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"Ragnar is my cousin," she said, "or a good brother to me, if you will. Moreover, until the other day when he met me in London by some good fortune, I had hardly seen him since my father died." "What think you of Griffin?" "Nothing at all, for nidring he is," answered Goldberga with curling lip.
So she let the priest go, with many thanks, saying, "Now I know that whatever happens is the will of Heaven, and must be for the best. I am ready for whatever shall befall." Now I do not know what had seemed good to Alsi, for he had changed his mind concerning David's visit to Goldberga, and had suddenly given orders that if he came he was to be put in ward at once.
And when I thanked him he bowed in that wise that can only come of being rightly taught when one is young. Now, I am going to ask Berthun who he is, for he spoke to him when he saw him, and that humbly, as it seemed." So talked the nurse, and to all Goldberga answered never a word, for all the trouble came back again, and with it the thought that she hated, that if only
Then was a new crowning of those two, and messages to the overlord of Lindsey, sent by the thanes, to say that all was settled on the old lines of peaceful tribute to be paid; and then, when word and presents came back from him, Goldberga rose up on the high place where she had been so strangely wedded, and looked down at the joyous faces of her nobles at the long tables.
So we thought that there was little fear of the Welshman. When I came back from this errand, however, I chose to pass the mound where my father slept, and on it, hand in hand, sat Havelok and Goldberga for it was a quiet place, and none came near it often. It was good to see them thus in that place, and happy they seemed together.
Now how we told Havelok this, and how Goldberga was somewhat comforted by the words that David the priest brought her from her uncle, there is no need to say. But when the news was known in all the host of Lindsey, there was a great gathering of all in the wide meadow, and we sat in the camp and wondered what end should be to the talk.
So a message was to be sent to Alsi at once, bidding him know that Goldberga had come to ask for her rights, and that he might give them to her in all honour. Arngeir was to take this, for it did not seem right that a Dane should do so, and he was one who would be listened to. I was to go with him, with my courtmen as guard; and we rode to Lincoln on the fourth day after our coming to Saltfleet.
"You have given me more than I dared hope," she said, "even the brave hearts and hands that have hailed us here. I can ask no more. Only promise to give me one boon when I need it, and I am happy." Then they said, "What you will, and when you will, Goldberga, the queen. There is naught that you will ask amiss."
We are not Alsi's men, and our fathers fought for his mother's Welsh kin against the English long ago. Let us fight for the rights of Goldberga, at least." Havelok welcomed them in all friendliness, though he asked them if they had no grudge against him for the slaying of Griffin. "As to that," they said, "after the duel we think that he deserved all that has befallen him.
A pretty little jest this, got up between Griffin and yourself, and such as a young man may be forgiven for playing. I shall hear Goldberga complain of honest Griffin presently, and now I shall know how to answer her. Ay, I will promise him the like talking to that you gave him, and then we three will laugh over it all together."
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