XLIX. GRETTIR VISITS THORSTEINN KUGGASON AND SNORRI GODI
Thorodd Drapustuf now made inquiries who it was who had killed Thorbjorn and his son. They went to Reykir, where they were told that Grettir had proclaimed the slaying. Thorodd then saw how matters stood and went to Bjarg, where he found many people and asked whether Grettir was there. Asdis said that he was gone, and that he would not hide if he were at home.
"You can be well content to leave things as they are. The vengeance for Atli was not excessive, if it be reckoned up. No one asked what I had to suffer then, and now it were well for it to rest."
Then they rode home, and it seemed as if there were nothing to be done. The spear which Grettir had lost was never found until within the memory of men now living. It was found in the later days of Sturla the Lawman, the son of Thord, in the very marsh where Thorbjorn fell, now called Spearmarsh. This is the proof that he was killed there and not in Midfitjar, as has been elsewhere asserted.
Thorbjorn's kinsmen learned of Grettir's being in Ljarskogar and called together their men with the purpose of going there. Gamli heard of this at Melar and sent word to Thorsteinn and Grettir of their approach. Thorsteinn sent Grettir on to Tunga to Snorri the Godi, with whom he was then at peace, and advised Grettir to ask for his protection, and if it were refused to go West to Thorgils the son of Ari in Reykjaholar, "who will surely take you in for the winter. Stay there in the Western fjords until the affair is settled."
Grettir said he would follow his counsel. He rode to Tunga where he found Snorri and asked to be taken in. Snorri answered: "I am now an old man, and have no mind to harbour outlaws, unless in a case of necessity. But what has happened that the old man should have turned you out?"
Grettir said that Thorsteinn had often shown him kindness; "but we shall need more than him alone to do any good."
Snorri said: "I will put in my word on your behalf, if it will be of any use to you. But you must seek your quarters elsewhere than with me."
So they parted. Grettir then went West to Reykjanes. The men of Hrutafjord came with their followers to Samsstad, where they heard that Grettir had left Ljarskogar, and went back home.
L. GRETTIR WINTERS WITH THORGILS AT REYKJAHOLAR IN COMPANY WITH THE FOSTER-BROTHERS
Grettir came to Reykjaholar towards the beginning of the winter and asked Thorgils to let him stay the winter with him. Thorgils said he was welcome to his entertainment, like other free men; "but," he said, "we do not pay much attention to the preparation of the food."
Grettir said that would not trouble him.
"There is another little difficulty," Thorgils continued. "Some men are expected here who are a little hot-headed, namely, the foster-brothers Thorgeir and Thormod. I do not know how it will suit you to be together with them. They shall always have entertainment here whenever they wish for it. You may stay here if you will, but I will not have any of you behaving ill to the others."
Grettir said that he would not be the first to raise a quarrel with any man, more especially since the bondi had expressed his wish to him.
Soon after the foster-brothers came up. Thorgeir and Grettir did not take very kindly to one another, but Thormod behaved with propriety. Thorgils said to them what he had said to Grettir, and so great was the deference paid to him that none of them spoke an improper word to the other, although they did not always think alike. In this way the first part of the winter was passed.
Men say that the islands called Olafseyjar, lying in the fjord about a mile and a half from Reykjanes, belonged to Thorgils. He had there a valuable ox, which he had not brought away in the autumn. He was always saying that he wanted him to be brought in before Yule. One day the foster-brothers prepared to go and fetch the ox, but wanted a third man to help them. Grettir offered to go with them and they were very glad to have him. So the three set out in a ten-oared boat. The weather was cold and the wind from the North; the boat was lying at Hvalshausholm. When they left the wind had freshened a little; they reached the island and caught the ox. Grettir asked whether they preferred to ship the ox or to hold the boat, for there was a high surf running on the shore. They told him to hold the boat. He stood by her middle on the side away from the land, the sea reaching right up to beneath his shoulders, but he held the boat firmly so that she could not drift. Thorgeir took the ox by the stern and Thormod by the head, and so they hove him into the boat. Then they started heading for the bay, Thormod taking the bow-oars with Thorgeir amidships and Grettir in the stern. By the time they reached Hafraklett the wind was very high. Thorgeir said: "The stern is slackening."
Grettir said: "The stem will not be left behind if the rowing amidships is all right."
Thorgeir then bent his back to the oars and pulled so violently that both the rowlocks carried away. He said:
"Pull on, Grettir, whilst I mend the rowlocks."
OnedaysoonafterYuleGrettirwentoutalonetobathe.ThorgeirknewofitandsaidtoThormod:"LetusgooutnowandseewhatGrettirdoesifIattackhimashecomesoutofthewater"
"Idon'tcaretodothat,"Thormodsaid;"andIdonotthinkyouwillgetanygoodfromhim."
"Imeantogo,"Thorgeirsaid.
Hewentdowntothebank,carryinghisaxealoft.Grettirwasjustcomingoutofthewater,andwhentheymetThorgeirsaid:"Isittrue,Grettir,thatyouoncesaidyouwouldnotrunawayfromanysingleperson."
"Idon'tknowwhetherIdid,"Grettirsaid;"butIhavescarcelyrunawayfromyou."
Thorgeirraisedhisaxe.InamomentGrettirranathimandbroughthimoverwithaheavyfall.ThorgeirsaidtoThormod:"Areyougoingtostandtherewhilethisdevilknocksmedown?"
ThormodthengotGrettirbythelegandtriedtodraghimoffThorgeirbutcouldnot.Hewaswearingashortsword,andwasjustabouttodrawitwhenThorgilscameupandtoldthemtobehavethemselvesandnottofightwithGrettir.Theydidashebadeandmadeoutthatitwasallplay.Theyhadnomorestrife,sofarashasbeentold,andmenthoughtThorgilsblessedbyfortuneinhavingbeenabletopacifymenofsuchviolenttempers.
Whenthespringsetintheyalldeparted.GrettirwentontoThorskafjord.WhensomeoneaskedhimhowhelikedhisentertainmentatReykjaholarheanswered:"OurfarewassuchthatIenjoyedmyfoodverymuch--whenIcouldgetit."ThenhewentWestovertheheath.
LI.GRETTIR'SCASEOVERBORNEATTHEALL-THING
Thorgils,thesonofAri,rodetotheThingwithalargefollowing.Allthemagnatesweretherefromallpartsofthecountry,andhesoonmetwithSkaptitheLawmanandhadsometalkwithhim.Skaptisaid:
"Isittrue,Thorgils,thatyouhavebeengivingwinterentertainmenttothreeofthemostunrulymeninthecountry,allthreeofthemoutlaws,andthatyoukeptordersowellthatnoneofthemdidanyharmtotheother?"
Thorgilssaiditwastrue.
Skaptisaid:"Well,Ithinkitshowswhatauthorityyoupossess.Buthowdidtheircharactersappeartoyou?Whoisthemostvalorousamongthem?"
"Theyareallentirelyvaliant,"heanswered,"butoftwoofthemIwillnotsaythattheyneverfear;onlythereisadifference.ThormodfearsGod,andisamanofgreatpiety;andGrettirfearsthedark.Hewillnot,ifhemayfollowhisowninclination,ventureanywhereafternightfall.ButThorgeir,mykinsman,heIthinkcannotfear."
"Theymustbeeachofthemasyousay,"saidSkapti,andtheretheirconversationended.
AttheThingThoroddDrapustuflaidhiscomplaintinthematteroftheslayingofThorbjornOxmain,forhehadfailedintheHunavatnThingthroughtheinfluenceofAtli'skinsmen.Herehethoughtthattherewaslesslikelihoodofhiscasebeingoverborne.Atli'spartysoughtcounselofSkaptitheLawman;hesaidthattheirdefenceappearedtohimagoodone,andthatfullblood-moneywouldhavetobepaidforAtli.Thenthecasewasbroughtbeforethejudges,andtheopinionofthemajoritywasthattheslayingofAtliwassetoffbythatofThorbjorn.Skaptiwhenheheardofitwenttothejudgesandaskedthemonwhatgroundstheirdecisionrested;theysaidthatthetwoslainbondiswereofequalrank.
Skaptiasked:"Whichhappenedfirst,theoutlawingofGrettirorthedeathofAtli?"
"Theyreckonedupandfoundthataweekhadelapsedbetweenthetwoevents.GrettirwasoutlawedattheAll-TliingandAtliwaskilledjustafterit.
"ThatwaswhatIexpected,"Skaptisaid."Youhaveoverlookedthefacts;youhavetreatedasapartytothesuitamanwhowasanoutlaw,amanwhowasstoppedfromappearingeitherasplaintiffordefendant.ImaintainthatGrettirhasnostandinginthecase,andthatitmustbebroughtbythekinsmenofthedeceasedwhoarenearestatlaw."
ThoroddDrapustufsaid:"WhothenistoanswerfortheslayingofmybrotherThorbjorn?"
"Seetothatyourself,"saidSkapti."Grettir'skinsmenarenotliabletopayforhisdeedsunlesshissentenceberemoved."
WhenThorvaldthesonofAsgeirlearnedofGrettir'sstatusincourthavingbeendisallowed,inquirywasmadeforAtli'snearestofkin,andthesewerefoundtobeSkeggithesonofGamliatMelarandOspakthesonofGlumofEyrinBitra.Bothwerevaliantandstrenuousmen.Thoroddwasthenmulctedinblood-moneyfortheslayingofAtliandhadtopaytwohundredsofsilver.
ThenSnorritheGodispoke:
"MenofHrutafjord!AreyouwillingnowtoagreetotheremissionofthefineinconsiderationofGrettir'ssentencebeingcommuted?Iexpectthatasanoutlawhewillbiteyousorely."
Grettir'skinsmenwelcomedthisproposal,andsaidtheydidnotcareaboutthemoneyifGrettircouldhavepeaceandfreedom.Thoroddsaidhesawthathiscasewasbesetwithdifficulties,andthatforhisparthewaswillingtoaccepttheproposal.SnorrisaidthatinquirymustfirstbemadewhetherThorirofGardwouldagreetoGrettirbeingfreed.WhenThorirheardofithewasfurious,andsaidthatnevershouldGrettireithergoorcomeoutofhisoutlawry.Sofarfromconsentingtohisbeingamnestied,hewouldputahigherpriceuponhisheadthanwasputuponanyotheroutlaw.
Whentheyknewthathewouldtakeitsoill,nothingmorewassaidabouttheamnesty.OspakandSkeggitookthemoneythatwaspaidandkeptit,whileThoroddDrapustufgotnocompensationforhisbrotherThorbjorn.HeandThorireachofferedarewardofthreemarksofsilverforGrettir'shead;thisseemedtomentobeaninnovation,forneverbeforehadmorethanthreemarksinallbeenoffered.Snorrisaiditwasveryunwisetomakesucheffortstokeepamanoutlawedwhocoulddosomuchmischief,andthatmanywouldsufferforit.ThentheypartedandmenrodehomefromtheThing.
LII.GRETTIRISCAPTUREDBYFARMERSANDRELEASEDBYTHORBJORG
GrettirwentovertheThorskafjordHeathtoLangadal,wherehelethishandssweepoverthepropertyofthesmallercultivators,takingwhathewantedfromeveryone.Fromsomehegotweapons,fromothersclothes.Theygaveuptheirpropertyveryvariously,butwhenhewasgoneallsaidthattheyhadbeencompelledtodoit.
TheredweltontheVatnsfjordoneVermundtheSlender,abrotherofViga-Styr,whohadmarriedThorbjorgthedaughterofOlafPeacock,thesonofHoskuld,calledThorbjorgtheFat.AtthetimewhenGrettirwasinLangadalVermundwasawayattheThing.HewentacrosstheridgetoLaugabolwhereamannamedHelgiwasliving,oneoftheprincipalbondis.ThenceGrettirtookagoodhorsebelongingtothebondiandrodeontoGervidal,wheredweltamannamedThorkell.Hewaswellprovidedbutinasmallwayofbusiness.Grettirtookfromhimwhathewanted,Thorkelldaringneithertowithholdanythingnortoprotest.ThenceGrettirwenttoEyrandontothecoastofthefjord,obtainingfoodandclothesfromeveryhomesteadandmakinghimselfgenerallydisagreeable,sothatmenfoundithardtolivewhilehewasabout.
Grettirwentboldlyon,takinglittlecareofhimself.HewentonuntilhecametoVatnsfjardardalandenteredadairyshelter,wherehestayedseveralnights.Therehelaysleepingintheforest,fearingfornothing.Whentheshepherdslearnedofittheyreportedinthehomesteadsthatafiendhadcomeintotheplacewhotheythoughtwouldbehardtodealwith.AllthefarmerscametogetherandabandofthirtyofthemconcealedthemselvesintheforestwhereGrettircouldnotknowofthem.Theysetoneoftheshepherdstowatchforanopportunityofseizinghim,withouthoweverknowingveryclearlywhothemanwas.
OnedaywhenGrettirwaslyingasleepthefarmerscameuptohim.Theyconsideredhowtheyshouldtakehimwithleastdangertothemselves,andarrangedthattenshouldfalluponhimwhileotherslaidbondsroundhisfeet.Theythrewthemselvesontohim,butGrettirstruggledsoviolentlythathethrewthemalloffandcamedownonhishandsandknees.Thentheythrewropesroundhisfeet.Grettirkickedtwoofthemintheearsandtheyfellsenseless.Onecameonaftertheother;longandhardhestruggled,butatlasttheysucceededingettinghimdownandbindinghim.Thentheybegantoaskthemselveswhattheyweregoingtodowithhim.TheyaskedHelgiofLaugaboltotakehimoverandlookafterhimuntilVermundreturnedfromtheThing.
Hesaid:"Ihavesomethingbettertodothantokeepmymenguardinghim.Ihavelabourenoughwithmylands,andheshallnotcomeinmyway."
ThentheyaskedThorkellofGervidaltotakehimandsaidhehadsufficientmeans.Heobjectedstronglyandsaidhehadnoaccommodationforhim,"Ilieathomewithmywife,farfromothermen.Youshallnotbringyourbaskettome."
"Thenyou,ThoralfofEyr,"theysaid;"youtakeGrettirandlookafterhimwellwhiletheThinglasts,orelsehandhimontothenextfarm;onlybeanswerableforhisnotescaping.Givehimoverbound,justasyoureceivehim."
Hesaid:"IamnotgoingtotakeGrettir.Ihaveneithermeansnormoneytokeephim,norwashecapturedonmyproperty.SofarasIcanseemuchmoretroublethancreditistobegotbytakinghimorhavinganythingtodowithhim.Heshallnotentermyhouse."
Eachofthebondiswasasked,butallrefused.Somewittypersonwroteapoemabouttheseconfabulationsandcalledit"Grettir'sFaring,"addingmanyjestsofhisownforthedilectificationofmen.Afterparleyingforalongtimetheyallcametoanagreementthattheywouldnotthrowawaytheirluck,andsettoworktoraiseagallowsthereandthenintheforestuponwhichGrettirshouldhang.Theirdelightoverthisproposalwasuproarious.
Thentheysawthreepeopleridingalongthevalleyfrombelow,oneoftheminadyeddress.TheyguessedthatitmustbeThorbjorgthemistressofVatnsfjordonherwaytothedairy,andsoitwas.Thorbjorgwasapersonofgreatmagnificence,andtremendouslywise.ShewastheleadingpersonageofthedistrictandmanagedeverythingwhenVermundwasaway.Shecameuptowherethecrowdwasgatheredandwasliftedfromherhorse;thebondissalutedherrespectfully.Shesaid:
"Whatisyourmeetingabout?Whoisthisthick-neckedmansittingthereinbonds?"
Grettirtoldhisnameandsalutedher.
"Whathasmovedyou,Grettir,"shesaid,"tocommitviolenceuponmyThing-men?"
"Icannotoverlookeverything,"hesaid."Imustbesomewhere."
"Youareindeedunfortunate,"shesaid,"thatapackofchurlsliketheseshouldhavecapturedyouandthatnoneofthemshouldhavepaidforit.Whatareyoumengoingtodowithhim?"
Thebondissaidthattheyweregoingtohoisthimontoagallowsforhismisdeeds.
Shesaid:"ItmaybethatGrettirhasdeservedit,butitwillbringtroubleuponyoumenofIsafjordifyoutakethelifeofamansorenownedandsohighlyconnectedasGrettir,ill-starredthoughhebe.Nowwhatwillyoudoforyourlife,Grettir,ifIgiveittoyou?"
"Whatdoyouwishmetodo?"
"YoushallswearnevertocommitanyviolencehereinIsafjord;norshallyoutakerevengeuponthosewhohavehadahandincapturingyou."
Grettirsaiditshouldbeasshedesired,andhewasreleased.Hesaiditwasthegreatesteffortofself-restraintthatheevermadethathedidnotthrashthemenwhoweretheretriumphingoverhim.Thorbjorgtoldhimtocomehomewithherandgavehimahorsetorideon.SohewenttoVatnsfjordandstayedtherewellcaredforbythemistressuntilVermundreturned.Shegainedgreatrenownfromthisdeedthroughthedistrict.VermundwasverymuchputoutwhenhegothomeandaskedwhyGrettirwasthere.ThorbjorgtoldhimeverythingwhichhadhappenedwiththeIsafjordmen.
"Towhatdoesheoweitthatyougavehimhislife?"heasked.
"Manyreasonstherewere,"shesaid."Thefirstisthatyoumightbethemorerespectedasachiefforhavingawifewhowoulddaretodosuchathing.Next,hiskinswomanHrefnawillsurelysaythatIcouldnotlethimbeslain;andthirdly,becauseheisinmanyrespectsamanofthehighestworth."
"Youareawisewoman,"hesaid,"inmostthings.Ithankyouforwhatyouhavedone."
ThenhesaidtoGrettir:"Youhavesoldyourselfverycheap,suchamanofprowessasyouare,toletyourselfbetakenbychurls.Thisiswhatalwayshappenstothosewhocannotcontrolthemselves."
Grettirthenspokeaverse:
"FullwasmycupinIsafjord
whentheoldswineheldmeatransom."
"Whatweretheygoingtodowithyouwhentheytookyou?"Vermundasked.
"ToSigar'slotmyneckwasdestined
whennobleThorbjorgcameuponthem."
"Wouldtheyhavehangedyoutheniftheyhadbeenlefttothemselves?"
"Myneckwouldsoonhavebeeninthenoose,
hadshenotwiselysavedthebard."
"Didsheinviteyoutoherhome?"
"Shebademehomewithhertofare.
Asteedshegaveme,lifeandpeace."
"Greatwillyourlifebeandtroublous,"saidVermund;"butnowyouhavelearnttobewareofyourfoes.Icannotkeepyouhere,foritwouldrousetheenmityofmanypowerfulmenagainstme.Yourbestwayistoseekyourkinsmen;therearenotmanywhowillbewillingtotakeyouiniftheycandoanythingelse;norareyouonewhowilleasilyfollowthewillofanotherman."
GrettirremainedforatimeinVatnsfjordandwentthencetotheWesternfjordsandtriedseveraloftheleadingmenthere,butsomethingalwayshappenedtopreventtheirtakinghimin.
LIII.GRETTIRWINTERSINLJARSKOGARWITHTHORSTEINNKUGGASON
DuringtheautumnGrettirreturnedtotheSouthanddidnotstoptillhecametohiskinsmanThorsteinnKuggasoninLjarskogar,whowelcomedhim.HeacceptedThorsteinn'sinvitationtostaythewinterwithhim.Thorsteinnwasamanwhoworkedveryhard;hewasasmith,andkeptanumberofmenworkingforhim.Grettirwasnotoneforhardwork,sothattheirdispositionsdidnotagreeverywell.Thorsteinnhadhadachurchbuiltonhislands,withabridgefromhishouse,madewithmuchingenuity.Outsidethebridge,onthebeamwhichsupportedit,ringswerefastenedandbells,whichcouldbeheardfromSkarfsstadirhalfasea-miledistantwhenanyonewalkedoverthebridge.ThebuildingofthebridgehadcostThorsteinn,whowasagreatworkeriniron,muchlabour.Grettirwasafirst-ratehandatforgingtheiron,butwasnotofteninclinedtoworkatit.Hewasveryquietduringthewintersothatthereisnotmuchtorelate.
ThemenofHrutafjordheardthatGrettirwaswithThorsteinn,andgatheredtheirforcesinthespring.ThorsteinnthentoldGrettirthathemustfindsomeotherhiding-placeforhimself,sincehewouldnotwork.Menwhodidnothingdidnotsuithim.
"Wheredoyoumeanmetogoto?"askedGrettir.
ThorsteinntoldhimtogoSouthtohiskinsmen,buttoreturntohimifhefoundthemofnouse.
Grettirdidso.HewenttoBorgarfjordintheSouthtovisitGrimthesonofThorhall,andstayedwithhimtilltheThingwasover.GrimsenthimontoSkaptitheLawmanatHjalli.HewentSouthoverthelowerheathsanddidnotstopbeforehereachedTunga,wherehewenttoThorhall,thesonofAsgrimthesonofEllidagrim,andpaidfewvisitstothefarmsaround.ThorhallknewofGrettirthroughtherelationswhichhadbeenbetweentheirancestors;indeedGrettir'snamewaswellknownthroughoutthecountrybecauseofhisexploits.ThorhallwasawisemanandtreatedGrettirwell,butdidnotwanttokeephimthereforverylong.
LIV.ADVENTUREWITHLOPT
GrettirwentfromTungauptheHaukadalvalleynorthwardstoKjolandwasthereforsometimeinthesummer.FormentravellingeithertotheNorthortotheSouththerewasnocertaintyoftheirnotbeingstrippedofwhattheyhadonthem,forhewashardpressedforthemeansofliving.
OnedaywhenGrettirwaskeepingtotheNorthnearDufunesskeidhesawamanridingSouthalongtheKjolvalley.Hewasatallmanonhorseback,ridingagoodhorsewithastuddedbridle,andwasleadinganotherhorseloadedwithsacks.Hehadaslouchedhatonhishead,sothathisfacewasnotclearlyseen.Grettirwasverypleasedtoseehishorseandhisproperty,andwenttomeethimandaskedhimhisname.HesaiditwasLopt,andadded:"Iknowwhatyournameis;youareGrettirtheStrong,sonofAsmund.Whitherareyougoing?"
"Ihavenotmadeupmymindyetaboutthat,"saidGrettir."Mypresentbusinessistoknowwhetheryouwilllayoffsomeofthepropertywhichyouaretravellingwith."
"WhyshouldIgiveyouwhatbelongstome?Whatwillyougivemeforthethings?"
"HaveyounotheardthatIneverpayanything?AndyetitseemstomostpeoplethatIgetwhatIwant."
Loptsaid:"Makethisoffertothosewhoseemgoodtoyou;Iamnotgoingtogivemypropertyawayfornothing.Letuseachgoourownway."ThenhewhippedonhishorseandwasabouttorideawayfromGrettir.
"Weshallnotpartsoquicklyasthat,"saidGrettir,andseizedthebridleofLopt'shorseinfrontofhishands,pulleditfromhimandhelditwithbothhands.
"Goyourownway,"saidLopt;"youwillgetnothingfrommeaslongasIamabletoholdit."
"Thatshallnowbetried,"saidGrettir.
Loptreacheddownalongthecheek-strapandgotholdofthereinsbetweentheendringandGrettir'shands,pullingwithsuchforcethatGrettirletgo,andatlastLoptwrenchedthewholebridleawayfromhim.Grettirlookedathispalmsandthoughtthatthismanmusthavestrengthinhisclawsratherthannot.Thenhelookedathimandsaid:"Whereareyougoingtonow?
Heanswered:
"Tothestorm-drivenden,overice-cladheights,
Iridetotherockandtherestofthehand."
Grettirsaid:"Thereisnocertaintytobehadfromaskingwhereyourdwellingisifyoudonotspeakmoreclearly."ThenLoptspokeandsaid:
"Iseeknottohidethywaysfromthyken.
'TistheplacewhichtheBorgfirdingsBalljokullcall."
Thentheyparted.Grettirsawthathehadnostrengthagainstthisman.Thenhespokeaverse:
"IllugibraveandAtliwerefar.
Neveragainmaysuchhapbemine!
Thebridlewastornawayfrommyhand.
HertearswillflowwhenIamafeared."
AfterthisGrettirleftKjolandwentSouthtoHjalliwhereheaskedSkaptiforshelter.Skaptisaid:"Iamtoldthatyouareactingwithviolenceandarerobbingmenoftheirproperty;thatillbecomesamansohighlyconnectedasyouare.Itwouldbeeasiertonegotiateifyougaveuprobbing.NowasIamcalledLawmanofthiscountry,itwouldnotbeseemlyformetobreakthelawbyharbouringoutlaws.Iwouldlikeyoutobetakeyourselfsomewherewhereyoudonotneedtocommitrobbery."
Grettirsaidhewouldbeverygladto,butthathecouldscarcelylivealoneowingtohisfearofthedark.Skaptisaidhewouldhavetocontenthimselfwithsomethingshortofthebest:"AndtrustnoonesofullythatwhathappenedtoyouintheWesternfjordsmayberepeated.Manyhavebeenbroughttodeathbyover-confidence."
GrettirthankedhimforhisgoodadviceandturnedbacktoBorgarfjordintheautumn,whenhewenttohisfriendGrim,thesonofThorhall,andtoldhimwhatSkaptihadsaid.GrimadvisedhimtogototheNorthtoFiskivotnintheArnarvatnHeath,andhedidso.
LV.GRETTIRINTHEARNARVATNHEATH.DEATHOFGRIMTHEFOREST-MAN
GrettirwentuptotheArnarvatnHeathandbuilthimselfahutthereofwhichtheremainsarestilltobeseen.Hewenttherebecausehewantedtodoanythingratherthanrob,sohegothimselfanetandaboatandwentoutfishingtosupporthimself.Itwasawearytimeforhiminthemountainsbecauseofhisfearofthedark.Otheroutlawsheardofhishavingcomethereandwantedtogoandseehim,thinkingthathewouldbeagreatprotectiontothem.
TherewasanoutlawfromtheNorthnamedGrim.ThismanwasbribedbythoseofHrutafjordtokillGrettir.Theypromisedhimpardonandmoneyifhesucceeded.HewenttovisitGrettirandaskedforhishospitality.
Grettirsaid:"Idonotseehowyouwillbeholpenbycomingtome,andyoumenoftheforestareuntrustworthy.Butitisilltolivealone;Ihavenochoice.Onlyheshallbewithmewhoiswillingtoworkatwhatevercomestohand."
GrimsaidthatwasjustwhathewishedandpressedGrettirmuch,untilGrettirlethimselfbepersuadedandtookhimin.Hestayedthererightintothewinter,andwatchedGrettirclosely,butitseemednoeasymattertoattackhim,forGrettirwassuspiciousandkepthisweaponsathandnightandday;whenhewasawakethemanwouldnotventuretoapproachhim.
OnemorningGrimcamehomefromfishingandwentintothehutstampingwithhisfeetandwantingtoknowwhetherGrettirwasasleep.Grettirlaystillanddidnotmove.Therewasashortswordhangingabovehishead.Grimthoughthewouldneverhaveabetteropportunity.HemadealoudnoisetoseewhetherGrettirtookanynotice,buthedidnot,soGrimfeltsurethathewasasleep.Hecreptstealthilytothebed,reacheduptothesword,tookitdownandraisedittostrike.justatthemomentwhenheraiseditGrettirsprangupontothefloor,and,seizingtheswordwithonehand,Grimwiththeother,hurledhimoversothathefellnearlysenseless."Thisishowyouhaveprovedyourselfwithallyourfriendlyseeming,"hesaid.Thenhegotthewholetruthoutofhimandkilledhim.Helearnedfromthiswhatitwastotakeinaforest-man.Sothewinterpassed.Thehardestthingofalltobearwashisfearofthedark.
LVI.TREACHERYANDDEATHOFTHORIRREDBEARD
ThorirofGardnowheardwhereGrettirhadtakenuphisabodeandmeanttoleavenostoneunturnedtogethimslain.TherewasamannamedThorirRedbeard,astoutmanandagreatfighter,onwhichaccounthehadbeendeclaredoutlawthroughoutthecountry.ThorirofGardsentwordtohim,andwhentheymetaskedRedbeardtoundertakethebusinessofslayingGrettir.Redbeardsaidthatwasnoeasytask,asGrettirwasverywideawakeandverycautious.Thorirtoldhimtotryit,saying:"Itwouldbeasplendiddeedforavaliantmanlikeyou;Iwillgetyouroutlawingremovedandgiveyousufficientmoneyaswell."
SoRedbeardagreedandThorirtoldhimhowheshouldgotoworktodealwithGrettir.RedbeardthenwentawayintotheEastinorderthatGrettirmightnotsuspectwherehecamefrom.ThencehecametotheArnarvatnHeath,whereGrettirhadthenbeenforonewinter,foundGrettirandaskedhimforentertainment.Hesaid:"Icannotallowpeopletoplaywithmeagainasthemandidwhocameherelastautumn,pretendingtobeveryfriendly;beforehehadbeenhereverylongbebeganplottingagainstmylife.Icannotrisktakinginanymoreforest-men."
"Ithinkyouhavereason,"Thorirsaid,"tomistrustforest-men.Itmaybeyouhaveheardtellofmeasamanofbloodandadisturberofpeace,butneverdidyouhearofsuchamonstrousdeedofmeasthatIbetrayedmyhost.Illisthelotofhimwhohasanillname;formenthinkofhimbutassuch;norwouldIhavecomehereifIhadhadanybetterchoice.Allisnotlostforusifwestandtogether.Youmightventuresomuchtobeginwithastotryhowyoulikeme,andthenifyoufindanyunfitnessinmeturnmeaway."
"Well,"saidGrettir,"Iwillriskitwithyou;butknowofasuretythatifIsuspectyouofanytreacheryitwillbeyourdeath."
Thoriragreed.Grettirtookhiminandfoundthatinwhateverhedidhehadthestrengthoftwomen.HewasreadyforanythingthatGrettirgavehimtodo.NothingdidGrettirneedtodoforhimself,andhehadneverlivedsocomfortablysincehehadbecomeanoutlaw.NeverthelesshewassowarythatThorirgotnochance.TwoyearswasThorirRedbeardwithGrettirontheHeath,andatlasthebegantowearyofit.HethoughtoverwhathecoulddototakeGrettiroffhisguard.
Onenightinthespringaheavygalesprangupwhiletheywereasleep.Grettirawokeandaskedwheretheirboatwas.Thorirsprangup,rantotheboat,brokeherallinpieces,andthrewthefragmentsaboutsothatitlookedasifthestormhadwreckedher.Thenhereturnedtothehutandsaidaloud:"Youhavehadbadluck,myfriend.Ourboatisallbrokeninpiecesandthenetsarelyingfaroutinthelake."
"Getthembackthen,"saidGrettir."Itseemstometobeyourdoingthattheboatissmashed."
"OfallthingswhichIcando,"saidThorir,"swimmingisthatwhichsuitsmeleast.InalmostanythingelseIthinkIcanholdmyownwithanyordinaryman.YouknowverywellthatIhavebeennoburdentoyousinceIcamehere;norwouldIaskyoutodothisifIwereabletodoitmyself."
Grettirthenarose,tookhisarmsandwenttothelake.Therewasapointoflandrunningoutintothelakewithalargebayonthefurthersideofit.Thewaterwasdeepuptotheshore.Grettirsaid:"Swimouttothenetsandletmeseewhatyouareabletodo."
"Itoldyoubefore,"Thorirsaid,"thatIcannotswim.Idonotknownowwhereallyourboldnessanddaringaregoneto."
"Icouldgetthenets,"hesaid;"butbetraymenotifItrustyou."
"Donotthinksuchshamefulandmonstrousthingsofme,"saidThorir.
"Youwillproveyourselfwhatyouare,"Grettirsaid.
Thenhethrewoffhisclothesandhisweaponsandswainouttothenets.Hegatheredthemtogether,returnedtotheshoreandcastthemupontothebank.justashewasabouttolandThorirquicklyseizedhisshortswordanddrewit.HerantowardsGrettirashesteppedontothebankandaimedablowathim.Grettirthrewhimselfdownbackwardsintothewaterandsanklikeastone.Thorirstoodbytheshoreintendingtoguardituntilhecameup.Grettirswambeneaththewater,keepingclosetothebanksothatThorircouldnotseehim,andsoreachedthebaybehindhim,wherehelandedwithoutlettinghimselfbeseen.ThefirstThorirknewofitwaswhenGrettirliftedhimupoverhisheadanddashedhimdownwithsuchviolencethattheswordfelloutofhishand.Grettirgotpossessionofitandwithoutspeakingawordcutoffhishead.Sohislifeended.AfterthatGrettirrefusedtotakeinanyforest-men,andyethecouldnotlivealone.
LVII.ATTACKONGRETTIRBYTHORIROFGARDWITHEIGHTYMENREPULSEDWITHTHEAIDOFHALLMUND
AttheAll-ThingThorirofGardlearnedofThorirRedbeardhavingbeenkilled.Itwasevidentthatthematterwasnotsoeasytodealwith.HenowdeterminedtoridefromtheThinginawesterlydirectionthroughthelowerheath,andwiththeaidofabouteightymenwhomhehadwithhimtotakeGrettir'slife.GrimthesonofThorhallheardofhisplansandsentwordtoGrettir,biddinghimbewareofhimself.Grettirthereforecontinuedcloselytowatchthemovementsofmenwhocameandwent.
Onedayhesawanumberofmencominginthedirectionofhisplaceofdwelling.Hewentintoagorgebetweentworocks,butdidnotgorightawaybecausehedidnotseethewholeofthetroop.Thorirthencameupwithhiswholepartyandbadethemgobetweenhisheadandhisbody,sayingthatthescoundrelhadbutapoorchancenow.
"Afilledcupisnotyetdrunk,"answeredGrettir."Youhavecomefartoseekme,andsomeofyoushallbearthemarksofourgamebeforewepart."
Thorirurgedhismenontoattackhim.Thegorgewasverynarrowsothathecouldeasilydefenditfromoneend,andhewonderedmuchthattheydidnotgetroundtohisreartohurthim.SomeofThorir'smenfellandsomewerewounded,buttheyeffectednothing.ThenThorirsaid:"IalwaysheardthatGrettirwasdistinguishedforhiscourageanddaring,butIneverknewthathewassoskilledinmagicasInowseeheis;fortherefallhalfasmanyagainbehindhisbackasbeforehisface,andIseethatwehavetodowithatrollinsteadofaman."
Sohebadehismenretire,andtheydidso.Grettirwonderedwhattheexplanationcouldbe,butwasterriblyexhausted.Thorirandhismenwithdrewandrodeintothenorthernparts.Theirexpeditionwasconsideredverydisgraceful.Thorirhadlefteighteenmenonthegroundandhadmanywounded.
Grettirthenwentupthegorgeandfoundthereamanofhugestaturesittingupagainsttherockandsorelywounded.Grettiraskedhisname,andhesaiditwasHallmund,adding:"ThatyoumayrecognisemeImayremindyouthatyouthoughtIgrippedthereinsrathertightlywhenImetyouinKjollastsummer.IthinkIhavenowmadethatgood."
"Indeed,"saidGrettir,"Ithinkyouhavedonemeamanlyservice;wheneverIcanIwillrepayit."
"NowIwish,"saidHallmund,"thatyoumaycometomyhome,foritmustseemwearisometoyouhereontheHeath."
Grettirsaidhewouldcomewillingly,andtheybothwenttogethertothefootoftheBalljokull,whereHallmundhadalargecave.Theretheyfoundhisdaughter,afineandwell-grownmaiden.TheytreatedGrettirwell,andthedaughternursedboththewoundedmentohealthagain.Grettirstayedtheresometimethatsummer.HecomposedanodeonHallmundinwhichthelineoccurs:
"Hallmundstepsfromhismountainhall";
further:
"Thewar-fainswordinArnarvatn
wentforthtohewitsbloodypath.
HeroesinheritKelduhverfi.
Hallmundthebravecameforthfromhisden."
ItissaidthatatthatencounterGrettirslewsixmenandHallmundtwelve.
AsthesummerpassedGrettirbegantolongforthehabitationsofmen,andtoseehisfriendsandkinsmen.HallmundtoldhimtovisithimwhenhereturnedtotheSouthandGrettirpromisedtodoso.HewentwestwardstoBorgarfjordandthencetoBreidafjardardalirandsoughtcounselofThorsteinnKuggasonastowhereheshouldgonext.Thorsteinnsaidthathisenemieswerenowbecomingsonumerousthatfewwouldcaretotakehimin;buttoldhimto_gotoMyrarandseewhathefoundthere.SointheautumnhewenttoMyrar.
LVIII.GRETTIRVISITSBJORNTHEHITDALEWARRIORANDTAKESREFUGEINTHEFAGRASKOGAFJALL
TherelivedinHolmBjorntheHitdaleWarrior,whowasthesonofArngeir,thesonofBersitheGodless,thesonofBalki,whowasthefirstsettlerinHrutafjord,ashasalreadybeentold.Bjornwasagreatchiefandavaliantman,alwaysreadytotakeinoutlaws.HereceivedGrettirwellwhenhecametoHolmonaccountofthefriendshipwhichhadexistedbetweentheirformerkinsmen.Grettiraskedifhewouldgivehimshelter,andBjornsaidthathehadsomanyquarrelsthroughoutthelandthatmenwouldbereluctanttotakehiminforfearofbeingoutlawedthemselves."But,"hesaid,"Iwillgiveyousomehelpifyouwillleavethemenwhoareundermyprotectioninpeace,whateveryoudotoothersinthispart."
Grettirpromisedthathewould,andBjorncontinued:"Ihavethoughtofsomething.InthemountainwhichstretchesawayfromtheHitarariverthereisagoodpositionfordefence,andlikewiseagoodhiding-placeifitisskilfullymanaged.Thereisaholethroughthemountainfromwhichyoucanseedownuponthehighroadthatliesimmediatelybeneathit,andasandyslopedowntotheroadsosteepthatfewcouldgetupitifitweredefendedabovebyonedoughtymanupinthehollow.Itmay,Ithink,beworthyourwhiletoconsiderwhetheryoucanstaythere;itiseasytogodownfromtheretotheMyrartogetyoursupplies,andtoreachthesea."
Grettirsaidhewouldtrusttohisforesightifhewouldhelphimalittle.ThenhewenttoFagraskogafjallandmadehimselfahomethere.Hehungsomegreywadmalinfrontofthehole,anditlookedfromtheroadbelowasifonecouldseethrough.Thenhebegantogetinhissupplies,buttheMyramenthoughttheyhadanunhappyvisitorinGrettir.
ThordthesonofKolbeinnwasanexcellentpoetwhodweltinHitarnes.TherewasagreatfeudbetweenhimandBjornatthattime,andBjornthoughtitwouldbemorethanhalfusefultohimifGrettirweretobusyhimselfwithThord'smenorhiscattle.GrettirwasagreatdealwithBjornandtheyhadmanygamesofstrength.ItisrelatedinBjorn'ssagathattheywereconsideredequalinstrength,buttheopinionofmostpeopleisthatGrettirwasthestrongestmanthathadbeeninthelandsincethedayswhenOrinStorolfssonandThoralfSkolmssonceasedtheirtrialsofstrength.GrettirandBjornswaminonecoursethewholelengthoftheHitarafromthelakeatitsheaddowntothesea.Theybroughtthestepping-stonesintotheriverwhichneitherfloodsnorfreezingnoricedriftshavesincemovedfromtheirplaces.GrettirstayedayearinFagraskogafjallwithoutanyattackbeingmadeuponhim,andyetmanylosttheirpropertythroughhismeansandgotnothingforit,becausehispositionwasstrongfordefenceandhewasalwaysingoodfriendshipwiththosewhowerenearesttohim.
LIX.THECHASTISEMENTOFGISLI
TherewasamannamedGisli;hewasthesonofthatThorsteinnwhomSnorritheGodihadcausedtobeslain.Hewasabigstrongman,veryostentatiousinhisdressandinhisarmour,amanwithahighopinionofhimselfandveryboastful.Hewasamariner,andlandedattheHvitariverinthesummerafterGrettirhadspentawinterinthemountains.ThordthesonofKolbeinnrodetohisshipandwaswelcomedbyGisli,whoofferedhimofhiswareswhateverhecaredtohave.Thordacceptedhisofferandtheybegantohavesometalktogether.Gisliasked:"IsittruewhatIhearthatyouareindifficultyhowtoridyourselfofaforest-manwhoisdoingyoumuchhurt?""Wehavemadenoattemptyet,"saidThord,"becauseagreatmanythinkheisdifficulttoreach,andhavefounditso."
"ItseemslikelythatyouwillhavetroublewithBjorn,unlessyoudrivehimaway.AlltheworseitisthatImustbetoofarawaynextwintertogiveyouanyhelp."
"Itisbetterforyoutoknowofhimonlybyhearsay."
"Don'ttalktomeaboutGrettir,"saidGisli."IhavebeeninmuchgreaterstraitsinmycampaignswithKingKnuttheMightyandinthewesternseas,whereIwasalwaysconsideredtohaveheldmyown.OnlyletmecomewithinreachofhimandIwilltrustmyselfandmyarmour."
ThordansweredthatheshouldnotdoitfornothingifhekilledGrettir:"Thereismoremoneyonhisheadthanonthatofanyotheroutlaw.Firstthereweresixmarksofsilver,thissummerThorirofGardaddedthreemore,andmenthinkthathewhowinsitwillhavehadenoughtrouble."
"Everythingwillbeattemptedformoney,"saidGisli:"especiallywithustraders.Butwemustkeepquietaboutwhatwehavebeensaying,forGrettirwillbemoreonhisguardifhehearsthatyouhavetakenmeintoyourcounsels.IintendnextwintertobeatOlduhrygg;isthereanyhiding-placeofhisonmywaythere?Hewillnotbepreparedforthis,andIshallnottakemanymenwithmetoattackhim."
Thordapprovedofhisproposal.Herodehomesoonafterandkeptveryquietaboutit.Andnowwasprovedwhathasoftenbeensaid,that:Offinthewoodsisalistenernigh.MenwhowerefriendsofBjorninHitardaloverheardtheirconversationandreporteditaccuratelytohim.BjorntoldGrettirofitwhentheymet,andsaidnowheshouldseehowtoencounterhim."Itwouldbenobadjoke,"hesaid,"ifyouweretoinjurehiminsomewaywithoutkillinghimifyoucan."
Grettirgrinnedbutsaidlittle.TowardsthetimeofgatheringinthecattleGrettirwentdowntoFlysjuhverfitogetsomesheepandgotfourwethers.Thebondisheardofhishavingcomeandwentafterhim.Theycameupjustataboutthemomentwhenhereachedthefootofhismountainandwantedtodrivethesheepawayfromhim.Buttheywouldnotattackhimwithweapons.Thereweresixofthemandtheystoodacrosshispathtobarhisway.Hewasconcernedabouthissheep,gotangry,seizedthreeofthemandthrewthemdownthehillsothattheylaysenseless.Theotherswhentheysawitwentathim,butratherhalfheartedly.Grettirtookthesheep,fastenedthemtogetherbythehorns,threwtwoovereachshoulderandcarriedthemoff.Thenhewentupintohisden.Thebondisturnedbackfeelingtheyhadhadtheworstofit,andweremorediscontentedwiththeirlotthanever.
Gislistayedwithhisshipthatautumnuntilshewasreadytobehauledup.Severalthingshappenedtodelayhim,sothathewaslateingettingawayandrodeoffverylittlebeforethewinternights.ThenherodeNorthandstayedatHraunonthesouthbankoftheHitara.Nextmorningbeforeherodeouthesaidtohisservants:"Nowwewillrideinredclothesandlettheforest-manseethatwearenotliketheothertravellerswhobeatabouthereeveryday."
Therewerethreeofthemandtheydidashebade.Whentheyhadcrossedtheriverhesaid:"HereIamtolddwellstheforest-man,upinthatpeak;butthewayisnotaneasyone.Woulditnotpleasehimtocometousandseeourarray?"Theysaidthiswasalwayshishabit.
ThatmorningGrettirhadgotupearly.Theweatherwascold,itwasfreezingandsomesnowhadfallen,butverylittle.HesawthreemenridingfromtheSouthacrosstheHitara,andthelightshonefromtheirapparelandfromtheirenamelledshields.ItoccurredtoGrettirwhoitmightbe,andhethoughthewouldrelievethemofsomeoftheiraccoutrements.Hewasverycurioustomeetamanwhowentaboutsoostentatiously.Sohetookhisweaponsandhurrieddownthehillside.Gisliwhenheheardtheclatteringofthestonessaid:"Aman,rathertall,iscomingdownthehillandwantstomeetus.Letusactboldlyandweshallhavegoodsport."Hismensaidthatthisfellowhadgreatconfidenceinhimselftorunintotheirhands;butthathewhoaskedshouldhave.Thentheygotofftheirhorses.GrettircameuptothemandlaidholdofabagofclotheswhichGislihadbehindhimonhissaddle,saying:
"Imusthavethis;Ioftenstooptolittlethings."
Gislisaid:"Youshallnot;donotyouknowwithwhomyouhavetodo?"
Grettirsaid:"No;thatisnotsocleartome.NordoImakemuchdifferencebetweenonemanandanothersinceIclaimsolittle."
"Maybeitseemslittletoyou,"saidGisli;"butIwouldsoonerpartwiththirtyhundredellsofwadmal.Itseemsthatextortionisyourway.Goforhim,boys!Letusseewhathecando."
Theyobeyed.GrettirfellbackalittleandreachedastonewhichisstillstandingbythesideofthewayandiscalledGrettishaf,wherehestoodatbay.Gisliurgedonhismen,andGrettirsawthathewasnotquitesovaliantashepretendedtobe,forhekeptwellbehindthem.Grettirgottiredofbeinghemmedin,sohemadealungewithhisswordandkilledoneofGisli'smen,sprangfromhisstoneandassailedthemsovigorouslythatGislifellbackallalongthefootofthehill.Thenhisothermanwaskilled.
Grettirsaid:"Onewouldscarcelyseethatyouhaveachievedmuchintheworldabroad,andyouhaveshamefullyforsakenyourcomrades."
Gislianswered:"Thefireishottesttohimwhoisinit;itisilldealingwithmenfromHel."
TheyhadexchangedfewmoreblowswhenGislithrewawayhisarmsandboltedrightawayalongthefootofthemountain.Grettirgavehimtimetothrowawaywhateverheliked,andateveryopportunityhethrewoffsomethingmoreofhisclothes.Grettirneverfollowedhimsocloselythattherewasnotsomedistancebetweenthem.Heranrightawayfromthemountains,acrossKaldardal,roundAslaug'sCliff,aboveKolbeinsstadandouttoBorgarhraun.
Bythattimehehadnothingleftonhimbuthisshirt,andwasterriblyexhausted.Grettirstillfollowed,keepingnowwithinreachofhim.Hepulledoffagreatbranch.GislididnotstoptillhereachedHaffjardarariver,whichwasallswollenanddifficulttoford.GisliwasgoingrightoutintotheriverwhenGrettirpressedforwardandseizedhimandshowedhimthedifferenceintheirstrength.
Grettirgothimdown,satonthetopofhimandasked:"AreyoutheGisliwhowantedtomeetGrettir?"
"Ihavefoundhimnow,"heanswered;"butIknownothowIshallpartwithhim.Keepwhatyouhavetakenandletmegofree."
Grettirsaid:"YouwillnotunderstandwhatIamgoingtotellyou,soImustgiveyousomethingtorememberitby."ThenhepulledupGisli'sshirtoverhisheadandlettherodplayonbothsidesofhisback.Gislistruggledtogetaway,butGrettirgavehimasoundwhippingandthenlethimgo.GislithoughtthathewouldsoonernotlearnanythingfromGrettirthanhaveanothersuchflogging,nordidhedoanythingmoretoearnit.Directlyhegothisfeetunderhimagainheranofftoalargepoolandswamacrosstheriver.IntheeveninghereachedthesettlementcalledHrossholt,veryexhausted.Therehelayforaweek,hisbodycoveredwithblisters,andafterwardswentontohisownplace.
Grettirturnedback,gatheredupallthethingswhichGislihadthrownawayandtookthemhome.Gislinevergotthembackagain;manythoughtbehadonlygotwhathedeservedforhisnoisyboasting.Grettirmadeaverseabouttheirencounter:
"Thehorsewhosefightingteethareblunted
runsfromthefieldbeforehisfoe.
WithmanyanafterthoughtranGisli.
Goneishisfame,hisglorylost!"
InthespringafterthisGislipreparedtogoonboardhisshipandforbadeinthestrongesttermsanythingwhichbelongedtohimbeingcarriedSouthbythewayofthemountains;forhesaidthattheFiendhimselfwasthere.GisliwhenhewentSouthtojoinhisshipkeptallthewayalongthecoastandhenevermetGrettiragain.Nobodyconsideredhimworththinkingabout,nordowehearanymoreofhiminthissaga.Grettir'srelationswithThordthesonofKolbeinnbecameworsethanever,andThordtriedeverymeanstogetGrettirdrivenawayorkilled.
LX.THEBATTLEWITHTHEMYRAMEN
WhenGrettirhadbeentwowintersinFagraskogafjallandthethirdwinterhadsetin,hewentSouthintoMyrartothefarmcalledLaekjarbug,wherehetooksixwetherswithouttheirowner'spermission.ThenhewentdowntoAkraranddroveofftwooxenforslaughterwithseveralsheep,andwentupSouthtotheHitara.WhenthebondisheardofhisexploitstheysentwordtoThordatHitarnesandaskedhimtotaketheleadintheslayingofGrettir.Hewasratherreluctant,butastheyhadaskedhimhesenthissonArnor,afterwardscalledJarlsbard,togowiththem,andtoldthemnottoletGrettirescape.Messengerswerethensentroundtoallthefarms.
TherewasamannamedBjarniwhodweltinJorviinFlysjuhverfi.HecollectedmenontheothersideoftheHitara;theintentionwasthateachbandshouldkeeponitsownside.Grettirhadtwomenwithhim,onenamedEyjolf,astoutman,thesonofabondiinFagraskogar,andanother.Thepartycameon,abouttwentyinnumber,underThorarinfromAkrarandThorfinnofLaekjarbug.Grettirtriedtogetoutacrosstheriver,butwasmetbyArnorandBjarnicomingfromthecoast.TherewasanarrowpointjuttingoutintotheriveronGrettir'sside,andwhenhesawthemenapproachinghedrovehisanimalsontoit,forheneverwouldletgoanythingofwhichhehadoncegotpossession.TheMyramenpreparedtoattackingoodorderandGrettirtoldhiscompanionstoguardhisrear.Theycouldnotallcomeonatonce.Therewasahardstrugglebetweenthem;Grettirusedhisshortswordwithbothhandsandtheyfounditnoteasytogetathim.SomeoftheMyramenfellandsomewerewounded.Themenontheothersideoftheriverwereratherslowincomingupbecausetherewasnofordnear.Beforetheyhadbeenfightingverylongtheyfellback.ThorarinofAkrarwasaveryoldmanandnotabletojoininthefighting.WhenthebattlewasovertherecameuphissonThrand,hisbrotherIngjald'ssonThorgils,FinnbogithesonofThorgeir,thesonofThorhaddofHitardal,andSteinolfthesonofThorleifofHraundal.Theysetontheirmenandtherewasahardstruggle.
Grettirsawthattherewasnochoiceleftbuteithertofleeorelsetodohisutmostandnotsparehimself.Hepressedonhardandnothingcouldholdagainsthim,forhisfoesweresonumerousthattherewasnochanceofescapingexceptbyfightingtothelastbeforehefell.Hetriedalwaystoengagethosewhoseemedmostcourageous;firsthewentforSteinolfofHraundalandclefthisskulldowntohisshoulders;thenhestruckatThorgilsthesonofIngjaldandalmostcuthimintwo.ThenThrandtriedtospringforwardandavengehiskinsmen,andGrettirhewedathisrightthigh,cuttingoutallthemusclessothathecouldfightnomore.NexthegaveFinnbogiaseverewound.ThenThorarinorderedthemoff."Thelongeryoufight,"hesaid,"theworseyouwillgetfromhimandthemorewillhechooseoutthemenfromyourcompany."
Theyobeyedandfellback.Tenhadfallen;fivewerewoundedtodeathorcrippled,andnearlyallwhohadbeeninthebattlewerehurt.Grettirwasterriblyfatiguedbutlittlewounded.TheMyramendrewoff,havingsufferedheavylosses,formanyagoodmanhadfallen.Thosewhowerebeyondtherivercameoverslowlyanddidnotarrivetillthefightwasover,andwhentheysawtheplightoftheirmenArnorwouldnotriskhimselfanyfurther,forwhichhewasmuchblamedbyhisfatherandbyothers.Menthoughthewasnotmuchofawarrior.TheplacewheretheyfoughtisnowcalledGrettisoddi.
Grettirandhiscompanionswereallwounded;theytooktheirhorsesandrodebackalongthefootofthemountain.WhentheyreachedFagraskogarEyjolfwasbehind.Therewasabondi'sdaughterthereandsheaskedfortheirtidings,whichGrettirtoldherfullyandspokeaverse:
"Goddessofhorn-floods!Steinolf'swounds
aresuchthatscarcelymaybehealed.
OfThorgils'lifeislittlehope;
hisbonesaresmashed;eightmorearedead."
ThenGrettirwenttohisretreatandspentthewinterthere.
LXI.GRETTIRWINTERSUNDERTHEGEITLANDGLACIER
ThenexttimethatBjornmetGrettirhetoldhimthatthiswasaveryseriousaffair,andthathewouldnotbeabletostaythereinpeacemuchlonger."Youhavekilledkinsmenandfriendsofmine,butIwillnotdepartfrommypromisetoyousolongasyouarehere."
Grettirsaidhewassorrytohavegivenhimoffence,butthathehadtodefendhishandsandhislife.Bjornsaiditwouldhavetoremainso.SoontherecametohimsomeofthemenwhohadlosttheirkinsmenthroughGrettirandpetitionedhimnottoallowsucharuffianashewastostaythereanylongerandmolestthem.Bjornsaidhewoulddoastheydesireddirectlythewinterwasover.
ThrandthesonofThorarinofAkrarhadnowrecoveredfromhiswound.Hewasamanofmuchworth,andhadmarriedSteinunnthedaughterofHrutofKambsnes.Steinolf'sfatherThorleifofHraundalwasagreatman;fromhimaresprungtheHraundalmen.
NomoremeetingsaretoldofbetweenGrettirandtheMyramenwhilehewasinthemountains.Bjorncontinuedinfriendshipwithhim,butsomeofBjorn'sotherfriendsfellawayfromhimbecauseofhisallowingGrettirtoremainthere,fortheywereannoyedatgettingnocompensationfortheslayingoftheirkinsmen.WhentheThingassembledGrettirlefttheMyrardistrictandwenttoBorgarfjord,wherehevisitedGrimthesonofThorhallandsoughtcounselofhimwhereheshouldmovetonext.Grimsaidhewasnotpowerfulenoughtokeephimthere,soGrettirwentofftohisfriendHallmundandstayedtheretilltheendofthesummer.
IntheautumnGrettirwenttoGeitland,wherehestayedtillbrightweathersetin.ThenheascendedtheGeitlandsjokullandturnedhisstepsSouth-eastalongtheglacier,takingwithhimakettleandfuel.ItissupposedthathewenttherebythecounselofHallmund,whoknewthecountryfarandwide.Hewentontillhecametoalongandrathernarrowvalleyintheglacier,shutinoneverysidebytheicewhichoverhungthevalley.Hewentabouteverywhere,andfoundfairgrass-grownbanksandbrushwood.Therewerehotsprings,anditseemedasifvolcanicfireshadkepttheicefromclosinginabovethevalley.Alittlestreamfloweddownthedalewithsmoothbanksoneitherside.Littledidthelightofthesunenterthere,andthenumberofsheepinthevalleyseemedtohimcountless.Theyweremuchbetterandfatterthananywhichhehadeverseen.
Grettirstayedthereandbuilthimselfahutoutoflogswhichhefoundabout.Hecaughtasheeptoeat,anditwasbetterforslaughterthantwoinotherplaces.Therewasaewetherewithherlamb;shehadabrownheadandexcelledalltheothersinsize.Hewasanxioustohavethelamb,sohecaughtitandslaughtereditandgothalfameasureofsuetoutofit,anditwasbetterineveryway.WhenBrownheadmissedherlambshecameupeverynighttoGrettir'shutandbleatedsothathenevercouldgetanysleep.Heregrettedmuchhavingkilledthelambonaccountofthedisturbancewhichshecausedhim.Everyeveningwhenthetwilightsetinheheardavoicecallinginthevalley,andthenthesheepusedtoruntogetherintoaplaceofshelter.Grettirhastoldusthatablendingruledoverthevalley,agiantnamedThorir,underwhoseprotectionheremained.GrettircalledthevalleyafterhimThorisdal.HesaidthatThorirhaddaughterswithwhomhehadsomeplay,andthattheywereverypleased,becausenotmanypeoplecamethere.AndwhenthedaysoffastingcameGrettirrememberedtotellthemthatfatandlivershouldbeeateninLent.Nothingparticularoccurredthatwinter,andGrettirfounditsodullthathecouldnotstaythereanylonger.HeleftthevalleyandwenttotheSouththroughtheglacier,reachingthemiddleofSkjaldbreidfromtheNorth.Therehetookupastone,cutaholeinitandsaidthatifamanputhiseyetotheholehecouldseeintothegullywhichflowsoutofThorisdal.ThenhewentacrossthecountrySouthandreachedtheeasternfjords.Hespentthesummerandthewinteronthisjourneyandvisitedallthegreatmen,butfoundthemallagainsthimsothatnowherecouldhegetlodgingorshelter.SohereturnedtotheNorthandstayedinvariousplaces.
LXII.HALLMUNDISKILLEDBYAFOREST-MANNAMEDGRIM
SoonafterGrettirhadlefttheArnarvatnHeaththerecameamantherenamedGrim,thesonofawidowatKropp.HehadkilledthesonofEidofAss,thesonofSkeggi,andbeenoutlawedforit.SotherehestayedwhereGrettirhadbeenbeforehimandgotplentyoffishoutofthelake.HallmundwasnotatallpleasedatGrimbeingthereinsteadofGrettir,andsaidthatheshouldhavelittleadvantagefromhisgreatcatchesoffish.OnemorningGrimhadcaughtahundredfish,whichhebroughttothehutandarrangedoutside.Thenextmorningwhenhewentthereeveryfishwasgone.Hethoughtitverystrange,butreturnedtothelakeandcaughtthistimetwohundred.Hecarriedthemhomeandarrangedthem;againeverythinghappenedasbefore;inthemorningallweregone,evidentlythroughthesameagencyasbefore.Thethirddayhecaughtthreehundred,carriedthemhomeandkeptawatchonhishut.Helookedoutthroughaholeinthedoortoseeifanyonecame,andsoheremainedforatime.Whenaboutonethirdofthenighthadpassedheheardsomeonewalkingnearandsteppingratherheavily;soheimmediatelytookhisaxe,whichwasverysharp,andwantedtoknowwhatwasthematter.Therecameamanwithabigbasketonhisback;heputitdownandlookedround,butsawnooneoutside.Herummagedaboutamongthefishandseemedtothinkthattheywoulddoforhimtolayhandsupon.Hethrewthemallintohisbasketandtheyquitefilledit.ThefishesweresolargethatGrimthoughtnohorsewouldbeabletocarrymore.Thismanthentooktheloadandgotbeneathit.JustashewasabouttoriseGrimrushedoutandtakinghisaxeinbothhandsstruckablowathisneckwhichwentthroughtheskin.Hestartedinsurpriseandthenranofftowardsthesouthofthehillwithhisbasket.Grimwentafterhimtoseewhetherhehadgothim.TheywentsouthalongthefootoftheBalljokullwherethemanenteredacave.Therewasabrightfireinthecaveandawomanstandinginit,verytallbutshapely.Grimheardhergreetherfather,callinghimHallmund.Heflungdownhisloadandheavedagreatsigh.Sheaskedwhyhewascoveredwithblood.Heansweredinaverse:
"Noman,Isee,maytrusthismight.
Hisluckandheartwillfailatdeath."
Thenshepressedhimtosaywhathadhappened,andhetoldhereverything.
"Hearnow,"hesaid,"whatItellyouofmyadventure.Iwilltellittoyouinverse,andyoushallcutitinrunesonastaff."
Shedidso,andhespoketheHallmundarkvida,inwhichthefollowingoccurs:
"IwasstrongwhenGrettir'sbridleIseized
Isawhimgazinglongathispalms.
ThenThorircameontheHeathwithhismen.
'Gainsteightywetwohadplaywithourspears.
Grettir'shandsknewhowtostrike;
muchdeeperthemarksthatwereleftbymine.
Armsandheadsthenflewastheytried
togainmyrear;eighteenofthemfell.
Thegiant-kindandthegrimrock-dwellers,
demonsandblendingsfellbeforeme,
elvesanddevilshavefeltmyhand."
ManyexploitsofhisdidHallmundrecountinthelay,forhehadbeenineveryland.
Thedaughtersaid:"Thatmanwasnotgoingtolethiscatchslipawayfromhim.Itwasonlytobeexpected,foryoutreatedhimverybadly.Butwhoisgoingtoavengeyou?"
"Itisnotcertainthatanybodywill,butIthinkthatGrettirwouldavengemeifhewereable.Itwillnotbeeasytogoagainstthisman'sluck;heisdestinedtogreatthings."Thenasthelaycontinuedhisstrengthbegantofail.Hallmunddiedalmostatthemomentwhenhefinishedthesong.Shegrievedmuchforhimandweptsorely.ThenGrimcameforwardandbadeherbecomforted."All,"hesaid,"mustdepartwhentheirfatecalls.Itwaspartlyhisownfault,forIcouldnotlookonandseemyselfrobbed."
Shesaidhemightspeakmuchaboutthat:"Theunjustmanprospersill."
Shewassomewhatcheeredbythetalkwithhim.Grimstayedseveralnightsinthecaveandlearnedthelay;allwentwellwiththem.GrimwasintheArnarvatnHeathallthewinterafterHallmund'sdeath.AfterwardsThorkellthesonofEyjolfcametotheheathandfoughtwithhim.ThemeetingendedbyGrimhavingThorkell'slifeinhispower,buthewouldnotkillhim.Thorkellthentookhimin,senthimabroadandsuppliedhimwithmeans;eachwasconsideredtohaveactedgenerouslytowardstheother.Grimbecameagreattravellerandthereisalongsagaabouthim.
LXIII.GRETTIR'SMEETINGWITHTHORIRONTHEREYKJAHEATH
WenowreturntoGrettir,whocamefromtheeasternfjords,travellingindisguiseandhidinghisheadbecausehedidnotwishtomeetThorir.ThatsummerhespentinModrudalHeathandotherplaces.ForatimetoohewasonReykjaHeath.ThorirheardofhisbeingonReykjaHeath,gatheredhismenandrodethither,determinednottolethimescape.Grettirscarcelyknewoftheirplansbeforetheycameuponhim.Hewasinahill-dairyalittleofftheroadwithanotherman,andwhentheysawthetrooptheyhadtolaytheirplansquickly.Grettirsaidtheyshouldmaketheirhorsesliedowninsidethehouse,andtheydidso.Thorirrodeforwardacrosstheheathinanortherlydirection,missedtheplace,didnotfindGrettirandturnedbackhome.WhenthetroophadriddenroundtotheWest,Grettirsaid:"Theywillnotbepleasedwiththeirexpeditioniftheydonotmeetme.YoustayandmindthehorseswhileIgoafterthem.Itwouldbeagoodjestiftheydidnotrecogniseme."
Hiscompaniontriedtodissuadehim,buthewouldgo.Hechangedhisdress,putonawidehatwhichcamedownoverhisfaceandtookastickinhishand.Thenhewentalongtheroadtowardsthem.Theyaddressedhimandaskedwhetherhehadseenanymenridingovertheheath.
"Ihaveseenthemenwhomyouareseeking,"hesaid,"youverynearlycameuponthem;theywereonyourlefthandjustsouthofthemarshes."
Onhearingthistheygallopedofftowardsthemarshes,whichweresoswampythattheycouldnotgetthroughandhadtospendagreatpartofthedaydraggingtheirhorsesout.Theysworemuchatthesupposedtravellerforplayingapracticaljokeuponthem.Grettirreturnedspeedilyhometohiscompanion,andwhentheymetspokeaverse:
"Iwillnotridetothewarriors'arms;
toogreatthedangeris.
IdarenotmeetthestormofVidri;
buthomewardturnmysteps."
TheyrodeoffasfastastheycouldwestwardstowardsthehomesteadinGardbeforeThorircouldcometherewithhiscompany.Whentheywereneartheplacetheymetamanontheroadwhodidnotknowthem.Therewasayoungwomanstandingoutside,verymuchdressedup,andGrettiraskedwhoshewas.ThemanwhohadcomeupsaidshewasThorir'sdaughter.ThenGrettirspokeaverse:
"Maiden,whenthyfathercomes
tellhim,littlethoughitpleasehim,
howIrodehisdwellingpast;
onlytwowhowithmerode."
Fromthisthemanlearntwhoitwas,androdetothehousetotellthemthatGrettirhadcomeround.WhenThorirreturnedmanymenthoughtthathehadbeenbamboozledbyGrettir.HethensetspiestowatchGrettir'smovements.Grettirtooktheprecautionofsendinghiscompaniontothewesterndistrictswithhishorse,whilehehimselfwentNorthintothemountainsatthebeginningofthewinter,mufflinguphisfacesothatnooneshouldrecognisehim.EveryonethoughtthatThorirhadfarednobetterbutevenworsethanattheirformerencounter.