Vikings (TV Series)

Ghosts, Gods and Running Dogs (2019)

Conn Rogers: Canute

Quotes 

• [Canute brings some food to Harald's cell] 

  Canute : How are we today?

  King Harald Finehair : Oh, I had a long sleep, so I'm well-rested, and on the whole, pretty cheerful. Thank you for asking.

  Canute : Are you hungry?

  King Harald Finehair : What is that you're making?

  Canute : It's hard to describe. But it's my very own recipe.

  King Harald Finehair : Oh, then I'm sure I will enjoy it. It is served cold?

  Canute : How else would it be served?

  King Harald Finehair : [chuckles]  Of course. If it wasn't for you, Canute, I'd be dead.

  Canute : I had no orders to kill you.

  King Harald Finehair : What can I offer you... to set me free?

  Canute : I've always wanted to be a king.

  King Harald Finehair : A king?

  Canute : Can you imagine?

  [he drapes a cape over his shoulders and holds a pot over his head like a crown] 

  Canute : [proudly]  King Canute!

  King Harald Finehair : [laughing]  Of course, a king! A king!

  [he quickly turns serious] 

  King Harald Finehair : I could make you a king.

  Canute : Really?

  King Harald Finehair : I swear.

  [pause] 

  Canute : And I swear you're lying. You do not have power. You just have words.

  King Harald Finehair : So you are a philosopher also?

  Canute : No, I am more the practical kind. Do you want some more stew?

  King Harald Finehair : No, I think I might just wait until the point of my death.

  Canute : Well, it won't go cold.

  [Harald laughs, and Canute turns to leave] 

  King Harald Finehair : You really have to go? I enjoy your conversation almost as much as I enjoy your cooking.

  Canute : I'm afraid I have more urgent matters to attend to. It seems Bjorn Ironside has arrived on our shore with a very large fleet. Possibly he has come to rescue you.

  [he lets that statement sink in, then leaves]