Stéfan and Geirard

St�fan, expecting something of the sort, struck him such a blow on the forehead that he fell to the ground. Then, before he could rise to his feet again, St�fan drew out his sword and cut off his head.

"It was not so difficult after all, you see," he said, turning to Geirald. Placing the giant's head in a leather bag which was slung over his back, they began their journey back to the castle.

As they drew near the gates, St�fan took the head from the bag and handed it to Geirald, whom he followed into the king's presence.

"The giant will trouble you no more," said Geirald to the king, holding out the head. The king fell on his neck and kissed him, and cried joyfully that he was the bravest knight in all the world, and that a feast should be made for him and St�fan, and that the great deed should be proclaimed throughout the kingdom. Geirald's heart swelled with pride, and he almost forgot that it was St�fan, and not he, who had slain the giant.

By-and-by a whisper went round that a beautiful lady who lived in the castle would be present at the feast, with twenty-four lovely maidens as her attendants. The lady was the queen of her own country, but as her father and mother had died when she was a little girl, she had been left in the care of this king, who was her uncle, until she was old enough to rule by herself.

The lady was now old enough to govern her own kingdom, and was looking for the right husband to help her in managing the affairs. Prince after prince had offered himself, but the young queen would have nothing to say to any of them, and at last told her ministers that if she was to have a husband at all she must choose him for herself, as she would certainly not marry any of those whom they had selected for her.

Now when she heard how the two young men had slain the giant, her heart was filled with admiration of their courage. She declared that if a feast was held she would certainly be present.