Sigurd Ring a Suitor
After his departure came messengers from Sigurd Ring, the aged King of Ringric, in Norway, who, having lost his wife, sent to Helgé and Halfdan to ask Ingeborg’s hand in marriage. Before returning answer to this royal suitor, Helgé consulted the Vala, or prophetess, and the priests, who all declared that the omens were not in favour of the marriage. Upon this Helgé assembled his people to hear the word which the messengers were to carry to their master, but unfortunately King Halfdan gave way to his waggish humour, and made scoffing reference to the advanced age of the royal suitor. These impolitic words were reported to King Ring, and so offended him that he immediately collected an army and prepared to march against the Kings of Sogn to avenge the insult with his sword. When the rumour of his approach reached the cowardly brothers they were terrified, and fearing to encounter the foe unaided, they sent Hilding to Frithiof to implore his help.
Hilding found Frithiof playing chess with Björn, and immediately made known his errand.
“‘From Bele’s high heirs
I come with courteous words and prayers
Disastrous tidings rouse the brave;
On thee a nation’s hope relies.
In Balder’s fane, griefs loveliest prey,
Sweet Ing’borg weeps the livelong day:
Say, can her tears unheeded fall,
Nor call her champion to her side?’”
Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (Longfellow’s tr.).
While the old man was speaking Frithiof continued to play, ever and anon interjecting an enigmatical reference to the game, until at this point he said:
“Björn; thou in vain my queen pursuest,
She from childhood dearest, truest!
She’s my game’s most darling piece, and
Come what will—I’ll save my queen!”
Tegnér, Frithiof Saga (G. Stephens’s tr.).
Hilding did not understand such mode of answering, and at length rebuked Frithiof for his indifference. Then Frithiof rose, and pressing kindly the old man’s hand, he bade him tell the kings that he was too deeply offended to listen to their appeal.
Helgé and Halfdan, thus forced to fight without their bravest leader, preferred to make a treaty with Sigurd Ring, and they agreed to give him not only their sister Ingeborg, but also a yearly tribute.