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And he would have died to some purpose here, for he knew that Goldberga would come to her kingdom, ay, and maybe Alsi's as well, for she was his sister's daughter, and his next of kin, and well loved by those who had been allowed to know aught of her. But I would not have any think that the promise of so wondrous a bride was not pleasing to him.
And the very best reason would be that which Alsi had given at the Witan if her husband was not fit to be king. It is possible that Goldberga knew that her marriage would be talked of at this Witan: but I do not think that she troubled herself much about it, not by any means intending to be married against her will.
They had no knowledge of Goldberga's homecoming, and least of all thought that at the back of the trouble were the wiles of Alsi. It was two years ago that Goldberga had gone, and her wedding had seemed to end her story. Now the men heard and wondered; and it is said that very many left Alsi that night and went home, angry with him for his falsehood.
I thought that he would give me some message for this lady, in case he fell; but he had more to ask than that. Nothing more or less than that I should be his second in the fight, because I was a fellow countryman, while to ask an East Anglian thane would he to make things harder yet for Goldberga. "I am no thane, earl," I said plainly. "This is an honour that is over high for me."
Whether the man whom my niece will wed is all that the oath requires, you shall judge; and if he is such a one, I must not stand in the way. I do not myself know that I have ever seen one who is so fully set forth in words as is this bridegroom in those of the oath." Now I heard one whisper near me, "Whom has Goldberga chosen?"
And with that Alsi half turned his horse to fly. Yet his men did not mean to leave him. It was but the hailing of the lady whom they knew, and her coming thus was more than the simple warriors had wit or mind to fathom. But now Goldberga held up her hand, and the cries ceased, and silence came.
It is full time that she took her father's place with the consent of the Witan, which is needed." He looked round us for reply to this, and at once the Norfolk thanes said, "We will have Goldberga for our queen, as was the will of Ethelwald." "That," said Alsi, "is as I thought. I needed only to hear it said openly.
Then Goldberga stooped to me, and laid her soft hand on my forehead, and took off my helm, so that the air came to me, and thereat I woke altogether. "Brother," she said, "you are restless and sorely wounded, as it seems. It is not good that you should lie in this mist." At her voice the others woke, and for a while she talked with us in a low tone, cheering us.
Now, if it is true that he is the son of the Danish king, it does seem as if your dream might be bidding you to have no fear of what seems doubtful in the matter, though I cannot tell, and do not like to say so for certain. His name is not Curan, but Havelok." Then Goldberga said, "I have heard of that flight and of the wreck from Mord often.
Bright looked Goldberga in her blue dress, with wondrous jewels on arm and neck, and maybe the brighter for the absence of the Welsh thane, as I thought. So they sat as last night, save that the noble who had come next to Ragnar was in Griffin's place; and therefore I stood behind the king and the princess, with the light of my torch falling between the two.
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