d at the same time; and I had looked to find both here, but
they were gone. Nor had they left any word for me, and I was
troubled about that. So I was about to tell the king what was in my
mind concerning Thora first of all, and my heart began to beat
strangely. But he waited not for me to answer him.

"Stay," he said, smiling a little. "Before you go I must have a
hostage from my wild viking, lest he be, as it were, let loose on
the high seas where I cannot reach him."

Then he laughed, at my puzzled face, I suppose, and I saw that he
had some jest that pleased him.

"What hostage can I give, lord king?" I said. "Shall I leave Harek
and his harp with you?"

"Harek would charm our ears, and would escape," Alfred answered.
"Nay, but I must give you house and lands for a home, and therein
you shall leave a fair wife, whose loneliness will bring you ashore
now and then."

I thought there was more to come, and I liked not this at all, for
it went too closely with my fears of what might be. So I bowed, and
answered nothing as yet, while he looked laughingly at me.

"Why," he cried, "half my thanes would have gone wild with joy if I
had promised them either half of what I have said I would give to
you. Are you so fond of the longships and the restless waves that
you will not be bound to the shore?"

"Nay, my king," I said; "but I cannot yet rightly understand all
that you mean for me."

"Well, it means that I must find you a rich wife, as I think I can.
What say you to that fair lady of Exeter town and Taunton--Odda's
daughter, Etheldreda?"

"My king," I answered, somewhat over-gladly maybe, "Ethelnoth of
Somerset, my good comrade, might have some grudge against me if I
cast favouring eyes in that direction. Let this bide for a little
while, I pray you, King Alfred. Yet I would not have you think me
ungrateful, for indeed I know well what kindness is in your thought
for me."

"Nay, but I have it in my mind that you were fond of going to
Taunton not so long since, and one might well think that a maiden's
hair drew you. Well, if Ethelnoth has outdone you there, I am sorry
for your sake, not his. Cheer up, nevertheless. There are more
maidens and well dowered in our broad Wessex coasts, and I am
minded to see how far you will obey your new overlord."

"This is great kindness, King Alfred," I answered; "but we Northmen
are apt to keep some matters wherein to prove our freedom. I pray
you not to press this on me."