Chapter 34

"Avalon... is far across the sea to the west. It's an island of everlasting spring, where the fairies live. A world far removed from death and old age. He lives there now, tending to his wounds. When he has regained his full health... Lord Artorius will return to us. He will save us from out struggles... When that time comes... you must serve him, my son. He is a warrior, and a true king. Be his wisdom... be his sword... and one day..."

- Lydia

Avalon (アヴァロン, Avaron) is the 34th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
In a flashback, a young Askeladd helps feed his weakened mother Lydia in a barn. She tells him of their heroic ancestor Artorius, who tends to his wounds in Avalon and will one day return as the true king to save them from their struggles, at which point Askeladd must serve him and be his wisdom and his sword. In present time, Askeladd keeps fighting off his men, trying to make it until Thorkell arrives so that he can escape in the chaos. Askeladd tells Torgrim that if he wants the prince, his best bet with deadly warriors like Bjorn and Thorfinn still in play is to bring Askeladd to Bjorn as a hostage, alive, and exchange him for the prince. Torgrim tells the archers to hit Askeladd in the legs; Askeladd is hit by several arrows. Torgrim approaches and asks Askeladd why he'd risk his life for the coward prince; Askeladd replies he couldn't wait for the true king to return from Avalon anymore, confusing the men. Torgrim asks the men behind him to tie up Askeladd, but they were struck in the back by arrows shot by Thorkell's men, who have just arrived. Thorkell waves and asks which one of them is Askeladd. Thorfinn, approaching on his horse, sees the scene unfolding nearby and screams, urging his horse forward with his shortsword drawn.

Summary
A flashback shows a very young Askeladd helping feed his mother Lydia, who is laying down in a barn. He asks her if Avalon is a place. She tells him it's the name of paradise, where their ancestor Artorius is. Askeladd asks her if Artorius is still alive, since he was a great general from many years ago. Lydia tells him Avalon is far across the sea to the west, an island of everlasting spring where the fairies live, far removed from old age and death, and that Artorius tends to his wounds there now. She adds that when he has regained his health, he will return to them and save them from their struggles. Mice get into the nearly empty food bowl Askeladd was feeding his mother from. She raises a trembling hand and holds his face, and tells him that when Artorius, the warrior and true king, returns, Askeladd must serve him and be his wisdom and his sword. In present time, Askeladd continues to fight off his former men. He pokes an approaching man's eyes in with two fingers and tells himself to be patient, wait for an opportunity to escape and just hold on until Thorkell and his men arrive, as the real chaos will begin then. One of the men strikes Askeladd's breastplate from the back with an axe. Askeladd loses his cool and slices the man in half with his sword, angrily yelling out that it hurt. The nearby men take pause, realizing Askeladd is as deadly as ever and amazed he managed to cut a man in half right through the helm with a sword, something that cannot even be done with an axe. Askeladd sighs, disappointed one good blow was all it took to make him lose his cool, which isn't his style. He apologizes for shouting and beckons them to come at him, saying he won't yell at them anymore. However, they break out the ranged weapons and the archers draw their bows. Askeladd asks if Torgrim is behind all of it. He asks him if he's sure about this, since even he is mortal and Bjorn and Thorfinn are deadly fighters who might fight off his pursuers. He tells Torgrim that if he did all of it to seize the prince, he can take him hostage and bring him to Bjorn to exchange him for the prince, which will only work if he is alive. An archer asks Torgrim what the plan is; Torgrim tells him to aim for Askeladd's legs. Askeladd tries to leap for a nearby shield, but he is struck with arrows. One strikes him in the arm, while several bury themselves in his legs and thighs. Torgrim approaches and tells him this isn't the Askeladd he remembers, and that he was never this desperate before and always used to pull them out of battles when the odds seemed against them. He asks Askeladd why he risked his life for the coward prince, and if he was planning to take his reward to the grave with him. Bloodied, Askeladd slowly rises up, supporting himself with his sword. He says he's getting too old for this and doesn't have much time left to make his living, and at long last, lost his patience and couldn't wait for the true king to return from Avalon any longer. The men don't recognize the name Avalon and wonder what Askeladd is talking about.

Torgrim turns to the men behind him and tells them to tie Askeladd up. They do not answer and fall forward; they are dead, having been struck in the back by arrows. Thorkell and his men approach. Thorkell waves cheerily and asks which one of them is Askeladd, as he'd love to get a good look at him. Askeladd says he needs to have an appointment first. Nearby, Thorfinn stops his horse and looks towards where the noise is coming from. Seeing the scene, including a bloodied Askeladd crouched in the snow and Thorkell standing a few meters away, he pulls out his father's shortsword and screams, urging his horse forward.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Lydia (flashback)
 * Askeladd
 * Torgrim
 * Canute
 * Thorkell
 * Thorfinn