Episode 18

"Out of the Cradle" (ゆりかごの外) is the eighteenth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
The duel between Thorfinn and Thorkell begins and Prince Canute dreams of the deceased Ragnar. From his teacher Willibald, he learns the true concept of love. Hardened with a new sense of resolve, Prince Canute calms a berserk Bjorn.

Summary
Thorfinn keeps up with Thorkell's attacks and manages to dodge them. However, he isn't unable to cut him due to the chainmail Thorkell is wearing. Thorkell compliments Thorfinn, who wonders what is he to Thors. Thorfinn heard that Thors is descendant of a jarl, but Thorkell corrects him that Helga is from a family of jarls, and Thors rose through the ranks due to his sword skills. Thorkell tells Thorfinn that if he wants him to tell him more, he needs to entertain Thorkell more. Thorfinn states he can do it, but it would be hard to hold back enough to make sure that Thorkell will still be able to talk. Thorkell's men start laughing at Thorfinn's statement. One calls him an idiot, but Thorkell then smashes his head, stating that they shouldn't laugh as he considers Thorfinn a warrior. Thorkell then tell Thorfinn that Thors was stronger than him and wants Thorfinn to prove that he is really his child.

Meanwhile, Canute awakens and hears a battle nearby. He doesn't want to open his eyes and wishes to remain asleep forever. In his dream, he sees Ragnar, who tells him that he came to say goodbye. Canute doesn't want Ragnar to leave him and wonders if he can even survive alone. Ragnar tells him that he failed to educate him as he was supposed to raise him as a jarl, yet he raised him as a normal child. He knew that this isn't what Sweyn wanted and asks Canute for forgiveness. Canute doesn't think that is wrong as Ragnar understand his feelings more than his father. Canute prefers to not have been born a royalty, but as a son of Ragnar. Before disappearing, Ragnar tells him that there are things that Canute can only realize when he experiences a loss and he have already noticed that.

Canute awakens and sees Bjorn going berserk and fighting several men. Willibald wonders if Canute is okay and explains that the men are fighting for who to take Canute. Canute wonders if Willibald won't stop them, but Willibald states he can't and its better to let those who wish to die, die. Canute shares that he dreamed of Ragnar, who said his goodbye. He also notes that Ragnar is the one that loved him the most. Willibald wonders if that was indeed love and asks what is love.

Thorkell's men finish the remaining Askeladd's men. They see that the other group is still excited and realize that Thorkell's duel still haven't finished and run to watch it too. Thorfinn had manages to inflict several cuts on Thorkell, but due to the chain mail, Thorkell only has a few minor cuts on his arms. Thorkell states that Thorfinn is strong, but his swordsmanship is average, and is missing something before he can achieve perfection as a warrior. Thorfinn wonders why he is having a hard time then, and Thorkell states its because he also is missing something, and thought he could learn it from Thorfinn. Thorkell then asks him what is means to be a true warrior. Thorfinn is surprised to heard that and is instantly reminded of his father.

Canute asks Willibard that if Ragnar didn't love him, then who can embody love correctly. Willibald points to a dead man, stating that the moment he died, he became more beautiful than anyone and is love itself. He will never again hate others or steal. He will give his body and everything to the nature and won't even complain. Willibald states that death perfects a person. Meanwhile, Thorfinn remains silent and seeing that Thorkell realizes he doesn't know, but tells him its fine as he didn't expect him to know anyway.

Canute figures that for Willibald, death is the essence of love. Canute then wonders what is the feeling a parent feels to his child, a man to his wife, and Ragnar to Canute. Willibald states its discrimination. For Ragnar, Canute was the most important thing, but his tender feelings for Canute were discrimination. Canute start to understand Willibald. He sees the sky, the snow, the mountains and everything is love and notes how beautiful the God creations are, however he wonders why there is no love in men's hearts. Willibald states that this happened because men turned against god and were expelled from Paradise.

Thorkell his the ground, throwing snow at Thorfinn and then kicks him. Thorfinn manages to soften the shock using his legs, but he is send flying high. He then crashes into a tree and falls to the ground.

Bjorn defeats all the men and heads towards Canute. Seeing him, Willibald suggests that Canute runs, since Bjorn doesn't seem sane anymore. Canute wonders if anyone is sane in this world and states that everyone is the same and that they don't know how to love, the meaning of life and death, and the reason they are fighting. Canute then stands up, stating he had enough. He faces Bjorn and notes that what they lost for exchange of wisdom, is something they will never get back, yet God still tells them to seek it. Canute makes a grumpy face and walks towards Bjorn, who gets scared and moves back. Canute tells Bjorn that he is the farthest from love. He continues to question God if they are there only to be tested, and states that Bjorn's soul cannot be saved through the trials he set for him. Canute then places his hands on Bjorn's face and then hugs him, noting that he no longer seeks salvation from God, and he will create his own paradise. Bjorn calms down and comes to his senses. In that moment, Atli comes and stabs Bjorn with a knife. Canute tells them to stop fighting. He tells Willibald to treat Bjorn's wounds, while he and Atli get the horses. Atli tells Canute that he needs to take him to Thorkell, but Canute explains he was already planning to see Thorkell. Bjorn states that if they do it, there is no meaning in what he have done. Canute explains that there was no meaning in their battle at all, and they focus on not dying. He tells them to become his vassals and he will teach them when they must fight and against whom. Canute will give meaning to their battles and to their life and death, as that is the duty of a king.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Thorfinn
 * Thorkell
 * Askeladd
 * Canute
 * Bjorn
 * Ragnar (dream)
 * Willibald
 * Thors Snorresson
 * Asgeir
 * Torgrim
 * Atli

Trivia
Odcinek 18