Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown
After the fall of Lethra recounted in Saxo's version of Bjarkamál , Hiarthwarus sits triumphant at the victory feast. Reflecting on the loyalty of Roluo's warriors who all chose to die for their lord, he remarks that it is a shame that none of Roluo's retainers remained whose allegiance could be directed to Hiarthwarus. He is overjoyed when Wiggo, one of Roluo's retainers, presents himself to him. This Wiggo had earlier vowed to exact vengeance on the murderers if Roluo should ever be slain. Chekhov's Gun fires, and Wiggo slays Hiarthwarus, turning the banquet into a funeral, before being immediately cut down by Hiarthwarus' men. Thus, Saxo concludes, Fortune takes revenge savagely like this for cunning, underhand achievements. It is a dramatic and well crafted story, widely regarded as a high point of Gesta Danorum . However, some feel that the ending ruins the story and shows Saxo to be a naive and uncritical admirer of the royalty: "In this way S...