He wo n't think about us for the next three days -- that is one comfort -- so we shall have plenty of time to cross the borders of the kingdom and be out of reach . ' ` We may n't be able to kill the giant , but we certainly ca n't run away till we have tried , ' answered Rosald . ` Besides , think how glorious it will be if we DO manage to kill him ! I know what sort of weapon I shall use . Come with me now , and I will see about it . ' And , taking his friend by the arm , he led him into a shop where he bought a huge lump of solid iron , so big that they could hardly lift it between them . However , they just managed to carry it to a blacksmith 's where Rosald directed that it should be beaten into a thick club , with a sharp spike at one end . When this was done to his liking he took it home under his arm . Very early on the third morning the two young men started on their journey , and on the fourth day they reached the giant 's cave before he was out of bed . Hearing the sound of footsteps , the giant got up and went to the entrance to see who was coming , and Rosald , 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 , Rosald drew out his sword and cut off his head . ` It was not so difficult after all , you see , ' he said , turning to Geirald . And placing the giant 's head in a leathern wallet which was slung over his back , they began their journey to the castle . As they drew near the gates , Rosald took the head from the wallet and handed it to Geirald , whom he followed into the king 's presence . ` The giant will trouble you no more , ' said Geirald , holding out the head . And 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 Rosald , and that the great deed should be proclaimed throughout the kingdom . ' And Geirald 's heart swelled with pride , and he almost forgot that it was Rosald 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 , 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 . She was now old enough to govern her own kingdom , but her subjects did not like being ruled by a woman , and said that she must find a husband to help her in managing her affairs .
Prince XXXXX 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 .
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