"Athulf was the beste,
And Fikenylde the werste."(Athulf was the best
and Fikenhild the worst)
The beginning of the poem already foreshadows things to come. By calling Athulf the best and Fikenhild the worst, the narrator gives the audience a hint at what is to come. And throughout the poem, Athulf stays loyal to Horn, while Fikenhild uses every opportunity to betray him.
"Cutberd schal beo that on;
Berild schal beo that other,
The thridde Alrid his brother;
For hi beoth the strengeste
And of armes the beste."(Cutberd should be one
And Berild should be the other,
The third is Alrid his brother
For he is both the strongest
and the best with weapons)
This quote by King Thurston starts a new storyline for Horn. He is sent off (under his false name), to fight the invaders of king Thurston's land. The two sons Thurston will not survive the battle, allowing Horn to gain immense favor and a strong connection with the king as his new heir. This heroic deed gives horn both an opportunity to shine, a new strong ally and a chance to prove his fidelity to Rymenhild. By refusing to marry the princess and becoming the prince of Ireland, his conviction in true love is proven.
"Whanne hi weren aslaghe
Fikenhild hi dude todraghe."(When he slayed him
Fikenhild, he tore apart)
These lines of the final battle mean the end of Fikenhild. His betrayal and backstabbing ways throughout the poem have proven to be fatal for him. Horn comes to Fikenhild's castle, disguised as a troupe of players and manages to slay him (aslaghe), going as far as to tear him apart (todraghe). The chivalric romance's main antagonist found a befitting end, allowing the main protagonists to marry and lead a happy life forever more.
