CHAPTER VI. DEATH OF BJORN; DISPUTES OVER HIS PROPERTY IN NORWAY

The next thing that happened was the death of Thrand's father Bjorn.

When the news of it reached Grim the Hersir he proceeded against Ondott

Crow and claimed Bjorn's estate. Ondott held Thrand to be the rightful

heir of his father, but Grim contended that Thrand was away in the West.

Bjorn, he said, came from Gautland, and the succession to the estate of

all foreigners passed to the king. Ondott said that he would hold the

property on behalf of Thrand, who was his daughter's son. Grim then

departed, having effected nothing by his claim.

Thrand, when he heard of his father's death, prepared to leave the

Hebrides, and Onund Treefoot decided to go with him. Ofeig Grettir and

Thormod Shaft went to Iceland with all their belongings, landing at

Eyrar in the South. They spent the first winter with Thorbjorn the

Salmon-man, and then occupied Gnupverjahrepp. Ofeig took the outer part

lying between the rivers Thvera and Kalfa, and lived at Ofeigsstad near

Steinsholt, while Thormod took the eastern part, living at Skaptaholt.

Thormod's daughters were named Thorvor and Thorve; the former afterwards

became the mother of Thorodd the Godi at Hjalli, Thorve of Thorstein the

Godi the father of Bjarni the Wise.

We now return to Thrand and Onund, who sailed back from the West to

Norway. A strong wind blew in their favour, so that they arrived at the

house of Ondott Crow before any one knew of their journey. He welcomed

Thrand and told him of the claim which Grim the Hersir had raised for

Bjorn's estate.

"To my thinking, kinsman," he said, "it is better that the property

should go to you than to the king's thralls. It is a fortunate thing for

you that no one knows of your having come here, for I expect that Grim

will make an attack upon one or the other of us if he can. I should

prefer if you would take over your property and stay in other

countries."

Thrand said that he would do so. He took over the property and prepared

to leave Norway. Before leaving he asked Onund Treefoot whether he would

not come to Iceland. Onund said he wanted first to visit some of his

relations and friends in the South.

"Then," said Thrand, "we must part. I should be glad if you would give

my kinsmen your support, for our enemies will certainly try to take

revenge upon them when I am gone. I am going to Iceland, and I want you

to come there too."

Onund said he would come, and they parted with great friendship. Thrand

went to Iceland, where he met with a welcome from Ofeig and Thormod

Shaft. He took up his dwelling at Thrandarholt to the west of Thjorsa.

The Saga of Grettir the Strong: Grettir's Saga · 第 6 / 93 章