“King Ranald,” she said, after a little silence, “I wonder if ever a maiden was in such sad doubt as I. I cannot wish that these dear ladies, who have made a friend of me, should see their folk beaten, and maybe slain; and cannot wish that my own kin should be beaten either.  It seems that in either way I must find heavy sorrow.”

That was true; but it was certain that her own people were the cause of all the trouble, though I could not say so.  I put it this way: 

“I think that if your people are driven off there will be peace the sooner, and maybe they will not land when they find us waiting.  I know, too, that those who have loved ones in the battle that may be are in a harder case than yours, dear lady.”

Then she looked up at me once, and a flush came slowly over her pale face, and she answered nothing.  I thought that she felt some shame that a warrior like her father should bide here, without moving hand or foot, when the war horns were blowing.  So I said: 

“Harder yet would it be if the jarl were in the battle against our friends.  Then would the fear of his loss be a terror to you also.”

Now came in Osmund, and straightway Thora rose up, turning away from us both, and went from the hall.  The jarl looked after her curiously and sadly.

“This is a strange business for the girl,” he said.

“She seems almost as troubled because you are not fighting as if you were in danger by doing so,” I answered, with that thought still in my mind.

Thereat the jarl stared at me.

“What has put that into your head?” he asked.

I told him what she and I had said, adding that I feared I had seemed to hint somewhat discomforting.

Then said Osmund, looking in my face with a half smile: 

“She is glad I am honourably out of this business, and the trouble is not that.  There are one or two, maybe, whom she would like to see as safe in the same way.”

Then it flashed through my dull mind that perhaps I was one of these, and the thought was pleasant to me.

“Well,” I said, “there are the thane, and his young son, the king’s page, who is here.  They have been very kind to her.”

“Also a wandering king who took her out of danger,” he said then.

“Ay; I shall be glad if she thinks of me.”

There were a little laugh and a rustling behind us, and one said: 

“Either you are the least conceited of men or the blindest, King Ranald, or you would know what is amiss.”

I turned, and saw the Lady Etheldreda herself, and I bowed to her in much confusion.

“O you men!” she said.  “Here you will let the poor girl break her heart in silence, while you fight for glory, or somewhat you think is glory, without a word to say that you care that she shall see what you win.  Of course she thinks of you, even night and day.  How else should it be, when you have been as a fairy prince to her?”