Author's Note: This was inspired by a Tumblr headcanon that I found, I've already given credit to the author on A03, but thought I will also do on here as well on the crossposted version. Jikanet-tanaka, Thank you for giving me permission to put your idea on paper, I have given credit to you already on the other one but thought I would do so on this one as well.
For the rest of you, I hope you enjoy as well! Also my stats and views seem to be glitching out even though people have viewed my fic, it still says 0, So if you read the whole fic, can you please leave a comment so I know that you reached the end. It can be anything - a smiley face, a random letter, just anything so I know you've read it. Thanks!
"Eivor no!" Oswald ran out of his cell towards Eivor as she stood in front of him, ready to cut Rued down.
Eivor turned to face Oswald once more, as he frowned and scutnized her.
"He should be tried before God, a Lawful assembly" Oswald continued
Rued who was on his knees, started to laugh and laugh. The sound sounding like a god awful cackling.
Eivor frowned at Rued, gripping her axe tightly as she fought every urge to just kill him right now, especially when he was being so goddamn annoying. It wasn't helping.
I can't wait to smash his face in and silence him once and for all. Here he is laughing at Oswald thinking this is all funny after everything he did to my clan, East Anglia and Valdis. How dare he laugh back at the man who is trying to spare him out of mercy right now. He doesn't even deserve a trial, he deserves death.
"I will not have more blood spilt than is needed" Oswald's stern voice woke Eivor up from her reverie once more.
Suddenly, time stopped when Odin came along, freezing the scene and Oswald, taking her to a dark black room instead.
"This man must die for all the wrong and chaos he has brought. The old laws say so"
"These are Oswald's lands to rule as King as he sees fit. To defy a King would be to shame him. East Anglia cannot heal without his honour intact"
Odin reached closer to Eivor, proceeding to whisper in her ear "What about your honour Eivor, How much are you willing to lose?"
He then proceeded to click his fingers as he walked away, leaving Eivor on her own and back to the present right away.
Oswald frowned at her scrutnizing, as to say "Well then?" with his expression, whilst Rued was still on the ground, looking away from her also waiting for impending death.
Eivor hesistated as she debated on what to do. Initally she wanted to spare Rued, before Odin got involved and whispered bad thoughts in her ears. She didn't want to shame him, but what Rued did really was too much.
Why is he even trying to spare him anyway? I don't understand, this man tried to kill him by beating him into a bloody pulp, then he also abused his fiancee as well and destroyed and burned villages, probably even his parents as he grew up here, yet he still wants to spare him?
If not for him, for Valdis. She should be able to live free and happy without worrying about such a disgusting mongrel. It will be better in the long run if he is gone. Perhaps Oswald may change his mind when he realises I'm doing it for his fiancee and kind of for him as well, I want them to be happy, I want him to be happy with Valdis- even if it means being a little selfish on my behalf.
"He must die for what he's done, That is our way Oswald" Eivor spoke sternly making her decision
Oswald gasped, as Eivor readied her axe ready to swing it and end Rued.
"Eivor. Please" he weakly begged but it was futile.
Seconds later, Eivor roared as she struck him down, with one hit the Dane Menace of East Anglia fell to his death as Oswald shook his head in despair at the scene in front of him.
"Blood for Blood leaves no warmth in the hearts of men Eivor, none at all" he gritted at her as he proceeded to storm off.
Eivor looked back at him confused.
Huh? I thought he would be happy, but he seems the opposite. What does he mean by that, that Blood for Blood leaves no warmth in the hearts of men? Does he mean that he felt something for me before I killed Rued?
Eivor froze as realisation hit her, and she proceeded to sit on an armoured bench nearby.
Oh shit. He probably did and now I fucked it all up. Way to go Eivor, you've pissed him off and probably lost a potential alliance for the clan and a friend now, now you won't ever have a chance with him.
Not that you did anyway.
Meanwhile, Oswald was on the other side of the fort, staring at the sunrise and the gate, shaking and lost in his thoughts.
I trusted her. I really did. When I met and saw her, I started to think that maybe I was wrong, that the Danes are different, that they aren't just aggressive brutes who kill innocents. Which was hard, considering that I lost my own parents to Danes. Then she came into my life and changed my viewpoint on everything, until now. Or was I kidding myself all this time? Was I so blinded by love that I lost my footing and couldn't see the truth for what it really was? They will always be the same, no matter who they are. No matter what generation, No matter how beautiful they look on the surface. Beauty can hide wickedness. It tricks and fools you.
Eivor stared looking towards Oswald's direction as she saw that his back was to her, as he stared at the sunrise
I need to talk to him, Check if he's alright. It's been some time now, hopefully he's calmed down. If I explain to him it was because I was looking out for Valdis, perhaps he will calm down a bit, as he will know that I was on looking out for him and her.
Eivor cautiously and gingerly approached him, heading for his direction.
"Oswald" she started bringing his attention as he glared at her, turning around to face her.
Eivor gulped. Uh oh. This doesn't look good he's still pissed at me.
"Just leave me alone, Eivor" he snapped
Hearing his tone, Eivor lost all composure, she no longer could keep quiet without saying anything.
I killed his fiancee's ex for him and this is how he treats me? A thank you would be nice.
"What is your problem? I just killed your fiancee's ex and here you are sulking over it. Just get over it"
"The problem is I trusted you. I trusted you not to kill him and you did. That is the problem" he seethed back at her
Eivor rolled her eyes back. "Of course I was going to kill him. With the way he treated Valdis and you, that was a definite. I wasn't just going to stand by and let him continue, If left alive he could of been a threat to East Anglia and not just that your fiancee as well. So it was in the best interest to kill him off. If not for you, for Valdis"
Hopefully that will change his mind, now that I explained it was because it was for Valdis and that I was only looking out for them, like a good friend would do. He doesn't know how I sarcrificed my own happiness and selfishness just to let them be together. Maybe that's why I'm so mad. He thinks I'm a selfish arsehole when I'm not, because if I was, I would of spared him just to make him happy and have him for myself, but no.
"Me and Valdis' issues is none of your concern and none of your business. You shouldn't of gotten involved. I could of handled him"
Eivor gasped taken aback by his words. Are you kidding me? He is the one who asked for my help in the first place? What the hell? Did he hit his head on something?
She couldn't hold in her anger anymore.
Laughing bitterly she spoke "None of my concern? I'm pretty sure it is. Her ex was pratically parading around the country, burning down and destroying my clan, and hurting a friend of mine and also your FIANCEE, and yet you couldn't give two shits and would rather he continue all because of some stupid belief of yours. Also actually you called me here, so it is my business. My business to sort out a King who can't handle his fiancee's ex properly, thus causing terror in East Anglia as a result and citizens killed all because your a soft coward who can't handle yourself"
It was now Oswald's turn to be taken aback and flinch at her harsh words. He couldn't help but feel fuming anger topple over him. Before he could stop it, he found himself shouting.
"I don't care. I am King here, and you are just a nobody. You disobeyed a direct order from me. I could of have had you punished for treason but I chose not to. I gave you a chance Eivor, I really did"
"Fine. If that's how you speak to me, then I will get out of your way. If you can't see that I was being a good friend and looking out for you then I will leave. Goodbye Oswald" Eivor snapped back as she stormed out
Oswald shook his head in disbelief and frustraion as Eivor walked away, leaving him all by himself once more.
The next day.
It came the day of the Wedding, Eivor's last day in East Anglia and what was supposed to be a happy end and occassion for everyone. Eivor nervously walked towards the Church, having just docked from her longship.
After the incident with Rued and Oswald, Eivor had chosen to go home back to Ravesnthorpe to give him Space. She felt that she no longer could sleep in the Spare room at Elmenham's longhouse not after their last conversation.
He hates me. I don't even know why I am bothering after what he last said to me. I've never seen this side of him, but I haven't known him long only a few weeks, so it's hard to say.
At least I know his true side, that he is nothing except for a bad tempered, threatening prick just like Sigurd was when Sigurd didn't like my decisions back at home.
Eivor tried to push the memory and the thought away of Sigurd losing his marbles at her that time she made a decision on Holger and Alger that he didn't like. He had screamed at her in a humilating tirade in front of Randvi bereating her for her decisions.
Why is it when I do something for the good of everyone it just ends up in my face? Eivor sighed, wondering.
Well, I'm here now.
She nervously approached the Church, seeing that it was all decorated with petal leaves everywhere, Eivor tried to distract herself , admiring the decor and the scenary instead.
This looks nice, he really did make an effort. Oh well at least he will like Valdis more than me now after what I did.
Oswald stood in front of the church in his white wedding robes, as he shifted from feet to feet nervously.
I wonder will Eivor even come? After what I said to her? I don't blame her if she doesn't. She went home last night, clearly to avoid me. What I said was out of line, I shouldn't of threatned her no matter how angry I was. God she must hate me now.
I hope she comes, so I can apologise and make amends. I don't want to finish on bad terms with her, even if I didn't like what she did.
He had a change of heart overnight. After having some time to himself, he realised and started to feel bad for his words. He had went to the spare chambers upstairs where she usually slept. He had planned to knock on her door in case she was getting changed, but he didn't need to. The door was open ajar indicating she had left hours before, probably when he was making his way over back home from the castle, his heart panged when the realisation of what he did, hit him.
I will never get to apologise to her. She will always think I hate her when that's not the case. I was just a little mad that's all, not that she thinks that after what I said.
So he was very suprised when he looked up to see Eivor in front of him.
"Oswald" she started nervously and quietly
Oswald could tell that she was nervous as she was fidgeting with the armoured gauntlets as she spoke. So he Smiled in an attempt to relax her and make her feel at ease.
"Eivor! I'm so glad you came, I thought you wouldn't. I was starting to worry that you wouldn't turn up, and I don't blame you after how I lashed out at you yesterday"
Eivor's face dropped, before she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I promised I would come didn't I? And here I am"
Oswald grinned relieved that she had forgiven him for his outburst.
She seems fine with it. That's good. I'm glad I didn't put her off coming. I was starting to wonder how I was going to explain to Valdis if Eivor didn't come. She didn't notice that Eivor was missing, only Finnr did. Finnr knows the truth of our argument.
Oswald had sat on the table, unable to sleep as he chewed his nails. Finnr walked in seeking a mug of ale, when he was suprised by the sight of Oswald sitting on the table, unable to sleep at this late hour.
"Oswald? What are you doing up so late? Shouldn't you be asleep?" Finnr dropped his mug as he stepped closer to Oswald, concerned.
Oswald chewed his nails further, as he continued to worry anxiously, wondering how on earth he was going to tell Finnr what happened.
"Women problems eh?" Finnr prompted before he sat down next to Oswald, plopping himself on the stool.
Oswald looked at him suprised as Finnr chuckled. "It's Eivor isn't it. I noticed how she wasn't in her room like she usually is"
Oswald removed his fingers from his mouth as he stopped chewing and placed them down. "Yes. I've been up half the night. We got into an argument after she killed Rued. Obviously I was a bit unhappy so I said some things. Nasty things. I called her a nobody and threatned her. Obviously that upset her causing her to leave. I've ruined it with her haven't I?"
"Ah Rued. I saw that"
"You did?" Oswald asked taken aback
"Yes. I was there as well. I saw the whole fight you had with her"
"Oh" Oswald sunk his head in embarassment, having been caught fighting with Eivor.
Finnr scooted closer, placing a hand on his shoulder, suprising him.
"Oh don't you worry, she'll come around in no time" he winked
Oswald looked back at him confused. "What do you mean, Finnr?"
Finnr nudged him on the shoulder. "It's obvious. Eivor likes you. She may act all tough and hard, but deep down under that tough posture she really cares about you, like a lot. I can tell. She'll come around in time. And if she doesn't, well you know then don't you. Situations like these expose a person's true feelings towards you"
Oswald raised an eyebrow, not believing what he heard. "You think?"
Finnr nudged him once more "Not I think Oswald. I know"
He gasped, flushing at the revealation. "Your not going to tell Valdis are you? I don't want to ruin things further. Eivor really likes her as a friend and Valdis is the same back. I don't want to even mess that up"
Finnr chuckled shaking his head. "No. That is between you and Valdis. I am not in a place to intervene"
Oswald sighed relieved. "I hope your right Finnr"
Finnr got up waving a hand dismissing him. "Good night Oswald, get some sleep"
Oswald nodded back. "I will do Finnr, Good night to you too"
Back to the present day, Oswald gestured for Eivor to follow him into the Church.
"The Wedding is soon to start, Come"
Eivor followed him in as she strayed at the back, hanging further away from everyone. She had decided to stay at the back and hide away from everyone so nobody could see the inevitable jealousy that would come, when Valdis would walk in.
I wonder how beautiful she looks today, especially since it is a wedding she probably would be in a fancy white dress or something, making her prettier than usual. I know I am not the prettiest with a scar on my neck, so I won't be suprised if he is smitten with her especially when she is all dressed fancily and in expensive silk and robes.
Eventually after some impatient waiting, Valdis walked in with her brothers. Eivor stared as Valdis who was clad in a white wedding dress with grey furs, walked in with her two brothers.
Eivor frowned as she started to feel resentment and jealousy forming. Instead she pushed it away, trying to force herself to maintain her composure.
If I leave now, that will arouse suspicion. I can't just walk out like that, just because I can't bare to see them together, I must keep my cover. She thought to herself.
Oswald frowned, looking down on the carpeted ground instead of Valdis as Eivor stared from afar.
Wait What? Why isn't he looking at her? What is going on? Alert she stood up from slouhing and leaning against the church's wall.
I can't face her. Knowing that she is the reason Rued is dead. That Eivor killed him because of the fact that he was an abusive monster to her.
Valdis approached, moving closer to Oswald as she arrived to where he was. Seeing that she had reached where he was, he turned around ready to do the next part of the process.
The reeve, Wynstann stood in front of them, opening and placing the golden rings ready for Valdis to take it. She smiled, taking the ring. Oswald reluctantly reached his hand to her as she slid it on his finger.
Valdis face dropped and she frowned in concern and confusion as she saw that Oswald wasn't smiling back at her, he looked grumpy and like he didn't want to be there and as if somebody forced him to.
Why is he looking at me like that? I know we hardly know each other, but at least couldn't he pretend to be happier? What is bothering him?
Oswald placed the ring back on her finger as she placed her hand out to him, so he could reach her.
They turned around once more, as Finnr spoke grinning proudly. "I hereby pronounce you man and wife" Valdis glanced towards Oswald once more seeing that his expression was one of a grim one.
I guess I am not suprised. After all this is an arranged marriage. If he doesn't feel the same or wants to marry me, that is understandable. This is different. Unlike Rued who actually did like me at least in the very beginning, then he turned.
She tried not to spit at that thought. At least he is dead now, Thanks to Eivor, he can't hurt me anymore.
The crowd cheered and clapped breaking Valdis thoughts. She forced a smile for the crowd, but Eivor wasn't fooled, she could tell from her expression that something was wrong, between the pair of them.
Later, Eivor kept herself busy with the fesitivites, engaging in an archery competition and drinking match with Broder, however she couldn't help but shoot a glance towards Oswald who was on the stage with Valdis. The pair weren't talking to each other, not even making small talk and Valdis looked bored and miserable to be there. None of them were making an effort to talk to each other.
Oswald shifted on his feet uncomfortably as he tried to plan out what he was going to say to the citizens, and how he was going to deliever the grim news of Rued's death to all of them.
What will they think of me as a King? Will they look down on me? Will they think me weak because Eivor failed to heed my order?
Just as Eivor was making her way to Oswald, having been fed up of the festivities, she heard two women gossiping by the drinks cauldron.
"I heard Oswald's call for Rued to be Spared wasn't heeded" one of them said
"Oh? Why?" The other woman asked suprised
The first woman answered back. "It was Eivor" she said quietly "Eivor broke his call, she killed him against his order"
The second woman tutted, shaking her head in disapproval. "Well he's not a very worthy king is he, if he made an order and nobody listened"
Eivor walked away unable to listen any longer, as guilt crept up.
I made the people doubt Oswald now, I was supposed to be helping him make the people believe in him, now it's backfired all because of my descion. I thought I was helping him but I made things worse all because of my selfish desire where I thought I was helping him.
No wonder Sigurd doesn't let you run the clan, because you can't even manage an alliance let alone an entire settlement. You can't help even help a King rise to power let alone do that.
Pushing those thoughts away, she approached Oswald as Valdis stared at them from behind.
"Eivor" he started
"Oswald"
"Ready for my address?" He asked
"Yes, I am ready to hear you address your kingdom"
"Come. Come" Oswald gestured for her to follow him to the stage.
He climbed back on the stage, as various citizens followed suit, Eivor at the front of all of them.
Oswald coughed nervously as he felt their eyes scrutnizing him.
"Friends! Fellow Citizens of East Anglia, We have come here not to celebrate, but to mourn a loss. Rued." He stopped trying to compose himself, and push his emotions that were threatning to spill through the surface as he tried his best not to think about how he failed to save Rued.
"Rued. Rued is dead. He will no longer terroize you, you will be safe. East Anglia will be a safe place for all of you. I will make sure of that" he finished.
The crowd gasped in shock at the revealtion as some of them hadn't heard of the news before coming to the wedding, but now they did.
Oswald stood at the stage waiting for reaction. Any reaction whether negative or positive.
Just then the crowd having gotten over the shock, became furious.
A angry woman shouted: "What use are you as a King if you can't even give an order without anyone listening to it?"
Oswald opened his mouth to retort, but couldn't form the words, shock freezing him in his position.
"That's right, Your not fit to lead. Why should we listen to you?" Another man yelled, waving a fist.
Eivor moved, standing in front of Oswald blocking him from view, as if to protect him.
"Quiet! You will not disrespect the King like that!" she barked
Another citizen scoffed. "King? Huh? Well he's not much of one"
Suddenly a tomato flew towards Oswald, hitting him on the face and splatting all over him. He wiped it away angrily as he turned to face them.
More food started to be pelted as the citizens grabbed various plates of food and started hurtling it towards Oswald.
Eivor blocked the way, blocking Oswald as cheese was starting to hit him along with other foods, trying her best to shield him.
She turned around facing him urgently.
"Oswald. Go inside. I will handle them, Take Valdis inside to safety"
Oswald nodded as he proceeded to grab Valdis by the arm as she flinched at his rough touch.
He better not hit me, because if he does I will put a boot to his face. I am definetely not falling victim to that again.
"Come on Valdis" he said as he dragged her roughly by the arm towards the longhouse
"Get your hands off me!" she growled as she slapped his hand on her arm, releasing his tight grip on her.
Oswald flinced grimacing "Ow. I was just looking out for you"
"Oh yeah?" Valdis spat back with Venom "Well I'm fine on my own, I don't need your help!" she snapped back at him as she stormed towards the longhouse
Oswald frowned muttering "If you say so" before he followed her back in.
Meanwhile, Eivor was still on the stage getting pelted by food.
"Stop this nonsense!" she barked
"No!" a man yelled, proceeding to reach into another food crate full of fruit.
"Your the Dane Bitch who corrupted his mind weren't you? Your the traitor who didn't listen to his order"
"First of all I'm not Dane, I'm Norse" Eivor snapped as she rolled her eyes once again at the misunderstanding, "And second of all yes I am. I am the Bitch from hell who didn't listen to his order, and I am sick and tired of this shit!"
She proceeded to grab her axe out, waving it in front of the crowd before shouting. "Yes I am the Dane Bitch who broke the order and killed a man. I will also kill you if you don't stop with this shit!"
The citizens stopped, dropping their various arsenal of food crates on the floor as the boxes broke into wooden pieces, fruit falling everywhere. They scurried away running away like rabbits.
"That's it, run like the rabbits you are! And don't come back!" Eivor screamed towards them, before placing her axe back on her belt.
Brushing the food off her armour which was stained with various sauce and juices from the food, she headed back to the longhouse, trying to find Oswald.
She saw Valdis, pacing back and forth by the fireplace and then Oswald who was sitting on his throne, looking a bit depressed and unhappy.
"I'm sorry about that" Eivor started refering to the food brawl and disaster outside.
"You know what, I think they may be right. I'm not fit to lead a Kingdom. Everyone was right, since the beginning. Broder, Brothir, now the citiziens. Hell if they were there, they probably would of joined in with the food pelting too" he sighed
Eivor moved closer to him, touching him by the arm as he turned around to face her. "You don't know that Oswald. I think the brothers would be proud and happy that Rued is dead, after what he did to Valdis. Valdis didn't join in with the pelting did she?"
She didn't. Oswald thought with a nod. But she did have a massive go at me after for ruining the wedding. Not that Eivor needs to know about our row.
He had come back in, to see that Valdis was pacing back and forth by the fireplace, still agitated.
Oswald had scoffed, trying to walk away when she stopped him.
"What was that about?" She barked
Oswald had turned around, tired and annoyed, he just wanted some private time after the humilating incident.
"What about, Valdis?"
"The fight outside. Eivor had to protect you and defend your arse because you couldn't. All I wanted was a decent day for my Wedding and I couldn't even get that!" she snapped
"Really Valdis? That's all that you care about is the crappy stupid wedding, not me. I was being pelted by tomatoes!" he couldn't help but raise his voice at her.
Valdis scoffed bitterly
"Says you. You couldn't even look at me at the altar, and here you are saying I don't care about you!"
Oswald laughed, a bitter one back at her. "You expect me to look at you at the altar? When you married that brute and didn't even think to tell me? I mean what did you expect that I would come up and cuddle and kiss you and forgive you for that?"
Valdis gasped taken aback, before she felt fury topple over once more. "You don't know anything, Oswald. I didn't have a choice, he forced me to. He was abusive to me, he wouldn't even let me divorce him"
"I don't care!" he roared back at her angrily
"I couldn't give anymore of a Damn, Valdis. You went behind my back and betrayed me. After all what did I expect"
Valdis flinched once more at his words, before regaining her composure. "Fine. You really are Husband of the year aren't you?" She spat voice dripping with venom before she stormed off back to the other side of the longhouse.
Instead he chose to lie to Eivor, giving her a weak smile.
I've already bothered her enough with things, I don't need her to go and have a talk with Valdis, or risk souring their relationship. Me and Valdis may not get on well, but at least they do. I don't want to add tension, there's already enough.
"She didn't. Thank you Eivor, you really didn't need to do this, going all the way through blood, sweat and tears just to get me on this throne"
Eivor chuckled, waving a hand dismissing. "Ah no worries. I was just doing my job, making sure East Anglia was a safe space" before adding "Don't worry about the citizens, they won't be bothering you anymore"
He forced a weak smile, however he couldn't help feel uneasy over it. He had a bad feeling it involved threats or brute force again, he tried to push the thought of people getting hurt again because of him.
Instead he changed the subject. "The alliance. I promised you it. Here it is" He passed a silver band to her as Eivor took the horseshoe looking silver piece in her hand and placed it inside her leathered pouch, that was attached to her armoured belt.
"Thank you Oswald. I'm glad you still wanted to go through with it, even after what I did"
"Of course" he scoffed dismissively waving a hand as if it wasn't a big deal. "It would be petty of me if I cut the alliance because of that. I had a think about it and maybe your right, we all are better off without Rued."
Eivor smiled relieved. "I'm glad to hear that Oswald. I really am. Well I best get going, My Clan is waiting for me. One day If I need your help, I will call out to you. Until then, Great King" she bowed
Oswald looked at her bowing as he beamed back to her. "Goodbye Eivor."
Valdis watched as Eivor walked out, having finished her conversation with Oswald. She gave a small nod, mouthing "Thank you" before she left, Eivor only grinned back before she left out of sight.
Once Eivor was out of sight, Valdis walked over to Oswald having calmed down after their earlier fight.
Approaching Oswald as she sat on the edge of the throne, close to him she spoke.
"Looks like you and Eivor made up then" she joked
Oswald looked at her as if she had grown two heads. "Of course Why Wouldn't I?"
Valdis laughed, letting out a snort. "Yeah that would be Petty wouldn't it, if you didn't forgive her"
"It would be" Oswald turned around away from her grumbling
"Relax. I'm playing with you, no need to be so serious" Valdis smirked as she stroked his hair.
Oswald flinched, hastily getting up as Valdis also got off the throne.
"Where are you going?" she frowned at him
"Upstairs. I need some time alone" he snapped at her
Startled by his abrupt tone, Valdis just stared at him as he stormed upstairs, angrily stomping up the stairs.
What's gotten into him? Ever since Rued died he's just been on edge, like a bomb waiting to explode, What is it about that that's upsetting him so much?
Shaking her head, Valdis walked off, feeling frustrated once more at her new husband's behaviour.
Oswald arrived in his chambers, slamming the door behind him.
Finally I get some space and quiet to myself, I can have a little me time and reflect on this disaster of a Kingship that my life is.
He walked towards his desk, pulling a chair as he opened the secret wooden drawer, that had all his secrets in it, all locked up in a battered book, that looked like a bible at first glance, only it wasn't.
Opening up the pages, he found a pot of leftover ink along with a quill, he skimmed through the pages, finding an empty one to write his thoughts down.
He stared at it for a while, pondering on what to write. Until he came up with an idea. Putting his thoughts into paper, he started to write.
Where do I start? So much has happened ever since I last wrote on here. Everything is a diasaster, I thought I had it all under control. Until Eivor had to kill Rued and defy my order. Suddenly all those pent up feelings that I buried long ago came back, I had healed with time and with the help of Eivor. Our friendship, and If I'm being totally honest with myself, my botched feelings for her - changed my mindset. It was almost as if suddenly having Eivor in my life could wipe the pain and the grief I suffered at the hands of the Danes since I was young, in just a few weeks. Only for her to let me down. I may have forgiven her on the surface, only because I don't want to look like a petty greedy selfish arsehole, but deep down what she's done has brought back all that pain and trauma I tried so hard to forget.
All Danes are the same at the end of the day. No matter the generations, Eivor showed that with her actions. Her parents, her siblings, everyone in the Raven Clan and all Vikings are the same. Honourless bastards who just senselesly kill for no reason. Kill people who were innocent including my parents, all because they wanted a scrap of land or some gold. Valdis is no different, she is a Dane. Even worse, she betrayed me by marrying that bastard behind my back, she claims that he forced her and that the marriage was abusive, but I don't care. Danes are Danes, end of. I don't care what excuse you give me, nothing can change that.
He slammed the book shut, having been finished with what he wanted to write.
A few months later...
Oswald was sitting in the longhouse's main room, occupied with some scrolls and work.
Valdis watched from a distance, nervously. She had tried approaching Oswald to form a connection with him, but everytime he would angrily push her away. So she came up with an idea.
Surely he won't be able to resist this? Valdis thought with a smirk.
She had gone upstairs to change from her usual fur dress to something more lightweight and see-through. She had slipped on a white thin nightdress instead, and wrapped a bear fur cloak on top of it, to keep her warm. She also removed her bra, so her nipples would show through. She also had the perfect excuse in mind.
If he doesn't want it. at least I have a reason to get him into bed with me, Halfdan wants an heir, and that means children. He won't have a choice but to get into bed with me, unless he wants to fail my cousin.
Feeling at ease thanks to her last thought, Valdis approached Oswald from behind, placing a hand on his shoulder and stoking it from behind, she started to give him some shoulder rubs as he tensed up.
"Relax Oswald." she soothed "You need a rest you've been working too hard"
Oswald frowned as he turned around to face her as she smiled at him, she continued to give him light rubs before placing a kiss on his cheek.
She then proceeded to climb on top of him, as Oswald desperately tried to move away from her, but to no avail, not in that tight space.
Valdis leaned in closer to him, she was so close that he could feel her warmth against his skin, and her breath tickling on his throat and her hair falling against his neck.
Valdis placed a finger, on his chin, pulling him in gently as she looked at him in a seductive manner, leaning closer so he could see her chest.
Oswald stared, feeling her nipples against his skin, as he tried desperately not to flinch at the touch of her senstive spot against him.
"Want to come to bed with me, Oswald?"
No. No way. No way am I getting into bed with her. He thought mentally. As if I'm going to bed this heathen.
"If you don't want to, that's fine, but we still need a child. Halfdan wants one" Valdis winked.
Snapping to his senses, he spoke. "No. No I am not going to bed with you, not in that way, not even for a child you can get lost" he spat
Valdis recoiled alarmed, she stepped back from the chair, pulling her dress down as she moved away from him.
"What is your problem? I've been nothing but nice to you, everytime I try and approach you, you push me away. Like What have I done that is so bad to upset you that you feel the need to do that?" Valdis said hurt
Oswald sighed, frustrated putting his hands on his hair as he gripped on the locks tightly. He had never told anyone the real reason why he didn't want to get into bed with her, or be with her, not since Eivor... and the diary. He figured he might as well tell Valdis the truth, instead of pushing the problem and hoping it would go away.
"Oswald. You can tell me" Valdis' upset and worried voice woke him up from his stupor.
"Eivor" he grunted angrily. "Eivor, ever since she killed Rued, I can't help but feel that all Danes are nothing but the same, brute killing machines who kill senselesly. Not just her, Danes in general. My parents were one of them who fell victim to their hands"
Oswald thought back to that night, all those years ago when he was a young boy, being woken up in the farmstead in the middle of the night by cries of people screaming and crying, as fires burned all around them.
A loud knock on the door, alerted their attention.
Oswald's father looked through the window, as he saw an angry Dane warrior with a beard and a big axe, by the door. He turned back to Oswald and his wife, who was Oswald's Mother.
"What's going on?" A terrified young Oswald cried
"Shhh it's alright. We're going to buy you some time. Everything will be just fine" His Father soothed coming up to him, placing a hand on his cheek.
"Get him to the Wadrobe, they won't find him there, he's small enough to fit in there" He ordered his wife
Oswald's Mother nodded as she lifts Oswald taking him up in her arms. "Where are you taking me mama?" he cried
"Shhhh it'll be alright. Hide and Seek remember? Now stay in here and be a good boy, I'll come and find you. Your a brave boy Oswald, I will always love you" She stroked his cheek soothing it once more, before she closed the wardrobe door once more, leaving him in darkness except for a small hole where he could see through.
Oswald watched as his Mother went back into the kitchen. She nodded back to her husband. "It's done, he's safe"
"Good, at least our boy will have a chance of surviving" he clasped her hand and kissed her forehead
Just then, the Dane brute having been fed up of being locked out for so long, smashed the door in as he came barging in.
"Now What do we have here?" he grinned in sickening glee
"Please, Please We're just farmers. Take what you want but don't hurt us. We're just people making an honest living" His father begged on his knees
"Are you? So pathetic, How about this?"
He grabbed Oswald's father by the shirt while, his Mother cried and screamed
"No. No" she cried
"Grab her. Make her watch" he ordered the other men
A few other men came in, stampeding in at that moment. Oswald counted a few of them, four or five maybe.
They proceeded to grab his Mother as she screamed and thrashed to no avail, locking their arms around her in a tight grip and chokehold.
Angry, his Father charged towards the lead raider. "Don't you dare touch my wife, if you lay a finger on her!" he warned pointing a finger
"Or What? I'll rape her once I'm done with you" he chuckled
"You Bastard. You'll go to hell for this" His Father seethed, swinging a punch towards the raider
The raider blocked, grabbing his arm stopping him halfway as he twisted it, making his Father scream out in pain. Oswald had his hand on his mouth as he peered through the small holes of the cupboard, looking at his parents, buying time for him as quiet, choked sobs came out. He resisted the urge to cry aloud, biting on his hand instead to avoid making noise.
His Father screamed in pain, as his arm got twisted. However the brute wasn't finished yet.
He grabbed a nearby sword and stabbed him through it.
Father! Oswald mentally screamed out, as he felt more tears roll out from his cheeks, as he continued to bite down on his hand to stifle the noise.
"Theomund! Nooo!" His Mother screamed out
"Kill her. Kill that Whore! The brute roared having had enough.
One of the guards who had his arm around Oswald's Mother, placed a blade around her neck, before he proceeded to slit her throat with it.
Oswald gasped even more in shock, as he saw his Mother fall down. He resisted the urge to scream out, choosing to bite onto his hand once more to stifle his increasingly large and loud sobs so they wouldn't notice
With his Mother now dead, the raider and his group briefly walked around the house. Oswald could hear their footsteps and even see the shoe of the man who killed his father, as they briefly searched the house for valubles.
"No. Nothing good here except for a few coins. Nothing worth much" another raider called back to him
"Alright. Let's go search another house. This one's finished"
"Yes sir" the other raiders nodded before moving out.
Taking one last look at the ransacked house, the lead raider walked away, sastified that he was done.
Oswald stared holding in his breath as he watched the man who killed his father leave along with his goons. Once he was out of sight, he wasted no time. Slamming open the Wardrobe door, he ran over to his parents who were on the floor and he cried.
"Mother, Father I am so Sorry I failed you. I will never forgive the Danes for what they did to you or to us. Never".
He continued to cry and sob, hugging onto their bloodied corpses.
"Oh Oswald. I'm Sorry" Valdis face dropped as realisation hit her as to why he didn't like her, it made sense now.
He thinks I'm the same as them because of my heritage, when I'm not. Maybe I can convince him and educate him a bit? He can still change.
"Oswald, I find it a bit offensive that you say that all Danes are the same. We are not. Eivor isn't Dane, she's Norse" She gently scolded towards him
"Norse? What does that mean?" He frowned confused
"Norway. She's from Norway. Dane means a Danishman or Woman, people from Denmark like me and Rued. They're two seperate countries, so it's a bit rude that you think that they're all the same"
Oswald scoffed. "Huh. What difference does that make? Whether they're from Norway or Denmark, they are all the same" he folded his arms angrily "They both kill"
Valdis rolled her eyes. "And so do Saxons, but I don't go around saying that all Saxons are bad people do I?"
"No. No you don't. But What Eivor did wasn't right. She betrayed me. She broke my order."
"Order of What? Not killing Rued you mean?!"
"Yes" Oswald nodded back to her. "So you understand now why I hate Danes and Norsepeople"
"No. No I don't. I think you are being a bit riduclous Oswald. Yes it's sad that your parents died because of them, and I am truly sorry. But saying that we are all the same, is just downright rude and too much" she shook her head in disapproval
"Oh really? Because you sound downright sarcastic right now" He gritted bitterly back at her
"So you think it's alright to kill Rued, and that Eivor did the right thing?"
"Yes" Valdis snarled her voice dripping in venom "That good for nothing piece of shit was better off away from this world. He abused me, Oswald for crying out loud! Eivor just did what was right and protected me, Can't you see that?" She cried in despair
"No." he snapped back at her "Even though he abused you, he deserved a second chance. He didn't need to die"
"Says who?" Valdis barked back. "Says your bible? or Says you, you really don't love me huh? You would give a second chance to somebody who killed hundreds of people, burned villages, even abused his ex wife and yet you wouldn't give me a second chance? I've been nothing but good to you!"
"Valdis-" Oswald started only to get cut off.
Throwing her cloak back on over her nightdress, Valdis walked away not before turning back to him with tear stricken eyes.
"Save it Oswald. I'm finding somewhere else to sleep tonight. You won't see me anymore, since you don't want to"
Realising his mistake, Oswald sprang after her as she stormed out and onto the hallway stairs.
"Valdis, I didn't mean it like that, Please if you would give me a chance..."
"What did I say Oswald? I said to leave me alone, Ok? What part about that don't you understand?" She screamed grief stricken
''I... Sorry" he mumured feeling guilty as he stared towards the floor
"Sorry my arse" Valdis scoffed in between broken sobs as she walked upstairs.
A few days later...
Oswald was sitting on his longhouse desk once more, as he continued to work when a messenger approached him.
"A letter my king" he bowed holding out the letter in front of Oswald
Oswald looked up turning around to face him, suprised. "Thank you" he took it as the messenger nodded before heading out once more.
He peeled open the enevelope that read: "Oswald" in black scribbled handwriting.
He turned it over, opening the piece of paper.
Oswald, I need help. Two of my allies have left me saying that they have business to attend to in Lunden, I tried contacting Brothir and Broder, but they refused. Leaving only you. I tried my best not to choose you as I was worried that you and Valdis may be with Child, and I don't want your child to grow up without a Father, or Parents as I have been through that struggle myself and know it's hard, Anyway if you want to come and join the fight meet me in Susthexe, on the edge of Portecestre. We have a camp in the woods. You will recoginise it when you see it. I look forward to seeing you.
Your old friend, Eivor of the Raven Clan.
Oswald placed the letter down as he pondered in thought.
Eivor lost her parents like me as well? Even Danes, I mean Norse people lose their parents? Huh. I bet you it was probably from something else. The Danes and the Norse don't attack their own kin. They attack foreginers, people like me, people like my parents. I don't believe for a second she would suffer such a thing, he thought bitterly.
As if she really cares about me not being there for my children if I had some, not that I do. But fine, I will help. It's not like I have much else to do here is there? I mean Valdis isn't even talking to me anymore after our last fight, our marriage has been nothing but a mismatched failure since the very beginning. I can't move on from my past and my grudge, and she just keeps pushing and pushing for us to have a connection. Now it's backfired and exploded on all our faces.
Pushing his thoughts away, Oswald got up from the desk as he headed upstairs to the spare room where Eivor used to sleep, now only it was Valdis there instead.
"Valdis" he called knocking
"What?" She barked through the door
"Can I come in? I need to talk to you" he prompted
Valdis rolled her eyes. "Fine, Whatever"
Oswald opened the door as Valdis turned around swivelling from the bed to face him.
"Valdis. I'm going away for a few days. Eivor has asked for my help in Portcestre. Just thought I would let you know"
"Portcestre?" Valdis frowned. "For What?"
Oswald sighed. "I don't know Valdis. Her letter didn't say. She just told me to meet her there."
"Alright" Valdis shrugged "Do Whatever. I don't care"
"Valdis Please" Oswald started only to get cut off when the door slammed in his face.
Great. Just great. Just when I try and patch things up with her, she pushes away all my attempts. I guess this is kind of my karma for doing the same back to her, even though I'm not supposed to believe in that stuff due to being a christian.
Pushing his thoughts back, he headed out of Elmenham and towards the stables, saddling up a horse before going "Hyah" and ushered it towards Portcestre.
Meanwhile, Eivor was in the woods on the edge of Portcestre, gathering up with her allies and talking to them.
"Has everyone arrived yet? We need to find Sigurd" Basim spoke breaking her attention
Eivor shook her head. "No, Basim. I have one more. He should be on his way from East Anglia. I had the messenger deliver the message as fast as possible. Just wait a little longer. If he doesn't come, then we can move forward with the assault"
"Alright" Basim nodded. "But he better hurry else we're leaving without him"
Eivor watched as Basim left her alone with the allies once more. Eivor stared at the green of the woods they were in. It was calming, peaceful even. A different sort of beauty to the watery scenary of East Anglia. She wondered on what Oswald was doing.
It's been a while already, word would of reached him. He would be here by now. Does he not want to come? Is it because he has children with Valdis already? I hope not. Her heart panged at the last thought, and she tried to push it away.
Just when Eivor was about to give up and find Basim to tell him to start the assault without him, Oswald arrived disembarking from his horse at the last second.
Eivor spotted him from a distance, wearing the same green robes when she last saw him, running towards her.
Finally he decides to show his arse up. I'm glad he came.
Oswald arrived panting in front of Eivor as she watched him heaving and panting in front of her.
"Your late Oswald" she scolded
"I'm sorry... I just... I just" he panted breathless unable to speak.
Eivor rolled her eyes, tutting. He probably was caught up with Valdis, having a long Goodbye with her, a good old smooch, that's what took him so long. Or saying goodbye to his kid. Ugh.
Oswald frowned at her as he saw her disapproving scowl. What? I tried? I tried didn't I? And yet I still get told off. She's still the same, if not worse. Honestly I don't know why I bothered. Why am I even helping her, helping the same kind of people that killed my kin? My parents are probably rolling in their graves right now, in disapproval.
Breaking the silence, Eivor changed the subject. I might as well ask the question that I'm dying to know since I haven't heard word from him in months. Valdis.
"How's your marriage with Valdis?" She spoke suddenly
Valdis? She's asking me about Valdis? He scoffed bitterly mentally. Really, Eivor after everything you did, you choose this one thing to ask me?
Instead he chose not to show it out, not wanting to create a tense atmosphere. "Bad. It fell apart since the day you last saw me. We've done nothing except for fight all the time. She won't even sleep in the same bed as me let alone the same room"
Eivor's face dropped as she looked at him sympathetically. "Oh that's too bad Oswald. I'm sorry"
So that's why he came, because he was having a hard time with her and also because he didn't have any children, else he wouldn't of come as he would of been too busy with his family. I thought they were working well, but clearly not. Maybe all arranged marriages aren't as happy as Sigurd and Randvi's - Maybe my brother and best friend were just lucky. But Valdis and Oswald weren't.
Really, Your Sorry? Sorry for Killing Rued, Sorry for ruining my marriage with Valdis, Sorry for making every one in East Anglia hate me, Your Sorry? You got to be joking me. He so wanted to scream out, but didn't, keeping it to himself once more.
"It's fine, really Eivor. Honestly" he said instead
"Alright Oswald. If you ever need-" Eivor was about to continue talking, when a messenger ran in interupting them all.
"The Scouts. The scouts are dead. There's an ambush coming. Fulke's army they're heading towards here right now. She sent her Champion to lead an army"
Just then a horn blew, as with the sound of the advancing enemy army who were coming closer. Oswald stared alarmed as he realised just what he gotten into, Eivor had asked him for battle aid.
I wonder if they're Danes? It would be good if they were so I can kill them and wipe them off this planet.
He was horrifed when he saw they were saxons. He recogonised the red elbelm on their shields, showing the yellow christian cross and their armour.
Saxons? Eivor's making me kill my own people? Really? Just when this couldn't get worse.
Seeing his horrifed expression, Eivor urged him reassuring. "They're not Christians Oswald. They're false Christians who pretend they are. They've gotten my brother hostage in there, We need to kill them to rescue him. I was going to tell you, but we don't have time"
False Christians huh? He looked at them again and realised that she was right, they really were. Real Christians didn't look like that, he knew as he was one himself. Real Christians didn't go out mascarring and taking people hostage like the Danes and the Norsemen did. Her family being held hostage? Seems like it happens to the Norse too as well, not just Saxons. Fine. I'll help, only because I can't stand people who preach the Lord's Teachings falsely and incorrectly, staining God's name.
"Are you coming or What?" Eivor's loud voice speaking to him gained back his attention.
"Yes." he gritted
"Good"
Eivor then charged towards the Saxon army along with the rest of her allies and the Viking army as steel on steel clashed. Oswald watched as she let out a battle cry, proceeding to stab one of the guards. He followed suit. Unsheating his sword, he started to take them down one by one feeling the thrill of battle rushing through his veins once more.
This feels good. Letting my frustration out with a blade, while killing the bad guys. He dodged an attack before he punched the Saxon in the face, knocking and tipping his balance off, stabbing him in the guts as he let out a gurgle. Oswald pulled his sword out as traces of blood flew on his face, he wiped it clean with his sleeve.
Eivor looked at him at that moment, as did he.
He looks so battle hungry. I haven't seen him like this in so long. It's good to have him fighting by my side again.
"Look at you in the thrill of battle Oswald! Enjoying yourself?" she called as she removed her axe off another guard's body.
He nodded. "I'm not nothing but gritty" he grunted as another guard swung at him, forcing his attention as he started to grit and sweat from the effort, parrying his attack.
There were so many guards, even more in the practice raid that he had back in Seahenge all those months ago. No wonder they called it an ambush, they were completely surrounded.
He eventually manage to beat the guard, before another swung at him. With reflex fast moves due to his agility and slender body, he dodged the attacks and found him at his most vulnerable, killing many along the way as their bodies laid on the floor.
He looked back at Eivor who was doing the same along with everyone else, trying their best to push them back. One by one they started thinning out.
Suddenly a bald, brute man with a beard jumped on Eivor catching her off guard. Eivor just about managed to block his attack with her shield in the nick of time as he continued advancing towards her. He was wearing a Christian Cross around the neck and looked stronger than the other guards who were of the same stature of Oswald, being nothing more than thin and slender men, probably regular citizens who signed up for the King's army or through Corrupted Churches.
But this man, he was different. He was trained, he was deadly. He was the male version of Eivor. Nobody so far had levelled her skills, but this man was proving a challenge to her.
Oswald watched as they fought, steel clashing each other. For a while they were level, until Eivor started to outmanouver him as he grew tired from his tough moves. She sliced him on the arm, wounding him slightly as he clutched his arm and bruised stomach from being hit by Eivor and knelt down on the floor surrendering.
Oswald watched in awe, as he felt reminscient vibes coming from it.
Will she spare him? This is exactly like Rued. Will she Kill him? What will she do? What's her own thoughts on this. There's no one here to tell her what to do, no order nothing. Just her and a man, a False Christian from the Saxon army.
"I am ready for my final journey, ready for what lies ahead"
He spat at Eivor
Eivor frowned at him, as to his suprise, she placed her axe back on her belt, shaking her head. "No. You go tell Fulke that Eivor is coming. Coming to tear her heart out!"
I made a mistake not sparing Rued, I will not make the same one again. Hopefully this will also prove to Oswald that I've changed and am no longer who he thinks I am. These few months I have thought back to that day over and over again, wishing I did things differently.
He scoffed back at her, spitting once more on the ground as he weakly got up. "I will tell Fulke, that you are a good for nothing coward who walks away from a fight" before he staggered off, running the other way.
Eivor faced the other allies, cheering Victorously back to them, raising a fist in the air. "They flee!"
A bunch of laughter roared around them, as everyone was laughing at the retreating Saxons who were fleeing back to the fort they had come from, towards the direction they had first come from.
Oswald frowned as they all barked in laughter all around him, Eivor included. He couldn't see what was so funny about it. About people retreating and running for their lives.
Like how that raider laughed at my parents when they tried to flee. He felt anger once more at the thought. And Eivor, she spared the guard on her own will, but yet when I tell her to do the same, she never did - then calls me a coward when I want to do the same thing? I am not having this.
Furious, he stormed over to Eivor as she turned around, stopping her laughter when she saw his furious expression.
"Who was that?" he demanded as the other allies turned to face them, due to Oswald's tone attracting attention.
Eivor frowned. "Who was Who, What are you talking about?"
"That man" Oswald seethed "The man who you let flee, Who is he?"
"Fulke's Champion. One of her bodyguards, Who's a False Christian. Why?"
A False Christian? I'm not letting him get away, no way.
"I'm going after him. I can't let him get away with what's he done" Just when Oswald turned around to go, Eivor grabbed him roughly by the arm in a panic, forcing him to turn around and look at her.
"Oswald no. Just let him be. The battle's won already, don't get yourself hurt over something stupid"
He shoved her arm angrily away from him, pushing it away from him. "And Why exactly Should I listen to you Eivor, When you couldn't even listen to me in East Anglia?"
"Because I care about you Oswald. I don't want you to die. You can't cheat death every time, and that man" she said referring to Fulke's Champion. "If you thought Rued was strong, he's ten times stronger. Even I struggled, with Rued I didn't"
Rued. Rued. How dare she bring that up again.
"If you cared about me you would of listened to me the first time, so that means nothing to me. Is that what you think of me, a weakling, somebody that has to be watched and babysat by people like the likes of you, Who think that they can Kill their way through everything?" he snapped
"Oswald" Eivor started "That's not what I meant... I'm just trying to protect you"
"Well I don't care. I don't need protecting. I'm going and you can't stop me!" he yelled
"Oswald, Wait. I'm Sorry. I should of listened to you that day, I was wrong. Please just come back to me, to us" Eivor pleaded but it was no use.
Oh shit. I need to go after him, before he gets killed or does something reckless.
"Eivor, just leave it. He'll be fine" Ubba said towards Eivor
Eivor shook her head defiant "No. I'm going after him"
Ubba tutted as he shook his head in disapproval, as Eivor ran off into the woods.
"Just let her go" Soma said while taking Ubba's hand and to a different area of the camp.
Meanwhile, Oswald was sprinting in the woods as he caught sight of the champion in the distance.
There's the fake coward. And What exactly was Eivor doing trying to stop me? She says she cares about me, but yet won't even talk to me besides asking for my help, and then expects me to listen to her when she didn't do the same thing back to me. Yeah right.
Eivor sprinted into the woods desperately trying to find Oswald, she came across a clearing, stopping to call out.
"Oswald! Oswald it's me Eivor. Please come back, We can talk about this!"
Oswald heard her voice in the distance, echocing. She must be close, got to run faster and kill this fucker before she stops me.
Oswald, Oswald it's me Eivor, Please come back we can talk about this. Pathetic. She sounds so much like Valdis when she says that. I'm not falling for that, she can't charm her way back.
"Oswald?" Eivor cried calling out once more but he didn't answer her
Oh shit. Where is he gone? I need to find him. Panic started to rise in her chest, she eventually found some footprints on the soft grass that had indicated which direction he went in.
Running at full speed, Eivor followed the trail.
I'm getting closer to the Champion. I see him. I'm almost there. He could see Fulke's champion hobbling across the meadow, trying to make a break for it.
Not so Fast. Oswald Charged towards him knocking him and slamming him to the ground once more.
The champion looked up at him, as Oswald pinned him down grabbing his collar.
"Not so fast. We settle this like men. Eivor spared you, but I won't"
He laughed as Oswald gripped his shirt tighter, fist near his neck.
"You think your so good aren't you. A good old Christian boy, Spouting your false nonsense when we are the ones who should be ruling the world"
"You shouldn't be ruling anything. Your a stain on God's name. Spreading your false rumours as Christ, Corrupting and brainwashing people. Killing people who are innocent. I know the lot of you, a bloody plague destroying people's lives" Oswald spat back at him
"If it's a fight you want boy, come on let's settle this!" he roared
"No Weapons, just fists!" Oswald yelled back at him
"Just fists" Just then the Champion swung at Oswald, he narrowly ducked avoiding his punch. Oswald grabbed him by his collar once more as he punched the champion several times in the face, gaining a few hits.
Enraged, the champion reached up, to Oswald's neck and started squeezing. He was being strangled once more. He rasped as his hands flailed uselessly to his neck, as stars started to shine bright as his vision started blurring out.
Do something, before he chokes you to death! His brain urged him
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, he saw a rock. While the Champion was distratced flying taunts and insults at him along with thousands of threats, Oswald gripped the rock with his left hand. He gripped it tight before he swung.
It's now or never, if I don't do it now, I will be choked to death.
Swinging the rock to his head, as it hit him with a sickening crunch, the champion released his grip on Oswald, as he let out a raspy breath of air. Lost in the adrealine and anger, he continued pumelling the champion's head with the rock, until blood started to drip from his forehead.
"That's it? You like that, You like spreading false beliefs about people? You like hurting innocent people?"
The champion groaned weakly on the floor as blood seeped out of his head, falling silent. Sastified, Oswald got up, wiping the blood on his green tunic, staining the green fabric.
He's dead. Time to find Eivor and tell her the job's done. I did it. I killed the Champion.
He got up, just as a worried Eivor reached the corner to where they were.
"Eivor I did it!" "I killed him!" Oswald was too overjoyed to notice that the Champion had got up having only faked his death, and was now stumbling towards Oswald with a knife in his hand and was edging closer to him.
"Oswald, Watch out!" she screamed, Oswald turned around at the last second, only it was too late.
The Champion Chuckled "Should of listened to your raven. Tut Tut"
"NO OSWALD!" Eivor screamed out loud as he collapsed to the floor groaning, She ran over to him, cradling him as blood started to pool out, from the area where he had been stabbed on his stomach along with blood that was trailing out from his mouth.
He stared up at her as his vision started to blur out, eyes threatning to flutter closed once and for all. "Eivor" he croaked weakly "I... I..." only to get cut off as he slumped down once more for the final time.
"Oswald. No. Oswald Wake up!" She cried while trying to shake him, to no avail. He was gone and there was no coming back.
She burrowed her head on to his chest, before moving her head from him, and squeezing his paled hand she spoke gently.
"You will be avenged, Oswald."
"YOU. You should be dead. I should of Killed you, I made the mistake of Sparing you!" She roared as she got up advancing towards him in big angry strides.
"All this for a bag of bones? Oswald the weak bag of bones from East Anglia" he mocked
"Shut your arse. I will bury my axe into you right now, and When I am finished, I will piss on your grave"
He laughed. "I would like to see you try. Come on then, Wolf Kissed, I'm Waiting!"
With a Charge and a roar, Eivor ran towards him knocking him down to the mud, tackling him to the ground as she pinned him down on the ground pummeling her fists on him as she proceeded to punch Fulke's Champion
"You like hurting my friends and family do you? You like Kidnapping and killing people?" She roared as she punched him
"Do you?" Eivor screamed, while grabbing him by the collar forcing him to look at her
He laughed as he spat in her face. "He was nothing but a weakling anyway"
"He was my friend! And you took that away from me!" she shouted as she kept her grip tight on his shirt, before proceding to shove him on the ground once more.
Switching to her axe, she started to swing, hitting his chest as the axe tore through his skin, blood seeping everywhere as she continued stabbing and butchering in a frenzied rage.
"This is for Sigurd, And This is for Oswald!", with a final hit, Eivor delievered the killing blow, killing and silencing him once and for all.
Dropping her axe on the ground, she ran over to Oswald as if he was still alive but only hurt.
Kneeling over his corpse, she proceeded to cry once more as the reality hit her, that no matter what she did, he was dead.
Oswald. I am so sorry, that I never listened to you while you were alive. This is all my fault. Had I heeded your call you would of listened to me, and perhaps had a happier marriage with Valdis. I was selfish. I thought by killing Rued I was helping you, but Who am I to Kid? The only person I was helping was myself. Myself because I thought by doing so I would have closure, Closure for my feelings. I thought I could move on and forget about you, if I made you go with Valdis. So I killed Rued, that was the real reason. Not because I wanted her to be safe from Rued. But you will never know, and I will always carry the grief and burden of your blood on my hands.
Just then, Eivor heard footsteps of people running closer, she was about to get her axe out once more and defend herself - only to realise it was Ubba and Soma who were worried and had come to find her.
Ubba gasped as he saw the various bodies lying on the floor, and a bloodied and grieving Eivor next to Oswald's body
Eivor looked down unable to meet their gazes, staring at Oswald's face instead and at his grey christian necklace that was showing out, full of his blood which had now dried.
"Eivor. I hate to tell you, but we need to go. Like now. Sigurd is in the fort and Fulke is threatning to hurt him, we need to move" Ubba urged
Eivor mumured. "Just give me one second"
Ubba rolled his eyes in annoyance, as if to say "Hurry up"
Eivor ripped the necklace off Oswald's neck before placing it in a pouched pocket.
She proceeded to move her fingers over to his eyes, left in a permenant state of shock, green irises staring at the sky, one of permanent horror, and closed them, uttering: "Rest Easy Oswald. Till we meet again, In Valhalla"
She proceeded to place one of her old axes, Varin's axe under his arms, so he could go to Valhalla. She didn't need her Father's axe anymore having found plenty across England and at Gunnar's forge, so she could spare one to put under him.
"Eivor. We really need to go" Ubba's voice said sternly once more.
"Just give her a moment to grieve" Soma hushed
"Fine" Ubba grumbled annoyed.
Eivor gently placed a kiss on his forehead, murmuring "I love you Oswald" before she got up
"Come on. Let's go" she grunted as she wiped her tears away.
I must stay strong, for Sigurd. He needs me. I won't lose another man I love today. Everyone in the Clan is depending on me. I will being Sigurd back home safe to where he belongs. I promised Randvi and the others I will. I can't let them down, not now.
Eivor took one last look at Oswald, at his body, peacefully at rest with her father's axe in his arms, before she walked away with Ubba and Soma, towards the fort to rescue her brother.
Epilogue
A few days later...
Eivor disembarked from the Longship, at Elmenham's dock. She had decided to stop here for a quick errand. Sigurd was now safe and was on the longship waiting for her. He understood why she needed to be here, and told her to take her time and that they weren't in a hurry to get back to Ravensthorpe as word had been sent back to Randvi and the residents that he was safe and well anyway.
Eivor sighed as she stared at the two items in her hand. One was Oswald's bloodied silver necklace, the other was the arm ring he had given her at the end of the alliance. After his death, she had planned on what she had to do, and here she was now.
Pushing back her nerves as Sigurd gave her a warm smile, Wishing her luck, Eivor headed up the hill to deliver the grave news to Valdis.
I know their marriage was a failure, but she deserves to know at the very least that her husband has died. It woild be cruel and selfish of me to keep her in the dark about that, so here she was.
Arriving in the longhouse she called out. "Valdis?"
Valdis came scurrying down the stairs at that very moment, suprised by Eivor's voice.
"Eivor" she greeted pulling her friend into a cuddle
"Valdis. How have you been?" Eivor asked, trying to delay delivering the grave news, as she pulled out of the embrace.
"I've been alright, and you I haven't seen you for ages. How have you been?"
"That's good. I'm glad you've been alright Valdis. And alright. Very busy. Been running around to save my brother" she chuckled
"I see" Valdis nodded. "Where is Oswald? He told me he went to Pocestre with you, but he isn't here with you. Where is he?" She questioned frowning
Eivor's face dropped as her shoulders heaved, knowing she couldn't delay delivering the news anymore.
"Valdis" she started trailing off
"What? He's not hurt is he? Oh no" She started to panic.
"I'm sorry Valdis, but your husband is dead. I came here to give this back to you. I tried my best to save him, but I couldn't get to him in time" Eivor forced her voice to be steady, and not to let herself break as she held out the alliance ring back to Valdis.
I've had a few days to accept this news while travelling back, but Valdis. This is a sore new wound for her. She's got enough wounds as it is, she doesn't need another one.
Valdis took it staring at the cold grey metal in silence, as tears fell out of her eyes.
"No that can't be. He can't be dead. Surely he can't" She choked mid sentence into a sob
Eivor recgonised it. She's in denial. The first stage of grief, which is why I'm glad I brought the necklace here as that is proof that he did, proof that will shake her to her senses again.
"No No No he's not dead. Eivor, he's not dead" Valdis shook crying while she started to tremble
"He is. I saw it in front of my eyes"
Valdis shook her head admanatly at Eivor as she broke into a nervous breakdown.
"Eivor he's not dead. He's not dead. Stop saying that. Please. EIVOR!" she shrieked
Eivor shook Valdis strongly on her shoulders, while she felt tears come out of her cheeks too as she broke down seeing her friend's heartbreak, she pulled the necklace out of her pouch showing it to Valdis.
"Valdis. Listen to me." she said sternly "Oswald is dead. This is his, you recgonise it? That's his blood on there I know you don't want to believe it, but he's really gone. It hurts I know. He was my friend too, and I blame myself everyday for not being able to save him"
Valdis picked up the bloodied necklace, and placed it on her palm looking closely. It really was Oswald's one that he wore around his neck to showcase his faith, Eivor wasn't lying or making things up, she was in denial.
Breaking out of her hysterical state, she pulled Eivor into a hug. "Thank you for telling me Eivor. I'm glad you told me. You could of chose to keep silent, but I'm glad you didn't"
Eivor broke out of the embrace wiping her tears as she turned around to face Valdis once more. "Of course. You deserved to know the truth at least, your his wife after all"
Valdis chuckled wiping her tears with her sleeve once more as she faced Eivor. "Here" she said passing Oswald's necklace back to her. "You can keep it, as a memory of him. I know how much he means to you. I don't need it"
Eivor looked at her astonished "Are you sure?"
Valdis laughed "Of course Eivor. It's yours after all. Thank you for looking after him and taking care of him, and also for getting rid of Rued for me. I never got to thank you properly for that"
Eivor grimaced, trying not to cry again over the word "Rued" as that was exactly the reason why Oswald was dead because of a wrong choice she made ages ago. She would always live with the guilt and his blood on her hands, as long as she lived she would.
Instead she forced a weak smile.
"Your Welcome Valdis. I was just looking out for you as a sister to both of you"
Valdis smiled back, touched by her words. "Take Care, Eivor"
"Take Care Valdis" Eivor beamed back, looking at her once more, before she turned around and left, heading back to Ravensthorpe once more.
Author's Note: This is one of the most complicated sorta romance stories I wrote (even harder than the Oswald cheating ones). Because you got two people who like the same person but said person doesn't feel the same, although he did for one of them at the beginning. I also wasn't going to add the Epilogue part and was tempted to leave it without Eivor telling Valdis about Oswald's death, I did a U turn at the end because I thought it would be a bit cold on Eivor's behalf if she didn't I mean Valdis deserves to know at least right? I'm glad I did as at least there's a little more sisterhood and bonding from them.
Oswald doesn't have a necklace in the game, but I added this in for plot purposes, one so Eivor could have something to shake Valdis from her denial, Second so she could have a keepsake and a little something to remember him by. Eivor returning the alliance ring is a sign of her giving up the alliance, as she feels responsible for Oswald's death and it was because of her he died (Killing Rued started a chain of events leading directly to his death) as long as she lives, she will always carry the burden and guilt of his blood on her hands.
Anyway hope you enjoyed, if you made it this far - please comment as Stat Page is playing up again. Thanks!