“I will not hide from thee, Egwina, that it may be fraught with peril both to thee and to myself. But it will advantage me to take it, though little do I reck of the outcome. Thou needst not go unless thou wilt. I will not think the less of thee if thou dost not choose to go.” “It matters not, my king, whither, or into what it doth lead. If thou dost desire me with thee, then will I go.” “Thou leal little one! I knew that I could trust to thy courage. Listen to my plan, Egwina, and then shalt thou say if thou wilt. Thou and I will go as minstrels into the camp of Guthrum, and I shall see for myself his forces and supplies. Now, what sayest thou?” But before she could answer, Ethelfleda, who had joined them, broke in with, “My father, take me with thee. Did I not sing to thy harp? I am thy daughter, and it is more fitting that I should share thy danger than Egwina.” “Thou art too proud in thy port for a gleemaiden,” returned the king. “Far too proud for my purpose. Thou couldst not be one in seeming. Egwina hath always been one, and so will give more of the appearance of truth to the affair? Thou seest, my daughter, that it were better for Egwina to go?” “I see,” answered Ethelfleda slowly. “But, oh, my father! Mickle sorrow doth it give me that I have done naught for thee in thine affliction!” “Thou hast done much,” and the king soothed her tenderly. “Much! Thou hast cheered and comforted me by thy presence and brightness, and that is much, for I wot how thou hast chafed at the inactivity, my lion-hearted daughter. This also do I promise thee: the beacon that bringth all the Saxons together thou shalt light with thine own hands.” “Oh, may I?” cried Ethelfleda, delightedly. “Then, Egwina, no longer do I grudge thee thy place, but wish all good to befortune thee.” “Wilt thou go, Egwina, now that thou knowest what thou will have to encounter? If it should so be that there are any in the camp of the Dane who know me, then I wot not what will become of thee.” “Think not of me,” returned the girl earnestly. “Is not the gleemaiden wont to endure trials? Think not on me, but reflect on thyself. How shalt thou act, my king?” “As a gleeman. With harp and song shall we delight them; then with tricks of mimicry, and knives and balls, will I excite their mirth.” “But thou hast also a proud bearing,” and the girl looked anxious. “Not more so than thy grandsire,” said Elswitha with a smile. “He did deport himself full of pride.” “And the gifts,” went on the maiden. “Canst thou receive them humbly and gratefully from the gift stool?” “Never fear, little one. Alfred hath been forced to pillage for food itself lately, and his pride hath been brought very low.”