"I fear that the princess does but think of me because she must. It is
in my mind that Alsi may have threatened her also until she has
consented. How shall I know this?"
"Most easily, as she speaks with you," answered Withelm. "Tomorrow will
tell you that. And then, if you find things thus, what shall prevent
your flying?"
"Brother Radbard and the other housecarls," said Havelok grimly.
"Not if you ask the princess to help you out of her own way by
pretending to be most willing. If Alsi thinks you a gladsome couple,
there is no difficulty. You walk out of the palace as a master there.
Then you fly to Ragnar. That is all."
Now that was such an easy way out of the whole coil that we planned it
out. And yet it seemed to me that it was a pity that Havelok knew not
more of what seemed to us so sure now. So, seeing that things were
fairly straightened by this last thought, I got up and said that I must
be going, making a sign to Withelm to come also; and, with a few more
words, we went out. I saw Havelok set himself to a mighty task of water
drawing as I looked back.
"Now," said I, "here is a strange affair with a vengeance. Neither head
nor tail can I make of it. But if all we think is right, this is the
marriage for the son of Gunnar."
"Son of Gunnar, or son of Grim," said Withelm, "princess or not, happy
is the maiden who gains Havelok for a husband.
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