Vikings: Valhalla is coming to an end with its upcoming third season, and if it decides to be historically accurate, here’s what will happen to its three main characters: Leif Erikson (Sam Corlett), Freydís Eiríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson), and Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). The success of Michael Hirst’s Vikings TV show led to its expansion with a sequel TV series titled Vikings: Valhalla, created by Jeb Stuart. Set over 100 years after the events of Vikings season 6, Vikings: Valhalla follows new characters, of which some are linked to those in the main series, but their stories are completely separate.

As such, Vikings: Valhalla follows the tensions between pagan and Christian Vikings, with its main focus being Leif, Freydis, and Harald. In addition to them, Vikings: Valhalla also follows the Vikings’ relations with the English, and it does so through King Canute (Bradley Freegard) and Queen Emma of Normandy (Laura Berlin). Just like Vikings, Vikings: Valhalla hasn’t been entirely historically accurate (for starters, Leif and Harald never met each other), but if it chooses to follow history in its final season, its three main characters are about to go through some interesting stories.

Leif Will Arrive In North America

Leif Erikson’s Most Important Journey Has Been Teased In Vikings: Valhalla Season 3

The real Leif Erikson has an important role in history as he was the first European to set foot on continental America, around half a millennium before Christopher Columbus arrived.

Perhaps the character who was changed the most from his real-life version is Leif Erikson. In Vikings: Valhalla, Leif arrived in Kattegat with his sister, Freydis, as they were looking for the Christian Viking who abused Freydis and left her with a scar in the shape of a cross all over her back. By then, Leif was already known as a leader and explorer, but the show changed various details about him.

At the end of Vikings: Valhalla season 1, Leif was about to go through a major change as he unleashed his inner berserker, but season 2 didn’t carry on with this. Instead, season 2 saw Leif once more following Harald around and accompanying him on his journey to Constantinople, where he met and fell in love with astronomer Mariam. At the end of Vikings: Valhalla season 2, Leif inherited Mariam’s books and house, preparing him for the biggest journey of his real-life counterpart, and which has now been teased in the first teaser trailer for Vikings: Valhalla season 3.

The real Leif Erikson has an important role in history as he was the first European to set foot on continental America, around half a millennium before Christopher Columbus arrived. Leif Erikson was the son of Erik the Red and brother of Thorvald, Thorstein, and Freydis, and he was an explorer. Depending on which of the sagas Vikings: Valhalla season 3 is based on, Leif’s journey to America can go in two ways. In the Saga of Erik the Red, Leif was on his way to Greenland to introduce Christianity there when he was blown off course and ended up in Vinalnd, now coastal North America.

In the Saga of the Greenlanders, Bjarni Herjólfsson was the first European to arrive at Vinland, but he didn’t disembark. 15 years later, Leif set up an expedition towards the land Bjarni had described and explored Vinland. However, in both accounts, Leif never returned to America after that first trip. As Vikings established that Floki was the first Viking in America, Vikings: Valhalla could adapt the Saga of the Greenlanders with a couple of changes, but the point is to finally have Leif in America.

Harald Will Become King of Norway

Harald’s Pursue Of The Throne Is His Main Storyline

Harald took over Norway – however, he also declared himself king of Denmark.

Since Vikings: Valhalla season 1, Harald’s biggest enemy was his half-brother Olaf (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson), whose plan was to unite Norway under the “banner of Christ”, for which he wanted to take Kattegat. Harald also wanted the throne of Norway, and his travel to Constantinople in season 2 was part of his plan to take it, as he needed an army to go against Olaf. After his uncle Yaroslav refused to help him, Harald and Leif traveled to Constantinople to sell fur and, with that money, form an army to claim the throne.

The real Harald Sigurdsson was also the half-brother of Olaf, and the latter also wanted to claim the Norwegian throne. Luckily for Vikings: Valhalla’s Harald, the real one became king of Norway, but he ruled alongside Olaf’s son, Magnus. It didn’t take long for Harald to rule by himself, as less than a year later, Magnus died without an heir, leaving Harald to take over Norway – however, he also declared himself king of Denmark, despite Magnus deciding Harald would inherit Norway and Sweyn would keep Denmark.

This marked the beginning of a war and more ambitions from Harald that led to him earning the name of “hard ruler”, but it’s unlikely Vikings: Valhalla season 3 will cover all of them as it’s the show’s final season. If season 3 follows history, Harald will become king of Norway (more so now that Olaf is dead), but his plans to take over the Danish and later the English throne might not be covered.

Freydis Will Betray Leif & Their People

The Real Freydis Wasn’t As Loyal As The One In Vikings: Valhalla

In the Saga of the Greenlanders , Freydis traveled to Vinland with brothers Helgi and Finnbogi, but she betrayed them.

The most surprising outcome if Vikings: Valhalla season 3 chooses to be historically accurate will be that of Freydis. So far, Freydis has been portrayed as a strong leader and shieldmaiden, as well as the “last daughter of Uppsala” and “the guardian of faith”. At the end of Vikings: Valhalla season 2, Freydis opened the temple of Jomsborg to all residents after killing their oppressive leader, Harekr, and took over the town. Freydis also returned to Kattegat with her baby son and with Svein, the son of Canute and Queen Aelfgifu, who was traveling with Olaf, and made a peace treaty with Queen Aelfgifu.

Just like the story of her brother, Leif, Freydis’ changes depending on the source. In the Saga of the Greenlanders, Freydis traveled to Vinland with brothers Helgi and Finnbogi, agreeing that they would share all profits 50/50. However, once there, Freydis didn’t honor their deals and the brothers set their own settlement. After making peace, Freyis betrayed them by claiming to her husband that the brothers had beaten her and demanded he exact revenge on her behalf. Her husband killed the brothers while they slept, and she massacred the women in their camp.

Freydis threatened death to those who dared tell Leif about her treachery, and even though she lied to him, Leif eventually learned the truth. However, Leif refused to punish Freydis even though she deserved it, but accurately foresaw that her descendants wouldn’t prosper. In the Saga of Erik the Red, Freydis’ expedition was attacked by Vinland’s natives, who she fought after most of her men panicked.

Freydis betraying Leif and their people would be shocking, but if Vikings: Valhalla decides to follow history, it might make adjustments to the context of the betrayal and, instead of being about a journey to Vinland, it could be linked to Freydis’ fight against Christianity. However, it seems more likely that Vikings: Valhalla would adapt Freydis’ story from the Saga of Erik the Red, making her a feared and respected warrior.