Thief sat close by him, and presently drew his sword from his sheath and cast it far away from him.
A little while after the king woke up, and said: “Was it not so, Frithiof, that a many things came into thy mind e'en now? But well hast thou dealt with them, and great honour shalt thou have of me. Lo, now, I knew thee straightway that first evening thou earnest into our hall: now nowise speedily shalt thou depart from us; and somewhat great abideth thee.”
Said Frithiof: “Lord king, thou hast done to me well, and in friendly wise; but yet must I get me gone soon, because my company cometh speedily to meet me, as I have given them charge to do.”
So then they rode home from the wood, and the king's folk came flocking to him, and home they fared to the hall and drank joyously; and it was made known to all folk that Frithiof the Bold had been abiding there through the winter-tide.
CHAPTER XIV. King Ring's Gift to Frithiof.
Early of a morning-tide one smote on the door of that hall, wherein slept the king and queen, and many others: then the king asked who it was that called at the hall door; and so he who was without said: “Here am I, Frithiof; and I am arrayed for my departure.”
Then was the door opened, and Frithiof came in, and sang a stave:
“Have great thanks for the guesting
Thou gavest with all bounty;
Dight fully for wayfaring
Is the feeder of the eagle;
But, Ingidiorg, I mind thee
While yet on earth we tarry;
Live gloriously! I give thee
This gift for many kisses.”
And therewith he cast the goodly ring towards Ingibiorg, and bade her take it.