The Sagas of the Icelanders (72 page)

7
Helgi, on the other hand, returned to the farmhouse at Skeid and told his wife of the dealings between him and Bolli.

‘I have no idea,’ he said, ‘what I should do to deal with a man like Bolli, as I’m no man of law. And I don’t have many who will support me in the case.’

Sigrid his wife said, ‘It’s a proper fool you’ve made of yourself. You have been dealing with the noblest of men and you made a spectacle of yourself. You’ll end up as you deserve, losing all your wealth and your life as well.’

Helgi listened to her words, which he found rather hard to take, but he suspected they would prove true, as he was a cowardly wretch, despite his bad temper and foolishness. He saw no way out of the impasse he had talked himself into and became more than a little cowed by it all.

Sigrid had a horse sought and rode to seek out her kinsman Thorstein Narfason. Bolli and his men had arrived by then. She asked to speak to Thorstein privately and told him how the situation stood.

‘This has turned out very badly,’ Thorstein replied.

She told him as well how handsome Bolli’s offers had been, and how stupidly Helgi had acted. She asked Thorstein to use all his influence to see to it that things were straightened out. Afterwards she returned home, and Thorstein went to speak to Bolli.

‘What’s this I hear, my friend?’ he said. ‘Has Helgi of Skeid been provoking you unjustly? I want to ask you to drop the charges and dismiss the incident, at my request, as the words of simpletons are not worthy of notice.’

Bolli answered, ‘It’s true enough that this is nothing of worth. Nor do I intend to let it upset me.’

‘Then I want to ask you,’ said Thorstein, ‘to drop the charges against him for my sake, and accept my friendship in return.’

‘There’s no threat of disaster right away,’ Bolli said. ‘I intend to take things calmly and we’ll wait until spring.’

Thorstein spoke: ‘Then I will show you how important it is to me to have my way in this. I will give you the best horse here in the district, and his herd, twelve altogether.’

Bolli answered, ‘It’s a fine offer, but you don’t have to go to such lengths. I wasn’t upset by it, nor will it be upsetting when the judgement comes.’

‘The truth is,’ said Thorstein, ‘I want to offer you self-judgement in the case.’

Bolli answered, ‘I expect the truth to be that there is no use making the offer, because I do not wish to accept a settlement in the case.’

‘Then you’re choosing the course that will prove bad for all of us,’ said Thorstein. ‘Although Helgi is hardly a worthy man, I am related to him by marriage. I won’t deliver him into your hands to be killed since you refuse to pay heed to my words. And as far as the charges that Helgi brought against you, I can hardly see that they will do you honour by being presented at the assembly.’

Thorstein and Bolli then parted rather coldly. Bolli rode off with his companions, and there is no mention of him receiving parting gifts.

8
Bolli and his companions arrived at the farm of Gudmund the Powerful at Modruvellir. He came out to meet them and welcomed them warmly and was in the best of spirits. They remained there a fortnight and enjoyed festive hospitality.

Gudmund then said to Bolli, ‘Is there any truth to the rumour that you and Thorstein have had a disagreement?’

Bolli said there was little truth in it and changed the subject.

Gudmund said, ‘What route do you intend to take homeward?’

‘The same one,’ answered Bolli.

Gudmund said, ‘I would advise you against it, as I’m told that you and Thorstein parted rather stiffly. Stay here with me instead and ride south in the spring, and let things run their course then.’

Bolli said he did not intend to alter his travel plans because of their threats.

‘While that fool Helgi was carrying on so stupidly, speaking one slanderous charge after another, and hoping to take my spear King’s Gift off me for a mere tuft of hay, I thought to myself that I would see to it that he got what
he deserved for those words. I have other plans for my spear and intend to give it to you, along with the gold arm ring that the emperor gave me. I feel that the treasures are better off in your hands than in Helgi’s clutches.’

Gudmund thanked him for the gifts, and said, ‘The gifts you receive in return are much less worthy than they should be.’

Gudmund gave Bolli a shield decorated with gold, a gold arm ring and a cape made of the costliest material and embroidered with gold threads wherever this could add to its beauty. All of the gifts were very fine.

Gudmund then said, ‘I think you’re doing the wrong thing, Bolli, choosing to ride through Svarfadardal.’

Bolli replied that no harm would come of it. They then rode off, with Bolli and Gudmund parting the best of friends, and he and his party rode north along Galmarstrond.

That evening they came to the farm known as Krossar, where a man named Ottar lived. He was standing outside, a bald man wearing an outer jacket of skin. Ottar greeted them well and invited them to stay the night, and they accepted. They were waited upon well and the farmer was in the best of spirits. They spent the night there.

When Bolli and his party were ready to leave the next morning, Ottar said, ‘You have done me an honour, Bolli, in visiting my farm. I would also like to do you a small favour, give you a gold arm ring, and would be grateful if you accept it. Here is also a ring to accompany it.’

Bolli accepted the gifts and thanked the farmer. Then Ottar mounted his horse and rode ahead to show them the way, as there had been a light fall of snow during the night. They continued on their way up to Svarfadardal.

They had not ridden far when Ottar turned back to them and said to Bolli, ‘I want to show you how much I desire your friendship. Here is another arm ring of gold which I wish to give you. I would like to be of help to you in any way I can, as you are going to need it.’

Bolli said the farmer was treating him far too generously, ‘but I will accept the ring all the same’.

‘You’re doing the right thing,’ said the farmer.

9
To return to Thorstein of Hals. When he expected Bolli to be returning southward again, he collected a party of men and intended to lie in ambush for Bolli, wishing to alter the situation between him and Helgi. Thorstein and his men, who made up a party of thirty, rode out to the river Svarfadardalsa where they took up position.

A man named Ljot lived at Vellir in Svarfadardal. He was a prominent chieftain, a popular man and much involved in lawsuits. For everyday pursuits he wore a dark brown tunic and carried a light pole axe, while if he were preparing for a fight he had a black tunic and a broad-bladed axe, with which he appeared more than a little intimidating.

Bolli and his men rode westward in Svarfadardal. Ottar followed them past the Hals farm and out to the river. There Thorstein and his men were waiting for them, and when Ottar saw the ambush he responded abruptly, turned his horse and rode off to one side at top speed. Bolli and his party rode on boldly, and when Thorstein and his men saw this they sprang forward. They were on opposite sides of the river. The ice had broken up along its banks, but there was still a frozen patch down the middle. Thorstein and his men ran out on to the ice.

Helgi of Skeid was also there and urged the men on energetically, saying it was time to see whether Bolli’s ambition and eagerness would be enough to carry the day, or whether there were any men of the north there who would dare to take him on.

‘There’s no reason to hesitate in killing all of them. It will also,’ said Helgi, ‘deter others from attacking us.’

Bolli heard Helgi’s words and saw where he had advanced out on the ice. He threw his spear at Helgi and it struck him in the middle of his body, driving him backwards into the river. The spear struck the bank on the opposite side where it stuck fast, with Helgi hanging from it down into the water. A hard battle then began. Bolli pressed forward so boldly that men nearby were forced to give way. Thorstein then came forward against Bolli, and when they came together Bolli struck Thorstein a blow on the shoulder, giving him a severe wound. Thorstein received another wound on the leg. The struggle was a fierce one. Bolli himself had been wounded but not severely.

The story now turns to Ottar.

He rode up to Vellir, to Ljot, and when they met Ottar spoke: ‘No cause to sit about, Ljot,’ he said, ‘what’s at stake is to prove yourself a man of honour.’

‘What would that involve, Ottar?’

‘I expect them to be fighting here down at the river, Thorstein of Hals and Bolli, and it would be a most fortunate thing to put a stop to their hostilities.’

Ljot said, ‘You’ve proved your worth more often than once.’

He reacted quickly and he and several others hurried back with Ottar.
When they reached the river, Bolli and the others were fighting furiously. Three of Thorstein’s men had been killed. Ljot and his men quickly ran between the fighters and held them back from attacking each other.

Then Ljot spoke: ‘You are to separate at once,’ he said; ‘more than enough harm has been done. I intend to decide the terms of a settlement between you in this case, and if either of you refuses, he will be attacked.’

Ljot’s decisive action caused them to cease their fighting, and both sides agreed that he should decide the terms of settlement in the dispute between them. They then went their separate ways, Thorstein returned home and Ljot invited Bolli and his men home to his farm, which they accepted. Bolli and his men rode up to Ljot’s farm Vellir.

The site where they had fought is known as Hestanes. Ottar did not take his leave of Bolli and his party until they had reached Ljot’s farm. Bolli gave him generous gifts at their parting and thanked him warmly for his assistance. He also promised Ottar his friendship. Ottar returned home to his farm at Krossar.

10
After the fight at Hestanes, Bolli and all his men had returned home with Ljot to Vellir, where Ljot bandaged their wounds. They healed quickly because they were well looked after. When they had recovered from their wounds, Ljot called together a large assembly. He and Bolli rode to the assembly, as did Thorstein of Hals, along with his companions.

When the assembly had convened, Ljot spoke: ‘No longer will I postpone the announcement of the settlement I have arrived at in the dispute between Thorstein of Hals and Bolli. To begin with, Helgi is deemed to have fallen without right to compensation because of his slanderous remarks and behaviour towards Bolli. The wounds received by Thorstein and Bolli will balance each other out. But for those three of Thorstein’s men who were slain Bolli will pay compensation. And for his attempt on Bolli’s life, Thorstein will pay him the value of fifteen hundred three-ell lengths of homespun. When this is concluded they will be fully reconciled.’

After this the assembly was dissolved. Bolli told Ljot that he intended to head homeward and thanked him well for all his assistance. They exchanged fine gifts and parted as good friends. Bolli took custody of the livestock and property at Skeid on Sigrid’s behalf, as she wished to accompany him westward. They rode on together until they came to Miklabaer and met Arnor. He welcomed them warmly. They stayed there awhile and Bolli told Arnor everything of his dealings with the men of Svarfadardal.

Arnor said, ‘You have been very lucky in this journey, and in your dealings with a man like Thorstein. It can be truly said that few if any chieftains from other districts will have gained more honour here in the north, especially considering how many men bore grudges against you beforehand.’

Bolli then left Miklabaer and headed southward with his companions. He and Arnor pledged each other friendship anew at parting. When Bolli returned home to Tunga his wife, Thordis, was relieved to see him. She had already heard some news of their skirmishes with the Northerners and thought they were at great risk as to the outcome. Bolli now lived quietly on his farm and enjoyed great respect.

This journey of Bolli’s became the subject of new stories in all districts. Everyone felt that hardly any journey had been made to equal it. He gained in respect from this and many other things. Bolli found a worthy match for Sigrid and treated her generously.

We have heard no more of the story than this.

Translated by
KENEVA KUNZ