The two ships drifted apart again, and I found my place by Thrond once more, while the men sat on the gunwale, waiting for the time when their chief should return.
"Who is the queen yon Saxon speaks of ?" asked Thrond.
I told him; and as we had heard much of her of late, I also told him how men said that she had been found on the shore by the king himself.

Whereon Thrond's grave face grew yet more grave, and he said: "Lad, is that a true tale ?" "My father had it from the thane who was with the king when they found her alone in her boat." "So her name was not Quendritha when she began that voyage ?" "I have heard that she was a heathen.

Mayhap the king gave her the name when she was christened.

It means 'the might of the king.'" So I suppose that he did, for the hope of what his wife should be.
Nor was the name ill chosen, as it turned out, for all men knew by this time that the queen was the wisest adviser in all the council of Mercia in aught to do with the greatness of the kingdom.
"I have ever had it in my mind that she would get through that voyage in safety," Thrond said.

"Ran would not have her." "What do you mean ?" "Lad, I saw her start thereon, or so I think.