so that he bade him bide in the court for a while that he might
take back a good report of us to his own people.

Now when the king was with us, I gladly took up my duties as his
armour bearer for the time; and therefore slept across the doorway
of his chamber when he went to rest. So my father bestowed Lodbrok
with the thanes in the great hall, and I left him there, following
the king.

Well did I sleep that night, though, sailorwise, not so heavily but
that any noise would rouse me in a moment. And as it drew towards
morning the king stirred uneasily, and I looked up at him. Seeing
that I woke he called me softly. The gray light of dawn came
through the window, and I could see that he sat up in his bed,
though I might not make out his face.

"I am here, Lord King. Is aught amiss?" I said, rising up with my
sword in my hand.

"Strange dreams have I had, my son," he said, in his quiet voice,
"and they trouble me."

"Let me know them, my master," I said, "and maybe the trouble will
pass; for often that which seems sorely troublous in a dream is
naught when one would put it into words."

"Sit on the bed and I will tell you," he answered; and when I was
there close to him he went on:

"It was this: I thought that I was in some place where water
gleamed beneath me, while overhead passed the tread of many feet
with music of pipe and tabor as at a bridal. And I cannot tell what
that place was. Then came to me the hand of this Lodbrok, and he,
looking very sad and downcast, led me thence into the forest land
and set me over against a great gate. And beyond that gate shone
glorious light, and I heard the sound of voices singing in such
wise that I knew it was naught but the gate of Heaven itself, and I
would fain go therein. But between me and the gate sped arrows
thick as hail, so that to reach it I must needs pass through them.
Then said Jarl Lodbrok, 'Here is the entry, and it is so hard to
win through because of me, yet not by my fault. But I think you
will not turn aside for arrows, and when you come therein I pray
you to remember me.' Then pressed I to the gate, unheeding of the
arrow storm. And lo! the gate was an oak tree, tall and strong, yet
beyond it was the light and the singing that I had reached. Then
faded the face of Lodbrok, and after me looked sadly many faces,
and one was yours, my son, and the nearest. So I woke."

"That is a wondrous dream," I said, not knowing what to make
thereof, having no