OCTOBER 1013 A.D. LONDON, ENGLAND
EPISODE 9: THE FIGHT FOR LONDON BRIDGE
It's like a bridge.
But it's really more of a fort.
That's London for you.
As a city, it's resisted attacks for years.
I can feel its history.
This isn't the time to get sentimental, Askeladd.
This city will give us trouble.
I'm here because you said it'd be an easy victory.
Sorry about that.
But I never thought that we'd be facing Thorkell as our enemy.
Thorkell the Tall?
He joined London's side for money.
That traitor.
We're the same when it comes to money.
I joined the Danes because I thought King Sweyn had a good chance of winning.
Other clans feel the same.
They're all desperate to achieve greatness and get their share of the spoils.
Well, it won't be much with so many gathered here.
I don't go to war for the money.
I just like killing.
I can always count on you, Bjorn.
Well, our leaders want to take a rich city like London.
If they gain control of the River Thames,
they can establish a supply route inland to Wessex.
So this battlefield is being carefully watched?
That's right. If there's one place you can stand out, it's here.
That's right.
Do you have a fun strategy in mind?
It's not really a strategy.
Thorfinn!
Time to go to work.
Bring me Thorkell's head.
Promise me a reward.
Okay.
The usual, right?
You never change, do you?
You go all in on fights you can't win. That's where you're just like your father.
Do not forget, Askeladd.
My only desire is to crush you in a duel as warriors.
The next duel will be your last.
I will rip out your heart and offer it to my father's spirit.
Then go to work.
We must do our job on the battlefield before getting what we want.
That is how warriors do things.
My head doesn't come cheap.
I won't just duel you over and over again.
Go get Thorkell's head.
Hey!
Askeladd!
Huh?
There's a ship approaching the bridge.
It's the Jomsviking ship — Stag of the Sea.
That's the regiment's envoy.
So it's Floki.
He'll offer twice the amount the English are paying him.
He'll try to win Thorkell over.
Thorkell follows the money.
He'll take it, won't he?
Let's wait and see what he does.
Here they come! Just one ship!
This way! Quickly!
Die, you bastards!
Come on! Take them down!
Shoot!
Don't shoot! We're an envoy.
We wish to speak to Thorkell.
-Take this! -Damn you!
Die!
We did not come to fight!
Where is Thorkell?
Shut up and die!
Wait.
Stop.
Alright.
All of you, cease your attack!
Hey, Floki! It's been a long time!
Glad to see you looking so well.
Enough pleasantries!
We've come to relay a message from our supreme commander.
His Majesty King Sweyn sends this message.
"The King of England has fled to the land of the Franks.
It is pointless to continue your opposition.
Surrender,
and in the name of the god Thor,
you and your subordinates will be guaranteed your lives and assets."
Come back to our army, Thorkell!
That is the wish of His Majesty the King.
Is King Sweyn here?
He sure works hard for a man of his age.
Thorkell!
Why are you still pointing your arrows at your friends?
Have we not spent many years fighting wars side by side?
Don't be swept away by the wrong current.
Your elder brother Sigvaldi is also concerned about you.
Wrong current?
I see.
I know who've I've joined. I fought against them last year.
They really are weak.
-A bunch of city weaklings. -What'd he say?
Is he speaking Norse?
Probably.
The only man who could stand against the Danish army
is probably Prince Edmund.
This country is falling apart.
So in that case…
Yes, which means…
it's far more interesting
to battle you!
The conversation's over!
Resume the attack!
Wait!
Thorkell!
If you join us now, we'll gladly double what the English promised you!
Bring it on, Floki!
Evade! Veer full speed to the left!
The Ultimate Keel Wrecker!
Oh no, I missed?
Full speed! Break away!
Men, take them down.
Yes, sir!
Retreat!
Hey, Floki!
Ask King Sweyn for me,
if he's grown tired of always winning.
There was no indication that he could be convinced.
I see.
How irritating.
What shall we do?
Attack once again immediately.
Shit!
All right!
Damn! They've reached the bridge.
That bastard!
Hurry!
Damn it!
No! We're not hitting them!
Bring more stones!
Out of the way.
Amazing.
Here you go!
Did you see that?
That's my Ultimate Log Drop!
-That's how it's done. -Impressive.
Next!
Quickly!
Yes, sir!
What's wrong, army of Sweyn?
Is that all you got?
If you try harder, I think you can do it!
But at this rate,
it'll take 100 years before London bridge…
Here comes someone interesting.
Thorfinn, can you hear me?
See the giant up front with the log up?
That's Thorkell!
It's no use! Halt the ship!
If we get any closer, we'll be killed!
Rotate to the left!
Hold out a little longer!
All right, that's enough!
Jump!
None of you lay a hand on him!
This happy-go-lucky fool…
is mine!
Here we go!
Bastard.
Come on!
You can fight,
young one.
Nobody touch him.
I must answer his surprise attack myself.
It's a one-on-one fight!
Come at me, little one!
One-on-one with bare fists…
He's mocking me.
He was aiming for my wrist?
Nice one, little man.
No wonder he's confident.
I'm dead if that giant…
lands one hit.
I like you!
This old man is all fired up!
What?
Oops!
That was a close one.
I can't reach him.
His weak spots are too high up.
His armpit, his neck…
All right.
He's low.
In that case,
I'll kick him!
I'll get in close!
Oh dear…
Ouch, that hurts!
But now, I've caught you!
-He got him! -That's it, Captain!
Kill him!
Not yet!
All right!
God damin it.
This is no good.
Thorfinn's getting his ass kicked.
I guess it was impossible after all.
Askeladd, that's the signal.
Oh, it's time to retreat.
Retreat!
All battalions withdraw!
Oh, no.
The battle finished as I was playing with the little one.
Oh, it seems they've abandoned you.
Poor thing.
And you gave it your all.
Oh, is he dead?
Hey!
You still have your fighting spirit.
For a small soldier, you're very impressive.
Warrior, what is your name?
Thorfinn.
I am Thorfinn, son of Thors.
Thors?
By "Thors," do you mean--
Oh my, he's gone.
What do we do, Captain?
Shoot him?
No.
We'll let him go for today.
Hey! Warrior Thorfinn!
That was fun!
Let's do it again!
Next time, we'll finish this!
That's a promise!
It hurts…
Kill me please…
Does anyone want to be finished off?
I can do mercy killings.
This one's no good.
He's been gutted.
He can't be saved.
Hey! Bring some onion soup over here!
Torgrim! Deal with this one.
I see.
London won't fall.
No, it's not that it won't fall.
We just need more time.
How much time, Floki?
Well, depending on how much they've stockpiled…
it could take a year.
No, if all goes well, half a year.
It's already autumn.
We cannot waste time on just one city.
The overall outcome is what's important.
No matter what, capturing all of England is the priority.
Yes.
Have the main army move west.
I will leave 4,000 soldiers to continue the siege of London.
As you wish.
To command the 4,000…
Yes, let's see…
I will leave it to Canute.
It is a good opportunity to exhibit his prowess as a man.
What?
But this is different from what we discussed?
Didn't you say His Highness was brought along only to observe?
Ragnar, stand down. This is His Majesty's will.
The whole of the army can't beat Thorkell.
Fighting with only a fifth of our strength is impossible!
It would do him no good otherwise.
But…
The battlefield will only compound His Highness's anxiety.
You're in part responsible for that, Ragnar.
Perhaps the Christian teachings are at fault.
He has grown up peculiarly weak despite being a man.
You have spoiled him as his attendant.
My…
My apologies.
Appoint the siege regiment to Canute.
As his attendant, you will be his second-in-command.
His Highness…
My shoulder is dislocated.
My right ankle is sprained.
And several ribs are broken.
Damn that monster!
Hey, do you see them?
Well,
most of them are withdrawing.
Which means…
Did we win?
We won?
-They hightailed it out of here. -Then that means we won.
What is this?
What's going on?
We did it! We are victorious!
What?
Hey!
Keep fighting!
Hey, wait!
Hey!
You idiots!
You're just conceding London?
Come back, you cowards!
Fight me!
What a pain.
That bastard Thorkell.
What happened to you? You ended up living.
Dear me, you're in a sorry state.
This time you had a difficult opponent, Thorfinn.
By the way, we are marching to Wessex. What will you do?
We'll leave you behind if you can't walk.
We'll get paid in Wessex!
-I'm itching for a fight. -Don't you only have one arm?
I'll still take anyone.
I'll kill them.
That was fun!
Let's do it again!
These damn monsters.
What the hell…
is so entertaining about war?
Subtitle translation by Astrid Oliver