Then Frithiof arose, and grasping his old master’s hand, said earnestly: “Nay, be not angry with me, father, but hearken to my firm resolve. Say to Bele’s sons that never will he whose honor they have tarnished be their vassal.” Hilding was silent for a space before he replied: “I must e’en perform my duty; yet neither can I blame thee for thy resolution. Odin will guide all for the best!” Then mounting his horse, he rode thoughtfully away. Chapter VIII Frithiof goes to Ingeborg When the sun had sunk low in the west, Frithiof said to Björn: “Let us away, for this night I must speak with Ingeborg.” “How!” cried his friend, “wouldst thou violate Balder’s Grove?” “Surely ’twill be no violation of Balder’s sanctuary if I do but seek in all honor and propriety to hold converse with the King’s daughter, my play-fellow and companion from our infancy!” Björn said no more, and “Ellida” soon brought them to the holy grove, one side of which was bounded by the sea. By that way it was forbidden to enter, under penalty of death, while from the land none but the priests might grant entrance through the door in the high wall to those wishing to visit the grove and temple. Paying no heed to this prohibition, Frithiof boldly entered the grove from the shore and suddenly appeared before Ingeborg, to her mingled joy and terror. “Fear not, dear Ingeborg,” he cried, clasping her hand, “that my presence here will profane Balder’s sanctuary. Nay, rather let us go into the temple and implore his aid and guidance.” In silence the lovers entered the temple, and not till the dawn began to break did they emerge and seek the shore once more. “Now have we plighted our troth before the gentle god,” said Frithiof, “and our love for each other shall therefore be publicly made known.” Thereupon the maiden besought Frithiof to forget what had passed and be reconciled to her brother. “Thy words accord with that which Balder hath implanted in my breast, fair maid,” replied Frithiof, “wherefore I will appear at the Ting and before all men offer to thy brother Helge the hand of peace. Soon shalt thou hear thereof.” And with these words they parted. Chapter IX The Parting Oft the next day did Ingeborg turn her footsteps toward the sea, and at last as she neared the wooded shore once more, the sails of the swiftly approaching dragon glimmered through the branches of the trees. It stopped, and Frithiof leaped lightly ashore. “Welcome indeed art thou, Frithiof!” said Ingeborg; “but woe is me! I read my fate upon thy brow.” “Seest thou not also blood-red runes thereon, bespeaking insult, shame, and banishment?” “Nay, calm thyself, and tell me quickly what has passed.”