Northland Heroes | Page 7

And you, my Frithiof, must not desert
the land you were born to guard. Let us yield to the voice of duty. Let
us save our honour though our happiness be lost!"
"Necessity commands our flight. Come, Ingeborg!"
"What's right and noble, that's necessity."
"Consider well. Is that your last resolve?"
"It is my last. But remember that my thought will follow you wherever
you may go. When evening comes I will send a greeting, and the
fleeting cloud shall bear it unto you."

"You have conquered, my Ingeborg. A noble mind best teaches what is
noble. To-day I yield and leave you. But in the earliest spring I shall
return and in open council of the sons of the Northland, who alone can
give the hand of a princess, will I demand you. Farewell till then. For
memory wear this arm-ring, the work of Volund, graven with heaven's
wonders. But the best of wonders is a faithful heart."
So, full of hope, did Frithiof leave, but Ingeborg feared her gloomy
brother, knowing well how he hated the noble Frithiof. To herself she
said: "Never will he give me to thee, dear childhood's friend. Rather
will he wed me to King Ring whom he fights. No hope do I see, yet I
am glad thy heart can hope. May all the good gods follow thee."

Frithiof and Angantyr
Over the sea sailed Frithiof with his friends in the good ship Ellide to
the home of the brave earl Angantyr. The old man, joyous and
light-hearted, one day looked over the sea and saw the white-winged
ship bringing the brave heroes.
"That is Ellide coming, and the hero with firm and steady step is
Frithiof, son of Thorsten. No one in the Northland has so brave a brow
and so bright a smile."
Then the sturdy Atle sprang up crying: "Now will I go and prove what
truth there is in the report that Frithiof breaks all swords and never sues
for peace."
When he saw Frithiof he cried: "No one comes here but he either fights
or flies. If you beg for peace, I shall receive you in friendship and take
you to the earl."
Frithiof replied sharply: "Before I cry for peace our good swords must
be tested."
Then flashed his sword-blade, the bright Angurvadel. The men fought
long and cleft each other's shields, but finally Atle's sword was broken

and Frithiof's sword was king.
Then said the victor: "I do not wish to slay a swordless foe. If you wish,
let us strive as yeomen, man to man, without weapons."
So they wrestled breast to breast as two bears trying their strength, or as
wave breaking against wave. The firm earth trembled, and the great
oaks scarce could endure the shock.
But Frithiof proved the stronger, and at length brought proud Atle to
the ground. Angrily he said: "If my good sword were at my hand,
through thy body would I plunge it, thou black-beard!"
"Go bring it! Who'll prevent thee?" cried the brave Atle. "Here will I lie
if that will content thee. All must Valhal see; I, to-day; thou, perhaps,
to-morrow!"
Then Frithiof fetched the gleaming Angurvadel, but the good sword
harmed not the noble foe. Frithiof struck the sand with the blade, for he
admired the courage of the brave Atle.
As friends Frithiof and Atle then entered the palace of Angantyr.
Everything seemed new and beautiful to Frithiof. Instead of planks well
matched, leather embroidered in gold covered the walls. No rough
hearthstone littered the centre of the hall, but a marble fireplace was
built up against the side. In the windows were fitted panes of glass, and
a key secured the door.
Here were no wooden torches as light of the feast, but waxen candles
gleamed brightly in their silver sconces. The roasted stag gracing the
table had gold bands on his hoofs, and flowers wreathed his horns.
Three steps the earl descended, saying to Frithiof: "Come sit by me,
brave son of Thorsten."
Then was Thorsten's praise chanted by the singers, and his brave deeds
were sung in the old Norse tongue.

The earl asked much about his friends of long ago. Frithiof answered
wisely and kindly, and all the warriors cheered him loudly. Soon he
spoke of the errand that brought him from his own land. Angantyr
listened kindly but replied:
"I never paid tribute to Bele and shall not to his sons. If they wish to
take it, let them meet us on the strand and see who is best. But Thorsten
was my friend," continued the earl, and beckoned to his daughter, who
sat near him.
The beautiful maid hastened to her room and brought back a green silk
purse all deftly wrought. The tassels were made of gold and the