Frithiof and Ingeborg
_This is the tale the Northmen tell of how
Ingeborg went to dwell in Balder's grove._
Far in the south of that land lived a mighty ruler, whose name was
Ring. Wise was he, and king of a land like the groves of the gods,
where the corn crops waved each year and peace and justice flourished
within its borders. For thirty years had he ruled his kingdom, and
each year his people rose up and called him blessed.
Now one day this king sat deep in thought upon his golden chair, and
when he at length pushed it back from the board, his chieftains rose
up gladly to hear his words.
And the king said: "It is now a weary while since the queen, my wife,
left me sorrowful upon the earth and went to dwell in the bowers of
the blessed ones in Asgard. Never again shall I find a queen so good
and fair; but my children cry to me for a mother's care and I must
seek another wife for their sake.
"Now it comes to my remembrance that often King Bele visited my hall,
and with him sometimes came his fair daughter Ingeborg. 'Tis on her my
choice shall fall, for though I am old and she is but a young girl, I
know that she will be a good mother to my children."
"Take therefore gold and gems from yon oak presses, and let the
minstrels tune their harps and go forth to ask her in marriage from
the sons of Bele."
So a long line of harpers went forth, followed by youths in glad
array, and they stood before King Helge and King Halfdan, and gave to
them the message of King Ring.
Now Helge was nothing loth to give his fair sister to the king,
although he was an old man and she but a young girl; but, since he was
always very heedful of the will of the gods, he offered sacrifice and
carefully consulted the wise men and the wise women and all the omens
as to whether this thing should be. And all with one consent answered
that the marriage must not be allowed.
So Helge refused the king's request courteously enough, saying that
man must obey when the gods decree; but Halfdan, being rude and
waggish of tongue, said: "King Greybeard himself should have ridden
hither for his bride if he is not too old to mount his horse!"
Then the messenger returned wrathful, and King Ring said grimly: "They
shall soon see if King Greybeard be too old to take revenge," and with
that he struck his war shield, as it hung on the tree above him, such
a blow that the echo of it was borne even to the hall of Helge and
Halfdan. Then he sent messengers, this time in warlike array, to the
two kings, bidding them submit to his authority and pay him tribute.
"If ye refuse," said they, "our king will send a great army and take
the kingdom and utterly destroy you and your people."
But Helge and Halfdan answered with spirit:
"Not in our young days will we learn to do that which we will never
know when old, and that is how to do shameful service to a neighbour
king."
Then they summoned Hilding, their foster-father, and bade him go to
Frithiof and pray him to come with his followers to their aid. And
meantime, being in fear for their sister's safety, they sent her away
to the dim grove where Balder's temple rose grey among the shadows.
There, day by day, fair Ingeborg sat among her maidens at her
embroidery, and as she drew the thread it was wet with her tears.
Now when Hilding, that good old yeoman, reached the hall of Frithiof,
he found the hero sitting with Björn at a game of chess. Gladly was he
greeted by the young man, who pointed to the High Chair, the chief
seat at the board, and bade him sit and drink a horn of mead while
they finished their game.
But Hilding, full of his errand, began at once to speak: "I am sent by
the sons of Bele," said he. "They now salute thee and pray that thou
wouldst go up to their help to battle against King Ring, who is about
to attack their land with violence."
But Frithiof seemingly paid no heed to his words, saying only to his
opponent: "Björn, thy king is in danger, beware! Yet a pawn can
recover him even now."
Then Hilding urged: "Frithiof, my son, anger not the kings. Remember
that they too have power, and that they threaten thee with a terrible
fate if thou wilt not go forth to their aid."
But Frithiof only said to Björn:
"See how thou threatenest my castle in vain!"
"Grim and high the fierce wall rises,
Bright the Shield-tower shines within."
Then Hilding tried another argument.
"Son!" he cried, "knowest thou not how Ingeborg weeps all day within
the Place of Balder? Wilt thou not fight for her release? Wilt thou
leave her blue eyes to melt in vain?"
But Frithiof answered Björn, as though unheeding: "Björn, 'tis in vain
thou tryest to take my queen, ever so dear and true to me. She is my
favourite piece in all the game, and, come what will, I'll save my
queen."
"What!" cried the old man. "Must I go forth unheeded, without even a
reply, because of this child's game?"
Then Frithiof rose and pressed his hand kindly, saying: "Father,
naught will make me change my mind, and what thou hast heard me say
here in this place, thou mayest tell again to those who sent thee."
When the kings received the report of Hilding concerning Frithiof,
they waited but to see that their sister Ingeborg was safe within the
walls of Balder's grove, and then prepared to march with all the
forces they could muster to meet King Ring.
Meantime Frithiof attired himself in his richest dress, and placed his
golden ring upon his arm, and called on Björn and his servants to
follow him.
"Whither now do we go, my brother?" asked Björn.
"To the grove of Balder," answered Frithiof shortly.
"That is not well," said Björn anxiously. "It will draw down the anger
of the gods upon us."
"That remains to be seen," replied Frithiof.
So they rowed over the firth and entered Balder's grove, and made
their way into Ingeborg's bower.
Now when she saw Frithiof, the blue eyes of Ingeborg flashed with joy,
but she said gravely, as she rose to receive him: "Now wherefore art
thou so bold, Frithiof, to come hither against the will of my brothers
and to bring the wrath of the gods upon us?"
But Frithiof replied: "Nay, love, no perils attend us. Fear not the
wrath of Balder; that gentle god will not punish true lovers. Let us
kneel at his shrine. No incense is more grateful to his soul than the
faith of two young hearts vowing eternal love."
So when they had knelt for a space they sat down side by side, and
Frithiof drew the ring from off his arm and gave it to Ingeborg,
saying: "This ring will I give thee if thou wilt promise never to part
with it, but to send it to me when thou no longer hast need of it. And
with it I plight thee my troth."
And in the same manner did Ingeborg give her own ring to Frithiof.
And then Ingeborg with fond entreaties implored her lover to seek
Helge once again, and offer his hand, lest haply he might be
reconciled. Long did Frithiof hesitate, but at last the melting eyes
of Ingeborg could be denied no longer, and he promised that once again
would he seek the kings in peace and friendship.