The Forge and the Flame

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The Forge and the Flame was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Basim Ibn Ishaq in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

Gunnar asked Eivor if she could officiate his wedding to Brigid as the Raven Clan's new jarlskona.

Dialogue

Eivor approached Gunnar at his forge.

• Gunnar: Eivor! Good to see you, I—erm. Did you want something or... I was wondering...
• Eivor: What's wrong?
• Gunnar: Brigid and I were thinking, with everything calming down the way it has... maybe you could find a spare moment and...
• Eivor: You want to be married.
• Gunnar: Yes. To each other.
• Eivor: Yes... I imagined. Gunnar, to see you so happy as been a pleasure. And to marry you would be an honor. Shall I put out a call to any friends abroad?
• Gunnar: I'll be honest, Eivor. I came here with the lot of you because nothing and no one kept me back there. The Raven Clan is all the family I need. And Brigid too. From all she's said, she's better off here than with those she calls kin. Just a couple of foundlings, we are.
• Eivor: Then let's not bother with tradition. If you've your bride and your blade, we will see you wed. As jarl, I do it gladly.

They set to business as usual, with Eivor having the option to bring up the wedding at any time.

• Eivor: About you and Brigid. When do you wish to be wed?
• Gunnar: The sooner I can make her my wife, the happier I will be. But we are fine to wait until everything has settled here.
• Eivor: Enough waiting! Cool your forge and cover your anvil. Let's get you married.
• Gunnar: Wonderful! Shall we gather everyone?
• Eivor: Gather your wife and your courage. I'll bring the people together.

Eivor gathered the residents of Ravensthorpe for the ceremony. An impromptu chapel was quickly built on a clifftop, with a large wooden platform set on the ground and featuring a large red carpet making up the central aisle. An archway was erected at the end, decorated with flowers and flanked on either side by the Raven Clan banner and lit braziers on smaller red carpets. Everyone turned out for the ceremony, from Randvi and Hytham to Valka and Alvis.

If Sigurd returned to EnglandIf Sigurd stayed in Norway

Sigurd in attendance with Eivor and the rest of the residents

Initially, Eivor stood beside her brother Sigurd, Randvi, and Valka.

Initially, Eivor stood beside Randvi and Valka.

With everyone gathered, Eivor walked before Brigid and Gunnar beneath the arch. She looked Gunnar in the eye and spread her arms, silently asking if she could proceed. After a quick glance to Brigid, Gunnar nodded in firm conviction and Eivor dipped her head in turn.

Eivor stepping in as the officiant

• Eivor: I am honored to stand before you, Gunnar, Brigid, on this bountiful day. To celebrate the strength of your bond and see you wed. I am in witness of a love that inspires and empowers. I invite you, now, to speak your vows.

Eivor stepped aside as Gunnar and Brigid turned to each other. Gunnar withdrew a sword from his belt.

• Gunnar: To you, my darling, Brigid, I offer this blade, forged in flames that burn as brightly as my heart does for you. A blade as sharp as your wit, as glinting as your beauty. May it sing through the air as sweetly as your voice meets my ears.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Gods, how I adore you, Gunnar. I am ever so luck to have found you, my love.)
• Gunnar: And I you. I give you my sword and my promise that I will stand at your side forever.

Gunnar presented his sword as a vow to Brigid

Gunnar handed Brigid the sword.

• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Long have I dreamed of my own future, and sought solace in hope and premonition. But no amount of scrying or foresight prepared me for the sweeping adventure of meeting you.)

Brigid handed the sword back to Gunnar.

• Brigid: (unintelligible) (You are a soul like none other. A man as strong as he is gentle and as kind as he is fierce. My hear soars alongside yours.)

In the congregation, Valka looked at Randvi and spread her hands in confusion, though Randvi shook her head in disagreement, quietly motioning to be civil and not interrupt the vows.

• Gunnar: Such poetry, O dear! You make me cry, my love.

Brigid produced a bracelet from her cloak and presented it to Gunnar.

• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Let us fly together, through this life and beyond.)

Gunnar and Brigid exchanging bracelets

• Gunnar: I offer you this ring, and take yours in kind. I will wear it with pride and honor, warmed by the love of so perfect a lady.

They traded bracelets and put them on, before holding hands.

• Brigid: (unintelligible) (And I will wear it with love, adoration, and faith everlasting.)
• Gunnar: This is the greatest day of my life! Embrace me, my love!

The couple kissed as the resident cheered.

• Eivor: With our couple now bonded in matrimony... now we drink!

The residents started to mingle and Eivor saw Randvi make a motion for her to follow. Not wanting to leave so soon after her duty as officiant, Eivor briefly joined the celebrations to talk with the guests, starting with Alvis.

• Eivor: Alvis, I am surprised you did not serenade the bride and groom with a verse or two.
• Alvis: O, I wished to, I did. But all that came to me were insults and jibes. Another time, I think.

Eivor approached the newly married couple.

• Eivor: Brigid. I gift you a formal welcome to our clan and our family. You are a fine addition to Gunnar's life and to ours.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Thank you, Eivor. I couldn't be happier to be here. I hope to know you better in the coming months and years.)
• Eivor: Yes... of course, I... as I say, it is wonderful to have you.

She turned to Gunnar.

• Eivor: Gunnar, you old trout... you're a married man. Never thought I would see the day.
• Gunnar: Nor did I. And not for lack of trying.

(If Sigurd returned to England)

Eivor speaking to Sigurd

Eivor approached her brother.

• Eivor: It is a strange feeling, Brother. Weddings are the beginning of something, but this feels like something of an end.
• Sigurd: The first happy union in our home. We have matured into something greater, so yes... a beginning and an end, I think.

Eivor walked towards Hytham.

• Eivor: And how are the marriage customs in your country, Hytham? Something like this?
• Hytham: Like this in all the most important ways. There are smiles, cheers and warm embraces. All that is needed, I think.

Eivor approached Reda.

• Eivor: You've been among us for quite some time, Reda. Are you ready to settle? Make a home here?
• Reda For a year or two, perhaps. But I am not the settling kind. I am a wanderer, always searching, never finding. Maybe one day.

Eivor approached Valka.

• Eivor: Valka. I want to thank you for all you have done for me. My visions have lessened of late, and I... well, I find it hard to explain how different I feel. Grounded. Unified. At peace.
• Valka: That is good to hear, Eivor. Very good to hear.

Eivor chatting with Randvi

Finally, Eivor went to talk with Randvi.

• Eivor: Randvi... Saw you looking a little lonely. Thought I might come and join you.
• Randvi: How nice. Are you enjoying yourself?
• Eivor: I am. I never thought I would see gruff old Gunnar so enraptured by a woman.
• Randvi: Enraptured by anything, for that matter. He's a hard one to read. But I am pleased for him. And for this day of rest and respite. After everything, a few days of feasting will do the people some good. They need this.
• Eivor: They do.
• Randvi: Will you walk with me?
• Eivor: Anywhere. Lead on.

Randvi started walking, with Eivor keeping up with her.

• Randvi: Something has been on my mind for some time. I am no seer, but I foresaw this day long ago. Not Gunnar's marriage, but our situation. Our success.
• Eivor: How do you mean our success?
• Randvi: I mean to say that I saw our settlement flourishing, through our victories in war and in diplomacy. And from the day we set out from Norway, I knew that you would make a fitter leader than Sigurd. It was never in his character to lead. It was always within yours.
• Eivor: I see.
• Randvi: Do you?
• Eivor: You might have warned me.
• Randvi: You would not have listened.
• Eivor: Fair.
• Randvi: I do hope you see it now, in all that you have done for us.
• Eivor: Randvi, you and the people here have done more for me than I could ever repay. I am honored by your faith in me. And your confidence.

(If Eivor already pursued a romantic relationship with Randvi.)

• Randvi: As I am honored by your love.
• Eivor: And I by yours.

Randvi revealing to Eivor that she and Sigurd had seperated

They arrived at a small river, and sat down beside each other on a log.

• Randvi: Eivor, I want you to know that Sigurd and I are... We are severing the bonds of our marriage. We share a love that is steadfast. And I have faith it will forever be so, but my heart is yours. That much he knows. And I believe he is happy for us.
• Eivor: Are you sure?
• Randvi: Sigurd's desires are bigger than any man or woman can offer. He longs for something more, something only he can find.

She rose and walked for a moment, remaining close by.

• Eivor: All he wants is far, far away. All I need is right here.

Eivor and Randvi currently in a relationship.Eivor and Randvi not currently in a relationship.

Eivor rose and walked towards Randvi for a kiss.

• Randvi: As I am honored by your friendship.
• Eivor: And I yours.

They arrived at a small river, and Randvi sat down on a log.

• Randvi: Eivor, I want you to know that Sigurd and I are... We are severing the bonds of our marriage.

Eivor glances down with a somber look and takes a seat next to Randvi.

• Randvi: We share a love that is steadfast, and I have faith it will forever be so. But it is not the love of a wife and her husband. It was not an easy decision. But after we talked with honesty, we embraced more warmly than we have in a great while. I think we will be happy.
• Eivor: I hope so. And I am pleased for you.
• Randvi: I am pleased for myself. Sigurd's desires are bigger than any man or woman can offer. He longs for something more.

She rose and walked a short distance away, gazing at the wedding down the hill.

Eivor stood up, facing Randvi's back.

• Eivor: And what about you? What are you looking for?
• Randvi: I have all I need right here. With you, with our people.

I am in love with you.I am grateful for you.

• Eivor: I want to say, Randvi… I love you, and I have for some time. I did not pursue it, not wanting to betray my brother's trust.

Eivor takes a couple steps forward.

• Eivor: But that does not mean I did not desire it. Does that surprise you?

Randvi turns around, walks toward Eivor, and kisses her passionately. They separate and Randvi turns to the side.

• Randvi: Gods, I worried you saw me as a woman starved for the affection of her husband. That it was loneliness driving me.

Randvi turns back and looks at Eivor.

• Randvi: But it was you, Eivor. Only you. Everything you are, everything you will become.
• Eivor: Randvi… without you I would have lost my way, a thousand times.

They embrace each other for a moment before continuing.

• Randvi: I never told him outright, but I doubt he will be surprised. I think he may have suspected it even. Some time ago.
• Eivor: If he suspected it, he never said anything.
• Randvi: He is more observant than I often give him credit for. I believe he sees us as we are. And as we hope to be. We can wait to tell him. Give it a few days, when the feasting is over and everything is settled.
• Eivor: Agreed. I have waited long enough for you, and you for me. What is another few days?
• Randvi: The blink of an eye.

They gently touched their foreheads together.

• Eivor: I am grateful. So much of our prosperity we owe to you. I hardly know where to begin.

Randvi turns around to face Eivor.

• Eivor: You are my truest friend, Randvi. My right hand. My greatest ally.
• Randvi: I give you my word it will always be so. I'm happiest by your side and in your company.

They firmly clasp their right arms together and smile at each other.

• Randvi: Shall we find our way back to the wedding? Brigid might give another speech. We must not miss that.
• Eivor: About that... I have not understood a single word of hers since Glowecestrescire!
• Randvi: Really. I find she speaks beautifully. With poetry, even.
• Eivor: Are you kidding?
• Randvi: Am I?

They shared a soft smile.

• Randvi: Come, we should go.

Outcome

Gunnar and Brigid were married. After the ceremony, Eivor and Randvi reflected on their feelings for each other.

Behind the scenes

While this memory takes place after reporting on Hamtunscire and completing the pacification of England, it does not actually unlock until after that point and Ravensthorpe is renovated enough to reach Settlement Renown level 5. At that point, all residents including Valka will have arrived at Ravensthorpe; while they do not all have spoken lines, they are present at the wedding feast atop the hill (even if Valka has been left standing at the docks since her arrival at Renown level 3). The main story can be completed as low as Renown level 4, which is the prerequisite to unlock and complete the pledge to Snotinghamscire.

The wedding event bears many similarities to the "Sigurd's rescue" feast in Of All That Has Passed...: First, this quest is also filed under the Ravensthorpe section of the quest log, separate from any attached main story arcs, and suspends all activities while the event is active. Fortunately, this event can be started at the player's own discretion by talking to Gunnar and does not require the player to progress through it immediately. Incompleted "startup" memories for side content—such as A River to Raid and A Distorted Dream—will be removed from the quest log entirely during the event and will be restored simultaneously when the event is completed. Any remaining renovations with dialogue follow the same temporary suspension logic indicated for the rescue feast. Lastly, like the rescue feast, the wedding's conclusion is formally indicated by a fade to black and Eivor waking up in her bed.

At the end of this memory, Eivor has the opportunity to enter into a relationship with Randvi if they did not already enter one via the events of Taken for Granted. The dialogue for the romance option does not change even if Eivor is already in a relationship (e.g. with Petra or Tarben), nor does it change if Eivor had previously romanced Randvi and broken up with her. In the latter scenario, Eivor still speaks as though this is her first confession to Randvi, and Randvi will still reciprocate despite having made Eivor promise that their break-up would be definitive because she would not risk having her heart "broken twice."

Beginning and/or cutting off a romance with Randvi via this memory does not appear to affect the dialogue or choices in Taken for Granted, either; even though that memory can influence the outcome of A Brother's Keeper, and thus it narratively takes place before that memory and this one, it can be put off until well after one or both.

Gallery

• 
  Eivor and Gunnar discussing about his upcoming wedding
• 
  The wedding
• 
  Eivor following Randvi into the woods

References

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla