Prince Amleth is on the verge of becoming a man when his father is brutally murdered by his uncle, who kidnaps the boy’s mother. Two decades later, Amleth is now a Viking who’s on a mission to save his mother, kill his uncle and avenge his father.
* * *
(THUNDER AND VOLCANIC RUMBLING)
(RUMBLING CONTINUES)
HE-WITCH: Hear me, Odinn, All-Father of the gods.
(VOICES WHISPERING)
Summon the shadows of ages past, when the thread spinning Norns ruled the fates of men.
Hear of a prince’s vengeance quenched at the fiery Gates of Hel.
A prince destined for Valholl.
Hear me.
(WHISPERING VOICES EXHALE)
(HORNS BLOWING)
(WAVES CRASHING)
(RAVENS SQUAWKING)
(SQUAWKING CONTINUES) (HORNS CONTINUE BLOWING)
(MAN SHOUTS IN DISTANCE)
He’s here.
(EXCITED CHATTER IN DISTANCE) (DOGS BARKING)
He’s here.
(HORNS BLOWING IN DISTANCE) Mother, Father is here!
(GASPS)
Never enter my chambers without invitation!
The king, milady. The king.
(HORNS BLOWING IN DISTANCE)
GUDRUN: Come.
AMLETH: Odinn brought him home.
(DOORS CREAKING)
(HORSES NEIGHING)
MAN 1: Hail, Raven King!
MAN 2: War-Raven, hail!
MAN 3: Hail, my lord!
MAN 4: War-Raven, hail.
MAN 5: Hail, ring giver!
(HORSES NEIGHING)
FJOLNIR: Onward, brother!
(HORSES NEIGHING)
MAN: Go. (WOMEN GRUNTING SOFTLY)
(HORN PLAYING FANFARE)
(RAVEN CAWS)
CROWD: (IN UNISON) Hail, King Aurvandil War-Raven!
Hail!
(HORSE SNORTS AND WHINNIES)
Like a battle-dog returning to its master, I’ve come to be fettered by my queen’s fair locks.
Ever are we bound, my lord.
Prince Amleth, you have grown too old to be greeted as a child.
Hail, Lord King.
But…
a father never grows too old for a good smothering! (LAUGHTER)
How I’ve missed you, my son.
Will your brother not grace us with his presence?
Think not on Fjolnir.
He’ll soon be with us.
(SQUAWKS)
This was worn round a prince’s neck when I found it.
But it was destined for this prince.
Wear it always with my love.
Thank you, Father.
My king.
(DOGS BARKING)
Fjolnir.
MAN: (QUIETLY) Fjolnir’s back. (OTHERS WHISPERING)
MAN: The brute has arrived.
(WHISPERING QUIETS DOWN)
Hail, Lord King.
Furnish this fierce-hearted slayer of men with some drink, that I might drink to him.
Accept my cup, kinsman.
Milady. (HEIMIR LAUGHS MOCKINGLY)
Look how the queen’s cup grows wet for more men than her king.
What metal might buy a fragrant sip?
Sweet silver…
Or hard iron?
Silence, dog!
By Freyr, you slander your lord and mistress!
Please you, brother. (BABY CRYING)
‘Tis but a jest.
A jest.
Heimir keeps a foul tongue, yet I keep him as a deep-sworn friend.
(CRYING CONTINUES)
Come, brother.
Here’s one more in need of your safekeeping than myself.
FJOLNIR: (WHISPERS) Thorir.
(SIGHS)
Thorir!
My son!
To my brother, the War-Raven!
To the Kingdom of Hrafnsey!
ALL: Skoal!
(WIND WHISTLING SOFTLY)
(CLEARS THROAT)
The enemy had a taste of my liver.
Are you hurt?
Almost enough for Amleth to be marked my successor.
I watched his innocence tonight.
He must be awoken to what awaits him.
He is a puppy.
He’s the same age as my grandfather when he took the throne.
That was different.
He had to kill his uncle first.
You have not seen your queen in a season.
Come.
Let me take you to our bed.
No.
Pray my luck-spirits see me to many war fields after I defeat this wound.
I refuse to die in sickness nor live the long life of a shameful graybeard.
I must die by the sword.
I will die in honor.
(PAINED GRUNTING)
Fret not.
(WHISPERS) You will die in battle, my lord.
The Gates of Valholl await you, I know it.
(SIGHS)
(RAVENS CAWING) (WIND WHISTLING)
AURVANDIL: This is the same path I walked with my father and he with his.
Now it is our path to walk.
(DOOR CREAKING)
(MAN PRAYING IN OLD NORSE)
(BREATH TREMBLES)
(MAN CONTINUES PRAYING)
AMLETH: (WHISPERS) Odinn.
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(DOOR CREAKING)
AURVANDIL: Be not afraid, Amleth.
Do as I do.
(GROWLING FIERCELY)
(BOTH GROWLING FIERCELY)
(BOTH BARKING) (RHYTHMIC JANGLING)
(BARKING AND JANGLING CONTINUES)
(BOTH HOWLING)
HEIMIR: Who barks?
(BARKING CONTINUES)
Is it the wolves of the High One?
(BARKING CONTINUES)
Or is it the barking of the village dogs?
Harken to me, you two-legged dogs.
Drink the vision mead of knowledge.
To learn what it is to live and die in honor.
(AURVANDIL AND AMLETH PANTING) To be in battle slain and in death rewarded by the Valkyrjur’s embrace.
The warrior maidens will carry you to the shimmering Gates of Valholl.
(LAPPING)
(SNARLING)
You are dogs that wish to become men.
(SNIFFING)
Prove you are not a dog.
(BURPS LOUDLY)
Not only are you a man, you dine like a king.
(BARKING)
(BOTH GROWLING)
(BARKING)
(SNARLING)
(SNIFFING)
And you, little cub, what are you?
(FARTS)
Ah. (INHALES DEEPLY)
I smell a clever pupil.
(ECHOING) At every passage, one should turn his eye round, one should spy round.
(ECHOING) For a foe might be crouched within upon the floor.
Wise in measure should each man be, yet wise enough to be the fool.
Wise enough to be the fool.
(DISTORTED ECHOING) Tell me, how did Odinn lose his eye?
To learn the secret magic of women.
Never seek the secrets of women, but heed them always.
HEIMIR: It is women that know the mysteries of men.
The Norns that spin and weave at their Well of Fate.
Live in honor. Live in honor.
Safeguard your familial blood. Safeguard your familial blood.
Know you what that means, Amleth, son of Aurvandil?
(PANTING)
Should I fall by the enemy’s sword, you must avenge me or forever live in shame!
I will, Father, I will!
My blade will not rest till it’s drunk the blood from his open neck!
Now live always without fear, for your fate is set and you cannot scape it.
Swear it.
I swear.
(AMLETH PANTING)
(VOICES WHISPERING)
(WHISPERING FADES)
(AMLETH PANTING)
(WHIMPERING SOFTLY)
This is the last tear you will shed in weakness.
It will be given back when most you need it.
Now, behold, as a man.
AURVANDIL: Approach, Amleth, and in our blood behold the tree of kings.
(WHIMPERING)
(VOLCANIC RUMBLING)
(HEART BEATING STEADILY)
(HEART BEATING FASTER)
(HEART BEATING RAPIDLY)
(SHARP WHOOSH)
(WIND WHISTLING) (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(ARROW WHOOSHES) (AURVANDIL GRUNTS)
(GRUNTING) (RAVENS CAWING)
(GASPING) (HORSES NEIGHING)
Father!
Run! Run!
(AURVANDIL GRUNTING FIERCELY) (BLADES CLANGING)
Come for your carcass, you mongrels!
(PANTING) (AURVANDIL GRUNTING, YELLING)
(BLADES CLANGING AND STABBING)
(YELLING)
(GASPS)
(GROANING WEAKLY)
(RAGGED BREATHING)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(GASPS)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
You behold your brother’s gaze in amazement.
I knew well you would.
Pity you never paid a bastard’s eyes heed before.
Now… Behold how swiftly your brother swings his sword.
Strike, brother, strike.
But know that bearing a stolen ring makes no half-breed a king.
Soaked in my blood, it will soon be sliding off your arm like a serpent.
Your kingdom will not last.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Let this misdeed haunt your living nights till a flaming vengeance gorges on your death.
Strike.
Strike!
To Valholl!
(PANTING)
(SWORD STRIKES) (FJOLNIR YELLING)
(GASPS)
King Aurvandil is dead!
Long live King Fjolnir! Long live King Fjolnir!
MEN: (IN UNISON) Hail, Lord King!
Hail, Lord King!
Bring me the boy’s head!
(GASPS)
(PANTING) (MEN CHATTERING)
MAN 1: Do you see him? (CHATTER CONTINUES)
MAN 2: Over here.
MAN 3: Cut him off!
(PANTING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(SHUSHING)
I’ll make it slow.
(GRUNTS) (SCREAMING)
(PEOPLE SCREAMING)
(GASPS) (GOATS BLEATING)
(PEOPLE CONTINUE SCREAMING)
(RHYTHMIC THUMPING IN DISTANCE)
(CATTLE LOWING)
(RHYTHMIC THUMPING CONTINUES)
(RHYTHMIC THUMPING GROWS LOUDER)
(GUDRUN SCREAMING)
MAN 1: Hail, Fjolnir the Brother less!
MAN 2: Hail, King Fjolnir!
MAN 3: Hail, Fjolnir! (SCREAMING CONTINUES)
(AMLETH GRUNTING)
MAN 4: Hail, King Fjolnir!
King Fjolnir has found himself a queen.
(MEN LAUGHING)
FINNR: Fjolnir!
Fjolnir! My lord!
The boy!
The boy.
(GRUNTS)
The boy is dead.
Dead in the sea.
Yeah.
Sank like a stone.
(GROANS)
(GRUNTING, CRYING)
I will avenge you, Father!
I will save you, Mother!
I will kill you, Fjolnir!
I will avenge you, Father!
I will save you, Mother!
I will kill you, Fjolnir!
I will avenge you, Father!
I will save you, Mother!
I will kill you, Fjolnir!
(IN DISTANCE) I will avenge you, Father!
I will save you, Mother!
I will kill you, Fjolnir!
(WIND WHISTLING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING AND CALLING)
(HORN BLOWING IN DISTANCE)
(MEN GRUNTING RHYTHMICALLY)
(MAN SPEAKING OLD SLAVIC FRANTICALLY)
(GRUNTS) (ARROWS WHOOSHING)
(MEN LAUGHING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(FIRE CRACKLING) (DRUMS BEATING RHYTHMICALLY)
(MAN DRONING)
(MEN HOWLING WILDLY)
(MEN GROWLING AND BARKING)
(MEN GRUNTING RHYTHMICALLY IN UNISON WITH DRUMS)
Your bear minds burn in the bodies of men
(SINGING IN OTHER LANGUAGE)
Sons of the wolf Fenrir break free from your flesh
Wolves will howl in the storm of Ódinn
Warriors will fall as the Bear claw strikes
We will fight to Valhöll!
(MEN HOWLING WILDLY)
(DRUMS BEATING FASTER)
(MEN LAUGHING WILDLY)
(MEN HOWLING, LAUGHING)
‘Til we return to human shape
Fearless, we shall drink blood from our enemies’ wounds
Together we will rage in the battlefields of corpses!
The Father of War commands us – Transform your skin, brothers
(LAUGHING WILDLY)
Slaughter-wolves, Berserkers, become your fury!
(YELLING WILDLY) (THUNDER CRASHES)
(FROGS CROAKING)
(ROOSTER CROWING IN DISTANCE)
(MEN GROWLING AND GRUNTING QUIETLY)
(MAN SHOUTING FRANTICALLY IN OLD SLAVIC)
(HORN BLOWING) (MEN GRUNTING)
(MEN YELLING WILDLY)
To Valholl!
MAN: To Valholl!
(MEN CONTINUE YELLING)
(GRUNTING)
(MEN SHOUTING IN OLD SLAVIC)
(YELLING) (SCREAMING)
(WOMAN SCREAMS)
(HORSES NEIGHING) (MEN SHOUTING)
(YELLING)
(HORSE NEIGHING)
(CHOKING)
(YELLING)
(PEOPLE SCREAMING) (FRANTIC CHATTER)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(YELLS)
(SCREAMING AND FRANTIC CHATTER CONTINUES)
(WHISPERING IN OLD SLAVIC)
(GROANS) (YELLS)
No!
(ARROW WHOOSHES)
(YELLING WILDLY)
(GRUNTS)
(SCREAMING)
(FLESH TEARING) (SNARLING)
(HOWLING WILDLY)
(MEN HOWLING, WHOOPING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING, CRYING) (MEN COUGHING, SPITTING)
(DOGS BARKING IN DISTANCE)
(MUTTERING)
(LAUGHS) What are you doing?
Come now, come. Come here.
Come here.
(DOG BARKING)
(MAN GRUNTING) (WOMAN SCREAMING)
(CHATTER AND CRYING CONTINUES)
(BABY CRYING)
These savages make for fine chattel, eh, Bjornulfr?
We did good.
AMLETH: Never better.
When we found you as a cub…
(MAN GROANING)
I knew then that you had a heart of cold iron.
(SWORD STRIKES) SHIELD MAIDEN: Too weak!
I want strong ones!
Not weak ones!
(HORSE NEIGHING)
BOY: Mama!
(MEN GRUNTING)
(OLGA SPEAKING OLD SLAVIC FRANTICALLY)
Mama!
(CONTINUES SPEAKING FRANTICALLY)
Mama!
(MAN GRUNTS) (OLGA SHOUTING)
Mama!
(CRYING)
(MAN YELLS)
Mama!
Mama!
Mama!
(DOOR CLOSES)
(PEOPLE SCREAMING INSIDE, POUNDING ON DOOR)
(PEOPLE SCREAMING FRANTICALLY)
(MEN LAUGHING, CHEERING)
(SCREAMING AND POUNDING CONTINUES LOUDER)
(LIVELY CHATTER, LAUGHTER) (FLUTE PLAYING)
Play, you idiot. Play!
(LAUGHTER) (CONTINUES PLAYING)
(RHYTHMIC CLAPPING) (MAN SINGS DRUNKENLY)
(LAUGHTER CONTINUES)
(SCREAMING) (MEN CHEERING)
(VOICES FADING)
(DOG WHINING)
(SOFT RHYTHMIC RATTLING)
(SOFT RHYTHMIC RATTLING CONTINUES)
(SOFT RHYTHMIC RATTLING CONTINUES)
(WHISPERING) Prowl in shadow, slayer of my people.
Hide.
Even though your brother stole my eyes…
I see you.
I am no one’s brother.
It is not enough to be the man that never cries, Prince Amleth.
The prince that turned from his fate.
A beast that cares for naught.
A beast that wrings tears from the eyes of men.
(GASPS)
Now remember for whom you shed your last teardrop.
Remember the oath to right the wrong.
Remember the Raven King.
Remember.
Remember, it contains the salty ocean you must sail upon to the edge of the world.
It feeds the freezing river of hate that runs in my veins.
It will take you to an island in the north where there will spring a burning lake, bursting from a black mountain’s peak.
There I will drown my father’s killer.
Follow the vixen’s tail to the dwelling of the ancient one to seek the fated sword that matches your brutal rage.
Why speak you my fortune, witch?
For where your path of ashes ends, another will begin her journey.
A maiden king.
Release me.
You cannot scape what fate the Norns have spun.
Now begone! (GRUNTS)
(PANTING)
HIRD OFFICER: These slaves go to Uppsala.
(SIZZLING) (MAN SCREAMS, SHOUTS)
Those to the market in Kiev.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER)
Send them to Constantinople.
And these strong ones should make it all the way to Fjolnir’s post in Iceland.
(SIZZLING) (WOMAN SCREAMS)
AMLETH: Who is this Fjolnir?
Fjolnir the Brother less.
So-called after he killed his brother, the disgraced King Aurvandil War-Raven.
I know of him.
Why are his slaves bound for Iceland?
Fjolnir rules over Hrafnsey.
He fled to the backwater frontier with his wife and son after King Haraldr of Norway took his kingdom.
Fjolnir killed his brother for nothing.
Now he’s a sheep farmer.
(LAUGHING) (RAVEN CAWING)
(CHIRPING)
Father.
(DOGS BARKING IN DISTANCE)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER IN DISTANCE)
(SIZZLING) (PAINED GRUNTING)
(PANTING)
Worry not.
When I meet your owner, I will thank him for the warmth you gave me.
(PANTING) (DISTANT CHATTER)
(MEN CHATTERING, GRUNTING)
CAPTAIN: Bring those two ropes.
(OLGA SPEAKING OLD SLAVIC)
CAPTAIN: Take your place.
(OLGA CONTINUES SPEAKING OLD SLAVIC)
(CRYING)
(CONTINUES SPEAKING OLD SLAVIC)
(CONTINUES SPEAKING OLD SLAVIC)
(THUNDER RUMBLING SOFTLY)
(MEN CHATTERING, LAUGHING)
MAN 1: Ah, how can he get that number?
(LAUGHTER) MAN: He’s cheating.
MAN 2: It is luck.
Let’s see what you’ve got.
MAN 1: It continues then.
I’ve lost all my silver, then.
(CHATTER CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
Your sheep’s clothing does not disguise you, Northman.
AMLETH: What say you, spell speaker?
You wish to be a slave, hide your cunning.
Show the shepherd you are a sheep.
I’ll show the shepherd his death.
(WIND ROARING) (MEN SHOUTING)
(FRANTIC SHOUTING)
MAN: Hold it strong!
(SHOUTING CONTINUES)
(OLGA GRUNTS) MAN: Stay on your feet!
AMLETH: Take my hand!
I have you! (GRUNTS)
(OLGA SHOUTS)
(GRUNTING)
(AMLETH AND OLGA PANTING HEAVILY)
(HEAVY PANTING CONTINUES)
(SOFT RATTLING)
(SOFT RATTLING)
(SOFT RATTLING)
(VOICES SHRIEKING AND ROARING)
YOUNG AMLETH: (WHISPERING) I will avenge you, Father.
I will save you, Mother.
I will kill you, Fjolnir.
(WIND BLOWING) (WAVES SLOSHING)
(PANTING, GRUNTING) (MEN CHATTERING)
(BIRD SQUAWKING)
MAN: Over there.
(CHATTER CONTINUES)
AMLETH: Leave her here.
MAN: Move!
(GRUNTS)
MAN: Bunch of corpses.
FINNR: Let him rot!
The seagulls will eat him!
They’re hungry!
Move, swine!
(PEOPLE COUGHING)
Why would you stow away to such a hellish place?
This ground harbors evil.
My fate has brought me here.
To find what was stolen from me.
And what is that?
A mother, a father, a kingdom.
This is your kingdom?
The traitor who stole my kingdom fled here when another king took it from him.
I will leave when I’m done with him.
I am Olga of the Birch Forest.
And I, too, vow to escape this island.
Then you must face many foes.
As do you.
Would you face them alone?
Your strength breaks men’s bones.
I have the cunning to break their minds.
HALLGRIMR: You two, hold your traps!
Walk on!
(VOLCANIC RUMBLING)
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
(FJOLNIR GRUNTING) (AXES CHOPPING)
(GUNNAR GRUNTS) (GRUNTS)
(AX CLATTERS ON GROUND)
(CONTINUES GRUNTING)
Why are we doing this?
What?
This. What?
It’s slave work.
You’re the chieftain.
It’s your temple, and I’m the heir to this holy chiefdom.
No man knows if he will celebrate next yuletide as a king or as a slave.
Best to be prepared for both.
And to stave off the latter, the least you can do is show your slaves you’re as strong as they are.
But no one’s watching us.
Go fetch us some whey.
Think on what I said.
MAN: Keep your shield arm up.
THORIR: I am.
MAN: You’re… I am!
MAN: You are not!
Attack, Hjalti! (THORIR GRUNTING)
No! No!
(GRUNTS)
(SHOUTS ANGRILY)
Fjolnir, my lord!
Your shipment is here.
(WIND HOWLING)
Well, show me.
Where’s the rest of them? Get on your feet!
FINNR: On your feet! On your feet!
Up, swines!
Line up, bastards!
THORIR: Pitiful. Can’t even stand.
FJOLNIR: They won’t last the winter.
Sell all of them.
(YELLING WILDLY)
(AMLETH GROWLING, GRUNTING)
Let me see this one.
(GROWLING)
(PANTING)
We’ve kept worse.
(CONTINUES PANTING)
I’m not impressed.
His stench.
(MEN CHUCKLING)
(GROANS)
Never look me in the eye, slave.
Well, I wonder what they call a beast like you in the Land of Rus.
I am… Bjornulfr.
By name alone, you can tell he’s as strong as a bear.
But if you’re as untrustworthy as a wolf, I swear I’ll put you down myself.
We keep this one.
The rest can go.
But mother needs two for the kitchen and one for the laundry.
MAN: Move.
GUNNAR: And two males for the harvest.
FJOLNIR: (SIGHS) Fine.
These two for the kitchen and her for the laundry.
And choose two males for the fields.
And her, too.
Keep her arms white…
And her hair long.
(CATTLE LOWING SOFTLY)
Plan to climb out, huh, Bear-Wolf?
Even if you did escape this farm, you’d only be carrion for the blue foxes and selkies.
This island is a barren waste.
You best find yourself some sleep.
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
(CHICKENS SQUAWKING)
(VOLUNDUR GRUNTS ANGRILY)
VOLUNDUR: Get! Get! (GROANS)
Get! (LIQUID SPLASHES)
(CHICKENS CLUCKING)
Thieving demon-bitch.
(DOOR OPENS)
GUDRUN: Away! Away.
(GUDRUN HISSES)
(RAVENS SQUAWKING, CAWING)
Away with you!
(HISSES)
Away! Begone!
(HISSES)
Away with you!
(QUIETLY) I will avenge you, Father.
I will save you, Mother.
I will kill you, Fjolnir.
(MEN CHATTERING)
Here. Go. (GRUNTS)
(GRUNTING)
(PANTING)
(GRUNTING)
(QUIET CHATTER)
Go take a piss.
HALLDORA: In there.
(CHICKENS CLUCKING)
(WIND WHISTLING SOFTLY)
Stop there.
(GUDRUN HUMMING A TUNE)
You! Get on with it!
On with you now!
(GUDRUN CONTINUES HUMMING)
Where’s your wits?
Turn around.
(GUDRUN CONTINUES HUMMING)
(STOPS HUMMING)
Shut the door.
(CATTLE LOWING) (CHICKENS CLUCKING)
Did you find it?
What you lost.
In the house today, was it there?
That…
And more.
It’s a nightmare.
Then you must wake up.
It’s their nightmare.
FINNR: You!
You, woman!
You come with us!
You don’t belong here!
Fjolnir wants you close.
If you lose me, will you come and look for me, too?
Will you?
Come here. (GRUNTING)
(CATTLE LOWING)
(FOX SQUEALING)
(FOX SQUEALING)
(SQUEALS)
(SNIFFING)
(VOLCANIC RUMBLING IN DISTANCE)
(RAVENS CAWING)
(OBJECTS RATTLING)
(WIND WHISTLING)
(HE-WITCH CHANTING SLOWLY IN OLD NORSE)
(DRUM BEATING SLOWLY)
(CHANTING AND DRUMMING CONTINUES)
Sit, Amleth, son of Aurvandil.
Did our hen-eating friend tell you of me?
No.
One much more talkative.
An old fool.
Poor Heimir.
He speaks of days past and days yet to come.
Fjolnir cut out his tongue, plucked out his eyes before killing him…
But I made him ones anew.
(LAUGHING)
Kind friend.
Know that I will avenge you, too.
I fear you must address me.
Alas, I made him no new ears.
(CHUCKLES)
They also met with Fjolnir’s blade.
Enough!
You know why I have come.
You are still a beast cloaked in man-flesh.
Speak, witch.
So be it, slave!
(SIGHING)
(FIRE ROARS, SIZZLES)
(MOANING)
(HE-WITCH STRAINING)
Wandering prophet…
(WHEEZING)
Wake now…
From your murder.
(WHEEZING)
(STRAINED YELLING) (DRUM BEATING FASTER)
(WHEEZING GASPS)
(RAPID PANTING)
(RAPID GRUNTING)
(WHEEZING)
Hear me!
Heimir is come!
(HE-WITCH QUIETS)
HEIMER’S VOICE: Hello, puppy.
I seek the weapon the Norns of Fate chose for my revenge.
HEIMER’S VOICE: Hear me.
Forged by the deadliest war-smiths ever to crawl from under the great worm’s belly.
A sword of the most secretive rare iron, bound with bone of the jotnar.
Weightless in its owner’s hand, yet like a dragon’s fang, its bite can never be dulled, never broken nor bent. (TOOLS CLANGING)
Its blade could only be quenched in human blood.
It is a battle flame like none other. (VOICES SHOUT)
Its name, Draugr.
(VOICES SHOUT)
The Undead.
(VOICES SHOUT)
(VOICES SHOUT)
It is fated.
VOICES: Draugr!
(IN NORMAL VOICE) Yet, difficult is the sword’s nature, for it can only be unsheathed in the dark of night or else at Hel’s black gates.
The Gates of Hel.
There will my sword be just.
I will enjoy feeding Draugr till then in everlasting night.
Then shall you also enjoy the moment when you must choose between kindness for your kin or hate for your enemies.
That is nothing.
My heart knows only revenge.
Show it to me.
You must make a visitation to Draugr’s owner, the mound dweller.
(SERPENT HISSING SOFTLY)
Mark well the full moon’s light.
For shadows are not hospitable hosts.
(SERPENT LANDS ON GROUND, HISSES) (GASPS)
(SERPENT HISSING)
(HE-WITCH LAUGHING)
(ROPE CREAKING)
(GRUNTS)
(BREATHING DEEPLY)
(HISSES, GROWLS)
(GROWLING) (FOOTSTEPS BOOMING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(STRAINING)
(SHOUTS)
(SHOUTING)
(GROANING)
(SQUEALING, GROWLING)
(PANTING)
(ROARING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(GROANING)
(YELLS) (HISSES)
(GROWLING)
(GRUNTING)
(SHRIEKING)
(WHEEZING, CRACKLING)
Mark well the full moon’s light!
(SHOUTS)
(PANTING)
(SHOUTS)
(PANTING)
(RASPY BREATHING, GROWLING)
(FAINT VOLCANIC RUMBLING)
(RUMBLING GROWS LOUDER)
(RUMBLING STOPS)
(MEN LAUGHING IN DISTANCE)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
(MEN CHATTERING)
(MEN LAUGHING)
FJOLNIR: Thorir will choose our strongest.
Tomorrow we’ll prove that Hakon Iron-Beard’s men are born of mud and water.
(MEN CHUCKLING)
HALLGRIMR: Mud will be all that remains of them.
(ALL LAUGHING)
FJOLNIR: Rakki!
(RAKKI GROWLING)
(BARKING)
(SNARLS) (RAKKI WHIMPERING)
FJOLNIR: Rakki.
(WHIMPERING CONTINUES)
Rakki.
Take Rakki home.
And, you two… HALLGRIMR: Rakki, come.
It’s nearly dawn. Get you to bed.
HALLGRIMR: Yes, my lord.
Rakki. (RAKKI BARKING)
(CATTLE LOWING)
(CATTLE LOWING) (CHICKENS CLUCKING)
Wake, you.
Fetch her. You know the one.
(SOFTLY) Aye.
Wake up, Olga. Wake up.
Get to your feet.
The hair of a Valkyrja… on a savage Slav bitch.
(GRUNTS)
A little blood.
(BOTH GRUNT)
Unclean whore!
(BOTH GRUNT)
(ROOSTER CROWING IN DISTANCE)
You will correct her, or you’ll both be dead in the ground.
(FJOLNIR CLEARS THROAT)
(ROOSTERS CROWING IN DISTANCE)
Thank the Norns that the woman’s tide is the only blood that runs in your house tonight, coward.
I am a fool.
It was foretold that I would slay my father’s killer in a burning lake.
Till that day comes, I will torment the man who made my life a hell.
Now sleep well, night blade.
Yes, we thirst for vengeance, but we cannot escape our fate.
MAN 1: (IN DISTANCE) Get them in line!
Look lively!
(HORSE GRUNTING)
Move it!
MAN 2: Don’t be idle!
MAN 1: Those are for the feast…
Where are they taking us?
Something about the chieftain’s feast.
Last night, I saw him with you.
(MAN SHOUTS IN DISTANCE)
Then you know Fjolnir’s touch will not linger on me when I leave this island.
You marked him well.
And I have found the cold iron that will strike him down.
When will you do it? When I must.
For now, I will haunt this farm like a hungry corpse returned from the grave.
Fjolnir thinks Amleth is long dead.
Yes, but what of your mother?
She will revel in Fjolnir’s anguish.
She only feigns her love to protect their child.
Won’t she wish… When I free her, I will bring the boy if I must.
They’ve moved me back into the kitchen.
FOREMAN: Bjornulfr! If we can keep his men…
Our plan will have to wait. Go.
FOREMAN: Bjornulfr, move!
(GRUNTS)
You, to the back!
FOREMAN: Move!
MAN: Woman!
(ASHILDUR SPEAKING OLD NORSE)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(HORSES NEIGHING)
MAN: Thorir, my Lord, we’re lacking one man.
I’m not a child. My hair is my own.
I know grown men who need a woman to tend their hair.
MAN: Get them in line.
FOREMAN: You can celebrate after the games, slave.
Look lively!
MAN: My lord.
FOREMAN: Come on!
Thorir, my lord.
Can you fight, slave?
Look me in the eye, slave.
I asked you do you know how to fight.
What are those?
You’ve never seen a knatttre before?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
By nightfall, you’ll have seen enough of them.
(MEN SHOUTING AND GRUNTING WILDLY)
(SHOUTING AND GRUNTING CONTINUES)
MAN: Play for blood!
(MEN YELLING AND WHOOPING WILDLY)
(ALL GRUNTING AND CLAMORING)
(MEN AND CROWD CHEERING)
(GRUNTS)
(MEN SHOUTING AND GRUNTING IN DISTANCE)
(SHOUTING AND GRUNTING CONTINUES)
(YELLING WILDLY)
(ALL GRUNTING AND CLAMORING)
(SHOUTS)
(YELLS)
(SPITS, YELLS)
(CLAMORING CONTINUES)
(CROWD CHEERING)
(CROWD GROANS)
(YELLS)
(CROWD JEERING)
You’re shaming our family’s name!
We need more men!
(ALL YELLING AND CLAMORING)
(SHOUTING ANGRILY)
(CROWD CHEERING)
Yeah!
(THORFINNR SIGHS)
(GUNNAR SHOUTS)
No! No!
(CROWD MURMURING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
(GUNNAR SHOUTING)
(BOTH YELLING)
Gunnar! No!
Halt the game! Halt it now!
WOMAN: Don’t touch him!
(GUNNAR GRUNTS)
FJOLNIR: Gunnar!
HAKON: Halt the game!
FJOLNIR: Gunnar! Gunnar!
THORFINNR: Stupid runt!
GUDRUN: No!
(THORFINNR YELLING)
(YELLING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(AMLETH YELLING)
(THORFINNR STOPS GRUNTING)
(BONES CRACKING)
(PANTING AND GRUNTING WILDLY)
(CROWD MURMURING)
GUDRUN: Gunnar. Gunnar.
FJOLNIR: Wake up. Wake up.
FJOLNIR: Stupid, stupid boy. Wake up.
(PANTING)
GUDRUN: Gunnar. Gunnar. Gunnar.
FJOLNIR: Gunnar.
FJOLNIR: Wake up, come on. (LIGHT SLAPPING)
Wake up, Gunnar. Wake up!
GUDRUN: (WHISPERING) Gunnar. Gunnar. Gunnar.
FJOLNIR: Wake up. Gunnar. Gunnar.
Wake up! No.
(GUDRUN PANTING)
Wake up.
(GUDRUN GASPING)
Did we win?
(LAUGHTER)
Spoken like a true chieftain’s son.
(SIGHING)
MAN: A brave boy.
A brave young man.
(RHYTHMIC DRUMMING)
(SINGING IN OLD NORSE)
(WHOOPING)
(BOTH IMITATE HORSE NEIGHING)
(OTHERS WHOOPING)
(CONTINUES SINGING IN OLD NORSE)
(SINGING CONTINUES)
(OTHERS CHANTING, WHOOPING)
(VOCALIZING)
(SINGING AND DRUMMING CONTINUES)
(SINGING CONTINUES FASTER) (WHOOPING, LAUGHTER)
You.
This way.
(MUSIC AND CHATTER IN DISTANCE)
You showed yourself brave and loyal.
When we return to the farm, certain privileges will be granted you.
Your work will be less burdensome.
You will command others’ burden.
And, Bjornulfr, as a reward for winning us the game, I’ll let you choose a woman for yourself.
Even that Slav bitch I’ve seen you eyeing.
Father found her too… unyielding.
(MEN CHUCKLE SOFTLY)
But know that we will never make you a free man.
The stench of a lowborn slave cannot escape him.
Yes.
Thank you.
(SCOFFS)
HERSVEINN: We’ll miss you cleaning the shit house.
(MEN LAUGH)
(CHATTER CONTINUES)
(ALL TOASTING)
(PEOPLE WHOOPING, LAUGHING)
(PEOPLE MOANING, LAUGHING)
AMLETH: Olga.
(PEOPLE CONTINUE MOANING)
OLGA: You found me.
Were you lost?
Only if you were searching for me.
(BOTH PANTING, MOANING)
(OLGA SPEAKING OLD SLAVIC)
Mother Soil, hear your daughter’s prayer.
Show me the way to destroy our enslavers, and free my love from his fire and sorrow.
What do you do?
Here, where the threads of fate have bound us together, embraced beneath the trees, here I speak with the earth.
What does she tell you?
How to reach your mother.
My Earth magic will stoke the flames of your sword.
Tomorrow night, you and I… will begin this nightmare and bring Fjolnir’s life to chaos.
Finish. (PIGS SNORTING)
(GOATS BLEATING)
Back to the stalls.
MAN: Hey, hey.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
You.
(RATTLE JINGLES)
(RATTLE JINGLES)
(RATTLE JINGLES)
The servants of Freyr.
Lay them before our lord’s feet.
(RATTLE JINGLES)
(FJOLNIR PRAYING IN OLD NORSE)
(CONTINUES PRAYING IN OLD NORSE)
(SHARP THUMPING) (RATTLE JINGLING)
(CONTINUES PRAYING)
(RATTLE JINGLES)
(CONTINUES PRAYING)
(RATTLE JINGLES)
(CONTINUES PRAYING)
(RATTLE JINGLES)
(LIVELY CHATTER, LAUGHTER)
(HERSVEINN VOMITING)
HJALTI: You weakling.
(HJALTI LAUGHS)
(HERSVEINN GROANS)
(BOTH SINGING IN OLD NORSE)
AMLETH: Fear not.
(HERSVEINN SHOUTS)
You’re the first of many.
HJALTI: (GASPS) No.
HERSVEINN: Please! We’ll set you free!
(SWORD STABBING)
(MEN GRUNTING IN PAIN)
(YELLS)
Oh, I will find who did this.
I will find them, and I will tear out their eyes!
And I will tear out their tongues!
They will all sup in Hel!
(YELLS)
Look, Father.
Look what has been done to my brave friends.
Christian monsters!
Monsters!
(YELLS) (GRUNTS)
Monsters!
Lack-beard, did you do this? (GASPING)
Answer me! Answer me!
(YELLS) Stop this!
Son. (PANTING WILDLY)
Regain your calm.
(PANTING SOFTLY)
They were good boys.
By Freyr, we will avenge them.
Take him away.
(THORIR CRYING)
Is Thorir right?
Could it be the Christian swines?
Their god is a corpse nailed to a tree.
For what?
These boys never touched them.
And how might they find weapons?
No.
These wounds are not of our world.
This distempered spirit will ride again.
It wields a hungry blade.
Go.
I will prepare a sacrifice.
FINNR: On with you!
(GRUNTS) Blood-drinking Christians!
(GRUNTING)
Do as you’re told.
(FINNR GRUNTS)
Go.
The mushrooms, I have them.
Not tonight.
The spirits will ride and spill more blood.
(ASHILDUR PRAYING IN OLD NORSE)
Black she-spirit, abate.
Bear this offering to your mistress and sheath your rageful corpse-hound.
(WILD HOWLING IN DISTANCE)
(WILD HOWLING CONTINUES)
(GROWLING) (WILD HOWLING CONTINUES)
(BARKING)
FJOLNIR: Rakki.
GUDRUN: Rakki!
FJOLNIR: What is it, Rakki?
GUDRUN: Rakki!
Down, Rakki!
Rakki! Ra…
(RAKKI SNARLING)
(BOTH HOWLING WILDLY)
GUDRUN: Rakki! Rakki!
(CLOTHES RIPPING)
(KNIFE STABBING)
(RAKKI WHIMPERS)
(YELLS)
(SHOUTS)
(DOGS BARKING IN DISTANCE)
(PANTING)
(MEN SHOUTING, GRUNTING) (DOGS BARKING WILDLY)
(DOGS BARKING AND HOWLING IN DISTANCE)
(MUFFLED GROANING)
(MUFFLED GROANING CONTINUES)
Free her.
(GROANING CONTINUES)
(BLADE CUTTING BONDS)
Freyr, it seems, has chosen for himself who is deemed fit for sacrifice.
ASHILDUR: (GRUNTS) Blighted by his blood…
Let us hope his hunger has been sated.
This is not the work of my god.
(ASHILDUR SOBBING)
This is trollish sorcery.
FJOLNIR: Tonight, you will be armed to defend the farm, for this is also your home.
(RAVENS CAWING)
THORIR: How can we trust them to protect us?
HALLGRIMR: Here, dog.
Your father does not want an uprising by emboldened slaves.
HALLGRIMR: Go!
Do not doubt his wisdom.
HALLGRIMR: Walk!
OLGA: Black dreams arise.
FINNR: Hey, slaves, I like your sticks!
(FINNR LAUGHS)
Yeah, good luck fending off the demon with that thing.
(FINNR CHUCKLES)
Here.
Hungry?
Tonight, you are the food!
(LAUGHING)
Go take some night air.
I’ll finish here.
Go on.
(RAVENS CAWING FAINTLY)
(GROANING SOFTLY)
(NEIGHING ECHOES)
(BREATH DISTORTING AND ECHOING)
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
(HOWLING ECHOES)
(GASPING)
(PANTING)
(VOICES LAUGHING)
(VOICES LAUGHING LOUDER)
(FINNR SHOUTS)
(PANTING)
(VOICES LAUGHING WILDLY)
(SHRIEK ECHOES)
(SHOUTS)
(GRUNTING)
MAN 1: Get them away!
MAN 2: Run!
MAN 3: She’s a she-devil! (SHOUTS)
(WILD HOWLING)
(SCREAMING)
(HEAVY FOOTSTEPS BOOMING)
(BLADES STABBING)
(MEN SCREAMING, GRUNTING)
(CLAMORING, SCREAMING)
(BLADES CLANGING)
FJOLNIR: Touch them not.
Look not into their eyes.
The night spirits have entered their skins and are riding their minds.
(CLAMORING CONTINUES)
(THORIR GROANING, RETCHING)
Thorir! Out, Disir!
(THORIR SCREAMING) Begone!
(CLAMORING CONTINUES IN DISTANCE)
We will meet you before dawn.
(WIND WHISTLING SOFTLY)
(WHISPERS) Father.
(WOOD CREAKS)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
Leave me.
(GASPS SOFTLY)
(WHISPERS) Your sword is long.
Stop your jest.
I am your son.
(GASPS SOFTLY)
(WHISPERS) Amleth?
You live still?
A life of death.
Yet I swore to survive till this moment.
Tomorrow, I shall finish my deeds in honor.
Only then will I discover whether living is to my liking.
You are your mother’s son.
And my father’s.
I am come to avenge King Aurvandil, to choke my traitorous uncle in his death-blood and to free you.
I see you have inherited your father’s simpleness.
What say you?
I never mourned him.
You were his queen.
(GUDRUN SIGHS)
Your father endured me because I bore him a son.
No. His affections were only for silver and rutting his whores.
I know not if he had heart enough to love you.
(STAMMERS) Silence.
He was a coward feigning to be a king.
He was nothing.
He was just another proud, lust-stained slaver.
Hold your tongue!
You spit in the face of your dead husband.
(WHISPERS) Yet his brother…
(GASPS)
His fine brother.
A bastard has no shame of himself nor his trade.
Your uncle loved me, though he knew well my past.
(SIGHS SOFTLY)
(WHISPERS) Amleth.
Even now, you believe the fairy tale I told you is true?
“A noble bride hailing from the land of Brittany”?
I never began as his bride.
How easily we all become princesses again when the beasts take us for their wives.
Yes.
You were forced upon your mother.
Gunnar was received freely with love.
(WHISPERS) No.
And know you this, it was I who begged on my knees for Fjolnir to kill King Aurvandil.
I pressed my lips upon his strong, sweet hand.
I kissed it and I begged.
And so this day would never come, Fjolnir ordered your death, along with your own mother’s blessing.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
But I saw it.
(BREATH TREMBLING)
I saw Fjolnir carrying you away… Screaming.
Screaming?
I was laughing.
Lies!
(PANTING)
Now that you are here, what do we do?
I should kill you and all that is dear to you.
But you love me.
A son loves his mother and a mother loves her son.
And you saved your brother’s life.
You.
You love.
You…
love.
None but me knows who you are.
And you are so hot for revenge, child born of savagery.
If you kill Fjolnir… (GASPING)
If you kill Thorir, and if you are so untamed as to kill my Gunnar…
(GASPS)
You would be my new king, Amleth, and together we will rule.
(GASPING)
(BOTH GRUNTING, YELLING)
Bitch! Your taste and your mind reek of your foul father!
You should have joined him in death!
Your words are poison!
I am your death!
(PANTING) (LAUGHING)
(LAUGHING ECHOES)
Die!
(THORIR GROANING, CHOKING)
(YELLS)
(AMLETH PANTING)
(HORSE NEIGHING IN DISTANCE)
Where is your mother? (CONTINUES PANTING)
Tell me.
Where?
She’s as evil as Fjolnir.
I will destroy him and all that she loved.
I will become a hailstorm of iron and steel! (SHUSHING)
I will have my vengeance!
And more.
Then what must we do now?
(PANTING)
I… I… I must take to the hills.
My mother discovered who I am. Soon everyone will.
I’ll go with you. No.
They cannot know you are part of this.
Come morning, they will hunt for me.
Why?
You killed her?
I would not kill a woman.
Not even her.
Thorir met his end by my fury.
Well, good riddance.
Tomorrow night, you will return and kill Fjolnir?
If the Norns of Fate allow it.
And whatever happens tomorrow, be ready to run.
(SOBBING)
His heart.
His… His heart. It’s taken his heart!
What evil is this?
What evil eats the hearts of brave young men?
Freyr, do you hear me?
Behave.
Be a man in front of your inferiors. (SOBBING)
There is no evil spirit here.
I told you. I told you.
It is my cursed son Amleth.
We rid ourselves of him as a boy.
You must believe me.
He is here.
The progeny of Aurvandil lives still.
I fear he was led here by the raven-spirit of your dead brother.
It’s not possible. Think.
He’s killed your men.
He has murdered your eldest son.
And he will not rest till you lie cold in the ground and our own Gunnar lies slain beside you.
It is Amleth.
No god can help you with this task.
You must discover my son and kill him with your own hands.
Let my words be the whetstone to your biting rage, for the mischief of last night was not the work of one man.
Find the slaves who ally with him.
Find them!
FINNR: On your knees!
Down with you! (GRUNTS)
Down with the lot of you!
(GROANS, CHOKES)
I know not, nor care not, if that slave aided in the death of my son…
But this is the end you will all meet if you speak not what you know.
(GRUNTS)
No?
(CHOKES)
(GRUNTS, SHOUTS)
(GROWLS) (GRUNTS)
I see you’re no longer afraid of a woman’s blood.
(WHISPERS) You.
(LAUGHING) Of course it is you.
AMLETH: Fjolnir!
Let her alone!
I offer you your son’s heart in exchange for her life!
I am Amleth the Bear-Wolf, son of King Aurvandil War-Raven, and I am his vengeance!
(YELLING) Kill him!
FJOLNIR: Bring him to me!
GUDRUN: Kill him! He’s mine!
(MEN YELLING)
(ALL GRUNTING)
(PANTING WILDLY)
(YELLING)
(PANTING WILDLY)
(GRUNTING)
(AMLETH GROANING)
(BLADE SLICES)
In the end, you’re just like your father.
Evil begets evil.
How do you know it’s your son’s heart and not the heart of a rabid dog killed two nights ago?
FJOLNIR: Where is it? (GURGLES)
(GRUNTS, MUTTERS WEAKLY)
You cannot kill me.
Even if you were to strike me with your sword, it would not bite.
It is not my time.
I will die in battle.
(FJOLNIR GRUNTS)
Where is my son’s heart?
(PANTING)
Odinn the All-Father will vanquish your god of erections.
Fear him.
Silence!
I will come back for your heart.
And your mother and I will eat it.
(STRAINS, YELLS)
(RAVEN CHIRPING)
(RAVENS CAWING)
(ROPE CRACKLING)
(GRUNTING)
(RAVENS CAWING WILDLY)
(GROANING SOFTLY)
(PANTING)
Odinn, let the Valkyrja, your warrior maiden, fly me to your shining gates.
(CAWING ECHOES, FADES)
I see my father and mother.
I see my dead kindred.
I see my master in Freyja’s hall.
He calls me to him.
(MEN BEATING SHIELDS RAPIDLY)
(WOMEN ULULATING)
(SINGING MOURNFUL SONG)
(MEN BEATING SHIELDS SLOWLY AND RHYTHMICALLY)
(WOMEN WAILING)
(CONTINUES SINGING)
(CONTINUES SINGING)
(SPEAKING OLD NORSE)
(MEN CONTINUE BEATING SHIELDS SLOWLY AND RHYTHMICALLY)
(WOMEN CONTINUE WAILING)
Tonight, our mourning for Thorir ends.
(KORMLOTH SINGING)
(WOMEN ULULATING)
(SINGING CONTINUES)
May the neck-ale of this swift steed hasten you to the highest tree of the battle-weavers, brother.
(SINGING CONTINUES)
(BLOOD SPLASHES)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(GRUNTING)
(MEN BEATING SHIELDS FASTER)
(WOMEN CONTINUE ULULATING)
(SINGING STOPS)
(ASHILDUR GRUNTING)
(MEN BEATING SHIELDS FASTER)
(WOMEN CONTINUE ULULATING)
You now remain our only heir.
(SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE)
(IN ENGLISH) My hour of grief has passed.
The time of wrath-kindled revenge is upon us!
(CROWD ULULATING, CHEERING)
(FJOLNIR YELLING)
(RATTLE JINGLING)
(CROWD CLAMORING)
(GRUNTS)
(RAVENS CAWING)
(RAVENS CAWING WILDLY)
(GRUNTS)
(THUNDER CRACKLING, RUMBLING)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(HORSE PANTING)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(SHRIEKING)
(HEART BEATING)
(WATER FLOWING SOFTLY)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SIGHS SOFTLY)
This is not Valholl?
I did not carry you that far.
I am no Valkyrja.
The dreams of your afterlife must wait.
Besides… I’m not done with you yet.
My fate brought me to Iceland to carry out my pledge of vengeance.
But my fate did not ready me for finding you.
I thought I must always shield my heart in stone.
I could not think I would open it to a Northman.
You sacrificed yourself that I could flee.
And you came back for me.
I have never felt close to another person.
Not since I was a child.
I curse your mother’s evil.
She murdered my past.
Could it not be that your Norns of Fate have spun another thread for you to follow?
What do your earth gods tell you?
That wherever I go, I must take you with me.
I have kinsmen in Orkney.
We could find… We could find safe passage there.
Together.
Yet I cannot truly believe that you have extinguished your fire for vengeance.
Hate is all I have ever known.
But I wish I could be free of it.
That is for you to choose.
Let us find our future.
(HORSE NEIGHS)
Welcome, seafarers.
The deck of this wooden saddle-beast will be the only ground you tread for 21 days.
If our luck-spirits smile upon us.
(SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE)
(IN ENGLISH) I was expecting more of Fjolnir’s men.
His son was to join us.
Thórir departed early
(SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE)
on his own ship.
Anchor up!
Sail down!
Secure the shrouds.
MAN: Shrouds secured.
VOLODYMYR: Keep her downwind, helmsman.
MAN: Aye, aye!
Your wound.
It is nothing to what we have endured.
I have forgotten it already.
(HEART BEATING SLOWLY)
(HEART CONTINUES BEATING SLOWLY)
My family’s blood.
My own blood is inside you.
You are the well our dynasty will spring from.
I did not wish you to know until I could trust that our child would be safe.
While Fjolnir lives, our children will never be safe.
If he but knew of this, he would hunt you with all the fire of the gods.
It cannot wait.
Stop this.
There is now a living thread that binds us.
I was a fool.
I wished to flee with you from my fate.
My vision shows me you will have two.
And my sword will save them.
(GASPS)
But you must come with us.
You must!
It was prophesied that I must choose between kindness for my kin and hate for my enemies.
And see what hope we have before us.
I choose both.
Take her to Orkney.
In return for this ring, my kinsmen will give you ninefold its worth. No!
No!
Amleth!
(SOBBING)
You will be mother to a king!
We cannot escape our fate.
No!
(GRUNTS) Amleth!
(SOBBING)
Ride with me, daughters of the North wind!
(SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE)
Carry me and mine to the shores of my children’s forebears.
There I’ll grow you a forest of birch, fathomless branches to dance your tempest with, raptured by your most righteous breath!
(SHOUTS) (WIND HOWLING)
(HEART BEATING SLOWLY)
(HEART CONTINUES BEATING)
(HEART BEATING FASTER)
(EXPLOSIVE RUMBLING)
(HORSES NEIGHING)
(CATTLE LOWING)
(SWORD CLANGING QUIETLY, SLICING)
(SWORD STABS)
(MAN GRUNTS)
(MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
(MEN SHOUTING)
(SWORD CLANGING, STABBING)
(MEN GRUNTING)
MAN: It’s him!
(GRUNTING, CHOKING)
(PANTING)
Close off the house!
(SWORD STRIKES) (GROANS)
(WHIMPERS)
(PANTING)
(SWORD CLANGING)
(GRUNTING)
(RAGGED PANTING)
The cub you once hunted ate of your nose.
Now the wolf is grown.
He hungers for the rest.
Whatever you hear, you must stay hidden.
Keep him safe.
Keep both of you safe.
(WHISPERS) I will.
(MAN CHOKING OUTSIDE)
(SWORD SLICES)
(MAN YELLS)
(DOOR BANGS OPEN)
Take your freedom and do with it what you will.
Fjolnir!
(GRUNTS)
Never!
(GRUNTING)
(YELLING)
(GRUNTING)
(GROANS)
(BOTH PANTING)
In the heart.
Thank you.
(PANTING STOPS)
GUNNAR: Mother!
(FOOTSTEPS RUNNING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(BLADE STABBING)
(YELLS)
(SWORD STRIKES)
(GUNNAR GRUNTS)
(PANTING)
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
I will meet you at the Gates of Hel.
At the Gates of Hel, you will find me.
And there you will die by the hand that killed your father.
(PEOPLE CLAMORING WILDLY)
(ASHILDUR SCREAMING)
HALLDORA: Let me down!
(SCREAMING)
(SHOUTING AND CLAMORING CONTINUES)
(VOLCANIC RUMBLING)
(THUNDER CRASHING)
(WHEEZING)
(GRUNTS)
(PANTING WEAKLY)
(VOLCANIC RUMBLING)
(GRUNTING WEAKLY)
Slain by iron, we shall all meet again in the stronghold of the All-Father.
(VOLCANIC RUMBLING CONTINUES)
(SWORD RINGING)
I will avenge you.
(SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE)
I will honor our blood.
I will cut the thread of Fate.
I will avenge you.
I will honor our blood.
I will cut the thread of Fate.
I will avenge you.
I will honor our blood.
I will cut the thread of Fate.
I will avenge you.
(IN ENGLISH) My blood will live on!
Valholl awaits!
(VOLCANIC RUMBLING)
(VOICES CHANT)
(PANTING)
(VOICES CHANT)
(VOICES CHANT)
(VOICES CHANTING)
(FJOLNIR YELLING)
(SWORDS CLANGING)
(BOTH GRUNTING FIERCELY)
(STRAINING)
(PANTING)
(YELLING)
(PANTING)
(BOTH YELLING AND GRUNTING)
(PANTING)
(YELLING)
(SWORD SLICES)
(FJOLNIR GRUNTS)
(PANTING)
(YELLING)
(ROARING)
(PANTING WEAKLY)
(BOTH YELLING)
(SWORD STRIKES)
(GROANING, PANTING)
(SWORD CLANGS ON GROUND)
(ROARS)
(VOLCANIC RUMBLING)
(GROANING, PANTING)
(WHEEZING)
(GROANS)
(YELLING WILDLY)
(BOTH YELLING WILDLY)
(WHEEZING SOFTLY)
OLGA: The thread that binds us can never break.
We are safe.
(BREATHING WEAKLY)
Now make your passage.
(BREATHING WEAKLY)
(EXHALES SHARPLY, BREATHING STOPS)
