Have we changed that much?
Our souls are the same. You are the Cecilia I remember.
Our new home, Cecilia. Here we will build and work for peace.
I didn't imagine that it would be this big.
All are free men with knowledge of many new things.
You couldn't have chosen any better. This is a wonderful place.
- This is Sune Folkesson. - Welcome to Forsvik, Lady Cecilia.
I'll show you where we will stay.
- What do you think? - Birch trunks.
Very nice.
Look.
A gift from our Sarasen friends.
We must be the first people in Västra Götaland with a stream in the house.
And a birch wood in the bedroom.
Six years later
Father!
Father! Father..
You're going to practise shooting with Sune?
Then your dad will keep training the men. Off you go.
Sigge!
Your turn. Aim for the middle.
Good.
That's not bad. Now it's my turn.
You get to go find that arrow. Get going.
Don't come back before you have found it. Naughty girl!
- Sten, have you seen Alde? - I saw her just now.
Women and children, inside.
Go get Lord Arn.
Is that your beautiful mother?
Let her go!
The famous Knight Templar.
If you wish to say something, say it without dismounting.
We were passing through here when we ran into your daughter in the woods.
I was nearly hit by a stray arrow.
Sometimes it is hard to distinguish a friend from a foe.
You should take better care of your family.
The woods of Västra Götaland aren't that safe anymore.
Especially now that your king Knut is dying.
Why didn't anyone tell me?
I didn't want it to get out. I didn't want any unrest.
- Unrest? - Yes, unrest!
Knut is my oldest friend.
While you argue, Sverker Karlsson may have already taken Visingsö.
For six years you have done nothing but be offended with one another!
It's about time you two made your peace.
How much time does he have?
I don't know, but he shits blood. And that's never a good sign.
Sverker Karlsson has named Ebbe Sunesson his marshal.
He has the Danish king's support, and the entire Danish army with it.
We are not prepared to face the danes on the battlefield.
- We must buy ourselves more time. - There is only one solution.
What did you say?
I said there is only one solution. We must let go of the crown.
Erik, take me to your father.
We have no choice.
We offer Sverker Karlsson the throne provided
that Erik will be his successor.
If we can get Knut to agree.
I came as soon as I heard.
Why would God want to punish me in this way?
- Letting me die in my own filth like a damn dog.
Do not blaspheme, father.
Don't worry, my son.
The bishop is on his way.
He will get me to the other side.
I know why you have come.
You want Sverker Karlsson to have the crown.
Am I right?
It is the only way.
- That, or war. - And Erik?
What happens with him?
Our terms are that Sverker Karlsson's heirs are disinherited
and that Erik becomes his successor.
You must stand by him, Arn. No matter what happens.
If Sverker Karlsson touches a hair on Erik's head,
do you swear you will be behind him with your sword?
You have my word.
Good...
The king's sword.
May I introduce my nephews:
Eskil Magnusson, lord of Arnäs.
Arn Magnusson, lord of Forsvik.
Your reputation precedes you.
Yours has not caught up with you yet, Sverker Karlsson.
I have heard that you are a man who follows his own path.
I follow the path of my clan, my king.
I appreciate our friendship with the Folkung clan.
And so does my jarl. Right, Erik?
I have to return to Forsvik.
I'd rather have you and your sons come with me.
Tell Cecilia not to worry for me.
I promised Knut I'd look after Erik.
Erik is jarl, and heir to the throne.
His place is here at Visingsö.
I will not please Sverker and his marshal by escaping.
Blanka is too brave for her own good.
Sverker Karlsson can not be trusted. He would not hesitate to harm Erik.
No, that's what worries me.
We can't just leave her and the boys at Visingsö.
We have to send someone to look after them. Someone we can trust.
You will leave Forsvik this evening.
It is not a small thing I ask of you, but we must protect our heir.
They despised me at Forsvik, for my danish blood.
I never got to show what I'm capable of.
What are you capable of?
I'm a good guardsman.
You couldn't even guard a girl in the woods.
Maybe I didn't want to guard her.
A traitor.
I should have you hanged.
But the king would enjoy having a Folkung in his guard.
Welcome.
Look at him.
Stand up so we can see our jarl.
Look at him.
Look at him!
Look at Erik, our jarl.
He looks like a drunken... arrow.
- Is that how the king addresses the jarl?
You are not queen any more.
Sverker Karlsson has shown you great generosity by letting you stay here.
What does he receive in return? Ingratitude?
You're very beautiful.
But what my marshal says, is true.
I have no reason to show you gratitude or hospitality.
You can go.
Come.
Alone!
Your sons are old enough to be without their mother.
One, two, three...
Good! Five, six...
I've seen so much wickedness,
so much death.
I prayed for God to not have me experience war again.
But if Sverker draws his sword, then the war will be here.
I am also here.
I am with you every single moment.
- God has a special task for you. - To go to war?
To make peace.
My marshal believes you serve two masters.
What is the king's opinion?
I haven't quite decided yet.
You have served me well, but I trust my marshal's judgement.
I have only one master.
And that is king Sverker.
Good.
Then you will have to prove it.
This evening you will go to Knut's sons and tell them
that you are of the Folkung and will help them escape.
Tonight you take them out of the castle.
Down by the water two men with a boat will be waiting for you.
Take them out far...
...then drown them.
The two men will have orders to kill you if you fail to cooperate.
Then I shall decide
what to think of you, Sune Folkesson.
Here ends your journey, young masters.
Sit down!
- Don't touch him. - Quiet!
Damn traitor!
I'm doing my duty.
He's injured!
Let me see.
He'll be all right.
Where is little-Knut?
Sverker Karlsson has forfeited his right to the crown.
Now he fears our revenge. The danes will be here soon,
and it will take more than our will and courage to defeat them.
But I promise you: We will be ready.
Form ranks.
Move your feet.
May God be with you, Magnus.
I know you will return.
I am too old for this.
But you have my men.
Every thrall and stablehand who can use a bow is here.
We'll never make it. The danes have five times our numbers.
We'll beat them with unexpected force.
Sverker Karlsson is a dead king. I will take his head myself.
It is no small matter to slay a king, however unjust. Revenge breeds revenge.
Would you lose another brother?
He's as wilful as his father.
Just like you were.
I want peace, Eskil.
That is what my prayers are about.
I'm proud of you, little brother.
First rank, prepare!
All is prepared.
I don't know. Our men are afraid.
Listen.
Do not doubt.
Have faith.
Have faith in our victory.
We chose this place, not the dane and not Sverker.
We chose this time, not the dane and not Sverker.
Have faith.
God is with those whose faith remain strong.
And so we shall win peace!
- Bring forward the heavy cavalry. - Cavalry...
Forward.
First formation, forward.
So how do you intend to win this?
Don't you think the danes will see through that?
Remains to be seen.
They're trying to scare us now.
Wait for my signal, Harald.
Get ready!
Attack.
Prepare.
Wait.
Now!
A trap.
Now!
Get ready again.
- Ready! - Attack!
Now!
Attack!
Norway!
Behind you!
Kill him.
Do it!
- He killed my brother - And your father killed his father.
You're the king now, Erik.
King.
Ride away from here!
I will never leave you again.
Are you hurt?
Our Lady did not abandon us.
I love you...
Arn Magnusson's wish for peace was fulfilled many years later
by his grandson, Birger Jarl.
He unified the kingdom under the name Sweden.
ARN The Kingdom at Road's End
English translation by: Terje, Spalt, Alastair and Rune.
Slightly edited by rogard