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A STORY INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

NORWAY 1204

BIRKEBEINERS AND KING HAAKON SVERRESSON POSSESS THE THRONE IN NIDAROS

THEY ARE THREATENED BY BAGLERS, THAT HAVE TAKEN POWER IN EASTERN NORWAY, WITH THE HELP OF DENMARK

AMONG THE REFUGEES IS THE KING'S SON AND HEIR, HAAKON HAAKONSSON, WHO IS FOSTERED IN SECRET BY INGA FROM VARTEIG

Are you Inga from Varteig? Yes.

We are Birkebeiner. Is that Hakon Håkonsson?

Yes.

You must join us. The king invites you.

Come. It's okay, Haakon.

Is everything okay with him? Yes.

Hey. We are almost there, then you are completely safe.

That's good.

You live dangerously. She has children with the king, Torstein.

I'm only making sure that the child is fine, Skjervald. The child.

Now our paths separate, my friend. Are you sure of this?

Yes, I know the King's son is in good hands.

Can you milk cows?

No, Ylva does that.

If you change your mind, you know where we are.

Safe home. Thanks.

Take care of the child....the child...

Farming is never going to be enough for you Skjervald...

Who is it? It's me, Skjervald.

There you are, finally.

Yes, we had to go all the way to Borg. So...

You should have been here long ago. It took longer than we thought.

This was my last assignment. I promise Ylva.

You said you were going to finish the house, and the storehouse should be done.

I know. It will be completed.

For next winter?

This summer.

This summer? Do you promise?

I promise Ylva.

No more travels with Birkebeiner. I'll just be here with you and Eirik.

I promise.

Is he sleeping?

No, you do not sleep.

Look here.

Look there.

And there.

Hey.

Oh. No.

Come.

THE KING'S RESIDENCE IN NIDAROS

It's only you who can get close to him, so you must do it.

For God's sake, Gisle, Haakon is my stepson.

He is king, Margrete.

He is so young that he does not understand that the Birkebeiner's is the past.

The Baglers will win the war, and I will exploit that.

You meet him alone. He trusts you. It's fine.

Think of something... think about if it doesn't go as we planned?

Of course it will go as planned. Everyone will believe it is Inge.

When he stands first in line to the throne, no one will suspect us.

Here.

Soon you will be queen again.

Mother?

You can not do it.

What?

I heard what he said.

You didn't hear anything.

Do you understand what I'm saying? Nothing.

Can you promise me that?

If this gets out

We die.

My beloved, beloved daughter. Forgive me.

I have to go back to Sweden, but when we meet again -

I will be married in Nidaros Cathedral and become queen again.

And you... You shall be my... princess.

I know it's a big task. You have a long journey ahead of you.

But Sweden is important and you are the only one who can win their trust.

You have to get them to break with the church and support us in the fight against the Baglers.

My father is watching us, Margrete. Let's make him proud.

Cheers, my friend.

For Norway.

I want to thank you, Margrete.

You stood faithfully by my father's side every day of his life.

I have seen your sorrow since father died,

And I know you miss him as much as me.

I have lost all my loved ones.

I have only you and Christina again.

To all your love. Cheers.

Goodbye, my son.

Goodbye, Margrete.

Get... get me Inge Baardsson!

Gisle, where is Inge?

Inge!

In Borg I shared bed with a woman, Inga from Varteig.

She gave birth to my son, Haakon Haakonsson. He will inherit the throne.

Birkebeiners in eastern Norway lead him north.

Meet them with an army in the Oesterdalen!

We have a traitor among us.

Here in this room.

Widow Queen Margrete poisoned the King, but she was not alone.

She was a pawn in a game.

The traitor thinks that Rome has won the battle for Norway.

That he will not have to pay for his sins, but believe me, Birkebeiner...

I'll find him. No one get's out. The gate is locked.

So we send an army south to find the King's son.

No one leaves the royal estate before the traitor is taken.

My brother is under severe pressure.

Otherwise he would seize the opportunity to become king himself.

What do you mean?

Inge is quick to accuse us, the King's closest men

and his kinsman, his own brother. Gisle and Inge are not royal sons.

But if Sverres blood-line dies with Haakon Haakonsson, one of them will inherit the throne.

And Inge is the oldest. It is Inge standing first in line.

Inge Baardsson is the one who has the most to gain from the King's death.

Then he accuses us loyal Birkebeiner

who has served the Norwegian king's since before he was born.

Not Inge, but Haakon Haakonsson is the rightful heir to the throne of Norway

and the boy's life is in danger. If the king's son dies -

we become a puppet state under Denmark. The Pope will rule us.

So... what will you do, Gisle?

Anyone trying to get out, should be locked up. Ravn...

Collect your men and bring the king's son here.

BAGLERS CAMP

A Birkebeiner from Nidaros.

It is from Earl Gisle.

We have just received news from Nidaros.

King Haakon is dead.

Birkebeiners has lost its unifying force.

The King's time is over. But the church will always remain.

When a man falls, another will take his place.

And he is accountable only to God.

We rule eastern Norway. western Norway's next.

Soon the church will have power throughout the whole kingdom of Norway.

But one obstacle remains.

King Haakon has a son.

Today an innocent boy.

Tomorrow...

Our most powerful enemy.

The boy is hidden on a farm, here in our area.

Whoever finds the king's son shall live in prosperity for the rest of his life.

And do not be merciful in your search for the child, -

The Lord is forever merciful, but he also requires sacrifice.

Leave your consciences behind and find him.

Bring me the boy's head...

So, so, Eirik, it's okay.

You have a tough wife.

Very strong.

What have you done with Ylva?

All is well. All is well.

Ylva? Ylva!

Skjervald, we are here.

There is a boy of royal blood. Where is he being hidden?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Are you really so indifferent about your family's fate?

You wouldsacrifice their lives for a dead king?

Get it over with.

Skjervald! No, wait! Wait!

The King's son is in Borg.

He was in Borg.

You and Thorstein led him away. I saw you.

Just tell where the boy is, then he lets Ylva and your son live.

The King is dead, Skjervald.

Tell me where the boy is.

Okay, I'll show the way. I will join you.

In which direction?

North.

Where?

Where river runs into Mjoesa.

I know where, I will show you the way. Damn traitor.

You broke right away.

There is no fight in you.

Your wife did not say a word.

No matter what we did to her.

No!

Get him out.

After him!

Where is the boy?

Is it for me?

Thanks. Thanks.

You Haakon Haakonsson, you have to sleep a little.

Are you hungry?

No thanks.

Are you sure?

I can take one.

You know that if you give me the little finger, I take the whole hand.

Can I try it? Yes, yes.

No, no, no. You have to keep it that way.

If a Bagler come towards you, do this.

That's it. Good. Like that. Bend the knees.

Widen your stance.

When your father was young, Egil, he was the fiercest warrior.

Was he a Birkebeiner? Have you not been told about it?

Glory be to Birkebeiner's and all that you are fighting for.

But being a farmer and putting food on the table,

is the best a man can do.

Just wait, they'll make a Birkebeiner of your boy.

Trym, you can go.

Your father has experienced a lot of pain, Egil. Many of us have.

But we are free. So keep your eyes open.

I will.

And ears. Yes.

Someone's coming! Torstein, someone's coming.

Where? There.

Gate!

Stay!

It's Baglers. Get the King's son out of here!

Get people ready and bring Erlend. Now!

Skjervald. What's happened? What's happened?

Ylva. Come.

The horse is ready. Get more food...yes.

Get the boy away from here.

We'll go together to Auduns farm and we'll take Oesterdalen.

You go. I am staying here.

Erlend, we are ready to go.

Where did you see the Baglers?

They'll be here anytime. Where?

They attacked my farm. How many?

Around 12 men.

Only 12?

They have one of ours with them. A Birkebeiner.

Staale. Yes, there could be more.

We must get Haakon away from here before it's too late. I'll stay and delay the Baglers.

The boy is safe. We have guards and scouts everywhere.

No, we go north now.

The boy stays.

It is the king's order.

The king is dead.

The Baglers know that Haakon is here.

How the hell do they know that?

I told them.

We go, but first you will see

what we do with those who betray us.

Skjervald.

Brethren

We have always fought and died together.

Shoulder to shoulder, we have waged war and bled for each other.

Gard? But what happened?

Torstein, we go now. Someone has betrayed us.

We... who drink side by side.

Skjervald, you have betrayed the king.

Wait!

Skjervald is one of us. He always has been.

Show that you are loyal to the king.

Do it, Torstein, and get the king's son out of here.

No.

I... I will not.

Then you will be next.

Here we cut down those who betray us.

You will see what awaits those who betray us!

We will defend our ways!

Baglers! Attack!

Run to the sled and get out of here.

No!

Run!

Take the fastest route to the eastern valleys. I'll take the child.

No! Betrayer!

Inga, listen! We will take care of him.

You have my word. Come on. Get out!

Torstein!

To the horses!

Baglers! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!

Come on. In here. Here.

Give them a choice.

Fight alongside us or die.

Your word is law, my lord.

Those of you who want to live must fight for the church. The choice is yours...

Skjervald! We have shaken them off. Is he asleep.

He's sleeping. He's sleeping?

Help me to get him on my back.

Good...come...

Gisle.

Get me out of here.

You can not do this alone.

Not without me.

It seems that you've been wrong about me, Inge.

For a long time.

I know it was not you who killed the king.

Because it was I who did it.

You should know...

That king Sverre's blood-line...

it ends here.

Forgive me, brother.

I have never let you prove yourself.

Everything you wanted to do, I stood in the way of...

but now it's your turn.

Show the goodness that lies within you.

Save the king's son.

You have never known me, brother.

You do not know who I am.

Do you sleep here, too? No.

Christina?

Has there been anyone here at night lately?

You?

Christina.

I saw no one.

Christina?

I realise that this is very difficult.

But now you have to trust me.

You do not speak with anyone, you do nothing.

I am the only one who can protect you now. Do you understand?

Yes.

Yes.

Torstein?

How is he?

He's very good. Hi! Hello, good day.

Hello, hello, hello. Hello.

Shall we move on?

We have to get him to Auduns farm before dark.

It's okay. It's okay, Egil.

Is there something wrong with him? What?

He's crying. He'll to freeze to death!

He isn't doing well, look here.

We have to find shelter! There are some outhouses over there.

Torstein!

Look!

Come on. He's freezing.

Get him warm. We are safe here while the storm lasts.

Here.

Look here. Look.

His hands are warm.

It's royal blood.

He's a tough lttle bastard.

Yes.

Do we have any food?

No.

So, so, so. So, so, so...

Haakon, Haakon. Look here. Look.

Look. Look.

Look here.

Look. Look.

Look here. Look, Haakon. Look.

Look at that. Look.

Gallop gallop galloping. Once upon a time there was a little...

King horse.

No, an ordinary horse. And the horse... wanted to be king.

Haakon. But to become king he had to ride through a mountain of fire.

But it was too hot, so every time he stopped...

But one day...

He found the fire within himself.

And then he rode through the fire. Ouch.

And therefore he has come all the way here to you.

Yes.

King's horse.

Oh look...

Look here. Haakon. Here you have some water.

Look.

Do you want some water?

Look.

Right. Good.

Can I get the horse? Look.

Torstein.

Torstein, I must go.

What?

It's not far to Auduns farm. He'll help you further.

Baglers will not expect me in the storm. They will not realize until it's too late.

Will you leave me with the king's son in the middle of the mountains, in a snowstorm?

I do not know upside from down with the boy. Torstein, I must do this.

We do this together, dammit!

Norway's future lies there, and it is your fault that we're here.

My fault? Yes, it is.

Ylva said nothing...nothing. Do you understand that?

Do you understand how strong she must have been?

She fought to the last. And what did I do?

Skjervald.

I have to kill him.

You'll have your revenge, Skjervald. It is your right and it is your duty.

But it does not help the defenceless little boy there.

This is the only thing that proves

that Haakon is our next king.

And now I give it to you.

Here.

We will all die, Skjervald. But our legacy lives on.

There are rumors that king Haakon has a son.

The rumours are true.

We have done everything to get the heir to Nidaros.

But...

Winter can be ruthless. We all know that.

And it hurts me to have to tell you...

that the boy died in a storm in the mountains.

The king's son is dead.

It is with great humility-

that I have accepted the assignment to become the new king of Norway.

In order to ensure the country an heir -

I will marry King Sverre's daughter Christina.

Together we will make peace in our country.

Those who once were our enemies, will be our friends.

Swords will be laid down and the battle with the church will be settled.

You will see a new Norway.

Torstein. Torstein. The storm has subsided.

Take Haakon.

Torstein! Torstein! They are here.

They've seen us.

So, so, so, so.

Come. You go first.

Come!

Take them, dammit!

Skjervald! Watch out!

- Torstein! Are you okay? - He's alive! So. Come!

Keep going!

There is more of them.

Keep going! I'll take them!

No!

No.

Torstein!

Torstein!

Torstein! Torstein! Are you okay? No, dammit!

Give me the kid. No, we must keep going!

Come. Come on!

Inga!

Welcome to the farm. Did you have a child?

Oh my boy! You're alive!

My baby.

Thanks, Torstein.

So, so. Mommy's here. Torstein!

Torstein! Take him inside. We must remove the arrow.

Ready?

Calm. Stay calm. Get that bottle there.

No not that. There is fish oil. The next one.

Take it easy. I have done this before. On reindeer.

Stay with me, stay, stay...

That...it helps nothing.

If I die, I will kill you. Yes, yes, yes.

Frikk, hold him down.

Are you ready? No!

Calm now.

I'll take it. Never.

Remember what happened last time.

We have to gather an army, Audun. We must get Haakon to Nidaros.

An army? Can you go and get an army Frikk?

The only thing you'll find here are ordinary people.

Hunters, farmers, tenant farmers and a fair maiden or two.

We need warriors, Audun. Send for the King's men.

The King...yes.

yes...he didn't last long.

Fenrir is loose. Rumours says that Nidaros is completely out of control.

No one knows who has power. It could be us, it could be the Baglers.

Right...let's get him into the sauna.

I know how you feel.

I have also lost my family.

Egil?

Can I trust you? Yes.

Go up the mountain there. Up there?

Yes...find a place with the best views south.

Okay... You be alert at all the times.

Do not sleep on duty, do not be afraid... Do you understand me?

If you see someone, find the quickest way back here.

Lord heal his wounds and free him from all suffering.

Give him health and let him live in your name.

You who lives and reigns from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.

You have a visitor.

What is it? I'm afraid.

I can not stand being alone in that room.

Get the Chancellor to follow you up to the room.

I'll look after you.

Inge.

Come on. Come on.

Gisle! Let me out!

No! Gisle!

Hey.

Welcome to the farm! Hello.

Welcome to the farm.

We must keep going. We must keep going. -Torstein. Torstein.

Relax. Calm down.

Where's Haakon? He's asleep.

Torstein.

I'm here.

Drink this.

More.

What is it? Fish oil.

You need nourishment, Torstein. Yes, yes, yes.

Now it's your turn.

Can I have some more? You want some more?

Thank you.

What is this? You think people go willingly to war?

So you invited to village? Yes.

Do they know they are going to war? No.

And it was all you could get? Yes.

This is not working. They do not know that they are going to war.

Shut up!

Listen!

We have Birkebeiner in the house!

I'm not a Birkebeiner.

I'm just like you. I am a poor farmer.

I try to cultivate the rock pile we call land,

And pray to God that the family will get through the winter.

Birkebeiners are the King's men. But have we met him?

He that hides in Nidaros while Baglers burn down our country.

He who sits on a golden chair, sleeping in a silk bed sucking his thumb.

We are farmers, not warriors. But we fight for what we love.

For our families. For them to survive.

Baglers killed my wife.

They killed my boy. Eirik.

He wasn't even two years old.

And for what?

For what?

The King in Nidaros is dead. But Norway has a new King.

And he is here today.

This is the new King. Haakon Haakonsson.

It is he who the Baglers are coming to kill.

Help me stop the Baglers -

so we can fight under this King,

and send these fuckers back to hell.

Help me...help us.

Not as farmers , but as this, King's men...real Birkebeiner.

Our new King.

Here, Frikk. No, I don't need one.

What? I'll take one of the Baglers.

There is only one road through the valley.

The king's son and Inga have to go first, and then continue through the valley here.

Audun is here, and I'm here.

Here are the archers. Then Torstein leads the Baglers through here.

When they have come far enough, the archers start shooting.

They're coming! What?

There's an army coming from the south.

It's the Baglers. Everyone get ready!

Come on! We stand together!

Haakon?

Where's Haakon? Inga! Haakon is in the sled.

Audun, you know what to do? Yes.

If they come through, the boy dies.

It will be okay. Trust me.

So, so, all is okay, Haakon. Mom is here. Mommy's watching over you.

Quiet now, my dear.

They are coming!

Wait.

Now!

A little further. A little further.

Wait here...

Wait...

Now they are through.

Wait.

Now we are safe. So, so. Now we are safe.

They're coming...stay...stay....

Attack!

Get off the horses! Attack, dammit!

Skjervald!

Here...drink...

Welcome to Ragnarok!

They got through! Stop the horses!

Skjervald, come on!

We'll catch up to them.

What did you say?

Skjervald! Hang on! We are leaving!

Egil! Calm. We're through. Now it's up to Skjervald.

They got through, dammit! Go! Egil, keep going!

It's just loose horses.

Keep going, faster!

They are right behind us. keep going!

Come on! Faster, Egil!

Keep going! We will stop them.

Skjervald! He got through!

Traitor!

For God's sake, Egil, faster!

Faster!

Please! He's just a child. Let him go.

Egil! Get up! We must go!

Skjervald.

Skjervald!

Skjervald. Skjervald.

You did it. You made it.

We all die...

but our legacy lives on.

That's fine. Away...away.

It's okay. There will be no wedding.

But do not show that you are afraid, Christina.

There are some who have started rebelling and have surrounded Nidaros Cathedral.

We can not have the wedding at the Cathedral and we can't move to the palace...

We're getting married here...no guests.

Do you know anything about this?

No. Come here.

I know nothing.

Birkebeiners.

I have to talk to Inge.

Let me talk to Inge Baardsson...now!

Wait! This is Haakon Haakonsson. He is Norway's rightful King.

No! Let me go!

He is the King's son! I swear by the boy's life!

In the absence of your father, King Sverre,

I give you, Christina Sverresdatter, -

to Earl Gisle as his wife, to honor and obey...

Now I know who you are.

It was God's will that you and Skjervald would rescue the King's son.

Therefore I appoint you as Haakon Haakonssons protector.

With Birkebeiners consent, I shall guard the throne...

until Haakon becomes old enough to govern himself.

You shall bring peace to our country.

IN 1217 THE 13 YEAR OLD HAAKON HAAKONSSON TOOK OVER THE THRONE FROM INGE BAARDSSON AND RULED FOR 46 YEARS

DURING HIS RULE THERE WAS PEACE IN NORWAY