OF SWEIN, ASLEIF’S SON’S MOVEMENTS.
THIS news came to the ears of Earl Rögnvald, and Swein, Hróald’s son,
and he asked the Earl to help him to obtain redress in this cause; and
many supported Swein’s request. At last Earl Rögnvald crossed over to
Ness (Caithness), and the following chiefs with him:—Thorbiörn; Haflidi,
Thorkel’s son; and Dúfniál, Hávard’s son. These counselled the most
severe measures against Swein. They went to Dungalsbæ, but Swein was not
there. They heard that he was in Lambaborg, and then the Earl went
thither. When they came to the borg, Swein asked who their leader was,
and he was told that it was Earl Rögnvald. Swein asked him what he
wanted. The Earl said he wished him to deliver Margad up to them. Swein
asked whether he was to receive quarter. The Earl said he would not
promise. Then Swein said: “I have not the heart to deliver Margad into
the power of Swein, Hróald’s son, or of my other enemies who are with
you, but I should wish very much to be at peace with you, my lord.”
Then Thorbiörn Klerk said: “Hear what the traitor says, that he would
willingly be at peace with his lord after he has plundered his land, and
betaken himself to the highways like a thief. You make a bad return to
the Earl for all the honour he has done you, and so you will do to all
you can.”
Swein replied: “You need not say much in this case, Thorbiörn, for no
respect will be paid to your words. But it is my foreboding that you
will repay him worse for all the honour he has done to you, before you
part, for nobody will gain good fortune from any dealings with you.”
Then Earl Rögnvald said that men should not rail at each other.
Then they besieged the borg, and cut off all communication, and a long
time passed, as they could not make an assault. And when the provisions
were exhausted, Swein called his men together, and consulted with them.
But they all said, as with one mouth, that they wished to follow his
guidance as long as they were able.
Then Swein said: “I think it most disgraceful to starve here, and
afterwards to surrender to our enemies. It has turned out, as was
likely, that our skill and good fortune should fail against Earl
Rögnvald. We have tried to obtain peace and security for life, but
neither was to be had for my companion Margad. Though I know that the
others will be able to obtain quarter, yet I have not the heart to
deliver him under the axe. Still, it is not right that so many here
should suffer for his difficulties, although I am unwilling to part from
him for a time.”
Then he tied together ropes which they had, and during the night they
let Swein and Margad down from the borg into the sea. They swam along
the cliffs till they came to the end of them, then they got on shore and
went to Sutherland, thence to Moray, and then to Dúfeyrar.[364] There
they met with some Orkneymen in a trading vessel. Hallvard and Thorkel
were the commanders, and they were ten altogether. Swein and Margad went
on board with them, when they were twelve together, and then they sailed
south off Scotland, until they came to Máeyar (the Isle of May). There
was a monastery, the head of which was an abbot, by name Baldwin.[365]
Swein and his men were detained there seven nights by stress of weather.
They said they had been sent by Earl Rögnvald to the King of Scots. The
monks suspected their tale, and thinking they were pirates, sent to the
mainland for men. When Swein and his comrades became aware of this, they
went hastily on board their ship, after having plundered much treasure
from the monastery. They went in along Myrkvifiörd (the Firth of Forth),
and found David, the King of Scots, in Edinburgh. He received Swein
well, and requested him to stay with him. He told the King explicitly
the reason of his visit, how matters had gone between him and Earl
Rögnvald before they parted, and also that they had plundered in Máeyar.
Swein and Margad stayed for a while with the King of Scots, and were
well treated. King David sent men to those who had been robbed by Swein,
and told them to estimate their loss themselves, and then of his own
money he made good to every one his loss.
King David proposed to Swein to bring his wife from the Orkneys, and to
bestow upon him such honours in Scotland as he might be well satisfied
with. Swein declared all his wishes to the King. He said it was his wish
that Margad should remain with him, and that the King should send word
to Earl Rögnvald to be reconciled to him; but he said he would himself
leave his case entirely to the decision of Rögnvald, adding that he was
always well pleased when there was friendship between them, but ill at
ease when they were at enmity.
King David replied: “I suppose this Earl is a good man, and you value
nothing except what comes from him, since you prefer the risk of
surrendering yourself to his good faith, and refuse my offers.”
Swein said he would never give up his friendship, yet he asked the King
to grant him this, and the King said it should be as he wished.
King David sent men to the Orkneys with presents, and a message
requesting that the Earl would make peace with Swein. Then Swein went
north to the Islands, and Margad remained behind with the King. King
David’s messengers went to Earl Rögnvald, who received them well, and
also the presents, promising peace to Swein. Then he was fully
reconciled to Swein, who now returned to his estates.