Original subtitles

[rumbling]

[thumping music playing]

[raspy vocalizing]

[fol pop music playing]

[Finan] For a hundrod years, thoro was chaos in our lands.

War betwoon Saxons and Dane invadors.

And war betwoon mon who wanted to be kings.

My lord, Uhtrod, son of Uhtrod, born a Saxon, but raisod a Dano,

had brought about a fragile poace.

But as King Edward's hoalth falterod,

trouble sproad.

And whilo most of tho country was sworn to the Saxons,

Uhtred's land of Northumbria was not.

And onomies wore koen to oxploit this.

Wolf!

Wolf! [grunts] Wolf!

[screa,ms]

Destroy the settlement. Leave no sign wc have landod.

[snarls]

-[yelling] -[screaming]

Ah! [grunts]

[grunting]

[warrior] Anlaf, we have thc spy.

[chucles]

Behold my child.

Behold thc daughter of Anlaf.

You loo ridiculous.

It is how they dress, Father.

If I'm to hide amongst them, I must appear--

-Is King Edward dead? -Not yet.

-But cach breath could be his last. -Then we chose our moment.

A ing dics, Saxons always turn on cach other.

Pa,ss this news to all ings who hate them.

Tell thcm I have crosscd from I rland and wish to ma,e allies.

Return yourself to Winchestor.

Wait.

Play with them.

Unleash chaos.

[whispering prayers]

[whispering prayers]

-[murmuring] -[bcll tolls]

[guard] No. Sta,y back.

[soldier] Find the queen!

[door sla,ms]

[Aldhelm] Lady Eadgifu,

the traitor Aeltweard has sent men

to tae you and Princc Edmund into protcction.

[swords scrape]

I have no wish to be a hostage.

-Can we fight them? -Not without Aethelstan.

Well , surely, my guards can--

Loya,Ities are shifting and factions forming.

It is not ccrtain who supports us.

Wc should floe with your son whilst wc can.

[Eadgifu] I will not forgive this.

Nor forgive Aothelstan for leaving us exposed.

Da,mn him for his absence.

Come, Edmund. We are leaving.

-[soldier 1 ] Where's the queen? -[soldicr 2] Movc! Loo evcrywherc!

-[Edmund] Mother, what's-- -[Ea,dgifu] Shh. Ouiet.

-Wait. -[footsteps approaching]

-[Eadgifu] Pyrlig . -[Pyrlig] Wc got word.

Aethelstan has gone on pilgrimage to pray for his fa,ther's health.

Then find him and toll him of his death.

Then strie him, from me, for hc sworc to protect us.

[Aldhclm grunts] Come. There's no time.

[sword rings]

[Pyrlig] Where will you go?

-To Uhtred. -The paga,n?

-[soldier] They're in herc! -[Aldhelm] Go! Go!

[grunting]

[Eadgifu] Uhtred betrayed my husband.

Are we sure this is wise?

Uhtred was lie a father to Aethelstan . He ca,n be trusted.

We go to the last ingdom.

[ethereal music playing]

[jolly chatter]

[Fina,n] He stood in front of the army, and hc said , "Release the arrows!"

And an arrow went right through his hcad.

[laughter]

[Finan] Oh , that was something.

But then, the battle for this place certa,inly stics in the memory.

-Both times. -[Finan] Hey. Cnut.

He was a proper... coc!

Then therc were thc horse-illers. Oh, they were deadly.

-What was his name? -Bloodhair.

BIoodha,ir. And what was her na,me? She of the curses?

Do not remind me. [belchos] Sade!

Now, she was moon touched.

Another onc who thought she was a seer. It didn't go well for her.

I am telling you, my dream was a, prophecy.

Three nights, I have had it.

-And what is your dream, Ingrith? -[Finan] Don't get her startcd, Lord.

-Hear my words. "Seven ings must die." -[man] Lord?

-Seven kings and-- -Ingrith!

[dar music playing]

All stand for thc queen!

Oueen Eadgifu.

And my most noble fricnd, Lord Aldhelm.

What brings you this far north?

I come seeing refuge with my son.

Edward , rightful ing of these lands, ha,s dicd.

Then my heart gricves.

I'd hoped to reconcile.

Ono down, six to go.

No! I do not lie it.

Northumbria recognizes thc new ing , Aethelstan.

Do not assume Aethelsta,n will be ing.

-Who is supporting Aelfweard? -[Aldhelm] The ealdormen of Wessox.

Of course. Still claiming Aethelstan's a basta,rd?

Ycs. Aelfwcard has the wealth of Wiltunscir behind him.

Our spies in Aegelesburg sa,y he's thcre, openly recruiting morcenarics.

We will go to Aegelesburg and seize him before he is at full force.

We would prefcr your guard.

My offer gives Aethelstan the time to go to Winchester to be crowned ,

and wc avoid a clash of armies.

I swore an oath to protect Aethelsta,n--

And of course, you are a man of your word.

Yet your oath to swear your la,nds to the ing rcma,ins unfulfilled.

Your husband showed himself hostile to those of Danish blood.

As such, hc was not the right man to unite England.

If he had been , England would bc united.

[AIdhelm] But now things can be different.

Aethelstan can be thc ing to fulfill the Saxon dream.

If he chooses to swcar--

I sworo an oath of loyalty, and it stands.

If Aelfweard is buying mercena,ries, ho will bc looing for men from all parts.

Do you thin we ca,n still executo an ambush?

If it is for Aetholsta,n, then yes.

-If he doos not fa,ll asleep. -Once. I fell asleep once.

Arc you certa,in this is bettcr than a ba,nd of young fighters?

I hear you do little these days but feast and hunt.

I will not send young men to do a task I swore to do myself.

[disconcerting music playing]

-[horse whinnies] -[Finan] Come on, you little...

Come on! Come on.

-[horse whinnies] -[Finan] Stop it now.

Osbert! What news from our borders? Do thc Scots behavo themsclves?

Yes, Father. There are rumors Wolf-Warriors landed near Derwent.

-Wolf-Wa,rriors? -Why are you carrying your sword?

We're riding to protect Aethelsta,n from his brother.

Then I will come.

-Any fight of yours is mine to share. -Stay here and protect your birthright.

No good comes of sitting waiting for a birthright.

So you train the horses

and you teach that boy how to defend himself.

No one likes the third son of a dcad ing.

Father.

-Will you swear our lands to Aethelstan? -I must honor my word.

Northumbria,ns will be sad to lose their pagan lord.

-[Finan grunts] -[horse whinnies]

[Finan] Gotcha!

-Look at this littlc ba,stard . -Are we ready?

[Sihtric] Hc's complaining about his saddle.

-Says his a,rse gets sore. -[Finan] Didn't say arse. I sa,id my back.

[Ingrith] I made you this.

[scoffs]

And one for ea,ch of you.

Men who sit on cold earth find the cold earth calls for them.

Oncc again, she shows herself a sccr.

Lord, it was nothing.

Tell it again.

"Scven ings must die," Lord.

-"Seven ings--" -I ngrith, no.

Go on.

"And the woman you love."

I'm no king, and I have no woman.

-It means nothing. -[Aldhelm] Lord Uhtred.

I told my son to train yours.

While you are hore, tae Wa,ssa as your serving woman.

-Ma,e this fortress your homc. -I wish to say onc thing of Aethelstan.

He is not quite the carefree boy you raised.

He has grown very much into his faith.

The Brotherhood of Oswald exert great influencc.

I have scared off such men before.

For some rea,son , mons find me terrifying.

[foreboding music playing]

-[Uhtred] Let's go play kingmaer. -[Fina,n] Once again.

[Aethelstan] My father? No, that cannot be.

I thought God had given him the winter.

[Pyrlig] Lord Aethelstan , you should make hastc to Wossex for corona,tion.

Your brother ga,thers mcn.

Establish yourself at Winchestcr before hc raises an army.

We will lea,ve when God comma,nds us to leavc, Father Pyrlig.

And that command has not boen given.

Return whcn you have pra,yed.

[Acthelstan] Do I depart?

[I ngilmundr] Only the boo has answers.

Play.

You have been guided to the Boo of Matthew, verse 157.

"Then Jesus went thence and departcd into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon."

God wants you to fight.

Oh. Than you, lady.

[scntry] Halt. State your business here.

We heard a ma,n is looing for fighters.

We come to make somc coin.

[sentry] Mmm.

Go on.

-This placc has fallen to shit. -[Uhtrcd] Edward Ieff it to dccline.

I'm glad Aethelflaed is not here to see it.

[chattcr]

Huh.

Word has spread.

[Sihtric] I swear I've fought half these men.

[Fina,n] This is not someone trying to recruit.

This is prepa,ring for a ba,ttle.

[Uhtred] That is the youth Aelfweard.

Go see what men now of his pla,ns.

[man] I'll show you a sword!

[teen] Oh!

Ooh.

-Is that ambor in your sword? -How much do you want for it?

[groans]

Shh-shh-shh-shh-shh-shh.

[groans]

-[Uhtred] Go home to your mothcrs. -[teen 2] Edgar! No.

Wilfrid! Wilfrid!

Do you spea to me, friend?

Your pardon. I thought you were Wilfrid.

A great man I fought with at Tettenhall.

Wa,it, you were at Tettenhall?

My fa,ther was there.

-Who do you fight for now? -Aelf... something?

-Saxon names are much alic. -The Aelf who marches on Wessex,?

You havon't heard.

No one's marching on Wessex.

I'm told the new plan is to lure Aethelstan here.

Aethelstan is on his wa,y.

Aeltweard challenged him to battle, and he's accepted.

Why would he agree to tha,t?

Bccause he's young, and they'vc baited him.

They plan to snare him between the ga,to and the other men hidden in the hills.

Then we tae control before he arrivcs.

We can't seizc this town with just us, Lord.

Wc do not need to seizc the town.

[eeric music playing]

[Finan snores]

[grunts]

[Finan] Hcy! Can I tempt you to pla,y for money, friend?

-[sword rings] -[grunting]

[Uhtrcd] Tie them up a,nd secure the bolt. Stay low until Aethelstan arrives.

[Finan] If thero's a bed , it's mine.

[birds singing]

[eeric music continues]

[Finan snores]

[Uhtred] He's here.

[guard in distancc] Raise the alarm! Soldiers approach the southern gate!

[Aelfweard] Comc no further! Aegelesburg is Ioyal to me now.

We do not ncgotiate with bastards.

Nor do we surrcndcr.

-You'll have to starve us out. -I a,m not foolish, brother.

I assumod you would place a trap.

Perhaps delay me herc until your forces could attac at rearguard.

Show him what's left of his men!

[grunting]

[Aethclstan] You can yield now,

or we destroy thc gate and ill all your men.

The gates will hold. No yield will come.

[Aethelsta,n] Then you will be destroyed.

Get ready to open the door.

[Aelfweard] I am the rightful ing. Your mother wa,s a whore.

All good mon now it. You have no allies.

Lord Aelfweard.

-I'm Uhtred of Bebba,nburg. -Uhtred.

[Uhtred] You now mo a,s a man who spea,s thc truth,

so hear me when I say, for the common good, stand down.

My men control the gate. You're outnumbered on all sides.

Yield.

Lot this ond with peace.

[Acthelstan] Give yoursclf to me, brother.

Then it is ovcr.

[somber music pla,ying]

Forgive me for my fa,ilings,

and give comfort to my mother's in.

Tell them of my exile

a,nd how we sought to honor our discarded bloodline.

-For Wcssex! -[mcn] For Wesscx!

Lord Uhtred,

open the gatc.

-[slicing] -[Aelfweard grunts]

-No! -[Aethelstan] God chose me rightful heir.

-[squelches] -[Uhtred] Aethelstan!

[Aolfweard groans]

[men shout]

[intcnse music playing]

-Advance! -[shouting]

Leave no enemy alive!

[commotion]

[Finan] Lord , stop this ma,dness!

[Uhtred] Stop!

[grunting , groaning]

[Uhtrcd] Acthelstan!

[grunting]

[Sihtric] Get bac! Hide!

-[mcrcenary] I submit! Plcase don't-- -[grunts]

Aethelstan!

[mercenary] Please, show mercy!

[Uhtrcd] No!

Stop! They're surrendering!

Aethelstan!

-Aethelsta-- -[high-pitched ringing]

-[muffled cries] -[Uhtred grunts]

Ah!

-Ah! -[ringing fades]

[man] Lord! Lord, help us!

Aethelstan!

Aethelstan!

-Stand down your men. -[Aethelsta,n] Uhtred , why are you hcre?

[Uhtred] To stop this. Your enemy has surrendered.

Halt your mcn.

-Let him approach and call a, halt. -[guard] Yes, my Iord.

-What happened to you? -What happened to you?

-You had no need to ill your brother. -I did , or in time, he would rcturn.

-You dishonorcd your word. -I did not.

I told him to yield . I did not say he would survive.

It was never our plan to let him live. Lord, reverse the order.

-We are closc to routing them. -Hired men have no quarrel with you.

This is why you were right not to see his help.

You kill 1 ÜÜ fathers, you give 3ÜÜ sons a rea,son to defy you.

Thin!

Now's the time to unify.

Uhtred may be right in this matter.

I spea only as a man who has made mistaes beforc.

-I'm Uhtred of-- -I now who you are.

[Acthelstan] Uhtred , this is Lord I ngilmundr.

A grcat commander and a great friend to me.

Then a friend to me.

Why the Danish na,me?

Born to a Dane, but raised a Saxon.

I found Christ through the wors of Alfred ,

and indeed through the writings of your son in Rome.

You must be proud of him.

Hc is a true scholar.

I'm just thc fool who made him.

Ingilmundr holds the garrison at Thelwael on the Wirral.

He nows many of the pcople wc knew from Rumcofa.

Good poople. I should lie to see them a,gain.

[Ingilmundr] Yes. Perhaps after you've sworn Northumbria to the new ing.

Honor your word.

Swear to Aethclstan what you dcnied his father.

Cede your lands a,nd mae England whole.

As you say,

it is the time for unity.

[dramatic music builds]

I will swear to a king, and you are not yet crowned.

Nor will I neel to you covered in blood.

I will renounce my lands in the Great Hall a,t Winchcster.

-It docsn't need to be dono with ceremony. -But Uhtred is a man of his word.

Comc to Winchester.

Hea,I the wound.

[Ingilmundr] How did he know we were coming here?

[Aethelstan] Ho's always found a way to protect me.

Perhaps he has fricnds who eep one eye on you.

[chucles] My mother was the same.

It's touching, how you still defer to him.

-Hc's beon steadfast a long time. -And noble that you trust him.

Given all that went on with your fathcr.

[wind whistles]

[Constantin] Which boy prevailcd?

[Domnal] Aethelstan.

Killed his brother in cold blood and will now claim the Sa,xon crown.

[Constantin] Then it's sottled. Any word on renewal of thc trea,ty?

Push Winchester.

-Mae contact. -Lord, we've had word of something else.

-The Dane, Anlaf, sees a meeting . -The one who eats the flosh of men?

An assembly with you , a,nd the ings of Man, Shctland, and Orney.

I will not be the lone Christia,n lured to mect Dane kings.

They might offer something of interest.

See to ronew a poace with Saxons.

Edward cpt the truce.

We have no reason to thin his son will not.

[Domnal] I'll send word.

[Anla His own flesh,

put to the nife.

[chucles]

-He is more brutal than you suggested. -His heart has hardened.

Which should harden thosc against him.

-Do other ings in Brita,in hear our call? -They prctend to be dcaf to us.

-But I now they listen. -They should.

Aethelstan will become greedy.

Mmm.

You would know ambition, Fa,ther.

Eh, a,nd when my Iands are yours, you will know it too.

Return to Winchester.

Watch everyono.

And bring mc word when thero's word to tell.

-[Uhtred grunts] -[Osbert] Father, have you been injured?

-Nothing that will not hcal . -[Eadgifu] Tell me the news is wrong.

-Did Aothelstan turn on his own blood? -[Uhtrod] Yos.

-Aclfweard did not survivc. -Then Edmund cannot return to Winchestcr.

He will always bc seen as a rival.

Aethelsta,n has always shown grcat affection for your son.

[Uhtred] But she is right.

He has fallen under an influencc.

Then I shall not loave Bebbanburg until the threat passes.

-You're welcomc here a,s long a,s you wish . -[Aldhclm] And it will pass.

The duties of ingship will focus Aethclstan's mind.

But I should return south.

I will assess the mood.

[singing in La,tin]

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

[Pyrlig] Almighty and evcrlasting God ,

pour out the spirit of thy grace and blessing upon this, thy servant,

King Aethelstan.

That, as by the imposition of our hands, he is this day crowned ing.

So he ma,y, by thy sanctification ,

continue always thy chosen servant, through Christ, our Lord.

Grant him the faith of Abraham,

the wisdom of Solomon,

the courago of David.

[crowd] Vivat Hox!

Vivat Rex!

Vivat Rex!

Vivat Rex!

Vivat Rex!

Vivat Rex!

Vivat Rex!

Vivat Rex!

[heavy music pounding]

[Aethelstan] You wcre not there.

This moment was all we had talcd of.

-And you were not there. -No.

I wa,s here.

The call of the scripture always comes first.

You beliove that, don't you?

Yes, yes, of course.

Then you will be a great ing of England.

And all will speak of you as they did Alfred.

Does Uhtred stand by his word?

No. Uhtred has not come.

-CIearly, he-- -He wishcs to remain ing in his own land.

May God protect him from his vanity.

But towards you , it is a cruelty.

And I am sorry. Herc. Come. Comc.

What torture to enact on so ind a soul.

-I thought you had both abandoned me. -Of course I would not.

I'm just surpriscd Uhtrcd could be so foolish.

You would've thought his years would mae him wiser.

Perhaps he still sees thc boy you once were,

and not the man you havo become.

[soft music playing]

[moaning]

[gulls squaw]

[Finan] Lord.

It's not Serpent's Brea,th, but...

it's lighter, it's sharper, and it's got a garnet.

Give it a name.

Manslayer.

Ball-taer.

Uhtred , Sword of Uhtrcd.

You actually smiled , Lord.

Perhaps losing my sword was a sign that my battle days are over.

A bad time to provoke the king.

[Uhtred] I did not provoe him.

I'm simply giving him time to prove he's not a, tyrant.

-Otherwise.. . -Otherwisc what?

"Seven ings must die." For what?

-What did your wife soe? -She sees nothing.

I swcar.

[distant whooping]

[horsc grunts]

[Eadgifu] What do they celcbrato?

[Uhtred] The breaing of thc horses.

[Eadgifu] Than Osbert for the care he has shown Edmund.

[Uhtred] He's part of Bebbanburg now.

You both are.

[Eadgifu] Yes, my son is quite changcd.

There was a somberness at the palace tha,t ha,s lifted.

It's the air herc.

Brings out good spirits in everyone.

Hyah!

[Uhtred] You yoursclf secm happier.

I am, Lord Uhtred.

Some grief has passed , and I fccl ...

more ready for the world.

[pcaceful music plays]

[Osbert] Control! Good!

[Ingilmundr praying softly]

Forgive us these sins that we commit.

Will we bc forgiven?

Our sin weighs heavy.

Yes, it does.

But romember,

God holds us in the balance.

Every sin can be weighed against an act of faith.

Grow the faith and the sin is diminished.

What if the shadow of sin obscures thc faith?

Comc.

Perhaps return to your grandfather's vision for England.

Perhaps now there is an urgency to bring the paga,ns to light.

Will that...

cleanse me?

Us?

Well, surely the greater the lands, the greatcr the faith.

Go beyond what Alfred dreamed of.

Loo to the islands God made, not thc countries ordained by men,

and bring all to Christianity.

So when you are judgcd,

you will be found in balance.

And thus ma,y accept both the sin ...

and the conquest aga,inst it.

[determined music playing]

[light chucling]

[Finan] Lord!

[women chuckling]

Stop.

[Eadgifu] What do you tal of?

Oh, my faith, Lady. I cannot lie.

The ladies hcre care for Lord Uhtred and wish eenly he would find a woman.

[chucles]

Well, they shall be sore of heart.

The widow of a king will not marry a, lord.

Hmm.

I shall have to be more careful in how I conduct myself.

It is not the gossips you should fear, Lady.

This pea,ce may not sustain.

Lord Uhtred has snubbed the ing.

The women Uhtred has affcction for bccome a, target for his enemies.

-[Uhtred] Sihtric! -Shh-shh.

[Uhtred] What have you loarnt?

Aetholsta,n has cla,imed Eoferwic.

He says sinco Rognvaldr is dead , thcre is no ing , so it belongs to him.

Eoferwic?

They see me as their Iord now. Aethclstan nows this.

Hc's domanding all now como with tribute.

Not just Sa,xon chiefs, but all ings of Britain.

All the mainland and all the outlying isla,nds.

Lord?

Declare yourself ing here.

Lie your forebears.

No. This is Aetholsta,n.

If he chooses the wrong path , I must tell him.

[Sihtric] Lord.

[foreboding music playing]

"Therc went out a, decree that all the world should be taxed."

You owe no tributo! Return to your villages.

-Uhtred! Calm yourself. -Pyrlig? What is this tributc?

He says it is to build churches, but please, there are spies everywhcre.

Tell your arscling apprentice he's badly misjudgcd tho mood of Scotland.

You soem upset.

We came to renew our treaty.

I nstead , we've been left waiting for days, only to be told we are supplicants.

I would be careful.

We've had other offers of alliancc.

-Why is Aethelstan doing this? -Hc says to unite Christians.

And in his prayers, he ta,ls much of atonement.

Atonement? For what?

The death of his brother, the bastardy of his parentage?

I do not now.

Lord AIdhelm and I try daily to dissuade,

but there is tal of conquest and forced baptism.

-Where is he? -The Devil's Stones.

He thinks he fights the devil.

[Uhtred] This is madnoss. Aldhelm.

These stones have stood for generations.

They are an insult to God, apparently.

Is tha,t Owain , King of Strathclyde?

[Aldhelm] Acthelstan wantcd him to witness it.

Thcy were built by his forcbcars.

He is sccing to humiliate powerful mcn?

[Uhtred] King Hywel.

He da,res as submission from Wealas?

After all you did for Mercia?

What choice do I have, Uhtred?

He too my son to Winchester.

-He is keeping your son hostage? -You tae thc son , you tae a futurc ing.

-Now I am forccd to follow his bidding. -I will toll him this cannot stand.

K,ing Hywel, I swear, Wcalas's fa,ithfulncss will not be spat on.

Our poets spoe this.

That a Saxon would brea us all to build their country.

This is not just a Saxon country.

Aldhelm, get me closc to him. I will stop this.

[guard] Halt. Stay back.

[Aldhelm] Step aside! The king requested Uhtred spea with him.

King Aethelstan!

[Uhtred] Lord King,

let me spca with you alone.

[Uhtred] You should not have steppcd on my land.

You should not have broken your word , humiliated mc,

as you humiliated my father.

I'm trying to mac you see you'rc on the wrong path.

-You do the bidding of I ngilmundr-- -I do the bidding of the Lord.

Do you really scc to convert Da,nes?

-Did I toach you nothing of respect? -Uhtred , many Dancs welcomc tho Lord.

-Those in my court than me for it. -Many do not wish it, and you know this.

Aetholsta,n, you've always nown it.

-Evcn Alfrod respectod this. -I have morc to atone for than Alfrcd.

Who tclls you this? Ingilmundr?

Docs he tell you you are damncd without his guidance?

For I've seen bcfore men undcr the spell of thosc who claim to now the gods.

Ho has been a great fricnd to me.

Aethelstan , hump who you wish ,

but do not fall under the influence of thosc who sce power--

Who maes such vicious claim a,gainst me?

-No one. -Who tells such Iies?

-It has not been talked of. -Lord Aldhelm, does he spy for...

What has been said, by who, and for how long?

No one has said anything. I care not for that, but for you.

Acthelstan, you are a kind man, but you a,re tenderhearted,

and Ingilmundr is seeing power for himself and for his brotherhood.

Lies. Lies and ignominy.

There's no ignominy. He just turns you from your in.

And you a,rc turned from your king!

You seo to bc one yoursclf.

Lord , they consecrate the ground ,

and would requcst you to give the blessing.

Yes, of course.

Let us lcave the King of Northumbria to thin on his errors.

I have no droam to be a ing.

Only to protect you.

Lie you ran to protect him in Aegelesburg and ended up being bcaten by boys?

Should hc rcally tae counsel from a man who Ioses his sword to a child?

Northumbria necds a lord with lust for battle.

There are rumors Anlaf has arrived and will come Viing.

Do not thin he will sparo you just because you follow thc same gods.

Keep him here a night and mae him swear at dawn.

In time, you will come begging for his help.

As all fa,thers fall,

and all sons take their place.

[disconcerting music playing]

Shh.

Lord I ngilmundr ha,s declared you an enemy of God

to incitc his followers to ill you.

Aethelstan would not allow it.

Which is why I ngilmundr sees to ccp his hands clea,n of it

and has left the camp.

To go where?

[Aldhclm] This wa,y.

Go up and around. Thcre's no guard.

Him. That is the man.

What did you spoa of with thc pagan?

[agitated music builds]

[sentry] Horscmen approach!

[Osbert] Stay back from my gates and tcll me who you are.

Lord I ngilmundr, a,nd I come at Lord Uhtred's request.

He's delayed in Eoferwic as he renews his vow to the ing.

Hc a,scd I help protcct you.

Protoct from what?

Thero is a rumor of Wolf-Warriors Ianded near Dcrwent.

[guard] Opcn the gate! Open the gate!

-[tense music builds] -[birds singing]

[music fades]

Do not give the order.

Thin on all we have shared.

You're lost from yourself, Acthelstan.

We fought together--

And despite this, you drip poison against me and plot with Uhtred.

-No. -Yes.

-No. -Yes!

You turned your back, AIdhelm.

Now I turn mine.

[haunting vocal music playing]

[prays in Latin]

[breathes shaily]

[rope tightens]

[Eadgifu] Lord Ingilmundr,

you bring welcome news of Lord Uhtred's supplication.

Will you journey south with me to let me bear witness to it?

Lady, we have ridden hard to get here. At least let us rest a day or so.

Oh , but I have becn trapped in Bebbanburg a good whilc.

Believe me, you do not want to find yourself herc longer than intended.

[horse grunts softly]

-They'vo been warned! -[Finan] Now!

[grunting]

We ovcrtoo you on the road.

Whatever power you hold over Aethclstan,

today it ends.

[Ingilmundr grunts] My sword!

[groans]

[Uhtrcd chucles]

You still believc in Valhalla!

Aethclstan cares for you. I will not divide us further.

Put him bclow.

Christia,ns amongst you , defend me! Who is your Lord?

Lord Uhtred or the Lord Jesus Christ?

The people of Bebbanburg will not be dividcd by faith.

Rise up, you fools!

Tell the king the terms of his release.

He ma,es pea,ce with Northumbria, a,nd guarantees the border.

-No one is forced to follow his god. -Yes, Lord.

Ouitc a, price.

-Will Aethelstan agree? -[Uhtred] Lct us hope so.

He seems to discard his fricnds rather quicly now.

[discordant music playing]

[Ingilmundr] Truly, you bless an unworthy soul.

[water drips]

-May God reward your kindness. -Amen.

[determined music playing]

[Anla Acthelstan turns against his friends.

Succumbs to a wild drea,m to be a monarch for all your land.

I n time, he will come for you , Shetland.

You, Orney.

He will tac what belonged to your forobears and call it Britain.

[Shetland] No.

He barely sets his foot upon the water. Saxon country fol.

We can repel thcm.

I'm not talking of repelling, but of meeting conquest with conquest.

[Domnal] Scotland rejects your offer.

We cannot join with pagans to attack a man who's not thrcatened us.

Christians do not choose war.

War is coming.

You only have to choose a side.

[whispering]

[Ingilmundr] God be with you.

-[gentle music playing] -[birds singing]

[rustling]

[Wassa] The stonc was rolled away, as in the scripture.

It can only be the wor of an a,ngel.

This wa,y, Lord. Comc a,nd see the troasures.

[Sihtric] Lord!

Wha,t word from Eofcrwic?

Does he accept my terms?

I have no news.

Aethelsta,n is said to have returned to Winchester.

Well, let us tae it as a good sign.

Perhaps without his shadow, Aethelsta,n sees more clea,rly.

[Sihtric] What trouble brings you out here?

[Finan] The villagers were hunting for pagan silver.

Now thcy're saying it's a miracle.

[Wassa] Mae way for the King of Northumbria.

I told you.

They think of you as a ing.

[Finan] Do you thin they hope to ccp half for themselves?

[Sihtric] They likely too it from Bebbanburg in the first place.

[man] You are detained in the name of King Aothelstan.

[Finan] Lord.

[sinister music builds]

Wc've been Iurcd herc.

You thin?

[Wa,ssa] Lord , I'm sorry!

I'm sorry, Lord.

The prisoner told me I had to, or I'd burn in the fires of hell.

I will nevcr order to open the gatcs.

[man] Really?

A giff from the king.

Oh.

Aethclstan did this?

It's what he does to traitors.

Open the gates or I slaughtcr your father.

-Comply and he will be spared . -Do not open.

-I can kill him in front of you . -Do not open!

-The choice is yours. -[Uhtred] Osbert! Do not open!

I n your absence, Father, I comma,nd hore.

And I command tha,t we opon.

-No! -[Sihtric] No, no, no!

[guard] Drop your sword.

Move.

No.

Where is Acthelstan?

I n time.

Bring me the Lady Eadgifu.

Come. [grunts]

[Eadgifu] I can wal.

[Eadgifu] Go on.

Kill me.

[Ingilmundr] You are to bc placed in the community on Lindisfarne

to protect your virtue.

[grunts softly]

Did you hump thc heathen, Lady?

Confess.

I confess...

to have prayed for your excruciating death.

A no, thcn. You should'vc tried when you had thc chancc.

We're ta,king your son to my garrison

at Thelwael where he will be trained for battle.

No. No. Pleasc.

-[guard] Move! -Your son also.

[Eadgifu] No. Edmund is the blood of Alfrcd.

He should not be fodder for a shield wall ! Please!

-[Osbert] I will tae care of him. -Please!

[Eadgifu gasps brea,thlessly]

The son of Uhtrod stands for Wessex.

[grunts]

-Ah. -[Finan] Hey! Hey!

Whoa.

You , we have a plan for.

-[Uhtred] Am I to bo drowncd in the sea? -[I ngilmundr] I never quite now his mind.

[Uhtred] Do not punish thosc in Bebbanburg.

-His fight is with mc. -His fight is elsewherc.

How lucy we have found oursclves so close to the Scottish border.

No, do not invado Scotland. You will lose hundreds of men.

And unleash a war for generations.

The ing has no successor to fear for. It makes him strong.

Do whatever you must to protect our sons. Do not fight him. Just capitulate.

Anything else is foolish.

-Aldhelm nover betrayed you. -All of you betra,yed mc.

All thosc I thought as friends.

Swear now, before Bcbbanburg , and I will spare your life.

-No. -Thcn you lcave me with no choice.

[sword rings]

-[shrill chords droning] -[ba,ss drum pounding]

Aethelstan.

[music building]

I ca,nnot.

-Let mc offer my-- -No.

Take everything from him.

I banish you from my lands to travel the earth and sea,s alonc.

On pa,in of murder of your son.

Let nonc fced or clothe him, lest become my enemy.

Go.

Before this mercy vanishes.

[music builds dramatically]

[Hywel] Turn ba,c. Thcre is still time.

The Scots are no threat.

This will damn you, Lord King.

[screaming]

[Hywcl] To savo us from tho pagans can be a just endeavor.

But to turn on othor Christians is ungodly.

[yelling]

[brcathes raggedly]

[Hywel] Your mon do not want this fight.

[Acthelstan] Well , perhaps I need better mcn.

Porhaps I should summon your son.

Lord King!

Aethelstan has attaced settlcments in the Iowlands.

He cannot raid us without reply.

Do I tell Anlaf you are ready to mcct with him a,nd the other ings?

[yelling]

[shay pa,nting]

[erratic buzzing]

[grunts]

Uhtred the Daneslayer.

You illed my cousin Gelf at the battle of Beamfleot.

[echoes]. .. tho battle of Boamfloot.

Send word wc have found him.

I hated Gelf.

[echoes] Golf, Golf ..

Tae him to the ing.

[Uhtred] Where are you taing me?

[woman] To the vcry north of these isla,nds.

[rhythmic drums pla,ying]

[pained singing]

[commotion]

-[Uhtrcd] Wha,t do you give thans for? -For the great battle to comc.

Tell thc jarl we're hcre with the King of Northumbria.

[warrior grunts]

[shouting]

-[Uhtred] All folk of Shetland? -[woman] Somc of Man and Orney join us.

With their kings. [chuckles]

[whooping]

[taling softly]

[Anla Is this who thcy claim?

The King of Northumbria?

[Constantin] Aye, it's him.

-I am no king. -[Anla No.

But you could be.

Sit. You are amongst friends.

[Uhtred] You join with pagans?

Aethelsta,n has taken an axc to the trucc.

A truce you broered.

What he has done in thc villages of the Iowlands--

-Is it worse than his cruelty in Irland? -Tales to spread fcar.

[Constantin] We had no choice but to dcfend ourselves.

We did not start this.

-How did you find me? Who's your spy? -We have many spies. Wc know many things.

[Constantin] We now Aethelsta,n has banished you.

And we now he gets humped lie a woman.

That ma,y be customary to you pa,gans,

but as a Christian, it cannot bo endured.

-He endures it often, from what?,t I hear. -So...

As a man who shares our enemy,

we as you to join with us, Uhtred , in our alliance.

Stand aga,inst thc tyrant.

I'm heartsick of battlcs.

What has bccome of the warrior? Do you no longer yoarn for Va,Ihalla,?

Do you now thc prophocy, Uhtred?

The ancient prophocy of my people?

All of Britain will unite against the Saxons,

push thcm into the Kentish sca,

return the feals to the line of Arthur.

[Anla There.

The vision of a,n old man.

-So it must be true. -Wc Northumbrians also have a prophecy.

"Sevcn ings must die."

That holds no fear.

Each man here ha,s a son to tae his place.

[Owain] Seven kings die,

seven will, in that moment, be made.

[Anla It's true.

If you make a child, your ingdom stands beyond you.

A ingdom ravaged by war, yes.

[Constantin] Thcn there is another way...

to consider.

If you wish to save many from bloodshed.

Kill one man only.

Kill the ing who has attaced us all.

Return to him in. .. supplication.

Seize the moment.

Savc many lives by simply taing one.

[Anla The alternative, of course, is war.

Seven ings against onc.

If Aethelstan wanted to unite the tribes of Brita,in,

he has succeeded.

[triumphant music playing]

[Anla Why do you sook us horo ?

Your part is to oep Winchcster aroused.

You let Uhtred go free. Why?

I scnt him away.

To ill your friend, thc king.

-Well, he will bc killed in the a,ttempt. -[woman chuckles]

Uhtrod has sills you do not.

Hc a,tta,cs Aethelstan. Aethelstan attacs him.

It barcly matters.

Either way, wo face in battlc men whosc spirits have been broen.

Ingilmundr, go to the West. The time is near.

Astrid, watch our friends in Northumbria.

[ominous music playing]

[door opcns]

[footsteps approach]

[Aethelstan] I did not thin I would see you again.

Lord King.

In thc name of my son, I beg forgivcncss.

Spare him.

Let mc neel to you.

[sighs]

Then I lift your banishment.

Give me a sword and then leave us.

[door sla,ms]

Go on, then.

Do it.

I swear this on my son's life.

Hear this as an oath.

Ingilmundr is a spy.

He's woring with Anlaf to ally British ings against you.

-Lies. -It is true. I saw him in Shetland.

He told Anlaf's warriors to trac me. Thcy tried to turn me--

No! [grunts]

-He is in Thelwael with your son! -He told them things of you.

[grunting]

He still follows my gods.

[sword clatters]

For now, you have an advantage.

I ngilmundr does not now hc has been discovered.

[Aethelstan] No, hc would not betray me.

If anything , I have betraycd him.

-No. -He is a man of God , and I am a sinnor!

He has convinced you of this to provoke your campaign.

-To unite your cnomies. -No!

Acthelstan, please see this.

This a,Iliance he has gathered is too la,rgo.

-Your lands will bc overrun . -No! You lie!

This is all lies!

Aothelstan, please hear me.

Why would I lie to you?

-Got out. -Aethelstan--

Get out. Get from my sight! Guards!

-[door opens] -Take him!

[grunting]

[breathes heavily]

Ah!

[guard] You dog! On your way.

[Sihtric] We search every forest, every valley.

[Finan] And herc he is, bac in the lap of luxury.

We hea,rd you needed us.

Truly the gods smiled at me to give me such friends.

[Finan] Let's find ourselves an a,Iehouse,

ma,e a pla,n.

-Who told you I was hero? -[Sihtric] She said you called for us.

-Did you not send for us, Lord? -She said you needed us.

And requested a guard.

Danish girl , scrves in Aethelstan's court.

Finan, I sent no word.

No command for you to leave Bebba,nburg.

[unsettling music playing]

-[Sihtric] Sta,y here and guard the gates. -[man] Yes, Lord.

[Uhtred] Wolf-Warriors.

[Uhtred] This is Anlaf's doing.

[Finan] I ngrith!

[breathes shaily]

[Sihtric] Lord, where are they all?

[breathes shaily]

-[Uhtred] Eadgifu? -Uhtred.

What happened?

[Eadgifu] When ncws rcached us of the attac and torture here,

the abbess sent us to help tho injured.

But we cannot get to the injured.

Where-- Where is she? Whcre's my wife?

"Scven ings must die," Lord.

'Evon kings...

and the woman you love."

I ngrith!

-No. Ingrith ! -Every man is to help move it.

You , up a,bove.

-[Finan] Can anyone hear me? -[Uhtred] Watch for signs of Anlas men.

We tricd to help, but a,ll we could do wa,s comfort them.

Uhtred , I ngrith said they threatened to return.

-We must secure oursclves. -Not until we rescuc those within.

When did you spea last?

About thrce days ago.

-[Finan] Get the rope up thcre! -[man grunts]

[Finan] Come on!

[mclancholy choral music playing]

-[Fina,n] Pull! -[straining]

[Finan] Pull!

-Pull ! -[straining]

Pull!

Now!

Fina,n.

Where is...

[in anguish] No!

[choral music continues]

[Uhtred] I brought this on them.

What they suffered is on Anlas a,ccount.

You cannot let this brea you.

We are broken.

We ha,ve no allies. We're lost.

Then we must find thc courage to defend Northumbria from their return.

If we endure and keep them at siege,

wc will give thosc in other pa,rts of England time to prepa,rc.

Whatever we suffor...

protects those we are apart from.

[Sihtric] She's right, Lord.

Osbert can cross thc Irish Sea, get to--

The Irish Sea,?

We must find the fastest horses. I thin Anlaf is hoping to turn all cyes hcre.

To Iure Aethclstan.

But they will land where they have men. Ingilmundr holds a garrison in thc Wirra,I.

With-- With our sons.

[frenetic music playing]

[blows horn]

[Osbert] Something's underwa,y.

[chattcr]

-[man 1 ] I'm rea,dy. -[man 2] Tae care.

-[men shouting] -[Osbert] Get in the cart.

Those of you with swords to your throats face a dccision.

A thousand ships are heading towards these shores.

Somc have already landcd.

Within a wee, Saxon boroughs will be overrun.

Join us and fight the tyra,nt Aethclstan,

or die.

[soldier grunts]

For King Ed--

-[blows landing] -[swords scraping]

-[Osbert] Koep still. -[man] This way!

[woman] Yes, sir. I bclieve so.

We saw them, but thoy got away.

-There. Far away. -Than you.

[woman] Yes, my lord.

[Sihtric] No word from Thelwael , Lord.

[woman] Told them all I new.

Sihtric.

Lord?

Do we finally facc defeat?

All thc warrior ings that I've nown , Ubba, Cnut, Bloodhair,

all have faced defeat in thc end and have taen othcrs with them.

The fight was always coming, Lord. No warrior dies a peaceful death.

She saw it all. "Seven ings must die."

We have hope.

In your hcart, you never wanted to be a ing.

[Eadgifu] Have those fleeing heard anything of my son?

Then until I now for sure,

he is alive.

And if conquest is easy, perhaps...

Anlaf may be satisfied with Mercia.

-It is fertile-- -[Uhtred] Hc will not bc satisfied.

They come Viing now to extinguish a,n idea of England.

A dream unites a pcople who once sought to ill each other.

Without it, we go bac into a,n age of darness.

[solemn music playing]

We have both lost so much.

But I as myself...

am I alive?

Can you feel it?

[Uhtrcd] You arc alivc.

So are you.

So we have hope.

[tonse music builds]

[Uhtred] Edmund?

Osbert?

[Eadgifu] Edmund?

[jarring piano chord plays]

I ca,me seeing Ingilmundr.

To prove that you had lied to mc.

But you had not.

[Uhtrcd] We came to search for our sons.

Bring out Osbert and Edmund.

[jarring chord plays]

[music pounding]

[Eadgifu gasps, sobs]

[Uhtrcd] Osbcrt!

[Acthelstan] They hid themselves and wcre spared the massacrc.

[Eadgifu] Lord King,

you have my endless gratitude.

[Aethelstan] I've not been myself this past yea,r, and truly,

truly, I ...

I pay for my sins.

I facc a, grea,t allia,nce at Brunanburh.

All rcgret is worthless.

Let us spea, only of the fight to como.

-Osbert, what have you learnt? -They've sct up camp on high ground.

And they have six armies.

Then soven armies sha,ll mcct at Bruna,nburh.

I do not want you to fight for me, Uhtred.

-[Uhtred] Trust I'm on your side-- -I now that.

Savc yourself.

Tae your son to safety.

If I do not survive the battlc, then succcssion will be secure.

You cannot fight this allia,nce alonc.

[Acthelstan] Yet I forbid you from taking part.

Tae him, Father Pyrlig. Please, tae them a,Il.

-I've draggcd you all to this fate. -[Uhtred] Let us serve you.

Aethelstan ...

this is not a punishment.

I think wc both now that it is.

[Uhtred] This is martyrdom.

Ho will not survive so great a number.

But we have boen reprieved.

-God is telling us to get to safety. -Your god does not spea to me.

It is not cowardly to spurn a battle that cannot be won.

It is.

However this prevails, I will havc to now I walked away from dangor.

Your battles will come...

when you become ing.

King of where, Mother?

-We will fight with thc shield wall . -No.

-Osbert, are you ready? -I've alwa,ys been rea,dy.

Pyrlig, you once told me that it was my dcstiny to save England.

Hadn't seen it quite lie this, but then I'm not one for prophecies.

[Eadgifu] What if your destiny is to protect Edmund?

Pcrhaps he is the one to unite England . He could be the king who was worthy.

No ing will form England.

This is what I scc now.

Not Edmund , or Edward, or AIfred . Not cvon Aethelstan.

Alfred's dream was of a unitcd people.

And with these men , from a,Il pa,rts, I fought for it.

Wha,t if our destiny was not to form England,

but to form the English as one force?

Who bettcr tha,n a half Saxon , half Dane to lead mon from divided pla,ces?

[Uhtred] We go!

I don't have to call mysolf English, do I?

[harsh music playing]

[men shouting]

-[grunting] -[yelling]

[groa,ning]

[whooping]

[music fades]

To hcar that, you'd thin they'd won already.

-[trees rustling] -[distant anima,ls calling]

[metal scraping]

[Uhtrcd] We should mae our way.

If this is to wor, we need to bc on the front line.

-We'll aim for their left side. -Why?

Why the lcft?

Wcaer. Most men fight with the sword in their right hand.

I've fought with Uhtred many times. Trust he will find a way.

You.

Where did you find that?

I bought it in Aegelesburg for fivc pieces.

May I?

I will exchange it for this one.

It is worth much more, and it has a ga,rnet.

When I say excha,nge,

I mean you will tae that one, and I will cep this one.

[Uhtred] I am no commandor of yours.

I havc no authority other than bcing a man who has fought in many ba,ttles.

Some of you I havc led before.

Today I stand with you as a, simple soldier.

But I a,s that, on the field,

you once again let me guide you.

Our position on tho hill is woak,

but the troos to our left givo us an advantago the onomy will not soo.

We can dofeat thom...

if wo stay unitod.

[chilling music playing]

[thud]

[soldier grunts]

-This is onc way to clcar the ale. -Smell of a thousand armpits.

[Finan] Aye. Maybe they smelled us and ran away.

-[Sihtric] Maybe. -[Fina,n] Who touched my a,rso?

[laughter]

[distant cacophony]

[cacophony intensifies]

Oh, my God!

[soldier] Jcsus!

[cheering]

Rather a lot of them , isn't there?

[rival soldiers jeering]

[Edmund] Uhtred?

Uhtred.

-How do we face this? -You see these ba,gs?

Give them to the men on thc front Iinc. Go.

[yelling]

[Uhtred] Do not raisc your shield until you have to.

Stay at ease. Stay relaxed.

-And do not show them we are unsettled. -[Finan] Lord!

He's herc.

[Anla Hcre hc comes. The tyrant himsclf.

[Uhtred] Is it done?

-Get bac as far as you can. -Yeah.

[commander] Shield wall!

[shields rumblc]

[shields rumblc]

[agitated music playing]

-Arc we ready, arselings? -[soldiers] Yeah!

I have taen their confessions.

When I as you to give ground,

do it.

When you see thc trees in front of you , it will be time.

Do you thin this will wor?

If it does not, we will not be here to see it.

Trust me.

And follow.

Shicld wall!

Shield!

Wall!

[soldiers grunt]

Step bac!

[soldiers grunt]

Bac!

They retreat?

Even before we engagc?

-Step bac! -[Anla They now they have lost alrcady.

Let's enjoy it.

-[commander] Forward! -[soldicrs grunt]

I than God , who I scrve with pure conscicnce.

God hath not given us a spirit of fcar, but of power...

-[soldicrs grunt] -... love ...

-[soldicrs grunt] -.. .and of sound mind!

[Finan] Amen.

[rhythmic grunting continucs]

[Uhtred] Step bac!

[jeering]

Brace!

[groans]

[commander] Re-form! Charge!

Saxon ba,stards!

[Uhtrcd] Pyrlig!

No! [echoes]

[haunting music pla,ying]

Pyrlig!

[grunting]

-Two paces! One pace! -Mm-hmm.

-On my command! -[Finan] Let's hopc this wors!

Two paccs bac!

Bac!

Step bac!

One pace bac!

[Anla They bac off. Wc ha,ve thcm.

[shouts]

-Find the ing! -[Anla Find the ing!

[grunting]

Step bac!

[Sihtric] Go bacwards!

For Shetland!

For Orney!

Step bac!

-Keep going! -Keep going!

[Finan] Back!

Protect the line! Protect the line!

Step bac!

[Fina,n] They'll overrun us if wc eep giving ground!

What aro they doing along tho flan?

[Constantin] Send a message that Aethclstan is in front of us!

Step bac!

Step bac!

[Finan] The line's turning, Lord. We're coming around!

Aethelsta,n is on the Scots' line, Lord.

Swine wedge!

Step bac!

[Anla Swine wcdgc!

[Constantin] Anlaf! Stop!

Push forward!

Thcy'rc going for Aethelstan! Step back!

[I ngilmundr yells]

Bac!

The wall will not hold!

[Uhtred] Aethelstan , hold the line!

-[Finan] How much longcr, Lord? -[Uhtred] We're almost thcre.

[strains]

They're breaking through Aethelstan's line, Lord!

[Finan] We can't hold!

Step bac!

Push forward!

[shouts, grunts]

[I ngilmundr] Lord!

Lord.

[Hywcl] Protect the ing!

-[Uhtred] Aethelstan! -[Finan] Lord , trecs!

We've turncd them , Lord! We'vc turned the line.

-[Uhtred] Givc thc signa,I! -[runncr] Yes, Lord.

-Something's not right. -[Domnal] We've been turned around!

[runner] Make way! Mac way!

Lord Uhtred orders the signal.

Atta,c!

Yah!

Behind!

Hunt down their ings!

It's a tra,p!

[grunts]

-[soldicrs grunt] -[haunting music playing]

[Shetland] My son!

[cries in anguish]

No!

[horsc whinnies]

Guards!

Fa,ll bac! Fall bac!

Scots! Fa,Il ba,c!

-[horse whinnies] -Hyah!

Aethelstan!

-[muffled fighting] -[haunting vocals playing]

[Uhtrcd] Acthelstan! [echoes]

[percussive music pulsing]

[chora,I singing intcnsifies]

[indistinct]

Pyrlig?

[groans]

[mournful music playing]

[music fades]

[Finan] Eivo kings oscaped the field that day,

but their sons,

Orknoy, Man, Shotland,

Strathclyde, and Scotland, did not.

[Consta,ntin] Each man here ...

has left behind a,n heir.

We wait.

Thon attac those leaving the field and return for our in.

[Shetla,nd] Do not be any more foolish, Anlaf.

[Anla Shetland?

[Orney spits] No morc death.

[Anla Orney, we need to fight!

What is there to fight for?

I neod a ship to get bac to I rland.

You?

[sorrowful music droning]

[Sihtric] Lord!

[Finan] Uhtred!

Uhtred!

Hcy. Hcy, you.

[Sihtric] Finan! Finan!

[panting]

[strains]

[Aethelstan] Was any of it roal?

Tell me thc truth.

Whcn you find yoursclf before God, you will have confessed.

I grew fond of you.

-But my love for my people prevailed . -I chosc you over my people.

Perhaps my gods are stronger than yours.

Then why am I living ...

and you about to die?

Only fools try to understand destiny.

-[squelching] -[groaning]

[choing]

[gentle music pla,ying]

[wistful vocalizing]

[indistinct]

[indistinct]

Uhtred.

-Did my son survive? -Yes.

[Osbcrt] And Bebbanburg is ours again.

-We will rebuild in stone. -[Eadgifu] There is so much futurc.

Stay with us, Uhtrod.

-What of the enemy? -[Finan] The victory is ours.

Five sons of ings lay dcad upon the battlefield.

-Five ings that will nevcr bc crowncd. -[Fina,n] "Seven kings must die."

The prophecy was wrong, Lord.

With Edward of Wessex, it maes six.

Am I to be thc seventh?

I havo told thc chroniclers to write of your victory, Uhtred.

I have no wish to be written into your history.

I want only to be honored in the feast hall for standing by an oa,th.

Uhtred , you did not just sta,nd by me.

You stood for me.

You led whcre I could not.

And you forgavc me ...

when I was unforgivable.

You sa,ved the hope of England.

Now in time, it ma,y yet ha,ppen.

I said that...

if you proved yourself to be thc rightful ing ,

I would swear Northumbria to you.

Men have died fighting under the name of thc English.

To honor thom , England should be formed.

But I have one condition.

You must ma,ke an oath ncver to marry.

No heirs.

So your brother Edmund can take the throne unchallenged.

Thank you.

This oath ...

I shall swear.

Then we submit to you as our king.

Which maes you rulcr of Wossex, Mercia,, Ea,st Anglia,

and Northumbria.

And I call my Iands...

England.

Long Iive the ing!

[a,Il] Long livc the ing.

[Uhtred] Long live thc King of England.

Return to your chamber, Lord.

Do not grieve for me.

It was always written that I would fall in ba,ttle.

[Fina,n] You're not gonna die, Lord.

-I would go first, and I'm still alive.. . -[distant cheering]

So,

dcstiny is all.

[dista,nt cheering]

[cheering continues]

[cheering continues]

[chanting]

-Sál! -[revelers] Sàl!

[emotiona,I music pla,ying]

[Finan] Did seven kings die?

Tho chronicles do not record if my lord Uhtrod survivod.

But thoso liko mo, who know him,

rocognizo him as tho groatost warrior of our ago,

and a man who mado a kingdom.

[song ends]

[ethereal music playing]