Free Six Sagas of Adventure by Ben Waggoner (trans) Page A

him, and that must be some champion or prince accompanying this king, because the bear is strong and indicates powerful support. I think it’s very likely that some noble king is seeking you out. That beast was much larger and stronger than I have heard could exist.”
    The king said, “When do you think this king will arrive? And how much damage do you think they will do in our kingdom?”
    The queen said, “I would say that I expect that this king is coming in peace at this time, because these beasts were gentle. If I had to guess, I would say that the great lion must be the fetch of King Hrolf Gautreksson of Gautland, since that’s where these beasts were coming from. I guess the white bear must be the fetch of Ingjald, his sworn brother.”
    The king said, “What could Hrolf the champion want, coming here to meet with us?”
    The queen said, “It’s all a riddle, but because the beasts seemed mild, I think that they are coming in peace with good intentions towards us. I think it most likely that King Hrolf will have the same mission that many others have had before: to ask for the hand of our daughter Thornbjorg. She is now the most famous woman in the Northlands.”
    The king said, “I didn’t know that Hrolf intended such insolence, nor that other king who rules such a little kingdom—since high kings, with under-kings who pay them tribute, have previously asked for her hand. Don’t go on with such daydreams, my lady.”
    The queen said, “Don’t pay this any mind, unless what I think proves true . ”
    The king said, “How shall I go to meet King Hrolf if he comes here, or receive his proposal, if that’s his reason for coming?”
    She answered, “You must receive Hrolf well if he seeks you out, and offer him the best cheer, because he is the most accomplished man in many respects. It’s not certain that your daughter could get a more famous man, or so I’m told about him.”
    After that, they ended their conversation for the time being. Several days passed.

    CHAPTER VIII

    King Eirek was informed that King Hrolf Gautreksson had arrived with sixty men. The king got men to invite him to a feast in his hall. When the invitation reached King Hrolf, he went to meet the king, and he was welcomed well and suitably, but with no grace or good cheer. The high-seat across the table from the king was prepared for him.
    They arrived late in the day. Once the tables and food were taken away, drink was brought in. When they had drunk for a while, many were quite cheerful, but King Hrolf was quite attentive and said little. King Eirek spoke to him and asked for news from Gautland or any other place from which he might have heard. King Hrolf said that there wasn’t any news from Gautland.
    King Eirek said, “For what reason have you come to us Swedes, riding with many men in the middle of winter?”
    King Hrolf answered, “Whether we’ve been traveling on ships or horses, we have come here of our own free will, whatever comes of it from now on. Since you’re asking about our mission, we had intended to mention it at a more leisurely time than now—but since you’ve found out, I suppose that we need not put it off, because it’s true what they say, ‘a shy man’s request has to wait till evening’. My mission here is to propose becoming your son-in-law and marrying your daughter Thornbjorg. Now we would like to hear a clear and prompt answer to our proposal.”
    King Eirek answered, “I know the way that you Gauts tell jokes and speak very humorously when you drink, and I can’t take it at all seriously. I must have guessed the truth about you Gauts and your mission. I’m told that there is a great famine among you Gauts. It often happens; Gautland’s a small country, with little income but a large population. You always provide food for a large host at your own expense, and you’re openhanded and generous with your goods while they last. Now I realize that you must feel awfully hard-pressed, and