CHAPTER NINE

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Vál had been kindly given a cabin, however it was located between Björn and Ubbe's cabins

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Vál had been kindly given a cabin, however it was located between Björn and Ubbe's cabins. To live next to Björn surely would cause a lot of problems. She walked inside and saw the filled bath which caused her to almost squeal in joy. She untangled her long hair before getting undressed. She threw her clothes to the ground, not bothering to care before getting into the tub. Her sore and bruised body welcomed the warmth.

Her body was already bruised from the fight but also a large bruise was visible on her back, rib and thigh from Ulvar's hits with the stick. Neither bruise she had showed a sign of leaving anytime soon. She splashed her face with the warm water before reaching for the cloth than casually hung on the edge of the tub. She used it to scrub her skin and face clean before washing her face. Knowing she was now clean a sigh slipped past her lips as she rested in the water. She rested her head on the edge and closed her eyes. While laying there she thought about how she could start repairing her relationship with all the Sons of Ragnar. She wanted to speak to Björn, discuss it as adults then apologizing for just leaving. She knew that the possibility of just getting him to be in the same room as her was as big as Vál Thyrsdottír lifting Thors hammer herself. A defeated sigh left her lips. She knew it was probably for the best to return home yet being around the people that once held her close made her questions where home actually was.

When her fingers had gotten the similar appearance as a prune she left the tub. She wrapped a blanket around her body before walking over to the lit fireplace. The blanket fell to her hips as she combed her fingers through her long hair. However she didn't know that two pair of eyes was watching her from the smaller crack in the wall. An intense stare filled with an emotion was watching her every move. Eyes following the curves of her body, landing on her naked chest and long hair.

Vál slowly got dressed in a new pair of clothing from her bag. New black pants, a grey tunic and her cloak would do for the night. She told herself it was unnecessary to waist time to braid her hair since she had a feeling Björn would throw her out from the great hall but her hair had been closer to a birds nest the last couple of days. She braided the sides of her head before creating one whole braid with the smaller ones in the back, letting the rest fall freely. Her stomach rumbled loudly which made her bite her lips to prevent a laugh. He sounded angry and empty. She decided to arrive in good spirit and leave her sword. She hoped she would get her other weapons soon. She didn't like that someone had access to her weapons. They were hers. Then she left her cabin to join the dinner in the great hall.

Vál walked inside, seeing all the members of the Lothbrok family by the paintable with Harald and Halfdan. They were all talking but to her displeasure all the conversations in the room seemed to stop when she arrived. She could feel everyones eyes burning over her body. She swallowed before raising her head confidently before walking towards one of the tables in the middle where there was space for her to fit.

"Vál." Ragnar said and she looked at the old man who nodded towards the empty chair between him and Harald. She kept a neutral expression as she walked up there, taking a seat before her plate was filled and cup. Everyone by the table thought she looked more like herself now when she had gotten clean. The marks from her attack in the face was still visible, her nose slightly red from Björn's elbow, her eye slightly darker from his other elbow and the red mark around her throat. Other than that she looked well together. The red marks around her wrists were hidden under the tunic. Hvitserk was sitting opposite her with Ubbe to his right then Björn. Aslaug sat opposite Ragnar on the short ends with Sigurd and Ivar on either side. "Glad you wanted to join us." Ragnar said to her and smiled kindly which she returned.

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