Part 62 - Erling Skjalgson's Wooing

King Olaf went with his men-at-arms to the Gula-Thing; for the bondes had sent him word that they would reply there to his speech. When both parties had come to the Thing, the king desired first to have a conference with the chief people of the country; and when the meeting was numerous the king set forth his errand, — that he desired them, according to his proposal, to allow themselves to be baptized.

Then said Olmod the Old,

"We relations have considered together this matter, and have come to one resolution.

If thou thinkest, king, to force us who are related together to such things as to break our old law, or to bring us under thyself by any sort of violence, then will we stand against thee with all our might: and be the victory to him to whom fate ordains it.

But if thou, king, wilt advance our relations' fortunes, then thou shalt have leave to do as thou desirest, and we will all serve thee with zeal in thy purpose."

The king replies,

"What do you propose for obtaining this agreement?"

Then answers Olmod,

"The first is, that thou wilt give thy sister Astrid in marriage to Erling Skjalgson, our relation, whom we look upon as the most hopeful young man in all Norway."

King Olaf replied, that this marriage appeared to him also very suitable;

"as Erling is a man of good birth, and a good-looking man in appearance: but Astrid herself must answer to this proposal."

Thereupon the king spoke to his sister. She said,

"It is but of little use that I am a king's sister, and a king~s daughter, if I must marry a man who has no high dignity or office. I will rather wait a few years for a better match."

Thus ended this conference.