Episode 7 of Vikings: Valhalla kicks off with a heartfelt confession from Harald, as he bares his soul to Freydis, professing his undying love and even contemplating relinquishing his crown as King of Norway for her sake. However, the tranquility of their moment is shattered by the blaring of horns in Kattegat, heralding the arrival of a ship cloaked in foreboding.
The scene that unfolds is chilling, adorned with severed heads impaled on pikes, the wails of a helpless infant echoing through the air, and a woman cruelly nailed to the mast, a grotesque parody of a crucifixion. This macabre spectacle serves as a dire warning from Kare and his followers.
Haakon, upon witnessing this grim spectacle, springs into action, fortifying the defenses with urgency, while Freydis tenderly cradles the crying babe. She then mounts her steed, joining the ranks of valiant shield maidens as they race towards Uppsala, where they encounter a scene of utter devastation. The temple lies in ruins, its flames still smoldering, and Leif and Harald, united in their belief, surmise that these ruthless hunters are engaged in a ruthless purge of the land.
Amidst the chaos, they stumble upon a group of children, huddled in fear within a makeshift shelter. These children, spared from the carnage, hold a vital message for Freydis – Kare has sworn to take her life, unless she strikes first.
Meanwhile, Canute's return to Denmark leaves England vulnerable, presenting Edmund with a fleeting opportunity. Yet, his carefully laid plans unravel swiftly upon learning that Canute has tied the knot with Emma, and that his formidable father, King Sweyn Forkbeard, has ascended to the throne in his absence, filling the power vacuum.
Forkbeard's inaugural court session proves to be a catastrophic failure, fostering discontent and dissent. This discontent serves as fertile ground for Godwin and Edmund's conspiracy to flourish, their alliance strengthened by Godwin's ascension to the prestigious position of Jarl of Wessex, a title he claimed through the ruthless execution of the previous noble in charge.
Godwin and Edmund convened in secrecy with the noble lords, weaving a cunning alliance that pledged their unwavering support to Edmund's cause, shunning the Viking kings' claims. With hearts bound by their oaths, Edmund and Godwin mounted their steeds, only to find themselves unwittingly ensnared in a devious trap—a trap meticulously laid by none other than Godwin himself, its deadly teeth revealed in a treacherous tripwire that sent Edmund tumbling.
Godwin, true to his secret pact with Canute and the Vikings, betrayed Edmund's trust, striking the fatal blow. To the bewildered nobles, it seemed a divine intervention, but the sordid truth remained shrouded in darkness.
Emma, later examining the fallen king's body, discerned the treachery beneath the surface, a coup d'état executed with cold precision. That fateful night, as she confronted Forkbeard with her doubts, he brushed them aside, his voice stern, reminding her of the ironclad rule that only one king can reign supreme.
Yet, amidst this turmoil, a formidable force emerged—Queen Aelfgifu of Denmark, her naval fleet lurking just beyond the horizon, a testament to her might. She dared Forkbeard to a confrontation, her words laced with the threat of switching allegiance, granting Olaf's banner the winds of her fleet's sails if her demands were not met. With such a formidable naval power under her command, the fate of Norway hung precariously in the balance. Olaf's ascendancy to the throne would send ripples of fear across the entire northern realm.
Determined to repay Canute's debt of honor, for he had saved her children from Olaf's grasp, Emma forged an unlikely alliance with Forkbeard. Together, they embarked on a perilous quest to uncover Aelfgifu's fleet. Godwin, a master of intrigue, slyly counseled Aelfgifu, ensuring the game of power remained as intricate and unpredictable as ever.
As Olaf galloped towards Kare's domain, his mind was set on forging a tenuous yet strategic alliance, one that came with a hefty price tag. Kare, ambitious and grandiose, revealed his desire for a majestic church in Kattegat, its towering spire reaching towards the heavens as a testament to his power. With tales of destruction fresh on his lips, Kare boasted of burning Uppsala to the ground, fueling Olaf's own thirst for dominion.
The two, united by their mutual lust for power, clinked glasses in a toast that echoed with ominous undertones. From their vantage point atop the hill, Leif and Liv bore witness to this unholy alliance, their hearts heavy with foreboding. They hastened back to Kattegat, their warnings like thunderclaps in the clear sky: Kare and Olaf had joined forces, casting a dark shadow over the realm.
Harald, faced with the dire prospect of battling his own flesh and blood, mounted his steed at the break of dawn. The meeting between brothers was fraught with tension as Olaf sneered, mockingly proclaiming, "The prodigal brother has indeed returned, but not as a supplicant, but as a formidable adversary." The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of impending conflict, as Harald realized the true extent of the challenge that lay ahead – an empire vast and powerful, united under the banner of their shared enemy.
