From a Swedish Homestead

e. The staircase leading up to it was as steep as a ladder, and one entered it by a very low door. The walls inside were covered with runes, sig

lk with her about Olaf Haraldsson, the King of Norway, and every time Hjalte came Ingegerd's bondwoman Astrid sat and listened to his words with as much

hat they gathered all Hjalte's words as if they were silken threads, and that each of his listeners made from them her own

red mantle hanging from his shoulders to his feet. She saw no sword in his hand, but holy writings; and she also saw that his throne was supported by a chained troll. His face shone for her, white like wax, surrounded by long, soft locks, and his

hip, but who all the same was the one who filled the Ladies' Bower with merriment and laughter, had in her mind an entirely different picture of the King. She cou

aughest when thou reachest the road. Then thy white teeth shine, and thy hair flies about, and that I love to see. I can see thee; thou hast a fair, ruddy face and freckles on thy nose, and thou hast blue eyes, which become dark and stern in the deep forest; but when thou comest so far that th

the Princess loved the holy picture she had conjured forth, so did the poor bondwom

e like the King. For that is King Olaf's good fortune, he would have been sure to say, that he is a fresh and merry swain at the same time that he

get Olaf Haraldsson?' he was wont to sa

he was dark of complexion, and his eyes were keen, and his song had always tallied with his appearance.

rts could grow. But now Hjalte's roving life had brought him to the Court at Upsala, and he had seen the Princess Ingegerd. He had seen that she was the nob

most glorious amongst men? And after that thought had taken root in Hjalte's heart he gave up making his stern war-songs. He gave up trying to win praise and honour from the rough warriors at the Court of Upsala, and sat for many ho

marriage had arisen within him. When the beautiful thought took root in Hjalte's soul, it was

had spoken long enough about Olaf Haraldsson. He had said all the fair words he could about him, but had it been of any avail?

a look or a bl

her thoughts. She neither blushed nor smiled, neither did her e

nto her noble face he

her in open warfare.' So Hjalte said straight out: 'Daughter of a King, if Ol

e of a man when he reaches the mountain-top and discov

tian as thou sayest, Hjalte, then I co

t faded from her eyes. It was as if a cloud ro

one thing. King Olaf is our enemy. It is

alte. 'If thou only wilt, all is well.

ed when he said this; but the Prin

you know that he hates Olaf Haraldsson, and cannot bear that anyone should even mention his name. Never

s, she laid aside all her prid

id, 'that I dream of him every night, and long for him every day? Would it

eyes filled with tears; but when Hjalte saw he

rife must exchange its red mantle for the white robe of

her head before God's holy name, and when sh

or of the Ladies' Bower, and went down the

not ask me what I would answer if

hair curled on her temples and neck, who had the broadest bracelets and the heaviest ear-rings, whose dress was fastened with

that it was only after she was dead, when the King had taken to himself a Queen, that everyone remembered that she was a bondwoman? It was first after I had a stepmother that the King began to think I was not of free birth. But am I not a King's daughter, Hjalte, even if my father counts me for so little, that he has allowed me to fall into bondage? Am I not a King's daughter, even if my stepmother allowed me

o more heed of her words than a warrior clad in armour heeds a boy throwing stones. He too

s courage and spoke to Oluf Sk?tkonung about Olaf Haraldsson. But he hardly had time to say a word; the King interrupted him as soon

all the same,' said Hjalte. 'It i

ay to make peace with the Swedes. Hjalte sought the messenger, and told him that peace between the two countr

to a stranger; but he thought, all the same, that the plan was a good one; and he promised Hjalte

e borders of the sea. He never met either man or woman without speaking to them about Olaf Haraldsson and Princess Ingegerd. 'Hast thou e

m every coast. He talked to them about the beautiful Princess until they sprang up and promised him, w

as shrewdness, family honour, and advantage required, and he spoke to them so wisely about the peace between the two countries a

ey vowed they would never look with kindly eyes at the swain who did not stand by th

r Ting should assemble, and all the people, along snow-c

although the King twice roughly said 'No' both to the peace and to the wooing, it was of no avail. It was of no avail that he would not hear the name of King Olaf men

s he to do when he saw nothing but swords lifted and angry men before him? Was he not compelled to promise his daughter away if

ked her about her love. And yet it lived-it lived like the child of the poor fisherman's widow, in want and need; but all the same it