows. As soon as I saw there was no one coming this way I gulped knowing I had no other choice but to speak.

Alexis: Uh. Hiii?.

The dragon's eyes widened "Guess I was right". The dragon's white scales reflected the moonlight very well. Making her look beautiful. Though considering her reaction to my voice and finding out I'm a female I didn't bother asking if she was gonna say something.

Alexis: Well… alright. I'll be going now. Bye.

I flew past the dragon and she just flew there. And I'm pretty sure I heard her coo in curiosity as I flew off but I don't care.

As I was flying and trying to see how farther I have till I get home I saw purple and pink to my right. I knew who it was.

Alexis: How ya doing Zee?.

Zee: I wanted to see how you were doing. And I also wanted to see if you wanted to come meet my Alpha and his friend and his friend's son.

I sighed knowing Zee has often wanted me to meet them. So I figured now is as good a time as any. Besides I would have a place to sleep for the night. And I knew Zee wouldn't mind but I'd have to talk to Alpha.

*Timeskip brought to you by a chibi version of me and the Light Fury cuddling*

We arrived in the area and there were a good amount of dragons asleep. Expect the baby dragons. Zee brought me to where the human was. I saw that the human was standing in front of the Alpha. I've seen and encountered Alphas before. But I'm always nervous around them.

Zee lands right beside the human and the human starts petting Zee. I cautiously landed next to See. The Alpha noticed me which made me more nervous than before. "That human must be Valka".

Valka: Huh?. Oh a Night Fury. And a purple and brown one at that. So this must be a friend of yours Zee. 

Zee nodded in response to the human as she approached me. I just stood there with my wings drooped down on the ground as the human approached me. She put her hand out to pet me.

Valka: Hey there girl. I'm Valka. 

I sniffed her hand real quick and let her pet me. Sure I only trusted certain humans and Valka definitely was trustworthy. However soon enough I smelled something familiar and looked around. Then we heard a Monstrous Nightmare say there was someone unfamiliar in the area. I thought for a second they were talking about me till I saw familiar blue eyes staring at me to my side. Valka spotted the eyes curious of who they belonged to.

????? ????: Come on we gotta get going.

I tilted my head. Then Zee got in between me and the dragon with her tail spikes out. The blue eyes widened and soon disappeared. I smelled the dragon's scent fade away the farther she got.

 

Zee asked if I was ok. I just simply nodded. 

*Timeskip to a few hours later*

I was laying down near one of the ponds in the area. I couldn't get to sleep because I was having trouble staying still long enough to sleep. So I got up and decided I got to a certain area where I could relax for a bit. 

As I flew down I saw my favorite tree at the spot. It was a cherry blossom tree. I remember my grandpa taking me here before he died… but I flew down near the tree and laid down under it.

As I was listening to the ocean's calming sounds and slowly being lured to sleep. I heard something land on the tree and coo curiously. I looked up and for the third time today I saw the same dragon. "Well I guess she's following me… but why?." It confuses me that this dragon keeps following. So if she's gonna continue to follow I might as well spark a conversation.

Alexis: So might I ask who you are?.

I continued to stare up waiting for a response from her. I sighed knowing I wasn't gonna get far with this conversation. Thinking to myself "Must be one of those dragons who didn't get a name because they lost their parents. Might be wrong about this girl though".

Alexis: Listen Princess. Hopefully it's okay that I call you "Princess" but might I ask why you're following me?. 

I asked albeit I said it in a threatening way. Nevertheless I waited for an answer. 

????? ????: Well… I was just… curious about you?.

My eyes narrowed as she spoke. And here it's strange. I tilted my head slightly listening to her.

????? ????: I mean… it's been years since I've seen a Night Fury. Even a female Night Fury. 

I watched as she got nervous. I tilted my head even further just like the first time we met.

????? ????: Plus I couldn't help but see how you flew into a storm and didn't even camouflage yourself. 

Alexis: Well I'm not one to do that kinda stuff. Besides I don't use my camouflage ability cause I have a different tactic to stay hidden.

????? ????: Got it. So. Uh. What exactly are you doing here?.

She flew down off the tree as she spoke.

Alexis: I have trouble sleeping. So I came here to get lured to sleep by the ocean.

I looked out to the ocean and she did the same. I gave a soft hum because I often liked being here and now I knew someone else other than me knew about this place.

????? ????: So where exactly were you going to earlier unless you already had gone back to your home back there with that Alpha.

Alexis: Well it's not my home it's more of a friend's home. And I was visiting my home is like three hours away. Anyway you still haven't told me your name.

Light Fury: Oh. Well most call me Light Fury. While other light furies have names.

Alexis: Well. I guess I'll be calling you "Princess" often.

Light Fury: Alright. So… would it be ok if I join you?.

I simply nodded and she walked over and laid down beside me. Sure I wasn't expecting any of this today but I'm glad it happened. I put my wing on her to help keep her warm and as I did so I laid my head down on the ground. She tensed up but then calms and lays her head on me. This was the beginning of something new. I could tell. 

The petals came off the tree and blew away in the wind. And the moonlight was shining very bright within the night. A full moon on a lovely night is wonderful. I closed my eyes and drifted off to dreamland.

[paranymf]

Get This Right

For Hiccstrid week 2020, hosted by @shipmistress9

Hiccup Haddock is in love with Astrid Hofferson and after half a year of courting, he finally gathered enough courage to propose. But will he get it right?

Set in the 1820s, but no intentions of historical accuracy. Inspired by the song Get This Right, one of the outtakes from Frozen II.

Read this on AO3.

Hiccup looked at himself in the mirror, nodded and closed his eyes. “I’m going to do this. I can do this. I’m going to ask the most beautiful woman of Berk to marry me.” Hiccup opened his eyes again and looked in the mirror. He saw a tall guy with an untamed mop of auburn locks. The green eyes looked frightened and the smile under his freckled nose was little but convincing. The suit that he wore was slightly too big. His mother, Valka had pulled one of his father’s old suits from the attic and brought it to the tailor to fit it to Hiccup’s size. Even though Hiccup was only a head’s length shorter than Stoick, his late father, Stoick was bulky and muscular and Hiccup was… not. More accurately: quite the opposite of Stoick. When Hiccup looked at his left foot, he started to fiddle with the pants, maybe they could cover up the loss of a limb there. “Hey, stop the fiddling and let me get a good look at you.” Valka just walked into the room and Hiccup turned around. Valka straightened his jacket, his pants and his shirt. She took a step backwards and smiled at him. “You got the ring?” Hiccup crossed his hand over his heart, right where the pocket of his jacket was with the little box.  “Yes,” he said breathlessly. Valka’s eyes started to water. “Oh, how I wish your father could’ve seen this. My little boy is going to ask someone to marry him!” Valka pulled Hiccup in for a hug and he patted his mother on her back and rolled his eyes. “You’re already assuming she says yes.” Valka pulled back. “Why wouldn’t she? You’re a match made in Valhalla!” “Yeah, but what if she says n-” Valka put her hand before his mouth. “Don’t,” she said and smiled. “Just enjoy the evening with Astrid and seize your moment when you propose, okay?” Hiccup rolled his eyes. “Promise me?” Valka tilted his chin, forcing him to look at her as the light of the candle danced in her sparkling eyes. “Alright,” he said. Valka smiled. “That’s my boy. Now, where is that coachman? I thought I ordered him to be here at six thirty and it’s six forty five already.” Valka left the room and Hiccup was left alone to his thoughts again. He pulled out the box and opened it. He had thought about it a lot, but he knew Astrid wouldn’t care much for a big sparkly ring loaded with diamonds. Just to make sure he cared enough for her, he got one beautiful shining diamond on it. It was small, but it was beautiful.  Just as Hiccup was ready to leave the room, something big, black and fluffy stormed in and jumped on Hiccup. “Hey,” he smiled as a big black dog tried to lick Hiccup’s face. “Toothless, be careful! Yes buddy, I love you too, but we wouldn’t-oh no!” When Toothless adjusted his foot to support himself better on Hiccup, Hiccup had gotten hold of the ring and it fell out of his hands. Hiccup saw it roll on the floor and it disappeared under the drawer. Hiccup dropped to his knees and looked under the drawer for the ring. Just as he located it, he immediately tried to grab it with his hand, but missed. The ring rolled further and it stopped right beside the drawer, right where Toothless was. The dog was interested by the sparkling diamond and sniffed the ring. “Nononono, Toothless, that’s not edible.” Hiccup pushed Toothless aside and grabbed the ring from the floor. With his jacket he polished the diamond and quickly put it back in the box. “What am I going to do Toothless? How will I be able to propose if I can’t keep the ring safe?” Toothless turned his head as if to say ‘I don’t know, it was your idea’. Hiccup smiled and shook his head. “Yeah, it was.” 

“Good evening, Mr Haddock.” Hiccup looked up from his menu and saw Astrid Hofferson standing beside the table. “Astrid!” Hiccup nearly fell off his chair when he jumped up to get her chair. “Oh, please, Hiccup, don’t be such a gentleman.” Hiccup smiled. “But I want tonight to be perfect, please?” Astrid smiled and let him. She looked absolutely stunning tonight, as always. However, distracted by Astrid’s beauty, Hiccup took twice to actually grab the chair and pull it back for her. He smiled awkwardly and sat down quickly. He put up his menu quickly and tried to pull himself together. He closed his eyes. I’m gonna get this right, he repeated to himself in his head. “Hiccup?” Astrid pulled him out of his thoughts and looked at him. He gave her a questionable look. “What in Thor’s name are you doing?” Hiccup realised he was hiding in his menu, eyes closed and mouthing some words. It must have looked utterly ridiculous. He shook his weirdness off him and smiled at Astrid. “Sorry, don’t mind that.” Astrid raised her eyebrow, but decided not to question it any further. 

The whole evening was a mess, according to Hiccup. His wine tasting went horrible, his cutlery slipped out his hands multiple times and they hadn’t started dancing yet. “Oh, please, Hiccup, I’d love it if we would dance! Come on!” And Astrid pulled him from his chair and dragged him onto the dancefloor before he could protest. “Astrid,” Hiccup whispered, as he felt utterly uncomfortable. “My leg-” “Don’t worry, we’ll take it easy. They won’t notice a thing.” Hiccup bit his lip, but gave in. They danced for a few songs and he actually felt a bit more relaxed. But then, a swing song started and Astrid still wanted to continue. Hiccup tried to get along with Astrid, but he kept stepping on her toes. After a few painful looks, they decided to stop dancing. “I’m so sorry, Astrid. I didn-” “I don’t want to hear your excuses, Hiccup, it’s my fault we continued.” She stopped at their table and turned to him. “I had a great time.” She tiptoed and gave Hiccup a short kiss on his cheek. He smiled. “Come on, let’s have dessert!”

Hiccup paid for dinner, which Astrid insisted on sharing, but he wouldn’t have it. Living with her uncle wasn’t the best, especially since he didn’t earn enough money for them both. Astrid worked as a secretary at the town hall to get some extra money for the household, but it wasn’t much. So Hiccup insisted he would pay for this dinner. Especially because of the occasion, but she didn’t know that. 

After dinner, only disaster followed. As he held the door for Astrid, he was shaking. Just as she was about to walk through the door, Hiccup accidentally let go. Astrid’s reflexes were amazing so she stopped the door, but Hiccup only felt more embarrassment. After he apologized a million times, he walked right into a lamp post. “Hiccup?” Astrid asked after he shook the embarrassment off him. “Yes?” “Are you alright?” “Yes, ofcourse!” “You’ve been acting funny all night. Are you sure you wouldn’t go home and get some rest? That was one nasty smack on your head.” “Don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s just - nevermind. I wanted to take you somewhere.” Astrid smiled.  “Of course you did.” Hiccup raised his eyebrow, but didn’t question Astrid’s weird remark. He held out his arm and Astrid slid her hand through it. In her sparkling eyes he saw the dancing light of the street lantern and his heart filled with warmth. Yes, even though the evening was a disaster, this was going to be perfect. 

In the distance he saw the gazebo. “Hiccup?” Astrid looked confused. “Where are you taking us?” “This- ahum- This is a place I haven’t been to since my father died.” Astrid said nothing and looked around. Hiccup remembered the garden just as beautiful as this. “Every Saturday, we went to these gardens. My father would come straight from his Saturday morning meeting and my mother would bring the picnic basket. When I was younger, my mother asked the maid to make some snacks and sandwiches. As I grew older, I prepared the food for the picnic, so everyone did their part for the family time.” “What did your father do, then?” “If the meeting would run late, he would stop it when it was time for him to go. Only once a week this would happen, and never during any other meeting he would stop the meeting, but this one he would. Or, in better words, they would continue without him.”  Astrid smiled. “And you haven’t been here in seven years.” Hiccup nodded. “After he died, my mother and I never felt like going because…” “It would only bring up memories.” Astrid finished his sentence. Hiccup nodded quietly. Astrid looked around and took up all the beauty in the gardens. Hiccup admired her with a smile and took her hand. “Come, I have to show you this gazebo.” “A- what?” “A gazebo.” Astrid’s eyes lit up when she saw it. “Oh, Hiccup, this is beautiful!” Astrid let go of his hand and ran up to the gazebo. Hiccup, again amazed by Astrid’s beauty, thought he had to step on the chairs already but missed the step and almost fell forward. He quickly recovered and this times really walked up the stairs. “I love it.” Astrid took his hands, tiptoed again and gave him a kiss on his lips. Hiccup smiled.  “I love you,” he said. “I love you too.” They both smiled at each other. “This is actually the place were my father asked my mother to marry him.” Astrid’s smile grew. “He did?” “Yes. Mom told me he gave this big speech about love and she didn’t understand a thing what he said. Turns out he was really nervous and didn’t really know how to do it. She wanted to get a better look at the view of the garden and then turned around. There he was, on his knees, with a ring and questionable look.” As Astrid chuckled and looked at the view, Hiccup smoothly tried to get the box with the ring from his pocket, only to find it wasn’t there. Did he put it in the pockets of his pants? Another pocket of his jacket? He slowly started to panic when he couldn’t find it. Astrid felt his distress and carefully squeezed his hand. “Hiccup, are you sure you are okay?” 

He ruined it. He lost the box with the ring and now he couldn’t properly propose to Astrid. He completely ruined it and now she would be completely disappointed. She probably already had a hunch and then nothing would happen, because he lost the ring. He could slap himself in the face right now, but all he did was freeze in panic, standing completely still. Coming back to his senses, he looked apologetic at Astrid. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, turned around and started to run away. “Hiccup, wait!” On the last step of the gazebo he stopped and turned around. Astrid was on her knee and helt out a box with a ring, his ring. “Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, will you marry me?”  Hiccup was completely gobsmacked. The first question that went through his head was where did she get the box? The second was did she knew all the time that I was going to propose? And the third was is Astrid Hofferson asking me to marry her?  But then, after he processed that all, he couldn’t care less. He wanted to ask her to marry him, but he completely ruined it. She saved him. As always. He smiled, walked up the gazebo again. Hiccup dropped to his knees, took her hands in his. “Yes. Yes, my dearest Astrid Hofferson. I will definitely marry you.” 

[natsumebookss]

Pictured: the aforementioned incident I put in the tag, in which Chevalier is a dick and puts her leader on blast to make a point. Also pictured: in which Espoir/Valka has a berserker mode and really, really does not like having one.

Most magical girls after learning the villain tried to kill their dark counterpart after she outlived her usefulness: *shows unwavering sympathy towards their former enemy, hoping to reform them*

Actress Chevalier, the second she finds out the Manufacturer tried to kill Koto: "Heard you just got fired. Bet that fucking sucks."