Chapter Text
The first time Eivor stumbled across Randvi in a state of unawareness was not long after their first hunting excursion together. She found the woman just on the outskirts of Fornburg.
Eivor had known during their hunt that Randvi had been a little embarrassed by how lacking her bow skills had become. Eivor did not judge, nor tease. Being all but chained to the war room table in the Raven Clan longhouse was enough to see anyone’s skills in the wild suffer. It tore Eivor apart knowing that she could give Randvi nothing but scraps when it came to the taste of a warrior’s life. A hunting trip here, a small raid there. The length of time between such outings was maddening even for herself, and Eivor could only imagine how it felt for her friend.
Eivor’s imagination turned out to be quite close to the mark, but not close enough to prepare her for what she would witness on her stroll this day. Despite the warmth of the sun, there was a bitter chill in the breeze. The guards around Fornburg all bounced in their places, rubbing their hands together and pulling their furs up close to their faces and necks. Most of them waved and said hello as she walked past, others were so consumed by their own thoughts and misery that they didn’t even seem to notice her.
Eivor made her way up and around the mountain, veering off away from the track and searching the sky for Synin. She had missed her mid day treat and Eivor's concern was growing deeper with each passing hour. Relief warmed the chill of her skin when she finally made clear of the trees and spotted the bird in the sky, circling some unknown prey far below in the distance.
There you are.
Whatever the prey was, it was hidden amongst some ragged boulders and Eivor found herself circling to get a better look at what her companion was eying off. Surprised at the sight she came across, Eivor halted her circling approach and ducked down as low as possible in the scrubby grass and snow beneath her.
Up ahead, a familiar redhead stood poised with a bow in her grip and an arrow nocked ready for firing. Eivor was behind Randvi, so her friend had not seen her silent company. Randvi let the arrow loose at her target, a small hay bag perched on a rock quite a way in front. They both watched the arrow soar fast and high past the hay bag and into the snow, lost to the elements. Randvi hung her head for a moment and took a deep breath, then grabbed another arrow to try again. This arrow shot wide and cracked into a rock off to the left, snapping its shaft and falling to the ground below.
“Fuck!” Randvi growled loud enough for even Eivor to hear. Synin cawed a response from up high, as if agreeing.
She yanked another arrow roughly from her quiver, aimed, and fired again. This arrow flew almost as high as the first, still too high for the bag. Eivor watched her fire again and again, each arrow missing, but each one piercing Eivor's soul with guilt. Finally Randvi threw the bow down and dropped to her knees in the snow. Eivor could see the woman hunch over and rest her face in her hands. For a moment, there was no movement. But then Eivor could see Randvi’s shoulders begin to tremble.
Oh, Randvi…
Eivor was torn. Approach and make her presence known, and risk humiliating her friend for being seen in such a vulnerable state. Or sneak away and let Randvi deal with her frustration alone with supposedly no witnesses. Eivor could not bring herself to leave. It didn’t feel right. Instead, she trudged forward, gasping at the cold air against her cheeks, and made her way to her friend.
“Randvi?” She called softly when she was close enough to be heard without startling the woman.
“Wha-Eivor?”
Randvi tensed and her head whipped around. She quickly assessed for any danger, slumping when she was sure the familiar voice was indeed Eivor’s.
“What are you doing out here?”
“Looking for Synin. And you?”
“Making a fucking fool of myself, obviously. No one was supposed to be watching.”
Eivor made it over to Randvi and slowly circled around, before dropping to her knees in the snow.
“Randvi, your outfit is not suited for this chill. It is freezing out here. Come back with me?” She slid a hand out and gripped Randvi’s fingers, noting how icy they were.
Randvi sniffled and looked up to meet Eivor’s eyes. Her nose was bright red, but her face was almost as pale as the snow. Eivor glanced down at her lips, ashen blue and trembling. Gods how she wanted to lean forward and warm them with her own. She shook the thought from her head. Sparkling trails, what were moments ago Randvi’s tears, curved their way down over her wind burnt cheeks.
“Couldn’t even hit the bag once, Eivor. Not once. This place will be the death of me. I will wither away into a defenseless old woman with nothing but paper and ink to fight with.”
Fresh tears welled in Randvi's eyes and Eivor huddled forward without a word, bringing her into her arms and warmth, cradling her as the sobbing started anew. Eivor said nothing, just held her tightly until the rivers ran dry. When she finally calmed, Eivor relaxed her hug a little and ran her fingers through Randvi's hair. Randvi pulled back slightly, shying away from the gesture.
“I look like shit.” Randvi's tone was embarrassed and pouty.
Eivor withdrew her hand for a second, wary of her touch being unwelcome. But her fingers had a mind of their own, reaching forward to tilt Randvi's chin up.
“You could never look like shit to me.” She locked eyes with Randvi in dead seriousness.
The statement was simple and factual, and Eivor tenderly wiped the tear trails from Randvi's cheeks with her thumbs before rising and bringing her friend up with her. They stood looking at each other for a moment, and Eivor did not miss the tiny spark of mutual affection that flew between the two of them.
“Let me get my things.” Randvi sighed in resignation, but she subtly brushed her fingers against Eivor's hand as she wandered off for her strewn belongings.
Eivor blinked rapidly with a rush of feelings and straightened her back. She looked up into the sky, the cold air filling her lungs and clearing her spinning thoughts instantly. Synin was still gliding above them. Meandering left and right against the breeze. She looked so calm and carefree. Eivor could not help but smirk. The bird knew exactly what it had done. The faint tendrils of their spirit bond had drawn Eivor out here for a reason. She looked back down as Randvi closely brushed past her without making eye contact.
“Not a word of this to anyone, Eivor.” Randvi shuffled off into the snow, back towards Fornburg.
Who are you when no one is watching?
Eivor nodded and followed in silence.