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It is now to be added that Freydis, Eric's daughter, set out from her home at Gardar, and waited upon the brothers, Helgi and Finnbogi, and invited them to sail with their vessel to Wineland, and to share with her equally all of the good things which they might succeed in obtaining there.
"It is highly befitting," she said, more soberly and a little shyly. "In truth, a garb to win a maiden's heart; but I recked not of my clothing, I was in such haste to see the maid," said Helgi boldly. She looked at him with some surprise, and just a sufficient touch of dignity to check the dash of his advances. He saw the change, and quickly added,
Thorar spoke with dignity and a touch of haughtiness, and Estein replied simply and courteously, "I shall come." He turned to Helgi and said, "No fighting will there be, Helgi; but I have known you welcome even a feast. What say you?" "This snow work and marching call for feasting," replied Helgi, with a laugh.
None of the men on Estein's ship had been in those seas more than two or three times at most, and the vaguest conjectures were rife when, as the light was slowly gaining, Ulf raised a cry of land ahead. "Land to the right!" cried Helgi, a moment later. "Land to the left!" exclaimed Estein; "and we are close on it, methinks."
Helgi, who had kept at his shoulder throughout, seized his arm. "They are giving way on Thorkel's ship. Osmund is on board. If we return not, the ship is cleared." With a gesture of despair Estein turned. "Back, men, back! Thorkel needs all his friends, I fear," he cried; and to Helgi he said, "The day is lost. We can but sell our lives dearly now." They came back too late.
The old man's face grew dark with displeased surprise, yet he hesitated for an instant, as if uncertain what to do. Then he came up to the girl and said, "Thy chamber is ready for thee." To Helgi he added, "I would speak with thee, Helgi." The girl at once left the fire, and followed him back to the other room. As she turned away, Helgi said, "Farewell, lady."
He said his son Hardbien was there, and two other men, both outlaws, whom he had taken in to shelter. Thorgils bade him show the nearest way to the dairy, "for I want to meet Helgi at once, when I can get to him and plead my errand to him." The house-carle did so and showed him the way, and after that they parted.
Then, to prevent any more troublesome business delaying his hopes of marriage, he went back to Gewar and enjoyed the coveted embraces of Nanna. Next, having treated Helgi and Thora very generously, he brought his new queen back to Sweden, being as much honoured by all for his victory as Balder was laughed at for his flight.
The Hrólfssaga has, however, preserved the earlier account. The Skjọldungasaga dates from about the year 1200. The conflicting statement that it was Ingjald who slew Halfdan requires, therefore, an explanation. In Saxo's Gesta Danorum, the story about Hroar and Helgi is told twice.
There seemed no reason why the hero of these lays should shrink from talking of his expedition, and avoid, so far as he could, the company of men. Gradually strange rumours began to spread. Helgi, who alone knew the truth, held his peace for Estein's sake, even when the ale flowed most freely.
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