Northland Heroes | Page 5

of Helge, and it fell in
halves with a clang to the ground.
"Well done, my sword! Lie still and dream of great deeds to come!
Now will we go home over the foaming billows."
So in anger did the noble Frithiof leave the presence of King Helge,
and return to Framness, the house of his fathers.

In the Country of King Ring
Far in the north lived the good King Ring. His words were wise and
kind. In his land no war cast its dark shadow and everywhere in his
kingdom blossomed fair flowers. Justice and right clasped hands, and
peace lived with plenty in the golden fields.
For thirty years King Ring had ruled in the Northland. The people
loved him well and named him in their evening prayers. His good
queen had died, and long had he mourned for her. But the people
begged him to marry again.
At last the old king said: "King Bele often visited me and spake of his
fair daughter. Her would I choose for my bride. Take gold and jewels
rare from my coffers. Have minstrels go and with their songs win for
me the fair Ingeborg."
In gay company they went to Helge's court and asked 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 curtain, the brooks and

breezes whispered softly to one another and the stars gleamed like
pearls upon the dark blue robe of night.
The wonderful boat, Ellide, sped over the waves sparkling in the
moonlight. "Glide on, Ellide, over the deep gulf and bear me swiftly to
the grove of Balder. I hail thee, moon, with thy pale light streaming
over grove and dale. Upon the shore I leap with joy and salute thy
brown cheek, smiling earth."
So spake Frithiof as he landed on the shore. The earth seemed friendly,
the red and white flowers smiled upon him, and he was happy and free
from care. With Ingeborg the brave youth knelt at the shrine of Balder,
the mild, radiant god of the sun whom all gods and men love, and
prayed for happiness and peace. They prayed not for princely honours,
but for a home near the dark blue sea. Then, amid flowers and under
the shade of the leafy trees, their lives would be happy