CHAPTER XLIV. SETTLEMENT OF THE FEUD AT THE HUNAVATN THING

Thorbfron Oxmain took up the suit arising from the death of Thorir's

sons. He prepared his case against Grim and Atli, and they prepared

their defence on the grounds that the brothers had attacked them

wrongfully and were, therefore, "ohelgir." The case was brought before

the Hunavatn Thing and both sides appeared in force. Atli had many

connections, and was, therefore, strongly supported. Then those who were

friends of both came forward and tried to effect a reconciliation; they

urged that Atli was a man of good position and peacefully disposed,

though fearless enough when driven into a strait. Thorbjorn felt that

no other honourable course was open to him but to agree to a

reconciliation. Atli made it a condition that there should be no

sentence of banishment either from the district or the country. Then men

were appointed to arbitrate: Thorvald Asgeirsson on behalf of Atli, and

Solvi the Proud on behalf of Thorbjorn. This Solvi was a son of

Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring who had settled in

Vatnsnes, taking land as far as Ambattara to the West, and to the East

up to the Thvera and across to Bjargaoss and the whole side of Bjorg as

far as the sea. Solvi was a person of much display, but a man of sense,

and therefore Thorbjorn chose him as his arbitrator.

The decree of the arbitrators was that half penalties should be paid

for Thorir's sons and half should be remitted on account of the wrongful

attack which they made and their designs on Atli's life. The slaying

of Atli's man at Hrutafjardarhals should be set off against the two of

theirs who had been killed. Grim the son of Thorhall was banished

from his district and the penalties were to be paid by Atli. Atli was

satisfied with this award, but Thorbjorn was not; they parted nominally

reconciled, but Thorbjorn let drop some words to the effect that it was

not over yet if all happened as he desired.

Atli rode home from the Thing after thanking Thorvald for his

assistance. Grim the son of Thorhall betook himself to the South to

Borgarfjord and dwelt at Gilsbakki, where he was known as a worthy

bondi.

The Saga of Grettir the Strong: Grettir's Saga · 第 44 / 93 章