When you were at home, with your folk round you, the hoarded spoils might be spent in all honour to their winner without thought of why he had kept them thus.

Now, in the power they have for you lies your comfort, and maybe the regaining of your home.
Doubtless, the king hoarded at last for you, and we cannot see your wealth pass from you without a word to bid you think twice of what you do here and as things are." "Aye," she said bitterly, "I am helpless--beholden to you three strangers," and she turned away swiftly, going to the gunwale and leaning her arms and head on it as in a storm of grief.
Hard words indeed those seemed; but I knew well enough that they were meant in no unkindness.

They came from the depths of her utter loneliness.

Only a day or two ago she had been the queen in her little realm, and now--well, I did not wonder at her.

Few women in her place would have kept the brave heart she did before us, and this weakness would pass.