What History Doesn't Know

The Viking At Stamford Bridge

"Sir! Sir! You need to get up this instant!" a voice screamed in my ear loudly. I instantly recognized it as Michael's voice.

I rubbed my eyes. This is the second time somebody has waken me up so roughly. I think I'll punch the third person who wakes me up like this in the face. I couldn't care less who it might be. I opened my eyes and the sight of Hardrada's men, and some of my men running about made me immediately forgot my anger.

"What's going on? Why is everyone running about?" I said as looked at Michael with wide eyes.

"You won't believe this sir, but King Harold are here!"

I sat up quickly when I heard those words. "What?! It's very warm! What are they thinking? Aren't they sweating?"

"Apparently, they couldn't care less about sweating. King Harold has own destruction on his mind. Sir, you don't need to worry about waking up the others. I've already done so. Right now, they're gearing up."

I got up and went to do the same. Michael walked beside me as I walked. I walked up to my men as we armed ourselves.

"Really warm day, eh sir?" Leo said with a barely contained smile.

"This is no time to be smart! Arm yourself! If King Harold doesn't hack that big head of yours of your shoulders, I will! Now move!" I snapped back with venom in my voice. It was enough to silence the men.

We hurried to the battle and took our positions. We readied our bows. Suddenly, I remembered something. I looked around the place. I couldn't find him. Then, it came back to me what Knut said last night. I realized what he was planning to do.

"Stop! Where is Knut?" I shouted to my men. If a give the order to fire now, Knut would be killed in the fire.

Nobody answered my question. They just shrugged their shoulders. "Look, sir! Over there." yelled one of my archers as he pointed to a direction. I followed his finger and what I saw filled me with shock.

It wasn't the size of King Harold's army that shocked me. Nor was it the fact that they were gaining more and more ground. Nor was it the fact that they enemy was about to cross a bridge and slay us all down. It was the figure standing on the bridge that made me almost drop my arrow.

I recognized the large build, long beard and braids. It was Knut and he was standing on the bridge with a very large axe in his hands. He stood on the bridge, unmoving, as the enemy cut down our allies in front of him. It didn't take me long to put two and two together what he was going to do.

"Knut! Get off the bridge! You'll get yourself killed!" I screamed at Knut over the noise of the battle. Knut turned his head slowly towards me and when I saw his face, his eyes were red and tears crawled down his cheeks. I dropped my bow and arrow and ran over to pull Knut from the bridge. But I hardly took a few steps when my own men grabbed me by my shoulders and neck and held me back.

"What are you doing?!" I screamed at my own men. "Why are you holding me back? Can't you see Knut over there is going to get killed?"

"Sorry, sir, but we've had orders from Knut not to let you interrupt. I'm sorry we should have told you earlier, but we figured that you might disagree and try to take matters into your own hands." Michael explained with his arm wrapped around my neck so that his elbow was at my chin. I struggled to get out but my men were just too strong.

"Let me go! Why would you take orders from him? If anyone gives you orders, it's me!" I screamed as I continued thrashing about.

"He said Harald Hardrada gave him permission to do so. He also gained Hardrada's permission to hold you back." Jacques said to me. "Sir, there's nothing you can do now so please stop punching me in the nose."