"I thought that you had forgotten," she said in a low voice. "I had not."
"I seemed to forget it, because I deemed it best that I should do so. I am but a landless warrior, with naught to offer. And you--"
Then she turned quickly on me, and there was a smile on her face and a new light in her eyes.
"And I," she said. "And I am naught but the girl who was found by Asa Thor in the burning ship.
"O Malcolm, let it be so still, and take me to the end of the voyage and bide there always. For I fear naught as long as you are with me."
She held out her hands to me, and then she was in the shelter of my arms, and no more was needed to be said. We were both content, and more than content.
[Chapter 17]: Homeward Bound.
Mayhap I need not say that I forgot the message which took me to this place, seeing that it was of no great account. Gerda and I had much to say to one another of matters which would be of note to none but ourselves, and the time fled unheeded by us.
Whereby it came to pass that presently came footsteps through the woods, and here were Hakon and Bertric smiling at us, and Gerda was blushing, though she would not leave my side. Bertric laughed lightly when he met us.
"Hakon," he said, "I told you that there would be no trouble in this matter. Now, Lady Gerda, and you, comrade, I am going to be the first to wish you all happiness. And I will say that thus our voyage ends even as it ought."