Havelok The Dane written by Charles Whistler

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"On my word as a king, truth it is," said Alsi hastily, for there was
that in Havelok's face that he did not like.

One might think that the king was growing afraid of his own kitchen knave.

"If that is so, there is no more to be said," answered Havelok. "Yet you
will forgive me if I say that I must have this from the lips of the
princess herself as well. It may be that her mind will change."

"That is but fair," answered Alsi; "and you are a wise man. The mind of
a damsel is unsteady, whether she be princess or milkmaid; but have no
fear."

"No man fear I; but I do fear to hurt any lady, and I would not do that."

Then Alsi thought that all was well, and he spoke smooth words to my
brother, so that Havelok doubted him more than ever. Therefore it came
into his mind that all he could do for the best was to seem to agree,
and wait for what the princess herself said. And if Alsi was working
some subtlety, then he would wring his neck for him, if need be; and
after that--well, the housecarls would cut him in pieces, and he would
slay some of them, and so go to Valhalla, and dreams would be at an end.
And he would have died to some purpose here, for he knew that Goldberga
would come to her kingdom, ay, and maybe Alsi's as well, for she was his
sister's daughter, and his next of kin, and well loved by those who had
been allowed to know aught of her.

But I would not have any think that the promise of so wondrous a bride
was not pleasing to him. It was more, for he had seen her grow white and
troubled as she looked on him, and he had seen her bear well whatever
pain had caused that; and he had known that in the one sight he had of
Goldberga somewhat had taught him what it was to have one face
unforgotten in his mind.

So he said to Alsi, "All this fortune that you hold out to me is most
unlooked for, seeing what I am in your hall; and I have not thanked you
yet, King Alsi. That, however, is hard to do, as you may understand."

"I understand well enough," answered the king, in high good humour
again, now that all seemed to be going well. "And after all, it is the
lady whom you must thank."

"But when shall I see her to do so?"

"Tomorrow, surely; ay, tomorrow early shall you speak with her,"
answered the king quickly. "Now go, and hold your peace. Let me warn you
that there are those about the court who would go any lengths to remove
you from the face of the earth if they knew of this. Tell no man of the
honour that has come to you as yet. Be the porter for a short time
longer, and then you will be the man whom all envy. It is likely that I
must make you a thane, by right of the choice of the princess."

"I know well when to speak and when to keep silence, lord king," said my
brother, and with that he bowed and left the hall.

Then Alsi put his lips to a silver whistle that he carried, and blew a
call that brought Eglaf hurriedly to him from the outer door.

"The guards may go," said the king; "but see that the porter Curan
leaves not the palace until I myself send him forth tomorrow."

The captain saluted and went his way. He had had six men within call of
the king all the time that he spoke with Havelok, and one may make what
one likes of that. At least the threat of the dungeon was no idle one.

Now went Havelok from the hall very heavy and troubled, for beyond the
fair talk of the king lurked surely some plan that was not fair at all.
It was not to be thought that he could not prevent, if he chose, a
foolish marriage of the princess, even did she desire it ever so much.
And my brother could not believe that she had set her heart on one whom
she had but seen once, and then in the midst of faintness. That,
however, might be known easily when he was face to face with her. It was
a thing that could not be made a matter of pretence.

Now when he came back to the great kitchen, which was nigh as big as the
hall, Withelm was yet there, for the priest was at the widow's, and
there was no haste to bring him; and by that time I had come in also,
and was sitting with him at the far end, where none had need to come. It
was Berthun's own end, as one might say, and he was lord in his own
place. Only a few thralls were about, and the cook himself had gone into
the town.

"Here is our brother," I said, "and there is somewhat wrong."

He came moodily up to us, and sat him down, saying nothing, and he
leaned his head on his hands for a while.

"What is amiss, brother?" said Withelm.

"Wait," he answered. "I will think before I speak."

I could see that this was not the old puzzlement, but something new and
heavy, so we held our peace. Long was he before he moved or spoke, and
when he did so it was wearily.

"Well knew I that somewhat was to happen to me in this town, even as I
told you, brother, when we first passed its gates. And now it seems to
be coming to pass. For this is what is on me, as it seems to me--
either that I must see the light of day no more, or must live to be a
scorn and sorrow to one for whom it were meet that a man should die."

"Surely the black dream is on you, my brother! Neither of these things
can be for you!" I cried.

"Would that it were the dream, for that is not all of sorrow, and that
also is of things so long past that they are forgotten. I can bear that,
for your voice always drives it away. But now the hand of Alsi the king
is on me for some ill of his own--"

"Stay," said Withelm. "Let us go out and speak, if that name is to be
heard. It were safer."

"Less safe, brother," answered Havelok. "At once we should be kept
apart. Listen, and I will tell you all, and then say your say."

Then he told us, word for word, all that had just passed between him and
the king. And as we listened, it grew on us that here was no wrong to
the princess, but rather the beginning of honour. I could see the
downfall that was in store for Alsi, and I thought also that I saw hope
for the winning back of the Danish kingdom, with an East Anglian host to
back us. And this also saw Withelm, and his eyes sparkled. But Havelok
knew not yet all that had grown so plain to us.

He ended, and we said nothing for a moment.

"Well?" he said, not looking up, but with eyes that sought the floor, as
if ashamed.

"By Odin," said I, speaking the thought that was uppermost, "here will
be a downfall for Alsi!"

"Ay, you are right, brother. I will not wed her."

But that was by no means what I meant, as may be known; and now Withelm
held up a warning hand to me, and I knew that his advice was always best.

"If the maiden is unwilling, wed her not," he said. "If she is willing,
even as the king said, that is another matter. We have no reason to
doubt his word as yet."

"You saw not his face as he spoke. And then, how should the princess
think of me?"

"Who knows? Even Odin owned that the minds of maids were hard to fathom.
But one may find a reason or two. Maybe that oath has somewhat to do
with it. A good daughter will go far to carry out her father's will,
and, in the plain sense thereof, she will certainly do it thus. Then it
is likely that she knows that you are no churl, but the son of Grim,
though we have fallen on hard times for a while. I have heard say that
it is the custom here that a man who has crossed the seas in his own
ship so many times is a thane by right of that hardihood. Thane's son,
therefore, might we call you. Then there is the jealousy of every other
thane, if she chooses an East Anglian. Then she needs one who shall be
mighty to lead her forces. Even the greatest thane will be content to
follow a man who is a warrior of warriors. Ragnar can have told her what
you are in that way. Faith, brother, there are reasons enough."

Havelok laughed a short laugh at all this, and he grew brighter. There
was sense in Withelm's words, if they would not bear looking deeply into.

Then I said, adding to these words, "Moreover, Alsi could stop the whole
foolishness of his niece if he did not think it a fitting match in some
way."

"So he could," answered Havelok. "But yet--I tell you that there was
naught but evil in his face. Why did he try to force me?"

Then he went back to the thing that weighed mostly on his noble heart--
the thought that he was unworthy altogether.

"I fear that the princess does but think of me because she must. It is
in my mind that Alsi may have threatened her also until she has
consented. How shall I know this?"

"Most easily, as she speaks with you," answered Withelm. "Tomorrow will
tell you that. And then, if you find things thus, what shall prevent
your flying?"

"Brother Radbard and the other housecarls," said Havelok grimly.

"Not if you ask the princess to help you out of her own way by
pretending to be most willing. If Alsi thinks you a gladsome couple,
there is no difficulty. You walk out of the palace as a master there.
Then you fly to Ragnar. That is all."

Now that was such an easy way out of the whole coil that we planned it
out. And yet it seemed to me that it was a pity that Havelok knew not
more of what seemed to us so sure now. So, seeing that things were
fairly straightened by this last thought, I got up and said that I must
be going, making a sign to Withelm to come also; and, with a few more
words, we went out. I saw Havelok set himself to a mighty task of water
drawing as I looked back.

"Now," said I, "here is a strange affair with a vengeance. Neither head
nor tail can I make of it. But if all we think is right, this is the
marriage for the son of Gunnar."

"Son of Gunnar, or son of Grim," said Withelm, "princess or not, happy
is the maiden who gains Havelok for a husband. Maybe her woman's wit has
told her so. She will have many suitors whom she knows to be seeking her
throne only, and to him she gives it as a gift unsought."

"That is all beyond me," I said; "but he would fill a throne well. But
his own modesty in the matter of his worthiness is likely to stand in
the way. Why should we not tell him all that we know? Then he will feel
that he is doing no wrong."

"Because we are not sure, and because it is not for us to choose the
time. I have sent for Arngeir this morning, as we said would be well
last night. If the princess is unwilling, there are many things that may
be said; and if not, there must be many days before the wedding; and,
ere the day, Havelok may feel that he is her equal in birth at least, if
we are not wrong. But since I have waited here, Mord has told me the
dream that has troubled the princess, that I may tell the priest, so
that he can think it over. She has dreamed that she is to wed a man who
shall be king both in Denmark and England, and she saw the man,
moreover. Strangely like Havelok's dream is that. Now what else made her
turn faint but that this vision was like Havelok? And does not that make
it possible that she wishes to wed him? Therefore I am going to tell the
priest the story of Havelok, so far as I know it."

"Well thought of. Tell him this also, for now I may surely tell you what
you have not yet heard thereof."

So I told him how Grim and I had taken Havelok from Hodulf, and then he
was the more certain that we had saved the son of our king.

Now we thought that we had got to the bottom of the whole matter of the
wedding. Of course the dream had all to do with the fainting, but
nothing to do with the supposed wish. But we did not know that.

"Speak not of Gunnar by name, however," I said; "he was a terror to
Christian folk. The priest is likely to hinder the marriage with all his
might else."

Withelm flushed as he had when he first spoke of the priest to me.

"I think not, brother; for he knows Havelok well, and loves him."

"So," said I shortly, "he hopes to make him a Christian, doubtless."

"I think that he will do so, if he has a Christian wife to help."

"That would not suit Havelok," I said, laughing.

"Nay, but such a mind as his it seems to suit well already, though he
has not heard much."

"Why, then," said I, wondering, "if it suits our best and bravest, it
must be a wondrous faith. It seems strange, however; but I know naught
of it. What is good for him and you, my brother, is sure to be best."

"I feared that you would be angry."

"Nay, but with you and Havelok? How should that be? Why, if you two said
that we must turn Christian, I should hold it right; so would Raven. I
suppose that I go to the Ve [11] because you do."

Now I troubled no more about the matter, being nothing but a sea dog who
could use a weapon. And now I said that I was going to Eglaf to say that
I might have to leave him at any time for home, in case we had to fly
with Havelok. So Withelm went his way to the old priest with a light
heart, and I to the captain.

"Well," said Eglaf, "this is about what I expected when your brother
came. Good it has been to have you here; and I think that I shall see
you as a housecarl for good yet. When do you go?"

"The first time that I do not turn up on guard I am gone, not till then."

"Come and drink a farewell cup first."

"I shall be in a great hurry if I do not do that," I answered, laughing.

But it was my thought that maybe when once my back was turned on the
town, I should not have time to think of going near King Alsi's guard.

Then I went to find Ragnar the earl, for we thought it well that he
should know what was on hand. But when I came to the house of the thane
with whom he was quartered, they told me that he had gone hastily with
all his men, for word had come of some rising in his land that must be
seen to at once. That was bad; and as one must find a reason for
everything, I thought that the going of Griffin had much to do with the
outbreak. There I was wrong, as I found later. But then, too, I knew
that the craft of Alsi was at work in this message. He had his own
reasons for wishing the earl out of the way.

CHAPTER XVI. A STRANGEST WEDDING.

Long spoke Withelm and the priest David together, until it was time for
them to seek the palace; and when they came there, they spoke to Mord
also. Then David thought it was well to say naught to Havelok until more
was learned from Goldberga herself, for he would soon see how things
stood with her. Then he would see Withelm again, and they would plan
together for the best. So Withelm waited for the return of the priest,
whom Mord took to his mistress. Alsi and his men were supping in the
hall, but Goldberga was waiting in her own chamber.

Now the princess thought that, after her message to the king, she would
hear no more of the kitchen knave, and so was happier. But all the while
she pondered over her dream the thought of Havelok must needs come into
it, and that was troublesome. Nevertheless, it was not to be helped,
seeing that there was no doubt at all that he and the man of the vision
were like to each other as ever were twins. Wherefore if the thought of
one must be pleasant so at last must be that of the other. And then came
the nurse with tales of what Berthun thought of this man of his--how
that he was surely a wandering prince, with a vow of service on him,
like Gareth of the Round Table in the days of Arthur.

So presently it seemed to the princess that the churl was gone, as it
were, and in his place was a wandering atheling, at least, who was not a
terror at all. Then at length the slow time wore away until Mord came
with David the priest.

No priestly garb had the old man on, for that had made his danger
certain; but though he was clad in a thrall's rough dress, he was not to
be mistaken for aught but a most reverend man.

"Peace be with you, my daughter," he said; "it is good to look on the
child of Orwenna, the queen whom we loved."

Then the chamberlain left those two alone, and at once Goldberga told
the priest why she had asked him to run the risk of coming to her, for
there is no doubt that he was in peril, though not from Alsi himself.

At first she asked him many things about her mother, and learned much of
her goodness to the poor folk, and of their love to her; and presently,
when she grew more sure of the kindness and seeming wisdom of the
priest, she told him all her dream, adding no thoughts of her own, as
she mistrusted them.

Then said David, "There seems naught but good in this, and it is not
hard to unravel. I think that all shall come to pass even as it was told
you."

"I feared the heathen ways of the place, and thought that it might be
some snare of the old gods," said Goldberga.

But David told her that they could have no power on her, and asked her
if the king knew of the vision, that being one thing of which he was not
sure; and when he found that he did not, the whole affair seemed more
strange than before.

But now the princess asked him, "Plain were the words that I heard, hut
what meant the light as of a sunbeam that came from the mouth of the man
of the vision?"

"That surely means that in word and in heart and in all else the man
shall be kingly altogether, so that there shall be no mistaking the
same; and it may also mean that you shall know the man at once when you
see him."

At that Goldberga grew pale and red by turns, so that David, quick to
read the thoughts of those who came to him for help, asked if she had
seen anyone who she thought must be meant, not at all knowing that she
must needs say that this was Curan.

Not at all willingly did she tell him this; but she did so, adding at
last that Alsi had threatened to wed her to this man.

Now it was plain to David that all was pulling the same way, for surely
Alsi wrought, unknowing, for the fulfilling of the dream; and all seemed
to prove that Havelok was the son of the Danish king, and that he would
win back his kingdom. Then he found out that the princess had no
knowledge that the king had spoken to Havelok, but it did not seem to be
needful that he should tell her that he had done so. That would be told
by Alsi himself if he meant, as seemed certain, to carry out his threat.
So he thought awhile, and at last he saw what he might do without saying
anything to bend the choice of the princess in any way.

"It will soon be plain in what way the dream shall be fulfilled," he
said; "and this is certain, that you shall be wedded to none but the
right man, else had it not been sent. Have no fear, therefore, even as
it was bidden you."

Then the princess said that the only thing which troubled her was the
fear lest Alsi should yet force her to wed this one who was so like him
she had seen in her dream.

"That," said the priest, "is doubtless the most strange part of the
whole matter, yet I think that even thus there need be no fear. I will
tell you now that I know this one who is called Curan well, and I, and
all who know him, love him. Truly he is not a Christian, but he is no
hater of the faith, and that is much in these days. Nor is he a churl,
but rather one of the most noble of men. It is certain that, whatever
Alsi might wish, he would not wed you against your will. He has but to
know your thoughts in order to help you in any way. But I must also tell
you this, that he is a Dane, who fled from his land when he was a child;
and it is thought that he is the son of the Danish king, who was slain
at the time when Mord, your servant, fled also. He came to England in
the same ship as did Mord, who can tell you more of him. It is certain
that there is a secret about his birth, and the one who knows that
secret is not far off. If need is, we can learn it, for there was a set
time for its telling, and maybe this is it. Now, if it is true that he
is the son of the Danish king, it does seem as if your dream might be
bidding you to have no fear of what seems doubtful in the matter, though
I cannot tell, and do not like to say so for certain. His name is not
Curan, but Havelok."

Then Goldberga said, "I have heard of that flight and of the wreck from
Mord often. He was wont to tell me of the child, and of the lady who was
drowned, and he said that he thought him the king's son."

After that she was greatly cheered, for the worst of the trouble seemed
to be over and gone. It was in her mind now that Alsi knew who Havelok
was, and that he tried her, for she was not one to think ill of any.

So she let the priest go, with many thanks, saying, "Now I know that
whatever happens is the will of Heaven, and must be for the best. I am
ready for whatever shall befall."

Now I do not know what had seemed good to Alsi, for he had changed his
mind concerning David's visit to Goldberga, and had suddenly given
orders that if he came he was to be put in ward at once. So Mord met the
old man as he left the chamber, and told him that he must fly; and after
that Withelm took him away in the dusk, for none hindered his going, and
went to the widow's with him, hearing all that had been said; and that
which they thought was even as Goldberga had said, that all must needs
be for the best. In a day or two all would he plain, for Arngeir would
have come. So Withelm sent forth the old man to his own place with a
good store of food, going with him for some miles, and promising him
help for coming days until the dearth was ended.

Now into the palace none might come after the feast was set; and all
this time I was on guard, for there were double posts round the place,
by reason of Alsi's fear of the attackers of the princess, as was said.
So it happened that neither of us saw Havelok until next morning; and
now I have to tell how we saw him, and what happened with the first
sunlight, when men were thinking of breaking their fast.

We of the housecarls took that first meal of the day in the great hall
--so many of us, that is, who were not on duty; and when we had nigh
finished, Alsi would come in and seat himself on the high place, where
Eglaf and half a dozen other thanes sat also at times when there was no
special state to be kept.

I was early this morning, having just taken my spell of watching at the
gate, and being, therefore, free for the rest of the day, and I was
hungry with the sweet air of the July weather and the freshness that
comes with sunrise. So I was not altogether pleased to see that there
was seemingly some new affair of state on hand, while the breakfast was
not yet set out by reason of preparations that were going on where the
king's chair was wont to stand. There was Berthun, looking puzzled and
by no means pleased, and his men were busy setting out benches on the
high place, of a sort that were not those that were wont to be there, in
three sides of a square, the open side facing the hall. One bench made
each side, and all three were carved from back rail to clawed feet
wondrously. Old they seemed also. Then, too, instead of the sweet sedges
that strewed the high place, men had spread a cloth of bright hues
underfoot there, and the sedges had been swept among the rushes of the
lower places. All this was so strange that I went forward, and when I
had a chance I asked the steward what was on hand.

"If you know not, master housecarl, no more do I. 'Justice to be done,'
says the king, and so I suppose that you have some notable prisoner in
ward--maybe the leader of those villains who scared our fair princess."

"But we had taken no man, and I will say that we had wondered that we
had not been sent out to hunt those people, instead of biding to see if
they came to trouble us here."

"Why, then," said Berthun, "some thane must be bringing a captive
shortly. But why Alsi orders these benches, it passes me to make out.
They are those that have been used for the weddings of his kin since the
days of Hengist. Last time was when Orwenna, his sister, wedded
Ethelwald of Norfolk. Maybe he thinks that they need airing."

He laughed and went on directing his men; but knowing what I knew, I
wondered what it all might mean, for there was one wedding that I could
not help thinking of.

Presently the hall began to fill as men came in, and every one had
somewhat to say, and all marvelled at this that was going on. Then
Berthun came and beckoned to me, for I must fetch Eglaf the captain at
once, as the king had need of him, in haste. Then Eglaf hurried to the
hall; and after a word or two with Alsi, the horns were blown outside
the hall door to call every man of the guard to the place. And when they
came, we were all set round the wall as if guarding all that were in it.
But there were none but the folk of the palace to guard, and they were
wondering as were we; and when that was done, and the click and rattle
of arms as we moved to our places was ended, there was a silence on all
--the silence of men who wait for somewhat to happen.

Now Berthun went to the door on the high place, as he was wont when all
was ready for the king's presence, and the hush deepened, none knowing
what they expected to see.

Forth came Berthun backward, as was the custom, and he turned aside to
let the king pass him. His face was red and angry, as I thought, but
amazed also. I was standing next to Eglaf, and he was at the foot of the
dais, at the end of his line of men, so that I could see all plainly.

Then came Alsi, leading the princess, and after Goldberga came her
nurse. No other ladies were with her; and now I noticed that there was
not one thane on the high place, which was strange, and the first time
that such a thing had been since I came here. I looked down the hall,
and none were present. Now I looked at Alsi; and on his pale face was a
smile that might have been as of one who will be glad, though he does
not feel so. But the eyes of the princess were bright with tears, and
hardly did she look from the floor. Hers was a face to make one sad to
see at that time, wondrously beautiful as it was.

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