Frithiof goes to Ingeborg
When the sun had sunk low in the west, Frithiof said to Bjorn: "Let us
away, for this night I must speak with Ingeborg."
"How!" cried his friend, "wouldst thou violate Balder's Grove?"
"Surely 'twill be no violation of Balder's sanctuary if I do but seek in
all honor and propriety to hold converse with the King's daughter, my
play-fellow and companion from our infancy!"
Bjorn said no more, and "Ellida" soon brought them to the holy grove,
one side of which was bounded by the sea. By that way it was forbidden
to enter, under penalty of death, while from the land none but the
priests might grant entrance through the door in the high wall to those
wishing to visit the grove and temple. Paying no heed to this
prohibition, Frithiof boldly entered the grove from the shore and
suddenly appeared before Ingeborg, to her mingled joy and terror.
"Fear not, dear Ingeborg," he cried, clasping her hand, "that my
presence here will profane Balder's sanctuary. Nay, rather let us go
into the temple and implore his aid and guidance."
In silence the lovers entered the temple, and not till the dawn began to
break did they emerge and seek the shore once more.
"Now have we plighted our troth before the gentle god," said Frithiof,
"and our love for each other shall therefore be publicly made known."
Thereupon the maiden besought Frithiof to forget what had passed and be
reconciled to her brother.
"Thy words accord with that which Balder hath implanted in my breast,
fair maid," replied Frithiof, "wherefore I will appear at the Ting and
before all men offer to thy brother Helge the hand of peace. Soon shalt
thou hear thereof."
And with these words they parted.