What if you had come back and asked him to help you?
Would it not have been laid at your feet for the sake of the old land and the old friendship ?" He smiled, but did not answer.

So she set the gift before him once more, with eager words.

I knew, as I listened, that she would be the happier if the wealth once dedicated, so to speak, to so high an end as that gift to the old hero were taken from her charge, and used to the freeing of the land she loved; and at last Hakon saw that there was some deeper feeling about it than gratitude to himself only.
"Well," he said, "it seems that I must not refuse.

Only, I will put it in this way--I am to know that you hold it for me in case I need it.

Be sure that if it is needed I will make haste to ask." "Aye, and you will need it," said Earl Osric bluntly.
Then Gerda said: "Take it now, and use it if and when you need it.
Let it be so, I pray you, King Hakon." The young king bowed and thanked her, and there that matter ended for the time.