Early of a morning-tide one smote on the door of that hall, wherein
slept the king and queen, and many others: then the king asked who it
was that called at the hall door; and so he who was without said: “Here
am I, Frithiof; and I am arrayed for my departure.”
Then was the door opened, and Frithiof came in, and sang a stave:
“Have great thanks for the guesting
Thou gavest with all bounty;
Dight fully for wayfaring
Is the feeder of the eagle;
But, Ingidiorg, I mind thee
While yet on earth we tarry;
Live gloriously! I give thee
This gift for many kisses.”
And therewith he cast the goodly ring towards Ingibiorg, and bade her
take it.
The king smiled at this stave of his, and said: “Yea, forsooth, she hath
more thanks for thy winter quarters than I; yet hath she not been more
friendly to thee than I.”
Then sent the king his serving-folk to fetch victuals and drink, and
saith that they must eat and drink before Frithiof departed. “So arise,
queen, and be joyful!” But she said she was loth to fall a-feasting so
early.
“Nay, we will eat all together,” said King Ring; and they did so.
But when they had drank a while King Ring spake: “I would that thou
abide here, Frithiof; for my sons are but children and I am old, and
unmeet for the warding of my realm, if any should bring war against it.”
Frithiof said: “Speedily must I be gone, lord.” And he sang:
“Oh, live, King Ring,
Both long and hale!
The highest king
Neath heaven's skirt!
Ward well, O king,
Thy wife and land,
For Ingibiorg now
Never more shall I meet.”
Then quoth King Ring:
“Fare not away,
O Frithiof, thus,
With downcast heart,
O dearest of chieftains!
For now will I give thee
For all thy good gifts,
Far better things
Than thou wottest thyself.”
And again he sang:
“To Frithiof the famous
My fair wife I give,
And all things therewith
That are unto me.”
Then Frithiof took up the word and sang:
“Nay, how from thine hands
These gifts may I have,
But if thou hast fared
By the last way of fate.”
The king said: “I would not give thee this, but that I deem it will soon
be so, for I sicken now. But of all men I would that thou shouldst have
the joy of this; for thou art the crown of all Norway. The name of king
will I give thee also; and all this, because Ingibiorg's brethren would
begrudge thee any honour; and would be slower in getting thee a wife
than I am.”
Said Frithiof: “Have all thanks, lord, for thy goodwill beyond that I
looked for! but I will have no higher dignity than to be called earl.”
Then King Ring gave Frithiof rule over all his realm in due wise, and
the name of earl therewith; and Frithiof was to rule it until such time
as the sons of King Ring were of age to rule their own realm. So King
Ring lay sick a little while, and then died; and great mourning was
made for him; then was there a mound cast over him, and much wealth laid
therein, according to his bidding.
Thereafter Frithiof made a noble feast, whereunto his folk came; and
thereat was drunken at one and the same time the heritage feast after
King Ring, and the bridal of Frithiof and Ingibiorg.
After these things Frithiof abode in his realm, and was deemed therein a
most noble man; he and Ingibiorg had many children.