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A meeting between two great men may pave the way for future compromise as Ragnar and Ecbert come face to face. Jarl Borg now rules Kattegat and with an iron fist and Rollo must now become the leader his people need in Ragnar's absence.

Rollo, Aslaug and the others who escaped Jarl Borg's attack on Kattegat arrive in a remote area with poor living conditions. In Kattegat, Borg makes it clear that he is now in charge and that his word is the law. He visits the Seer who tells him what he wants to hear. In Wessex, King Ecbert agrees to meet Ragnar provided they agree to exchange hostages beforehand. Ecbert offers his son Aethelwolf. Ragnar expresses his interest in acquiring land while Ecbert sees the raiders as potential warriors who could assist him in his own territorial ambitions. Before the talks can go any further Ragnar learns of what has happened in Kattegat and immediately returns home where he is quickly reunited with Aslaug and his children. When word reaches Lagertha of what's happened she and Bjorn also want to help. Back in Wessex the Vikings, their forces depleted by Ragnar's departure, come under attack. Athelstan pays a heavy price for his apostasy.—garykmcd

Jarl Borg has a firm grip on Kattegat, proclaiming himself the new earl instead of traitor Ragnar. Rollo takes charge of clever resistance from grim hiding until Ragnar returns. In Wessex, king Ecbert arranges negotiations with Ragnar, who agrees to help him with ambitious plans in exchange for fertile land. When a ship arrives to report about Borg's invasion, Ragnar returns to counter-invade, happy to find Rollo as wall as Bjorn and Lagertha, who couldn't convince her second husband to join in. In Essex, where Horik insisted to remain, the Vikings are surprised and overrun in a forest. Bishop Edmund orders apostate Aethelstan, who volunteered to stay as interpreter, crucified, but Ecbert saves him.—KGF Vissers

Rollo seeks shelter from the winter that is coming for Auslag, her sons and Siggy and they find a farm. Jarl Borg informs to the survivors that he is the new ruler of Kattegat. King Ecbert delivers his own son Aethelwulf to meet Ragnar in Wesse and they discuss a deal between their people. When Ragnar returns to the camp, he discloses Ecbert's proposal to King Horit. However Ragnar learns the invasion of Kattegat and that his family is missing and he decides to return to Scandinavia with four ships leaving Athelston with King Horit to be his translator with King Ecbert. Will Ragnar meet his beloved family?—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ecbert is a calculating ruler. He realizes that Ragnar wants to negotiate and prepares his own strategy. To enable a discussion, Ecbert suggests a hostage swap, with his own son Aethelwulf volunteering as hostage, in exchange for Ragnar coming into Wessex alone. Ragnar meets King Ecbert, who questions his reasons for staying in Wessex and offers to grant him some land. In exchange Ecbert says that he would have the use of Ragnar's warriors in his battles to expand his lands. Ragnar returns to his camp after receiving Ecbert's offer.

Later, back at camp, one of Horik's ships arrives with news of Jarl Borg's sacking of Kattegat. Ragnar and his men set sail for home. Athelstan chooses to remain with Horik. When he reads the book from the church, he finds a photo of Christ that starts bleeding in his hands. Athelstan is later captured by soldiers after his hunting party is ambushed.

Rollo hides Aslaug, Siggy and the other survivors at a remote homestead and tries to rally others to help them retake Kattegat. Aslaug is not happy with the spartan living conditions and demands better accommodations for her sons. Rollo tries to counsel her that staying at any high-profile residence will invite Borg within a few days. Aslaug complains that her sons would die of some disease, but Siggy counsels her that at least they are safe from Borg at such an ordinary location.

Borg takes control of Kattegat and assures the survivors that he is a fair ruler. Borg announces a bounty for the whereabouts of Rollo, Siggy, Aslaug and her sons, with the informer's weight in silver and gold as reward. He outlaws all mention of Ragnar. Borg meets the Seer and wants to know what will happen to him. The Seer says that Borg's destiny is an Eagle.

Ragnar returns home and finds his family with the help of Helga (Maude Hirst), Floki's wife. His happiness is soured by Rollo's revelation that they do not have enough men to defeat Borg. Rollo says that there are no more men to be found, and they are stuck. Rollo also laments that Ragnar's arrival will only make their discovery more certain.

News reaches Bjorn about the events in Kattegat, and he discusses the same with Lagertha. Bjorn says that Ragnar will come back to fight for his lands and says that they should help him. Lagertha is skeptical as this is not Sigvard's quarrel.

When Lagertha asks Sigvard for help, he gets livid and tries to sexually assault Lagertha. Lagertha beats Sigvard off her and realizes that Bjorn was standing just outside the door, ready to stab him.

Ragnar wants to have sex with Aslaug, but she prophesies that they need to wait for three days before having sex. News reaches Borg that Ragnar has returned.

In Wessex, Athelstan is branded an apostate (someone who has totally abandoned or rejected their religion) and is crucified, but his life is saved when Ecbert arrives and orders him taken down from the cross.

Ragnar is surprised when a large group of fighters arrives led by Lagertha and Bjorn. Ragnar is overjoyed to be reunited with Bjorn.