wisest of womankind; and
Sigmund hears it told of her that she was meet to be his wife, yea if
none else were. So he goes to the house of King Eylimi, who would make
a great feast for him, if so be he comes not thither in the guise of
a foe. So messages were sent from one to the other that this present
journey was a peaceful one, and not for war; so the feast was held in
the best of wise and with many a man thereat; fairs were in every place
established for King Sigmund, and all things else were done to the aid
and comfort of his journey: so he came to the feast, and both kings hold
their state in one hall; thither also was come King Lyngi, son of King
Hunding, and he also is a-wooing the daughter of King Eylimi.

Now the king deemed he knew that the twain had come thither but for one
errand, and thought withal that war and trouble might be looked for
from the hands of him who brought not his end about; so he spake to his
daughter, and said--

"Thou art a wise woman, and I have spoken it, that thou alone shalt
choose a husband for thyself; choose therefore between these two kings,
and my rede shall be even as thine."

"A hard and troublous matter," says she; "yet will I choose him who is
of greatest fame, King Sigmund to wife, albeit he is well stricken in
years."

So to him was she betrothed, and King Lyngi gat him gone. Then was
Sigmund wedded to Hjordis, and now each day was the feast better and
more glorious than on the day before it. But thereafter Sigmund went
back home to Hunland, and King Eylimi, his father-in-law, with him, and
King Sigmund betakes himself to the due ruling of his realm.

But King Lyngi and his brethren gather an army together to fall on
Sigmund, for as in all matters they were wont to have the worser lot,
so did this bite the sorest of all; and they would fain prevail over the
might and pride of the Volsungs. So they came to Hunland, and sent King
Sigmund word how that they would not steal upon him, and that they deemed
he would scarce slink away from them. So Sigmund said he would come and
meet them in battle, and drew his power together; but Hjordis was borne
into the wood with a certain bondmaid, and mighty wealth went with them;
and there she abode the while they fought.

Now the vikings rushed from their ships in numbers not to be borne up
against, but Sigmund the King, and Eylimi, set up their banners, and the
horns blew up to battle; but King Sigmund let blow the horn his father