[Sidenote: At the court of Sigurd Ring.] Overcome at last by homesickness, Frithiof returned northward, determined to visit Sigurd Ring's court and ascertain whether Ingeborg was really well and happy. Steering his vessel up the Vik (the main part of the Christiania-Fiord), he intrusted it to Björn's care, and alone, on foot, and enveloped in a tattered mantle, which he used as disguise, he went to the court of Sigurd Ring, arriving there just as the Yuletide festivities were being held. As if in reality nothing more than the aged beggar he appeared, Frithiof sat down upon the bench near the door, where he became the butt of the courtiers' rough jokes; but when one of his tormentors approached too closely he caught him in his powerful grasp and swung him high above his head. Terrified by this proof of great strength, the courtiers silently withdrew, while Sigurd Ring invited the old man to remove his mantle, take a seat beside him, and share his good cheer. Frithiof accepted the invitation thus cordially given, and when he had laid aside his squalid outward apparel all started with surprise to see a handsome warrior, richly clad, and adorned with a beautiful ring. "Now from the old man's stooping head is loosed the sable hood, When lo! a young man smiling stands, where erst the old one stood. See! From his lofty forehead, round shoulders broad and strong, The golden locks flow glistening, like sunlight waves along. "He stood before them glorious in velvet mantle blue, His baldrics broad, with silver worked, the artist's skill did shew; For round about the hero's breast and round about his waist, The beasts and birds of forest wild, embossed, each other chased. "The armlet's yellow luster shone rich upon his arm; His war sword by his side--in strife a thunderbolt alarm. Serene the hero cast his glance around the men of war; Bright stood he there as Balder, as tall as Asa Thor." TEGNÉR, _Frithiof Saga_ (Spalding's tr.). [Illustration: FRITHIOF AT THE COURT OF KING RING.--Kepler.] But although his appearance was so unusual, none of the people present recognized him save Ingeborg only; and when the king asked him who he was he evasively replied that he was Thiolf (a thief), that he came from Ulf's (the wolf's), and had been brought up in Anger (sorrow or grief). Notwithstanding this unenticing account of himself, Sigurd Ring invited him to remain; and Frithiof, accepting the proffered hospitality, became the constant companion of the king and queen, whom he accompanied wherever they went.