Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/481

 steady in friendship. Halfred said also that the earl desired much the friendship of King Olaf, and had spoken of making court to Ingeborg, Tryggve's daughter. The same winter came embassadors from Gotland, and fell in with King Olaf in the north, in Nidaros, and brought the message which Halfred had spoken of,—that the earl desired to be King Olaf's entire friend, and wished to become his brother-in-law by obtaining his sister Ingeborg in marriage. Therewith the embassadors laid before the king sufficient tokens in proof that in reality they came from the earl on this errand. The king listened with approbation to their speech; but said that Ingeborg herself must determine on his assent to the marriage, The king then talked to his sister about the matter, and asked her opinion about it. She answered to this effect,—"I have been with you for some time, and you have shown brotherly care and tender respect for me ever since you came to the country. I will agree therefore to your proposal about my marriage, provided that you do not marry me to a heathen man." The king said it should be as she wished. The king then spoke to the embassadors; and it was settled before they departed that in summer Earl Rognvald should meet the king in the east parts of the country, to enter into the fullest friendship with each other, and when they met they would settle about the marriage. With this reply the earls messengers went westward, and King Olaf remained all winter in Kidaros in great splendour, and with many people about him.

King Olaf proceeded in summer with his ships and men southwards along the land, and past Stad. With him were Queen Thyri and Ingeborg, Tryggve's daughter, the king's sister. Many of his friends also joined him, and other persons of consequence who had prepared themselves to travel with the king. The