Njal's Saga (13 page)

Then Hallvard drew near, and a fierce battle got under way. Gunnar's men saw that their leader was unflinching, and everyone did his utmost. Gunnar fought both with sword and with spear, and many a man fell dead at his hands. Kolskegg fought well at his side.

Karl leaped onto the ship of his brother Vandil, and the two of them fought from there all day. On Gunnar's ship Kolskegg stopped to rest, and Gunnar noticed this and said, ‘You have served others better than yourself today – by taking away their thirst!'

Kolskegg took a goblet full of mead and drank it down, and then went back to fighting. After a time he and Gunnar leaped aboard Vandil and Karl's ship, and Kolskegg went down one side and Gunnar down the other. Vandil advanced towards Gunnar and quickly swung his sword at him, but it hit the shield. Gunnar twisted the shield with the sword stuck in it and the sword broke just under the hilt. Gunnar struck back, and it appeared to Vandil that there were three swords in the air at once and he could not see which side to protect. Gunnar cut both his legs from under him. Kolskegg thrust his spear through Karl. After that they took much booty.

From there they continued south to Denmark and then east to Smaland, and they were always victorious. They did not go back in the autumn.

The following summer they went on to Reval and ran into Vikings there and quickly fought and defeated them. Then they went east to
the island of Osel and stayed for a while beside a headland. They saw a man coming down from the headland. Gunnar went ashore to meet him, and they talked together. Gunnar asked him his name, and he said it was Tofi. Gunnar asked what he wanted.

‘I wanted to see you,' he said. ‘There are warships here on the other side of the headland, and I'll tell you who commands them – two brothers, one named Hallgrim and the other Kolskegg. I know them to be mighty battlers, and also that they have good weapons that no one can match. Hallgrim has a halberd on which he has put a spell so that no weapon but this can kill him. Another thing about it is that you know at once when it is about to strike a death blow, for it first makes a loud singing noise – that's how much power it has. Kolskegg has a short sword and it too is a very good weapon. They have a third again as many men as you. They have a great treasure and have hidden it ashore, and I know exactly where it is. They sent a scouting ship around the headland and know all about you. They're now making full preparations and plan to attack you as soon as they're ready. You have two choices: either sail away at once, or prepare to meet them as quickly as you can. If you are victorious, I'll bring you to where all their treasure is.'

Gunnar gave him a ring and then went back to his men and told them that there were warships on the other side of the headland – ‘and they know all about us. Let's take our weapons and get ready quickly – there's treasure to be won!'

They made their preparations, and when they were ready they saw ships coming at them. A fierce battle got under way; they fought long and the losses were great. Gunnar killed many men. Hallgrim and his brother leaped onto Gunnar's ship, and Gunnar turned to face him. Hallgrim thrust at him with his halberd. A boom lay across the ship, and Gunnar made a backwards leap over it; his shield was still in front of the boom and Hallgrim's halberd went through it and into the boom. Gunnar struck at Hallgrim's arm and the arm was crippled, but the sword did not bite. The halberd fell; Gunnar grabbed it and thrust it through Hallgrim. From then on he always had the halberd with him.

The two Kolskeggs fought, and it was hard to say who would prove
the better. Then Gunnar came up and gave Kolskegg his death blow.

After that the Vikings begged for peace, and Gunnar granted it. He let his men search the slain and take whatever goods the dead men owned, but he let the survivors have their weapons and clothing and gave them peace and told them to return to their homelands. They went away, and Gunnar took everything they left behind.

Tofi came to Gunnar after the battle and offered to take him to where the Vikings had hidden their treasure and told him that it was both greater and better than what they had already taken. Gunnar said he was willing. He went ashore with Tofi. Tofi went into a wood, and Gunnar followed. They came to where a lot of timber had been gathered together. Tofi said the treasure was under the timber. They cleared it away and found gold and silver and garments and good weapons. They carried it all back to the ships.

Gunnar asked Tofi how he wanted to be rewarded. Tofi answered, ‘I am a Dane by birth, and I'd like you to transport me to my kinsmen.'

Gunnar asked him how he had come to the Baltic.

‘I was kidnapped by Vikings,' said Tofi, ‘and put ashore here on Osel, and I've been here ever since.'

Gunnar took him along and said to Kolskegg and Hallvard, ‘Now let's return to the northern lands.'

They were pleased at this and told him to have his way. Gunnar sailed from the Baltic with a large amount of treasure. He had ten ships, and headed for Hedeby in Denmark. King Harald Gormsson was staying there.
¹
He was told about Gunnar and that no one in Iceland was his equal. The king sent his men to invite Gunnar to visit him. Gunnar went at once to meet the king. The king welcomed him and gave him a seat next to his own.

Gunnar was there for half a month. For amusement the king had Gunnar contend with his own men in various sports, and there was not one sport in which they were a match for him.

The king spoke to Gunnar: ‘It appears to me that your equal is not to be found far or near.'

The king offered to give him a wife and large holdings if he would
settle down there. Gunnar thanked the king but said that first he wanted to return to Iceland to see his kinsmen and friends.

‘Then you will never come back to us,' said the king.

‘Fate must decide that, my lord,' said Gunnar.

Gunnar gave the king a good longship and many other valuables. The king gave him stately garments of his own, leather gloves embroidered with gold, a gold-studded headband, and a Russian hat.

From there Gunnar sailed north to Hising. Olvir welcomed him with open arms, and Gunnar gave him the ships he had taken and said that they were his share. Olvir accepted the booty and called him a fine man, and invited him to stay there for a while. Hallvard asked Gunnar if he wanted to go to Earl Hakon. Gunnar said this was near his heart – ‘because now I've been tested somewhat – I was not tested at all the last time you asked me this.'

They made ready for the voyage and went north to Trondheim to meet Earl Hakon, and he received Gunnar well and invited him to spend the winter with him; Gunnar accepted. He had the respect of everybody there. At Yule the earl gave him a gold bracelet.

Gunnar fell in love with Bergljot, the earl's kinswoman, and it was often apparent that the earl would have married her off to Gunnar if he had asked for this.

In the spring the earl asked Gunnar what his plans were. He said he wanted to return to Iceland. The earl said supplies were low that year – ‘and there will not be much sailing abroad, but you may take on board as much flour and timber as you want'

Gunnar thanked him and soon had his ship ready. Hallvard went along with him and Kolskegg.

They reached Iceland early in the summer, before the Althing, and came to land in the river mouth at Arnarbaeli. Gunnar rode home at once, together with Kolskegg, and got men to unload his ship. When they came home people were happy to see them. Gunnar and Kolskegg were cheerful towards their household, and they had not grown haughty.

Gunnar asked whether Njal was at home and he was told that he
was. He had his horse fetched and rode to Bergthorshvol, together with Kolskegg. Njal was happy at their coming and asked them to stay the night. They did, and Gunnar told about his travels.

Njal said that he was a most valiant man – ‘and though you have been much tried, you will be tried much more, because many men will envy you.'

‘I want to get along well with everyone,' said Gunnar.

‘Much will happen,' said Njal, ‘and you will often have to defend yourself.'

‘Then my grounds must be,' said Gunnar, ‘that my cause is right.'

‘It will be,' said Njal, ‘as long as you do not have to pay for the doings of others.'

Njal asked Gunnar if he would be riding to the Thing. Gunnar said that he would and asked whether Njal would be riding. He said he would not – ‘and I wish you would do the same.'

Gunnar gave Njal good gifts and thanked him for looking after his property. Then he rode home.

Kolskegg urged him to ride to the Thing – ‘your honour will increase there, because many men will seek your company.'

‘I haven't been very keen to puff myself up,' said Gunnar, ‘but I think it's good to meet good men.'

Hallvard had also come to Hlidarendi and offered to ride to the Thing with them.

Gunnar and all his company rode to the Thing. When they came there they were so well dressed that no others were dressed as well, and people came out of every booth to admire them. Gunnar rode to the booth of the people from the Rangarvellir district and stayed there with his kinsmen. Many men went to him to ask for his news. He was light-hearted and merry with everyone and told them whatever they wanted to hear.

It happened one day that Gunnar was walking from the Law Rock. He passed below the booth of the people from Mosfell. There he saw some women coming towards him, and they were well dressed. The woman in front was the best dressed. When they met, she greeted
Gunnar at once. He took pleasure at this and asked who she was. She gave her name as Hallgerd and said she was the daughter of Hoskuld Dala-Kollsson. She spoke boldly to him and asked him to tell her about his travels, and he said he would not refuse her. They sat down and talked.

She was dressed like this: she had on a red gown, much ornamented; over that she had a scarlet cloak trimmed with lace down to the hem. Her hair came down to her breasts and was both thick and fair. Gunnar was wearing the stately garments given him by King Harald Gormsson; on his arm he had the bracelet from Earl Hakon.

They talked aloud for a long time. Eventually he asked if she were unmarried.

She said that she was – ‘and there aren't many who would take the risk.'

‘Is there no one good enough for you?' he said.

‘It's not that,' she said, ‘but I'm very demanding when it comes to men.'
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‘How would you answer if I were to propose to you?' said Gunnar.

‘You can't have that on your mind,' she said.

‘But I do,' he said.

‘If it is on your mind,' she said, ‘you must go to my father.'

With this they ended their talk.

Gunnar went straight to the booth of the people from Dalir and found men in front of the booth and asked them whether Hoskuld was inside, and they said that he was. Gunnar went in.

Hoskuld and Hrut welcomed him. He sat down between them, and there was no sign in their talk that there had been any clash between them. Gunnar came around to the point and asked how the brothers would answer if he asked to marry Hallgerd.

‘Favourably,' said Hoskuld, ‘if your mind is set on this.'

Gunnar said that he was serious – ‘but our last parting was such that not many people would think a bond between us likely.'

‘What do you think of this, brother Hrut?' said Hoskuld.

Hrut answered, ‘This doesn't seem an even match to me.'

‘What makes you say that?' said Gunnar.

Hrut said, ‘I'll answer this with the truth: you are a valiant and
accomplished man, but she has a mixed character, and I don't want to deceive you in any way.'

‘I suppose you mean well,' said Gunnar, ‘but I will take it that you are keeping up our old hostility if you're not willing to make this match.'

‘It's not that,' said Hrut, ‘but rather that I see you cannot restrain yourself. Even if we didn't make a marriage agreement, we would still want to be your friends.'

‘I've been talking with her, and she's not against it,' said Gunnar.

‘I see that you're both eager for this match, and you're the ones who take the greatest risk as to how it works out.'

Hrut told Gunnar, without being asked, everything about Hallgerd's character, and though it seemed to Gunnar at first that there were many faults, it finally came about that they made an agreement. Then Hallgerd was sent for, and it was talked about in her presence. As before, they let her betroth herself. The wedding feast was to take place at Hlidarendi, and at first it was to be a secret, but soon everybody knew about it.

Gunnar rode home from the Althing and then went to Bergthorshvol and told Njal about the agreement. Njal was upset over it. Gunnar asked him why he found it so ill-advised.

‘Every kind of evil will come from her when she moves east,' said Njal.

‘She shall never spoil our friendship,' said Gunnar.

‘It will come close to that,' said Njal, ‘but you will always make amends for her.'

Gunnar invited Njal to the wedding feast with as many of his household as he wanted to bring along. Njal promised to come. After that Gunnar rode home and then rode about the district to invite guests.

There was a man named Thrain, the son of Sigfus, the son of Sighvat the Red. He lived at Grjota on Fljotshlid. He was Gunnar's uncle
¹
and a man of great worth. His wife was Thorhild the Poetess; she was harsh with words and made up mocking verses.
Thrain had little love for her. He was invited to the feast at Hlidarendi, and his wife was to wait on the guests, along with Bergthora Skarphed-insdottir, Njal's wife.

Ketil was the second son of Sigfus. He lived at Mork, to the east of the Markarfljot river, and was married to Thorgerd Njalsdottir.

Thorkel was the third son of Sigfus, Mord the fourth, Lambi the fifth, Sigmund the sixth, and Sigurd the seventh. They were all uncles to Gunnar, and great fighters. Gunnar had invited them all to the feast.