The maiden sprang forward to support her, for it seemed as if she would fall.

But she recovered in a moment, and shook herself free of the girl's clasp.
"I am wrong, good friends," she said.

"Now I know from what you have shielded me all this long journey through.

What will they do with me ?" And she began to weep silently, yet she would not let the maiden touch her.
Elfric spoke then in his gentle voice.
"We cannot blame you, my queen, for the blow is heavy; yet the chief who has taken us is a true warrior and kindly, you need fear nought." Then came Egil from the fore deck, and bowed to the queen, and said: "I must take you to Cnut the king, lady; and his commands are that you are to be treated as becomes the sister of Duke Richard.

I am here to see that it is so." Then the queen's mood changed, and she was once more herself.
"You shall answer to my brother for all you do," she said in her proud way.
"I have to answer to Jarl Thorkel and to King Cnut," Egil said simply.