When the day arrived for the meeting at which this agreement with Harald
should be finally concluded, Hakon went to King Harald; and in their
conference the king said that he, for his part, would adhere to all that
was settled in their agreement. "Thou Hakon," says he, "must thyself
settle that which concerns Ragnhild, as to her accepting thee in
marriage; for it would not be advisable for thee, or for any one, to
marry Ragnhild without her consent." Then Hakon went to Ragnhild, and
paid his addresses to her. She answered him thus: "I have often to feel
that my father, King Magnus, is dead and gone from me, since I must
marry a bonde; although I acknowledge thou art a handsome man, expert in
all exercises. But if King Magnus had lived he would not have married
me to any man less than a king; so it is not to be expected that I will
take a man who has no dignity or title." Then Hakon went to King Harald
and told him his conversation with Ragnhild, and also repeated the
agreement which was made between him and Fin, who was with him, together
with many others of the persons who had been present at the conversation
between him and Fin. Hakon takes them all to witness that such was the
agreement that the king should give Ragnhild the dower she might desire.
"And now since she will have no man who has not a high dignity, thou
must give me such a title of honour; and, according to the opinion of
the people, I am of birth, family and other qualifications to be called
earl."
The king replies, "When my brother, King Olaf, and his son, King Magnus,
ruled the kingdom, they allowed only one earl at a time to be in the
country, and I have done the same since I came to the kingly title; and
I will not take away from Orm the title of honour I had before given
him."
Hakon saw now that his business had not advanced, and was very ill
pleased; and Fin was outrageously angry. They said the king had broken
his word; and thus they all separated.