Ravensthorpe, 879
Eivor Varinsdottir was sitting on her bed when a letter had arrived. She opened the letter to receive some shocking news.
Eivor,
I have been dethroned by Guthrum and now I am no longer allowed to stay in Elmenham as my riches and job has been taken from me. He has replaced me. Despite him owning a longhouse and ruling from Norwich as the new King of East Anglia I am no longer allowed access to Elmenham. Guards will come pick me up at 7am to escort me out tomorrow morning. I am so upset that everything I had worked so hard for over the years have all gone down the drain. I really thought my reign would have lasted longer. And now a Dane Heathen has replaced me all the way from Jorvik. This is not how I saw my future at all. I guess I am back to where I started then. Back to the farm I go then.
Oswald
She placed the letter back on the table in shock. Last time she had seen Oswald at Elmenham, he looked happy and content inside the longhouse of Elmenham and his crown had suited him. During the past 6 years East Anglia hadn't been invaded and the Danes and the Saxons had been living in peace like how he always dreamed of and how he always wanted them to. He was doing his job perfectly fine, and quite well so Why did Guthrum replace him all of a sudden? She knew she needed to go to Oswald and see him instantly after getting the message. However not before consulting with her ravens as she was now Jarlskona and had responsibility of the settlement.
Walking out of the longhouse, Eivor rang the feast bell. The residents thought she was hosting a feast but that wasn't her intention. She had planned mentally after reading the letter what her next move was. It was nightfall when all the residents gathered from their huts and various settlements.
She stood on the stage in front of everyone who gathered quietly staring waiting for her words.
"Friends! Fellow Ravens. We have come here not to feast but to say Goodbye" She announced
The residents looked at each other in confusion muttering to each other.
"Quiet! Enough! Let me speak!" Eivor shouted at the residents who immediately stopped to look back at their Jarl
"I am stepping down from Ravensthorpe, I have decided that I no longer want to be Jarl here or a Vikingr anymore. I resign"
The residents gasped, all looking at each other.
"Randvi I assign you as the new Jarl. And Hytham please take over me and keep the brotherhood and assassins safe."
"But Eivor Why?" A concerned and confused Hytham asked
"Yes, Eivor What's going on this is unlike you" Randvi asked worried too
"It's Oswald. He's been dethroned as king. He's upset and needs me. I can't stay here anymore. I'm sorry" Eivor apologised looking guilty
An angry resident who had heard the conversation shouted. "It's always Oswald this Oswald that isn't it. You don't care about us. You would even leave us . Your clansmen and friends who you have known for years for one man. A pathetic loser who couldn't even hold out his reign"
"Yeah. He's right you know! Oswald is a pathetic loser!" The rest of the residents called out angrily joining in
Eivor slammed the table once again making everyone jump back in surprise and shock.
"He is not a loser. He is my husband. I have given up my relationship long enough to secure the security of this clan and to build and give you a home for the past 6 years choosing to stay here and live away from him. And this is how you talk to your Jarl. If it wasn't for me. You wouldn't even have a home. So think again before you start calling people losers. You wouldn't be shit without me!" she snapped at them
"I would like to see if any of you can step in my position. Being asked to stay away from your husband for years to look after an entire settlement. I would like to see you try" She continued to tell off the stunned settlement
Everyone gulped not daring to say a word knowing deep down that Eivor was right. That they wouldn't be shit without her.
"We are done here!" she yelled dismissing everyone as they slowly walked out of the longhouse back to their various huts across the settlement.
Eivor went into her room taking one last look while she packed her belongings. The room that she had known for the past 6 years, her new home in England. Once she left there was no turning back. Everything that she had built was given to the hands of Randvi and Hytham now. To start a new life with Oswald where they had nothing as he had lost his riches as the title - King was now stripped off him. It better be worth it. And not in Vain. It would be a shame to lose everything because of one man. He better not let her down.
She walked out of the longhouse out towards the dark. The settlement was quiet and most of the lights had gone off as it was now close to midnight. Eivor had decided to choose midnight to leave as leaving at another time wouldn't have gone well she knew that based on the reaction earlier on in the evening from her fellow clans mates. She would rather paddle by herself in peace all the way to Elmenham then incur the judgmental disdain wrath of her longship crew.
She was packing her stuff and putting it on the tiny boat when Valka stopped her in her tracks.
"Going so soon in the middle of the night, Eivor?" She asked
Eivor turned around to see an unimpressed Valka facing her. Great. Just what she needed when she was about to leave. She thought she had gotten away with it, but clearly not.
"Yes. You saw the reactions in there. It's best I leave now when they're all asleep" Eivor sighed replying trying her best to keep her annoyance inside of her
"And What would that change Eivor?" Valka asked crossing her arms in disapproval
"Not Now, Valka. I have to do this. Now leave me alone. I want to be alone" Eivor turned looking away from Valka unable to hide her annoyance anymore
"As you wish. Goodbye Friend" she said, shaking her head as she walked back towards Ravensthorpe.
Eivor sighed as she hopped into the little boat now that the packing was all done and paddled away into the quiet night to Elmenham.
When she got to Elmenham, the lights inside of the longhouse were still on. Oswald must have still been awake even at this hour. Eivor thought. He must be distressed at the situation. Eivor didn't blame him. Not too long ago she had been in the same situation having to leave Norway due to King Harald's takeover of Fornburg.
She walked towards the longhouse for the last time entering trying to find Oswald.
He was there by the fireplace on his throne sitting nervously fingers on his mouth again. Bags were under his eyes and his forehead and face was creased with lines. He looked like he had aged 20 years from the stress, all youthful features gone. She sat down opposite him and squeezed his hand.
"Oswald, I'm here" Eivor gently said looking at Oswald
He moved his fingers from his mouth getting up to cuddle her. Eivor cuddled him back .
"I'm so glad you're here. I couldn't sleep half the night. I was worrying" he breathed out a sigh of relief seeing her
"Of course. I just had to come when I got your letter. I'm here now and whatever you decide to do. I will follow you. I can't leave you now not when you need me most" She spoke gently to him looking into his eyes
Oswald looked back at Eivor's eyes. Full of love and admiration for him even when he was in this situation. He knew he had made the right choice 6 years ago to marry her after they first met.
"Thank you Eivor. But you really didn't have to. My misfortunes shouldn't have to do with you. I've taken enough from you already" he insisted
Eivor put a finger to his lips shushing him "Remember the vows we made when we got married?" She asked him "No matter what, in sickness and health for richer and poorer we always stick together. I'm not leaving you. This isn't your fault. Halfdan is silly to replace you with Guthrum. You were an amazing king and still are. Even if they can't see it. I see it"
Oswald nodded remembering the day that they had got married, the first day of his reign. Even on his last night as the East Anglian King she was still with him. To the start to the end they would always be together.
"So your really fine even if I was to say that tomorrow we go back to being farmers. To ordinary farmhands and people that mean nothing special?" he asked looking into her
Eivor chuckled. "Of course Silly" she slapped him on the arm as Oswald smiled at her nickname for him. "Did you not hear a word I just said, I don't care what you are whether your a peasant or King. I just want you. I left my home and now my clan and everything I have built just for you. Isn't that enough proof that I love you?" she asked him
"Eivor... You didn't have to" Oswald murmured feeling tears well up in his eyes
"Your one stubborn bastard aren't you?" Eivor rolled her eyes "Now hush" she said leaning in forward to give him a kiss
Oswald leaned forward into her, returning the kiss. He missed her and her touch; they had been away from each other too long. He was hungry for more and for her. He devoured at her hungrily as Eivor pushed the table away from them so they could get closer and perched on his lap.
They pulled back with Oswald's hands brushing his wife's ass as she sat on top of him. He nuzzled onto her with his nose as she did the same to him.
"Tomorrow we go to Beteleah Farm, the same farm we first met 6 years ago and settle down there. The house has been abandoned for many years since you killed all of Rued's raiders and we wiped them out. It would be nice to go back there and make it our home" he smiled at her
"Ah, a small cottage. I can imagine us living there raising sheep" Eivor chuckled thinking back on what Broder had said about Oswald and him "Sheep-herding" all those years ago
"Me too. I can teach you. I actually was a sheep herder and farmer before all of this. Broder wasn't wrong" Oswald informed Eivor
"You were really a sheep farmer before? I thought you was just a farmer but not specifically sheep" Eivor said in disbelief
"Yes I was the King of sheep shit. I was in charge of the sheep. They listened to me" Oswald said shrugging
Eivor let out another deep laugh thinking on what Rued had said at the wedding calling him a sheep fucker . Oswald missed her laugh and the way her head moved back when she laughed. It was cute and sounded like music to his ears. It warmed his heart and made him smile over hearing it.
Perhaps a new start at Beteleah farm with Eivor post king wouldn't be so bad after all.