01x07 - Choices

[bunniefuu]

[horn blows in distance]

[Harald] I love you.

And you think this love is a good thing?

[chuckles softly]

Yes.

Don't you?

I'm not sure.

For my love, I will give everything.

Myself, my family, even my Gods.

What will you do for your love?

[chuckles softly]

More.

I would set aside my destiny for you.

The promise of being King of Norway.

- So, you see how dangerous we are?
- [chuckles softly]

But it doesn't have to be.

As king, I can stop the hatred.

We would have an open country.

Run like Kattegat, where all the faiths
can be worshipped without fear.

We encourage people to look for
what we share as Vikings

instead of hate our differences.

"We?"

Yes. "We."

[Harald chuckles softly]

All that is possible with you.

All that is possible.

[sighs]

[ominous music playing]

[horn blows]

- [gasps]
- [baby crying]

[gasps]

[sinister music plays]

[opening theme music playing]

[horse neighs]

- [bells tolling]
- [indistinct chatter]

Canute gone?

What precipitated this?

The att*ck on Denmark, Your Highness,

by one of their enemies, the Wends.

Rus group of people from the East.

Well, this is good news
for me now, isn't it?

[indistinct chatter]

I'm gonna seize this opportunity
to make some changes.

He anticipated that will be your reaction

and therefore before he left,
he married Emma.

In the middle of the night?

- That is a problem.
- Yes.

But not your main problem, sire.

What do you mean, not my main problem?

Excuse me, what are you doing there?

Your Highness,
may I introduce King Canute's father?

King Sweyn Forkbeard.

And you must be the Boy King.

[intense music playing]

Last time I saw you, you were a child.
Do you remember?

I don't.

Up north?

You were with your father
as he was paying tribute.

I liked your father. [chuckles]

He paid well to get rid of the Vikings.

Well, if Danegeld
would get you out of England,

I'd be happy to try that as well.

How long do you expect King Canute
to be away, Your Highness?

Well, he's at w*r.
Which means he'll be there

as long as it takes to
secure Denmark from its enemies.

And in the meantime I take it
you intend to rule in his place.

I do.

King Edmund, you will find
that my son and I,

we approach problems very differently.

He's forward-thinking, patient and fair.

I'm none of those things.

So, with that in mind,

could you please explain to me

why you think that Canute has chosen

to let an insolent pup like you live?

- Your Highness...
- No.

Let him find his own words
to describe his value.

King Canute understands
that I provide an important connection

to the Saxon nobles,

who are necessary for his support.

No, but the nobles have already sworn
their oath to him. Correct?

Yes, managing them, however,
requires a delicate touch,

one which I provide.

Good.

Good.

Because delicate...

is another thing that I am not.

[somber music playing]

- [Freydis] Here.
- [baby fussing]

[Freydis shushing]

I know this child. Kåre did this.

Uppsala.

Go. Now.

[knock on door]

Enter.

[woman] Grandfather.

Oh... Gytha.

I've heard you are now a lady-in-waiting.

So how is everything?

- I enjoy being here very much.
- Oh.

[in foreign language]

[in English] Welcome, Your Highness.

- I am...
- [Forkbeard] Emma.

My son's new queen.

I would like to talk.

- My lady.
- My lady.

Are you a cook, Queen Emma?

A cook? No.

My mother was a cook.

And a very good one too.

She'd cook over a large fireplace.

Many pots. Stews. Roasts. Soups.

All going at the same time.

Used to amaze me how she somehow managed

to bring everything
to the table cooked to perfection.

I don't know how she did it.

My son, Canute, is not a cook either,

but he thinks he is.

He has pots all over his fire.

Norway, Denmark, England, Iceland...

His great northern empire.

I'm not so sure he can manage it.

Which is one of the reasons he married me.

Because you can manage England?

Yes.

I admire your confidence,
but I distrust your ability.

Do you distrust my ability?
Or your son's judgment?

Two good questions, Queen Emma.

If I knew the answer to the first,
I wouldn't doubt the second.

Then allow me to prove both.

[horses neighing]

[somber music playing]

[exclaims] Come on.

[Freydis clicks tongue]

[somber music continues]

Spread out. Look for survivors.

- [indistinct chatter]
- [laughter]

I am Ealdorman Sigeferth of Wessex,
Your Highness.

Wessex is the oldest
of the Saxon bloodlines.

And? Does that make Wessex special?

It does indeed, sire. And does this.

The House of Wessex is also exempt
from paying royal taxes.

That is a binding promise
from King Æthelred to my father.

And what did your father do
to procure such a generous promise,

Ealdorman Sigeferth?

He saved the king in battle at York, sire.

- [Forkbeard] At York?
- [Sigeferth] Indeed.

Against who?

Against yourself, sire.

Keep this safe, Sigeferth of Wessex.

It's a relic of a bygone time.

You'll pay your taxes like everyone else.

Ealdorman Wulfhere of Sussex.

Your Highness, surely you would
intercede on my behalf?

You are the thread
that connects past and present

and know of the deep Saxon bonds.

Godwin, when I challenged
the Vikings on the bridge,

do you recall the esteemed Ealdorman
from Wessex at my side?

No, Your Highness.

I can attest with certainty that
Ealdorman Sigeferth was not present.

Your highness, I was...

I was unavailable.

As I am to you now.

[men laughing]

[somber music playing]

- Have you been here before?
- No.

I'd only heard stories.

[bird cawing]

[breathing heavily]

Allfather.

It must have been incredible.

It saddens me to think
of all who prayed here.

[sobs]

[Leif] Who could hate something this much?

They are not k*lling people.

They're cleansing the land.

Rubbing away all signs of our pagan past,

like a stain.

- [sneezing nearby]
- [twig snaps]

[indistinct shuddering]

[girl] Please, no.

[Leif] It's all right.

We won't hurt you.

Come.

Come. You're safe now. It's all right.

Come.

[gripping music playing]

[Leif] This is her.

Do not be afraid. We are friends here.

You are Freydis?

Yes. How do you know my name?

Their leader told us you would come.

He only spared us
so we could give you his message.

What message?

He said that his God
has ordered him to destroy Kattegat

and to k*ll you.

[horses trotting]

All dead.

Everyone.

What are we waiting for?

I say we ride after Kåre and make him pay!

From his tracks,
he has at least a hundred horsemen.

We must be smart.

Go back to Kattegat
and tell Haakon what we've found.

We'll take care of the dead
and follow with the survivors.

We need to know where Kåre is.
I'll track him and meet you in Kattegat.

I'll come with you.

Be safe.

We camp here tonight.

Build fires for the dead.

Freydis. Kåre will pay for this act.

I promise you justice.

I don't need your promise.

I can deliver justice myself.

[Godwin] Hyah!

Come on!

[both] Hyah!

[panting]

[Godwin] Hyah!

[panting] Well done.

I did not anticipate
your move at the wall.

You were the faster horseman,
Your Highness.

You forced me to improvise.

So,

how do you think
we should handle the new Viking?

[chuckles] Handle him?

I take it you don't feel at home
in Forkbeard's court.

It was bad enough dealing with Canute,
but his father is an abomination.

I hate it.

And I hate myself for being
an accomplice to this travesty.

How much so?

How much do you hate it?

Your sentiments are not felt
in isolation, Your Highness.

Are you saying there are others
who'd back our resistance?

I'm saying there are those
that would back a leader

who has an answer to the question.

How much do you hate it?

Your Highness, you sent for me?

Godwin, I did.

My son Canute told me that
you were a man to be counted on.

I've tried to be, Your Highness.

I haven't been here long,

but it's clear to see
that my son is facing threats.

They may seem small now,
but they will grow.

I agree.

Rulers must anticipate
threats and address them.

Oh! Sigeferth of Wessex. Come.

I've been thinking about your petition.

Please.

I cannot get your petition out of my head,

and I do wish my son Canute
could have heard it,

as he may have responded differently.

- Do you think so?
- Oh, yes. Yes. [chuckles]

I am sometimes too anxious
to say just what's in my head.

Whereas Canute is a better listener.

But despite our differences,

I'm sure that
both Canute and I would agree that

your response
could only be regarded as an insult.

Oh, no, no. No, Your Highness.
It was not an insult.

I was merely appealing
to King Edmund because he...

[intense music playing]

- I know why.
- [gasps]

And so would my son.

- [Kn*fe twists]
- [groans]

- [Kn*fe slices]
- [gasps]

[chokes]

[thuds]

[Sigeferth groaning]

As I was saying,
Canute appreciates your loyalty,

but I cannot have a man
of your lowly rank work for me.

Therefore...

on behalf of my son,

I hereby make you... Godwin, Jarl of Wessex.

I've been told
it's the oldest Saxon bloodline.

[Forkbeard chuckles]

[sighs in relief]

[indistinct shouting]

[drums b*ating]

[drumbeats stop]

Are you sure you trust these people?

No, not at all.

[Kåre] Olaf, my Christian brother.

Welcome!

[all cheering]

But they seem to like us.

Brother Kåre.

They're at least a full day ahead of us.

- We should push on.
- No.

They're not heading towards Kattegat.

And the horses need rest.

[Leif] w*r is coming.

[Liv] And your name will gain more glory.

So much that it will be known
all across the Viking world.

Is that not what you wish?

To have a name greater than your father's.

How do you know of my father?

I know he k*lled men
in Iceland and in Norway,

but my family followed him to Greenland
out of respect for his courage.

They followed him for his courage.

But they bow their heads
out of fear, not respect.

When I was young, I went with my father
to collect a lamb that was owed to him.

And when my father couldn't claim it
because the lamb hadn't been born yet...

I watched him b*at a man
in front of his children

until he could no longer stand.

There is a darkness in him

he cannot control.

And I share it.

If it is true,

why have I never seen it?

[chuckles softly]

Because when I'm with you it goes away.

[sniffles] And I'm calm.

When I'm with you I can, uh...
I can do great things.

The darkness does not overcome me.

I can't explain it.

[thunder rumbling]

[all laughing]

Ha!

[knock on door]

- Gytha.
- Yes.

Come.

Princess Gytha.

Who is it?

[Godwin] It's I, Your Highness.

With a visitor.

I have come to deliver a wedding gift.

It's beautiful.

It was my mother's.

Given to her
by her father-in-law, King Edgar.

It was meant to remind her
of her importance to England.

I hope you will accept it
in the same spirit.

Thank you, Edmund.

[kisses]

The great Olaf Haraldsson.

Slaughterer of the worshipers
of Thor at Osilia and Herdaler.

Cleanser of the heathens, sea wolf.

- [chuckles]
- Here, among us.

Why?

[exhales]

I mean to unite Norway
under the banner of Christ.

- And for that...
- You need Kattegat.

The real seats of Norway's power.

And to take Kattegat, I need you.

Did you hear that, Old One?

The time has arrived.

I have been waiting for you, Brother Olaf.

I have been waiting for this moment.

You can count on my help.

What do you require
for your services? Silver?

[thuds]

Well, I have no interest in silver,
but I do have a price.

Well, let me hear it then.

God has instructed me
to build a great church in Kattegat,

with a spire that reaches to Heaven.

A beacon so that all who see it
may know the love of Jesus.

And that is my price.

You can have your church

as long as Kattegat remains
a key trading port in my kingdom.

Of course.

Once it has been cleansed of
the heathen as we did with the Uppsala.

- You destroyed Uppsala?
- Oh, yes.

I b*rned it to the ground along with
its sham priests and false Gods.

Didn't I?

Who are you talking to?

Just this old Pagan seið
whose sun has set.

It is I who is the cross
that carries the sword.

Not this girl you prophesied.

What girl?

A heathen... named Freydis.

[intense music playing]

Ignore him, brother Olaf.

He'll just try to tell you I'm mad.

Do we have an agreement?

Huh?

Skol, bother Kåre.

- Skol!
- [all] Skol!

[indistinct chatter]

- [Liv] Those are Olaf's colors.
- [Leif] Hmm.

He has joined Kåre.

[Edmund] Hyah! Hyah!

[Edmund and Godwin] Whoa.

[Godwin] Good boy.

Get up. That action means nothing to me.

We are here, Your Highness.
Our presence counts for something.

But does it count for me?

We swore an oath to Canute
to support two kings.

But that was before he married Emma.

- What difference does that make?
- A great deal of difference.

Should Canute die before me,
the throne returns to England.

But should I die first,

Canute's existing and future heirs
shall have sole claim.

And if his marriage is
a true indication of his heart,

you will be kneeling to
Viking kings for a long time.

And it's clear that Forkbeard
intends to enforce that.

The question then is, "When?"

No. The initial question is, "Who?"

Who here will support our English king?

[solemn instrumental music playing]

[man ] Agreed.

[man ] Sire.

[man ] Yes, sire.

[man ] Sire.

You have your answer.

Are you thinking about
your lucky win the other day?

Lucky?

A pound of silver if you b*at me again.

Surely you're not scared.

On the contrary, Your Highness,

I simply do not wish to embarrass you.

[chuckles] Come on!

[Godwin clicks tongue] Hyah!

And that is the king we are following.

[panting]

- [Edmund] Hyah!
- [Godwin grunts]

- [horse neighs]
- [groans]

My lord, can you move?

Quickly! Come down!

- The rope.
- [man ] Come on!

[man ] Here!

[gasps]

[groans]

[somber instrumental music playing]

[Godwin grunts]

You?

Yes, Your Highness, me.

But why?

I have the nobles. I have the power.

That is precisely why.

[men shouting in distance]

I promise you, this will not take long.

[Edmund gasping]

His horse stumbled.

We saw. My God.

Your Highness!

Give him room, he's trying to speak.

[choking]

Thank God you were here to comfort him.

The king is dead.

No.

Only one is.

[indistinct chatter]

Sire, your loyal subjects...

Stop, stop.

What is your news?

It is Edmund, sire.

The young king is dead.

- [crowd gasping]
- His horse failed him.

Who witnessed this?

We all did, sire.

We were with him at the end.

It was an act of God.

[intense music playing]

The King Edmund is dead.
Long live King Canute.

Long live King Canute.

[all] Long live King Canute!

- [indistinct chatter]
- [horn blowing]

Olaf has joined forces with Kåre.

Olaf?

We recognized his banners,

but there are many other clans
I do not know.

It's a large force and growing.

What about appealing
to friendly cities for help?

We have. But many have
already been crushed by Kåre.

Then we should prepare immediately,

and learn what we can
about their numbers and strength.

Agreed. Send spies
and see what they can find.

Prince Harald.

Jarl Haakon.

I am glad you have chosen
to stay and fight with us,

but it has placed you
against your brother.

My brother has clearly made his choice.

And I have made mine.

I'm not fighting for the throne of Norway.

I am fighting for Kattegat.

- [woman ] Another bandage.
- [woman ] Yes.

- Milady.
- Your Highness.

Leave me with him.

[melancholy music playing]

[door closes]

[suspenseful music playing]

- [door opens]
- [footsteps approaching]

Your Highness wished to see me?

[Emma] I'm told you were
the first to reach him.

I was, Your Highness.

And he was dead when you discovered him?

No.

But his injuries were extensive.

Clearly.

And his pain must have been terrible.

It was.

Especially from the tiny cut

beneath his left breast,
just below his heart.

Of all his wounds, it was the most lethal
as it pierced his heart

and filled his body with blood.

Strange things happen in
these types of accidents, Your Highness.

Strange? I would call it miraculous.

[Forkbeard] Godwin.

You may go.

- [door closes]
- Did you commission this m*rder?

Must I remind you that the death of Edmund

leaves only one king
on the throne of England?

Which is crucial to Canute's power
and yours as his wife.

King Forkbeard, I arrived
in this country as a -year-old girl,

who could not speak the language
and was a piece of property.

I am now the Queen of an expanding empire,

and a wealthy woman in my own right.

If you think that I'm incapable

of taking care of both,
my husband's interest and my own,

you do so at your own peril.

I'm beginning to see
what my son admires in you.

[gripping instrumental music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

We will be ready.

We are in the hands of the Gods.

I prefer my fate be in my own hands.

You make it very difficult sometimes...

to love you.

I want to keep you safe.

I don't need that. I know Kåre...

And I know my brother.

He's self-centered, vain,
seeks only power.

Sounds like someone else I know.

- [indistinct chatter]
- [laughter]

Grandfather!

[Forkbeard] Oh!

We arrived last night.

Mother wouldn't let us disturb you.

How very thoughtful of her.

Let me speak to your mother alone.

Good morning, Aelfgifu.

What has brought you
all the way to England?

The crown that is due to me
as the wife of its king.

[Forkbeard scoffs]

If I remember correctly,

you and my son were
hand-fasted in the Pagan way

as he had yet not converted.

In the eyes of God,
you were never married.

I'll let you explain that technicality
to your grandsons.

Mm.

I'll be happy to.

It's the way the world works.

My son has made his commitment
to Queen Emma.

Then you should be prepared
to lose Norway.

Jarl Olaf visited me
upon his return from England.

He shared with me
his plans to unite Norway.

He then attempted to buy Denmark's fleet
for an invasion of Kattegat.

You mean Canute's fleet?

Canute and his army
are locked in land battle.

In his absence, fleet answers to me.

You brought the fleet to England?

Where is it?

Near, but far.

Out of your sight,
but close enough to receive my command.

I could have you k*lled right now.

Quartered in front of me.

Or tortured.

I particularly don't like fire.

But by the time you learn
the fleet's whereabouts,

it would be too late.

England is a country
with many places to hide.

And if they don't hear from me
by a given hour, on a certain day,

they sail for Kattegat under Olaf's flag.

Only I can call them off.

[indistinct chatter]

You're here to talk or to thr*aten?

I have a problem.

You k*lled my father, Leif Eriksson.

As his son, I must defend his name.

Must you?

You know as well as I do
I was within my rights to defend myself.

You also know if you were to fight me now,

there is a very good chance
I will k*ll you.

'Cause you're a great warrior, Arne.

And the people of Kattegat,

they need you to defend them now.

So, you understand my problem.

Look, I've only heard stories
of Odin's table.

But I know if I was ever asked
to join the einherjar

and I had to look
the Allfather in the eye...

I would much rather do so as a warrior

who d*ed fighting
for his people and their beliefs.

Instead of his father's tainted name.

[horn blowing]

- Riders approach!
- [horses neighing]

[man] Our scouts are returning!

[intense music playing]

Whoa. Easy.

We must find out their strength.

If they are weak,
we should not be waiting in here,

but attacking
before their forces grow any stronger.

I agree. I'll go with you.

We can spare neither of you.

Let's get back to work.

And who are you?

I'm Queen Aelfgifu of Denmark

and the wife of King Canute.

I'm impressed with how... effortlessly

you've made yourself
comfortable in my home.

It is my home now.

Really?

I've heard of
delusionary people such as yourself.

Please tell me how you managed
to convince yourself of such a fantasy.

I am told you are an intelligent woman,
Emma of Normundy.

Surely, you are astute enough to realize

that if a wolf is roaming your halls
and warming itself by your fires,

it must be considering you its dinner.

You look troubled.

I have many worries.

Yes. I just met them.

All of the traitors
gathering armies to steal Norway.

And Aelfgifu controls Canute's fleet.

She's hidden it somewhere here.

I have sent men to search.
But it could take days, weeks.

I have hours.

If Olaf is allowed to take Norway,

the entire North is threatened.

And Aelfgifu knows it.

I don't expect a woman like you

to understand what that means to a Viking.

But I do know
the blood of your people runs in my veins.

I've never been to the North,
but I feel your anger.

I feel your pain.

I fell in love with your son
because he convinced me to trust him.

He saved my children from Olaf
and now I must repay that trust.

I know this country.

I can help you, if you let me.

[drums b*ating]

[indistinct chatter]

Kattegat has seen trials before.

Enemies from land and sea,
and days of darkness.

In all times,
the Gods have been good to us.

Sustained and protected us.

Now we face a new challenge
in which we must ask their help.

We call for a messenger
to journey to Asgard

and plead our cause
to the Chief of the Æsir.

- I will.
- I will.

I... I will.

[gripping instrumental music playing]

What is your name?

Audun Hoskuldsson.

Do you willingly go to Odin
and deliver our cry for help?

[Audun] I do.

I promise to be worthy of Kattegat.

Prepare him for his journey.

[mystical music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[vendors shouting indistinctly]

Queen Aelfgifu.

Ny name is Earl Godwin.

I am an advisor
to your husband, King Canute.

It's refreshing to be greeted properly.

It befits you.

But despite your competence,

it may be hard
to keep you at the king's side.

I've come to offer my assistance.

I've made my terms clear
with Sweyn Forkbeard.

Why would I need your help?

Because you may have
overestimated your leverage with him

and underestimated Emma's.

I know her and believe
I can help you in your quest.

Why? What interest
do you have in my quest?

Let's just say I have
my own history with Emma.

[gripping instrumental music playing]

Hyah!

Prodigal brother returns.

[mystical music playing]