1 00:00:01,001 --> 00:00:04,004 I am th'red, son of th'red. 2 00:00:04,087 --> 00:00:07,007 Afier the shocking death of her daughter... 3 00:00:07,090 --> 00:00:09,843 - I will catch you! - No! 4 00:00:09,927 --> 00:00:12,179 Br/da fled eoferw/c in defeat 5 00:00:12,262 --> 00:00:13,472 retreat! 6 00:00:15,933 --> 00:00:20,562 Aethe/stan yearns to know his true father, the king of wessex, 7 00:00:20,646 --> 00:00:25,317 but Edward's attention turns towards his new lo ve, the lady eadgifu. 8 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:31,281 For all its strangeness, I did find our time together enjoyable. 9 00:00:31,365 --> 00:00:34,660 And ae/f/aed, the queen he no longer /0 ves, 10 00:00:34,743 --> 00:00:38,038 looks to Christ to salve her humiliation. 11 00:00:38,121 --> 00:00:40,374 God knows your heart. 12 00:00:40,457 --> 00:00:41,959 I will pray for you. 13 00:00:42,793 --> 00:00:45,212 Ll/ly belo ved aethelflaed is dying. 14 00:00:45,295 --> 00:00:49,258 - She will not see the spring. - You must be mistaken in this, finan. 15 00:00:49,883 --> 00:00:51,552 She does not have long. 16 00:00:52,427 --> 00:00:55,180 She has chosen aelfi/I/ynn to succeed her. 17 00:00:55,264 --> 00:01:00,143 Knowing my daughter will be lady of mercia in my stead, it is all I wish. 18 00:01:00,227 --> 00:01:04,856 But as ever in mercia, the succession is not straightforward 19 00:01:04,940 --> 00:01:08,443 the young lady aelfwynn is not fit to rule. 20 00:01:08,527 --> 00:01:11,071 Does your master propose an alternative? 21 00:01:11,697 --> 00:01:14,283 He does indeed, lord burgred. 22 00:01:14,366 --> 00:01:16,785 Now I ride to be with my love. 23 00:01:17,452 --> 00:01:21,456 I pray that / reach her before it is too late. 24 00:01:22,374 --> 00:01:24,376 Destiny is all! 25 00:01:41,935 --> 00:01:43,478 One! 26 00:01:48,150 --> 00:01:49,234 Two! 27 00:01:49,318 --> 00:01:52,654 - He will not survive. - This is not about survival. 28 00:01:52,738 --> 00:01:54,239 It is about pain. 29 00:01:54,323 --> 00:01:55,365 Three! 30 00:01:55,449 --> 00:01:58,243 An agony of burning that the flesh never forgets. 31 00:01:59,202 --> 00:02:02,289 - Then we wait to see if the blood sickens. - Four! 32 00:02:06,543 --> 00:02:08,003 Five! 33 00:02:11,381 --> 00:02:14,509 Six! 34 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:41,536 Seven! 35 00:02:44,081 --> 00:02:45,165 Eight! 36 00:02:52,172 --> 00:02:53,256 Nine! 37 00:03:08,647 --> 00:03:11,900 If the gods have not healed you by the third sunrise, 38 00:03:11,983 --> 00:03:14,027 they have abandoned you to die. 39 00:03:14,861 --> 00:03:15,904 As will I. 40 00:04:18,216 --> 00:04:19,301 Go, lord. 41 00:04:24,473 --> 00:04:25,557 Where is she? 42 00:04:34,816 --> 00:04:37,444 I was wondering when you might grace us. 43 00:04:38,487 --> 00:04:39,529 You're not resting? 44 00:04:39,613 --> 00:04:42,365 She's the lady of mercia. She can do as she chooses. 45 00:04:42,449 --> 00:04:44,284 As she has repeatedly reminded me. 46 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:48,830 I have told her that she is sick. 47 00:04:48,914 --> 00:04:51,833 As I have told you that I do not wish to lie still. 48 00:04:52,793 --> 00:04:54,961 There will be time enough for that. 49 00:04:58,006 --> 00:04:59,925 There, I am ready. 50 00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:04,790 Will you escort me? 51 00:05:07,808 --> 00:05:08,850 To go where? 52 00:05:08,934 --> 00:05:11,686 I have some obligations I must attend to. 53 00:05:14,481 --> 00:05:15,649 Let us go. 54 00:05:23,365 --> 00:05:26,326 You knew she was sick and you did not tell me? 55 00:05:26,409 --> 00:05:29,704 She asked for my help and my silence. I gave her both. 56 00:05:31,373 --> 00:05:32,999 She is dying, uhtred. 57 00:05:35,335 --> 00:05:37,921 I have seen this before in those whose time is close. 58 00:05:38,004 --> 00:05:40,966 They feel suddenly alive before... 59 00:05:45,971 --> 00:05:49,224 But do not be fooled. She has little time left. 60 00:06:12,873 --> 00:06:16,585 Your nailed god cheated death, yes? 61 00:06:21,131 --> 00:06:24,301 After three days suffering all the torments of hell. 62 00:06:25,010 --> 00:06:28,471 You believe that he will raise you from the dead on the day of judgment? 63 00:06:29,639 --> 00:06:32,100 It is a tenet of our faith, yes. 64 00:06:34,769 --> 00:06:36,730 He was your god as well, brida. 65 00:06:36,813 --> 00:06:41,443 Do not forget where your life began with him, not the Danes. 66 00:06:41,526 --> 00:06:47,032 - You are his child, just like we all are... - Tell me then, why did he abandon me? 67 00:06:48,241 --> 00:06:49,451 Why? 68 00:06:50,702 --> 00:06:55,874 If vibeke was his child, why did he let her die? Why? 69 00:06:59,377 --> 00:07:01,379 Will he protect you, father, hmm? 70 00:07:02,047 --> 00:07:04,257 Will he save you in this moment? Tell me. 71 00:07:04,341 --> 00:07:07,928 If he has decided that this is my time, then so be it. 72 00:07:09,596 --> 00:07:14,351 Do not be so eager to believe that he has any control over how your life ends. 73 00:07:14,434 --> 00:07:16,394 This will not be quick. 74 00:07:16,478 --> 00:07:18,688 This is just beginning. 75 00:07:20,815 --> 00:07:22,692 Help him! Help! 76 00:07:22,776 --> 00:07:25,236 Where is he, father? 77 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:27,530 Is he coming? Is he on his way? 78 00:07:27,614 --> 00:07:31,326 Help him! 79 00:07:38,083 --> 00:07:41,086 It is strange to see it so empty. 80 00:07:41,169 --> 00:07:42,504 It is not empty. 81 00:07:44,547 --> 00:07:45,590 Not yet. 82 00:07:45,674 --> 00:07:48,009 No. Not yet. 83 00:07:52,097 --> 00:07:54,307 You will not have to do this alone. 84 00:07:56,101 --> 00:07:59,521 - I will remain with you. - And I am so grateful for that. 85 00:08:01,439 --> 00:08:06,486 I only hope that I might find her strength when the time comes. 86 00:08:07,195 --> 00:08:10,031 I have served your mother for many years. 87 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,578 You are her daughter. I can see much of her in you. 88 00:08:18,873 --> 00:08:21,793 Lalways thought that rule would mean conflict, 89 00:08:21,876 --> 00:08:24,713 but the truth is the people simply want peace. 90 00:08:26,006 --> 00:08:31,386 If they are well fed, if they have homes, if they are warm, 91 00:08:31,469 --> 00:08:33,930 then they will soon come to respect you. 92 00:08:37,851 --> 00:08:39,477 Where are we going? 93 00:08:39,561 --> 00:08:43,273 I have some business with one of the ealdormen that I must attend to. 94 00:08:43,356 --> 00:08:47,318 - Surely this is not the time? - Oh, so do tell me, what time is it? 95 00:08:47,402 --> 00:08:49,612 It is time to fight what is happening to you. 96 00:08:49,696 --> 00:08:53,450 Do not be naive, uhtred. The battle is done. 97 00:08:54,159 --> 00:08:57,537 - Why are you giving up so easily? - I am not giving up! 98 00:08:59,205 --> 00:09:03,168 I did not choose this. This is the path that god has given to me. 99 00:09:13,595 --> 00:09:15,847 - My lady. - Ealdorman burgred. 100 00:09:15,930 --> 00:09:18,808 I have completed the letter that we spoke of. 101 00:09:28,193 --> 00:09:32,864 - This... this is too much. - It is barely enough. 102 00:09:33,573 --> 00:09:37,494 Mercia needs to be protected and I am sure you will do what needs to be done. 103 00:09:42,123 --> 00:09:43,583 My lady. 104 00:09:45,251 --> 00:09:46,419 You have been good to us. 105 00:09:47,962 --> 00:09:49,422 Just and fair. 106 00:09:59,516 --> 00:10:03,478 I remember when he was terrified at the thought of you on the throne. 107 00:10:03,561 --> 00:10:05,563 People change, given time. 108 00:10:08,525 --> 00:10:09,901 What did you give him? 109 00:10:10,944 --> 00:10:14,697 I have land in my name that I wanted to give to the people to ensure 110 00:10:14,781 --> 00:10:17,117 that it remains theirs when I am gone. 111 00:10:18,118 --> 00:10:20,620 - And who will take the throne? - Aelfwynn. 112 00:10:23,081 --> 00:10:27,043 She is not the girl you once knew. She understands her duty. 113 00:10:29,045 --> 00:10:32,590 If Edward and I can maintain our alliance through our successors 114 00:10:32,674 --> 00:10:36,761 and they in theirs, our peace and unity could last for generations. 115 00:10:37,637 --> 00:10:42,851 Aldhelm will remain with her to guide her and she will have an army for protection. 116 00:10:46,187 --> 00:10:48,690 I do not wish to ask more favors of you. 117 00:10:48,773 --> 00:10:50,150 - Aethelflaed. - Please. 118 00:10:51,484 --> 00:10:52,527 Let me speak. 119 00:10:54,821 --> 00:10:57,115 I would feel happier to leave her if I knew 120 00:10:57,198 --> 00:10:59,242 that you would ensure her safety. 121 00:10:59,325 --> 00:11:01,411 - You do not even have to ask. - I do. 122 00:11:03,079 --> 00:11:04,956 Your life is not here with me. 123 00:11:06,749 --> 00:11:08,293 Aelfwynn is not your kin. 124 00:11:10,295 --> 00:11:13,214 - I did not help you when you came to me... - Stop. 125 00:11:14,716 --> 00:11:17,802 I will protect aelfwynn and mercia as best I can. 126 00:11:21,848 --> 00:11:27,270 Come. Let us find somewhere quiet to sit or some may think I am breaking my oath. 127 00:11:29,564 --> 00:11:30,899 The gate is this way. 128 00:11:31,441 --> 00:11:35,570 There are other gates, ones that are not so fiercely guarded. 129 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:55,048 So, all these years I could have been sneaking in here to hump you? 130 00:12:07,477 --> 00:12:10,688 I should send word to my husband that it is finished. 131 00:12:11,397 --> 00:12:14,567 That he might ride to lindisfarne and see it. 132 00:12:14,651 --> 00:12:17,487 I am sure that both the lord our god and the king 133 00:12:17,570 --> 00:12:19,822 will be impressed with your tribute. 134 00:12:23,201 --> 00:12:25,036 You awake early, do you not? 135 00:12:25,745 --> 00:12:30,291 I pray every day to our lord god in the light of a new dawning sun. 136 00:12:32,043 --> 00:12:34,462 The king departed this morning. 137 00:12:34,545 --> 00:12:36,381 Did you happen to witness it? 138 00:12:39,467 --> 00:12:41,094 Did anybody accompany him? 139 00:12:43,680 --> 00:12:47,433 I think perhaps the lady eadgifu rode with him. 140 00:12:52,272 --> 00:12:54,023 Come with us to lindisfarne. 141 00:12:58,611 --> 00:13:00,738 The king has warned me that my presence there 142 00:13:00,822 --> 00:13:03,574 could be seen as a claim to the land itself 143 00:13:03,658 --> 00:13:06,202 and my father would surely take his side. 144 00:13:07,370 --> 00:13:10,498 No, I should remain here. 145 00:13:10,581 --> 00:13:14,085 Travel with us and do not tell them. 146 00:13:15,378 --> 00:13:16,754 It is not provocation. 147 00:13:17,839 --> 00:13:19,716 It is a holy tribute. 148 00:13:20,550 --> 00:13:22,010 Nothing is more pure. 149 00:13:25,596 --> 00:13:28,266 I should like to witness its glory myself. 150 00:13:29,017 --> 00:13:33,229 As I am certain, the king would also witness yours. 151 00:13:49,996 --> 00:13:51,831 Do you wish a chance to pray? 152 00:13:53,499 --> 00:13:55,668 What prayer would you have me make? 153 00:13:55,752 --> 00:14:00,465 I don't know. What prayer would be best to beg your god for your life? 154 00:14:00,548 --> 00:14:03,843 My life is in your hands, not his. 155 00:14:05,845 --> 00:14:07,972 Think that there is somewhere after this? 156 00:14:08,056 --> 00:14:12,477 I think that we will join him in life everlasting. 157 00:14:15,355 --> 00:14:18,608 Your god came back to life while my daughter is cold. 158 00:14:18,691 --> 00:14:21,194 She will live with him in eternal life. 159 00:14:27,367 --> 00:14:28,993 Tell him to give her back. 160 00:14:31,788 --> 00:14:33,039 Give her back? 161 00:14:34,832 --> 00:14:36,876 That is not something that my god does. 162 00:14:36,959 --> 00:14:38,461 A life for a life, then. 163 00:14:39,379 --> 00:14:42,173 Orvar! Orvar, will you give yourself to me for vibeke? 164 00:14:42,256 --> 00:14:44,801 No, there is no trading lives! 165 00:14:46,052 --> 00:14:47,136 Then consider it a threat. 166 00:14:47,220 --> 00:14:49,889 Return her to me, or this one's death will be on your hands. 167 00:14:49,972 --> 00:14:51,974 - I cannot do that. - But your god can. 168 00:14:52,058 --> 00:14:54,644 You're his voice! So speak! Give her back! 169 00:14:54,727 --> 00:14:57,313 - Give her back! - Dear god, spare her! 170 00:14:57,397 --> 00:14:59,816 Put no more blood on her hands! 171 00:15:01,442 --> 00:15:04,570 She was born your servant. She need not die in torment. 172 00:15:04,654 --> 00:15:09,325 She can still repent and join her daughter in paradise. 173 00:15:32,557 --> 00:15:33,933 My daughter's dead. 174 00:15:44,277 --> 00:15:47,363 My daughter's dead. I'm lost. 175 00:15:49,574 --> 00:15:51,451 We're never truly lost. 176 00:15:52,869 --> 00:15:54,579 God will find you. 177 00:15:55,663 --> 00:15:56,873 You were born a Christian. 178 00:15:56,956 --> 00:16:00,710 He has seen the good that was passed on through you to your daughter's heart. 179 00:16:00,793 --> 00:16:04,213 Your god did not save vibeke. He let her die. 180 00:16:05,256 --> 00:16:07,467 There is no life after this for her. 181 00:16:11,846 --> 00:16:12,972 She's alone. 182 00:16:18,686 --> 00:16:20,396 She's alone. 183 00:16:24,525 --> 00:16:26,694 I am alone! 184 00:16:31,657 --> 00:16:32,909 No, you are not. 185 00:16:48,382 --> 00:16:51,844 - Perhaps we should rest here. - For a short while. 186 00:16:59,769 --> 00:17:03,814 Is it cold? I feel so cold. 187 00:17:07,485 --> 00:17:08,694 It is cold enough. 188 00:17:28,130 --> 00:17:29,632 You should have told me. 189 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:34,303 I did not owe you a share of my pain. 190 00:17:41,519 --> 00:17:43,688 I have not stopped wondering... 191 00:17:45,690 --> 00:17:47,775 About what we gave up... 192 00:17:49,485 --> 00:17:50,987 To become who we are. 193 00:17:53,072 --> 00:17:54,448 Do you regret it? 194 00:17:56,325 --> 00:17:57,451 On occasion. 195 00:18:00,121 --> 00:18:05,167 Then when I do, it is with every part of my being. 196 00:18:12,049 --> 00:18:13,175 What of you? 197 00:18:15,803 --> 00:18:20,850 Would you have begged fate for a different path over these years? 198 00:18:39,827 --> 00:18:42,955 Mercia's people are contented. They're safe. 199 00:18:45,666 --> 00:18:48,169 How could I deny them all you have done? 200 00:18:53,758 --> 00:18:55,843 That does not answer my question. 201 00:19:01,307 --> 00:19:02,975 I have dreamed of us. 202 00:19:08,230 --> 00:19:09,440 As a family. 203 00:19:14,654 --> 00:19:16,072 And a happy one. 204 00:19:18,574 --> 00:19:22,161 But even through that happiness, even in my dreams... 205 00:19:27,583 --> 00:19:31,170 We never cease worrying that we have made the wrong choice. 206 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:36,175 That's the curse of life, to think of what might have been. 207 00:19:37,385 --> 00:19:43,182 Your path was to bring peace to mercia, to protect it. 208 00:19:45,017 --> 00:19:49,313 Who will protect you, uhtred of bebbanburg? 209 00:19:50,606 --> 00:19:52,858 I do not need protection. 210 00:19:52,942 --> 00:19:53,984 You do. 211 00:19:55,695 --> 00:19:56,821 You do. 212 00:19:58,072 --> 00:20:00,324 You are carrying so much pain. 213 00:20:04,120 --> 00:20:05,496 I would have told you... 214 00:20:40,322 --> 00:20:43,659 My daughter committed the greatest of all your god's sins. 215 00:20:45,536 --> 00:20:50,124 If he does exist, she will have been sent to the flames. 216 00:20:51,375 --> 00:20:54,920 That part of the holy book has never much felt true to me. 217 00:20:56,046 --> 00:20:59,884 It seems to me there's not much separating heaven and Valhalla. 218 00:21:00,676 --> 00:21:05,181 That if we are right in our beliefs, there is something better after this. 219 00:21:08,684 --> 00:21:13,063 - No, your daughter had no chance to sin. - She made others kill for her. 220 00:21:15,524 --> 00:21:17,985 That's the same as if the knife was in her hand. 221 00:21:18,068 --> 00:21:23,032 And as our parents teach us. She was trying to please you. That is all. 222 00:21:25,534 --> 00:21:27,620 It is not her sin to repent for. 223 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:33,626 It's not too late to believe in him, bnda. 224 00:21:35,002 --> 00:21:36,295 It is never too late. 225 00:21:36,378 --> 00:21:38,714 Believing in your god made the Danes weak. 226 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:43,844 They lost their souls. My daughter lost her life. 227 00:21:46,013 --> 00:21:47,139 I blame you. 228 00:21:49,892 --> 00:21:52,978 I blame your church, your kings and your queens. 229 00:21:55,064 --> 00:21:57,817 And most of all, I blame every so-called Dane who bowed to them 230 00:21:57,900 --> 00:22:00,820 and sucked at their teats and who took their baptism rites. 231 00:22:08,244 --> 00:22:09,453 You should eat. 232 00:22:16,961 --> 00:22:19,004 I cannot help to end your pain. 233 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:20,923 Nothing can. 234 00:22:23,092 --> 00:22:25,219 But your daughter is at peace now. 235 00:22:26,929 --> 00:22:30,224 Maybe in finding peace of your own, you might repent. 236 00:22:35,563 --> 00:22:36,897 I don't want your bread. 237 00:22:38,232 --> 00:22:40,526 I believe it was your bread to begin with. 238 00:22:44,238 --> 00:22:45,990 Should you change your mind. 239 00:23:16,145 --> 00:23:19,273 There is no honor in him freezing to death. 240 00:23:19,356 --> 00:23:21,150 There is no honor in what he did to us 241 00:23:21,233 --> 00:23:23,861 - and yet you would forgive him. - The gods have forgiven him. 242 00:23:23,944 --> 00:23:26,322 He passed their trial. He must be in their favor. 243 00:23:26,405 --> 00:23:28,115 If his flesh begins to heal, 244 00:23:28,198 --> 00:23:31,035 then we can talk about allowing him back into the city. 245 00:23:31,118 --> 00:23:34,371 - Listen to me! He is my brother! - And I am your wife! 246 00:23:38,167 --> 00:23:41,086 His fate is set. It's in the hands of the gods now. 247 00:23:41,170 --> 00:23:43,172 He will die or he will survive. 248 00:23:44,590 --> 00:23:47,343 We will not know until his hands are unbound. 249 00:23:54,725 --> 00:23:56,310 - Here you go. - Thank you. 250 00:24:01,398 --> 00:24:02,566 What was that? 251 00:24:06,195 --> 00:24:07,237 King's men. 252 00:24:13,786 --> 00:24:15,913 When was the last time you saw your father? 253 00:24:21,502 --> 00:24:22,962 A long time ago. 254 00:24:23,045 --> 00:24:26,507 Well, you'll be a fair bit taller than him now, I'll bet. 255 00:24:46,026 --> 00:24:47,653 - Uncle? - Aelfwynn. 256 00:24:49,321 --> 00:24:52,157 - Am I too late? Where is she? - She... she's not here. 257 00:24:52,241 --> 00:24:54,785 - Where is she? - She is with uhtred. 258 00:24:56,912 --> 00:24:59,581 - Of course. - She wanted to see him before... 259 00:25:03,210 --> 00:25:06,630 I do not understand why she is being taken from us now. 260 00:25:06,714 --> 00:25:10,050 Time robs us, over and over again. 261 00:25:12,344 --> 00:25:15,514 Your mother is the best of us. 262 00:25:17,474 --> 00:25:19,476 If I could keep her here, you know I would. 263 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:20,602 I know. 264 00:25:21,854 --> 00:25:24,898 The... the ealdormen have been told to prepare. 265 00:25:24,982 --> 00:25:28,569 I'm concerned that they will not honor mother's wishes. 266 00:25:28,652 --> 00:25:31,530 The ealdormen will be taken care of. Do not fear. 267 00:25:32,740 --> 00:25:36,702 Your mother and I had a shared wish... 268 00:25:37,661 --> 00:25:40,289 To honor our father's desire for unity. 269 00:25:42,124 --> 00:25:44,877 I swear to you and to her... 270 00:25:47,296 --> 00:25:50,257 I will do all I can to ensure that comes to pass. 271 00:25:57,014 --> 00:26:00,851 Please, let my lord king listen to the words of this servant. 272 00:26:03,437 --> 00:26:06,815 Please, let my lord listen to the words of this servant. 273 00:27:50,335 --> 00:27:52,379 I did not get to speak with you... 274 00:27:55,799 --> 00:27:56,967 I love you. 275 00:28:02,055 --> 00:28:05,350 I will protect all that we have achieved, sister. 276 00:28:06,143 --> 00:28:07,728 This I swear to you. 277 00:28:22,034 --> 00:28:23,702 Receive your servant vibeke 278 00:28:24,494 --> 00:28:28,123 into the ranks of your devout saints and most bright angels. 279 00:28:29,917 --> 00:28:31,501 She is a child of god. 280 00:28:39,968 --> 00:28:43,513 Please let my lord listen to the words of this servant... 281 00:28:48,268 --> 00:28:49,478 Lady aelswith... 282 00:28:49,561 --> 00:28:53,190 You do not need to say anything, lord uhtred. 283 00:28:57,569 --> 00:28:59,029 I would ask you... 284 00:29:00,864 --> 00:29:02,866 Do you hear anything? 285 00:29:05,202 --> 00:29:06,286 Um... 286 00:29:07,621 --> 00:29:09,706 It is night. The town is asleep. 287 00:29:09,790 --> 00:29:11,041 Not out there. 288 00:29:11,959 --> 00:29:15,254 In here. In this room. 289 00:29:15,337 --> 00:29:16,797 Do you hear anything? 290 00:29:18,340 --> 00:29:20,425 No, nothing but our own voices. 291 00:29:22,010 --> 00:29:26,473 Mere mortals. I do not care for our voices. 292 00:29:30,435 --> 00:29:34,481 He is not speaking. 293 00:29:37,651 --> 00:29:40,112 I thought that he would speak to me now. 294 00:29:41,697 --> 00:29:44,283 Is it not clear that I need him? 295 00:29:45,158 --> 00:29:48,161 All I have ever asked of him... 296 00:29:49,162 --> 00:29:52,457 Is his voice when I needed it. 297 00:29:56,586 --> 00:30:01,258 Perhaps his silence is him offering you solace in... 298 00:30:01,341 --> 00:30:03,802 I do not need his solace. 299 00:30:04,511 --> 00:30:06,179 I need him to speak to me. 300 00:30:08,515 --> 00:30:11,476 My life, I have given to him. 301 00:30:14,604 --> 00:30:20,944 I have prayed for so many hours, lord uhtred. 302 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:27,451 I have begged him to save her. 303 00:30:29,411 --> 00:30:32,039 I need to know that he is listening. 304 00:30:49,097 --> 00:30:51,767 I fear your prayers have been wasted. 305 00:30:51,850 --> 00:30:55,228 Please, let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. 306 00:30:55,312 --> 00:30:57,439 Please, let my lord listen to the words of... 307 00:30:57,522 --> 00:31:01,818 - Lady aelswith... - I am trying to make him hear me! 308 00:31:12,996 --> 00:31:14,581 Do not say it. 309 00:31:17,959 --> 00:31:19,878 Do not say the words. 310 00:31:25,967 --> 00:31:27,594 He has forsaken me. 311 00:31:30,138 --> 00:31:32,474 He has forsaken her. 312 00:31:34,893 --> 00:31:38,939 I have given him the entirety of my life. 313 00:31:40,690 --> 00:31:42,859 And I am left with nothing. 314 00:32:15,684 --> 00:32:17,060 Where is aelfwynn? 315 00:32:22,858 --> 00:32:24,693 She is waiting for the witan. 316 00:32:26,570 --> 00:32:29,364 They will take advantage of her. 317 00:32:29,448 --> 00:32:34,202 They respected aethelflaed. Surely they will accept her choice of successor. 318 00:32:34,286 --> 00:32:38,915 Aelfwynn is too young and she is not worldly. 319 00:32:40,500 --> 00:32:42,002 They will turn on her. 320 00:32:44,754 --> 00:32:48,550 She can gain their respect just as aethelflaed did. 321 00:32:49,843 --> 00:32:51,970 As wise as she had become... 322 00:32:53,930 --> 00:32:57,601 Aethelflaed still wished to believe the best in people. 323 00:32:59,519 --> 00:33:01,021 But she was wrong. 324 00:33:03,106 --> 00:33:08,028 There has already been so much death, uhtred. 325 00:33:10,572 --> 00:33:12,324 I could not bear more of it. 326 00:33:18,205 --> 00:33:20,540 I've had too much. Oh... 327 00:33:20,624 --> 00:33:23,251 - Leave me here. - You're all right. 328 00:33:23,335 --> 00:33:25,795 - Oh, god. - Come on. Up the stairs. 329 00:33:37,974 --> 00:33:41,228 - Are the men ready? - They're waiting for your signal. 330 00:33:41,937 --> 00:33:44,231 And is there word from father pyrlig? 331 00:33:44,314 --> 00:33:46,775 A scout reported seeing him with the Danish witch. 332 00:33:47,817 --> 00:33:49,611 Then he is likely dead. 333 00:33:50,987 --> 00:33:53,281 Return to your position. It will not be long. 334 00:34:06,419 --> 00:34:07,712 Aethelstan? 335 00:34:09,673 --> 00:34:10,715 What are you... 336 00:34:12,092 --> 00:34:13,385 You came with uhtred. 337 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:18,390 He wanted the chance to say goodbye to lady aethelflaed. 338 00:34:18,473 --> 00:34:20,225 A chance that his presence here denied me. 339 00:34:20,308 --> 00:34:24,646 Well, it seems he's taken many things from you over time. 340 00:34:29,568 --> 00:34:31,486 I have often wondered of you. 341 00:34:31,570 --> 00:34:34,698 Surely I would not have been hard to find. 342 00:34:35,615 --> 00:34:37,826 We have found each other now, it seems. 343 00:34:40,078 --> 00:34:42,163 There are matters to be attended to. We... 344 00:34:43,665 --> 00:34:45,959 I should like to talk further with you. 345 00:34:46,042 --> 00:34:49,337 Much has changed in both of our lives, but now is not the time. 346 00:34:51,339 --> 00:34:53,008 It is good to see you, aethelstan. 347 00:35:06,229 --> 00:35:10,400 You were much favored by my mother. She would have been glad to have you here. 348 00:35:13,445 --> 00:35:14,571 You look like her. 349 00:35:18,533 --> 00:35:20,368 Have the ealdormen been told? 350 00:35:21,244 --> 00:35:24,122 We will ring the bells when it is time for the witan to meet. 351 00:35:24,205 --> 00:35:26,666 They'll be terrified to leave mercia without a ruler 352 00:35:26,750 --> 00:35:28,460 for even a moment's breath. 353 00:35:28,543 --> 00:35:32,589 The ealdormen respected your mother. They will similarly respect her wishes. 354 00:35:33,798 --> 00:35:35,800 And lord aethelhelm has arrived. 355 00:35:36,801 --> 00:35:39,095 As much as his intentions will be self-serving, 356 00:35:39,179 --> 00:35:41,139 his presence might help to delay matters. 357 00:35:41,222 --> 00:35:45,310 My mother has been dead a matter of hours and already he seeks to undermine her. 358 00:35:46,227 --> 00:35:50,649 No, she would not have delayed it and neither will I. 359 00:35:50,732 --> 00:35:52,776 You are in mourning. You would be forgiven... 360 00:35:52,859 --> 00:35:54,778 My mother would not forgive me. 361 00:35:57,280 --> 00:36:01,951 I will not deny this land or its people what she wanted for them. 362 00:36:04,954 --> 00:36:06,915 I should have been here sooner. 363 00:36:09,042 --> 00:36:12,629 What matters is that you were here for her when she needed you to be. 364 00:36:14,923 --> 00:36:16,591 Will you be remaining here? 365 00:36:18,343 --> 00:36:22,722 - Until aelfwynn takes the throne. - Mmm. Should her grandmother allow it. 366 00:36:24,891 --> 00:36:27,852 Lady aelswith is afraid it is the wrong decision. 367 00:36:30,271 --> 00:36:33,483 Bitter old women rarely want more for their descendants. 368 00:36:34,275 --> 00:36:35,777 She might be right. 369 00:36:38,863 --> 00:36:41,950 Why do we attach ourselves to these people, uhtred? 370 00:36:43,993 --> 00:36:46,454 I do not think it is our choice. 371 00:36:46,538 --> 00:36:48,164 Because it is our destiny? 372 00:36:51,668 --> 00:36:53,128 Then destiny is cruel. 373 00:36:54,129 --> 00:36:57,757 All it seems to do is cause us sorrow and pain. 374 00:37:00,885 --> 00:37:03,138 If that is the path it sees for us. 375 00:37:04,139 --> 00:37:08,017 I wonder if destiny lost its hold on me when I left these lands. 376 00:37:10,270 --> 00:37:13,857 I have been free of pain for a while now and better for it. 377 00:37:15,316 --> 00:37:19,279 Perhaps pain is our choice, not destiny's. 378 00:37:24,534 --> 00:37:26,161 So tell me, uhtred. 379 00:37:29,706 --> 00:37:32,959 What would finally allow you to be free of your pain? 380 00:37:46,097 --> 00:37:49,392 - What are they speaking of? - I do not know. 381 00:37:50,977 --> 00:37:53,021 But I'm sure no good can come of it. 382 00:37:54,773 --> 00:37:56,858 We should head back to the palace. 383 00:38:21,049 --> 00:38:22,300 You served her well. 384 00:38:23,885 --> 00:38:28,097 I tried. All she wanted was to keep the people safe. 385 00:38:30,058 --> 00:38:34,270 She could think of no way to make it more simple to rule? 386 00:38:35,063 --> 00:38:36,314 She tried. 387 00:38:36,898 --> 00:38:40,527 But the ealdormen, even as they came to respect her, were stubborn. 388 00:38:40,610 --> 00:38:43,071 The old ways appealed to them more than the new. 389 00:38:44,155 --> 00:38:47,909 I think you could yet be of great use to mercia, lord aldhelm. 390 00:38:50,745 --> 00:38:52,372 You do not have to be here this early. 391 00:38:52,455 --> 00:38:54,332 - We've not yet begun. - Yes, I do. 392 00:39:00,463 --> 00:39:01,881 Stay yourself! 393 00:39:03,174 --> 00:39:06,469 The throne is taken after the witan meets, not before. 394 00:39:09,055 --> 00:39:11,099 I did not expect to see you here. 395 00:39:11,891 --> 00:39:15,395 - I am here to show respect. - Oh, I doubt that. 396 00:39:15,478 --> 00:39:19,065 A man who has no respect cannot show it, surely. Lord king. 397 00:39:19,148 --> 00:39:20,650 This is taking too long. 398 00:39:20,733 --> 00:39:24,153 - We must announce her death. - I would think it were the king's decision 399 00:39:24,237 --> 00:39:26,531 as to when the bells should be rung, my lord. 400 00:39:26,614 --> 00:39:29,909 - I was merely suggesting... - That you understood the king's grief 401 00:39:29,993 --> 00:39:33,162 - better than he himself? - Who are you to speak to me this way? 402 00:39:33,246 --> 00:39:34,789 You would watch your tongue! 403 00:39:36,291 --> 00:39:38,334 The bells will ring in good time. 404 00:39:41,421 --> 00:39:44,841 It is nearly dawn. Let us see the day in with the saddest news. 405 00:40:04,652 --> 00:40:07,655 Shut that door! My balls are freezing to nothing! 406 00:40:12,035 --> 00:40:14,495 - Something's wrong. - Just go back to bed. 407 00:40:14,579 --> 00:40:17,332 Get some sleep. Lord uhtred might need us in the morning. 408 00:40:17,999 --> 00:40:20,585 There, did you see that? Wake up. 409 00:40:20,668 --> 00:40:25,715 No, no, it's the ale. Your eyes are playing tricks on you. Just... 410 00:40:35,558 --> 00:40:39,020 - Think about where you're pointing that. - There are soldiers here. 411 00:40:41,147 --> 00:40:42,690 You think it's an attack? 412 00:40:43,650 --> 00:40:46,486 The king is here and undefended. 413 00:40:48,696 --> 00:40:50,239 Piss. 414 00:40:51,157 --> 00:40:53,326 Go and find uhtred. I'll get the others. 415 00:40:53,409 --> 00:40:55,078 Do not do anything stupid. 416 00:40:56,162 --> 00:40:58,206 - Do you hear me? - Yeah. 417 00:41:11,344 --> 00:41:12,512 It is time. 418 00:41:15,014 --> 00:41:18,267 Ring the bell. Let my sister's death be known. 419 00:41:23,022 --> 00:41:24,232 You seem troubled. 420 00:41:25,984 --> 00:41:28,027 I don't like black. It's so cold. 421 00:41:28,861 --> 00:41:31,072 It would be a strange man who does. 422 00:41:33,992 --> 00:41:35,034 It is time. 423 00:41:41,791 --> 00:41:44,293 She asked that you protect mercia. 424 00:41:44,377 --> 00:41:47,130 You have only done as you saw right and good. 425 00:41:51,718 --> 00:41:52,844 Perhaps. 426 00:42:24,250 --> 00:42:25,460 Aethelstan! 427 00:42:25,543 --> 00:42:26,669 Shit! 428 00:42:50,359 --> 00:42:52,028 Uhtred! 429 00:42:56,574 --> 00:42:57,617 Uhtred! 430 00:43:01,037 --> 00:43:02,080 Uhtred! 431 00:43:56,717 --> 00:43:58,636 Leave him. 432 00:44:00,471 --> 00:44:02,306 What happened? Are you all right? 433 00:44:03,141 --> 00:44:05,768 Lord, I think you need to see this. 434 00:44:10,439 --> 00:44:13,192 - Who are they? - The ealdormen. 435 00:44:18,656 --> 00:44:19,699 Come! 436 00:44:20,449 --> 00:44:23,619 - Who gave your orders? - Come on. Tell us! 437 00:44:25,371 --> 00:44:26,539 Uhtred, I know him. 438 00:44:26,622 --> 00:44:28,916 I saw him talking with the king last night. 439 00:44:41,554 --> 00:44:43,139 Did you see them? 440 00:44:43,890 --> 00:44:46,267 - Did you see the ealdormen? - I did. 441 00:44:46,350 --> 00:44:49,228 - So, where are they? - They are dead. 442 00:44:50,271 --> 00:44:53,274 Dead? That cannot be. 443 00:44:57,862 --> 00:45:00,323 You... what did you do? 444 00:45:00,406 --> 00:45:02,992 You overstep your bounds, lord aethelhelm! 445 00:45:03,910 --> 00:45:07,455 The only explanation I need offer is the example of our past. 446 00:45:07,538 --> 00:45:09,957 The strength of wessex and mercia both only improved 447 00:45:10,041 --> 00:45:11,709 under the alliance with my sister. 448 00:45:12,835 --> 00:45:15,254 I could not see that strength fade now. 449 00:45:15,338 --> 00:45:17,965 Lady aethelflaed's choice of successor is her daughter. 450 00:45:18,049 --> 00:45:21,052 - She has her mother's strength. - I have not seen it. 451 00:45:22,303 --> 00:45:24,597 My sister's strength came with time. 452 00:45:25,264 --> 00:45:27,308 To leave my niece to find her own strength 453 00:45:27,391 --> 00:45:30,603 would leave mercia vulnerable. She will not take the throne. 454 00:45:30,686 --> 00:45:35,066 Then there are others who could rule whilst staying within the family's line. 455 00:45:35,149 --> 00:45:36,525 Father's hopes were of unity. 456 00:45:36,609 --> 00:45:41,280 It was a dream my sister and I bore from him and shared, but now she is dead. 457 00:45:43,074 --> 00:45:45,576 Had she known it were possible to unite the kingdoms... 458 00:45:45,660 --> 00:45:48,454 She would not have done it with the blood of innocents on her hands! 459 00:45:48,537 --> 00:45:52,667 Her hands are unsullied. The choice was mine alone and I was forced to act. 460 00:45:52,750 --> 00:45:54,752 The ealdormen had already accepted bribes 461 00:45:54,835 --> 00:45:57,505 to sway their minds away from my sister's wishes. 462 00:45:58,381 --> 00:46:01,300 These men were standing in the way of progress. 463 00:46:01,384 --> 00:46:03,344 I merely acted to remove the corruption. 464 00:46:03,427 --> 00:46:07,348 This is not the way succession is determined! 465 00:46:07,431 --> 00:46:11,727 Until my sister's rule, succession was always determined by bloodshed. 466 00:46:13,562 --> 00:46:15,940 I did not want it to be so again. 467 00:46:18,901 --> 00:46:21,737 Better the blood of the few than the blood of the many. 468 00:46:23,197 --> 00:46:26,784 You have murdered mercia's ealdormen. 469 00:46:27,660 --> 00:46:30,830 And in doing so, I have ensured mercia's protection. 470 00:46:43,968 --> 00:46:45,553 I will do as god wills. 471 00:46:47,096 --> 00:46:50,808 I will be king of the angles and of the saxons. 472 00:47:41,359 --> 00:47:42,985 You are still alive, then? 473 00:47:44,653 --> 00:47:46,030 That's because of you. 474 00:47:53,621 --> 00:47:54,914 Will you look? 475 00:48:13,641 --> 00:48:15,393 The flesh has begun to heal. 476 00:48:21,899 --> 00:48:23,567 The gods have forgiven you. 477 00:48:27,655 --> 00:48:28,948 What of you, brother? 478 00:48:30,991 --> 00:48:32,368 Have you forgiven me? 479 00:48:33,661 --> 00:48:37,248 If it were stiorra's choice, you would be left to fend for yourself. 480 00:48:39,166 --> 00:48:41,210 Then I am lucky that it is not. 481 00:48:43,546 --> 00:48:44,964 She is not a true Dane. 482 00:48:45,047 --> 00:48:49,218 A true Dane would not betray their family as you did. 483 00:48:59,145 --> 00:49:01,105 You are my blood. 484 00:49:01,814 --> 00:49:04,066 Do you understand? You are my blood. 485 00:49:08,279 --> 00:49:09,947 The rest will come in time. 486 00:49:46,025 --> 00:49:49,403 - Have you seen lady aelswith? - Yes, she came through here with aelfwynn. 487 00:49:49,487 --> 00:49:52,114 - They left for... - Don't say it out loud. 488 00:49:52,198 --> 00:49:55,159 You should leave this place. It is not safe here. 489 00:50:03,167 --> 00:50:06,962 Ah, it's just a scratch. It'll heal. You might get a good scar out of it. 490 00:50:07,713 --> 00:50:09,757 It did not bleed like a scratch. 491 00:50:12,009 --> 00:50:13,844 All right, lads. At the ready. 492 00:50:15,054 --> 00:50:18,349 My men are merely seeking their horses. There's to be no trouble here. 493 00:50:21,435 --> 00:50:22,978 You killed the ealdormen. 494 00:50:24,647 --> 00:50:27,441 - It is only what needed to be done. - They were old men. 495 00:50:28,776 --> 00:50:29,944 Defenseless. 496 00:50:32,571 --> 00:50:35,449 Uhtred has taught you his strong sense of morality, then. 497 00:50:38,953 --> 00:50:42,498 Surely he has also taught it is better to strike first 498 00:50:42,581 --> 00:50:44,667 if it might prevent more violence. 499 00:50:45,751 --> 00:50:49,755 Yet it was not my intention for you to be caught in this. 500 00:50:52,716 --> 00:50:54,385 My man tells me you fought well. 501 00:50:55,427 --> 00:50:59,056 Not well enough, or he would not be here to tell you of it. 502 00:51:00,099 --> 00:51:03,811 - Your blood is strong. - My skill comes only from my training. 503 00:51:07,481 --> 00:51:09,775 I must ready myself for the ceremony. 504 00:51:11,110 --> 00:51:12,278 Will you attend? 505 00:51:14,780 --> 00:51:16,156 I will be with uhtred. 506 00:51:19,118 --> 00:51:21,620 Well, you'd be welcome should you change your mind. 507 00:51:25,457 --> 00:51:27,293 Aethelflaed was your blood... 508 00:51:29,169 --> 00:51:30,212 As am I. 509 00:52:07,958 --> 00:52:09,001 It's done. 510 00:52:14,673 --> 00:52:15,841 She gave me peace. 511 00:52:20,429 --> 00:52:22,389 When I was with her, I felt it. 512 00:52:26,769 --> 00:52:29,438 I'm sure she would want you to find that feeling again. 513 00:52:30,648 --> 00:52:32,441 I can think of no better tribute. 514 00:53:33,377 --> 00:53:35,587 It looks to be a worthy procession. 515 00:53:36,839 --> 00:53:37,923 It is. 516 00:53:41,802 --> 00:53:43,595 Are you going to retaliate? 517 00:53:44,763 --> 00:53:47,182 He did what kings always do. 518 00:53:47,266 --> 00:53:51,395 No king has ever ruled bloodlessly. It is not in their nature. 519 00:53:51,478 --> 00:53:53,981 It is no way to become a king, uhtred. 520 00:53:54,064 --> 00:53:56,442 I think it might be the only way. 521 00:53:59,611 --> 00:54:00,654 It is over now. 522 00:54:02,030 --> 00:54:04,700 Edward's rule will not be challenged. 523 00:54:04,783 --> 00:54:08,495 His line will watch the throne until it becomes their turn... 524 00:54:11,039 --> 00:54:12,791 Just as king Alfred wanted.