of Thridrandi, had been sent to Gudrun for "trust and keep," and she
had taken him in, his name being kept secret. Gunnar was outlawed
because of the slaying of Thridrandi, Geitir's son, as is told in the
Niard-wickers' Saga. He went about much "with a hidden head," for that
many great men had their eyes upon him. The first evening of the
feast, when men went to wash, a big man was standing by the water; he
was broad of shoulder and wide of chest, and this man had a hat on his
head. Thorkell asked who he was. He named himself as it seemed best to
him. Thorkell says: "I think you are not speaking the truth; going by
what the tale tells you would seem more like to Gunnar, the slayer of
Thridrandi. And if you are so great a hero as other men say, you will
not keep hidden your name." Then said Gunnar: "You speak most eagerly
on this matter; and, truth to tell, I think I have no need to hide
myself from you. You have rightly named your man; but then, what have
you chiefly bethought yourself of having done to me?" Thorkell said he
would like that he should soon know it, and spake to his men, ordering
them to lay hands on him. Gudrun sat on the dais at the upper end of
the hall, together with other women all becoifed with white linen,
and when she got aware of this she rises up from the bridal bench and
calls on her men to lend Gunnar help, and told them to give quarter to
no man who should show any doubtful behaviour. [Sidenote: The quarrel]
Gudrun had the greatest number of followers, and what never was meant
to happen seemed like to befall. Snorri Godi went between both sides
and bade them allay this storm. "The one thing clearly to be done by
you, Thorkell, is not to push things on so hotly; and now you can see
what a stirring woman Gudrun is, as she overrules both of us
together." Thorkell said he had promised his namesake, Thorleik
Geitir's son, that he would kill Gunnar if he came into the
countrysides of the west. "And he is my greatest friend," Snorri
spake. "You are much more in duty bound to act as we wish; and for
yourself, it is a matter of the greatest importance, for you will
never find such another woman as Gudrun, however far you may seek."
And because of Snorri's reasoning, and seeing that he spoke the truth,
Thorkell quieted down, and Gunnar was sent away that evening. The
feast now went forward well and bravely, and when it was over the
guests got ready to go away. Thorkell gave to Snorri very rich gifts,
and the same to all the chief men. Snorri asked Bolli Bollison to go
home with him, and to live with him as long as he liked. Bolli
accepted this with thanks, and rides home to Tongue. Thorkell now
settled down at Holyfell, and took in hand the affairs of the
household, and it was soon seen that he was no worse a hand at that
than at trade-voyaging. He had the hall pulled down in the autumn and
a new one built, which was finished when the winter set in, and was
both large and lofty. [Sidenote: Gudrun has her way] Between Gudrun
and Thorkell dear love now grew up, and so the winter passed on. In
the spring Gudrun asked how Thorkell was minded to look out for Gunnar
the slayer of Thridrandi. He said that Gudrun had better take the
management of that matter, "for you have taken it so hard in hand,
that you will put up with nothing but that he be sent away with
honour." Gudrun said he guessed aright: "I wish you to give him a
ship, and therewithal such things as he cannot do without." Thorkell
said and smiled, "You think nothing small on most matters, Gudrun, and
would be ill served if you had a mean-minded man for a husband; nor
has that ever been your heart's aim. Well, this shall be done after
your own will"--and carried out it was. Gunnar took the gifts most
gratefully. "I shall never be so 'long-armed' as to be able to repay
all this great honour you are doing to me," he said. Gunnar now went
abroad and came to Norway, and then went to his own estates. Gunnar
was exceeding wealthy, most great-hearted, and a good and true man
withal.
CHAP. LXX
Thorleik goes to Norway
Thorkell Eyjolfson became a great chieftain; he laid himself out much
for friendships and honours. He was a masterful man within his own
countryside, and busied himself much about law-suits; yet of his
pleadings at court there is no tale to tell here. Thorkell was the
richest man in Broadfirth during his lifetime next after Snorri.
[Sidenote: Thorleik wishes to leave Iceland] Thorkell kept his house
in good order. He had all the houses at Holyfell rebuilt large and
strong. He also had the ground of a church marked out, and gave it out
that he had made up his mind to go abroad and fetch timber for the
building of his church. Thorkell and Gudrun had a son who was called
Gellir; he looked early most likely to turn out well. Bolli Bollison
spent his time turn and turn about at Tongue or Holyfell, and Snorri
was very fond of him. Thorleik his brother lived at Holyfell. These
brothers were both tall and most doughty looking, Bolli being the
foremost in all things. Thorkell was kind to his stepsons, and Gudrun
loved Bolli most of all her children. He was now sixteen, and Thorleik
twenty years old. [Sidenote: He goes to Norway] So, once on a time,
Thorleik came to talk to his stepfather and his mother, and said he
wished to go abroad. "I am quite tired of sitting at home like a
woman, and I wish that means to travel should be furnished to me."
Thorkell said, "I do not think I have done against you two brothers in
anything since our alliance began. Now, I think it is the most natural
thing that you should yearn to get to know the customs of other men,
for I know you will be counted a brisk man wheresoever you may come
among doughty men." Thorleik said he did not want much money, "for it
is uncertain how I may look after matters, being young and in many
ways of an unsettled mind." Thorkell bade him have as much as he
wanted. After that Thorkell bought for Thorleik a share in a ship that
stood up in Daymeal-Ness, and saw him off to his ship, and fitted him
well out with all things from home. Thorleik journeyed abroad that
summer. The ship arrived in Norway. The lord over the land then was
King Olaf the Holy. Thorleik went forthwith to see King Olaf, who gave
him a good welcome; he knew Thorleik from his kindred, and so asked
him to stay with him. Thorleik accepted with thanks, and stayed with
the king that winter and became one of his guard, and the king held
him in honour. Thorleik was thought the briskest of men, and he stayed
on with King Olaf for several months. [Sidenote: Bolli's wooing] Now
we must tell of Bolli Bollison. The spring when he was eighteen years
old he spoke to his stepfather and his mother, and said that he wished
they would hand him out his father's portion. Gudrun asked him what he
had set his mind on doing, since he asked them to give him this
money. Bolli answered, "It is my wish that a woman be wooed on my
behalf, and I wish," said Bolli, "that you, Thorkell, be my spokesman
and carry this through." Thorkell asked what woman it was Bolli wished
to woo. Bolli answered, "The woman's name is Thordis, and she is the
daughter of Snorri the Priest; she is the woman I have most at heart
to marry; I shall be in no hurry to marry if I do not get this one for
wife. And I set a very great store by this matter being carried out."
Thorkell answered, "My help is quite welcome to you, my son, if you
think that if I follow up this matter much weight lies thereon. I
think the matter will be easily got over with Snorri, for he will know
well enough how to see that a fair offer is made him by such as you."
Gudrun said, "I will say at once, Thorkell, that I will let spare
nothing so that Bolli may but have the match that pleases him, and
that for two reasons, first, that I love him most, and then he has
been the most whole-hearted of my children in doing my will." Thorkell
gave it out that he was minded to furnish Bolli off handsomely. "It is
what for many reasons is due to him, and I know, withal, that in Bolli
a good husband will be purchased." [Sidenote: Bolli's marriage] A
little while after Thorkell and Bolli went with a good many followers
to Tongue. Snorri gave to them a kind and blithe welcome, and they
were treated to the very best of cheers at Snorri's hands. Thordis,
the daughter of Snorri, was at home with her father; she was a woman
both goodly and of great parts. When they had been a few nights at
Tongue Thorkell broached the wooing, bespeaking on behalf of Bolli an
alliance with Snorri by marriage with Thordis, his daughter. Snorri
answers, "It is well you come here on this errand; it is what I might
have looked for from you. I will answer the matter well, for I think
Bolli one of the most hopeful of men, and that woman I deem well given
in marriage who is given in marriage to him. It will, however, tell
most in this matter, how far this is to Thordis' own mind; for she
shall marry such a man only on whom she sets her heart." This matter
coming before Thordis she answered suchwise as that therein she would
lean on the foresight of her father, saying she would sooner marry
Bolli, a man from within her own countryside, than a stranger from
farther away. And when Snorri found that it was not against her wish
to go with Bolli, the affair was settled and the betrothal took place.
Snorri was to have the feast at his house about the middle of summer.
With that Thorkell and Bolli rode home to Holyfell, and Bolli now
stayed at home till the time of the wedding-feast. Then Thorkell and
Bolli array themselves to leave home, and with them all the men who
were set apart therefor, and a crowded company and the bravest band
that was. They then rode on their way and came to Tongue, and had a
right hearty welcome there. There were great numbers there, and the
feast was of the noblest, and when the feast comes to an end the
guests get ready to depart. Snorri gave honourable gifts to Thorkell,
yea and to both of them, him and Gudrun, and the same to his other
friends and relations. [Sidenote: Thorleik's return] And now each one
of those who had gone to the feast rode to his own home. Bolli abode
at Tongue, and between him and Thordis dear love sprang speedily up.
Snorri did all he could to entertain Bolli well, and to him he was
even kinder than to his own children. Bolli received all this
gratefully, and remained at Tongue that year in great favour. The next
summer a ship came to White-river. One-half of the ship belonged to
Thorleik Bollison and the other half of it belonged to some Norwegian
man. When Bolli heard of the coming of his brother he rode south to
Burgfirth and to the ship. The brothers greeted each other joyfully.
Bolli stayed there for several nights, and then both brothers ride
together west to Holyfell; Thorkell takes them in with the greatest
blitheness, as did also Gudrun, and they invited Thorleik to stay with
them for the winter, and that he took with thanks. Thorleik tarried at
Holyfell awhile, and then he rode to White-river and lets his ship be
beached and his goods be brought to the West. Thorleik had had good
luck with him both as to wealth and honours, for that he had become
the henchman of that noblest of lords, King Olaf. He now stayed at
Holyfell through the winter, while Bolli tarried at Tongue.
CHAP. LXXI
The Peace between the Sons of Bolli and the Sons of Olaf, A.D. 1026
[Sidenote: The brothers talk of revenge] That winter the brothers
would always be meeting, having talks together, and took no pleasure
in games or any other pastime; and one time, when Thorleik was at
Tongue, the brothers talked day and night together. Snorri then
thought he knew that they must be taking counsel together on some very
great matter, so he went and joined the talk of the brothers. They
greeted him well, but dropped their talk forthwith. He took their
greeting well; and presently Snorri spoke: "What are you taking
counsels about so that ye heed neither sleep nor meat?" Bolli answers:
"This is no framing of counsels, for that talk is one of but little
mark which we talk together." Now Snorri found that they wanted to
hide from him all that was in their minds, yet misdoubted him, that
they must be talking chiefly of things from which great troubles might
arise, in case they should be carried out. [Sidenote: Snorri's advice]
He (Snorri) spoke to them: "This I misdoubt me now, that it be neither
a vain thing nor a matter of jest you are talking about for such long
hours together, and I hold you quite excused, even if such should be
the case. Now, be so good as to tell it me and not to hide it away
from me. We shall not, when gathered all together, be worse able to
take counsel in this matter, for that I shall nowhere stand in the
way of anything going forward whereby your honour grows the greater."
Thorleik thought Snorri had taken up their case in a kindly manner,
and told him in a few words their wishes, and how they had made up
their minds to set on the sons of Olaf, and to put them to sore
penalties; they said that now they lacked of nothing to bring the sons
of Olaf to terms of equality, since Thorleik was a liegeman of King
Olaf, and Bolli was the son-in-law of such a chief as Snorri was.
Snorri answered in this way: "For the slaying of Bolli enough has come
in return, in that the life of Helgi Hardbeinson was paid therefor;
the troubles of men have been far too great already, and it is high
time that now at last they be put a stop to." Bolli said, "What now,
Snorri? are you less keen now to stand by us than you gave out but a
little while ago? Thorleik would not have told you our mind as yet if
he had first taken counsel with me thereon. And when you claim that
Helgi's life has come in revenge for Bolli, it is a matter well known
to men that a money fine was paid for the slaying of Helgi, while my
father is still unatoned for." When Snorri saw he could not reason
them into a change of mind, he offered them to try to bring about a
peaceful atonement between them and the sons of Olaf, rather than that
any more manslaughters should befall; and the brothers agreed to this.
[Sidenote: The peace settled] Then Snorri rode with some men to
Herdholt. Halldor gave him a good welcome, and asked him to stay
there, but Snorri said he must ride back that night. "But I have an
urgent errand with you." So they fell to talking together, and Snorri
made known his errand, saying it had come to his knowledge that
Thorleik and Bolli would put up with it no longer that their father
should be unatoned at the hands of the sons of Olaf. "And now I would
endeavour to bring about peace, and see if an end cannot be put to the
evil luck that besets you kinsmen." Halldor did not flatly refuse to
deal further with the case. "I know only too well that Thorgils
Hallason and Bolli's sons were minded to fall on me and my brothers,
until you turned elsewhere their vengeance, so that thence-forward it
seemed to them best to slay Helgi Hardbeinson. In these matters you
have taken a good part, whatever your counsels may have been like in
regard to earlier dealings between us kinsmen." Snorri said, "I set a
great store by my errand turning out well and that it might be brought
about which I have most at heart, that a sound peace should be settled
between you kinsmen; for I know the minds of the men who have to deal
with you in this case so well, that they will keep faithfully to
whatever terms of peace they agree to." [Sidenote: Kjartan's brothers
pay weregild for Bolli] Halldor said, "I will undertake this, if it be
the wish of my brothers, to pay money for the slaying of Bolli, such
as shall be awarded by the umpires chosen, but I bargain that there be
no outlawing of anybody concerned, nor forfeiture of my chieftainship
or estate; the same claim I make in respect of the estates my
brothers are possessed of, and I make a point of their being left free
owners thereof whatever be the close of this case, each side to choose
their own umpire." Snorri answered, "This is offered well and frankly,
and the brothers will take this choice if they are willing to set any
store by my counsel." Thereupon Snorri rode home and told the brothers
the outcome of his errand, and that he would keep altogether aloof
from their case if they would not agree to this. Bolli bade him have
his own way, "And I wish that you, Snorri, be umpire on our behalf."
Then Snorri sent to Halldor to say that peaceful settlement was agreed
to, and he bade them choose an umpire against himself. Halldor chose
on his behalf Steinthor Thorlakson of Eyr. The peace meeting should be
at Drangar on Shawstrand, when four weeks of summer were passed.
Thorleik Bollison rode to Holyfell, and nothing to tell tidings of
befell that winter, and when time wore unto the hour bespoken for the
meeting, Snorri the Priest came there with the sons of Bolli, fifteen
together in all; Steinthor and his came with the same number of men to
the meeting. Snorri and Steinthor talked together and came to an
agreement about these matters. After that they gave out the award, but
it is not told how much money they awarded; this, however, is told,
that the money was readily paid and the peace well holden to. At the
Thorness Thing the fines were paid out; Halldor gave Bolli a good
sword, and Steinthor Olafson gave Thorleik a shield, which was also a
good gift. Then the Thing was broken up, and both sides were thought
to have gained in esteem from these affairs.
CHAP. LXXII
Bolli and Thorleik go abroad, A. D. 1029
[Sidenote: Bolli wishes to leave Iceland] After the peace between
Bolli and Thorleik and the sons of Olaf had been settled and Thorleik
had been one winter in Iceland, Bolli made it known that he was minded
to go abroad. Snorri, dissuading him, said, "To us it seems there is a
great risk to be run as to how you may speed; but if you wish to have
in hand more than you have now, I will get you a manor and stock it
for you; therewithal I shall hand over to you chieftainship over men
and uphold you for honours in all things; and that, I know, will be
easy, seeing that most men bear you good-will." Bolli said, "I have
long had it in my mind to go for once into southern lands; for a man
is deemed to grow benighted if he learns to know nothing farther
afield than what is to be seen here in Iceland." And when Snorri saw
that Bolli had set his mind on this, and that it would come to nought
to try to stop him, he bade him take as much money as he liked for his
journey. Bolli was all for having plenty of money, "for I will not,"
he said, "be beholden to any man either here or in any foreign land."
[Sidenote: Bolli goes with Thorleik] Then Bolli rode south to
Burgfirth to White-river and bought half of a ship from the owners, so
that he and his brother became joint owners of the same ship. Bolli
then rides west again to his home. He and Thordis had one daughter
whose name was Herdis, and that maiden Gudrun asked to bring up. She
was one year old when she went to Holyfell. Thordis also spent a great
deal of her time there, for Gudrun was very fond of her.
CHAP. LXXIII
Bolli's Voyage
Now the brothers went both to their ship. Bolli took a great deal of
money abroad with him. They now arrayed the ship, and when everything
was ready they put out to sea. The winds did not speed them fast, and
they were a long time out at sea, but got to Norway in the autumn, and
made Thrandheim in the north. Olaf, the king, was in the east part of
the land, in the Wick, where he had made ingatherings for a stay
through the winter. [Sidenote: They come to Norway] And when the
brothers heard that the king would not come north to Thrandheim that
autumn, Thorleik said he would go east along the land to meet King
Olaf. Bolli said, "I have little wish to drift about between market
towns in autumn days; to me that is too much of worry and restraint. I
will rather stay for the winter in this town. I am told the king will
come north in the spring, and if he does not then I shall not set my
face against our going to meet him." Bolli has his way in the matter,
and they put up their ship and got their winter quarters. It was soon
seen that Bolli was a very pushing man, and would be the first among
other men; and in that he had his way, for a bounteous man was he, and
so got speedily to be highly thought of in Norway. Bolli kept a suite
about him during the winter at Thrandheim, and it was easily seen,
when he went to the guild meeting-places, that his men were both
better arrayed as to raiment and weapons than other townspeople. He
alone also paid for all his suite when they sat drinking in guild
halls, and on a par with this were his openhandedness and lordly ways
in other matters. Now the brothers stay in the town through the
winter. That winter the king sat east in Sarpsborg, and news spread
from the east that the king was not likely to come north. Early in the
spring the brothers got their ship ready and went east along the land.
[Sidenote: They stay with King Olaf] The journey sped well for them,
and they got east to Sarpsborg, and went forthwith to meet King Olaf.
The king gave a good welcome to Thorleik, his henchman, and his
followers. Then the king asked who was that man of stately gait in the
train of Thorleik; and Thorleik answered, "He is my brother, and is
named Bolli." "He looks, indeed, a man of high mettle," said the
king. Thereupon the king asks the brothers to come and stay with him,
and that offer they took with thanks, and spend the spring with the
king. The king was as kind to Thorleik as he had been before, yet he
held Bolli by much in greater esteem, for he deemed him even peerless
among men. And as the spring went on, the brothers took counsel
together about their journeys. And Thorleik asked Bolli if he was
minded to go back to Iceland during the summer, "or will you stay on
longer here in Norway?" Bolli answered, "I do not mean to do either.
And sooth to say, when I left Iceland, my thought was settled on this,
that people should not be asking for news of me from the house next
door; and now I wish, brother, that you take over our ship." Thorleik
took it much to heart that they should have to part. "But you, Bolli,
will have your way in this as in other things." Their matter thus
bespoken they laid before the king, and he answered thus: "Will you
not tarry with us any longer, Bolli?" said the king. "I should have
liked it best for you to stay with me for a while, for I shall grant
you the same title that I granted to Thorleik, your brother." Then
Bolli answered: "I should be only too glad to bind myself to be your
henchman, but I must go first whither I am already bent, and have long
been eager to go, but this choice I will gladly take if it be fated to
me to come back." "You will have your way as to your journeyings,
Bolli," says the king, "for you Icelanders are self-willed in most
matters. But with this word I must close, that I think you, Bolli, the
man of greatest mark that has ever come from Iceland in my days."
[Sidenote: Bolli goes to Denmark] And when Bolli had got the king's
leave he made ready for his journey, and went on board a round ship
that was bound south for Denmark. He also took a great deal of money
with him, and sundry of his followers bore him company. He and King
Olaf parted in great friendship, and the king gave Bolli some handsome
gifts at parting. Thorleik remained behind with King Olaf, but Bolli
went on his way till he came south to Denmark. That winter he tarried
in Denmark, and had great honour there of mighty men; nor did he bear
himself there in any way less lordly than while he was in Norway. When
Bolli had been a winter in Denmark he started on his journey out into
foreign countries, and did not halt in his journey till he came to
Micklegarth (Constantinople). He was there only a short time before he
got himself into the Varangian Guard, and, from what we have heard, no
Northman had ever gone to take war-pay from the Garth king before
Bolli, Bolli's son. He tarried in Micklegarth very many winters, and
was thought to be the most valiant in all deeds that try a man, and
always went next to those in the forefront. The Varangians accounted
Bolli most highly of whilst he was with them in Micklegarth.
CHAP. LXXIV
Thorkell Eyjolfson goes to Norway