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As for me, I thought that it was hardly likely to be the latter. Then came three thanes from the hail with the message, and it was this, "Alsi bids Havelok go back to his own land and bide content therewith." "What word is there for Goldberga, then?" asked Arngeir. "None. She has thrown in her lot with the Dane, and it is he with whom we will not deal."
Maybe that is why the angel told you to have no fear. I mind Gunnar Kirkeban, and what he wrought on the churches and Christian folk in Wales in Gower on the Severn Sea, and on the holy Dee when I was young." For both Goldberga and this old nurse of hers were Christian, as had been Orwenna, Ethelwald's wife, her mother.
This Ragnar was one of whom I had often heard, for he was the governor of all the North folk for Alsi until the Lady Goldberga should take her place. He was her cousin, being the son of Ethelwald's sister, who was of course a Dane. Danish, and from the old country, was his father also, being one of the men who had come over to the court of East Anglia when Ethelwald was made king.
Ragnar had come; but his host was now no great one, for we had sent word to him of the peace, and there was a great welcome for him and his men. The Lindsey thanes did not talk long, and presently some half dozen of the best of them came to us, and said that with one accord the gathering would ask that Havelok and Goldberga should reign over them. "We will answer for all in the land," they said.
There was no doubt that the Norfolk people would hold that she had disgraced herself by the marriage, and so would refuse to have her as queen. And that was all he needed. But Goldberga had no more to say, for she was past speaking, and the king was fain to call her ladies.
"'Fear not, Goldberga, he said, 'for this is your husband that shall be. King's son and heir is he, as that token of the fiery cross shows. More, also, it will betoken that he shall reign in England and in Denmark, a great king and mighty. And this you shall see, and with him shall you reign as queen and well-loved lady.
If one speaks of Havelok, one must needs think of Goldberga; and if one says a word of the queen, one means the king also. Happy in their people and in their wondrous fair children are they, and that is all that can be wished for them. There was one thing wanting for long years, that I and Withelm ever longed for for Havelok a thing for which Goldberga prayed ever.
"There are Welsh folk yet left in the marsh," said the nurse, pondering; "and where there is a Briton there is a Christian, and there, also, will be a hidden priest. But it would be as much as his life is worth to come here, even could we find one." Then Goldberga said, "Alsi is not altogether heathen. If I asked he would surely grant this." For she thought that she knew how to gain consent.
And when I said that if new clothes went as wage for service about the place I was glad to hear it, he was pleased, as if it had been likely that I would refuse a good offer. So the tailor went to work on me, and hence this finery. But you are as fine, and this is more than we counted on when we left Grimsby. I suppose it is all in honour of the lady of the North folk, Goldberga."
None thought that into England had come the fair princess who was so well loved. Sorely troubled was Goldberga when she heard this answer, but it was all that the rest of us looked for. And the next question was how best to meet the false king.
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