Episode 38

"Freedom" (自由) is the thirty-eighth overall episode of the Vinland Saga anime and the fourteenth episode of Season 2, produced by MAPPA.

Synopsis
A runaway slave named Gardar was Arnheid's ex-husband. He tries to escape with Arnheid, but Snake, who got his man killed, stands in his way. Einar, who wants Arnheid's freedom too, picks up an ax to help Gardar, but is stopped by Thorfinn...

Summary
Seeing Arnheid, Gardar realizes this is Ketil's farm and can't believe that she was so close to him. He tells her that she is even more beautiful than before. He wonders if Hjalti is doing well and wonders how big he had become. He extends his hand at Arnheid, telling her to get on the horse and the three of them to head home.

Snake comes with his sword and tells Arnheid to not touch Gardar, or he will have to kill him. Seeing that Fox and Badger are also coming, Gardar tries to grab Arnheid, but Snake cuts the throat of his horse. Snake pulls Arnheid and gives her to Fox, telling him to take her away from here. Snake asks Fox if it's true that Gardar killed Lizard and Fox confirms that Gardar split his head open. Gardar wonders if Snake is Ketil, and Snake wonders what he will do if he is Ketil. Gardar then gets angry, stating he will kill him. Arnheid yells at Gardar to stop. Seeing all that, Einar heads towards them with his axe, but Thorfinn stops him, stating they don't know what is going on. Einar states he does knows and that Gardar is Arnheid's husband who came to rescue her. Einar wants to see Arnheid free, however Thorfinn questions him if he can kill a person. Einar calms a bit, wondering what is he supposed to do. Snake tells Thorfinn that was the smart choice and that he intends to capture Gardar alive so that he can question him and confirm his identity.

Gardar starts attacking Snake, who manages to dodge all of his attacks. Fox tells him that he should kill him as Gardar isn't a man he can capture alive. Snake then wonders if they managed to land a hit, but Fox denies it. As Gardar is injured, Snake wonders how the three of them lost to an injured man. Gardar attacks again, Snake dodges the attack and hits him in his wound with the dull side of the blade. Gardar falls on his knees in pain and Snake hits him again on the back of his head to knock him out. Snake then tells Badger to tie up Gardar.

After tying him up, Badger and Fox take away Gardar, who keeps yelling Arnheid's name. Snake tells Fox to always have five men watching him and inform Kjallakr's uncle that they captured the man. Snake feels that Einar has something to say, but states that a slave's opinion doesn't matter. Einar wonders if they can let Gardar, but Snake tells him that he killed one of his men and is suspected of killing others, too. He also intends to kill Ketil and kidnap Arnheid that belongs to Ketil, so they can't let someone like him go free. Snake tells Arnheid to forget about him as he is no longer her husband, but a runaway slave who lost his mind. Before leaving, Snake tells Thorfinn and the rest to look after Sverkel.

Later, Einar can't stay calm anymore and stands up intending to go save Gardar, but Arnheid tells him to sit as diner is almost ready. Einar explains that they can try and rescue him at night, but Arnheid explains that some things can't be changed and it's better to wait out. He also doesn't want to get Einar involved. Einar asks her if she loves Gardar and Arnheid confirms, explaining that while their marriage was arranged, he was kind to her and her son. Later, she lost her son due to pots. Arnheid then decides to tell him more about her past.

Arnheid explains that her family lived in a village in Sweden, and they lived a quiet life. When her son became one year old, in a distant forest, a march containing iron was found. Several groups fought for ownership of the marsh, and Gardar's friend was among the involved in the conflict. He asked Gardar for help, who then told the village about it and the men started discussing if they should join the fighting or not. In the end, the men decided to fight, which surprised the women as they already had enough pots and sickle blades, so they didn't need more iron. Arnheid tried to convince Gardar to not fight, but Gardar told her that if Yngve of the West obtains it, it will disturb the balance of power in the region. Several weeks after the men left to fight, ships came and the women though it was the men returning, however it was other vikings who killed the elderly, burned the houses and took the women. Her son, Hjalti was also taken away from her. Arnheid explains that when she saw Gardar today, she was scared of him. She is sure that all the suffering he experienced has changed him. However, this time, she intends to protect her son. Few days ago, Arnheid learned that she is pregnant with Ketil's child. She believes she can peacefully raise a healthy child on this farm, so she asks Einar to not do anything.

At night, Arnheid takes a bucket with a rag and attempts to leave. Sverkel reminds her that she wanted to wait and do nothing. Arnheid explains that she wants to tend his wounds at least. She knows she shouldn't see him, yet she still wants to go. Sverkel tells her that one time he also waited like her, or more likely he trembled as he was hiding. Twenty years ago, Ketil was in love with a girl from the village. One day, a man from a nearby village named Ebbe, also fell in love with her. As Ebbe was growing in power, Sverkel had to make a painful decision. Ketil was ready to fight for her, but at that time the village was weaker, and many were afraid of Ebbe. As they feared to be wiped out, they made a decision to submit. On the day of her wedding, a man that envied and resented Ebbe's wealth, attacked him, killing him and burning his village. By the time Sverkel heard of this and went to the village, it was all burnt, and the girl was dead. Arnheid wonders why is still always happening. Sverkel tells her that the only thing he can say is that even if you can wait, you will still get scars. Sverkel apologizes and tells Arnheid that he can't help her. Arnheid then leaves, telling him she will be back soon.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Arnheid
 * Gardar
 * Thorfinn
 * Einar
 * Snake
 * Fox
 * Badger
 * Sverkel