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"He thinks that I stand in his way with the princess. I suppose it is common talk that if he wedded her Alsi would still hold the East Anglian kingdom, making him ealdorman, if only I were out of the way. But were I to wed the lady, then it is certain that she would take the crown at once. I do not mean to do so, for then it is likely that three people would be unhappy for the rest of their days.
Then he found out that the princess had no knowledge that the king had spoken to Havelok, but it did not seem to be needful that he should tell her that he had done so. That would be told by Alsi himself if he meant, as seemed certain, to carry out his threat. So he thought awhile, and at last he saw what he might do without saying anything to bend the choice of the princess in any way.
Havelok laughed a short laugh at all this, and he grew brighter. There was sense in Withelm's words, if they would not bear looking deeply into. Then I said, adding to these words, "Moreover, Alsi could stop the whole foolishness of his niece if he did not think it a fitting match in some way." "So he could," answered Havelok. "But yet I tell you that there was naught but evil in his face.
Now Havelok had learned fairly well from the poor folk who loved him, but carelessly, so that when he answered Alsi frowned at his way of speaking. "I am from the marsh," he said simply. "We had better get back to English!" the king said; "you people forget your own tongue. Now, are you married?" Thereat Havelok laughed lightly. "That I am not," he answered.
"Go down to such a hostelry," he said to me, "and there ask for what horses you will. Maybe I shall have to follow you for my part in this matter that is, if I am not put in the dungeon." "Faith," I answered, "better had you come with us than run that risk. Alsi is in a bad mood." He shook his head; and then the people behind him made way, for the king was coming.
"Tell me now, and then I shall know better how to ask for what you need." But Goldberga could not bring herself to say what Alsi had threatened, and now felt sure that she would hear no more of that. So she told the nurse that she had vowed only to marry a king, and that Alsi had been angry, saying that kings were not so easily found. Also, that he was the man who had to find her a husband.
"Why, then," said Berthun, "some thane must be bringing a captive shortly. But why Alsi orders these benches, it passes me to make out. They are those that have been used for the weddings of his kin since the days of Hengist. Last time was when Orwenna, his sister, wedded Ethelwald of Norfolk. Maybe he thinks that they need airing."
The Witan must know who your husband shall be. And that is reasonable, for he will have a share in ruling the kingdom." Then said Goldberga, "They need have no fear in that matter, for I will wed none but a king or the heir of a king." "Well," said Alsi, dryly enough, "they are not so plentiful as are blackberries, and there may be two words to that."
But on her way across the courtyard she met Mord, and he was a great friend of hers. "Whither now, nurse? They will not let you go out of the palace. They say that there is trouble on hand with those folk that fell on us, and we have to bide in shelter for a day or two." "Well, I have been down the town this hour, and all is quiet enough. This Alsi is an over-timid man.
I mean the man who is said to have thrown a big stone certain miles, or somewhat like it, from all accounts. Where is he?" "He is my new porter," answered Berthun, with much pride; "but he is not in the hail, for he does not like to hear much of himself, being quiet in his ways, although so strong." "Here is a marvel," laughed Alsi, "and by-and-by we must see him.
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