And on that my tongue was loosed, and I answered; "Aye my Lord the King. If foolish it be to long for the one whom a man loves, and who loves him, so that he holds her beyond all other reward." "Then is your request granted," said the king very kindly. "Yet must you have withal to keep so great a treasure rightly." Now I had forgotten that I was landless, and well it was for me that the king went on quickly; "So I give you the lands that were Matelgar's, and your own lands again; and my men, and at my cost, shall build your halls afresh that the Danes have burnt. And whatever rights were Matelgar's or your father's shall be confirmed to you and yours for ever. Yet these things are but justice, and no reward." So he paused a little, and I found courage to speak. "My Lord the King, I need no more than you have given, for love and honour and lands have come back to me, and withal friendship of these three here, and of Ealhstan the Bishop, and of the noble ealdormen; while but for what has befallen I might have been still a careless thane, living at ease and for naught; but now, having heard Your good words, it is enough, and reward fit for any man." And this I meant from my heart, for no more could I see that any man should need than this: honour of his fellows and of the king, and love and lands, and friends. Surely is a man rich in these things. Yet must Alfred the Atheling add a word. "Call me your friend also, Heregar, if you will, for fain would I be so," and he held out his strong white hand to take mine. And it is good to think that, as it were, the grasp of his has never slackened from that day to this, but that he is my friend still. Then Ceorle must say likewise, and last of all the king said; "Friend to all my people would I be, and to none more than to those who have risked life for the land. Therefore, to you and yours am I friend always, so that you shall ever think of me as friend first and king after. Nor is it to everyone that I dare say that, Heregar, my friend." And he took my hand also, as the atheling and Ceorle had taken it. So was I fain to weep for very joy at all this that had come to me, and must turn away for a little lest it should be seen. Then the king spoke cheerfully, as on business.