Frithiof Braves the Storm
_This is the tale the Northmen tell of how Frithiof
the Bold went on a perilous adventure._
Now when the two young kings met with Ring, and found that his forces
were far stronger than theirs, their hearts failed them and they sent
messengers to sue for peace. And it was arranged that they should
submit to King Ring, and should give Ingeborg their sister to him in
marriage, together with the third part of all their possession.
Now one morning tidings were brought to Frithiof by Björn, who cried:
"The kings are returned home, and short enough will be our time of
peace, for we have broken the law of Balder, and we shall have to
pay."
But Frithiof, who knew no fear, bade him be at rest, saying that
directly the kings had taken their seat upon their father's
grave-mound, to hear the suits brought before them, he intended once
again to claim the hand of Ingeborg.
So on the day appointed he sought the place where Helge sat, black as
a thunder-cloud, with his warriors around him, and foolish Halfdan,
jesting as usual, and playing with his sword, stood by his side. And
Frithiof stood forth and said: "Not yet is thy kingdom free, O Helge,
from the threat of battle. Give me then thy sister and my strong right
arm shall fight for thee. Come, let this grudge between us be
forgotten, for I am loth to bear myself ill towards the brother of
Ingeborg and the sons of Bele. Here is my hand; but by the gods I
swear that, if thou refuse, it shall never be stretched forth to thee
in peace again."
At these words a shout broke from the listening throng and the air was
rent with the noise of clashing weapons.
"Ay! Give him Ingeborg, for what swordsman in our land is like to
him?"
And even foolish Halfdan joined in the prayer.
But Helge, still cold and hard, made reply:
"The peasant's son might indeed have claimed the Princess Ingeborg,
but not he who has broken Balder's peace. Say, Frithiof, hast thou
not spurned the law of Balder's house and spoken to my sister within
his sacred walls?"
Then from the crowd of warriors came the murmur: "Say but nay, say
nay! The word of Thorsten's son is good as any king's. Say nay! Say
nay!"
But Frithiof made reply: "I will not lie to gain the joys of Asgard. I
have seen thy sister and spoken to her within yon walls, yet have I
not disturbed Balder nor broken his good peace."
Then all that assembly was filled with horror as they heard his words,
for they all feared the wrath of the god. Hoarse and gloomy was the
voice of Helge as he said:
"Now, by my great father's laws, I could condemn thee to banishment or
death, but, even as great Balder was mild, so shall my judgment be.
"Far away on the isles of the west dwells a mighty jarl named
Angantyr, who in my father's days paid yearly tribute to our land, and
since his death has kept all back. Away then to his realm, collect the
money, and bring it back to us. 'Tis said he is hard-handed, and will
meet with the sharp sword him who asks for his gold, but what is that
to thee? Hence, Frithiof, or be branded coward for evermore."
Then Frithiof bowed his head and departed, for he knew that it was the
will of Balder that this thing should be.
But first he went again to visit his betrothed and to bid her a sad
farewell. Heavy of heart was Ingeborg, for she knew that her brother
had planned an expedition that should cost Frithiof his life; but
Frithiof cheered her, reminding her that this Angantyr, whom men so
dreaded, was his father's oldest friend.
So Frithiof prepared to set out on his journey, but first he made a
pact with Helge that his possessions should rest in peace during his
absence, and the promise was confirmed with oaths.
Then Frithiof set out with eighteen of his companions, and they went
on board the swift ship _Ellida_ and sailed out beyond the bay.
But no sooner had he departed than the kings plundered and burnt his
village. After this, they sent two witches, and bade them send such a
terrible tempest against Frithiof and his followers that they should
all perish in the sea. To this the evil hags readily agreed, and,
having climbed to the top of a high mountain, began to cast their
wicked spells upon the winds.
Thus it came to pass that when Frithiof and his men had left the land
far behind them there arose a great storm, and a mighty wind, which
lashed the waves to the very stars and drove the ship violently along.
But Frithiof only smiled and sang:
"Run, good ship, before the wind,
Ingeborg thou soon shalt find.
Ingeborg, the maid I love,
Waits for me in Balder's grove."
Then said Björn, in fear and wrath: "Well would it be if thou hadst
something better to do than to sing of Balder's grove."
But Frithiof laughed aloud, and showed him how the north wind was
blowing them straight to the Solundar Isles, where they might find
safe harbour. They did not bide there long, however, for the weather
suddenly became calmer, and for awhile they sailed along before a
favourable breeze. Then the wind began to freshen again, and when they
were far out at sea a still mightier tempest arose, with so much sleet
and snow that they could not see the prow of the vessel from the
stern. The waves also beat over the ship, so that they had to bale
incessantly. But Frithiof, though he toiled harder than them all,
continued to laugh and sing, though Björn growled: "He who wanders far
meets many a hindrance."
Then a great sea swept over the boat and nearly swamped her; and
Frithiof cried: "See how the Swan Maidens are pledging us!" and set to
work to bale with a good heart.
Still higher rose the storm, till the waves, like snow mountains,
reared themselves above the ship; and Björn cried in despair: "Sure
woe is now at hand, my foster-brother. Why didst thou ever enter the
bower of Balder's grove?"
But Frithiof said with a laugh: "Methinks some of our good fellows
will have to journey to the realms of Ran, the Sea-goddess, and we
shall cut but a sorry figure there unless we go with a brave face and
red gold in our hands."
So saying he took the gold ring that Ingeborg had given him and cut it
in pieces and divided it among his men.
At last the storm grew still and the waves calm; but the ship was
water-logged, and Frithiof called loudly on the men to bale her out.
"It is useless to try to do it," said the faint-hearted Björn, but
Frithiof cried: "Come, brother, never despair, for it hath ever been a
hero's custom to give what help he can as long as possible, come what
may hereafter."
So they baled _Ellida_ clear, and, seeing his companions were now worn
out with toil, Frithiof bade them lie down in the boat and rest. And
he himself took two oars at the prow and rowed onwards with his mighty
strength till they came to land; and finding that his followers were
still weak and weary he carried them over the surf on his shoulders
and set them safely on shore.
Now the island on which they had landed was part of the domain of that
Jarl Angantyr, and soon a message him:
"Tidings, my jarl. Men have come ashore, but they seem weary and
helpless enough. Yet one of them is so strong and fresh that he
carries all the others to land."
"Surely," said the jarl, "that man must be Frithiof, son of my old
friend Thorsten, a man renowned for all good deeds."
Then Angantyr sent messengers to bid Frithiof welcome and to bring him
to his hall. And he prevailed upon his guest to pass the winter with
him, and showed high hospitality to him and to all his men. But when
Frithiof spoke of the errand on which he had come, the jarl said
proudly: "No tribute shall King Helge have of me, but thou, my friend,
shall take back such treasure as thou wilt, and tribute thou mayest
call it, or any other name, as thou desirest. For now it is clear to
me that Helge hath laid a trap for thee, and such kings are but
ill-esteemed in this land."