WRATH OF THE NORTH [BJÖRN IRONSIDE]

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Vál took a shortcut when she walked back with Ivar in her embrace. She needed to meet up with Ragnar to give him his child back. She held Ivar close and she could feel how the small infant gripped the furry jacket in his tiny hands. When she spotted Ragnar almost walking out form the forest to go to bed she picked up her pace even more.

"Ragnar!" Vál said but he continued to walk, probably didn't hear her or he tried to ignore her. She repeated herself and Ragnar froze in his steps. She could see him let out a heavy sigh before turning to look at her but his eyes avoided hers. "I think you forgot something by the lake." She said as he still didn't look at her. She looked down at Ivar and smiled at him as their eyes met.

"Vál—" Ragnar began.

"Save it Ragnar. I never thought I had to tell anyone the obvious thing that we all have a right to live and the insane thing is that I've said this once already. You got to give him a chance Ragnar, he's your son. Aslaug adores him, I've seen that and I know that you care for him but to think he's better off dead than with his loving parents isn't the right form of love from you and you know it." Vál said and Ragnar slowly lifted his gaze to meet her eyes.

"He will be in pain Vál. I can't live knowing that he's in pain when I can't do anything about it. I can't live with myself knowing that his life filled with pain might end early because he can't protect himself like the others." Ragnar said sadly, his shoulders hung heavy.

"How are you so sure about that Ragnar? Ivar might not have a pair of functioning legs but he'll adjust to it. You have to give him the fair chance to at least try and he's got four brothers that loves him. Why would the gods give him two dysfunctional legs to begin with Ragnar? What if that is the only thing that will keep him from slaughtering them all, from traveling further than we all can imagine?" She continued as she took a step forward to the father of five. When she stood close enough she handed him the child in her embrace. Ragnar didn't answer, he only looked at the small baby of him. Ragnar saw the familiar eyes, the ocean blue eyes that held so much strength, curiosity and intensity. "What if you're looking at a future conquerer?" She finally said and he swallowed hard.

"He'll probably be laughed at, humiliated if he—"

"Isn't taken cared of by his parents." Vál filled in and Ragnar looked her in the eyes. "If you believe in him there isn't much he can't do. My father always believed in me, he always encouraged me and that kept me alive through all those years in the mountains. Whenever I doubted myself I could always hear the sound of my fathers encouragement." She continued and before she knew it she could hand Ragnar his child. A smile spread on her lips when she saw the loving look on Ragnar's face. He held Ivar protectively in his arms.

"What was I thinking?" Ragnar mumbled so quietly she barely could hear him. Vál felt warmth spread through her body. Relief washed over her since at least she could've save this child from a lonely and undeserved death.

"He has a long road ahead of him Ragnar so we shouldn't make it rougher than it is. He's strong and he'll only get stronger. I can promise you that, even if I have to train him everyday until he beats you all." She said and he looked up with a warm look in his eyes.