King & Conqueror

BABY CRIES

WAVES CRASH

We can't sail against this.

Even with your father's blessing to return to England,

it could be like this for weeks.

She might not have weeks.

BABY CRIES

Hey, it's all right.

Come on. Come on. You're all right.

They're missing their father.

They miss their mother.

- Hangover? - Ugh...

So this is your...

..newest recruit, is it?

I've got you.

What's that supposed to mean?

How many housecarls have you conned

into joining your noble quest back to England?

Oh, come on, Harold. It's all over your face.

I want to come with you.

You want what?

Father will listen to your plan if we agree to...

Sweyn, we never agree on anything.

You know Father will be more likely to give his blessing

if we stand together on this.

Fine.

Are you ready to go?

We set sail as soon as the wind changes.

So you know where Edith is?

She's in our stockade.

What makes you think that?

Because the raiders were Mercian,

which means the order came from Lady Emma.

She wants the Godwins dead. We escaped.

If they have Edith, then they're going to be using her as bait.

And you just want to walk right into their trap?

Well, it's only a trap if we get caught.

FOOTSTEPS OUTSIDE

STARTLED GRUNT

Yeah...

- You little weasel. - Tostig, what the hell are you doing out there?

I know what you're planning. I want to come with you.

SWEYN LAUGHS

Absolutely no chance.

Let him make his case.

Have you seen him hunt?

I have seen YOU hunt, which means you can shut your mouth.

You're getting rather too big for your boots, Little Kettle.

Harold, please. I want to be a part of this. I can help you.

Fine.

We need a boat.

Go to Count Baldwin and see if you can negotiate one.

All right, I will.

Wait here.

That didn't mean you could come straight back.

I paid for that introduction, Judith.

- You should have at least stayed the full... - Apologies, my lord.

- You have a visitor. - Yes...?

Yes?

I'm Tostig. I...

- And? - And you were talking to me. We are not finished yet.

Wait.

Who are you?

Tostig Godwinson, son of Godwin.

And what can I do for you, son of Godwin?

Hello, I'm over here.

Me and my brothers need use of one of your boats, sir.

- A return trip to Wessex. - Mm.

Sounds risky.

Judith, this is Tostig Godwinson,

son of the Earl of Wessex, currently in exile.

Nice to meet you, Tostig.

Tostig, this is Judith. My niece.

My very eligible niece.

Are you married?

Me? No.

No? Any reason why?

Hm? You're all there, aren't you?

Of course.

Er...

Just, marriage is a lot to consider.

Why do you say that?

Well, I see happy people get married,

and then they have children who make them unhappy,

and then they fight over them for reasons they should have resolved

before they had children in the first place.

Ah. A philosopher.

Sorry, was that out of turn?

Does your father know you're here?

No.

Your secret is safe with me.

Or let's say you owe me a favour.

And a boat, if you lose this one.

Thank you.

Of course.

- Nice arse. - Patience.

King Henry's court's filled with suitors,

and you've been mentioned by name.

Are they as rich as the English suitors?

Even the ones in exile?

Good question.

Flanders remains neutral, Your Majesty.

If you attack, there's not a country in Europe that'll stand for it.

I'm not here to start a war. I'm here to prevent one.

The outcome of that is in your hands, William.

War or peace.

I offer you the choice.

Just like you offered my father a choice.

Your father chose to betray me.

And you betrayed me ever since.

What did he do to you, Henry, that runs so deep?

What did he do?

He allied to another crown.

Maybe he discovered your secret.

You keep your allies fighting each other

so they don't stand against you.

I gave you every chance to rule in Normandy, with you and I as friends.

Now Normandy is mine,

and who would follow a bastard against a king to get it back?

Stay in Flanders. Accept defeat.

Why did you keep me alive?

Easier to control a child than an uprising?

Did you really think you were the only bastard I had use for?

I've buried your kind all over Europe.

And now I hear you have a son.

What a sad little bastard he'll grow up to be.

If he makes it that far.

I can't wait to meet him.

Don't. Don't give him the satisfaction.

There's only one sad bastard here

and we're looking at him.

You are nothing,

William the Bastard.

Just like your father.

You are nothing without me!

We are outlaws...

..and if you're caught, it will be an act of treason.

Edward will have you slit from your throat down to your balls.

Father, I won't get caught.

How can you be questioning this? She's my wife.

But you don't even know if she's still alive.

I don't know that she is not alive.

You think that's enough reason to risk my men?

Well, they're all ready, Father.

Why are you so keen on this?

What part do you play?

Well, I'm...I'm in charge, Father.

Well, that's good.

Taking responsibility. That's very good indeed.

Father, this is my responsibility.

- But Sweyn is the eldest. - Edith is my wife.

Yes, and I will bless this so long as Sweyn takes command.

Sweyn, you're seeing straight, thinking right.

What about me?

What ABOUT you?

Tostig wants to come as well.

Absolutely not.

- Mother... - He's not ready.

I AM ready.

I'll be the judge of that.

Tostig stays here.

Should be my choice.

It's my choice,

and you will remain here with your mother and me.

- Doing what? - As a guarantee.

And you thought you didn't have a purpose, Tostig.

Turns out you're the family's vital seed carrier. Well done, you.

- Sweyn. - Yes, sir.

You will command the mission,

but Harold will lead the raid.

What?

He's in charge of the best bit?

Edith's fate rests on Harold's shoulders.

It's best for all concerned.

Because if Edith dies,

you'll never forgive any of us.

That's my decision.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Are you thirsty in there, are you?

Drink up, Wessex scum.

MOCKING LAUGHTER

Do you think they'll kill her?

I tell you, that would be a shame.

- What do you mean by that? - Have you seen her?

So this is the little man your father's been going on about.

Cousin.

Has your father tried to marry him off yet?

Is that where he's had you?

Yes.

Sent to the Duke of Pavia for inspection.

All that prodding and poking and grabbing your teeth

makes you feel like a horse.

I don't suppose you've got any spare men lying about the place.

Hasn't your William got some sort of a half-brother?

Oh! You're not that desperate.

Shame.

But what do you know about these Englishmen who've shown up?

There's a curious one. Taking a definite shine to me.

Exiles.

Are things that bad?