King & Conqueror

SHOUTING, WEAPONS CLASHING

They are getting closer.

Look at you - the King so confident in his plan.

Oh, shut up, Mother.

Those reports of the Godwins

invading in the North were a diversion.

- Shut up, Mother! Shut up! - I told you,

I screamed it from the rafters

but still you committed every force, every strength we had to it.

God believed it was true - I cannot defy him.

You cannot hear him.

It's in your head. Your tiny, little head.

BANG ON DOOR

Edward!

You've lost us everything.

BANGING

Open this door!

Argh!

BANGING CONTINUES

Let me in!

Open the door now!

No, no, no, no...

Where's my wife?

Edward, where is my wife?!

You will address the King as "Your Majesty"!

Don't test my patience.

- Where is she?! - Northumbria and Mercia

will not stand for this invasion.

The army you sent north didn't even put up a fight.

They were looking for an excuse.

The Earls of England stand against you.

- No, don't. - No, no, no!

- Don't kill him. - I have no desire to depose a king and ignite chaos.

This country needs stability and a legitimate heir.

You give England an heir, Edward, and I will let you live.

Now, where is my wife?

No!

Edith?

Harold?

Edith?

Edith.

Edith, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

You're alive! You're here!

- I'm here. I'm here. - You're here.

I'm here. I'm here.

- Is it healthy? - The children, are they...?

They're at home. Wessex is ours again, Edith.

Her name is Fraya. She is healthy.

Hello, Fraya.

Magnus, Estrid,

look who's home.

Come on, Estrid, Magnus. Say hello to your mother.

Magnus.

I've missed you so much.

I'm so sorry I've been gone so long.

Estrid, would you like to meet your sister, Fraya?

I remember a little girl who loved horses.

And, in fact, she had her own little one made of wood,

and its name was Agnes.

It's Edith.

Here.

Did you know about Fraya before you were taken?

Then I'm glad you didn't tell me.

When you weren't there on that beach

and I had to keep the twins safe, but I didn't...

..I didn't know what I was doing,

leaving you behind.

I couldn't see or...

You...you did the right thing, you know.

Made sure the children were safe.

Do you remember?

You know a feather doesn't make everything all right.

Ah, but you like this.

I like how it gives you goose bumps.

You really think so highly of yourself, don't you?

Whatever being apart has taken from us...

..they can't take this.

Us.

That fucking feather.

I prayed to God most fervently today, Your Highness.

Oh, he'd be glad to hear that.

I prayed for him to bless us with a son.

He doesn't need your prayers.

I thought I might visit your chamber this evening.

Er...

Not tonight.

Your Highness, my brother's wishes for an heir were very specific.

Oh, do shut up.

I am Queen.

Wife to the King and sister to an earl.

You, however, are simply mother to the man who lost.

So I suggest you reconsider your tone, Emma.

Your brother won't last long. Be sure of that.

And your King answers only to the Almighty and to me.

Why don't you fuck someone else?

You do amuse me.

One tiny prick to the skin and the Norman lady peels back

to reveal the gutter Dane I suspect you've always been.

Don't make an enemy out of me.

Or what?

Mother.

What? Have you got something to say to me, have you? What?

It is time for the King to name a successor.

Someone strong enough to do what you could not.

I, erm...

I...I see no need for that.

EMMA LAUGHS SCORNFULLY

He couldn't find his way into your undergarments anyway.

Let alone what lies beneath.

I'd have to draw him a map.

How kind of you to offer.

But no map necessary.

I'll see to that.

SLURPING

Well? Did you find Henry?

He got away.

But the trap at the River Dives worked.

The barons played their part.

ARRRGH!

Let him run.

Henry knows he's finished.

When Henry's dead...

..that's when this is over.

Where's my brother?

Find Odo.

It's good to see you, Father.

How's your health?

Shut up. You sound like your mother.

I'm just glad to be back.

Have you heard the news from Northumbria?

Earl Siward is dead.

Yes. You should name the temporary successor at Tostig's wedding.

And steal Tostig's thunder?

Tostig's thunder?

You mustn't allow this to fester.

Northumbria needs a leader and it will do Sweyn good.

Tostig is the better choice.

What ARE you talking about?

Tostig?

He's keen and he's loyal.

My dog is loyal. That doesn't mean I'll make him an earl.

Sweyn needs to be busy.

Northumbria will keep him out of trouble.

Plus it was promised to him.

He's the eldest.

It will be the Earl of Wessex who decides.

You know, the title doesn't make the man, Harold.

You swung a good sword in battle these past months...

..but that was just the beginning.

There's a long road ahead for you.

It's just as well that I'm back.

Odo.

I'm told you fled.

For what it's worth, I wasn't fleeing the country.

I was actually coming back into the country.

- This is all just a misunderstanding. - Enough.

SIGH

What am I going to do with you, eh?

Send me on my way with a pouch of gold?

I don't think gold will do you any favours.

I think...

..you need some guidance from a higher calling.

Yes.

I've made a decision for you.

What kind of decision?

You're a storyteller, Odo.

I'm sending you somewhere...

..your imagination can run wild.

Where lies don't matter.

I'm sending you to Bayeux to become a churchman.

To Bayeux?

No.

No, they'd never let me in there.

The amount of money I'll pay them, they'll let you in.

Oh, William, please, not the church.

This may come as a shock to you, but I'm not exactly a godly man.

QUIET CHUCKLE

You promised our mother you'd protect me.

And where better than in the bosom of the church?

- William, please. - Good luck, Your Grace.

William, just listen to me for a second. William, please!

Just listen to me.

- William...! - Next.

Bayeux, William? Really?

Daughter.

You're early.

Charming spot to discuss the murder of a king.

We know Henry is in hiding while he rebuilds his forces.

Our spies suggest Vitry.

Do you disagree?

Why did you use me to feed false information to Henry

before you attack?

Why did you lie to me in Flanders about not being in contact with him?

What would you say if I told you that if Henry should die...

..I would become the guardian to his son,

and, thus, his closest adviser?

Would that be something of interest?

Is this true?

Your mother agreed it with him.