But in years to come there were told strange tales of the longing, as it were, of his own sword 'Hneitir' to be back at its master's side.
So the time went quickly for me, but to Olaf the waiting seemed long before Eadmund rode back from Rouen.

And with him came those thanes and his half-brother Eadward, but Ethelred himself was not with them.

He would not go to England, fearing treachery as it seemed; but Eadward was to go over and meet the witan and speak with them.

Yet the thanes said that without the king no force would move.
"Why does he not go ?" said Olaf impatiently.

"Here is time lost when a sudden blow would win all." "Because he is Ethelred the Unredy," answered Eadmund shortly, for he was very angry at the delay.
Then was another waiting, but Eadward was very wise though he was so young, being but twelve years old at this time, and he had Elfric the abbot with him, and at last word came from him that all was going well.