Wedding Horns

Wedding Horns was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
==Description==
Eivor attended Oswald and Valdis' wedding in Elmenham.
==Dialogue==
With Rued defeated, Eivor traveled from Burgh Castle to Elmenham. When she arrived, she found the fences and posts covered in flowers and the townspeople in high spirits.
*Eivor: Wedding preparation's in full bloom.
Eivor made her way to the church.
*Anglo-Saxon Child 1: Come come, the wedding is soon to start!
*Anglo-Saxon Child 2: How grand!
Eivor approached Oswald as he talked to a woman outside the church.
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: A beautiful and worthy celebration, my lord.
*Oswald: Thank you. May this feast set a spirited tone for East Anglia's future.
Oswald turned to Eivor.
*Oswald: Eivor, I'm so glad you've made it! Just like you to keep a king waiting at his own wedding.
*Eivor: Yet, I arrived in the end.
*Oswald: A part of me worried you wouldn't.
<tabber>
|-|I gave you my word.=
*Eivor: I told you I'd see you crowned. And now here we are.
*Oswald: Without you, I'd be dead. Another wasted hope for East Anglia.
*Eivor: You look good, Oswald. Like a man about to marry a more powerful woman.
*Oswald: Do I? Because I'm nervous as hell.
*Eivor: Of all the battles a man can fight, the war against himself is the hardest to win.
|-|I came to feast.=
*Eivor: I came for the food and the mead. Is there a wedding as well?
Oswald laughed.
*Oswald: There is, there is! You won't be disappointed by what Elmenham has to offer.
*Eivor: You look good, Oswald. Like a man about to marry a more powerful woman.
*Oswald: Do I? Because I'm nervous as hell.
*Eivor: Of all the battles a man can fight, the war against himself is the hardest to win.
|-|You look good, Oswald.=
*Eivor: You look good, Oswald. Like a man about to marry a more powerful woman.
*Oswald: Do I? Because I'm nervous as hell.
*Eivor: Of all the battles a man can fight, the war against himself is the hardest to win.
</tabber>
Oswald nodded, before entering the church as Eivor followed. Inside, Finnr and Wynnstan, reeve of Theotford, stood at the altar with Oswald. Finnr clasped Oswald's arm in solidarity as Eivor leaned on a column in the shadows. Valdis entered the chapel flanked by Broder and Brothir. She briefly glanced at Eivor, who nodded, before proceeding down the to Oswald's side. Finnr offered a cup of red paint to the couple, and they marked each others' foreheads then placed a ring on their partner's left ring finger.
*Finnr: I hereby name you man and wife. And as man and wife, I name you...
Finnr turned to Wynnstan and took the crown he offered, placing it on Oswald's head.
*Finnr: Oswald of Elmenham, first of his name, the rightful king of East Anglia... with his Lady Valdis, soul, fist, and beauty of this land.
Bells rang as the congregation cheered. Eivor nodded again and peeled herself off the column and made for the door. Exiting the church, she turned a corner to see the side lot readied for a party. Finnr walked up behind.
*Eivor: You've done it, steward. A king now sits on the throne of East Anglia.
*Finnr: Don't leave yourself out of this song. We did it together.
*Eivor: Back to your dreams, then. Of fire and Helheim.
*Finnr: I lost my way some time ago. Hard to say when. I don't want to be here. I never did. This was Halfdan's dream. He ordered me to see it through. In my dreams, I'm sailing, remember? Wind in my beard, salt on my lips. I want that life again. Whether or not I find it, only time will tell. Until then, let us feast, drink, and forget our pain!
Finnr walked off. Behind her, Eivor could hear some of the party-goers talking.
<tabber>
|-|If Rued was killed=
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: A Dane? Leading a Saxon army?
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 3: Better than her brothers too. She charged into battle without fear.
|-|If Rued was spared=
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: She stormed Burgh Castle, brought Rued to his knees. And let Oswald hold him for trial?
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 3: I could hardly believe my ears either.
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 4: It was Oswald's wishes.
</tabber>
Brothir called out to Eivor from under a nearby pavilion.
*Brothir: Eivor, care for a challenge?
Eivor spoke to Brothir.
*Brothir: Eivor! Wolf-Kissed! Gaze upon my pots. They stand so strong! Unbreakable at this distance, no?
*Eivor: They are not, Brothir. My arrows shatter whatever targets they strike.
*Brothir: Even after draining so much mead? Succeed and you shall be rewarded!
<tabber>
|-|I will show you.=
*Eivor: Keep your eyes open long enough to witness this, you drunken lout.
Eivor downed a mug of ale and began loosing arrows at all the pots, breaking them.
|-|
Maybe later.=
*Eivor: Maybe later, Brothir.
Brothir shook his head.
*Brothir: (blows a raspberry)
Eivor returned later and spoke to him again.
*Brothir: Eivor!
*Eivor: Still waiting for me to break your pots?
*Brothir: Yes! No one else will entertain me. Come on! Do it!
</tabber>
Eivor re-entered the church.
*Anglo-Saxon Man 1: I've never seen this church look so beautiful.
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 5: Oswald designed it himself. Handpicked all the decorations here.
Eivor found a note behind the altar.
:Unfinished VersesValdis, I have never heard a name such as yours. But it brings to mind the flowers of my—Dear, Valdis, you are our Queen now. Together we will bear the fruits of—Valdis, you are the sole captor of my soul, my burning ember, the igneous—
Exiting the church, Eivor found another note in the longhouse.
:Nobleman's DiaryI have worked tirelessly for this marriage alliance. And now that it approaches, I find myself beset by doubts. Plagued by fears that I am unworthy as a king, a husband, even as a lover. And this woman shall be my wife—it cannot be politics alone. A woman such as Valdis deserves more. A poem perhaps? No, no ... or should I?
Returning to the main party beside the church, Eivor approached Oswald and Valdis at the stage.
*Oswald: ...so I told the Dane, "You get the wool while the Saxon gets his milk." They'll trade with each other, and when the time comes, we will make it into a good stew for everyone.
*Valdis: You like sheep?
*Oswald: I hate it, actually. When we make that stew, you can have my bowl.
*Valdis: You think in such a strange way.
Eivor spoke to Valdis.
*Eivor: What do you make of this Christian ceremony?
*Valdis: Finnr is no priest, but he did the job well enough. And as far as wedding ceremonies go, I intend this one to be my last.
*Eivor: Oswald is a good man.
*Valdis: He is. If not for you, I would have lost him. Thank you, Eivor.
Eivor spoke to Oswald.
*Oswald: Eivor! The festivities have only just begun. Enjoy yourself.
As she passed, Eivor heard some of the nearby dancers speaking
*Norse Man: Behold! How light-footed I am!
*Anglo-Saxon Man 2: You're as light-footed as a bear in a birch tree!
*Anglo-Saxon Man 3: These are the moves of Elmenham!
:(If Eivor aided the Green Children of Anglia)
:Eivor spotted some familiar friends and began dancing with them.
:*Norse Child 1: Large walker! Join us, large walker!
:*Eivor: Ah, my small walkers! I see that you are enjoying yourselves.
:*Norse Child 2: Of course! There is plenty of cake for walkers all around East Anglia now, both large and small!
Eivor walked by Broder standing near the ale caskets.
*Broder: Skal, Eivor! Let's have a drink!
Eivor talked to him.
*Broder: Your fist is without ale! Let us address that.
*Eivor: Surely a special kind of mettle is required for drinking before the new king.
*Broder: A mettle not unlike your own!
*Eivor: To Odin and his endless glories.
*Brotder: And the new king of East Anglia! May his reign be long and good!
Eivor raised a glass in toast and downed the contents.
*Broder: Not bad, Wolf-Kissed! I wager you couldn't drink more than me if you tried.
*Eivor: A fool's wager.
*Broder: A challenge nonetheless. What say you?
<tabber>
|-|I will take you on.=
*Eivor: I will drink you under the table.
*Broder: Confident are you? Let us see how you fair against the Ale Beast of East Anglia. And we'll make it interesting. Put your silver where your mouth is. What say you?
|-|Not now.=
*Eivor: I could use a drink and shame you all at once, Broder. But not right now.
Broder waved her away. She returned later and spoke to him again.
*Broder: Eivor! Drink, come drink!
*Eivor: Still here, drunkard?
*Broder: Waiting for you! Come now, accept my challenge.
</tabber>
A crowd gathered to cheer as Eivor and Broder downed their horns of ale.
<tabber>
|-|Eivor won.=
*Eivor: The ale here... it's strong. But I am stronger.
Eivor cackled.
*Broder: Aye, stronger than me. You drink as well as Valdis. Now that I would pay to see!
(If Eivor gambled on the match, the following scene will play out.)
*Eivor: Speaking of payment, where is my silver?
*Broder: Here. Well earned, Wolf-Kissed.
Broder paid Eivor the agreed bet and walked away.
|-|Eivor lost.=
*Eivor: I'll (hic) get you next time.
Eivor talked to Broder after the match, slurring her words.
*Eivor: This ale is strong, Broder.
*Broder: Hah, but I am stronger! Better luck next time, Wolf-Kissed.
(If Eivor gambled on the match:)
*Broder: Now, you owe me some silver.
*Eivor: Fine, take it.
Eivor paid the bet and Broder walked away.
</tabber>
Eivor left the ale caskets.
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 6: Skal? Is that what you say?
*Norse Woman 1: Yes, to celebrate. Skal! Drink more!
Near the steps to the side of the church, Eivor heard someone call out.
*Norse Woman 2: Look there, Finnr on the roof!
*Norse Man 2: The road to Valhalla does not run that way, Finnr!
*Norse Woman 2: He's been up there a while.
As she drew near, a drunk Finnr called down to Eivor from a ledge near the church roof.
*Finnr: Eivor, Eivor. Some sweet wine for a sweet swine. Come join me!
Eivor climbed up the church and met with Finnr.
*Finnr: The Saxon god wanders somewhere up here, does he not? I haven't seen him.
*Eivor: They like to say he moves with mystery.
Finnr gave a doubtful glance, then motioned to the sun as Eivor stared confused.
*Finnr: Look, the moon! It moves untroubled now. But one day, it will be eaten by a giant wolf, and the nights will be black forevermore.
*Eivor: Are you all right?
*Finnr: I tasted glory once again! And it was good.
*Eivor: I'm glad to hear it. Now—
*Finnr: I always felt like or , chasing and trying to fulfill Halfdan's wishes. But now I've caught my Sun and Moon... I've got them and I... I don't know.
*Eivor: You can let them go. Sail to a further shore.
*Finnr: My longship's in Valhalla! Or don't you remember, Fire-Starter?
Finnr collapsed. Exasperated, Eivor rolled their eyes.
*Eivor: Come on. Let's get you to solid ground.
*Finnr: Hm! Everything's spinny.
Eivor picked up Finnr.
*Finnr: You're very stong.
*Eivor: Y-you're very large.
Eivor climbed down the church and deposited Finnr on the ground.
*Finnr: Sorry for this, Eivor. I've had one last glory, I should be happy. I am happy. Thank you.
*Eivor: It need not be the last.
*Finnr: Not the last...
Finnr waved her off and fell asleep. Leaving him there, Eivor came to a feast table set with apples, bread, and a roast wild boar. Eivor frowned before turning as a tipsy Broder walked up behind her.
*Broder: The boar represents fertility. Did you know that?
*Eivor: As does Freyr. What's your point?
*Broder: You impress me, Eivor. Your battle wisdom, your strength of character, skilled in so many ways. Yet I wonder. Is there any skill of mins that I could impress upon you?
*Eivor: Even a fool has something to teach, whether they're aware of the lesson or not.
*Broder: Aye, aye. but I could show you how to wield my... plough-sword.
<tabber>
You want to lay with me?=
*Eivor: Be plain about it, stiff-spear. You want to lay with me, is that it?
*Broder: That I do. Will you follow me? To a place more comfortable?
|-|
I am not interested.=
*Eivor: Sheath your plow-sword, Broder. I'm not interested.
*Broder: Ah, you thought... No no, I wasn't serious. Come on now, drink and be merry!
*Eivor: Well ahead of you, friend.
Broder awkwardly excused himself.
*Broder: Wait, did you hear... Did my brother just call me? I think he... You know, I should go. Brothir?
|-|
Have another mead, friend.=
Eivor knocked on the table.
*Eivor: Have another horn of mead, Broder. It's brewed with clover and raspberry, they say.
*Broder: Did you hear what I...?
Eivor smiled as she handed a full horn to Broder, who immediately downed it.
*Broder: Mmmm. Yes, it's good.
*Eivor: Keep that up.
Broder awkwardly excused himself.
*Broder: Wait, did you hear... Did my brother just call me? I think he... You know, I should go. Brothir?
</tabber>
*Eivor: Enough fun and games. I should see how Oswald is doing.
Eivor returned to Oswald and Valdis at the stage.
*Oswald: Eivor, I'm about to address our guests, and I'd like you to be there.
*Eivor: It's been a worthy ceremony so far.
*Oswald: And have you had enough fun yet?
<tabber>
I am ready for your address.=
*Eivor: I'm ready to hear you address your kingdom.
*Oswald: Good. Come, come. Join me.
|-|
I am not done celebrating.=
*Eivor: I'm not yet finished celebrating. I'll come find you when I'm done.
*Oswald: Take your time. It can wait.
Eivor returned later and spoke to Oswald again.
</tabber>
Oswald and Valdis took the stage as the crowd gathered around.
*Oswald: Friends, honored guests. We've pushed through hard times. It seems like all we've known is loss. And suffering. But it is not conflict that binds us. It is compassion. May we always favor compassion, even when our enemies refuse its boon. So... to my Dane friends and neighbors, I give thanks for the bravery you have shown during our collective struggles. And for my fellow Christians, may we continue standing as examples of our Lord's grace. Lights in the dark. I see East Anglia's future right here. Right now. In all of you, Dane and Saxon alike. To our future!
The crowd cheered in support. Finnr, having recovered from his hangover, stood in the crowd and nodded in agreement. Broder, also in attendance, spoke to Brothir.
*Broder: Still a bit soft on insults, but the king has courage.
*Oswald: And to Eivor, without whom none of this would have been possible!
Oswald motioned Eivor forward, and the Viking stepped onto the stage.
*Valdis: On behalf of East Anglia, let this ring be proof of our loyalty to the Raven Clan, and all they have done for us today.
Valdis gave Eivor an arm ring.
*Oswald: Would you have any words of wisdom for us?
<tabber>
Oswald will be a good king.=
*Eivor: Oswald – you would not have been my first choice as king. Nor my second. I thought you weak, bendable, without resolve. But not all men are as they first appear. I came to see that Oswald's heart is amongst the largest I have ever known. He is sturdy, he has wisdom, he has courage. All qualities worthy of a man to be king. He is the king East Anglia deserves, and the king you need. To the good King Oswald!
|-|
East Anglia is safe now.=
*Eivor: I'm not one to bask in the glow of another's triumph. But I'll say this: East Anglia is safe. Under his protection, under his guidance, under his wing, the good king Oswald will keep you safe for many moons to come.
|-|
Skal!=
*Eivor: To the good King Oswald! Skal! (Cheers!)
</tabber>
*Broder: To Oswald!
*Brothir, Eivor, and Crowd: Skal!
*Oswald and Valdis: Skal!
*Crowd: Skal!
<tabber>
|-|If Rued was killed at Burgh Castle=
*Finnr: Okay, everyone, the bridal race starts now. Remember, you all have to lose to the bride and groom!
Eivor and the attendees raced to the longhouse.
*Brothir: Quick, brother!
*Broder: We can't lose to Oswald!
Eivor arrived at the longhouse behind all the other participants. Out of breath, Brothir laughed at her.
*Brothir: You lost!
Eivor bowed, accepting her defeat. Later, she sat alone, watching the party until Oswald stepped before her.
*Eivor: It was a beautiful wedding, Oswald. Like you said it would be.
*Oswald: Thanks to you and everything you've done here.
*Eivor: When we met, I spoke of an alliance. Will you hold to the oath you made?
*Oswald: I will. Consider East Anglia a friend of the Raven Clan.
Eivor and Oswald shook hands.
*Eivor: There will be a day when I come calling.
Oswald nodded.
*Oswald: Goodbye, friend.
*Eivor: Until next time, great king.
Eivor bowed and took her leave.
|-|
If Rued was spared=
*Finnr: Steady all. And ready yourself for the wedding race, the king and his bride against all!
A wounded soldier entered the churchyard, interrupting the festivities.
*Norse Soldier: My king!... He... he—
Rued suddenly came from behind and impaled the man on a blade.
* Rued: The sheep you left to guard me have been shorn! Oswald! King of the sheep-fuckers! Show your eyes!
Oswald glanced at Valdis before descending the stage steps to meet Rued.
*Eivor: I challenge you!
*Oswald: I accept.
</tabber>
As she left Elmenham, Eivor saw an elderly woman and her son also leaving the party.
*Anglo-Saxon Woman 7: It's good that Oswald married a Dane. I'm tired of fighting.
*Anglo-Saxon Man 4: I know, Mother. Maybe peace is the way of things now.
==Outcome==
Eivor joined the wedding guests in celebrating the marriage of Oswald and Valdis.
==Trivia==
*If Eivor romanced Broder and then called him by the wrong name, he complains about how wonderful everyone thinks his brother is and how it's always "Brothir, Brothir, Brothir." This is a reference to a scene from the 1960s TV show , in which Jan complains about her sister and everything is always "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia".
*Finnr can be recruited as a member of the Jomsvikings depending on decisions Eivor makes in the memory.
**If Eivor chooses to spare Rued in A Fury from the Sea, he will appear in the memory after Oswald's speech. Choosing to let Oswald duel against Rued will prevent Finnr from being recruited, as he will pledge his allegiance to Oswald. Choosing to duel against Rued in Oswald's place will allow for Finnr to be recruited.
==Gallery==
ACV Wedding Horns 2.png|The wedding ceremony underway
ACV Wedding Horns 5.png|Finnr offering a cup of red paint to both Oswald and Finnr
ACV Wedding Horns 6.png|The wedding ring
ACV Wedding Horns 7.png|Wynnstan handing the crown to Finnr
ACV Wedding Horns 9.png|Eivor speaking to Finnr on his mission's outcome
ACV Wedding Horns 10.png|Brothir inviting Eivor for an archery challenge
ACV Wedding Horns 11.png|Broder inviting Eivor for a drink
==References==
*Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
Category:Memories of Eivor Varinsdottir
Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5