y king is in danger, beware! Yet a pawn can
recover him even now."

Then Hilding urged: "Frithiof, my son, anger not the kings. Remember
that they too have power, and that they threaten thee with a terrible
fate if thou wilt not go forth to their aid."

But Frithiof only said to Bjoern:

"See how thou threatenest my castle in vain!"

"Grim and high the fierce wall rises,
Bright the Shield-tower shines within."

Then Hilding tried another argument.

"Son!" he cried, "knowest thou not how Ingeborg weeps all day within
the Place of Balder? Wilt thou not fight for her release? Wilt thou
leave her blue eyes to melt in vain?"

But Frithiof answered Bjoern, as though unheeding: "Bjoern, 'tis in vain
thou tryest to take my queen, ever so dear and true to me. She is my
favourite piece in all the game, and, come what will, I'll save my
queen."

"What!" cried the old man. "Must I go forth unheeded, without even a
reply, because of this child's game?"

Then Frithiof rose and pressed his hand kindly, saying: "Father,
naught will make me change my mind, and what thou hast heard me say
here in this place, thou mayest tell again to those who sent thee."

When the kings received the report of Hilding concerning Frithiof,
they waited but to see that their sister Ingeborg was safe within the
walls of Balder's grove, and then prepared to march with all the
forces they could muster to meet King Ring.

Meantime Frithiof attired himself in his richest dress, and placed his
golden ring upon his arm, and called on Bjoern and his servants to
follow him.

"Whither now do we go, my brother?" asked Bjoern.

"To the grove of Balder," answered Frithiof shortly.

"That is not well," said Bjoern anxiously. "It will draw down the anger
of the gods upon us."

"That remains to be seen," replied Frithiof.

So they rowed over the firth and entered Balder's grove, and made
their way into Ingeborg's bower.

Now when she saw Frithiof, the blue eyes of Ingeborg flashed with joy,
but she said gravely, as she rose to receive him: "Now wherefore art
thou so bold, Frithiof, to come hither against the will of my brothers
and to bring the wrath of the gods upon us?"

But Frithiof replied: "Nay, love, no perils attend us. Fear not the
wrath of Balder; that gentle god will not punish true lovers. Let us
kneel at his shrine. No incense is more grateful to his soul than the
faith of two young hearts vowing eternal love."

So when they ha