And I
thought that they and I were slain also, and I cried to this one who
seemed to be one of Odin's maidens that I too would fain be stayed up
with Cadwal and the rest, that I might have part in victory.
Then Goldberga stooped to me, and laid her soft hand on my forehead, and
took off my helm, so that the air came to me, and thereat I woke altogether.
"Brother," she said, "you are restless and sorely wounded, as it seems.
It is not good that you should lie in this mist."
At her voice the others woke, and for a while she talked with us in a
low tone, cheering us. And presently she asked of that strange request
that I had made to her.
I told her, for it was a message that should not be kept back, thus
given; and when he heard it, Withelm sighed a little, and said, "Would
that we had all those who have fallen. Yet if it is as they have asked
our brother, our host will seem as strong as before we joined battle in
the morning. Leave this to me, brother, for it may be done."
Then he rose up and went softly to where Idrys, the friend of Cadwal,
lay, and spoke long with him. It was true that Cadwal was slain, though
I had not yet heard of it until he told me himself thus.
Then I slept heavily, while the others talked for a while. It is a hard
place at a wedge tip when Englishmen are against one; and I am not much
use in a council.
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