"All here I know but one, Wulfric, and that one is your seafarer.
Let me know him also that speech may be free among us."

So Lodbrok came, and he and the king looked long at one another
before Eadmund spoke.

"I have heard your story, friend, and it is a strange one," he said
pleasantly. "Moreover, I know your name in some way."

"Well known is the name of Ragnar Lodbrok, my forefather," said the
jarl. "Mayhap the king remembers the name thus!"

"Aye," answered Eadmund, "that is a well-known and honoured name,
and I think that Ragnar's son has a share in his courage. But your
face also seems known to me, and it was not of the great Ragnar
that I thought. Have we met in years past?"

Then Lodbrok said that he had been in London at a time when Offa
the King was there, and it was long years ago, but that the very
day might be remembered by reason of a great wedding that he had
been to see out of curiosity, knowing little of Saxon customs. And
he named the people who were married in the presence of Offa and
many nobles.

Then Eadmund laughed a little.

"Now it all comes into my mind," he said; "you are the leader of
those strangers who must needs come into the church in helm and
mail, with axe and shield hung on shoulders. Moreover, for that
reason, when men bade you depart and you went not, they even let
you bide. So I asked your name--and now I can answer for it that
Lodbrok Jarl you are."

And he held out his hand for the Dane to kiss, after our custom.
But Lodbrok grasped and shook it heartily, saying:

"Thanks, Lord King, for that remembrance, and maybe also for a
little forgetfulness."

Nor was Eadmund displeased with the freedom, but at that last
saying he laughed outright.

"Kings have both to remember and forget," he said, "and maybe, if
the citizens had not expected you to behave as wild vikings, you
would have gone peacefully as you came?"

"That is the truth," said Lodbrok.

So I suppose there had been some fray, of little moment, with the
London folk.

Then we followed the king into the hall; and Lodbrok and I together
sat at table over against him. Soon I knew all that an hour or two
of pleasant talk would teach me of his home and sons and sports,
and the king asked now and again of Danish customs, not yet
speaking of the voyage.

"For," said he, "it is ill recalling hardships until the feast is
over. Then may one enjoy the telling."

Presently the gleemen sang to us; and after that th