After the death of Thorsteinn Kuggason, Snorri the Godi was on bad terms
with his son Thorodd and with Sam the son of Bork the Fat. It is not
clearly stated what they had done to displease him except that they had
refused to undertake some important work which he had given them to do;
what is known is that Snorri turned off his son Thorodd and told him
not to come back until he had slain some forest-man, and so it remained.
Thorodd then went to Dalir. There dwelt at Breidabolstad in Sokkolfsdal
a certain widow named Geirlaug; she kept as her shepherd a grown-up
youth who had been outlawed for wounding some one. Thorodd Snorrason
heard of this, rode to Breidabolstad and asked where the shepherd was.
The woman said he was with the sheep and asked what Thorodd wanted with
him.
"I want to take his life," he said; "he is an outlaw and a forest-man."
She said: "Such a warrior as you has nothing to gain by killing a
miserable creature like him. I will show you a much doughtier deed,
should you have a mind to try it."
"What is that?" he asked.
"Up there in the mountains," she said, "is Grettir the son of Asmund;
deal with him; that will be more fitting for you."
Thorodd liked the proposal and said he would do it. Then he put spurs to
his horse and rode up along the valleys. On reaching the hills below the
Austra river he saw a light-coloured horse saddled, with a big man in
armour, and at once directed his steps towards them. Grettir hailed him
and asked who he was. Thorodd told his name and asked: "Why do you not
rather ask my business than my name?"
"Because," he said, "it is not likely to be very weighty. Are you a son
of Snorri the Godi?"
"So it is indeed; we shall now try which of us is the stronger."
"That is easily done," said Grettir, "but have you not heard that I have
not proved a mound of wealth to most of those who have had to do with
me?"
"I know that; but I mean to risk something on it now."
Then he drew his sword and went valiantly for Grettir, who defended
himself with his shield but would not use his weapons against Thorodd.
They fought for a time without his being wounded. Grettir then said:
"Let us stop this play; you will not gain the victory in a battle with
me."
Thorodd struck at him most furiously. Grettir was tired of it, so he
took hold of him and set him down next to himself, saying: "I could do
what I liked with you; but I have no fear of your killing me. I am much
more afraid of your grey-headed father, Snorri the Godi, and of his
counsels, which have brought many a man to his knees. You should take up
tasks which you are able to accomplish; it is no child's play to fight
with me."
When Thorodd saw that there was nothing to be done he quieted down,
and then they parted. He rode home to Tunga and told his father of his
encounter with Grettir. Snorri smiled and said: "Many a man has a high
opinion of himself; but the odds against you were too great. While you
were aiming blows at him he was doing what he pleased with you. But he
was wise not to kill you, for it would not have been my purpose to leave
you unavenged. I will now rather use my influence on his side if I ever
have to do with his affairs."
Snorri showed his approval of Grettir's action towards Thorodd, for his
counsels were always friendly to Grettir.