Now this spring Raven came from the east to Thrandheim, and fitted out
his ship, and sailed in the summer to Iceland. He brought his ship to
Leiruvag, below the Heath, and his friends and kinsmen were right fain
of him. That winter he was at home with his father, but the summer after
he met at the Althing his kinsman, Skapti the law-man.
Then said Raven to him, “Thine aid would I have to go a-wooing to
Thorstein Egilson, to bid Helga his daughter.”
Skapti answered, “But is she not already vowed to Gunnlaug Worm-tongue?”
Said Raven, “Is not the appointed time of waiting between them passed
by? And far too wanton is he withal, that he should hold or heed it
aught.”
“Let us then do as thou wouldst,” said Skapti.
Thereafter they went with many men to the booth of Thorstein Egilson,
and he greeted them well.
Then Skapti spoke: “Raven, my kinsman, is minded to woo thy daughter
Helga. Thou knowest well his blood, his wealth, and his good manners,
his many mighty kinsmen and friends.”
Thorstein said, “She is already the vowed maiden of Gunnlaug, and with
him shall I hold all words spoken.”
Skapti said, “Are not the three winters worn now that were named between
you?”
“Yes,” said Thorstein; “but the summer is not yet worn, and he may still
come out this summer.”
Then Skapti said, “But if he cometh not this summer, what hope may we
have of the matter then?”
Thorstein answered, “We are like to come here next summer, and then
may we see what may wisely be done, but it will not do to speak hereof
longer as at this time.”
Thereon they parted. And men rode home from the Althing. But this talk
of Raven’s wooing of Helga was nought hidden.
That summer Gunnlaug came not out.
The next summer, at the Althing, Skapti and his folk pushed the wooing
eagerly, and said that Thorstein was free as to all matters with
Gunnlaug.
Thorstein answered, “I have few daughters to see to, and fain am I that
they should not be the cause of strife to any man. Now I will first see
Illugi the Black.” And so he did. .
And when they met, he said to Illugi, “Dost thou not think that I am
free from all troth with thy son Gunnlaug?”
Illugi said, “Surely, if thou wiliest it. Little can I say herein, as I
do not know clearly what Gunnlaug is about.”
Then Thorstein went to Skapti, and a bargain was struck that the wedding
should be at Burg, about winter-nights, if Gunnlaug did not come out
that summer; but that Thorstein should be free from all troth with Raven
if Gunnlaug should come and fetch his bride.
After this men ride home from the Thing, and Gunnlaug’s coming was long
drawn out. But Helga thought evilly of all these redes.