e king lies on the sea, frozen
and wet, and I am come to fetch a brand for his fire. And I had best
also see his daughter home."

The troll shook her head, suddenly chuckling. "No. The brand you may
have, just to get you out of this cave, foulness; but the woman is in my
thrall until a man sleeps with her--here--for a night. And if he does, I
may have him to break my fast in the morning!"

Cappen yawned mightily. "Thank you, mother. Your offer of a bed is most
welcome to these tired bones, and I accept gratefully."

"You will die tomorrow!" she raved. The ground shook under the huge
weight of her as she stamped. "Because of the three truths, I must let
you go tonight; but tomorrow I may do what I will!"

"Forget not my little friend, mother," said Cappen, and touched the cord
of the amulet.

"I tell you, silver has no use against me--"

Cappen sprawled on the floor and rippled fingers across his harp. "_A
lovely lady full oft lies--_"

The troll-wife turned from him in a rage. Hildigund ladled up some
broth, saying nothing, and Cappen ate it with pleasure, though it could
have used more seasoning.

After that he indited a sonnet to the princess, who regarded him
wide-eyed. The troll came back from a tunnel after he finished, and said
curtly: "This way." Cappen took the girl's hand and followed her into a
pitchy, reeking dark.

She plucked an arras aside to show a room which surprised him by being
hung with tapestries, lit with candles, and furnished with a fine broad
featherbed. "Sleep here tonight, if you dare," she growled. "And
tomorrow I shall eat you--and you, worthless lazy she-trash, will have
the hide flayed off your back!" She barked a laugh and left them.

Hildigund fell weeping on the mattress. Cappen let her cry herself out
while he undressed and got between the blankets. Drawing his sword, he
laid it carefully in the middle of the bed.

The girl looked at him through jumbled fair locks. "How can ye dare?"
she whispered. "One breath of fear, one moment's doubt, and the troll is
free to rend ye."

"Exactly." Cappen yawned. "Doubtless she hopes that fear will come to me
lying wakeful in the night. Wherefore 'tis but a question of going
gently to sleep. O Svearek, Torbek, and Beorna, could you but see how I
am resting now!"

"But ... the three truths ye gave her ... how knew ye...?"

"Oh, those. Well, see you, sweet lady, Primus and Secundus were my own
thoughts, and who is to disprove them? T