Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/373

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 365 sent messengers to their connections and friends in saga viii. the other; and it came to a proposal for a reconciliation between the two kings, especially as, from both kings being but young and childish, some powerful men, who had been chosen in each of the countries for that purpose, had the rule of the country on their account. It thus was brought about that there was a friendly meeting between the kings, and in this meeting a peace was proposed ; and the peace was to be a bro- therly union under oath to keep the peace towards each other to the end of their lives ; and if one of them should die without leaving a son, the longest liver should succeed to the whole land and people. Twelve of the principal men in each kingdom swore to the kings that this treaty should be observed, so long as any one of them was in life. Then the kings separated, and each returned home to his kingdom ; and the treaty was kept as long as both lived. Queen Astrid, who had been married to King Olaf Chapter the Saint, came to Norway with King Magnus her of Queen stepson, as before related, and was held by him de- Astnd * servedly in great honour and esteem. Then came also Alfhilcl, King Magnus's mother, to the court, and the king received her with the greatest affection, and showed her great respect. But it went with Alf hild, as it does with many who come to power and honour, that pride keeps pace with promotion. She was ill pleased that Queen Astrid was treated with more respect, had a higher seat, and more attention. Alfhild wanted to have a seat next to the king, but Astrid called Alfhild her slave-woman, as indeed she had formerly been when Astrid was queen of Norway and King Olaf ruled the land, and therefore would on no account let her have a seat beside her, and they could not lodge in the same house. Sigvat the scald had got leave from King Olaf to Chapter go home when the king went to Russia. The summer G f sigvat the scald.