Now the folk cheered, and loudest of all honest Eglaf
and his warriors. I wondered what should come
next, for neither feast nor bride ale was prepared,
and Berthun was looking puzzled. Then I saw that
the only face in all the wide hall which was not bright
was that of Alsi, and his brow was black as a thunder
cloud, while his fingers were white with the force
with which he clutched and twisted the end of his jewelled
belt. Plainly he was in a royal rage that none
had scoffed at this wedding, but that all had taken
it as a matter that was right altogether.
But he had one more evil thing in his mind that must
be seen through; and he came forward, smoothing his
face, as best he might, to the fixed smile that I
had seen when he spoke with Ragnar, and learned that
his first plot had miscarried.
“Now, friends,” he said, “all this
has been so hasty that we have prepared no feast.
Even now, it seems that the horses stand at the door
to take bride and bridegroom hence, and doubtless there
waits somewhere the feast that has been bespoken without
my knowledge. Well, strange are the ways of lovers,
and we will pardon them. I have therefore only
to bid them farewell.”
With that he turned to Havelok, and held out his hand,
as in all good fellowship, but Havelok would not see
it.
“Fare as it shall be meted to you by the Asir,
King Alsi,” he said, “for at least Loki
loves craft.”
Then he turned to me, and asked hurriedly where we
should go if we must leave thus.
“To Grimsby,” I said. “That
is home.”
Alsi spoke to the princess now, and maybe it was as
well that he did not offer so much as his hand.
Wise was he in his way.
“Farewell, niece,” he said; “all
this shall come shortly before the Witan of Ethelwald’s
folk.”
“Farewell, uncle,” she answered calmly.
“That is a matter which I will see to myself.
You have carried out your oath to the letter, so far,
and now it remains that you should leave the government
of the realm to me.”
With that she put her hand on Havelok’s arm.
“Come, husband; we have heard that the horses
wait. Let us be gone.”
And then in a quick whisper she added, as if nigh
overdone, “Take me hence quickly, for I may
not bear more.”
They wasted no more words; and through a lane of folk,
who blessed them, those two went to the great door
down the long hall, and I followed, and Berthun and
the nurse came after me. One flung the door open;
and on the steps, all unaware of what had happened,
lounged Mord, waiting, and up and down on the green
the grooms led the horses of the princess—six
in all. On two were packed her goods, and the
third had a pack saddle that waited for the bags that
held her dowry. The other three were for herself
and Mord and the nurse. There was not one for
Havelok.
