LITMIR.BIZ

      CHAPTER I. FRITHIOF AND INGEBORG

      Many centuries ago, there reigned in Norway a famous king called Beli, with a family of two sons and a daughter. When the daughter, whose name was Ingeborg, had reached her seventh birthday, the king said to Thorsten, one of his most faithful and devoted followers, who had been constantly by his side: " My daughter Ingeborg is the joy and pride of my heart, and I wish her to grow up wise and sensible, as becomes a king's daughter. There is too much bustle and excitement in the palace and I have determined to send her to live in the house of the sage Hilding, that she may learn wisdom from his aged lips. Your son Frithiof has always been her playmate, and she is too young to go away alone; let him go and be educated with her."

      Thorsten's heart was moved at the proposal which the king made to him, and he replied, that he would gladly consent to his sovereign's wish, which he regarded as a very great honor to himself and a boon to his son.

      The dwelling of Hilding, surrounded with gardens and wooded hills, lay near to the sea, and in this retired and beautiful spot Frithiof and Ingeborg were to pass the opening years of life. They were the choicest flowers of the north, and fair to look upon. The Princess Ingeborg was like a rosebud just bursting forth in freshness and perfume; while Frithiof was tall and slender, and reminded the beholder of a young oak, the crown of which is agitated by the wind, and sways from side to side like a helmet's plume. Never before were children In the Northland so blessed by the gods with health and beauty. Whether they listened with beaming eyes to their instructor as he told them the stories of the ancient heroes, or raced with each other on the flowery meadow, or danced in the fir-woods under the silver light of the moon, they always seemed to the observer like those fairies whose very appearance is a sign of good fortune, and fills the heart with glad expectation.

      Frithiof was a little older than Ingeborg, and Hilding instructed him in the ancient and mysterious Runic characters, which it was his delight to explain afterwards to his companion. They frequently spent their hours of play in a little boat on the sea, and boldly and fearlessly ventured on the waves, even when they were tossed by the wind and white with foam; nothing pleased Ingeborg so much as to see the spray dashing over the edge of the vessel, and she screamed and clapped her hands with joy. Frithiof eagerly sought every opportunity of proving his bravery, and shewing his regard for his royal companion; no tree was too high for him to climb in search of the nests of young birds with which to surprise and please her; and even the abode of the sea-eagle, on the lofty and precipitous rock, was not safe from his adventurous and daring visits. From his hand Ingeborg received the first flowers and the luscious strawberries of spring, and the earliest golden ears of summer. Whenever they strolled for pleasure through the woods, he carried weapons with him to protect her if necessary, for, young as he was, he was prepared to encounter any risk on her behalf.

      Thus the youthful days of the happy pair passed away like a pleasant dream, undisturbed by care or trouble. By degrees, Ingeborg grew up into lovely maidenhood, while Frithiof became a strong and athletic youth. The pursuits of each became more serious: Ingeborg began to devote herself more and more to ladylike occupations, especially to the favorite art of embroidering tapestry; and her companion joined eagerly in the chase, often returning heavily laden with spoil. He had inherited from his father not only strength and courage, but also a great deal of self-possession and cheerfulness. This made him a favorite with all his companions, who were soon astonished at the dauntless boldness with which he attacked the wild bears and other animals of the forest, few of which escaped from his well-armed blows with club or spear. The trophies of the hunting expedition now took the place of the flowers and fruit with which he had formerly greeted his fair playmate, and it was his greatest reward to see the smile of wonder at his courage, and anxiety for his safety, with which she welcomed his return. "When they sat

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