Part 24 (1/2)

”Well knew I that somewhat was to happen to me in this town, even as I told you, brother, when we first pa.s.sed its gates. And now it seems to be coming to pa.s.s. For this is what is on me, as it seems to me -- either that I must see the light of day no more, or must live to be a scorn and sorrow to one for whom it were meet that a man should die.”

”Surely the black dream is on you, my brother! Neither of these things can be for you!” I cried.

”Would that it were the dream, for that is not all of sorrow, and that also is of things so long past that they are forgotten. I can bear that, for your voice always drives it away. But now the hand of Alsi the king is on me for some ill of his own --”

”Stay,” said Withelm. ”Let us go out and speak, if that name is to be heard. It were safer.”

”Less safe, brother,” answered Havelok. ”At once we should be kept apart. Listen, and I will tell you all, and then say your say.”

Then he told us, word for word, all that had just pa.s.sed between him and the king. And as we listened, it grew on us that here was no wrong to the princess, but rather the beginning of honour. I could see the downfall that was in store for Alsi, and I thought also that I saw hope for the winning back of the Danish kingdom, with an East Anglian host to back us. And this also saw Withelm, and his eyes sparkled. But Havelok knew not yet all that had grown so plain to us.

He ended, and we said nothing for a moment.

”Well?” he said, not looking up, but with eyes that sought the floor, as if ashamed.

”By Odin,” said I, speaking the thought that was uppermost, ”here will be a downfall for Alsi!”

”Ay, you are right, brother. I will not wed her.”

But that was by no means what I meant, as may be known; and now Withelm held up a warning hand to me, and I knew that his advice was always best.

”If the maiden is unwilling, wed her not,” he said. ”If she is willing, even as the king said, that is another matter. We have no reason to doubt his word as yet.”

”You saw not his face as he spoke. And then, how should the princess think of me?”

”Who knows? Even Odin owned that the minds of maids were hard to fathom. But one may find a reason or two. Maybe that oath has somewhat to do with it. A good daughter will go far to carry out her father's will, and, in the plain sense thereof, she will certainly do it thus. Then it is likely that she knows that you are no churl, but the son of Grim, though we have fallen on hard times for a while. I have heard say that it is the custom here that a man who has crossed the seas in his own s.h.i.+p so many times is a thane by right of that hardihood. Thane's son, therefore, might we call you. Then there is the jealousy of every other thane, if she chooses an East Anglian. Then she needs one who shall be mighty to lead her forces. Even the greatest thane will be content to follow a man who is a warrior of warriors. Ragnar can have told her what you are in that way. Faith, brother, there are reasons enough.”

Havelok laughed a short laugh at all this, and he grew brighter. There was sense in Withelm's words, if they would not bear looking deeply into.

Then I said, adding to these words, ”Moreover, Alsi could stop the whole foolishness of his niece if he did not think it a fitting match in some way.”

”So he could,” answered Havelok. ”But yet -- I tell you that there was naught but evil in his face. Why did he try to force me?”

Then he went back to the thing that weighed mostly on his n.o.ble heart -- the thought that he was unworthy altogether.

”I fear that the princess does but think of me because she must. It is in my mind that Alsi may have threatened her also until she has consented. How shall I know this?”

”Most easily, as she speaks with you,” answered Withelm. ”Tomorrow will tell you that. And then, if you find things thus, what shall prevent your flying?”

”Brother Radbard and the other housecarls,” said Havelok grimly.

”Not if you ask the princess to help you out of her own way by pretending to be most willing. If Alsi thinks you a gladsome couple, there is no difficulty. You walk out of the palace as a master there. Then you fly to Ragnar. That is all.”

Now that was such an easy way out of the whole coil that we planned it out. And yet it seemed to me that it was a pity that Havelok knew not more of what seemed to us so sure now. So, seeing that things were fairly straightened by this last thought, I got up and said that I must be going, making a sign to Withelm to come also; and, with a few more words, we went out. I saw Havelok set himself to a mighty task of water drawing as I looked back.

”Now,” said I, ”here is a strange affair with a vengeance. Neither head nor tail can I make of it. But if all we think is right, this is the marriage for the son of Gunnar.”

”Son of Gunnar, or son of Grim,” said Withelm, ”princess or not, happy is the maiden who gains Havelok for a husband. Maybe her woman's wit has told her so. She will have many suitors whom she knows to be seeking her throne only, and to him she gives it as a gift unsought.”

”That is all beyond me,” I said; ”but he would fill a throne well. But his own modesty in the matter of his worthiness is likely to stand in the way. Why should we not tell him all that we know? Then he will feel that he is doing no wrong.”