Thorkell must be behind this!
I can't think of anyone else.
But Lord Floki, the mesage from Derby said--
There are too few on the left! Don't underestimate 500 warriors!
We're up against Thorkell!
Lord Floki, if the reports are true, doing this would be sedition.
Unbelievable.
To think Prince Canute would return home with Thorkell in tow.
It's inconceivable!
Hey, Floki!
Want to fight? I'll be your opponent.
Stand down, Thorkell.
I sent an envoy ahead of my arrival announcing my return home, Floki.
Are you greeting me with spears in hand?
No, I would never intend to do something so…
Askeladd!
What are you doing here?
Have your ears stopped working?
I am asking you if you intend to point your arrows
at a member of Danish royalty.
No, that's…
We Jomsvikings
received a false report of an enemy army attack.
I am deeply sorry.
Report back that I plan to visit the king's estate in the evening.
Be accurate.
What the hell just happened?
He's a completely different person.
DANISH ARMY MAIN BASE GAINSBOROUGH CASTLE
All of you. Walk with me and listen.
Today, we cannot start any fights.
I have few allies among these men.
Any provocation will make us traitors.
We need time to form a plan.
Thorkell,
you've betrayed them once, but you remain popular with the warriors.
I want you to interact with the heads of each clan to restore relations.
Are you saying
you want me to go on a drinking binge at your expense?
Ensure that the other leaders join. Go.
What a terrific order!
I was right to follow you.
Let's go!
Askeladd, come with me to see the king.
I want your assessment of him.
Understood.
How do you think we should proceed from here on out?
Well.
With limited time, assassination is preferable.
Because your elder brother Prince Harald is far away in Denmark,
there is an opportunity.
If the king met his demise now,
you would become commander-in-chief to the English field army.
In this case, we'd need to cover for the person behind the plot.
Thorfinn,
from here on, you will serve as more than my protector.
I'm counting on you.
Don't order me around.
I don't recall agreeing to serve you.
Please forgive his impertinence.
I'll relay your orders to this dolt.
I wonder
if God
is watching us even now.
Losing friends, parents and children killing each other…
God is watching us commit these acts from high up in the heavens.
I'll never forgive him.
I will take this land and turn it into a paradise.
It will be peaceful, abundant,
and the ideal land for those who suffer in life.
It may not happen in my generation,
but I will take the first step.
God will surely call me to his side with love.
However,
when that happens, I will say,
"We have no need of the Kingdom of Heaven or its trials.
Our paradise is here
on Earth."
We will regain what we have lost.
If I must become a demon to attain this goal. So be it.
I will assist you,
Your Highness.
I am pleased you have returned.
I am happy,
Canute.
I'm grateful for your words.
I am unworthy of them having lost the soldiers you placed under my command.
Come closer.
Hold on.
Your assessment, Thorfinn?
They're here.
About 20 men.
There are also archers in the rafters.
Your Highness,
it is an ambush.
It seems the king has already made up his mind as to how to proceed.
What's wrong?
Do you hesitate to approach?
You two, no matter what happens, do not draw your swords.
The first to draw his sword will lose.
This is
that kind of fight.
My eyes have adjusted to the dark.
A little closer, and I'll be able to see the king's face.
If I can see his face…
Halt.
That's close enough.
Kneel.
He has tired eyes.
So this is the king of the Danes?
Askeladd.
What happened to Ragnar?
I do not see him with you.
He died in Mercia.
I see. That is regrettable.
He was a most sincere and loyal retainer.
In a normal situation, we would be toasting your return with food and drink.
However, I would like
to speak to you informally for a moment.
Canute only, rise.
Take ten steps forward.
In such a short time,
your face has changed.
You look like I did in my youth.
Then
you must also understand my inner thoughts.
A burdensome child.
To think our likeness is so true even in this regard.
Children
grow up watching their parents.
You mustn't blame yourself.
When I was young,
I drove my father, the late king, out of the country
and I took this crown for myself.
I did it because I believed it was for the good of the kingdom.
Although, he was by nature cruel and a coward.
The world would be chaotic if a man like that wore the crown.
How can he say that when he's protected on all sides?
Silence. He can hear you.
You've decided against asserting yourself by force, Your Highness?
Don't forget you're in the lion's den now.
I thought I did a good deed.
I believed I would bring prosperity,
until I put this on.
This crown on my head
has a will of its own.
Once you wear it, you command 1,000 ships and 10,000 warriors.
You can have any of the treasures retrieved from distant lands.
You can feel a godlike power inside you.
However…
However, Canute,
it is not the king who wields this power.
This power is ruled by the will of the crown.
Are you saying then it was the crown who gave the order
to have me killed?
There are only two things the crown wants from the king.
To use power and to increase power.
It is futile to fight it.
And the crown does not want you.
Canute,
I will grant you dominion of Cornwall.
There you may read the Holy Bible and spend your days in tranquility.
If you refuse me now,
you can die here.
Is the crown forcing you to say those words, Your Majesty?
Your Majesty!
Forgive my intrusion, but I ask for permission to speak.
State your name.
I am Prince Canute's retainer,
son of Olaf, Askeladd.
Pardon me, but will your commands fulfill the will of the crown?
Continue.
His Highness took Thorkell's army from London and put it under his command.
If Your Majesty ascends to the English throne,
the city will have no choice but to surrender.
The riches of London will be yours without exception.
The one whose sacrifices ensured this favorable outcome
is none other than Prince Canute.
What is the logic of punishing the man who accomplished this deed?
These commands may worry your generals
when it is time to divide the new territory.
I beg you to reconsider.
You're a well-spoken man.
Askeladd.
"Of the ashes," huh?
That is only an epithet.
Tell me the name your father gave you.
It is only Askeladd.
My father did not give me a name.
A bastard from his mistress?
No.
You were born to a slave.
What?
I've never seen Askeladd so enraged.
Canute,
you have brought an astute retainer.
It's just as he said.
I should reward you and your men.
Tomorrow, I will depart for York.
There, a banquet will be prepared.
I will grant you your reward there.
I was scared to death, Your Highness.
What is there to be worried about?
As you rightly presumed,
the king has no good reason to kill me now.
He wishes to be called a wise king.
As long as we aren't rash, it's safer to stay close to him.
All the more reason to refrain from provoking him as you did now.
That won't be a problem.
King Sweyn is a slave to his crown.
I will show him
how to master the will of the crown.
Askeladd?
I should be careful and treat him with caution.
Drink up!
Come on, drink to your heart's content! Prince Canute is indulging us!
Long live the prince!
That's his 57th drink!
What a beast!
Hey, man who's been swigging one drink after another,
who are you?
I don't recall inviting a monk.
I'm Willibald. Have you forgotten me?
Huh?
The bearded one?
-He's so young! How old are you? -Twenty-three.
-No way! -He's in his early twenties?
All right, I'll go against you next!
It's the commander's turn!
He's already had 58 drinks.
He's a strange man.
He does as he pleases but is hated by no one.
Yes.
So, how goes it?
Do you think you can
kill the king?
It will certainly
pose significant challenges.
By the look of him, he is smart.
He possesses insight and the will to make the first move.
If he sees us contravening his authority, he will make his next move.
I would say he's skilled in battle.
I suppose that is why he is the king of the land.
He is a formidable foe.
Even if we could kill him, we cannot do it now.
In the meantime, while we consider his vulnerabilities,
we must play the part of loyal subjects.
Your Highness!
I am overjoyed at your safe return.
You cannot imagine how worried Gunnar has been!
Forgive me for not receiving you upon your return to the castle.
After all, I myself just returned from a foreign land.
Of course, I always knew you'd return home safely.
What's this? Is this gentleman your new retainer?
May I be introduced to him?
This is Ragnar's younger brother Gunnar. Introduce yourself.
I am the son of Olaf, Askeladd.
Oh my, you seem very reliable.
I am Gunnar.
By the way, Your Highness,
regarding our old plan it seems our prospects have improved.
The Duchy of Normandy.
I'd like to speak with you and my brother about it later.
Ragnar has died.
I'm sorry for the trouble you must have taken.
Also, I will not go into exile.
Your Highness…
I know that traveling to all those countries was difficult.
I just had a confrontation with King Sweyn.
-I'd like you to lend a hand. -Ragnar is…
Gunnar.
Your job is to watch the king and report back to me.
Choose useful men whom you can trust.
Your Highness! You mustn't speak of that in a place like this.
Don't worry.
This place is the perfect cover.
Your Highness.
You have changed.
I have.
And I must change everything else.
That Gunnar could be a problem.
I don't think he's as loyal to the prince as he let's on.
You're certainly devoted to your preparation.
Your right arm is healing well.
Askeladd.
I see.
You're going back home?
I know you said you don't care, but we're still traitors to you.
I don't know how we could ever face you again.
That hurt!
That's right! I got you!
And now that my brother is like this…
I hope Bjorn's injuries heal.
Atli, how can you call yourself a Viking after saying all that?
How did an honest man like you ever become my lackey?
Bjorn won't last much longer.
The wound spread to his bowels.
Soon, Thorfinn will be the last man from the old crew.
It's the perfect time for a fresh start.
Your bracelet?
It's gold. Take it.
What? I can't! I have no reason to!
Just accept it.
You can never have too much gold on your travels.
I'm sorry.
Then, with grate gratitude…
Huh? What?
What the hell?
Are you giving it to me or not?
I have a condition.
Never wield a sword again.
It doesn't suit you, Atli.
Buy some sheep, take a wife, raise kids, and die in your bed.
If I ever see you on a battlefield again, I'll kill you, even if you're my friend.
Yes.
I understand.
What is that?
What is it?
It's something precious.
That's a high price! Lower it!
-Bring out a younger woman! -A younger woman!
Anyone want her? She's a fine beauty!
Subtitle translation by Astrid Oliver