Episode 9

"The Battle of London Bridge" (ロンドン橋の死闘) is the ninth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
Following Askeladd orders, Thorfinn heads to London Bridge to retrieve Thorkell's head. Once he reaches the bridge, Thorfinn faces off against Thorkell in one on one combat and loses against the giant. Thorfinn manages to escape from Thorkell and regroups with Askeladd men who trek toward Wessex.

Summary
Seeing the London Bridge, Askeladd feels its more like a fortress, and with Thorkell on their side, it will be hard to take. Bjorn calls Thorkell a traitor for siding with them for money, but Askeladd explains that everyone here is here for the money. As the bigwigs all want London, this is the place to be if you want to stand out. Askeladd then calls Thorfinn and tells him to bring him Thorkell's head. Thorfinn makes him promise that he will get his reward and Askeladd promises, noting he is just like his father, eager to fight a battle he can't win. Thorfinn is angry, but states his only desire is to defeat him in a duel and their next duel would be their last.

Askeladd is told that a Jomsvikings ship is approaching the bridge. He guesses its Floki's men, who will try to offer Thorkell double the money to get him on their side. Bjorn is sure Thorkell will take the money and bets on it, however Askeladd isn't so sure about it. Floki's ship gets close and the Thorkell's men start shooting arrow and throwing rocks at them. Floki tries to explain they are messengers and want to speak with Thorkell, but the men don't care and continue to attack them. Thorkell then commands them to cease fire, and greets Floki. Floki explains he has a message from King Sweyn, stating that the King of England has escaped to the land of the Franks, and resistance is futile, and to surrender. If they surrender, he will spare his and his men's lives, and also leave his fortunes to him. Floki wonders why Thorkell has turned against them, considering they had fought together. Thorkell confirms that he fought against the English until last year and because of that he knows how weak they are, and as King Edmund was the only one who could handle the Denmark army, the English are done for. In other words, Thorkell finds it interesting to fight against them, and states the talks are over. Floki tries to explain that they will double his pay, but a moment later Thorkell returns carrying a large boulder. Seeing that, Floki gives command to move away at full speed. Thorkell throws the boulder and barely misses the ship. He then gives command to his men to start shooting and kill the vikings. Thorkell then yells, telling Floki to ask King Sweyn if he is bored of always fighting battles he is going to win.

Floki reports to King Sweyn that they won't be able to convince Thorkell to return to them. Sweyn then orders them to start attacking. Viking ships then attack the bridge and as they get under it, they start chopping the bridge piers. Thorkell comes with a log sharpened on one side and uses it as a spear to destroy a boat. His men keep bringing him logs and he proceeds to destroy the rest of the ships. Thorkell then yells that King Sweyn should be able to do better as at this rate he won't capture London in a hundred years. Thorkell then sees Askeladd's boat approaching with Thorfinn on the mast and seeing him, he notes that Thorfinn looks fun. Askeladd tells Thorfinn that Thorkell is the large man with the log. Askeladd stops the ship before reaching the bridge, in order to keep safe distance. Seeing that THorfinn will be jumping on the bridge from the mast, Thorkell tells his men to not touch him as Thorfinn is his target. Thorfinn then jumps and Thorkell swings the log, trying to hit Thorfinn in the air, but Thorfinn manages to dodge. Thorkell then swings a few more times, but Thorfinn manages to dodge all of the attacks.

Thorkell throws the log aside and decides to fight Thorfinn unarmed and one-on-one. Thorkell then swings his fist, Thorfinn manages to dodge it and to cut his arm, but realizes that if his fist hit him, he would have died. Thorkell continues to attack and Thorfinn to dodge. Seeing an opportunity, Thorfinn tries to attack, but as Thorkell's weak points are too high, he wasn't able to reach him. Thorfinn then runs at him, staying low. Seeing that, Thorkell tries to kick him, but Thorfinn goes under his leg and as he is behind him, he kicks him in the other leg, causing him to fall on his knee. Thorfinn then tries to stab Thorkell, but he uses his hand to stop and grab the knife. As he now holds his hand, Thorkell starts slamming Thorfinn left and right like a ragdoll. Askeladd sees that Thorfinn is getting beat up. He then hears the retreat signal and leaves with his ship. Thorkell sees the ship leaving and is disappointed, but tells Thorfinn that they abandoned him. As Thorfinn isn't responding, Thorkell wonders if he is dead and lifts him up. Thorfinn then cuts two fingers from Thorkell's right hand, making him release him. Thorkell gets happy that he still haven't lost the will to fight and asks him his name. Thorfinn reveals his name and states he is son of Thors. He then jumps in the water before Thorkell is able to say anything. Thorkell then decides to let him escape, he tells him it was fun and wants them to meet again to finish the fight.

King Sweyn visits the wounded and guesses they can't capture London. Floki explains that they can, but will need time, guessing half a year time. Sweyn states they can't spend that much time on one city as they must prioritize control of all England. Sweyn decides to move the main forces to the west, while leaving 4000 soldiers to continue the siege on London under the command of Canute. Ragnar isn't happy, stating that they couldn't do it with the full army against Thorkell, let alone with just one-fifth. Sweyn insist on his words, stating that Ragnar spoiled him.

Thorfinn comes out of the river with a dislocated shoulder, sprained ankle and few broken ribs. Thorkell and his men see that most ships are leaving and are surprised they won. Everyone start celebrating, but Thorkell is disappointed as he wanted them to continue fighting, and starts yelling and insulting them to come back and fight. Thorfinn rejoins the army and Askeladd sees him, surprised that he is still alive. He explains that he is marching on Wessex and wonders what Thorfinn plans on doing, since if he is hurt and can't walk, he will leave him here. Thorfinn then fixes his shoulder and continues limping with the army. Thorfinn recalls his fight with Thorkell and wonders what is so enjoyable about battle.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Askeladd
 * Bjorn
 * Thorfinn
 * Thorkell
 * Floki
 * Sweyn
 * Canute
 * Ragnar

Trivia
Odcinek 9