d knelt for a space they sat down side by side, and
Frithiof drew the ring from off his arm and gave it to Ingeborg,
saying: "This ring will I give thee if thou wilt promise never to part
with it, but to send it to me when thou no longer hast need of it. And
with it I plight thee my troth."

And in the same manner did Ingeborg give her own ring to Frithiof.

And then Ingeborg with fond entreaties implored her lover to seek
Helge once again, and offer his hand, lest haply he might be
reconciled. Long did Frithiof hesitate, but at last the melting eyes
of Ingeborg could be denied no longer, and he promised that once again
would he seek the kings in peace and friendship.

CHAPTER XXIII

Frithiof Braves the Storm

_This is the tale the Northmen tell of how Frithiof
the Bold went on a perilous adventure._

Now when the two young kings met with Ring, and found that his forces
were far stronger than theirs, their hearts failed them and they sent
messengers to sue for peace. And it was arranged that they should
submit to King Ring, and should give Ingeborg their sister to him in
marriage, together with the third part of all their possession.

Now one morning tidings were brought to Frithiof by Bjoern, who cried:
"The kings are returned home, and short enough will be our time of
peace, for we have broken the law of Balder, and we shall have to
pay."

But Frithiof, who knew no fear, bade him be at rest, saying that
directly the kings had taken their seat upon their father's
grave-mound, to hear the suits brought before them, he intended once
again to claim the hand of Ingeborg.

So on the day appointed he sought the place where Helge sat, black as
a thunder-cloud, with his warriors around him, and foolish Halfdan,
jesting as usual, and playing with his sword, stood by his side. And
Frithiof stood forth and said: "Not yet is thy kingdom free, O Helge,
from the threat of battle. Give me then thy sister and my strong right
arm shall fight for thee. Come, let this grudge between us be
forgotten, for I am loth to bear myself ill towards the brother of
Ingeborg and the sons of Bele. Here is my hand; but by the gods I
swear that, if thou refuse, it shall never be stretched forth to thee
in peace again."

At these words a shout broke from the listening throng and the air was
rent with the noise of clashing weapons.

"Ay! Give him Ingeborg, for what swordsman in our land is like to
him?"

And even foolish Halfdan