“I have my kingdom in Denmark,” said Havelok, “and my wife has hers in Anglia.  How should we take this?  See, here is Ragnar of Norwich; he is worthy to be king, if any.  Here, too, is the Earl of Chester, who led you.  It will be well to set these two names before the host.”

“The host will have none but Havelok and Goldberga,” they said.

So the long-ago visions came to pass, and in a few days more we were feasting in the old hall at Lincoln.  But before we left the valley of the battle we laid in mound in all honour those who had fallen.  Seven great mounds we made, at which men wonder and will wonder while they stand at Tetford.  For well fought the Danes of Goldberga, and well fought the Lindseymen on that day.  Yet I think that those who would fain have lived to see the victory had their share in it, as they stood in their grim and silent ranks behind us.

Then was a new crowning of those two, and messages to the overlord of Lindsey, sent by the thanes, to say that all was settled on the old lines of peaceful tribute to be paid; and then, when word and presents came back from him, Goldberga rose up on the high place where she had been so strangely wedded, and looked down at the joyous faces of her nobles at the long tables.

“When I was crowned in Denmark,” she said, “there was a promise made me, that when this day came to me in Norfolk I might ask one boon of all who upheld me.  I do not know if I may ask it here and now, for the promise was made by my husband’s people.  Yet it is a matter that is dear to my heart that I shall seek from you all, if I may.”

Then all the hall rang with voices that bade her ask what she would; and she bowed and flushed red, and hesitated a little.  Then she took heart and spoke.

“It is but this,” she said.  “Let the poor Christian folk bide in peace; and if teachers come from the south or from the north presently who will speak of that faith, bear with them, I pray you, for they work no harm indeed.”

Almost was she weeping as she said this, and her white hands were clasped tightly before her.  But she looked bravely at the thanes, and waited for the answer, though I think that she feared what it would be.

But an old thane rose up in his place, smiling, and he answered, “If you had commanded us this, my queen, it would have been done.  The Christian folk, if there are any, shall have no hurt.  I think that we had forgotten the old days of trouble with them.  Yet I hear that in Kent the new faith, as it seems to us, is being taught, and that the king looks on it with favour.  It may be that here it will come also.  For your sake I will listen if a teacher comes to me.”

The thanes thought little of this boon, and they all answered that it was freely granted.  But they said that it was no boon to give, and bade her ask somewhat that was better.

“Why then,” she said, “if I must ask more, think no more of me as queen save as that I am the wife of the king.  Havelok is your ruler in good sooth.”