With her preparations for the kidnapping complete, Eivor returned to Colcestre on the eve of the Lammas festival.
Eivor:The festival is underway. I should speak to Rollo about our plan.
Eivor found Rollo and spoke with him.
Eivor:How are your people, Rollo? Recovered and ready for what tonight holds?
Rollo:Lork's death hit hard. Many served long with him and relished his tales of warriors lost and battles won.
Rollo:Gerhild's treachery was a blow. Few were surprised it came to that, only that her dark ways took such a brutal turn.
Rollo:Put that aside. We're ready now. What would you have of us?
Eivor:Wait for my signal. When I approach Estrid, that is your time.
Rollo:I am your axe, Eivor.
Eivor:Unleash your war dogs. Set things afire. Bring panic. Act like the barbarians they think us to be.
Rollo:We'll stick their hearts with needles of fear!
Eivor:Night will fall soon. Then is our moment to strike.
Eivor and Rollo drinking at the festival at night
Eivor and Rollo waited until night came.
Anglo-Saxon Woman 1:They used to sacrifice John Barleycorn. So that his seed might fall on the fertile land and grow the grain anew!
Anglo-Saxon Man 1:I don't care for that pagan pomp. There is just one God now, and He gives us everything we need. In this life and the next.
Rollo:This is what we do to Saxon god-slaves! We pillage! Pillage and plunder!
While Rollo and his men fought the Saxon soldiers, Eivor made her way to Estrid.
Eivor instructed Rollo to wait for her signal, as she stealthily made her way through the soldier-riddled plaza. She sat on benches and hid her face while she blended in with the crowd and eventually reached Estrid.
Estrid:I am ready when the time comes.
Eivor began tying up Estrid to begin the kidnapping ruse.
Eivor:Stand down, you Saxon dogs! The Lady of Essexe is ours!
Norse Warrior 1:We'll eat your livers and drink your marrow! Saxon dregs! Odin owns you all! Cower before your masters!
Rollo:Take their ale and their women, we will feast like kings tonight!
Eivor grabbed Estrid.
Estrid:I'm being kidnapped! Kidnapped! Guards! Guards!
Eivor:You're coming with me!
Estrid:O! O! Desist, you foul Dane! Guards! O, woe unto me! Put me down!
Eivor:Odin's beard! You wouldn't fool a child with that howling.
Estrid:Unhand me, fiend! Unhand me, you filthy Dane! Birstan, my love! My love!
Eivor bring a "kidnapped" Estrid out of Colcestre
After getting out Colcestre, Eivor and Estrid travelled to the destination.
Estrid:We are safe enough to walk I think. Aren't we?
Eivor set Estrid down and removed her bonds, allowing her to walk freely beside her.
Eivor:Who assigned those guards to you?
Estrid:Yes, you noticed as well? That was ThegnEadred, he insisted. He does worry for me so. O, what a thrill! My heart is racing!
Eivor:Be glad it still beats at all. Your screaming drew half the guards in Colcestre down upon us.
Estrid:I wanted to give a good performance. My father always said I was quite the actor.
Eivor:I won't deny your enthusiasm.
Estrid:Did you not have even a little fun?
Eivor:To steal away a princess, it did give a thrill.
Estrid:A woman fights bravely against her abductors. Yet what will they do with me now? Is my virtue safe with you?
Eivor:It's not in danger if that's what you mean.
Estrid:Come now, Eivor... you can stand against Aelfred's brutes, but you shudder at a maiden's gentle teasing?
Eivor and Estrid arrived at Wulfaswic, reuniting with the victorious "raiding" party.
Time passed as Estrid stood near a lit pyre.
Estrid:It is done. And all that stands between me and my home now is a foaming ribbon of surf and silt.
Eivor convene with Estrid and Rollo about their success
Rollo joined the conversation.
Eivor:You did well, Rollo. You and your people. Are you ready to sail?
Rollo:Loki's hissing son churns the waters between our coasts. We'll need time to rest as we wait for fairer weather.
Eivor:Have a care, then. Aelfred's soldiers will be looking for Estrid, even if Birstan's will not.
Rollo:Now's not the time for such worries, Eivor! Tonight we celebrate! Let's get you some mead!
Rollo left to start the celebration.
Estrid:Birstan will meet you northeast of Colcestre tomorrow. You have earned all my husband promised, and more. Come find me, if you like. Away from these reveling Danes.
With the kidnapping finished, Eivor had some time to join the celebration.
Eivor:I should find Birstan. No doubt, he's hunting again.
She heard Rollo and the survivor from the interrogation speak.
Lork:Thor's thunderous hammer! That was like the great days, where I stood sword to sword with your father, Rollo!
Gerhild:Those Saxon milk breads. They never saw us coming!
Rollo:Yes! A ruse worthy of the trickster Loki. Their Idunn stolen by us mere mortals!
She had a moment to speak separately with each of them.
Rollo:I am proud of us. We did a good thing, for Estrid and her lord. Maybe now we can all be happy?
Lork:Made me feel young again! And I have you to thank. You believed me, though I was a coward. Won't make that mistake again.
Away from the camp, she could speak to Estrid.
Estrid:What lies ahead, I wonder?
Eivor:A new life... or an old life renewed.
Eivor sat down on the blanket beside her.
Estrid:My old life... Francia. Mon Dieu (My God), I feel as if I have been sleepwalking these past years, waiting for something to shake me awake.
Eivor:Are you awakened now?
Estrid:Yes, these past weeks have been stirring, breathtaking. Your passion and strength, Eivor, I've never met such a... burning soul.
Eivor:You make too much of it. All I have done, I did for my clan and the glory it brought me.
Estrid:Why does your honesty make you more alluring still? Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît pas (The heart has reasons that reason does not know).
(continues from second branch)
Eivor:Did you dream while you sleepwalked?
Estrid:I did. I dreamed that all my fleeting happiness was a prelude to something bigger. Glimpses of greater joy, greater love.
She drew closer to Eivor.
Estrid:Lie with me, Eivor. Under the stars of England. Give me a last bittersweet moment before I leave her shores.
Eivor:I'll be with you tonight. But tomorrow your new life must begin. I hope you won't look back.
Estrid started to speak, but Eivor stopped her.
Eivor:Shhh. Still your lips... and come here.
The two embraced and began their tryst. When they were done, Eivor stood and exchanged smiles with Estrid before taking her leave.
Eivor:I shouldn't. You can't start a new life by repeating the habits of the old.
Estrid:My goodness. You're a philosopher too. I wish I had met you earlier. Years ago.
Estrid stood, disappointed but accepting her answer.
Estrid:Come, let us return to the others. The fire is calling, the men are merry, and the mead is sweet.
Eivor:Isn't Rollo the man to shake you awake? He adores you.
Estrid:Rollo's still a boy, with boyish dreams.
Eivor:But he is honest. He could love you if you gave him a chance. It would be quite a match.
Estrid sighed.
Estrid:Do you not know me better, Eivor? Mon petit coeur est blessé (My little heart is hurt). Come, I am suddenly chilly. Let us join the others by the fire.