“That will do well,” said Sigurd; and
the chief went back, and at once the host sat down.
Then Havelok rode to them, and with him went we three
and Sigurd and Biorn.
There was a murmur of wonder as he came, and it grew
louder as he unhelmed and stayed before them.
And then one shouted, “Skoal to Havelok Gunnarsson!”
and at once the shout was taken up along the line.
And that shout grew until the chiefs joined in it,
for it was the voice of the host, which cannot be
gainsaid; and without more delay, one by one the leaders
pressed forward and knelt on one knee to their king,
and did homage to him. Only the Norsemen held
back; and presently, when we were talking to the Danish
chiefs in all friendly wise, they drew apart with their
men, and formed up into a close-ranked body that looked
dangerous.
“Surely they do not mean to fight!” said
Withelm.
Then one of them shouted that he must speak to the
king, and that seemed as if they owned him at least,
so Havelok went to them.
“You have heard my terms,” he said, “and
I think that they are all that you could ask.
What is amiss?”
“Your terms are good enough,” the speaker
said, “and we know that our time is come.
But we must have surety that the people will not fall
on us, for we are flying, as it were. And we
want the body of our king. We would not have
him buried any wise, as if he was a thrall.”
“He shall be given to you, and as for the rest
none shall harm you. Moreover, for that saying
about your king I will add this: that if there
are any of you who hold lands to which there is no
Danish heir, he shall take service with me if he will,
and so keep them.”
So there was no man in all the host who was not content;
and that was the second king-making of Havelok, as
it were, for now there was no man against him.
The hosts were disbanded then and there, and we went
that day to Hodulf’s town, and took possession
of all that had been in his hands. Then was rejoicing
over all the land, for a king of the old line was
on the throne once more, and his way was full of promise.
Now there was one thing that was in the minds of all
of us, and that was the winning of Goldberga’s
kingdom for her; but that was a matter which was not
to be thought of yet for a long while. 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. So he had not given out anything
that was against the princess, but had told all how
she had wedded the heir of Denmark, and that she had
given up her land to himself, and followed her husband
across the sea. It was not hard for him to feign
gladness in her well-doing; and Berthun counselled
Ragnar to let things be thus, and yet prepare for
her return.
