"Spies, most like," he said.
They hailed the boat, and had an answer at once.
"Tell Hakon that hither comes a courtman of Queen Gerda's." Hakon said that it must be some man who had escaped; but Bertric and I knew at once.
"It is Dalfin the Prince," we said.

"He has had to fly from those brothers of his." So it was, and he had come to see more adventure with King Hakon.
"I might find enough if I stayed," he said; "but of an evil sort." "Why, what is amiss then ?" I said.
"Only that my brothers do not like favourites, and I happen to be one for the moment.

There would have been fighting if I had stayed, and that would have ended in my good father being pushed off his throne by my elder brother lest I should be named as successor to the crown.

Or else in sudden end to myself." Then he laughed, as if somewhat pleasant came to mind.
"There are strange stories afloat concerning me and the torque already," he went on.

"It is said that the fairy queen has had me in her court for all this time I have been away, and that she gave me back the thing.