At these words one of his Berserkers, Atle, caught up his weapons and strode out of the hall, vowing that he would challenge Frithiof, and thus satisfy himself concerning the veracity of the tales he had heard of the young hero's courage.
[Sidenote: Atle's challenge.] Although still greatly exhausted, Frithiof immediately accepted Atle's challenge, and, after a sharp encounter, threw his antagonist, whom he would have slain then and there had his sword been within reach.

Atle saw his intention, and bade him go in search of a weapon, promising to remain motionless during his absence.

Frithiof, knowing that such a warrior's promise was inviolable, immediately obeyed; but when he returned with his sword, and found his antagonist calmly awaiting death, he relented, and bade Atle rise and live.
"With patience long not gifted, Frithiof the foe would kill, And Angurvadel lifted, But Atle yet lay still.
This touched the hero's soul; He stayed the sweeping brand Before it reached its goal, And took the fall'n one's hand." TEGNER, _Frithiof Saga_( Spalding's tr.).
Together these doughty warriors then wended their way to Angantyr's halls, where they found a festal board awaiting them, and there they ate and drank, sang songs, and recounted stories of thrilling adventure by land and by sea.
At last, however, Frithiof made known his errand.

Angantyr said that he owed no tribute to Helge, and would pay him none; but that he would give the required sum as a free gift to his old friend Thorsten's son, leaving him at liberty to dispose of it as he pleased.

Then, since the season was unpropitious, and storms continually swept over the sea, the king invited Frithiof to tarry with him; and it was only when the gentle spring breezes were blowing once more that he at last allowed him to depart.
After sailing over summer seas, wafted along by favorable winds for six days, Frithiof came in sight of his home, Framnaes, which had been reduced to a shapeless heap of ashes by Helge's orders.