irds were flying over your head and on either
side of you; that was their road; you saw a salmon in the
river, and that was his road.

Gestumblindi said:

What was the drink that I had yesterday? It was neither wine
nor water, mead nor ale, nor any kind of food; and yet I went
away with my thirst quenched. King Heithrek, read me this
riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
You lay in the shade and cooled your lips in dew. But if
you are the Gestumblindi I took you for, you are a more
intelligent man than I expected; for I had heard that your
conversation showed no brains, yet now you are setting to work
cleverly.

Gestumblindi said:

I expect that I shall soon come to grief; yet I should like
you to listen a while longer.

Then he continued:

Who is that clanging one who traverses hard paths which he has
trod before? He kisses very rapidly, has two mouths and walks
on gold alone. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
That is the goldsmith's hammer, with which gold is forged.

Gestumblindi said:

What is that huge one that passes over the earth, swallowing
lakes and pools? He fears the wind, but he fears not man, and
carries on hostilities against the sun. King Heithrek, read me
this riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
That is fog. One cannot see the sea because of it. Yet as soon
as the wind blows, the fog lifts; but men can do nothing to
it. Fog kills the sunshine. You have a cunning way of asking
riddles and conundrums, whoever you are.

Gestumblindi said:

What is that huge one that controls many things and of which
half faces towards Hell? It saves people's lives and grapples
with the earth, if it has a trusty friend. King Heithrek, read
me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:

Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.
That is an anchor with its thick strong cable. It controls
many a ship, and grips the earth with one of its flukes which
is pointing towards Hell. It is a means of safety to many
people. Greatly do I marvel at your readiness of speech and
wisdom.

Gestumblindi said:

Ah, but I am now almost at the end of my riddles; yet everyone