When the king had carefully considered the whole matter by himself, he
ordered the signal to sound for a General Thing, to which he called in
the earls. Then said the king, "I will now make known to the public our
agreement with the Orkney earls. They have now acknowledged my right of
property to Orkney and Shetland, and have both become my vassals, all
which they have confirmed by oath; and now I will invest them with these
lands as a fief: namely, Bruse with one third part and Thorfin with one
third, as they formerly enjoyed them; but the other third which Einar
Rangmund had, I adjudge as fallen to my domain, because he killed Eyvind
Urarhorn, my court-man, partner, and dear friend; and that part of the
land I will manage as I think proper. I have also my earls, to tell you
it is my pleasure that ye enter into an agreement with Thorkel Amundason
for the murder of your brother Einar, for I will take that business, if
ye agree thereto, within my own jurisdiction." The earls agreed to this,
as to everything else that the king proposed. Thorkel came forward, and
surrendered to the king's judgment of the case, and the Thing concluded.
King Olaf awarded as great a penalty for Earl Einar's murder as for
three lendermen; but as Einar himself was the cause of the act, one
third of the mulct fell to the ground. Thereafter Earl Thorfin asked the
king's leave to depart, and as soon as he obtained it made ready for sea
with all speed. It happened one day, when all was ready for the
voyage, the earl sat in his ship drinking; and Thorkel Amundason came
unexpectedly to him, laid his head upon the earl's knee, and bade him
do with him what he pleased. The earl asked why he did so. "We are, you
know, reconciled men, according to the king's decision; so stand up,
Thorkel."
Thorkel replied, "The agreement which the king made as between me and
Bruse stands good; but what regards the agreement with thee thou alone
must determine. Although the king made conditions for my property and
safe residence in Orkney, yet I know so well thy disposition that there
is no going to the islands for me, unless I go there in peace with thee,
Earl Thorfin; and therefore I am willing to promise never to return to
Orkney, whatever the king may desire."
The earl remained silent; and first, after a long pause, he said, "If
thou wilt rather, Thorkel, that I shall judge between us than trust to
the king's judgment, then let the beginning of our reconciliation be,
that you go with me to the Orkney Islands, live with me, and never leave
me but with my will, and be bound to defend my land, and execute all
that I want done, as long as we both are in life."
Thorkel replies, "This shall be entirely at thy pleasure, earl, as well
as everything else in my power." Then Thorkel went on, and solemnly
ratified this agreement. The earl said he would talk afterwards about
the mulct of money, but took Thorkel's oath upon the conditions. Thorkel
immediately made ready to accompany the earl on his voyage. The earl set
off as soon as all was ready, and never again were King Olaf and Thorfin
together.