akon what a difference would lie, and how much
the more to his own vantage, were he, in lieu of risking battle against
a King to whom he was already bounden by service, to accept from that
King honour as great as he himself might demand. Fin said that Hakon
might be unvictorious; 'and then wouldst thou have forfeited both wealth
and peace; and if thou wert victorious over the King then wouldst thou
be dubbed a traitor.'

The Earl also supported this speaking of Fin.

When Hakon had given the matter thought, made he known to them what was
in his mind, & said: 'I will accept reconciliation from King Harald if
he will give me in wedlock his kinswoman Ragnhild, the daughter of
Magnus Olafson, with such a dowry as is seemly for her, and as she
herself may desire.'

Then Fin answered that he would promise the fulfilment of this request
on behalf of King Harald, & therewith was the matter ratified between
them. Thereafter fared Fin back north to Throndhjem, and all the
disquiet and turmoil was set at rest; and so in the end kept the King
his kingdom in peace within the land, for now the whole of that league
came to naught which the kinsfolk of Eindrid had set against King
Harald.

[Illustration]

|| Now when the time was come that Hakon was to demand the fulfilment of
the contract, fared he to see King Harald; and when they began talking
of the matter together, said the King to him that he on his side would
keep to everything that had been covenanted twixt Hakon and Fin: 'Thou
shalt speak with Ragnhild herself, Hakon,' said the King, 'and ask her
consent to this match, but I would not advise thee, or any other, to wed
Ragnhild save with her consent.'

Thereafter went Hakon unto Ragnhild and asked her hand, and she
answered: 'Indeed feel I that my father, King Hakon, is dead, since I am
to be given to a peasant, fine man though thou art and of mighty
prowess. Were King Magnus alive would he never yoke me with any mate
less than a king, nor can it be awaited now that I will wed a man
without princely rank.' Now after this went Hakon to King Harald &
opened unto him of the colour of the speech of Ragnhild, & withal to his
memory again commended the agreement betwixt himself and Fin; and Fin
was there present, & sundry others who could also bear witness to what
was pledged betwixt him and Fin. Then of them all demanded Hakon to bear
him out in regard to the agreement that the King should give Ragnhild
such dowry as was