Six Sagas of Adventure

by Ben Waggoner (trans)

  When the king had heard these tidings, he was deeply saddened by the death of his sworn brother King Gautrek. He asked Queen Ingibjorg to stay with him for as long as she liked.

  The queen answered, “We didn’t make this journey just to stay in your kingdom. But if you want to do something to honor us, my lord, then I ask you to come to Gautland at our invitation, with your foster-son Hrolf, so that he may become king there under your supervision, as King Gautrek had planned. Along with that, I want you to hold the inheritance-feast on behalf of King Gautrek, according to ancient custom.”

  The king said that it would be done as she asked. Not long afterwards, the king started out on his journey with a fine retinue, and he didn’t stop until he came to Gautland, with Queen Ingibjorg and her son Hrolf with him. A splendid feast had already been prepared, and many of that land’s noblest men were there. King Gautrek’s inheritance-ale was drunk, and a great assembly was summoned to the feast. At the assembly, Hrolf was raised to the kingship, on the advice of King Hring and with the consent of all the people in the whole of Gautland. When everything was fulfilled and completed, King Hring returned to Denmark, and he was sent home with worthy gifts.

  Hrolf began to rule the kingdom, and he made laws and rules according to his will. He soon became well-liked by his men. He was a wise ruler, and as generous as his father. He was twelve years old when he took the rulership of the kingdom. His brother Ketil stayed with him. Ingjald, his foster-brother, set out raiding in the summers, but always made his winter quarters in Gautland with King Hrolf. So matters went until Hrolf was fifteen years old.

  CHAPTER VI

  It’s said that the brothers were conversing once, and King Hrolf asked what Ketil thought of his rulership. Ketil said that it was fine, in most respects.

  King Hrolf answered, “Since you have insight into this, you must tell me how what I have achieved by my own will seems defective.”

  Ketil answered, “I can easily find the matter in which you seem to be lacking in good fortune. You’re not married, and you would be thought a much greater king if you took a wife befitting your station.”

  The king said, “Where should I go to seek a wife?”

  Ketil answered, “Your honor would grow if you were to ask for the hand of a princess who is both clever and foresighted. But I certainly wouldn’t expect you to be rejected, no matter where you wanted to look.”

  The king replied, “I don’t think much about such possibilities. This is a small country, and no one will think there’s much profit in our kingdom. But where would you look first, kinsman?”

  Ketil answered, “I have heard that King Eirek in Sweden has a beautiful and wise daughter named Thornbjorg. I have heard that such a match is not to be found in all the Northlands, for she is skilled in every art which may well adorn a woman. But she is also skilled at jousting and fencing with shield and sword, on an equal footing with bold knights. She is greater at that than any woman I have ever heard of. King Eirek, her father, is renowned for his might and for many other accomplishments which such a celebrated king may pride himself on.”

  King Hrolf answered, “We’re not bold enough for anything like that. Such an attempt would draw more attention for rashness than for wisdom—as sometimes happens to you, kinsman. It’s bad for someone who has no hope to be so conceited about how he might rise. If I go and ask for the daughter of King Eirek in Sweden, as you want me to do, I believe the woman would be refused to me, and I would probably be insulted. I would have to put up with all that, since I wouldn’t be able to take vengeance because of how powerful the king is—and I wouldn’t take that well at all.”

  Ketil said that it wouldn’t happen that way. “We have no lack of men from Denmark and Gautland for an attack on King Eirek, if he denies you the girl.”

  King Hrolf said, “You don’t need to taunt me, because I know how this would turn out if we attempted it.”

  As before, it happened again that King Hrolf’s mind worked like this: He paid no attention to the matter and let it pass, as he did with many other things that were brought to his attention, and it wasn’t clear what he was thinking. Later, he would take up this matter which had slipped everyone’s mind. For some time, the sworn brothers stayed by turns in Denmark or in Gautland. They always went raiding in the summer, winning a great deal of wealth, and were the bravest of warriors, so that no one could withstand them. They became most famous for their heroic deeds. Almost everyone knew their names.

  It is said of King Hrolf that he was the largest and strongest of all men. He was so heavy that he couldn’t ride any horse for a whole day, without it suffocating or collapsing under him—he always had to change horses.[7] King Hrolf was the most handsome of men, courteous and well-shaped in every respect, with the finest hair of any man; a broad face and prominent features; the keenest eyesight, with blue and flashing eyes; a slender waist and broad shoulders. He was the most accomplished and well-mannered man in every respect, a better fighter than anyone, and more skilled in all sports and achievements than any other man in the Northlands in those days. He was the best-loved of men. King Hrolf was a wise man, foresighted in everything, intelligent and clear-sighted. He soon became famous far and wide for his rulership, near and far.

  One spring, Ketil asked what King Hrolf intended to do in the summer. He answered, “Wouldn’t it be a good idea to go to Sweden and try to become King Eirek’s in-laws, as you once suggested?”

  Ketil said, “You’re unbelievable. First you ignore what’s said to you and don’t pay it any attention at the time—yet it’s on your mind. Then you remember it later, once many years have passed, and act as if it had just been brought up. I feel the same way about it as I did then, and there’s no need to delay.”

  The king said, “Have you heard anything about this maiden?”

  Ketil answered, “Nothing at all, except for what I’ve already told you.”

  The king said, “I’ve heard that she is both wise and beautiful—and, as I’ve been told, that she is so haughty and proud that she wants no man to address her as a woman. She has been raised to kingship over a third of Sweden. Her seat is at Ullarakr, where she maintains a household like other kings. I’ve also heard it said that several kings have asked for her hand in marriage. Some she has had killed; some she has shamed in some way; some she has blinded, castrated, or had their hands or feet cut off; and she’s received them all with ridicule and disgrace. This is how she wants to discourage people from courting her. I can also see that this journey could turn out either way. If we manage to arrange this marriage, the journey will increase our fame—but otherwise, we’ll get shame and disgrace and be laughingstocks forever.”

  Ketil said, “Many men aren’t enough for you, even if they’ve been brought together for you in full. It’s completely ridiculous that you hardly have the confidence to propose to a woman. I think that the more arrogance she assumes, the more her ferocity will collapse once the time comes to put an end to it.”

  King Hrolf said, “Now that you’re questioning my courage about this journey, I’ll send you to Denmark to find my sworn brother Ingjald. I want him to make this journey with me.”

  Their conversation ended. Ketil went on his way to Denmark. Ingjald lost no time and traveled to meet King Hrolf. The king welcomed him warmly and told him his plan. Ingjald thought it was a good one, and said that with the king’s luck, they could expect their mission to turn out all right in the end.

  King Hrolf told Ketil his brother to stay at home and guard the kingdom. Ketil said, “It’s your decision, lord, but I’m astonished that you’re calling me worthless, since I’m not fit to join your retinue.”

  The king said, “Don’t think of yourself that way, brother, because you shall make the journey if we need you in a difficult situation. But first, we will put forth this proposal calmly and patiently, if we’re given the chance.” But Keti
l was most unwilling, and predicted that it would go badly.

  King Hrolf set out on his journey, riding away from home with sixty men. Those men had been carefully picked, both for their courage and for their showy trappings of clothes and weapons. They rode away, as the road took them, and didn’t stop their travels until they came to Uppsala.

  CHAPTER VII

  Now the story turns to King Eirek. He had a wise and beautiful queen, who set great store by dreams. Her name was Ingigerd.

  One night, the queen awoke in her bed. She said to King Eirek, “I must have been thrashing around in my sleep.”

  “You were,” said the king, “but what did you dream?”

  She answered, “I was standing outside and looking around, and suddenly I could look out over all Sweden and much farther. I looked towards Gautland, and I could see so clearly that I saw a huge pack of wolves running from there, and I thought they were heading towards Sweden. A huge lion was running ahead of the wolves. After it came a white bear with red cheeks. Both beasts seemed peaceful, with their hackles down. They howled, but not fiercely—but that seemed odd, given how quickly the animals were coming here, and how clearly I thought I saw them. There didn’t look to be more than sixty. I realized that they must be intending to come here to Uppsala. I thought that I called out to you to tell you about it, and at that moment I awoke.”

  The king said, “My lady, what do you suppose this means?”

  She answered, “When I saw the wolves, those were men’s fetches.[8] Since the lion ran ahead, that is a king’s fetch, and he must be their ruler. A white bear was running next to him, and that must be some champion or prince accompanying this king, because the bear is strong and indicates powerful support. I think it’s very likely that some noble king is seeking you out. That beast was much larger and stronger than I have heard could exist.”

  The king said, “When do you think this king will arrive? And how much damage do you think they will do in our kingdom?”

  The queen said, “I would say that I expect that this king is coming in peace at this time, because these beasts were gentle. If I had to guess, I would say that the great lion must be the fetch of King Hrolf Gautreksson of Gautland, since that’s where these beasts were coming from. I guess the white bear must be the fetch of Ingjald, his sworn brother.”

  The king said, “What could Hrolf the champion want, coming here to meet with us?”

  The queen said, “It’s all a riddle, but because the beasts seemed mild, I think that they are coming in peace with good intentions towards us. I think it most likely that King Hrolf will have the same mission that many others have had before: to ask for the hand of our daughter Thornbjorg. She is now the most famous woman in the Northlands.”

  The king said, “I didn’t know that Hrolf intended such insolence, nor that other king who rules such a little kingdom—since high kings, with under-kings who pay them tribute, have previously asked for her hand. Don’t go on with such daydreams, my lady.”

  The queen said, “Don’t pay this any mind, unless what I think proves true.”

  The king said, “How shall I go to meet King Hrolf if he comes here, or receive his proposal, if that’s his reason for coming?”

  She answered, “You must receive Hrolf well if he seeks you out, and offer him the best cheer, because he is the most accomplished man in many respects. It’s not certain that your daughter could get a more famous man, or so I’m told about him.”

  After that, they ended their conversation for the time being. Several days passed.

  CHAPTER VIII

  King Eirek was informed that King Hrolf Gautreksson had arrived with sixty men. The king got men to invite him to a feast in his hall. When the invitation reached King Hrolf, he went to meet the king, and he was welcomed well and suitably, but with no grace or good cheer. The high-seat across the table from the king was prepared for him.

  They arrived late in the day. Once the tables and food were taken away, drink was brought in. When they had drunk for a while, many were quite cheerful, but King Hrolf was quite attentive and said little. King Eirek spoke to him and asked for news from Gautland or any other place from which he might have heard. King Hrolf said that there wasn’t any news from Gautland.

  King Eirek said, “For what reason have you come to us Swedes, riding with many men in the middle of winter?”

  King Hrolf answered, “Whether we’ve been traveling on ships or horses, we have come here of our own free will, whatever comes of it from now on. Since you’re asking about our mission, we had intended to mention it at a more leisurely time than now—but since you’ve found out, I suppose that we need not put it off, because it’s true what they say, ‘a shy man’s request has to wait till evening’. My mission here is to propose becoming your son-in-law and marrying your daughter Thornbjorg. Now we would like to hear a clear and prompt answer to our proposal.”

  King Eirek answered, “I know the way that you Gauts tell jokes and speak very humorously when you drink, and I can’t take it at all seriously. I must have guessed the truth about you Gauts and your mission. I’m told that there is a great famine among you Gauts. It often happens; Gautland’s a small country, with little income but a large population. You always provide food for a large host at your own expense, and you’re openhanded and generous with your goods while they last. Now I realize that you must feel awfully hard-pressed, and that’s why you’ve left home: you must be feeling terrible about suffering hunger and hardship. It’s a dreadful misfortune when you can’t keep up your strength, and so very difficult for men like yourselves to have to suffer. It was a very wise course to seek help at the likeliest place, rather than blundering around in misery. I think well of you for hoping for some help from us. I will quickly explain to you the help you can receive in our kingdom: we will permit you one month of safe conduct throughout our kingdom, if you’re willing to stay here and be grateful. And if another king offers you such help, then I would really expect that you would go there, and take all these people with you, instead of starving. Don’t go spreading the nonsense that you asked for a woman’s hand in marriage, neither my daughter’s nor anyone else’s, because that can’t be anything but empty words as long as you’re in such a state from poverty and famine. But when this time is over, matters will look more hopeful again when you go home, and you won’t need to trouble yourselves about that.”

  CHAPTER IX

  King Hrolf listened carefully to the king’s words. When the king ended his speech, Hrolf said, “My lord, it’s not true that we’re short of food in our land, or that we need anyone’s charity to help our people. Had this disaster struck us, we would rather have gone somewhere else than here. Your taunting seems uncalled for.” The men saw that King Hring was getting very angry, though he said little. The kings parted right then, and the men went off to their beds. King Hrolf and his men were brought to an outbuilding to sleep.

  King Eirek also went to his bed. The queen was already there, and they began talking among themselves. She asked, “Has King Hrolf come to meet us?”

  “Certainly,” said the king.

  “What do you think of King Hrolf?” she asked.

  “That doesn’t take long to tell,” said King Eirek. “I have never seen a bigger and stronger man, nor one more handsome and courteous, as I can see from his appearance. Nor have I seen anyone better shaped in every way.”

  The queen said, “I’m told that either you’ve discussed something with him, or else you’ve put his wisdom to the test.”

  The king told her how their entire conversation had gone. “And I think,” he said, “that he is far ahead of other men, both in wisdom and in most achievements—and in patience.”

  The queen said, “Then this has begun badly, for you to have treated a ruler like King Hrolf so poorly. For that, you and your kingdom will suffer severe trouble from him for a long time. Alt
hough you may think he has a small kingdom, what I think is that his boldness and bravery, along with his kingly nature, would be of more use than the huge hosts of some other king in the Northlands, because I’ve been informed that he is far superior to other kings.”

  The king said, “Not only is he greatly superior to other men, you admire this king a great deal. What is your advice now?”

  The queen said, “My advice is brief, my lord. I want for you to apologize to King Hrolf. I tell you truly that it will be difficult for you to match him in tenacity or in fighting ability, because he has support from the Danish king. He plans everything with King Hring, his foster-father.”

  The king replied, “Maybe we’ve misjudged the situation. What must I now say or do that will please him well?”

  The queen said, “My advice is this: when they come to their seats in the morning, and you have all drunk for a while, you should speak cheerfully with King Hrolf and ask about the mighty deeds that he has accomplished. I guess that he’ll be reserved, and your conversation will not have slipped his mind. Then you should ask why he’s come here, and pretend that he had never brought up his mission to you. But if he hints or brings up anything you’ve said, then say that you don’t remember that you two had talked about anything except in a fine and friendly way, but if you said anything wrong, say that you really wish it hadn’t been said. And if he brings up his suit, I want you to agree to it, and not turn him away—assuming he can get her to say yes to his proposal. Be cheerful and easy-going in this matter, and I expect that it will go well between you. But I don’t think it’s certain just how easily the courtship will go, even if you consent.” After that, they went to sleep for the night.