Northland Heroes | Page 5

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 and free from envy and care.
But they feared the king, the cold and cruel Helge. He would never consent to Frithiof's request for the hand of Ingeborg. If he learned that Frithiof had dared to visit Ingeborg in Balder's grove, his anger would be greater than ever. But Ingeborg begged Frithiof to go to her brother and to offer his hand in friendship. She could not leave the grove of Balder, where Helge had placed her for protection during the war with King Ring.
At last Frithiof yielded. He said farewell to Ingeborg with sadness in his heart.
"Like Balder are you, Ingeborg! Like him your hair is golden, and your eyes are blue as his skies, while your soul is as pure as the morning light!"

The Parting
A meeting of all the warriors had been called by