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Havelok The Dane written by Charles Whistler

C >> Charles Whistler >> Havelok The Dane




Now when all was done we sought rest, and weary we were. I will say for
myself that I did not feel like fighting next morning at all, for I was
tired out, and the one or two wounds that I had were getting sorely
stiff. Raven was much in the same case, and grumbled, sailor-wise, at
the weight of the banner and aught else that came uppermost in his mind.
Yet I knew that he would be the first to go forward again when the time
came.

The host slept on their arms along the bank of the stream through the
hot night, and the banner was pitched in their midst. Soon the moon
rose, and only the footsteps of the sentries along our front went up and
down, while across the water was the same silence; for both hosts were
wearied out, and each had learned that the other were true men, and
there was no mistrust on either side. When the light came once more we
should fight to prove who were the best men at arms, and with no hatred
between us.

Presently the mists crept up from the stream and wreathed the sleepers
on either bank with white, swaying clouds, and I mind that the last
thought I had before I closed my eyes was that my armour would be rusted
by the clinging damp--as if it were not war-stained from helm to
deerskin shoe already with stains that needed more cleansing than any rust.

Then I waked suddenly, for someone went past me, and I sat up to see who
it might be. The moon was very bright and high now, but the figure that
I saw wading in the white mist was shadowy, and I could not tell who it
was. And then another and yet another figure came from the rear of our
line, and passed among the sleeping ranks, and joined the first
noiselessly; and after a little while many came, hurrying, and they
formed up on the bank of the stream into the mighty wedge. And I feared
greatly, for not one of the sleepers stirred as the warriors went among
us, and I had looked on the faces of those who passed me, and I knew
that they were the dead whom I had seen the men gather even now and lay
in their last rank beyond our line.

Then I saw that on the far bank was gathered another host, and that was
of Alsi's men, and among them I knew the forms of some who had fallen in
the first onset when I led the charge.

I tried to put forth my hand to wake Withelm, but I could not stir, and
when I would have spoken, I could frame no word, so that alone in all
the host I saw the slain men fight their battle over again, step by
step. The wedge of the Northmen won to the far shore as we had won--as
they had won in life but a few hours ago--and into the line of foemen
they cut their way, and on the far side of the stream they stayed and
fought, as it had been in the battle. Yet though one could see that the
men shouted and cried, there was no sound at all, and among the wildest
turmoil walked the sentries of Alsi's host unconcerned and unknowing.
And to me they seemed to be the ghosts, and the phantom strife that
which was real.

Then I was ware of a stranger thing yet than all I had seen so far, for
on the field were more than those whom I knew. There stood watching on
either side of the battle two other ghostly hosts, taking no part in the
struggle, but watching it as we had watched from our place when we fell
back into the rear to rest, pointing and seeming to cheer strokes that
were good and deeds that were valiant. And I knew that these were men
who had fought and died on this same field in older days, for on one
side were the white-clad Britons, and on the other the stern, dark-faced
Romans, steel and bronze from head to foot.

So the battle went onward to where we had won and had been pressed back;
and then, little by little, the hosts faded away, and with them went the
watchers, and surely across the field went the quick gallop of no
earthly steeds, the passing to Odin of the choosers of the slain, the
Valkyries.

Then came across the brook to me one through the mist, and the sentries
paid no heed to him, and he came to my side and spoke to me. It was
Cadwal, the Welsh thane, and his breast was gashed so that I thought
that he could not have lived.

"Ay, I am dead," he said, "as men count death, and yet I would have part
in victory over Alsi, for the sake of Havelok and of Goldberga. Stay up
my body on the morrow, that I may seem to fight at least, that I may
bide in the ranks once more in the day of victory. Little victory have
the British seen since Hengist came. Say that you will do this."

Then he looked wistfully at me, and I gave him some token of assent; and
at that came back all the shadows of our men, and seemed to pray the
same. And then was a stir of feet near me, and a shadow across the
trampled grass, and instead of the dead the voice of Havelok spoke
softly to me, and with him was Goldberga, clad in her mail. And I
thought that they and I were slain also, and I cried to this one who
seemed to be one of Odin's maidens that I too would fain be stayed up
with Cadwal and the rest, that I might have part in victory.

Then Goldberga stooped to me, and laid her soft hand on my forehead, and
took off my helm, so that the air came to me, and thereat I woke altogether.

"Brother," she said, "you are restless and sorely wounded, as it seems.
It is not good that you should lie in this mist."

At her voice the others woke, and for a while she talked with us in a
low tone, cheering us. And presently she asked of that strange request
that I had made to her.

I told her, for it was a message that should not be kept back, thus
given; and when he heard it, Withelm sighed a little, and said, "Would
that we had all those who have fallen. Yet if it is as they have asked
our brother, our host will seem as strong as before we joined battle in
the morning. Leave this to me, brother, for it may be done."

Then he rose up and went softly to where Idrys, the friend of Cadwal,
lay, and spoke long with him. It was true that Cadwal was slain, though
I had not yet heard of it until he told me himself thus.

Then I slept heavily, while the others talked for a while. It is a hard
place at a wedge tip when Englishmen are against one; and I am not much
use in a council. Presently they would wake me if my word was wanted.

But it was not needed, for the sunlight woke me. There was a growing
stir in our lines and across the water also, and I looked round. The
mists were yet dense, for there was not enough breeze to stir the heavy
folds of the banner, and Raven slept still with his arm round its staff.
Havelok was not here now, and I thought that he had gone to the camp
with Goldberga, and would be back shortly.

Then I saw that our rear rank was already formed up, as I thought, and
that is not quite the order of things, as a rule, and it seemed far off
from the stream. I thought that they should have asked me about this,
for there were some of my courtmen in that line.

And then I saw that in the line was no movement, and no flash of arms,
as when one man speaks to another, turning a little. And before that
line stood the form of a chief who leant on his broad spear, motionless
and seeming watchful. I knew him at once, and it was Cadwal, and those
he commanded were the dead. That was even to me an awesome sight, for in
the mists they seemed ready and waiting for the word that would never
come to their ears, resting on the spears that they could use no more.
It had been done by the marshmen in the dark hours of the morning, and
from across the stream I saw Alsi's men staring at the new force that
they thought had come to help us. There were men enough moving along our
bank with food to us to prevent them seeing that this line stirred not
at all.

There was a scald who came with us from Denmark, and now with the full
rising of the sun he took his harp and went along the stream bank
singing the song of Dunheidi fight and so sweet was his voice, and so
strong, that even Alsi's men gathered to hearken to him. His name was
Heidrek, and he has set all that he saw with Havelok into a saga; but
we, here, mostly remember the brave waking that he gave us that morning.
It was wonderful how the bright song cheered us. One saw that the
stiffened limbs shook themselves into litheness once more, and the
listless faces brightened, and into the hearts that were heavy came new
hope, and that was the song's work.

Now men began to jest with their foes across the stream, and those who
had Danish loaves threw them across in exchange for English, that they
might have somewhat to talk of. Ours were rye, and theirs of barley; but
it was not a fair change after ours had been so long a voyage.

It was not long before our war horns sounded for the mustering, and men
ran to their arms. The Lindsey host drew back from the talk with our men
at the same time, and, without waiting for word from their leaders,
began to get in line along the stream, where they had been when we
halted last night. But we had no thought of falling on them until we had
had some parley with the king or the Earl of Chester. And now it was
plain that with the grim rearguard behind us we outnumbered the men of
Alsi who were left.

Now came from the village in rear of the foe a little company, in the
midst of which was one horseman, and that was the king himself. His arm
was slung to his breast, and he sat his horse weakly, so that it was
true enough that he had been hurt. With him were the earl and Eglaf, and
the housecarls, and I sent one to fetch Havelok quickly, that there
might be no delay in the words that were to be said.

Alsi rode to the water's edge and looked out over our host, and his
white face became whiter, and his thin lips twitched as he saw that our
line was no weaker than it had seemed when first he saw it. He spoke to
the earl, and he too counted the odds before him, and he smiled a little
to himself. He had not much to say to Alsi.

Then broke out a thunderous cheer from all our men, for with Havelok and
Sigurd at her horse's rein, and with Withelm's courtmen of her own guard
behind her, came Goldberga the queen to speak with the man who had
broken his trust. She had on her mail, as on the day when we ended
Hodulf; and she rode to the centre of our line, and there stayed, with a
flush on her cheek that the wild shouts of our men had called there.

Then I heard the name of "Goldberga, Goldberga!" run down the English
line, and I saw Alsi shrink back into himself, as it were; and then some
Lincoln men close to him began to grow restless, and all at once they
lifted their helms and cheered also, and that cheer was taken up by all
the host, as it seemed, until the ring of hills seemed alive with
voices. And with that Alsi half turned his horse to fly.

Yet his men did not mean to leave him. It was but the hailing of the
lady whom they knew, and her coming thus was more than the simple
warriors had wit or mind to fathom. But now Goldberga held up her hand,
and the cries ceased, and silence came. Then she lifted her voice, clear
as a silver bell, and said, "It seems strange to me that English folk
should be fighting against me and my husband's men who have brought me
home. I would know the meaning of this, King Alsi, for it would seem
that your oath to my father is badly kept. Maybe I have thought that the
people would not have me in his place; but their voice does not ring in
those shouts, for which I thank them with all my heart, as if they hated
me. Now, therefore, I myself ask that my guardian will give up to me
that which is my own."

We held our peace, but a hum of talk went all through the English ranks.
The Earl of Chester sat down on the bank, and set his sword across his
knees, and began to tie the peace strings round the hilt, in token that
he was going to fight no more. Now and then he looked at Goldberga, and
smiled at her earnest face. But Alsi made no sign of answer.

Then the queen spoke again to him.

"There must be some reason why you have thus set a host in arms against
me," she said, "and what that may be I would know."

Then, as Alsi answered not at all, the earl spoke frankly.

"We were told that we had to drive out the Vikings, and I must say that
they do not go easily. But it was not told us that they came here to
right a wrong, else had I not fought."

Many called out in the same words, and then sat down as the earl had done.

And at last Alsi spoke for himself.

"We do not fight against you, my niece, but against the Danes. We cannot
have them in the country."

"They do not mean to bide here, but they will not go before my throne is
given to me. Never came a foreign host into a land in more friendly wise
than this of mine."

At that Alsi's face seemed to clear, and his forced smile came to him.
He looked round on the thanes who were nearest him, and coughed, and
then answered, "Here has been some mistake, my niece, and it has cost
many good lives. If it is even as you say, get you to your land of
Anglia, and there shall be peace. I myself will send word to Ragnar that
he shall hail you as queen."

Then up spoke a new voice, and it was one that I knew well.

"No need to do that, lord king," said Berthun the cook. "Here have I
come posthaste, and riding day and night, to say that Ragnar is but a
day's march from here, that he and all Norfolk may see that their queen
comes to her own."

Then Alsi's face grew ashy pale, and without another word he swung his
horse round and went his way. I saw him reel in the saddle before he had
gone far, and Eglaf set his arm round him and stayed him up. After him
Goldberga looked wistfully, for she was forgiving, and had fain that he
had spoken one word of sorrow. But none else heeded him, for now the
thanes, led by the earl himself, came thronging across the water, that
they might ask forgiveness for even seeming to withstand Goldberga. And
on both sides the men set down their arms, and began to pile mighty
fires, that the peace made should not want its handfasting feast.

For the fair princess had won her own, and there was naught but gladness.


CHAPTER XXIV. PEACE, AND FAREWELL.

Now there was feasting enough, and somewhere they found at a thane's
house a great tent, and they set that up, so that Havelok and Goldberga
might have their own court round them, as it were. Gladly did Berthun
rid himself of war gear and take to his old trade again. I suppose that
the little Tetford valley had never heard the like sounds of rejoicing
before.

Near midnight a man came to me and said that a message had come to me
from the other side, and I rose from the board and went out, to find
Eglaf waiting for me in the moonlight. He was armed, and his face was
wan and tired.

"Come apart, friend," he said; "I have a message from the king."

"To me?"

"No, to Havelok. But you must hear it first, and then tell him as you will."

We walked away from the tent and across the hillside for some way, and
then he said without more words, "This is the message that Alsi sends to
Havelok, whose name was Curan. 'Forgive the things that are past, for
many there are that need forgiving. I have no heir, and it is for myself
that I have schemed amiss. In Lincoln town lies a great treasure, of
which Eglaf and I alone know. Give it, I pray you, to your Danes, that
they may harm the land not at all, and so shall I ward off some of the
evil that might come through me even yet. I think that, after me, you
shall be king.'"

"That is wise of Alsi; but is there no word for Goldberga?"

"Ay, but not by my mouth. I fetched David the priest two hours ago, and
he bears those messages."

"Is there yet more to say?" I asked, for it seemed to me that there was.

"There is," he answered. "Alsi is dead."

So there was an end of all his schemings, and I will say no more of
them. It was Eglaf's thought that it was not so much his hurts that had
killed the king, but a broken heart because of this failure. For the
second time now I knew that it is true that "old sin makes new shame."

Now how we told Havelok this, and how Goldberga was somewhat comforted
by the words that David the priest brought her from her uncle, there is
no need to say. But when the news was known in all the host of Lindsey,
there was a great gathering of all in the wide meadow, and we sat in the
camp and wondered what end should be to the talk. Ragnar had come; but
his host was now no great one, for we had sent word to him of the peace,
and there was a great welcome for him and his men.

The Lindsey thanes did not talk long, and presently some half dozen of
the best of them came to us, and said that with one accord the gathering
would ask that Havelok and Goldberga should reign over them.

"We will answer for all in the land," they said. "If there are other
thanes who should have had a word in the matter, they are not here
because, knowing more than we, they would not fight for Alsi in this
quarrel. If there is any other man to be thought of, he cannot go
against the word of the host."

"I have my kingdom in Denmark," said Havelok, "and my wife has hers in
Anglia. How should we take this? See, here is Ragnar of Norwich; he is
worthy to be king, if any. Here, too, is the Earl of Chester, who led
you. It will be well to set these two names before the host."

"The host will have none but Havelok and Goldberga," they said.

So the long-ago visions came to pass, and in a few days more we were
feasting in the old hall at Lincoln. But before we left the valley of
the battle we laid in mound in all honour those who had fallen. Seven
great mounds we made, at which men wonder and will wonder while they
stand at Tetford. For well fought the Danes of Goldberga, and well
fought the Lindseymen on that day. Yet I think that those who would fain
have lived to see the victory had their share in it, as they stood in
their grim and silent ranks behind us.

Then was a new crowning of those two, and messages to the overlord of
Lindsey, sent by the thanes, to say that all was settled on the old
lines of peaceful tribute to be paid; and then, when word and presents
came back from him, Goldberga rose up on the high place where she had
been so strangely wedded, and looked down at the joyous faces of her
nobles at the long tables.

"When I was crowned in Denmark," she said, "there was a promise made me,
that when this day came to me in Norfolk I might ask one boon of all who
upheld me. I do not know if I may ask it here and now, for the promise
was made by my husband's people. Yet it is a matter that is dear to my
heart that I shall seek from you all, if I may."

Then all the hall rang with voices that bade her ask what she would; and
she bowed and flushed red, and hesitated a little. Then she took heart
and spoke.

"It is but this," she said. "Let the poor Christian folk bide in peace;
and if teachers come from the south or from the north presently who will
speak of that faith, bear with them, I pray you, for they work no harm
indeed."

Almost was she weeping as she said this, and her white hands were
clasped tightly before her. But she looked bravely at the thanes, and
waited for the answer, though I think that she feared what it would be.

But an old thane rose up in his place, smiling, and he answered, "If you
had commanded us this, my queen, it would have been done. The Christian
folk, if there are any, shall have no hurt. I think that we had
forgotten the old days of trouble with them. Yet I hear that in Kent the
new faith, as it seems to us, is being taught, and that the king looks
on it with favour. It may be that here it will come also. For your sake
I will listen if a teacher comes to me."

The thanes thought little of this boon, and they all answered that it
was freely granted. But they said that it was no boon to give, and bade
her ask somewhat that was better.

"Why then," she said, "if I must ask more, think no more of me as queen
save as that I am the wife of the king. Havelok is your ruler in good
sooth."

That pleased them all well, and they laughed and wished that all had
wives who had no mind to rule.

"Here is word that is going home to my wife," said one to his neighbour.
"If the queen sets the fashion of obedience, it behoves all good wives
to follow her leading."

"Maybe I would let some other than yourself tell the lady that,"
answered the other thane with a great laugh, for he knew that household
and its ruler.

So Goldberga had her will, and then began the long years of peace and
happiness to the kingdoms of which all men know. Wherefore I think that
my story is done. What I have told is halting maybe, and rough, but it
is true. And Goldberga, my sister, says that it is good. Which is all
the praise that I need.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

So far went Radbard, my friend, and then he would tell no more. So it is
left to me, Wislac the priest, who have written for him, to finish. He
says that everyone knows the rest, and so they do just now. But in the
years to come, when this story is read, men will want to know more. So
it is fit that I should end the story, telling things that I myself know
to be true also.

Sigurd's host went back in the autumn, rich with the treasure of Alsi
the king; and from that time forward no Danish host ever sought our
shores. Wars enough have been in England here, but they have not harmed
us. No host has been suffered to cross the borders of Lindsey or East
Anglia, save in peace, and in the wars of Penda of Mercia Havelok has
taken no part. Yet he has had to fight to hold his own more than once,
but always with victory, for always the prayers of the few Christians
have been with him.

They set Earl Ragnar to hold the southern kingdom for Havelok and his
wife; and presently, when he was left a widower, he wedded the youngest
daughter of Grim, Havelok's foster father. Eglaf was captain of the
Lincoln courtmen or housecarls, whichever the right name may be among
those who speak of them. One name is Danish and the other English, but
they mean the same. As for my good friend Radbard, he was high sheriff
before long, and that he is yet. He wedded Ragnar's sister the year that
Havelok was crowned in Norwich, which was the next year after the
crowning at Lincoln.

Raven went back to the sea, and he will now be in Denmark or else on the
Viking path with Sigurd, for that is what he best loves. Arngeir bides
at Grimsby, high in honour with all, and the port and town grow greater
and more prosperous year by year. Wise was Grim when he chose to stay in
the place where he had chanced to come, if it were not more than chance
that brought him. I suppose that for all time the ships that are from
Grimsby will be free from all dues in the ports that are Havelok's in
the Danish land. Witlaf, the good old thane, bides in his place yet, and
he rejoices ever that he had a hand in bringing Havelok up. Nor does our
king forget that.

Indeed, I think that he forgets naught but ill done toward him. Never is
a man who has done one little thing for him overlooked, if he is met by
our king after many years, and that is a royal gift indeed.

I would that all married folk were as are this royal couple of ours.
Never are they happy apart, and never has a word gone awry between them.
If one speaks of Havelok, one must needs think of Goldberga; and if one
says a word of the queen, one means the king also. Happy in their people
and in their wondrous fair children are they, and that is all that can
be wished for them.

There was one thing wanting for long years, that I and Withelm ever
longed for for Havelok--a thing for which Goldberga prayed ever. I
came to them from Queen Bertha in Kent, when good old David died; and at
that time Havelok was not a Christian, but surely the most Christian
heathen that ever was. I knew that he must come into the faith at some
time; and I, at least, could not find it in my heart to blame him
altogether for holding to the Asir whom his fathers worshipped. It was
in sheer honesty and singleness of heart that he did so, and I had never
skill enough to show him the right. But Withelm, who has long been a
priest of the faith, and shall surely be our bishop ere long, had more
to do with his conversion than any other.

Yet it did not come until the days when Paulinus came from York and
preached with the fire of the missionary to us all. And then we saw the
mighty warrior go down to the water in the white robe of the catechumen,
and come therefrom with his face shining with a new and wondrous light.

Then he founded a monastery at Grimsby, that there the men of the marsh,
who had been kind to him in the old days, might find teachers in all
that was good; and there it will surely be after many a long year, until
there is need for its work no more, if such a time ever comes.

So the land grows Christian fast, and good will be its folk if they
follow the way of king and queen and their brothers.

Now have I finished also, and this is farewell. Look you, husbands and
wives, that you may be said to be like Havelok and Goldberga; and see,
brothers, that you mind the words that Grim spoke to his sons, and which
they heeded so well--