Then he ended his tale, and the king was greatly pleased with him,
so that he bade him bide in the court for a while that he might
take back a good report of us to his own people.

Now when the king was with us, I gladly took up my duties as his
armour bearer for the time; and therefore slept across the doorway
of his chamber when he went to rest. So my father bestowed Lodbrok
with the thanes in the great hall, and I left him there, following
the king.

Well did I sleep that night, though, sailorwise, not so heavily but
that any noise would rouse me in a moment. And as it drew towards
morning the king stirred uneasily, and I looked up at him. Seeing
that I woke he called me softly. The gray light of dawn came
through the window, and I could see that he sat up in his bed,
though I might not make out his face.

"I am here, Lord King. Is aught amiss?" I said, rising up with my
sword in my hand.

"Strange dreams have I had, my son," he said, in his quiet voice,
"and they trouble me."

"Let me know them, my master," I said, "and maybe the trouble will
pass; for often that which seems sorely troublous in a dream is
naught when one would put it into words."

"Sit on the bed and I will tell you," he answered; and when I was
there close to him he went on: