The ministers replied that in that case she had better manage her kingdom alone , and the queen , who knew nothing about business , got things into such a confusion that at last she threw them up altogether , and went off to her uncle . Now when she heard how the two young men had slain the giant , her heart was filled with admiration of their courage , and she declared that if a feast was held she would certainly be present at it . And so she was ; and when the feast was over she asked the king , her guardian , if he would allow the two heroes who had killed the robbers and slain the giant to fight a tourney the next day with one of her pages . The king gladly gave his consent , and ordered the lists to be made ready , never doubting that two great champions would be eager for such a chance of adding to their fame . Little did he guess that Geirald had done all he could to persuade Rosald to steal secretly out of the castle during the night , ` for , ' said he , ' I do n't believe they are pages at all , but well-proved knights , and how can we , so young and untried , stand up against them ? ' ` The honour will be all the higher if we gain the day , ' answered Rosald ; but Geirald would listen to nothing , and only declared that he did not care about honour , and would rather be alive than have every honour in the world heaped upon him . Go he would , and as Rosald had sworn to give him his company , he must come with him . Rosald was much grieved when he heard these words , but he knew that it was useless attempting to persuade Geirald , and turned his thoughts to forming some plan to prevent this disgraceful flight . Suddenly his face brightened . ` Let us change clothes , ' he said , ` and I will do the fighting , while you shall get the glory . Nobody will ever know . ' And to this Geirald readily consented . Whether Geirald was right or not in thinking that the so-called page was really a well-proved knight , it is certain that Rosald 's task was a very hard one . Three times they came together with a crash which made their horses reel ; once Rosald knocked the helmet off his foe , and received in return such a blow that he staggered in his saddle . Shouts went up from the lookers-on , as first one and then the other seemed gaining the victory ; but at length Rosald planted his spear in the armour which covered his adversary 's breast and bore him steadily backward . ` Unhorsed ! unhorsed ! ' cried the people ; and Rosald then himself dismounted and helped his adversary to rise . In the confusion that followed it was easy for Rosald to slip away and return Geirald his proper clothes . And in these , torn and dusty with the fight , Geirald answered the king 's summons to come before him .
` You have done what I expected you to do , ' XXXXX he , ` and now , choose your reward . '
adding brightened came care doubting made ordered said staggered went