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Now when the first pleasure of return was over, I myself began to be restless in my mind, seeing the quiet happiness of Egfrid in his marriage, and thinking how far I was from Osritha, whom I loved in such sort that well I knew that I should never wed any other.
Hubba would have come also, but Ingvar held him back. "Let Wulfric have his say first," he growled; and I thanked him in my mind for his thought. So we went to the inner chamber, where Osritha would sit with her maidens, and Halfden said: "This matter is filling all my thoughts so that I am but a gloomy comrade at the board. Tell me all, and then what is done is done.
All I knew was that Cyneward was next me, and that my axe must keep my own life and take that of others; and I fought for Osritha and home and happiness surely the best things for which a man can fight next to his faith. And now men began to shout their war cries that friend might rally to friend rather than smite him coming as a ghost through the mist.
For Osritha, who was very skilful in leech craft, tended my hurt; and I saw much of her, for the hurts were a long time before they healed, as wolf bites are apt to be, and we grew very friendly. So that, day by day, I began to long to see the maiden who cared for my wound so gently, before the time came.
And once he said that he would that you were a Dane, and his comrade as you had been Halfden's." Then I told Osritha of how Halfden had let me go from him rather than have me fight against my own land. I had said nothing of this to the jarls, for there was no reason. And this was the first time that I had had private speech with Osritha. "That is Halfden's way," she said, "he is ever generous."
But she answered not a word, and turned away, for his saying made her tears come afresh. "Now am I a blunderer," said Halfden. "If there is one thing that I fear it is a weeping maiden." And with that he went from the room, leaving me. Then I took upon me to comfort Osritha, nor was that a hard task.
And these Danes drank less than our people, if they ate more largely. But Ingvar would sit and take pleasure in none of the sport, being ever silent and thoughtful. But to me, best of all were the times when I might see and speak with Osritha, and soon the days seemed heavy to me if by chance I had no word with her.
My mother is gone, but first she stood for Osritha at the font, naming her again with the name by which I learnt to love her, for I would not have it changed. Gone also has good old Ingild; but before he went he and I were able without fear of hindrance to build a little church of squared oaken timbers at Hoxne, for the heathen worship died quickly from among our Danes.
But Hubba is dead in far-off Devon, slain as he landed as Halfden had landed, to hem Wessex in between Guthrum and himself, and his dream of taking the Wessex kingdom is over. And the Raven banner that my Osritha made flaps its magic wings no more, for it hangs in Alfred's peaceful hall, a trophy of Saxon valour.
But in the dark Osritha came to my side and clung to me, so that I was between those two whom I loved and must lose, for Halfden held my right hand, and Osritha my left, and she was weeping silently for me. "Listen," I said, for the speaking must be mine lest they should prevail. "Should I die willingly for one who has given His life for me?" "Aye, surely if that might be," said Halfden.
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