Chapter Text
“Back again are we?”
You will never be rid of this giant Viking woman, you were sure of it. Every few days she would appear at your stone fence, freshly picked flowers in hand and a hopeful twinkle in those bright blue eyes. It had been this way for almost three months now. Not that you didn’t enjoy the abundance of attention she showered you with, it was simply a matter of her living down the hill and you living up the hill. Two very different villages.
Your village was only Saxon and hers was mostly Dane and Norse alike, although they were still accepting of Saxons taking refuge there. The day they set up camp where the old Dane village used to be, was the day your village was in a full panic. Everyone thought they’d come to kill you all in your beds. Though as the days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, it became apparent that the Vikings down the hill had no interest in your small farm village.
That was until she showed up. Three months ago you’d been out shepherding your flock of loud bleating sheep. It was calm, as it usually was, so you’d decided to pop into your home to grab some bread to munch on. Well, you were only gone for a few minutes, yet when you returned all ten sheep were gone. It was like they up and vanished into thin air. You called and called for them, stumbling around the nearby forest in a panic until night fell, where you gave up and shuffled home in defeat. All hope was lost, your poor flock had probably been slaughtered by a pack of hungry wolves.
Just there, out of the dark and gloom of the forest, a single torch light and ten white fluffy sheep completely unharmed. You rushed out to meet them, shouting profanities at the clueless creatures along the way. Upon turning to face the savior of your flock you were sure you had died and gone to heaven. Somewhere in the forest you’d been murdered by wolves and this was the angel sent to deliver you. Such a beautiful, gorgeous stranger, dressed head to toe in dark leather with two devilish axes hanging off her belt.
When she spoke your heart melted, a low and husky rasp, just soft enough to inquire gently if the animals were yours. To which you agreed, and she assisted you in leading your flock to their pen. The entire time, watching you and drinking in every inch of your appearance just as you had with her. You asked her name, politely, you needed to know the name of the person who saved your sheep.
Eivor of the Raven Clan
Hearing the name was like a slap to the face, water on the flames of desire. This was one of the Danes from down the hill, not just any, their mightiest warrior. Their chieftain. Many a Saxon she had killed, even aided in the overthrow of the Mercian king, and there you were fawning over her. And she over you apparently.
She was leant partially over your stone fence, elbows baring most of her weight, hands dangling over the edge. Her flaxen hair was glimmering in the torch light, silky braid hanging over one shoulder. The kittenish smirk across her handsome face told you she was hoping for some kind of reward for her troubles.
A pretty young maid such as yourself surely does not live alone, where is your husband? Perhaps I can keep you warm while he is away?
Oh what a naughty thing she was, and you were tempted to let her inside. Yet you did not and instead answered with a short I am unmarried and stomped off into your home without another word. Maybe it was a tad rude not thanking her for going out of her way to return your flock to you, and slamming the door on her.
Still, a week later she returned, with a fistful of flowers and a poem in her heart. Clearly she was hoping to win your affections with such a lovely gesture. You held firm, no . This did not stop her from frequenting your home every week without fail. Your neighbors were becoming anxious and suspicious of you, no longer leaving treats at your door or greeting you in the mornings. This large warrior was slowly turning your entire village against you.
Her advances were rather endearing though, and you found yourself looking forward to her visits as of late. Hoping she would show up, waking every morn and thinking about her pretty smile. You had to give it to her, she was beginning to grow on you despite the extreme effort you went through to not fall for her. She stirred such intense emotions inside you, how she walked, talked, and did virtually anything. Your pitiful sapphic heart couldn't take all six feet of such a wondrous being. She must've been Lucifer in disguise, no one was so terribly alluring, irresistible. Goddamn her, she was distracting you from your work. “Do you not have daily duties or tasks that need tending?”
Eivor was grinning at you as she leant against the stone fence, always staying on the other side, never invading your property without permission. Next to her was a stack of several linen tunics she had brought with her, a gift for you. Last week you had mentioned absentmindedly that you were in need of new linens, all of yours were tattered rags. Low and behold, she remembered, waltzing up the hill with an armful of freshly woven linens. Perceptive woman.
“No task is more important than coming to your aid, should you need it.” Mhm, you were certain that was the reason she hung around, and not to stare blatantly at your ass when you bent to tend your garden. Many a time you had caught her entranced by the bouncing of your breasts or the swaying of your behind, she was not slick. To which you would promptly say my eyes are up here and she would avert those gorgeous blues with a striking red blush tinting her cheeks.
You made it a point to never allow her over your property line or inside your house, your neighbors were already willing to crucify you for even speaking to her. If you let her into your home, and someone saw, they would have you hanged by sunset. But today was slightly chilled, and the leaves were browning, winter was soon upon you. Your sheep needed to graze, and you needed your full attention on the harvest. So perhaps the Viking woman would get her wish.
“Luck shines upon you this day then, Eivor of the Raven Clan, my sheep need a shepherd.” The way her eyes lit up with joy was delightfully adorable. It was apparent that she was simply happy enough just being in your presence, so actually getting the chance to be of service to you made her ecstatic. You used the wooden shepherd's staff to point at the small hill just a little behind your property. “Take them down to that field there to graze, keep them safe and perhaps I will allow you to finally court me.”
You tossed the staff to her, her large and partially gloved hand deftly catching it, a cheeky smile on her face. Lord have mercy she was such a little ham around you. It was endearing as all hell.
“I will guard them with my life.” Eivor opened the sheep’s pen, all ten of them willingly following the tall Viking down the small hill. You could hear them bleating questioningly up at her, and her cooing softly back to them in a sweet voice as they disappeared from view.
She did look quite lovely from the back-
No, none of that. You can’t fall for her, even if she was so beautiful and absolutely smitten with you. She lives down the hill, you live up the hill, end of story.
Speaking of down the hill, you wondered what that village looked like now that her clan had moved in. The previous tenants were rowdy but did not stay for long, and then those bandits took up camp there before her clan arrived. They didn’t seem to be very loud, the occasional horn blowing and shouts of merriment. Always a minimal amount of fire smoke pluming up from between the trees. Perhaps it was a small village? Maybe you could just take a little look, in disguise of course. God knows Eivor would carry you in like a new bride if you asked her to give you a tour.
Yes, a brief look around the place would do no harm. Hopefully Eivor would be too busy doing chieftain things to really notice the presence of one newcomer. Without her hovering you could observe in peace, maybe even speak to a few people. One of your many admirers gifted you a brand new cloak for the winters and chilly nights, that would be your disguise. A brilliant plan indeed.
For now though, you would focus on the grain harvest, that was what was more important. You really needed a farm hand for this, every fall you regretted not hiring one. The workload was so much for one single woman to do. Sure you had a very large companion that was willing to drop everything and assist you, as well as a slew of salivating men. But you were stubborn, you could do it yourself, you needed no one's help.
It took several long and grueling hours but the harvest was finally brought in and ready to be stored for winter. Grains and herbs, potatoes, etcetera. You accomplished a lot, and you were proud of yourself for it.
Eivor had been gone for quite some time with your flock, perhaps you should check on them? Maybe the Viking finally stole them from you for her own village… she would never… you would just go check. Just in case. You needed that wool for warmth and to sell.
There was a small hill just behind your home, where you told her to take them to graze. At the bottom was a large field that you often rested in, soaking up the sun's rays and enjoying the cool breeze. Down in the meadow, wildflowers of all shapes and colors grew in a bright green bed of grass. Scattered about were your ten hungry sheep, chewing on the blades and bleating every so often. Most were standing up and munching away, but there were a few laying in the grass, too lazy to stand and graze like the rest.
Among those laying, was an angelic vision, braided hair of spun gold draped over the back of one sheep. Her pretty head was resting against the animal's wool, using him as a makeshift pillow, a single flower twirling between her fingers. She had chosen the spot you often did, under a large tree that provided an adequate amount of shade.
From your spot you could hear her heavenly voice humming a soft tune, blue eyes fixated on the way the flower spun between her fingers and swayed in the gentle breeze. One leg was bent at the knee and unconsciously oscillating from side to side, the other limb was extended to its full length.
For a short moment you allowed yourself to fantasize about her. Watching her from afar as her lover, how she would smile upon realizing you were watching and beckon you over. You would bring her lunch, a small pie perchance for you both to share in the afternoon sun under the branches of the beech tree.
A wondrous fantasy that couldn’t come to fruition under the circumstances placed on you. All you could do was sigh dreamily instead and prepare yourself to scold the blonde half heartedly for falling asleep on the job.
Your feet carried you down the small hill, a few of your animals lifting their fluffy heads to baaah loudly at you. At the sound of your stomping and the sheep greeting you, Eivor turned her head to face your rapidly approaching form, unbothered by the frown that had settled upon your countenance.
“Is this what you call guarding them with your life?” Those baby blues raked over your body from head to toe, it was a slow motion, one that made you feel naked. Physically and spiritually. Eivor always looked at you like she was ready to both devour you and lovingly cherish you until the end of time.
“Your flock is comforted by my presence, they will not wander I assure you.” Bullshit! You could barely keep them under control when you watched them, it was always a struggle. It took you years to gain their trust enough for them to maybe come to you when you called. They wouldn’t listen to someone else even if their lives depended on it. Stubborn little shits.
“Oh please, they hardly know you.” That was untrue, she had come around so often that they weren’t even shy around her anymore. Come to think of it, you didn’t really remember a time when they were shy around her. Perhaps she was right then? Maybe they were comforted by Eivor.
She had not moved from her spot in the grassy knoll. The wooly sheep she was using as a pillow bleated softly up at you, as if to say shut up and leave us alone woman . God, these creatures were adorable but had such an attitude sometimes. Eivor had a small, amused smile upon her lips, glancing at the sheep talking back to you.
“I wonder, will they come if you call for them?” The two of you shared a brief stare down, her ice blue eyes seemingly much brighter in the afternoon sun peaking through the leaves. With a huff of annoyance and swelling pride, you stomped back up the hill, standing at the top and waiting a moment to catch your breath. You’ll never get used to that damned incline. Never. Though you tried not to let it show, you didn’t need Eivor seeing you out of breath from walking such a short distance, that would be shameful.
You clapped your hands twice to get your flock’s attention, cupping your hands over your mouth to amplify your voice.
“Come sheep! Time for supper!” Around half of your sheep raised their heads from grazing to stare boredly up at you. There was one faint baah and then they resumed their lunch. Oh you bastards! So you repeated yourself much louder this time, cheeks blazing hot from embarrassment. “Come sheep!”
No movement. None whatsoever. Not even a baah this time.
Eivor rose to her feet with a knowing smirk, dusting herself off and approaching your position on the hill in slow leisurely strides. Making it a point to show how your flock seemed to lament her absence. They shifted anxiously around the field, not knowing where their shepherd had gone off to. A few were bleating, frightened about being left without someone to protect them.
Finally the Viking reached you, the incline doing virtually nothing to her respiratory system, or it at least appeared that way. There she stood next to you, throwing a cocky glance in your direction before bringing her fingers to her lips and whistling rather loudly. A short and sharp sound that did the job quite nicely.
All ten of your fluffy creatures bleated in response to her call, trotting over to surround you both in a sea of white. Out of the corner of your eye you could see her smiling down at you, playful and mischievous. Beautiful arrogant bitch.
One older sheep lifted its head for her to scratch at his chin and rub his soft ears, to which she did, still grinning at you in triumph of her display of dominance. You said nothing, pretending not to notice her, but she knew you saw her. It was impossible not to see her, especially with such a wonderful smile.
Damn her! How dare she show just how useful she was to you, and look cute while doing it too.
“Come, sheep.” Eivor began her journey to your small farm, the gaggle of sheep following closely behind her and at her side. She turned, twisting slightly at the waist to look back when you didn’t follow her, that sly smile still plastered on her face. “You as well, my heart.”
She was making it so very hard to ignore the blossoming feeling in your chest. It wasn’t the first term of endearment she’d referred to you as, but it certainly was by far your favorite. You had to actively catch the dreamy sigh threatening to blow through your nose. She could not see the things she was doing to you, it would only push her to continue her tirade of romance.
When your feet stayed firmly planted on the ground she repeated herself, softer, sweeter; her hand gestured for you to follow. “Come, come.”
And so you did, your head bowed slightly in shame. You felt like one of the sheep, following such a handsome shepherd back to your home. Eivor awaited your return to her side, hand reaching up to stroke your hair, like a reward for obeying her command. Yeah, now you really felt like one of the sheep.
Eivor aided in rounding up every wooly little creature and putting them into their pen. You allowed it, they obviously listened to her far more than you anyways. With her back to you as she closed the small gate, you could think clearly for a moment. What on earth were you doing? Fraternizing with a Dane, allowing her to touch you, what was next? Kissing? Before you knew it she would have you on your back in her bed. This must come to an end.
But when she turned to face you again, eyes alight with the joy of just being near you, you found yourself thinking maybe it is not all that bad. Quite sheepishly she approached, one hand reaching up to scratch nervously at the back of her neck for a second. The sun was setting and casting an orangish glow on the both of you, the color making the blue of her eyes pop and that flaxen hair look even silkier than before.
Eivor was the most ethereal being you had ever laid eyes on, if anyone was descended from divinity it was her. Bewitching, magical even, if you hadn’t known any better you would’ve thought she slipped you a love potion. Alas, she was just insanely beguiling. It made you feel light and airy the way she looked at you, like you were a goddess reincarnated. Her face was so pleasing to the eye, the skin looked so soft despite the jagged scar running across her cheek. You wanted to touch it, you always had, which was slightly rude and invasive but still.
Your hand was reaching for her of its own accord, wanting to touch, to feel her warmth. Eivor did not pull away like you desperately hoped she would, did not stop you in any way. Instead, as your palm laid gently against her cheek, she leant into it. Eyes closing, deep breath exiting her lungs as your thumb traced the deep battle scar.
So beautiful , she was so arrestingly handsome.
You would have found yourself kissing her if it wasn’t for the distant creaking of wood. The moment was shattered as soon as your eyes beheld the sight of your closest neighbor, watching with mouth agape from their front door. Anxiety, crippling fear shot straight down your spine and made you rip your hand away with a gasp. Eivor was startled by this and turned to see what you were staring at, not at all as worried as you were about the situation.
Caught, you’d been caught being intimate with another woman. A Dane woman at that! Your neighbor, realizing they had discovered something truly vile and wicked about you, scrambled inside and shut the door tightly. Eivor turned back to face you with curious eyes, questions swirling in those ice blue eyes, getting ready to settle on her lips. This was terrible, so fucking terrible! Your mind was reeling with all the possible outcomes to being found out as a sapphic, none of them were pleasant. You would be lucky if they didn’t come to burn you alive by the morning. The inferno of anarchy and chaos raging in your mind was too much to bear, especially with Eivor inquiring quietly if you were alright.
Every breath you took rang in your ears, your heart was pounding hard in your chest, furthering along the poison of anxiety pulsing in your veins. It felt like your insides were made of needles, poking at all your vital organs and threatening your life. Good god you couldn’t fucking breathe.
You too shuffled quickly up the steps of your home, Eivor taking a step to follow, but the severe glare you shot her gave her pause, and she remained where she was. Standing in the middle of your small farm with wide crestfallen eyes, brows knitted slightly at the top in confusion. Wondering where she had gone wrong, if it was her fault. In the back of your mind you were shouting that it wasn't, she was perfect she could never do anything wrong. But you said nothing, only stood shakily in your doorway as you said whatever came to your mind first.
“Go home Eivor... please..” Your demand was as gentle as you could make it without shattering her poor heart to pieces. The door shut on her somber expression and it hurt you so badly to see that. The woman was so obviously in love with you, and you were about to allow yourself the impossible luxury of loving her back. Everything you both would have ever wanted, come true. If not for your nosy ass neighbors and their zealous, restrictive Christian ideals.
These people were prepared to take everything from you for simply being who you were, and you were sure they would in the coming days. Your home, your livelihood, even your life if you weren’t careful.
Knees giving out from the stress of the situation you were faced with, you sat down with your back to the wooden door, tears welling up on your waterline. Eivor’s sad face was burned into your brain, the image sending painful twinges to constrict your heart and tug at its strings. You wanted to be with her, that you were now certain of, and it only took you being outed to your entire village to realize it.
What in the blazing hell were you going to do?