United States or Tuvalu ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Two years were we in Denmark, and well loved was Havelok by all, whether one speaks of the other kings who owned him as Gunnar's heir at once, or the people over whom he and Goldberga reigned. But we sent messages to Arngeir and to Ragnar to say that all was well, and we heard from them in time how Alsi feared what was to come, and had rather make friends with the Anglians than offend them.
Yet when we sent these thralls to say that Goldberga had come for her own, the people came back and made us welcome, for her story was in every mouth; and after that we fared well in Saltfleet, and men began to gather to us.
And I saw him ay, I saw him yonder even now, and I am content. When the time comes that for the sake of Goldberga you will gather a host and cross the 'swan's path, I will not hold back, if you will have me." There was spoken the mind of all that company, and they were not backward to say so.
No flattery this to bend you to my will, but sober truth at least, as I see it." At that Havelok grew impatient. "Well, if that be so, who is the bride?" he asked, not caring to give the king his title, or forgetting to do so, for on him was coming the feeling that he was this man's equal here in the palace. And at last, not seeming to notice this, Alsi answered plainly. "The Princess Goldberga."
So much the more likely that the people would believe him when he said that Goldberga wedded him of her own wish, he thought. It was as well that he was not altogether a common-seeming man. "You have seen the damsel already," he said therefore.
He pondered for some moments, and then went on, "It is a bad business; for if I slay Griffin, he is the king's favourite; and if he slays me, the Norfolk thanes will have somewhat to say. And all is bad for the Lady Goldberga, who needs all the friends that she has, for in either case there will be trouble between the two kingdoms that Alsi holds just now."
More I will not say, but everywhere that my eyes fell were things that I knew, even to fishing gear, for it seemed that Biorn was somewhat of a fisher, like Grim himself. Then they put me and my brothers into our old loft, and Havelok and Goldberga had the room that had been my father's. As for Biorn, he would be in the great room, before the fire.
Then Havelok raised his other hand, and took that of Goldberga, which was on the cup, and faced to the people. "Thus do I pledge her who shall be henceforward my wife through good and ill; and may Odin, Freya, and Niord be witnesses of my oath of faith to her in all that the word may mean." So he drank, and I stole a glance at the king.
Now I have to tell of a strange thing that happened in the night that was just past, the first that the Lady Goldberga had spent here in Lincoln for many a year, for on that happening hangs a great deal, and it will make clear what I myself saw presently at the breaking-up feast of the Witan.
Thereat one of the thanes rose up and said, "If a kingdom has been handed over to our king, it is not to be taken again without our having a good deal to say about it. I do not know, moreover, if we can have a foreigner over any part of our land." "Goldberga never gave up her right to the kingdom," Arngeir answered, "as anyone who was here at the wedding would tell you.
Word Of The Day