Vikings

Every nine years, we travel to the temple at Uppsala

to give thanks to the gods and to offer

them sacrifices for all they do for...

For protecting us, for the success in battle,

for the rains that they bring that grow our crops

and, of course,

for our children.

This year I was not going to go,

for there is too much to do around here.

Then my unborn son

was cruelly taken from me,

and it made me wonder what I had done to anger the gods.

What do Christians do about such pain?

In the Bible, it says that all sorrows will pass.

In any case,

I've decided to go.

I'm going to take the children for the first time,

for it's important that they go.

What about you?

Me?

What about me?

Will you come with us?

Or perhaps you would prefer to stay here

and worship your own god?

No, I'll gladly come with you.

Good.

I would have taken you anyway.

A gift for the gods, for the children.

I pray for my daughter's recovery.

A gift for the gods.

Pray for health and prosperity.

My gift for the gods.

I ask their blessings for my son.

Gyda, you take the offerings.

For the gods in thanks for my new baby.

Thank you.

Ragnar,

are you not happy that we're going to Uppsala?

Of course I'm happy.

Why should I not be happy?

When we reach Uppsala,

we shall ask the gods why they give with one hand,

but take away with the other?

Why did they make me Earl, yet kill my son?

We can have more sons.

Have we not tried?

Arne.

Gyda, step up.

- Careful. - Ragnar.

Uppsala!

Floki!

Ah!

Here's the sacred grove.

Go and hang all the people's offerings from the spouse.

Does he know?

No.

Hail to the Aesir and the Vanir.

Hail to the gods and goddesses.

Hail to Odin, Thor and Freyr.

Hail to Vali, Sif and Heimdall.

Hail to Balder, Bragi and Eir.

Hail to Freyr, Loki and Frigg.

Hail to Hlín and Mimir.

Hail to Njord, Ran and Tyr.

Hail to Odin's spear, Thor's hammer.

Hail to the mighty fecund earth.

All...

All hail.

All hail.

All hail.

You know who that is, don't you?

Of course.

This is Thor holding his hammer, Mjollnir.

Who hasn't heard him beating his anvil in the storm?

Who doesn't believe in mighty Thor, slayer of frost and fire?

Freyr, Loki and Frigg.

Hail to Hlín and Mimir.

Hail to Njord, Ran and Tyr.

Hail to Odin...

Freyr, Lord,

fill me with seed and give me a son.

Do as you will with me,

make me blind or deaf if you want to,

but give me a son.

Accept the sacrifices of blood we make to you,

the honor we offer you.

My lord,

make me conceive again

before it's too late.

Hail to...

All hail.

Hail to Freyr, Loki and Frigg.

Odin, Father. I have come to ask for your love.

I want to grow and to prosper, to be quicken and to be wise. Hear me, Lord.

All hail.

Hail to the Aesir and the Vanir.

Hail to the gods and goddesses.

Lord of lords,

Father,

hear my prayer.

Let me understand your will.

Is it true that I shall have more sons

like the Seer says?

Accept the sacrifice I plan to offer you,

and then answer me.

Hail to the Aesir and the Vanir.

Hail to the gods and goddesses.

Hail to Odin, Thor...

Who will bear me my son?

...Sif and Heimdall.

Hail to Balder...

Hail to Freyr, Loki and Frigg.

How good is this, Rollo?

Especially because we're here together.

Yes,

while we're here in Uppsala, let us enjoy and revel in every moment.

Have you been here before, Helga?

No.

Do you know what happens here?

I've heard some stories.

And they're all true.

But they still don't prepare you for what really happens here.

I can't wait to find out.

When is the food ready, Helga?

I'm hungry.

You're always hungry.

Of course I am,

but not always for food.

Can you feel it, Gyda?

Can you sense the presence of the gods gathering here?

They have left their bright halls to see us.

They are here for sure.

They walk among us.

And make their judgments on us.

So when do we offer our sacrifices?

At the end of the festival.

And in the meantime, we celebrate the gods

and enjoy their presence in any way we can.

Give Athelstan a drink.

Priest, your cup.

Mother, you came here before?

Once.

And did you ask the gods for anything?

Yes.

And they granted my every desire.

What is this?

These will all be killed as sacrifices.

Six, seven, eight, nine.

Seven, eight, nine.

And nine goats and nine pigs.

There's nine of everything!

Yes,

nine of every kind.

And this?

It's for all the humans that have been chosen.

Come join us, priest.

Drink.

Drink to the nights and to the gods.

And

eat these.

I heard a rumor today that King Horik himself may attend the festival.

It is not a rumor.

I desire to meet him.

There are great stories and legends told about him.

Thank you.

You want to go out there, don't you?

Please stay.

Why can't you stay?