While Froda’s wounds were healing Edwald would sometimes wander, when
the shades of evening fell dark and silent around, on the flowery
terraces beneath the windows of Hildegardis, and sing pleasant little
songs; amongst others the following:--
“Heal fast, heal fast, ye hero-wounds;
O knight, be quickly strong;
Beloved strife
For fame and life,
O tarry not too long!”
But that one which the maidens of the castle loved best to learn from
him was this, and it was perhaps the longest song that Edwald had ever
sung in his whole life:--
“Would I on earth were lying,
By noble hero slain;
So that love’s gentle sighing
Breathed me to life again!
“Would I an emperor were,
Of wealth and power!
Would I were gathering twigs
In woodland bower!
“Would that in lone seclusion
I lived a hermit’s life!
Would, amid wild confusion,
I led the battle-strife!
“O would the lot were mine,
In bower or field,
To which my lady fair
Her smile would yield!”
At this time it happened that a man who held himself to be very
wise, and who filled the office of secretary to the aged guardian of
Hildegardis, came to the two knightly friends to propose a scheme to
them. His proposal, in few words, was this, that as Froda could gain no
advantage from his victory, he might in the approaching combat suffer
himself to be thrown from his steed, and thus secure the lady for his
comrade, at the same time fulfilling the wish of the Emperor, which
might turn to his advantage hereafter in many ways.
At this the two friends at first laughed heartily; but then Froda
advanced gravely towards the secretary, and said, “Thou trifler,
doubtless the old duke would drive thee from his service did he know
of thy folly, and teach thee to talk of the Emperor. Good-night, worthy
sir, and trust me that when Edwald and I meet each other, it will be
with all our heart and strength.”
The secretary hastened out of the room with all speed, and was seen next
morning to look unusually pale.
Soon after this Froda recovered from his wounds; the course was again
prepared as before, but crowded by a still greater number of spectators;
and in the freshness of a dewy morning the two knights advanced solemnly
together to the combat.
“Beloved Edwald,” said Froda, in a low voice, as they went, “take good
heed to yourself, for neither this time can the victory be yours--on
that rose-coloured cloud appears Aslauga.”
“It may be so,” answered Edwald, with a quiet smile; “but under the
arches of that golden bower shines Hildegardis, and this time she has
not been waited for.”
The knights took their places--the trumpets sounded, the course began,
and Froda’s prophecy seemed to be near its fulfilment, for Edwald
staggered under the stroke of his lance, so that he let go the bridle,
seized the mane with both hands, and thus hardly recovered his seat,
whilst his high-mettled snow-white steed bore him wildly around the
lists without control. Hildegardis also seemed to shrink at this sight,
but the youth at length reined-in his steed, and the second course was
run.
Froda shot like lightning along the plain, and it seemed as if the
success of the young duke were now hopeless; but in the shock of their
meeting, the bold Danish steed reared, starting aside as if in fear;
the rider staggered, his stroke passed harmless by, and both steed and
knight fell clanging to the ground before the steadfast spear of Edwald,
and lay motionless upon the field.
Edwald did now as Froda had done before. In knightly wise he stood still
a while upon the spot, as if waiting to see whether any other adversary
were there to dispute his victory; then he sprang from his steed, and
flew to the assistance of his fallen friend.
He strove with all his might to release him from the weight of his
horse, and presently Froda came to himself, rose on his feet, and
raised up his charger also. Then he lifted up his vizor, and greeted his
conqueror with a friendly smile, though his countenance was pale.
The victor bowed humbly, almost timidly, and said, “You, my knight,
overthrown--and by me! I understand it not.”
“It was her own will,” answered Froda, smiling. “Come now to your gentle
bride.”
The multitude around shouted aloud, each lady and knight bowed low, when
the aged duke pointed out to them the lovely pair, and at his bidding,
the betrothed, with soft blushes, embraced each other beneath the green
garlands of the golden bower.
That very day were they solemnly united in the chapel of the castle, for
so had Froda earnestly desired. A journey into a far-distant land, he
said, lay before him, and much he wished to celebrate the marriage of
his friend before his departure.