hearts and hands that have hailed us here. I can ask no more. Only
promise to give me one boon when I need it, and I am happy."

Then they said, "What you will, and when you will, Goldberga, the queen.
There is naught that you will ask amiss."

Now they showed Havelok to the warriors as crowned king, and I need not
tell how he was greeted. And after that we all went back into the hall
to speak of the way in which we were to meet Hodulf.

Havelok would have a message sent to him, bidding him give up the land
in peace.

"It may be that thus we shall save the sadness of fighting our own
people, though, indeed, they love the playground of Hodulf. He is an
outlander, and perhaps he may think well to make terms with us."

Some said that it was of no use, but then Havelok answered that even so
it was good to send a challenge to him.

"For the sake of peace we will do this, though I would rather meet him
in open fight, for I have my father to avenge."

Now I rose up and said, "Let me go and speak with him, taking Withelm as
my counsellor. For I know all the story, and that will make him sure
that he has the right man to fight against. I will speak with him in
open hall, and more than he shall learn how he thought to slay Havelok."

All thought that this was good, and I was to go at once. It was but a
few hours' ride, as has been said, to his town, and the matter was as