It was in the morning when King Christopher arose, and Goldilindstood before him in the kingly chamber, that he clipped her and kissed her,and said: "This is the very chamber whence my father departed when hewent to his last battle, and left my mother sickening with the coming birthof me. And never came he back hither, nor did mine eyes behold himever. Here also lay my mother and gave birth to me, and died of sorrow,and her also I never saw, save with eyes that noted nought that I mightremember. And my third kinsman was the traitor, that cast me forth ofmine heritage, and looked to it that I should wax up as a churl, and lose allhope of high deeds; and at the last he strove to slay me.
"Therefore, sweet, have I no kindred, and none that are bound tocherish me, and it is for thee to take the place of them, and be unto meboth father and mother, and brother and sister, and all kindred."
She said: "My mother I never saw, and I was but little when myfather died; and if I had any kindred thereafter they loved me not wellenough to strike one stroke for me, nay, or to speak a word even, when Iwas thrust out of my place and delivered over to the hands of pitilesspeople, and my captivity worsened on me as the years grew. Whereforeto me also art thou in the stead of all kindred and affinity."
Now Christopher took counsel with Jack of the Tofts and the greatmen of the kingdom, and that same day, the first day of his kingship inOakenham, was summoned a great mote of the whole folk; and in half amonth was it holden, and thereat was Christopher taken to king with nonegainsaying.
Began now fair life for the people of Oakenrealm; for Jack of the Toftsabode about the King in Oakenham; and wise was his counsel, and therewas no greed in him, and yet he wotted of greed and guile in others, andwarned the King thereof when he saw it, and the tyrants were brought low,and no poor and simple man had need to thieve. As for Christopher, he
loved better to give than to take; and the grief and sorrow of folk irkedhim sorely; it was to him as if he had gotten a wound when he saw somuch as one unhappy face in a day; and all folk loved him, and the fameof him went abroad through the lands and the roads of travel, so that manywere the wise and valiant folk that left their own land and came intoOakenrealm to dwell there, because of the good peace and the kindlinessthat there did abound; so that Oakenrealm became both many-peopled andjoyous.