Haakon wasn't sure if he should feel offended or just laugh. Aibhilin seemed so genuine during her tongue-lashing, but it had an element of comedy to it. It was as if she wasn't exactly sure what to focus on, so she tried to say it all at once. It all seemed so... ridiculous. He decided that laughing at her wasn't going to make this situation any better, so once she brought him to the room with a washing tub, he decided to lay it all out.

"You hate me. I get it. But do not think for one minute that I [i]want[/i] to be here. I didn't spend nine days in a boat the size of a doghouse with thirty other men just because of greed." Haakon wanted to try and show some more restraint, but he was so tired, and the rest just came out and he couldn't stop himself.

"In the last six weeks, my father, my brother, my brother's wife and two in every five others in my village are dead from plague. It's gotten so bad that there is no one left to farm the fields. If my king doesn't get yearly taxes, then I can count on the other three fifths of my village getting put to the axe!" 

He took a step forward and looked right into her green eyes. He didn't care anymore if he didn't seem tough or intimidating. Right now, he only felt exhausted and at his wits end. "I am out of options and out of time. King Horik will be asking for his money by the end of this season. I need to make a years worth of money before then. So ask yourself, what would you do if you were me?!" 

With that, he went inside the room. "Oh, and don't worry about your maids. I try to set a good example for my three year old niece." He closed the door. When he saw the bed, he fought every urge to dive on top of it and sleep for the next three days, but Haakon knew he was expected at dinner, so instead, he took a bath and got dressed. It was good to have nine days of sea salt off of his skin, but he wish he could have stayed longer.