How the Sea-monarch reminded Sir Otto that Blanchefleur
should be given to him for his bride.
In the fortress of Count Archimbald von Waldeck some weeks were passed
away ere the party could resolve to set out on their journey into
Swabia. On that pilgrimage it was resolved that they should all proceed
together; and they rejoiced to think, that they would there become
guests of Sir Otto von Trautwangen, waiting only, for the present,
till his wounds were quite healed and his armour repaired. Meanwhile
their time was spent in listening to many strange stories, partly such
as Hildiridur could remember from the wonderful books that she had
read, and partly narratives afforded by the knights from their former
campaigns. Doubtless, therefore, there could be no want of a full and
clear detail of Gabrielle’s conflicts, or rather those of her brother,
for the ring; and the final tournament, fought by Sir Otto, was not
forgotten.
Hildiridur had listened attentively to these stories;--at last she
inquired of her son,--“What was the fashion of the ring?”--She
desired to know in what manner it was wrought, and what kind of
jewels were contained therein. Sir Otto gave her an exact description
of the mysterious gem. Then the Lady Hildiridur said, with a deep
sigh,--“There can no longer be any doubt;--the renowned Sir Huguenin
of Normandy was no other than the stern Hugur of the north, and,
moreover, thy father, Sir Hugh von Trautwangen. As to the Magic Ring,
my sister, the beautiful Astrid, had received it from her aunt, by whom
I was instructed in the arts of magic, amid the remote snow-covered
mountains of Iceland. In the same hour, when that powerful enchantress
made choice of me to be henceforth her partner, and at last to
inherit the wonderful treasures of her mysterious knowledge, she cast
a compassionate look on the beautiful Astrid, who stood there smiling
cheerfully in her child-like innocence--‘Thou art in truth so pretty
and engaging,’ said the Druda, ‘that one cannot think of bestowing an
inheritance, and leave thee neglected. Here, take what I can offer to
thee.’ With these words she put the enchanted ring into the hand of
Astrid, adding,--‘I intrust this gem to thy innocence and simplicity of
heart; but beware, for it is a talisman involving many wondrous powers;
and never shalt thou part with it, unless to the knight whom thou hast
resolved to take for thy husband.’--Soon after it came into the hands
of Sir Hugur, and Heaven grant that the ring may not now have fallen
into the possession of some one far less worthy; for I well know, that
by this means it is possible to work such wonders as, till now, have
never been known in the world.”
“Be not afraid, dearest mother,” said Sir Otto; “the ring is doubtless
in the possession either of Blanchefleur or Gabrielle, and both are far
too noble and virtuous to use it amiss; though,” added he, in a lower
tone, “Gabrielle indeed is too ready to plight faith and troth, and
somewhat too slow to remember what she has thus promised.”
“Nay, thou know’st not who is in possession of the ring,” said
Hildiridur; “when once given out of thy hands, it is as little within
thy power as the lark, which even now is soaring above the castle
ramparts. So it is with man, who in this world is at once so poor and
so rich. As long as only an inward voice speaks within him, urging him
to act, he may be said to have all within his own power; but no sooner
has the deed been fulfilled, than in the next moment all is lost, for
it may never be recalled.”
In the evening, when they separated and retired to their several
chambers, the sea-monarch came into that of Sir Otto. “Have you felt
then, happy youth,” cried he, as soon as they were alone together,
“have you felt in your heart your own immeasurable good fortune in
becoming thus the brother of Blanchefleur?” Otto nodded kindly in
token of assent to his brave comrade. “Well then,” said Arinbiorn,
“you will doubtless remember the promise once made to me among the
Swedish mountains, when we for the first time rode up to your mother’s
watch-tower?” “A true knight may never forget a promise,” answered
Sir Otto, taking the sea-monarch’s hand; “and, besides, I know not
any champion over the wide world to whom I would so willingly give
my sister in marriage as to you. One question, however, is yet to be
determined, whether she may not by this time have become the betrothed
bride of some one not inferior to us in rank?” “No doubt,” answered
Sir Arinbiorn, “I should then give up my claims; but, methinks, Heaven
cannot have resolved to inflict on me such cruel disappointment.”
Thereupon, with increasing friendship and confidence, the two warriors
shook hands, and wished each other good night.