So he went; as did my father and mother, leaving me alone, thinking and thanking the gods for the chance that had come my way—­yes, and blessing Ragnar and that brown-eyed wench who had thrown her spell over him.

Whilst I stood thus I heard a sound, and, turning, saw Iduna gliding towards me in the blue twilight, looking more lovely than a dream.  At my side she stopped and said: 

“My father tells me you wish to speak with me,” and she laughed a little softly and held me with her beautiful eyes.

After that I know not what happened till I saw Iduna bending towards me like a willow in the wind, and then—­oh, joy of joys!—­felt her kiss upon my lips.  Now my speech was unsealed, and I told her the tale that lovers have always told.  How that I was ready to die for her (to which she answered that she had rather that I lived, since ghosts were no good husbands); how that I was not worthy of her (to which she answered that I was young, with all my time before me, and might live to be greater than I thought, as she believed I should); and so forth.

Only one more thing comes back to me of that blissful hour.  Foolishly I said what I had been thinking, namely, that I blessed Ragnar.  At these words, of a sudden Iduna’s face grew stern and the lovelight in her eyes was changed to such as gleams from swords.

“I do not bless Ragnar,” she answered.  “I hope one day to see Ragnar——­” and she checked herself, adding:  “Come, let us enter, Olaf.  I hear my father calling me to mix his sleeping-cup.”

So we went into the house hand in hand, and when they saw us coming thus, all gathered there burst into shouts of laughter after their rude fashion.  Moreover, beakers were thrust into our hands, and we were made to drink from them and swear some oath.  Thus ended our betrothal.

I think it was on the next day that we sailed for home in my father’s largest ship of war, which was named the Swan.  I went unwillingly enough, who desired to drink more of the delight of Iduna’s eyes.  Still, go I must, since Athalbrand would have it so.  The marriage, he said, should take place at Aar at the time of the Spring feast, and not before.  Meanwhile he held it best we should be apart that we might learn whether we still clung to each other in absence.

These were the reasons he gave, but I think that he was already somewhat sorry for what he had done, and reflected that between harvest and springtime he might find another husband for Iduna, who was more to his mind.  For Athalbrand, as I learned afterwards, was a scheming and a false-hearted man.  Moreover, he was of no high lineage, but one who had raised himself up by war and plunder, and therefore his blood did not compel him to honour.

The next scene which comes back to me of those early days is that of the hunting of the white northern bear, when I saved the life of Steinar, my foster-brother, and nearly lost my own.