She said, "Thou shalt make oath to work no evil riots here in
Icefirth, and take no revenge on whomsoever has been at the taking of
thee."
Grettir said that she should have her will, and so he was loosed; and
he says of himself that at that time of all times did he most rule his
temper, when he smote them not as they made themselves great before
him.
Now Thorbiorg bade him go home with her, and gave him a horse for his
riding; so he went to Waterfirth and abode there till Vermund came
home, and the housewife did well to him, and for this deed was she
much renowned far and wide in the district.
But Vermund took this ill at his coming home, and asked what made
Grettir there? Then Thorbiorg told him how all had gone betwixt
Grettir and the Icefirthers.
"What reward was due to him," said Vermund, "that thou gavest him his
life?"
"Many grounds there were thereto," said Thorbiorg; "and this, first of
all, that thou wilt be deemed a greater chief than before in that thou
hast a wife who has dared to do such a deed; and then withal surely
would Hrefna his kinswoman say that I should not let men slay him;
and, thirdly, he is a man of the greatest prowess in many wise."
"A wise wife thou art withal," said Vermund, "and have thou thanks
therefor."
Then he said to Grettir, "Stout as thou art, but little was to be paid
for thee, when thou must needs be taken of mannikins; but so ever it
fares with men riotous."