Aslaugas Knight | Page 7

his match; and
God be praised if we still hold on in the same path, and welcome our
earliest meeting in the lists!"
But Edwald looked at him sorrowfully, and said, "What can my skill
and strength avail if they be tried against you, and for the greatest
earthly prize, which one of us alone can win? Alas! I have long
foreboded with a heavy heart the sad truth, that you also are journeying
to the tournament of the fair Hildegardis."
"Edchen," answered Froda, with a smile, "my gentle, loving youth, see
you not that I already wear on my breastplate the image of a liege lady?
I strive but for renown in arms, and not for your fair Hildegardis!"
"MY fair Hildegardis!" answered Edwald, with a sigh. "That she is not,
nor ever will be--or should she, ah! Froda, it would pierce your heart. I
know well the northland faith is deep-rooted as your rocks, and hard to
dissolve as their summits of snow; but let no man think that he can look
unscathed into the eyes of Hildegardis. Has not she, the haughty, the
too haughty maiden, so bewitched my tranquil, lowly mind, that I
forget the gulf which lies between us, and still pursue her; and would
rather perish than renounce the daring hope to win that eagle spirit for
my own?"
"I will help you to it, Edchen," answered Froda, smiling still. "Would
that I knew how this all-conquering lady looks! She must resemble the
Valkyrien of our heathen forefathers, since so many mighty warriors
are overcome by her."
Edwald solemnly drew forth a picture from beneath his breastplate, and
held it before him. Fixed, and as if enchanted, Froda gazed upon it,

with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes; the smile passed away from
his countenance, as the sunlight fades away from the meadows before
the coming darkness of the storm.
"See you not now, my noble comrade," whispered Edwald, "that for
one of us two, or perhaps for both, the joy of life is gone?"
"Not yet," replied Froda, with a powerful effort; "but hide your magic
picture, and let us rest beneath this shade. You must be somewhat spent
with your late encounter, and a strange weariness oppresses me with
leaden weight." They dismounted from their steeds, and stretched
themselves upon the ground.
The noble Froda had no thought of sleep; but he wished to be
undisturbed whilst he wrestled strongly with himself, and strove, if it
might be, to drive from his mind that image of fearful beauty. It seemed
as if this new influence had already become a part of his very life, and
at last a restless dreamy sleep did indeed overshadow the exhausted
warrior. He fancied himself engaged in combat with many knights,
whilst Hildegardis looked on smiling from a richly-adorned balcony;
and just as he thought he had gained the victory the bleeding Edwald
lay groaning beneath his horse's feet. Then again it seemed as if
Hildegardis stood by his side in a church, and they were about to
receive the marriage-blessing. He knew well that this was not right, and
the "yes," which he was to utter, he pressed back with resolute effort
into his heart, and forthwith his eyes were moistened with burning tears.
>From yet stranger and more bewildering visions the voice of Edwald
at last awoke him. He raised himself up, and heard his young
companion saying courteously, as he looked towards a neighbouring
thicket, "Only return, noble maiden; I will surely help you if I can; and
I had no wish to scare you away, but that the slumbers of my brother in
arms might not be disturbed by you." A golden gleam shone through
the branches as it vanished.
"For heaven's sake", my faithful comrade," cried Froda, "to whom are
you speaking, and who has been here by me?"
"I cannot myself rightly understand," said Edwald. "Hardly had you

dropped asleep when a figure came forth from the forest, closely
wrapped in a dark mantle. At first I took her for a peasant. She seated
herself at your head; and though I could see nothing of her countenance,
I could well observe that she was sorely troubled, and even shedding
tears. I made signs to her to depart, lest she should disturb your sleep;
and would have offered her a piece of gold, supposing that poverty
must be the cause of her deep distress. But my hand seemed powerless,
and a shudder passed through me, as if I had entertained such a purpose
towards a queen. Immediately glittering locks of gold waved here and
there between the folds of her close-wrapped mantle, and the thicket
began almost to shine in the light which they shed. 'Poor youth,' said
she then, 'you love truly, and can