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Page 40
We have now to return to Grettir, who was at home in Bjarg during
the autumn which followed his meeting with Warrior-Bardi at
Thoreyjargnup. When the winter was approaching, he rode North
across the neck to Vididal and stayed at Audunarstad. He and
Audun made friends again; Grettir gave him a valuable battle-axe
and they agreed to hold together in friendship. Audun had long
lived there, and had many connections. He had a son named Egill,
who married Ulfheid the daughter of Eyjolf, the son of Gudmund;
their son Eyjolf, who was killed at the All-Thing, was the father
of Orin the chaplain of Bishop Thorlak.
Grettir rode to the North to Vatnsdal and went on a visit to
Tunga, where dwelt his mother's brother, Jokull the son of Bard,
a big strong man and exceedingly haughty. He was a mariner, very
cantankerous, but a person of much consideration. He welcomed
Grettir, who stayed three nights with him. Nothing was talked
about but Glam's walking, and Grettir inquired minutely about all
the particulars. Jokull told him that no more was said than had
really happened.
"Why, do you want to go there?" he asked.
Grettir said that it was so. Jokull told him not to do it.
"It would be a most hazardous undertaking," he said. "Your
kinsmen incur a great risk with you as you are. There does not
seem to be one of the younger men who is your equal. It is ill
dealing with such a one as Glam. Much better fight with human
men than with goblins of that sort."
Grettir said he had a mind to go to Thorhallsstad and see how
things were. Jokull said: "I see there is no use in dissuading
you. The saying is true that Luck is one thing, brave deeds
another."
"Woe stands before the door of one but enters that of another,"
answered Grettir. "I am thinking how it may fare with you
yourself before all is done."
"It may be," said Jokull, "that we both see what is before us,
and yet we may not alter it."
Then they parted, neither of them well pleased with the other's
prophetic saying.
CHAPTER XXXV
THE FIGHT WITH GLAM'S GHOST
Grettir rode to Thorhallsstad where he was welcomed by the bondi.
He asked Grettir whither he was bound, and Grettir said he wished
to spend the night there if the bondi permitted. Thorhall said
he would indeed be thankful to him for staying there.
"Few," he said, "think it a gain to stay here for any time. You
must have heard tell of the trouble that is here, and I do not
want you to be inconvenienced on my account. Even if you escape
unhurt yourself, I know for certain that you will lose your
horse, for no one can keep his beast in safety who comes here."
Grettir said there were plenty more horses to be had if anything
happened to this one.
Thorhall was delighted at Grettir's wishing to remain, and
received him with both hands. Grettir's horse was placed
securely under lock and key and they both went to bed. The night
passed without Glam showing himself.
"Your being here has already done some good," said Thorhall.
"Glam has always been in the habit of riding on the roof or
breaking open the doors every night, as you can see from the
marks."
"Then," Grettir said, "either he will not keep quiet much longer,
or he will remain so more than one night. I will stay another
night and see what happens."
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