“By Odin!” exclaimed my father, “it seems that Steinar is in Fortune’s favour.  Well, men of Agger, enter and rest you.  After you have eaten we will talk further of these matters.”

It was just then that, appearing between the trees on the road that ran to Fladstrand and to the sea, I saw a company mounted upon horses.  In front was a young woman, wrapped in a coat of furs, talking eagerly to a man who rode by her.  Behind, clad in armour, with a battle-axe girt about him, rode another man, big and fork-bearded, who stared about him gloomily, and behind him again ten or twelve thralls and seamen.

One glance was enough for me.  Then I sprang up, crying: 

“Iduna’s self, and with her my brother Steinar, the lord Athalbrand and his folk.  A happy sight indeed!” And I would have run forward to meet them.

“Yes, yes,” said my mother; “but await them here, I pray you.  You are not yet strong, my son.”  And she flung her arms about me and held me.

Presently they were at the bridge, and Steinar, springing from his horse, lifted Iduna from her saddle, a sight at which I saw my mother frown.  Then I would no longer be restrained, but ran forward, crying greetings as I came, and, seizing Iduna’s hand, I kissed it.  Indeed, I would have kissed her cheek also, but she shrank back, saying: 

“Not before all these folk, Olaf.”

“As you will,” I answered, though just then a chill struck me, which, I thought to myself, came doubtless from the cold wind.  “It will be the sweeter afterwards,” I added as gaily as I could.

“Yes,” she said hurriedly.  “But, Olaf, how white and thin you are.  I had hoped to find you well again, though, not knowing how it fared with you, I came to see with my own eyes.”

“That is good of you,” I muttered as I turned to grasp Steinar’s hand, adding:  “I know well who it was that brought you here.”

“Nay, nay,” she said.  “I came of myself.  But my father waits you, Olaf.”

So I went to where the lord Athalbrand Fork-beard was dismounting, and greeted him, lifting my cap.

“What!” grumbled Athalbrand, who seemed to be in an ill temper, “are you Olaf?  I should scarcely have known you again, lad, for you look more like a wisp of hay tied on a stick than a man.  Now that the flesh is off you I see you lack bone, unlike some others,” and he glanced at the broad-shouldered Steinar.  “Greeting to you, Thorvald.  We are come here through a sea that nearly drowned us, somewhat before the appointed time, because—­well, because, on the whole, I thought it best to come.  I pray Odin that you are more glad to see us than I am to see you.”

“If so, friend Athalbrand, why did you not stop away?” asked my father, firing up, then adding quickly:  “Nay, no offence; you are welcome here, whatever your humour, and you too, my daughter that is to be, and you, Steinar, my fosterling, who, as it chances, are come in a good hour.”