At first they were for going straightway and telling the men at the hall and town that Gerda had come, but we thought it best to take that news ourselves.

They would steer us up the fjord in the dusk presently, and would answer any hail from watchers who would spy our coming.
So we waited for the turn of the tide, and armed ourselves in all bravery of gold and steel and scarlet as befitted the men of Hakon and of Gerda the Queen, for she should go back to her own as a queen should.

And then a thought came to me, and I spoke of it to Bertric, and so went and stood at the door of the cabin where Gerda waited, and asked her to do somewhat for me.
"Will you not come back even as you went ?" I asked.

"Let the men see you stand before them as you were wont, in your mail and helm and weapons, the very daughter of warriors." But she shook her head, smiling.
"No, Malcolm, it is foolishness.

What need to put on the gear which seems to make me what I am not ?" "Nothing will make you less than a sea queen, my Gerda," I said.
"Maybe I might say more than that, but you would think me only flattering.