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Sven?

Sven?

Come to my aid!

- Runa... - Shh. I'm here.

Just try and go to sleep.

I can't.

I just keep thinking about him.

I know, I know.

Mother?

Yes?

I've not slept well lately.

Are you ill?

Or troubled?

I'm having bad dreams, almost every night.

Are you afraid of going back to sleep?

No.

I lie awake, wondering what they mean.

You sound just like your father.

And grandfather.

They used to dream a lot, too.

It brought nothing good.

This, too, will pass.

Now, relax.

Just remember your breathing, Runa.

Feel the calmness of the forest.

I am.

I hit it.

I heard you did.

Father was much better when he was my age.

Is that what he told you?

Yes.

When Joar was your age, he loved nothing more

than he loved his bow and arrows.

He even kept it in bed with him at night.

But did that make him better?

No.

Let the bow rest, Runa.

Do something else for a while, something you truly enjoy.

Well, I enjoy getting better.

You sound just like him.

I can hear you.

Did I tell you about that one time

when father scared away an angry moose?

Mm. No, not that I can remember.

Father and I were out looking for honeybees

when a big moose came out of the leaves

right in front of us.

And I think the moose was afraid, too

when he saw us

but he got angry and wanted to hit us with his horns.

Do you know what happened next?

No. What happened next?

Father spread his arms and shouted

and my ears almost fell off

and he's walking bravely towards the elk

clapping his hands, and look him dead in the eye.

- Scaring him away! - Oh!

Grandfather...

do you think Father is dead?

No. No, I do not.

But many die on raids.

And many come back.

Joar is delayed, that is all.

And when he does return, remember he did this for us.

It has been two years.

Maybe we'll not recognise him when he returns.

When I think of him

it's like I'm seeing through water, or mist.

I went on two raids when I was young.

All I wanted was to return with a name and some wealth.

And that I did.

But it was hard-won treasure I brought.

It didn't last long.

I had good eyes then.

And my aim was true.

And when I showed my silver to Ylva's mother

she let your grandmother have me for her husband.

My good eyes gave me that.

But then we settled down, we had Joar and his sisters

and my eyes started to fade.

The Norns made my thread that way.

That was the real price for my happiness.

And I would gladly sacrifice it again

if I was given the choice.

- Let's go inside. - Yes.

Oh...

Runa.

Don't waste your love on the horse.

We have to sell him.

But you can't sell Nattfari!

- Go out fishing. - Mother!

Maybe we can all go and fish?

Come, Bothild.

Bothild stays with me.

What happened?

I fell.

Into the lake? How?

I just fell.

Nothing more.

So, don't worry.

I wonder what Father has seen on his journey.

He promised to bring back something for me.

If he's able

I know he will bring something back for you, my dear.

I miss him.

Yes, I know. We all do.

Well, clearly he's not missing us.

If he did, he would've found a way back by now.

Runa...

Or maybe he's cold in the ground

but no one wants to talk about it.

Where is Mother?

Mother...

You're doing it again.

What?

Standing there, not doing anything.

I cannot do a damn thing in my own home

without you complaining about it.

Do not deny it.

Just stop it.

Mother, what's happening?

You're not alone in this, you know?

We're here, too, suffering just as much as you are.

You do not know my mind, child.

Because you're silent as a fucking stone!

Don't you dare use that tone to me!

You're thinking of Father, aren't you?

Don't you have chores to do?

They're done. How about yours?

Go outside.

Go to your sister.

No.

Go outside!

- I want to talk about Father. - Go to your sister!

Because you never do anymore!

What do you want me to say?

That I miss him?

That I still love him?

Do you want me to say that I believe that he'll come riding

on a pitch black stallion?

Well, he won't.

He won't! He has left us!

He has left us here to rot!

Like outcasts.

Can't you see that it's you who has left us?

At least Father tried, but...

Maybe you, too, want to leave.

Then just go.

Take your bow, and go.

And leave me here.

- Where are you going? - Hunting.

Sometimes I think I can see again.

Then I realise it's all in my head.

The sounds of the woods.

The smell of...

leaves and flowers

and growing and rotting.

Birth and decay.

It's all so real to me, so...

close and strong.

I have lived a long time.

Soon I will rot and become soil.

And I really hope there will be green moss growing in me.

Sweet, green moss.

And then maybe you can bring some pork to my moss mound

and sing to my bones.

Do you see your own death?

No, I cannot see a damn thing.

But I refuse to die until I have spoken to my son

one last time.

You are troubled?

I saw something today.

What did you see?

When I fell into the water, it was like...

I was dreaming.

But... I know I was awake.

And you believe that what you saw was an omen?

Yes.

Tell me.

I saw Mother, you and Bothild.

You know what? It's probably nothing.

It's getting harder to remember the more I try, so....

Are you sure it was nothing?

There was something else.

Afterwards, at the far shore.

I saw a flock of birds lie dead on the ground.

But I can't understand why.

Bad omens and dead birds...

It sounds as if you hit your head when you fell, Runa.

Do not start looking for omens in everything you see.

It will only lead to sadness and worries.

Who goes there?

I mean no harm.

It's fine.

What's going on? Who's that man?

Go get Mother. Hurry.

Bothild, stay!

A warrior.

Where did you find him?

In the far woods, close to Narlunda.

We must save him.

No.

He can barely move. We must help him.

You should have left him in the forest, Runa.

Take him back, before he wakes up.

Father would've been ashamed if he heard you now.

His fever is very high.

He might die tonight, or in a couple of days.

There is not much we can do.

But there's a chance he might live.

I'm not sure.

Elderflowers can help.

Thank you.

Hide his weapons.

We'll put them in the goat shelter.

It's empty, anyways.

I do not want him in the house.

Who is he?

We don't know.

What is he saying?

He said something about gold on the way here.

I hope he will survive.

But the fever is a threat to him if he's forced to sleep outside.

He looks like a travelling man.

Maybe he knows something about Father.

Or he'll cut our throats in our sleep.

Bothild, can you please fetch me some water?

No, that's enough. You don't go near him again.

Freyja and Odin, and with them, Tor

rode the grey steed, Sleipnir.

The horse that fell and broke his bones.

The gods sat down beside him.

Blood to blood, they sang

and bone to bone, the grey steed Sleipnir stood.

- What's wrong? - The man.

He's in pain.

Don't be scared.

But I think we should bring the man inside.

Make sure he drinks some water.

I will.

Where are you going?

Going to the market.

Without us?

You must watch your sister. She must not know.

Good boy.

My Nattfari.

Good health to you, Magnhild.

And to you, Ketill.

So, here he is.

Hmm.

I was not sure you'd come.

Haven't seen you much around the market lately.

People miss your furs and skins.

I almost began to believe that the woods

had swallowed your family whole.

We've been busy.

I see.

Must be hard with your husband gone.

- Does Ragnvald still live? - He does.

Stubborn old goat.

Surely he will outlive us all, don't you think?

I thought your daughters would come.

No, not this time.

This was your husband's horse, was it not?

It was.

I know you're sad.

But I sold the skins.

And I brought this for you.

- Can I try it? - Yes.

It's beautiful. Thank you, Mother.

Did you remember my pork, Magnhild?

Anything for you, Ragnvald.

- Sweet man. - Thank you.

Are you blind, lord?

I am.

- Are you thirsty? - Yes.

Thank you.

Th... Thank you.

Thank you.

I am Torulf Ulfsson, from Gallstadir.

I'm Ragnvald Ingvarsson.

From this shithole.

Ragnvald?

I travelled with your son.

- You were with him on the raid? - Yes.

Does he live?

Last time I saw him, he was alive.

And that was just about a week ago... give or take.

We're done with water now, don't you think?

I could use some ale as well.

You must be Runa.

It was Runa who brought you here and mended your wounds.

I'm in your debt.

Who did that to you?

It was my former shipmates.

But I shook them... I shook them off.

Your shipmates?

There were 24 of us when we left Akru two years ago.

First, we sailed across the Eastern Salt

to Kurland

but we had no luck there.

Oh, we went far on the rivers of Gardariki.

We traded with the locals.

They had strong defences, so we kept the peace.

When winter came, we served a lord as his guards.

And he paid in silver... but it was not enough.

We decided to take our leave...

Try our luck down in the south, in the Slavic lands.

But others had been there before us.

We went further down south...

and we came upon a Frankish market.

And we fell over it like hungry wolves.

How we were foolish men.

Poor, we'd never seen such riches before.

So, we lost our heads.

We forgot to keep watch.

We were ambushed by the Franks.

They were three times as many as we were.

And they were well armed.

We fought for our lives, there on the Frankish shores.

When we got away, we barely had enough men

to man the oars.

We'd lost half of our men, and all of our loot.

We would all have died if it wasn't for Joar

and his bow.

And then we set sail north.

And eventually we were back to familiar shores.

We buried those who had died from their wounds at sea.

That night, one of the crew found a fallen tree.

With... roots sticking up into the air.

Like fingers grasping for the sky.

On those roots...

there hung big, fat golden rings.

It was like a gift from the gods.

We dug underneath the tree

and we found an old burial site.

A mound full of treasure.

Joar told us to....

Joar told us to leave it all in the ground.

That it was a foul thing to steal from the dead.

But we did not listen.

We divided the treasure amongst ourselves

and in the end, not even Joar could resist taking his share.

We slept that night, dreaming we were kings.

In the morning...

everything had changed.

So, what happened?

Some of the men started attacking one another.

Wanting all the gold for themselves.

Joar and I, we fled.

But I was still wounded from the battle with the Franks

so he told me to run ahead

and I did.

The bastards nearly caught me anyway.

I took all my gold and silver and I threw it into the mud.

That made them forget about me for a while, I tell you.

And what happened to Father?

Later, I saw Joar.

And he was still unharmed.

He was keeping his pursuers at bay.

Before we got separated, he shouted at me.

And he told me to meet him here, at his home.

He and I were the only ones who knew how to get here.

Well... he has not returned yet.

Runa, what are you doing?

- I should go look for him. - No! You're not going anywhere!

Runa...

Your father knows these woods.

I believe he wants to make sure he's not being followed...

before coming home.

Fine.

How do we know that you're telling the truth?

That you won't betray us the moment Joar

gets back with the gold.

Did you not lose your own share?

You're right.

It's wise of you to ask me these things.

But when Joar returns, he will tell you that I'm a friend.

He will tell you that I can be trusted.

There is one thing you can say.

Swear it... by your ring.

In the name of Tor

I swear...

that my words bear truth.

Now I think the two of you should get some sleep

and leave these two broken men to do what they do best.

Brag about yesterday

joke about today and...

forget about tomorrow.

What did he do then?

He ate the porridge.

It was his helmet, after all, you know!

That man was not a moron.

- My good friend. - What?

I need to go outside and find a tree.

I don't want to risk tripping over any of the sleepers.

I can't see a damn thing in here.

I need to find a tree as well.

If you... if you get to my age

you'll find that old men need to pee quite often

during the night, but this blind old man

did not want to trip and fall over some sleeping women

so he... he built himself a piss door.

Follow me.

Ragnvald!

Ragnvald...

I'll... I'll save you, Ragnvald.

Morning.

- You feel better? - Yes, I do. Thanks to you.

And your family.

We have very little to spare.

If you can walk, you can work for your food.

I will, gladly.

Good.

Then you should help me with my chores.

You work hard for your family.

You're strong.

Joar knows that.

Your mother is...

Magnhild does her best.

She tries to keep you all safe and sound.

I can tell.

Yeah, she's a sweet woman, isn't she?

She's kind-hearted, polite, generous...

All smiles and giggles.

Sometimes I feel like an orphan.

Bothild keeps playing and singing but...

she is just as alone in this world as I am.

Only, she doesn't realise it.

Mother lost it when Father left.

Sometimes when we speak, she just drifts away.

Just saying nothing, hearing nothing.

Do you think she's stopped caring about you?

No.

No, she's just sad and worried.

And she fears being unable to provide for us.

And she fears that I'll leave her.

Do you want to?

Hmm.

Have you said anything to her?

She knows that I need her to be a mother.

You know, your father talked a lot about you.

But he also told me that you're very good with a bow.

You're good.

If you care to teach me some of your tricks with that later

I'll teach you how to use this.

Maybe it's too soon.

I mean, you were bed-bound just a few days ago.

Well, I'm not too weak to work for you.

I get rusty like an old tool if I refrain from practice.

Long grip.

You don't want... Yes.

You don't want to get hit on your fingers.

And now, ready.

Side.

There.

You have the right mind for it.

Teach me more.

Come on!

- You need to be faster. - Alright, OK. Again?

Come on!

Mother! Grandfather!

- Mother! - What's wrong?

What?

- Runa! - Runa!

- What is happening? - What's going on?

What's wrong?

Can someone say something?

- Bothild! What? - Speak!

Joar!

Joar!

Son...

My son has returned.

My son...

I feared the worst.

In my heart, I always knew you'd come back.

Blood brother.

Torulf, can you make a fire?

Joar...

Come, let's make food.

Joar is back!

My love...

Can you see? We're rich!

Oh... My Joar!

We want it...

Please...

I want it out...

Take it out.

Joar...

Don't feel shame.

We did what we had to do.

Now you're a rich man. You've earned it.

Feels more like a burden than a reward.

It should feel like a relief.

For you and your family.

And you saved my life.

When those arrows flew...

I've never seen archery like that before.

- You should take pride in it... - Torulf.

I believe Joar needs some peace and quiet.

Alright.

How do you feel?

You look pale.

♪ Wayfaring stranger ♪

♪ While you are sleeping ♪

♪ Viverjar watches ♪

♪ Over the grove of ash trees ♪

Woo!

Woo!

Are you well?

Something seems to have scared away the animals.

Father seems... different.

You think so?

Yeah.

Something is bothering him.

He just got home.

He's been through a lot, he's very tired.

No, it's something else.

What do you mean?

I don't know yet.

What happened?

Joar?

You need to speak now.

I cannot help you...

if you don't tell me what's wrong.

Why do you want to be alone

when your family has longed for you so much?

Please hold me.

No...

Now, go to bed.

The best defence

is to not be where your enemy's weapon is.

Now you try it. Hit my leg.

See? You were exposed. You need to be faster.

But it's not over yet. Ah! Come on.

Alright. Come on, then!

You need to defend yourself, you know.

Come on, come on.

Torulf?

How are your injuries?

Getting better for each day.

Good.

We would like you to leave us now.

As you can understand, we need to come together as a family.

And Joar... needs...

to get some rest

and put your adventures behind him.

I hope you understand, brother.

I understand.

You lost your share of the treasure.

But you did not lose your friend.

Brother...

Farewell.

May you have a safe journey home.

Farewell, Toruf Ulfsson, my friend.

You are welcome back this winter.

For more good ale and...

old stories.

Of that I have no doubt, Ragnvald...

my friend.

I can't believe they're sending you away.

You're not fully healed yet.

Don't worry about me.

Farewell, Runa.

I hope we meet again soon.

You've yet to teach me how to master the bow.

Well, you're gonna need two good arms for that.

In time.

In time.

Joar! Brother!

You're back!

- Indeed I am. - Back home.

- Hello. - Hello.

Nice to see you!

- Welcome. - Thank you.

Runa, is it not?

- Sigrun. - I almost didn't recognise you.

Is your family here, too?

Yes, yes, they are.

Oh.

I haven't heard a single word

from the ones who went on that journey.

Your father?

Did he return? Is he well?

Yes, he's back.

That's good news.

It must be great not being alone in the woods anymore.

But I hear that you are good providing for your family.

Hm?

Maybe things will change now.

Did Joar have any luck on his trip?

- No... not really. - Mm.

At least he's back.

Oh, I know someone you should meet.

Remember my son, Ari?

He's grown up to be a beautiful young man.

He's here somewhere.

Should go and get him before some other

unmarried woman does.

Here, have some more.

Birds... lay dead.

All over the crops.

But the worst part of it was the stench.

It smelled of intestines and...

vomit... rotting flesh.

I almost puked.

My sister saw something strange, too.

Further up north.

She says there was someone amongst the trees, watching her.

She had her husband with her, along with a good spear.

That didn't make the stranger go away.

Nor did he say anything, he just stood there, watching.

It was surely one of those Christian priests.

They're very strange indeed.

And they seldom fuck, I've heard.

It's no priest.

Both my sister and her husband were scared

and they do not scare easily, I tell you.

Suddenly, her husband ran toward the man, spearpoint first

to scare him off.

But he just slowly turned his back on them...

waiting.

What happened?

The arse-digger just stood there.

He was a mad man.

And he smelled, my sister said.

Smelled?

As if he was rotting.

As if he... was rotting?

Is anyone there?

Who goes there?

Yeah...

The fire's dead.

Someone's been here.

- Who's there? - Grandfather, it's us!

Open the door!

Get in! He may still be close.

What are you talking about, Ragnvald?

Could it be the outlaws?

Or thieves trying to steal the gold?

He had a nasty stench.

I almost threw up.

And he was dead silent.

Then he tried to break in.

Thanked be the gods I was already drunk

or I would've wet my pants.

Was he alone?

I don't even know if it was a "he".

What?

Maybe it wasn't a human being at all.

Don't speak like that, Ragnvald. It brings bad luck.

It must have been an animal.

No! Look at the marks!

I would have liked having Torulf here still.

We should take a look around.

Ragnvald.

Are you not eating?

I need to get out.

Father?

Runa.

- My strong, brave daughter... - Oh, stop.

I know there's something you're not telling us.

I wish you would've stayed with us.

I want my father back.

Not this stupid bag of gold.

That gold...

is land.

I needed to take this risk, Runa.

There's no future here for you or your sister

dwelling in these woods like wolf and bear.

Well, now that you have this bag of gold.

And yet you stand here as if there is no sun in the sky.

I know you.

I know there's something you're not telling me.

We did wrong...

stealing from that mound, and now we suffer for it.

Maybe it's just in my head.

Nightmares.

Guilt.

Maybe I will feel better in time.

Well, we have time.

♪ Wayfaring stranger ♪

♪ While you are sleeping ♪

You know the words.

But do you know what they mean?

♪ Wayfaring stranger ♪

♪ While you are sleeping ♪

♪ Viverjar watches over ♪

♪ The grove of ash trees ♪

♪ Until the sunrise ♪

♪ Throughout your slumber ♪

♪ Viverjar watches over ♪

♪ The grove of willows ♪

He's gone.

Father gave it to me.

Do not lose it.

He's gonna come back.

Where's Bothild?

I... I don't know.

Bothild?

Bothild!

Bothild?

Quiet.

We need to leave.

What...

Run!

Run home.

When was Runa here?

I don't know.

Oh, Bothild!

- Are you hurt? - No.

What happened? What happened?

The Vikings are close.

What was that stench?

- Some kind of sickness? - It was the shipmates.

- We need to leave. - Leave?

- Where's Joar? - He's left us.

- He's left? - With the gold.

Of course! He was going to give it to the Vikings

so they might leave us alone!

I gave them my gold. They didn't care.

We can't stand a chance running blindly into the woods!

They will round us up like cattle!

Leave me here and go.

No!

No. We'll stay together and fight.

- I just killed one of them. - They're warriors, Runa.

Seasoned killers.

But now they're scattered.

They will take everything we have.

- But will they... - Will not stop there.

That's why we must leave before they rally together.

There's that foul stench again.

The two of you, go inside. Now!

I think I can hear them.

This is madness.

I know when to stand and fight, and when to be wise.

But right now we have to be wise.

Run and get the axe and the spear. Hurry!

Let's get you on Nattfari.

Get in! Now!

Close the door!

Now we are trapped like a moose in a pit.

We should all get drunk.

How many are they? A dozen?

They are more than they should be.

What do you mean?

We can't win this.

We can survive this!

We just need to make them believe it's not worth the fight

that we have nothing left to steal!

I think they already know that we don't have

any more of the treasure.

They want revenge.

Revenge for what?

I saw Sven outside.

He handled the oar next to mine for almost two years.

He was a friend.

Well, then talk to him!

Make him tell the others to stop!

I don't think he can hear me anymore.

Why?

- Speak! - No!

Don't say it.

I saw him die, Runa...

by the mound...

the morning after we found the treasure.

He was cut down and he could not have lived.

They are aptrgangr.

They are draugr.

The living dead.

I can't hear them.

Have they left?

- Father... - He did not know.

Maybe he's still alive?

Maybe he saw what they were, and ran away.

How did they manage to find their way here?

It's the treasure! They sense it!

Joar... All he ever did was to save us.

All he ever did was for our sake.

Move in!

If they were human...

they would've lit the house aflame by now.

They don't want us to get away that easily.

Don't speak like that in front of Bothild.

They're gathering outside the door.

Close your eyes.

And stay close to me.

Soon...

we'll wake up amongst the gods.

And Father will be there, waiting for us.

Go to Grandfather!

Valhall. Sitting at Odin's table.

Sessrumnir, and join Freyja's people.

There will be an abundance of mead and ale

and nothing to fear.

It will all be over soon.

The ones who die in battle

will end up in the Halls of the Gods.

You know this, Bothild.

In the Halls of the Gods...

there is music and singing and beautiful crafts....

and friendly faces.

And there's pork... and lots of it.

You all know I love you.

You have to get out through the back door.

Now.

I can't leave you, brother.

Go with them.

I'll save you a good seat.

Come, Bothild. Stay close to me.

Come.

The gods love the ones who die fighting!

- Grandfather! - He wanted this.

Let's honour him by surviving.

The bead. Where's the gold?

We must throw it away, where is it?

I'm sorry.

You swallowed it, didn't you?

You did what?

Father gave it to me.

Run!

Hide, Bothild!

Run, Bothild! Run!

Run, Bothild! Run!

Fall back!

Hakon, what's become of you?

Bothild, run!

Runa!

Go with her! We won't be far behind!

I cannot lose you!

I'll be fine. Go.

Watch out!

No!

No! No!

No!

No!

No!

No! No!

No! No!

No...

No!

Mother...

We will face them.

And we will fall.

But we will meet Bothild...

Ragnvald...

and we will stand together again... as a family.

Take the spear.

Cover my left side.

Cover my left side.

They're coming.

What's going on?

Why are they backing up?

This is it.

Joar?

Joar!

No, Joar!

Runa! No...

No...

No...

You know the words.

But do you know what they mean?

♪ Wayfaring stranger ♪

♪ While you are sleeping ♪

♪ Viverjar watches over ♪

♪ The grove of ash trees ♪

Can you still hear me?

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