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Then Audunn told the King what had happened between him and the steward, Aki. The King asked: Is that true, what he says, Aki? True it is, said Aki. The King said: And did you think it proper, seeing that I had placed you in a high position, to let and hinder a man who had taken it on himself to bring me a precious gift, for which he had given all he had?
Then the King drew a ring from his arm and gave it to Audunn, saying: Even if it turns out so badly that you wreck your ship and lose your money, you will still not be a pauper if you reach land, for many men have gold about them in a shipwreck, and if you keep this ring there will be something to show that you have been to see King Sveinn.
When he reached die south of Norway and came to the place where the King was in residence, Audunn went ashore, leading his bear, and hired lodgings. King Haraldr was soon told that a bear had been brought to the place, a magnificent creature, belonging to an Icelander. The King immediately sent men to fetch Audunn, and when he entered the King's presence, Audunn saluted him as was proper.
The King wondered who this man could be, whom he did not recognize, and then said to Audunn: Who are you? Audunn answered: I am an Icelander, my Lord, and I came lately from Greenland, and now from Norway, intending to bring you this white bear. I gave all I had for him, but I have had a serious setback, so now I only own half of the beast.
That would be fairer if you gave all you had for him. I would not care to do that, my Lord, answered Audunn, but the King said: Will you give him to me then? No, my Lord, answered Audunn. The King asked: What do you mean to do with him then? and Audunn answered: I mean to go south to Denmark and give him to King Sveinn.
The summer after that, they sailed out to Greenland, where they stayed for the winter. It is told that in Greenland, Audunn bought a white bear, a magnificent beast, and paid for him all he had. Next summer they returned to Norway, and their voyage was without mishap. Audunn brought his bear with him, intending to go south to Denmark to visit King Sveinn, and to present the beast to him.
The King had a bath prepared for Audunn and then gave him clothes, and now he stayed with the King. It is told that one day in the spring the King invited Audunn to stay with him for good, and said he would make him his cup-bearer, and do him great honour. Audunn answered: May God reward you, my Lord, for all the favours you would show me, but my heart is set on sailing out to Iceland.
Audunn accepted the invitation and stayed with King Sveinn for a while. After some time had passed Audunn said to the King: I desire to go away now, my Lord. The King answered rather coldly: What do you want to do then, since you do not wish to stay with us? Audunn answered: I wish to go south on a pilgrimage.
However, we know of no earlier source for this motif than the story of Audunn. Whatever its value as historical fact, it could well be the model to which the other versions might be traced. Both monarchs are depicted as generous, magnanimous men, but Audunn was shrewd enough to see which would give the greater reward for his precious bear.
Audunn answered: My Lord, that is for you to decide, but I shall agree to nothing other than that which I had already planned. Then the King said: Why should we not have it like this, that you go your own way, just as you choose, and then visit me on your way back, and tell me how King Sveinn rewards you for the bear? It may be that luck will go with you.
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