Author's note : This was inspired by my partner looking after me when I had a fever like Eivor in real life so I decided to do a fanfic one on Eivor and Oswald and put it into fiction too . Shoutout to my partner for giving me this idea! It was also written when I was recovering from said fever. Like Eivor I did feel like shit indeed….
Eivor woke up with a start , tossing and turning in the covers with cold sweats . Her head was killing her and she was feeling hot and cold at the same time . A fever was brewing up . She rubbed her temples vigorously to ease the headache to no avail. Her husband Oswald was sleeping peacefully next to her , unaware his wife was unwell and in pain .
They had had a simple lunch of a stew in their cottage kitchen at Beteleah Farm , to warm up on a cold winter's day . Afterwards they had retired for a mid afternoon nap in bed like they sometimes did . It would have been any normal afternoon at the cottage - if not for Eivor's illness .
"Aaaghhh" Eivor grunted in pain as her head continued throbbing . It was almost as if someone was beating her up and punching her on the head - a feeling she once knew a few years back as a Vikingr . Only nobody was actually hurting her .
Oswald woke up with a start from the noise and the bed moving and thrashing from Eivor . He looked up to see an unwell Eivor with her hands on her head in pain .
He gently looked at her with concern, stroking her cheek meeting her blue eyes as they faced each other .
"What's wrong dear?" He asked with concern
"My head Oswald. It's fucking killing me" Eivor groaned swearing
Oswald gulped . He touched her forehead which was now dripping in sweat . "Oh no. You're unwell . You have a fever don't you?"
"I think I do . Aghhhh" Eivor groaned in sharp pain again as she felt stabbing sensations piercing her head .
Oswald sat up abruptly moving closer to his wife . Concern was now showing in his deep green eyes .
"You're hot . I think I have an idea - I know how to cool you down" Oswald got up springing to action
"Be back in a second I'm just getting something that I think would help" he quickly darted off informing Eivor before he left for the kitchen .
Oswald poured some water from the cauldron which had now cooled down after being boiled , and grabbed a small linen cloth as well . He placed the cloth in the water inside the bowl - then took it out wringing it before going back inside the bedroom .
He sat on a stool close to Eivor .
"Sit up" he gently instructed her
Eivor nodded weakly as she mustered all her strength to sit up on the bed . Oswald placed the wet cloth back in the water helping Eivor wash off the sweat off her face and to cool her down .
"There I hope you're cooler now. And not as hot"
"That does help . I feel better and cooler now" Eivor sighed feeling a bit better after Oswald had washed her face
.
"That's good. Now lay back down and get some rest . Keep this cloth on your head it should keep you cool" he informed her
Eivor nodded weakly once more before curling herself up in a ball, as the cold of the fever and the chills settled in she was now too cold .
Oswald quickly noticed abruptly leaving the room once more to add some more logs onto the fire as they were running low and the fireplace was burning on its last legs .
"There. It should be warmer now" he told Eivor, coming back to the bed and sitting next to her .
Eivor looked up at him shivering and shuddering teeth chattering . She couldn't even respond . Oswald noticed and wrapped the furs and covers back tighter over her before removing the cloth that was on her head and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead .
"It's alright Eivor. I'm here . I'm not going anywhere until you get better" he continued stroking her and reassuring her
"I want to make you feel better" he added
The pain of the illness and Oswald's soft words - brought some tears to Eivor's eyes . How did she get so lucky with a husband who would drop everything in an instant to look after her ? Even now when they had been married years - Oswald had not changed . His love for her remained as strong as it was when they first met .
"Shhh it's alright darling . Don't cry" Oswald soothed her, giving her a light kiss on her cheeks . "Rest up my love . I'll find some medicine for you . You'll get through this I promise" he had to stop at the last part , to stop himself breaking too .
It hurt him so much to see his darling angel . His darling fighter and warrior - in so much pain . Every-time Eivor would come back hurt it would kill him so much inside . Thankfully it wasn't as bad as it was before - such as after the expedition in Norway when she came back with a stab wound . This was much more minor . Still, because of his strong love for Eivor, seeing her in pain always broke his heart .
He carried on stroking and soothing her, trying his best to push those unpleasant memories away and to focus on now. What was happening , right now . Eventually after some relaxing rubs and massages from Oswald - she fell into a deep peaceful slumber one where she wasn't tossing and turning .
After making sure Eivor was sleeping well , Oswald gently closed the door to the bedroom and entered the kitchen .
"Recipe Recipe Recipe" he Murmured to himself as his hands scanned the shelf above the counter for some old books
"Ah Recipe for a Fever. Herbal brews" he confirmed, picking up an old tattered book of Medicinal brews written by Valka .
Oswald flicked the worn pages of the book, looking at the ingredients list . 5 pieces of lavender branches, a handful of herbs , and juice from a pig. Boil for 5 mins in a cauldron . Mix and then leave to settle for 2 mins . Drink and it should help with the chills and the temperature . The book read
Oswald knew what he had to do and the ingredients needed for the brew were right in front of him within arm's reach of Beteleah Farm .
He opened the door to the cottage and left. It was grey, gloomy, windy and cold outside . The wind whipped his hair as he walked through the nearby meadow of Beteleah in a neighbouring farm .
He found the lavender needed for the brew , and with his pocket knife he cut the branches required. Next it was the pig juice. The most disgusting part . He had to find some pigs and squeeze the liquid out of the pig . It stank and it was cruel - he hated doing it but to make Eivor better . He would do anything .
The herbs there were some left in the pantry he could add that in. Once everything had been gathered he set to work mixing and brewing it . A strong smell and smoke came from the kitchen . It wasn't pleasant . Still Oswald pushed through with it in the hopes Valka's recipe would work and make Eivor feel better . Which he wanted .
After 5 minutes he set the brew down and mixed it leaving it to settle for two minutes . He tested it with a spoon and nearly spat it out . It was disgusting - but it seemed to taste right . None of the brews were supposed to be pleasant anyway .
He gently opened the bedroom door, being careful not to wake up Eivor. She was still fast asleep snoozing and snoring away in bed . Oswald gently propped down the brew on the bedside table waiting patiently for Eivor to wake up as he sat on a stool next to her .
He gently held and squeezed her hand which was outstretched in her unconscious sleeping position , while looking at her the entire time . He touched her forehead briefly . It wasn't as hot . She wasn't sweating anymore . Her body temperature was more stable than it was before . Which was good . It made him a bit more relieved to see that she was getting better and making progress while he was gone .
He briefly broke apart from her to make a quick prayer to the Lord . Closing his eyes in prayer he silently murmured .
Please, Lord . Give my wife Eivor the Strength to get through this and to get better . I need her . Thank you. Amen
Eivor woke up with a start just as Oswald opened his eyes and put his hands away having finished his prayer .
"Eivor! How are you feeling?" Oswald exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Eivor waking up.
"I'm feeling a bit rusty but generally I'm feeling a lot better" Eivor replied
"Good, I'm glad . I'm glad my beautiful wife is feeling a lot better with some rest. Here I bought some medicine for you" Oswald picked up the brew which was in a small black bowl
"What is this?" A raspy Eivor frowned at the liquid
"A brew . One of Valka's recipes. It should make you feel better hopefully" Oswald answered informing Eivor
"I see," Eivor said, understanding now .
Oswald picked up a spoon moving closer to Eivor who was now sitting up . "Open up . I'm going to feed you some medicine" he instructed her
Eivor did as she was told , like an obedient child and opened up her mouth . As Oswald fed her the liquid . She grimaced it was disgusting - but she grinned and beared it . After all Oswald had spent time and effort making it in the hopes she would get better while she lay in bed doing nothing . It was the least she could do for him .
"All done now" Oswald placed the bowl and spoon back to where it was before, on the bedside table as he leaned in to Eivor giving her a light kiss .
Eivor kissed him back with all the strength she could muster , feeling a bit woozy at the same time . Oswald pulled back from her .
"Feeling hungry?" He asked his wife
"Oh I'm absolutely ravenous . I feel like I could eat an entire feast. My appetite isn't affected by this fever it seems" Eivor joked lightly , regaining some of her energy back
Oswald smiled seeing Eivor slightly better and back to her usual cheerful self .
"Alright . I'll fix you up a feast . One fit for a Vikingr and queen . Including your favourite foods too" he smiled warmly at her, getting up to move once again so he could prepare a feast for her
Oswald was about to leave, turning the door handle when Eivor stopped him from afar .
"And Oswald" She called out to him stopping him in his tracks as he turned around to face her
"What my lovely ?" He asked her patiently
"Thank you . For looking after me . You don't have to do this . Put down everything just so you can look after your sick wife"
Oswald scoffed dismissing Eivor without hesitation . "You don't have to thank me . I love you and would be happy to do anything for you . Remember that"
Eivor smiled with a heart full of warmth for her husband . "I will . I love you too and I'll remember . Now get that ass moving ! I want my feast!" She playfully joked waving him off
Oswald laughed as he closed the door behind him and moved to the kitchen to prepare a Vikingr feast . One fit for a warrior and Queen . His warrior and Queen.