King Athelstan had passed the night before in the town whereof mention was
made above, and there he heard rumour that there had been fighting on the heath.
At once he and all the host made ready and marched northwards to the heath.
There they learnt all the tidings clearly, how that battle had gone.
Then the brothers Thorolf and Egil came to meet the king.
He thanked them much for their brave advance, and the victory they had won;
he promised them his hearty friendship. They all remained together for the night.

No sooner did day dawn than Athelstan waked up his army.
He held conference with his captains,
and told them how his forces should be arranged.
His own division he first arranged,
and in the van thereof he set those companies
that were the smartest.

Then he said that Egil should command these:
'But Thorolf,' said he, 'shall be with his own men and such
others as I add thereto.
This force shall be opposed to that part of the enemy which
is loose and not in set array,
for the Scots are ever loose in array; they run to and fro,
and dash forward here and there.
Often they prove dangerous if men be not wary,
but they are unsteady in the field if boldly faced.'
Egil answered the king:
'I will not that I and Thorolf be parted in the battle;
rather to me it seems well that we two be placed there
where is like to be most need and hardest fighting.'
Thorolf said,
'Leave we the king to rule where he will place us,
serve we him as he likes best. I will, if you wish it,
change places with you.'
Egil said, 'Brother, you will have your way;
but this separation I shall often rue.'