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So they came aland and go unto the king, and Bikki said unto him, "Meet and right it is, lord, that thou shouldst know what is befallen, though hard it be to tell of, for the tale must be concerning thy beguiling, whereas thy son has gotten to him the full love of Swanhild, nor is she other than his harlot; but thou, let not the deed be unavenged."
"Eric," she said humbly and with bowed head, "Gudruda sleeps yet. Canst thou, then, find time to hearken to my words?" He frowned and said: "Methinks, Swanhild, it would be better if thou gavest thy words to him who is thy lord." She let the bridle-rein drop from her hands. "I am answered," she said; "ride on."
"None too soon did Swanhild walk," said Eric; "now we shall learn their purpose. Be thou ready to leap forth when I give the word." "Ay, lord," answered Skallagrim as he worked his stiff arms to and fro. "In such matters few have thought me backward." "What news, friends?" cried Eric as the men drew near.
Then he would have fled, but Swanhild caught him by the arm. "Fear not," she whispered, "they shall soon sleep sound." He felt her stretch out her arms and presently he saw this wonderful thing: the eyes of Swanhild glowing in the darkness as the embers glowed upon the hearth.
"Speak on," he said. "Is aught wrong with Eric?" Then Swanhild drew near and told him a false tale. When it was done for a moment or so Atli stood still, and grew white beneath his ruddy skin, white as his beard. Then he staggered back against the wainscoting of the bower. "Woman, thou liest!" he said. "Never will I believe so vile a thing of Eric Brighteyes, whom I have loved."
But of all this talk the child alone remained and she was named Swanhild. Now, but an hour before the child of Gudruda the Gentle was born, Asmund went up from his house to the Temple, to tend the holy fire that burned night and day upon the altar.
Now the marriage-feast went on, and Swanhild, draped in white and girt about with gold, sat by Atli's side upon the high seat. He was fain of her and drew her to him, but she looked at him with cold calm eyes in which hate lurked. The feast was done, and all the company rode to the sea strand, where the Earl's ship lay at anchor.
As he wept Swanhild came to him, for she had seen him from afar, and touched him gently on the arm. "Why weepest thou, Eric?" she said. "I weep for the dead, Swanhild," he answered. "Weep not for the dead they are at peace; if thou must weep, weep for the living. Nay, weep not at all; rejoice rather that thou art here to mourn.
"Then it is one that I have no mind to follow," answered Swanhild. "Gizur, go thou with the man and see if his tale is true. I will stay here till ye come back." Then the thrall let himself down into the hole and Gizur went after him. But Swanhild sat there in the shadow of the rock, her chin resting on her hand, and waited.
Then she turned and, putting her hands to her head, fled back swiftly to the stead, and waited there, great anger burning in her heart; for Gudruda had this fault, that she was very jealous. Now Eric and Swanhild did not see her, and presently they parted, and Swanhild wiped her eyes and glided thence. As she drew near the stead she found Gudruda watching.
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