sked him for his sister
Ingeborg. Here they remained three days, singing and feasting. On the
fourth morning they asked for a reply from King Helge for their king.

[Illustration: Ingeborg at Balder's Temple]

In the grove of Balder Helge offered bird and beast and asked the
priest what answer he should give. The priest, frightened by evil
omens, replied that Ingeborg must not be given to King Ring. Then
Helge said nay to the messengers, for men must obey when the gods have
spoken.

Angry were the messengers, and angry was King Ring when he was told
that Helge would not give the lovely Ingeborg to be his queen. He
struck his bright shield and seized his warlike weapons.

Over the sea many a dragon ship came hurrying and the plumes of the
warriors waved in the breeze.

"Let us teach the proud Helge a lesson," they cried.

When King Helge heard of the ships and the warriors hurrying over the
sea, he said: "Long and bloody will be the strife, for King Ring is a
mighty king. To protect my sister we must place her in the temple of
Balder the holy."

Frithiof's Answer

While King Helge gathered his warriors to fight King Ring, the angry
Frithiof was playing chess with his friend Bjorn. Hilding urged him to
forget his anger and go into battle to fight for his king and his
country. "The times are evil, dear foster-son," said the good Hilding,
"and you are all the people's hope."

Kindly but firmly said the youth: "My resolve is firm. I will not obey
Helge. He and Halfdan may be angry and threaten. They are kings, but
I bid defiance to their power and their threats."

Then said Hilding sadly: "Is this the reply to my pleading?"

Frithiof then arises, laying
Hilding's hand in his, and saying:
"My resolve is firm and steady,
And my answer you have heard.

"Go to Bele's sons and warn them
Peasants love not those who scorn them;
To their power I bid defiance,
Their behests will not obey."

"In thy chosen way abide thee,
For thy wrath I cannot chide thee;
Odin must be our reliance,"
Hilding said, and went his way.

In Balder's Grove

While King Bele's sons were preparing for war with King Ring, Frithiof
sought Ingeborg in the grove of Balder. Most beautiful was this temple
of the sun-god, and here the sunshine seemed lovelier than in other
groves. The flowers glowed in the friendly rays and seemed more
beautiful. At night, when evening drew the rosy