Vikings, and I must say that
they do not go easily. But it was not told us that they came here to
right a wrong, else had I not fought."

Many called out in the same words, and then sat down as the earl had done.

And at last Alsi spoke for himself.

"We do not fight against you, my niece, but against the Danes. We cannot
have them in the country."

"They do not mean to bide here, but they will not go before my throne is
given to me. Never came a foreign host into a land in more friendly wise
than this of mine."

At that Alsi's face seemed to clear, and his forced smile came to him.
He looked round on the thanes who were nearest him, and coughed, and
then answered, "Here has been some mistake, my niece, and it has cost
many good lives. If it is even as you say, get you to your land of
Anglia, and there shall be peace. I myself will send word to Ragnar that
he shall hail you as queen."

Then up spoke a new voice, and it was one that I knew well.

"No need to do that, lord king," said Berthun the cook. "Here have I
come posthaste, and riding day and night, to say that Ragnar is but a
day's march from here, that he and all Norfolk may see that their queen
comes to her own."

Then Alsi's face grew ashy pale, and without another word he swung his
horse round and went his way. I saw him reel in the saddle before he had
gone far, and Eglaf set his arm round him and stayed him up. After him
Goldberga looked wistfully, for she was forgiving, and had fain that he
had spoken one word of sorrow. But none else heeded him, for now the
thanes, led by the earl himself, came thronging across the water, that
they might ask forgiveness for even seeming to withstand Goldberga. And
on both sides the men set down their arms, and began to pile mighty
fires, that the peace made should not want its handfasting feast.

For the fair princess had won her own, and there was naught but gladness.

CHAPTER XXIV. PEACE, AND FAREWELL.

Now there was feasting enough, and somewhere they found at a thane's
house a great tent, and they set that up, so that Havelok and Goldberga
might have their own court round them, as it were. Gladly did Berthun
rid himself of war gear and take to his old trade again. I suppose that
the little Tetford valley had never heard the like sounds of rejoicing
before.

Near midnight a man came to me and said that a message had come to me
from the other side, and I rose from the board and went out, to find
Egl