Original subtitles

Previously on "Runes".

(footsteps crunch)

Do you think this is the cave of Baligan?

(runes hum)

Huh?

The cave?

You found the cave?

It is the cave of Baligan,

where Loki is imprisoned.

Loki, the god of chaos.

Rollo's powerful spell is coming to an end.

It's our duty to protect Normandy.

Since the Duke's death,

all the barons of Normandy seek his successor.

I promised my husband that upon his return,

we would rule this duchy.

This boy duke must be found.

You have my word.

(palms thud against the ground)

Ehwaz.

Gebō.

Mannaz!

(runes hum) (Turstin and Alice gasp)

I hope you find what you seek.

And you?

What do you seek?

The heir to the Duke of Normandy.

So then perhaps we'll meet again.

(mysterious lute and flute music)

(vocalizing)

All right, children,

let's hurry it up.

The sooner we finish,

the sooner we eat.

(Hilda giggles)

(both grunt)

Hold on.

Huh?

We need to have a little talk,

and you need to tell me the truth.

Um, it's not really the best time to --

(both grunt)

Whenever I have questions,

it's never the right time.

(sighs) What do you want to know?

Why does Jotunn obey only you?

And don't tell me it's because he saw you first, Hugo.

And why does he call you "my Lord"?

I don't know.

He must think I'm someone else?

Really?

Who?

Hugo, Alice!

I don't know anything more than you do.

Let's go, your mom is waiting.

(Alice grumbles)

(seagulls squawk)

(wagon clanks and clacks)

(man chuckles darkly)

(tense music)

(necklace clinks) Hmm.

This is the stone, my lady.

Strongest gem I've ever encountered.

I -- I couldn't cut it.

This will do nicely, Jorg,

thank you for your work.

You are dismissed.

(footsteps thud)

Greetings, Dame Neel.

Gunnvar.

What are you doing in my lands?

I am simply paying my respects

to the rulers of the region.

I have something of interest

for those who have an interest in such things.

A portrait of Robert the Magnificent,

and of his son, William of Normandy.

(gasps) And can you prove its authenticity?

Even someone with my talents cannot forge the Duke's Seal.

I may have a reputation, Dame Neel,

but I never lie about my merchandise.

This is indeed the last existing portrait

of young William of Normandy,

the only one his mother did not succeed in destroying.

You know, not a soul has seen this.

Only the Lord or Lady who pays the coin

will know the face of the Duke's heir.

What is your price?

What is yours?

Dame Neel, with all due respect,

he's a scoundrel.

This dirty thief will drain your coffers.

I know Gunnvar.

He's a thief, yes.

But he's never once deceived me.

He would have nothing to gain from lying.

This could change the course of history.

I offer you 200 silver denier.

A neighboring lord offered four times that.

(laughs) Four times that?

You lie.

It's just business milady.

If you cannot offer me more,

I will have to sell the portrait

(Neel winces) to someone more generous.

(door squeaks) (Gunnvar cackles)

Bring me that portrait, Ulrich.

Do what you must.

(boots thud)

Do not disappoint me again,

or I will be obliged to replace you.

And that would pain me.

(Neel grunts)

[Neel] - Ulrich!

Let me help you get the portrait.

I'll fight by your side,

just like you taught me!

Thank you, Neel,

but I must do this alone.

Don't leave me like my father did.

If you don't come back,

what will become of me?

(birds sing)

(wooden door creaks)

(quiet footsteps rustle in the grass)

(wooden door creaks)

(Alice sighs)

(seagulls mewl and squawk)

Fehu

Kaunaz.

Ingwaz!

(runes hum) (whispers echo)

(candles flare) (chimes chime)

Whoa.

Soon, Hugo,

you will also be able to work magic.

and I will teach you that spell.

You, you really think I can learn something like that?

That depends on the student.

Rune magic is very powerful.

To master it will take you much time

and much patience.

(runes clack)

And after I learn,

can I shoot lightning?

(breathless) Outrun a wolf?

Or maybe -- Let's begin

with the basics of rune magic

that I showed you.

It's your turn.

(runes clatter)

Um. (sighs)

(Algythe mumurs approvingly)

Uh...

Fehu, kay-no --

No. Kaunaz.

Ingwaz!

(runes sputter and zap)

(flame whooshes)

(sighs) Honestly,

after such butchering of the pronunciation,

one cannot expect miracles.

How am I supposed to stop Loki from escaping

if I can't even light a candle?

(Hugo thuds on the chair)

I may not be the one you're looking for, Algythe.

You are the one.

Do you hear me?

It's you.

The power to recast Rollo's spell lies in you.

(Alice gasps)

(seagulls screech)

(mug thunks on table)

(mug thunks on table) (tense music)

(fire roars)

And you work every day, too?

Yeah, of course!

My father can really use the help.

I take care of the forge,

I repair things.

It's a good life.

And I can't even start a proper fire.

What?

Wait, you've never lit a fire before?

Uh -- I've got what we need.

We can go.

Go ahead,

I'll catch up with you.

Why?

Some secret meeting you're hoping to keep from me?

Uh, no?

Alice!

Hey, wait, what's going on?

I don't know.

You tell me. Huh?

Apparently you are the only one.

(Alice's finger beats on Hugo's chest)

The only one with the answers.

Out of my way.

Hey!

(Hugo gasps)

(growls) Ulrich.

You're under arrest, villain.

(horse whinny)

Oh, really?

On what charge?

On suspicion of forgery

and intending to swindle her Ladyship,

a most serious crime,

for which you'll be spending your life in the dungeon,

unless we can come to an agreement.

I trust that's clear.

Don't worry.

(both gasp)

Ulrich has it under control.

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

Do you mind if I show you something first?

(horse whinnies distantly)

This is an official order of protection

signed by all of the other lords.

If you arrest me,

then Dame Neel will be forced to answer to them.

That's absurd.

No Lord would protect a thief.

I don't -- how did you get this?

It would seem that a thief can be valuable

to the right person,

if they happen to have the right treasure.

If someone harms a single hair on my head,

it would be a declaration of war.

A war that Dame Neel simply cannot win.

So, I think I'll just be leaving now.

(Ulrich groans)

(Hela chuckles)

Having a bad day?

(Ulrich groans)

Ulrich, wait!

Later, My Lord.

Now that's what I call a successful arrest.

Ulrich knows what he's doing!

We're on a very special mission, you know!

Forgive me, my Lord.

I had no idea.

Seems like a big deal.

Obviously it's a big deal!

You see that wooden chest there in the wagon?

Ulrich and I must retrieve what's inside.

That box doesn't look like it holds anything important.

No, nothing important.

Just the portrait of the missing William of Normandy.

(Hugo gasps)

Let's go. (Hugo stammers)

(wagon door clanks)

(seagulls mewl)

Oh no.

I, uh, forgot something back in the village.

Catch up with you later?

Stop.

You didn't forget anything.

I am sick of your secrets.

I have no secrets.

(Alice sighs)

Why were you in the forest

that night I saved you from the wolves?

Why does Jotunn obey only you?

Why is Algythe training you in rune magic,

and why does she think

you're the only one who can stop Loki's escape?

How did you know?

I followed you.

And I'm glad that I did.

My mother took you in and you lied to us.

I just want the truth.

What do you need in the village?

(sighs) Alright, I'll tell you.

(seagulls call)

So the Duke of Normandy saved your life,

and you wanna get his portrait back to repay him.

Yes.

I owe him that.

There's still something I don't understand.

How did a peasant like you get into the castle?

Um, I -- I wasn't in the castle.

I met him in the forest.

I thought you said

he saved you from falling off the ramparts.

I said I fell into a pond!

You didn't hear right.

Hmm, maybe not.

And his parents let him run around alone in the forest?

Doesn't sound like they cared about him much.

They love me, Alice! (Alice gasps)

(Hugo and Alice both gasp)

(waves lap) It can't be.

It's you!

You're William of Normandy?

You can't tell anyone, please!

Even Turstin.

(Alice gasps)

(sighs) Don't worry.

Your secret is safe with me, William.

But if you're the Duke's heir,

you must be descended from Rollo.

That's why Algythe's teaching you about runes,

because you're the only one that can renew the spell!

Right.

And I still have a lot more work to do. (laughs)

But first I have to get that portrait back.

If someone sees it and recognizes me,

I'll be -- In trouble, I know.

Get moving, Mr. Duke,

we're getting your portrait back.

How will we do that?

We have no money to buy it.

We'll create a diversion and take it.

But that's stealing.

I know, but what choice do we have?

And besides,

this so-called merchant stole it from your family,

we're just taking it back.

You're right.

That portrait belongs to me.

Then let's go get it, Hugo.

(both grunt)

(wagon rattles)

Huh? Whoa!

Good day, sir.

I seek a gift for my mother.

I have nothing a pauper like you could afford.

Stand aside!

(reins crack) (horse whinnies)

Nothing?

How about some pottery or a brooch?

Oh, or some cloves!

My mother loves cloves,

they help her with her toothaches.

She still has teeth, you know!

Because she has a secret.

She makes a sort of toothpaste out of ashes

to keep them clean!

Oh, that's enough!

I don't have anything for your mother.

What?

What is this?

What's going on here?

Are you two urchins trying to rob me?

(both huff)

(slap smacks)

(horse whinnies) (wagon clatters)

My cart!

The portrait!

Oh!

Hugo!

(Hugo pants)

Hey!

It was you who frightened my horse, wasn't it?

You little thief!

Let go of me,

I didn't do anything!

(shoes scrape against the road)

Leave her alone!

(wagon clatters)

(Neel shouts)

(Neel shouts)

No!

(Neel screams)

(horse whinnies)

No!

Guards!

Guards, help!

Help me!

Guards! (Alice and Hugo struggle)

Come on.

(Hugo shouts)

(Alice grunts)

Try to rob me, will you?

You're going to regret this.

(fist slaps in hand)

What's going on here?

These little hooligans tried to steal my merchandise.

Take them to the dungeon.

But we're innocent.

Does it look like we have any of his things on us?

(door slams)

Hey, let us out!

(Alice sighs)

To get outta here,

Huh? You just need

to know the right people.

Who's there?

Lil' Golès,

expert escape artist,

and lord of this dungeon.

Hm?

So who are these people you know who can help?

Do you know Dame Neel?

(spits) I got way more important friends than her.

What are you two doing?

Go and get my cart back now!

Whoa.

We arrested the thieves.

Now back off.

Who cares about the thieves?

It's my merchandise I want.

Get it for me now.

Do you have any idea

how long it would take to search the entire forest?

Go and find your own baubles, you old loon.

Dame Neel will hear about this.

She'll compensate me for this insult.

And if not, it'll be war.

(Lil' Golès snores)

(Alice groans)

We have to find a way out.

What if we try to use the magic of the runes?

I haven't even mastered lighting a candle,

let alone moving a wall.

You know magic?

Yes. But it won't help us.

(Lil' Golès yawns)

And unless you know a way out of here,

you can't help us either.

Help you?

Sure I can!

See these rocks?

(several hollow knocks)

Sound kind of loose.

All they need is a good push,

and we're outta here!

I'm not sure the three of us are strong enough.

Don't worry.

I know someone who can help us out.

Really? Then who's that?

A friend.

Some call him a legend.

(Alice gasps)

(Lil' Golès cackles)

(horses whinny distantly)

There must be a way!

My hands are tied.

If I get rid of Gunnvar on your orders,

the other lords will declare war.

Then I will not order you.

You'll take it upon yourself to get rid of Gunnvar.

To keep the neighboring lords from getting suspicious,

I will need to throw you into the dungeon.

(Ulrich sighs)

But I will release you after a few weeks.

Very well.

Ulrich.

It is the only way to retrieve the portrait

and find that child.

(door slams)

(Neel huffs)

I have to get that portrait.

I have to.

(sparrows sing)

I'll set the other lords against her.

They'll burn her castle to the ground.

(animal whinnies) Huh?

(birds chirp)

(hooves rustle the grass)

(Gunnvar groans)

Blast!

(Hela grunts) (Gunnvar chokes)

(Gunnvar thuds against the ground)

Ah.

(blade thrums) (cord breaks)

(Hela laughs)

Thanks.

(all three grunt in exertion)

It's impossible,

they're too heavy!

Where's your friend, Little Golès?

Oh! I forgot to call him.

(Alice & Hugo sigh)

(Lil' Golès whistles)

What?

(someone whistles back)

He's here, ready?

(rock scrapes rock)

Let's do it.

(all grunt) (rock scrapes rock)

(rock thuds on the ground)

Guard!

(footfalls echo)

(all giggle nervously)

It was nice knowing ya!

(adventurous music)

(both pant)

Huh?

(quick footfalls rustle)

Hurry! The portrait!

(both grunt)

(doors creak)

Who are you?

Hela.

I wish to serve you, Dame Neel.

I need no more help.

Really?

Because I met a merchant.

I understand he had something that interested you,

and I made sure he'd think twice about ever returning.

(gasps) Gunnvar!

He had a parchment adorned with the Duke's seal.

Did you find it?

This is all he had.

The letter of protection.

Just this, nothing more?

No portrait?

No.

(fire crackles)

Hela, that is your name, is it not?

This way! (sand scrapes)

(both huff) (Hugo shouts)

Oh? Ah!

I hope the chest is still here!

Oh, there it is!

(Alice laughs)

(lock clacks)

(Alice shouts) (fistfalls pound the lock)

I learned a few tricks from my father.

He's a viking, you know.

(Neel pants)

(Neel gasps and laughs)

No!

Thank you for coming, Cecile.

I have heard that your daughter and your cousin

gave my guards a hard time earlier.

Correct, Ulrich?

Yes.

Gunnvar suspected them of stealing his merchandise.

Our soldiers arrested them.

Hmm.

They then recovered Gunnvar's goods

and threw the children into the dungeon, I presume.

Yes, but...

They managed to escape.

They're now fugitives as well as thieves, my lady.

Two children,

and they put Gunnvar and my guards to shame.

How is this possible?

Do they have magic powers?

No. Obviously not.

The wall of the cell must have had some loose masonry,

and Gunnvar --

Silence!

No more excuses.

Your children should be punished for their behavior, Cecile.

However, it would appear my guards

locked them up too hastily and without proof.

Therefore, they're free to go.

Thank you, Dame Neel.

(door creaks)

Gunnvar is gone.

As is the portrait of William.

You are incompetent.

Forgive me, Dame Neel.

I shall assume complete responsibility.

You've failed me too many times.

That portrait would've given me an advantage

over the other lords,

a chance to find William

before they do and rule over Normandy.

But the captain of my guard,

or should I say former captain of my guard,

ruined it.

Soldier Ulrich,

you will kneel before the new captain of my guard.

(Hela chuckles)

(gasps) The stranger.

Whew! (laughs)

Close one!

(Hugo and Alice laugh)

What have you two been doing?

I had to defend you from Dame Neel.

I want an explanation.

Mother.

I know the truth.

I know about Hugo.

You told her?

I-- He didn't have to.

I figured it out.

I mean, really, who peels turnips like Hugo?

(all laugh)

You can trust me, Mom.

I'll never betray William.

I knew I couldn't keep it from you for long.

But take care.

No one else can know.

I trust Alice completely.

It's because of her that we found my portrait.

Huh?

Your portrait?

(birds tweet)

(Hilda sighs)

(kisses forehead)

(solemn, airy music)

(fire crackles)

Goodbye, father.

(Algythe chuckles)

Oh!

I see!

I see now where we'll find the first of the stones of Rollo.

(mysterious music)