Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands

Abrecan would never betray me.

I heard him call for his people to attack Herot.

Beowulf has told your mother of Abrecan's betrayal.

She's about to ride to Bregan.

- Let me take your place. - Step aside!

Whatever he's done, Abrecan won't harm her.

I have a proposition for you from Abrecan, Bregan's Thane.

Soon 200 Wulfing warriors will be ashore.

They won't just plunder, they'll kill.

Not only am I your sister, I am also your Jarl.

For today. A decree stating you'll relinquish your claim

to be both Jarl of the Shieldlands and Thane of Herot.

I would never do that to my son.

Of course, your son. He was the one who laid the false blame on the Varni

even though he knew it was I who moved against you.

- He is beyond saving. - But you're not. And Herot needs you.

Destroy them!

For glory!

Charge!

With that at your side, who could stand in your way?

Skellan.

Warfather of the Wulfing clans.

Your man here promised us all the

gold and iron my men could carry.

You'll have more.

But first, I must have your oath...

..that you and your men will follow my leadership.

We'll do what we want. That is the Wulfing way...

Hold... your tongue.

You have my oath.

Then Herot will fall.

In case we're attacked, we need Huskarla at every gatepost.

Each in command of at least five men, be they townsfolk or smelters.

And post sentries on each of the five surrounding hills.

And they need to be able to see over the hori...

Mother.

Rheda, stop.

- What's going on? - Lock him up.

Now!

I need good reason.

My brother has betrayed us.

He has allied Bregan with the Wulfings

and now an army marches on Herot all because of my son.

Take his father's sword.

Is this true?

A traitor...

in league with traitors.

I said, lock him up!

An army marches on us, to seize

our homes and steal our freedom.

Why do you stand there?

Come on, move!

Abrecan was behind all this?

Scorann's death? Bayen's murder?

And he did it all with Slean's help?

Beowulf.

The Wulfing ships line our shores.

Send riders to the Mere, the Banning, the Wisdeth.

Tell them Herot is under attack.

Tell them to send their men. We need them to stand with us.

You must send word to the Varni.

No, no, no.

The other tribes won't make it in time.

The Varni are closer. And the Varni

aren't farmers or fishermen.

You'd have me send to Rate?

Have you lost your wits?

I expelled him from this hall.

I banished them from the alliance.

Well, tell them you were mistaken.

Don't let your people die because you

are too proud to admit you are wrong!

It's pointless!

Any messenger I send to Rate will be sent back to us in pieces.

Then I'll go.

I'm the only one he'll listen to.

- I need you here. - The defences are in hand.

One man riding hard and fast, I can

be back before the Wulfings get here.

Two men.

I am Varni, after all. I know their ways.

We would at least stand a chance against Abrecan's army.

I'll lead them to Herot.

Go. Do as I have asked.

- And then? - Return to Bregan.

You're needed there.

The next time we meet... you'll be Jarl.

Until Herot.

So...

We follow the river until the pass.

And then head for the Draca bridge.

We'll scout the way first and then the army will follow.

The bridge is the quickest route but they'll know that.

We should take the forests. Surprise them.

No. The forest is full of Barghest.

And are the men of Bregan afraid of beasts?

The men of Bregan had you on your knees.

They could have spilled your guts onto the

sand and left you for the crabs to eat.

Don't you forget it.

- We take the bridge. - We take the bridge.

Get the dogs.

He should learn some manners.

Why? He's a Wulfing.

Good work, lads.

Abrecan and his Wulfing army will be here soon enough.

So let's be ready for them.

And back! Come on!

The Wulfings won't care if you're tired!

Come on! Put your backs in it!

My son.

I have something to give you.

There.

Don't measure yourself by me.

You'll always be less.

If you're here to say I disappoint you, join the queue.

You'll find I'm just at the front.

And my mother. And Beowulf.

And the rest of Herot.

You never judged me. How could I judge you?

I slandered Rate...

banished the Varni.

And now they're our only hope.

Beowulf can appeal to his sense of honour, but he won't forgive.

If he won't listen, give him this.

Only if all else fails.

Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back.

I'm surprised you're still here.

- So am I. - Why are you still with us?

I thought it would be nice if the gates

are finished before the Wulfing get here.

Lila's working on them.

So you could help. Talk to her.

The way I see it, chances are we're all dead tomorrow in any case,

so why have awkward conversations?

If you're dead tomorrow, why not?

You shouldn't be in here.

Neither should you.

It's not the marriage I dreamed of.

Living a lie, sleeping alone.

Now this.

Perhaps you got yourself put in here on purpose.

Some men don't like commitment.

You can't help me, Kela.

Even if I was free, the Wulfings are coming.

Our allies won't make it in time. There is nothing that can be done.

There's always something.

And I won't let you give up.

Find me Gil of the Huskarla.

Bring him to me.

I said no.

Slean would do anything for the Huskarla, you know that.

Do I? Do you? He betrayed us all.

Stand and face me. I'm your Thane's daughter by law!

My husband was your commander.

It's just a title.

And do you think he wore it lightly?

I was there when he washed the body of your fallen comrade.

Slean's scars were earned.

In the same places as yours, at your side.

If Beowulf fails to convince the Varni

to join us, we'll all die anyway.

All he asks is that you listen to what he has to say.

Gil, I promise I knew nothing about the Wulfing army.

What do you want from me, Slean?

Has Rheda sent word to our allies?

Yes.

They'll not be here in time, though.

If we buy them the time, the Banning might.

How?

Draca bridge.

With a dozen Huskarla.

We might be able to hold them off for at least a day.

That might be just enough time for them to get here.

Come on, Gil. The Huskarla's job is to protect Herot.

Even if it means dying for it.

This could be Herot's only chance.

If I'd known you planned to die, I'd never have helped.

Which is why I didn't tell you.

Kela... thank you.

What are you doing here, Vishka?

Coming with you to the bridge.

- No. - You heard him.

You know I can fight.

Better than him, you said.

All right.

And you need someone to look out for you.

You tell Lila about this?

- She'd only worry. - You don't think she'd have a point?

Well, this looks homely.

The Varni prefer their creature comforts dead.

No wonder you left.

And swore I'd never return.

Leave the horses.

On foot, we look less of a threat.

On foot, we are less of a threat.

How do we find Rate?

He'll find us.

Stand still.

Varr. You piece of filth.