02x01 - The Web of Fate

[bunniefuu]

Keep moving!

Where is he?

Hey, hey, hey!

Where is Olaf?

Where is Olaf?

Taken!

Taken by Forkbeard!

My arrow struck first.

You're cooking.

Not so fast.

My arrow struck the heart.

You're not only cooking, but you're carrying it.

Let me change that dressing.

It feels healed.

I'll be the judge of that.

Let me see it.

Hmm.

The wound is sealed.

- Mmm-hmm.
- And the infection is gone.

I told you.

But it's not fully healed.

But enough... for me to go to Kattegat.

You wrap it up.

Freydis.

I cannot stay here forever.

I must meet with Forkbeard and demand what is mine.

And you expect him to just give you Norway?

Canute swore an oath to me.

Yes, but his father did not.

Forkbeard did not bring an army to Kattegat to protect your agreement.

He will understand when I explain it to him.

He is hunting Olaf!

What makes you think he's not hunting you?

Besides, we know nothing about the state of Kattegat now, or who is still alive.

Which is all the more reason to return.

I'm not frightened of Forkbeard.

Perhaps you should be.

And what would you rather do?

Stay here in the wilderness?

Yes.

Or someplace new.

What is wrong with raising children in a place where they'll know peace instead of w*r?

Because my children are meant to be rulers of Norway,

not hide in its wilderness!

Your children?

Our children.

If we should be so blessed.

Freydis...

I must go back.

You know this.

And I want you to come with me.

I know it is a risk
to go back, but I must.

Olaf needs to pay for what he did.

Come. Please.

We must keep going.

Mother!

Welcome to Kattegat! Isn't it great?

It's wonderful.

- Death is too good for you.
- Come on, then, Your Highness. Go!

That's what you are!

Good morning, Your Highness.

A ship arrived this morning
with news from Denmark.

King Canute sends word. They've won
two great battles against the Wends.

And any news on his return to England?

Not at this time, Your Highness.

He again expresses
his concerns about your security.

I will write him a letter myself
to reassure him of my safety,

and send it with you
on your outgoing tide.

My husband
would not be worried about my security

if you did not give him reason to.

I give him reason to because
it's my job to safeguard your security

and London's in his absence.

I've heard things in the alehouses.

I'm not concerned
about what you've heard in the alehouses.

Our security is excellent.

The huscarls would not allow
a thr*at inside these walls,

and I will reassure Canute
of that in my letter.

Why do you leave?

The queen will not look for me
for another hour at least.

Until Canute returns
and I obtain his blessing,

we must keep these visits
a secret from the queen.

If she found out about us,
she would send you away.

I couldn't bear that.

Do you truly worry
about the queen's safety?

I worry about all our safety.

The king is in Denmark,
Forkbeard's in Kattegat.

- Threats are ever present.
- But from the alehouses.

Surely, they're not credible.

I take all threats as credible.

When you have lost everything, as I have,

you become accustomed
to preparing against the worst

so as not to ever have it happen again.

You must get used to that about me.

It is who I am.

That doesn't leave
much room for happiness.

- What do you dream?
- Dream?

Yes. Your hopes.

When you close your eyes,

what do you see of us 20 years from now?

I see many children.

And they would have your love,
which is pure.

And they would grow up
without the fear that I did.

When they're grown,
I'd scatter them round the country,

each to their own kingdom,
where they would prosper.

All, but the oldest.

He'd be special.

A great warrior, well-educated and wise.

And one day...

he'd be king.

- King of England?
- Yes.

Neither your family nor mine
are of royal blood.

And, even if they were,

the queen's two sons with Æthelred

and Canute's own children

would make that dream impossible.

You asked me about my dream.

When are dreams ever impossible?

What did you see?

I, uh...

I thought I saw a wolf,

but I was mistaken.

Were you?

Just because it isn't here,
does not mean you didn't see it.

Did you feel threatened?

No, just...

startled, surprised.

Good.

Remember that.

Why? What does it mean?

The signs you so desperately
look for are everywhere, Freydis,

if only you would trust
what you see and feel.

I am tired
of these riddles about the future.

You answer me nothing.

This is a peaceful place,

but the cries you run from have not ceased

simply because you cannot hear them.

Are you all right?

What are you doing?

I'm going to Kattegat with you.

You've got a good seat for the show.

They say Sweyn Forkbeard
is going to hang Olaf.

Hanging, an English tradition.

Should be the blood eagle. Hmm.

Now that's a proper Viking execution.

But then,
a lot of the old ways are disappearing.

Go away.

You're Leif Eriksson, no?

Brother of Freydis.

My name is Jorundr.

Drink?

No.

Will your sister be here
for the execution?

What do you care?

There are still many who consider her
the last daughter of Uppsala.

I would think she would want to make sure
the Christian tyrant, Olaf Haraldsson,

gets what he deserves.

He'll get what he deserves.

There's nothing
I despise more than a traitor.

And you, Olaf Haraldsson...

you're a traitor.

I'm not.

Canute went behind my back

and promised
what was rightfully mine to my brother!

I was well within my rights.

You have no rights.

Norway was never yours to take, yet...

you raised an army in secret.

Conspired with others
to wrench it from my son's empire.

I should k*ll you.

k*ll me! k*ll me!

Just spare me the lecture.

Oh, but I don't intend to k*ll you.

I have other plans.

No! No!

Canute is locked in a fight for Denmark
and I must join him.

I'm installing my grandson, Svein,

as King of Norway.

Svein?

He won't last a month
before the jarls k*ll him.

Oh, no, no, no, no. No, they won't.

Because you'll protect him.

If you think I will be that boy's guardian

just to save my life, you're a fool.

I would... I would rather die.

Yeah, I know you would.

And that's why
it's not your own life you're saving.

Father.

Wait!

Magnus!

Here's my offer.

Protect my grandson, guide him to be king,

a Viking, a man,

shield him against all enemies
as if he was your own blood,

and I'll do the same with your son.

If you do this,

I promise that when time comes,

the crown of Norway,

though it'll never again be yours,

will fall to him.

But...

if anything should happen to Svein...

Do I have your word?

Your Highness.

- I did what I did...
- For your own insatiable greed!

I was within my rights as a wife.

You threatened my son's kingdom!

But what's worse, you crossed me!

I should have you k*lled.

Instead...

this will be your new home.

Here? In Kattegat?

Yes, here in Kattegat!
Why do you think I brought you here?

To fetch my sons and return to Jelling.

I've other plans.

You have brought me
to the edge of the Earth!

Aelfgifu!

Be grateful you're still on this Earth!

People of Kattegat!

I've called you here to declare

that my grandson, Svein Knutsson,

will be the new King of Norway!

And that his mother,

Queen Aelfgifu of Denmark

will remain here in Kattegat
as his regent.

And to guarantee that Kattegat
remains secure and protected,

I have placed Jarl Olaf Haraldsson,

once an enemy,

but now my friend,
as the king's protector.

There will be no execution today.

Thank you, King Forkbeard.

Disappointed?

Then we must change that.

Friends!

Kattegat is in danger from an old ally.

My brother, Harald Sigurdsson,

he believes
he is the rightful king of Norway

and has convinced the heathen witch,

Freydis Eriksdotter,
to support this quest.

They are, at this moment,

raising a great pagan army
to k*ll Christians,

and march against Kattegat!

But I will not let that happen!

What will you do?

This chest, and two more like it

for the man or family
who brings me their heads!

Hurry.

Mother, it's her.

She's the one.

See?

We need to go. Come now. Come.

- Go down now.
- We're here for passage.

Where are they going?

- After you pay, you can go.
- Look! I told you it was her!

You're her, aren't you?

- Who?
- You're Freydis!

The Keeper of the Faith, aren't you?

I don't know who you mean.

But I saw your shield test from Kattegat.

I recognize your sword!

You've come to help us, haven't you?

No.

I'm sorry, but you are mistaken.

Come, we must hurry to the boats.

Where are you going?

Our village was destroyed by Kåre
before the fall of Kattegat.

And now the Christian jarls
will not let us rebuild.

We are going to find a new home.

But those boats are not seaworthy.

If there's a storm,
you'll drown in the open water.

We've heard
there are ships waiting for us.

To take you where?

To a new Uppsala across the sea.

A place called Jomsborg.

- Three coins, pagan.
- We have to go.

Quickly! You must leave now
or you'll miss the tide.

Thank you.

I got two more!

On that boat. Get in.

Amen.

Don't touch the host, Your Highness.
It's poisoned. Guards, stop him!

Stop him! Hold!

Stop that man!

Stop him! Don't let him go!

Get him!

Go round!

- Get him!
- Stop him!

Stop him!

Get him!

This way!

Where is he?

Which way?

Down there! Come on!

Take him to the cells.

I've seen them.

Are you sure it is them?

I fought with Prince Harald in London.

I know him by sight,

and the crowd around the woman
called her The Keeper of the Faith.

Where are they?

No. But I can take you there for a price.

There was nothing
you could do to help them.

I couldn't even admit who I am.

They look to me for guidance, and instead...

I give them doubt.

And I'm supposed to be
The Keeper of the Faith.

Someday...

it won't be that way.

Good luck, boy.

One more.

Time to go.

Be good.

Take your seat.

Make your father proud.

Make me proud.

I will, Grandfather.

Trust Jarl Olaf.

He will protect you
until your father or I get back.

I will.

Good boy.

I will honor my promise.

As will I.

Do you trust Olaf?

I don't need to trust him.

He needs to trust me.

I should never have listened to you.

It was your ambition
you listened to, not me.

If you have any more ideas about power,
you keep them to yourself.

You are a powerful woman here, Aelfgifu.

You are a queen regent of a great land.

Until my son and I
are m*rder*d by its jarls.

That will not happen.
I won't let it. Trust me.

Trust you?

No, never again.

We'll see.

Olaf!

What is it?

We have the location of Prince Harald.

The bounty hunters are after him.

All right.
Prepare to follow. Assemble the men.

Well, Your Highness.

You ready for your first lesson?

Hmm.

Good. I promise
it will be one you will not forget.

Go!

Go!

Leif!

- What is this?
- They were coming for you.

We need to move.

Olaf is not far behind.

Come. We need to get away from here.

Let's go.

Why were you returning to Kattegat?

To see Forkbeard
and inform him of Canute's promise to me.

It's too late for that.
Forkbeard has left Kattegat

and named his grandson
the new King of Norway.

Svein? Canute's son?

Yes, and made Olaf his protector.

Then why are we going this way?
I must go back and confront my brother!

Harald, those men back there
were bounty hunters.

Olaf has placed a price
on your head and Freydis'.

Nowhere is safe for you now.
We must keep moving.

Still warm! They haven't gone far.

Two sets of tracks reach this point.

Another joins them,
and they lead that way.

They're heading for the coast.

Let's go!

Enter.

Forgive me, Your Highness.

I'm just checking
to see if you need anything.

What have we learned
so far from the assassin?

Very little, but we will.

In the meantime,
I've posted additional huscarls

at all doors to ensure you're all safe.

Thank you, Earl Godwin.

Yes, thank you.

I'm sorry that I didn't trust you.

My husband
will be in your debt when he returns.

I'm still in his debt, Your Highness.

Good night to you all.

You have changed.

- Nothing's changed.
- Yes, it has.

There's a look in your eyes.

A coldness.

I've seen it before...

with father, but... never with you.

We go to Novgorod.

- Novgorod? The Rus?
- Yes.

My uncle Yaroslav is the ruler there.

I'll explain to him
Forkbeard is an oath breaker.

He will support my cause.

Novgorod is a long journey.

What other choice do we have?
A life on the run?

If I have any chance
of taking what is rightfully mine,

I must go to Novgorod
and raise my own army to fight Olaf.

Leif Eriksson!

Wait! I'm a friend!

I know this man from Kattegat.
He asked questions about you.

- What do you want with her?
- My name is Jorundr.

- That's not what he asked!
- I am a Jomsviking.

- What is that?
- Pirates.

Ocean thieves.

We're believers in the old ways.
Please, I'm here to help you,

but if you wish to survive
you must all come with me, now.

We're not going anywhere with you.

What is this mark?

The Skuld's Net. The Web of Fate.

I have seen this mark before.

I believe he is here for a reason.

We know nothing about this man.

Lead the way.

Are all these people
believers in the old ways?

Yes, refugees
from the purge by the Christians.

- If Olaf finds us here, we're trapped!
- No, our boats will reach you first.

Not in this fog.
No one sails in this weather.

We do! We know the ways
of the fog and tides here.

Wait for us.

We cannot stay here.

It is too dangerous.

I will not leave these people.

If this is where
I'm to make my last stand,

then so be it.

I will stand with you.

Greenlanders.

You don't make it easy.

- Come. Let's get out of sight.
- We have to hide in here!

- Quickly!
- Come, hurry!

- Please!
- Hide.

It will be fine.
It will be fine.

I've seen you talk to someone.

Is it Liv?

Yes.

That's what I thought.

What does she tell you?

She tells me to let go of my anger.

Yes, that sounds like her.

Why is she here with you
and not in Valhalla?

Because...

when she was dying,
she asked me to promise to meet her there.

And I couldn't.

Why not?

Because I no longer believe, Freydis.

Perhaps it is not Liv
who will not let you go,

but you who will not let her go.

Hmm?

Now...

I have something to share with you.

I'm with child.

Does Harald know?

No.

And you must promise me...

- You must promise me not to tell him.
- Why not?

Because I cannot have a child

that one day
would be the ruler of a Christian nation.

And you think Harald would require it?

No.

Because I will not allow it.

You are thinking about your brother.

Half-brother.

I don't know why I feel betrayed.

I betrayed him.

But it's just hard,

leaving Norway like this.

A destiny I've thought about all my life.

You are leaving,
but you are not giving up.

I know one day
you will be king of this country.

It is your destiny.

But it is not mine.

Hmm.

I know.

Besides, I would not be a good queen.

I disagree.

You already are a great queen.

I see it in your people's eyes
when they're with you.

I don't understand why.

I do.

It is your gift.

We have found them.

Hyah! Hyah!

- They're coming! They're coming!
- To the beach! Run! Go, go, go!

- Go, go!
- Go straight!

To the beach! Go straight! Fast! Go!

Quickly! Quickly!

Run! Run! Go! Go straight! Go straight!

Keep going! Go!

Nowhere to go!

They are going nowhere!

No mercy!

Yeah!

k*ll them all!

- To the boats!
- To the boats!

Get in! Get in! Go! Push!

Push!

No!

Look at it burn!

We have come for you, Freydis.

Join us in Jomsborg.

We made it.

Goodbye, my brother.

You will never be far from my heart.

Or you mine.

Novgorod is east.

And I have no intention
of rowing the whole way there by myself.

Why not?

I thought Greenlanders
could row across any ocean.

We can, but we prefer company.

Come on. Put your back into it.