Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands

- There's no turning you, is there? - No.

Then I'll take you as you are.

You, my friend, don't know who I am.

Never come back to Herot. You're dead to me.

Play the part your mother has set for you.

She'll not be expecting when we take power from her.

Do you want to be Thane?

Tell my uncle I am done with him.

You have hid in the shadows for too long.

If you want power, take it.

If I tell my mother the truth, I'll lose her trust.

And with it, any chance of ever ruling.

But if Abrecan attacks, Herot could fall.

I have a vision for us... to be the greatest tribe.

Abrecan is going to attack Herot.

I won't let anyone hurt you.

Ever again.

Abrecan would never betray me.

I speak only the truth.

I heard him call for his people to attack Herot.

He's building an army.

This man is a thief and a murderer.

I believe him.

Our enemy are the Warig. This prophet Razzak, not my brother.

Ready my horse.

You come to me and tell me that Abrecan is a traitor?

Well, I will ask him to his face.

Rheda, you can't!

Wait!

Beowulf has told your mother of Abrecan's betrayal.

How does he know?

Does it matter? She's about to ride to Bregan.

I have to go.

I have to tell her.

That it was you that made her believe the Varni was Herot's enemy,

plotted with Abrecan to overthrow her?

No, she can't go.

If she doesn't come back...

you will be Thane.

Rheda, you can't go to Bregan.

If it's true and Abrecan is a traitor,

then you're riding straight into the arms of your enemy.

You're speaking of my brother.

- Let me take your place. - No.

At least take an escort of Slean's Huskarla.

The men are needed here should the Warig attack.

- Now step aside, both of you. - Mother.

Prepare the people to fight our real enemy, the Mudborn. Go!

Abrecan won't harm her.

Whatever he's done or he's planning, he would never harm his sister.

Let's hope you're right.

I see a land.

A land where the Mudborn roam freely

amongst the broken stones and empty halls that were once our homes.

Where we are no more than a memory.

Like the giants that ruled here before us.

This is our future.

Unless we are strong.

Some doubted that I cared for the people of Bregan.

My people doubted me... their rightful Thane.

I was once taught that a good man forgives those

with the courage to admit they are at fault.

With the courage to ask for that forgiveness.

I also taught you that a good man should have the courage

to stand by what he believes.

Your plans to attack your own sister offend me.

Thank you for teaching me this last lesson.

That a good man and a good leader are not the same.

Argh!

If the Shieldlands are to remain, we must be strong!

And I must be Jarl!

Greetings, Skellen, Warfather of the Wulfing.

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

Further to the one the Wulfing boy delivered.

It's one you'll want to hear rather than kill me.

Good work.

Your sister will hear what you're planning.

I know. And she will come.

When she does, will you string her up alongside Harken?

You were the one who said, "Be bold."

You spent time in Bregan.

How many warriors can they field if Abrecan wages war?

No more than 50. But they're no match for ours.

And the Huskarla are training the people.

Every person who can lift a sword.

Apart from the smelters. They don't appreciate being told what to do.

Maybe not by the Huskarla.

Leave them to to me.

If there is war, all our people must be ready to fight.

Right! You are all here to learn to fight like Huskarla.

You townspeople are going to fight with us to protect Herot.

Lila, you're with me.

Everybody, grab yourselves a weapon. Let's go!

What kind of favour is this?

Well, if you're right about Abrecan,

we're going to need all the help we can get.

So the favour... teach them to fight. Fight dirty.

Smelters!

Like you, they ignore authority.

That's why you're gonna teach them.

This is Breca.

Some of you know him.

- Some of you are owed money by him. - (SMELTERS CHUCKLE)

He's here to share a few things with you.

Wait. Beowulf...

Come on! Sweat, blister, bleed if you have to!

It's not Herot or a Thane you'll be fighting for

when those Mudborn break through those walls.

When they're in here among us,

you'll be all that stands between those you love and the Warig.

Stand strong together and we shall win!

Right, you heard him! Back to it.

Rargh!

Wood splinters.

It's no good to you, not in a real fight.

- Iron. - (WHACK)

This is the perfect weapon.

And it won't just kill a man, it'll bury him too.

Better.

Better.

- Bah! - Don't tell me you're not tempted.

You strike first, you live. You don't, you die.

See, I told you. Let them come at you.

If you're running at them, you're not thinking.

If you're not thinking, bad things happen.

- Yah! - (WHIP CRACKS)

- Harder! - (TROLL ROARS)

Gil, the troll is hungry!

I told you, you have to clear out.

We have to bring the troll back, it should have been fed hours ago.

When we're done. They could do with a break.

Clear out, now!

- Have you ever seen an angry troll? - I'm looking at one.

- Gil! - It needs its salt!

- Back down. - (TROLL ROARS)

Breca!

Argh!

He's dead.

You see?

It was only a matter of time before the Mudborn killed somebody.

It's killed a human. It's angry, it could kill again.

We have to hunt it down.

Gil, go with him.

You, get back in there.

Everybody back to your training.

I'll come.

All right.

Don't let him kill it.

Bring it back alive.

What are you doing?

Elvina's gone, I thought I would erm...

I'm being insensitive.

Of course...

you cared for her deeply.

I loved her.

It must have been hard for you,

to see her so happy...

with Beowulf.

But we must be practical. Herot needs a Healer.

Never more than at this time, when we have enemies on all sides.

You think you can replace her?

Replace her?

No, I just want to help.

I'm not seeking your permission to do this,

but I'd rather it was with your blessing.

All right. Just don't poison anyone.

Elvina.

Beowulf said...

Said what?

That you were dead.

I'm sorry, I...

Does Slean know you're alive?

Kela, whatever was between Slean and me, it's in the past.

You've nothing to fear from me.

Perhaps you could help me?

- What are you making? - It's for the treating of wounds.

- Is that wormwood? - The healer in Mere used it.

Yes. And celladine?

Yes.

I'd like it if we could be friends.

Aren't we?

Of course.

What you're using won't seal the wound, but this will numb the pain.

Beowulf said the Warig killed you.

I escaped through the forest.

Kela.

You're telling me to leave?

Please.

Beowulf knows the truth.

What truth?

He knows what I am.

You told him?

He saw. I had no choice, it was that or let him die.

A skinshifter saved his life. He must have choked on that.

I won't let him harm you.

I won't.