Njal's Saga

by AnonYMous

  Skarphedin did not go to bed that evening, nor did his brothers or Kari. That night Mord Valgardsson came to them, and the Njalssons and Kari took their weapons and they all rode away. They rode until they came to Ossabaer and waited there by a wall. The weather was good and the sun had risen.

  111

  About that time Hoskuld the Godi of Hvitanes awoke; he put on his clothes and covered himself with his cloak, Flosi’s gift. He took his seed-basket in one hand and his sword in the other and went to his field and started sowing.

  Skarphedin and the others had agreed that they would all inflict blows. Skarphedin sprang up from behind the wall. When Hoskuld saw him he wanted to turn away, but Skarphedin ran up to him and spoke: ‘Don’t bother taking to your heels, Hvitanes-Godi’ –; nd he struck with his axe and hit him in the head, and Hoskuld fell to his knees.

  He spoke this: ‘May God help me and forgive you.’

  They all ran at him and finished him off.

  When it was over Mord said, ‘I’ve just had an idea.’

  ‘What is it?’ said Skarphedin.

  ‘That I first go home, and then up to Grjota to tell them what happened and express my disapproval of the deed. I know that Thorgerd will ask me to give notice of the slaying, and I will do so, because that will cause serious damage to their case.1 I’ll also send a man to Ossabaer to find out how quickly Hildigunn and the men there plan to act – he will hear about the slaying from them, and then I’ll pretend that this is how I first heard about it’

  ‘Go and do this, by all means,’ said Skarphedin.

  The Njalssons and Kari went home, and when they came they told Njal what had happened.

  ‘Tragic news,’ said Njal, ‘and terrible to hear, for it is fair to say that I am so deeply touched with grief that I would rather have lost two of my sons, as long as Hoskuld were still alive.’

  ‘You may be excused for saying that,’ said Skarphedin. ‘You are an old man and it’s to be expected that this should touch you deeply’

  ‘It’s not my old age,’ said Njal, ‘as much as the fact that I know more clearly than you what will follow’

  ‘What will follow?’ asked Skarphedin.

  ‘My death,’ said Njal, ‘and that of my wife and all my sons.’

  ‘What do you foresee for me?’ asked Kari.

  ‘It will prove hard for them to contend with your good fortune,’ said Njal, ‘for you will outmatch them all’

  This was the only thing that ever touched Njal so deeply that he could never speak of it without being moved.

  112

  Hildigunn woke up and saw that Hoskuld had left the bed. She said, ‘My dreams have been harsh, not good – go and search for Hoskuld.’

  They searched for him around the farm and did not find him. By then she had dressed. She went with two men to the field; there they found Hoskuld slain.

  Mord’s shepherd came up just then and told her that Skarphedin and his party had been riding away from there – ‘and Skarphedin called out to me and announced that he had done the slaying.’

  ‘A manly deed this would have been,’ she said, ‘if one man had done it’

  She picked up the cloak and wiped up all the blood with it and wrapped the clotted blood into the cloak and folded it and placed it in her chest.

  Next she sent a man up to Grjota to carry the news there. Mord had already come and told them. Ketil of Mork had also come there.

  Thorgerd spoke to Ketil: ‘Hoskuld is dead, as we know. Now keep in mind what you promised when you took him as your foster-son.’

  ‘It may well be,’ he said, ‘that I made many promises then, because I never expected that days like these would come. In fact, I’m in a difficult position, since I’m married to Njal’s daughter – the nose is near to the eyes.’1

  ‘Do you want Mord to give notice of the slaying, then?’ said Thorgerd.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ said Ketil, ‘for it seems to me that evil comes from him more often than good.’

  But when Mord spoke to him, Ketil was the same as other men -he believed that Mord could be trusted – and they agreed that Mord should give notice of the slaying and prepare the case for action at the Althing.

  *

  Mord then went down to Ossabaer. Nine neighbours who lived closest to the scene of the slaying came there. Mord had ten men with him. He showed the neighbours Hoskuld’s wounds and named witnesses to the fatal ones and named a man for every wound but one. He pretended not to know who had caused that one, but it was the one he had inflicted himself. He charged Skarphedin with the slaying, and his brothers and Kari with the wounds; next he summoned the nine neighbours to the Althing. After that he rode home.

  He hardly ever met the Njalssons, and when they met they were cool towards each other, and this was according to their plan.

  The slaying of Hoskuld spread to all parts of the land and was spoken badly of.

  The Njalssons went to see Asgrim Ellida-Grimsson and asked for his support.

  ‘You can count on my helping you in all large matters,’ he said, ‘but this one troubles me, because there are so many to prosecute the case, and the slaying is being spoken badly of all over the land.’

  Then the Njalssons went home.

  113

  There was a man called Gudmund the Powerful, who lived at Modruvellir in Eyjafjord. He was the son of Eyjolf, the son of Einar, the son of Audun the Rotten, the son of Thorolf Butter, the son of Thorstein Skrofi, the son of Grim Kamban. Gudmund’s mother was Hallbera, the daughter of Thorodd Helmet, and Hallbera’s mother was Reginleif, the daughter of Saemund the Hebridean; Saemundarhlid in Skagafjord is named for him. The mother of Eyjolf, Gudmund’s father, was Valgerd Runolfsdottir, and Valgerd’s mother was called Valborg; her mother was Jorunn the Unborn, the daughter of King Oswald the Saint. Jorunn’s mother was Bera, the daughter of King Edmund the Saint. The mother of Einar, Eyjolf’s father, was Helga, the daughter of Helgi the Lean who settled Eyjafjord. Helgi was the son of Eyvind the Norwegian; Helgi’s mother was Rafarta, the daughter of the Irish king Kjarval. Helga’s mother was Thorunn Hyrna, the daughter of Ketil Flat-nose, the son of Bjorn Buna, the son of Grim the hersir; Grim’s mother was Hervor, and her mother was Thorgerd, the daughter of King Haleyg of Halogaland.

  Thorlaug was the name of Gudmund the Powerful’s wife. She was the daughter of Atli the Mighty, the son of Eilif Eagle, the son of Bard of Al, the son of Ketil the Sly, the son of Skidi the Old. Thorlaug’s mother was Herdis, the daughter of Thord at Hofdi, the son of Bjorn Byrdusmjor, the son of Hroald Hrygg, the son of Bjorn Iron-side, the son of Ragnar Shaggy-breeches, the son of Sigurd Ring, the son of Randver, the son of Radbard. The mother of Herdis was Thorgerd Skidadottir; her mother was Fridgerd, the daughter of the Irish king Kjarval.

  Gudmund was a great and wealthy chieftain; he had a hundred servants. He oppressed the other chieftains north of Oxnadal heath so much that some had to leave their farms, others lost their lives to him, and others gave up their godords because of him. From him are descended all the best people of Iceland: the people of Oddi, the Sturlung family, the people of Hvamm and of Fljot, Bishop Ketil and many eminent men.

  Gudmund was a friend of Asgrim Ellida-Grimsson, and Asgrim planned to ask him for support.

  114

  There was a man called Snorri, who went by the name of Snorri the Godi. He lived at Helgafell until Gudrun Osvifsdottir bought that land from him, and she lived there from then on, and Snorri moved to Hvammsfjord and lived at Saelingsdalstunga. Snorri’s father was Thorgrim, the son of Thorstein Cod-biter, the son of Thorolf Moster-beard, the son of Ornolf Fish-driver. Ari the Learned, however, says that Thorolf was the son of Thorgils Whale-side. Thorolf Moster-beard was married to Osk, the daughter of Thorstein the Red. Thorgrim’s mother was Thora, the daughter of Olaf Feilan, the son of Thorstein the Red, the son of Olaf the White, the son of Ingjald, the son of Helgi. Ingjald’s mother was Thora, the daughter of Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye, the son of Ragnar Shaggy-breeches.
Snorri the Godi’s mother was Thordis Sursdottir, the sister of Gisli.

  Snorri was a great friend of Asgrim Ellida-Grimsson, and Asgrim planned to ask him for support.

  Snorri was called the wisest of the men in Iceland who could not foretell the future. He was good to his friends, but fierce to his enemies.

  That summer people rode to the Thing in large numbers from all quarters of the country, and many lawsuits had been prepared.

  115

  Flosi learned of the slaying of Hoskuld and it caused him much grief and anger, but he remained even-tempered. He was told of the lawsuit that had been started over the slaying, but he made no comment.

  He sent word to his father-in-law Hall of Sida and to Hall’s son Ljot that they should come to the Thing with a large following. Ljot was thought to be the most promising chieftain-to-be in the east. It had been foretold that if he rode to the Thing for three summers and came home safe and sound, he would become the greatest chieftain in his family, and the oldest. He had already ridden one summer to the Thing and now he was going for the second time.

  Flosi sent word to Kol Thorsteinsson; to Glum, the son of Hildir the Old; to Geirleif, the son of Onund Box-back; and to Modolf Ketilsson, and they all rode to join him. Hall also promised to come with a large following.

  Flosi rode to Surt Asbjarnarson at Kirkjubaer; then he sent for Kolbein Egilsson, his brother’s son, and he came there.

  From there he rode to Hofdabrekka, where Thorgrim the Showy lived, the son of Thorkel the Fair. Flosi asked him to ride to the Althing with him, and he agreed to go along and said to Flosi, ‘You have often been merrier than now, but you have a right to be as you are.’

  Flosi spoke: ‘It’s true that I would give everything I own if this matter had never arisen. But when evil seed has been sown, evil will grow’

  From there he rode across Arnarstakk heath and came to Solheimar in the evening. Lodmund Ulfsson, a close friend of Flosi’s, lived there, and he stayed overnight. In the morning Lodmund rode with him to Dal, and they spent the night there. Runolf, the son of Ulf Aur-Godi, lived there.

  Flosi spoke to Runolf: ‘Here we can hear the true story of the slaying of Hoskuld Hvitanes-Godi. You are a truthful man and live close to where it took place, and I will believe everything you tell me about how these men fell out with each other.’

  Runolf said, ‘There’s no point in using pretty words. He was slain, though more than innocent, and his death is mourned by everybody – but by no one as much as his foster-father Njal.’

  ‘Then it will be hard for them to find supporters,’ said Flosi.

  ‘That’s right,’ said Runolf, ‘as long as things don’t change.’

  ‘What’s been done so far?’ said Flosi.

  ‘The panel of neighbours has been summoned,’ said Runolf, ‘and notice of the slaying has been given.’

  ‘Who gave the notice?’ said Flosi.

  ‘Mord Valgardsson,’ said Runolf.

  ‘Can he be trusted?’ said Flosi.

  ‘He’s my kinsman,’ said Runolf, ‘but I must say, in truth, that more evil than good comes from him. Now I want to ask you to give your wrath a rest and take the course which will lead to the least trouble, for Njal and others of the best men will make good offers.’

  Flosi said, ‘Ride to the Thing, Runolf; your words will carry much weight with me, unless there’s a change for the worse.’

  With this they stopped talking, and Runolf promised to go. Runolf sent for Haf the Wise, his kinsman; he rode to him at once.

  Flosi rode from there to Ossabaer.

  116

  Hildigunn was outside and said, ‘All my men are to be outside when Flosi rides up to the farm, and the women are to clean the house and put up the hangings and make the high seat ready for Flosi.’

  Soon Flosi rode into the hayfield.

  Hildigunn came to meet him and spoke: ‘Greetings and salutations, kinsman − my heart rejoices at your coming.’

  Flosi said, ‘We shall eat our day-meal1 here and then ride on.’

  Then their horses were tethered. Flosi went into the main room and sat down and pushed aside the cushioned high seat and spoke: ‘I’m neither a king nor an earl, and there’s no need to fix up the high seat for me, and no need to make fun of me.’

  Hildigunn was close by and said, ‘It’s too bad that this offends you, for we meant well’

  Flosi spoke: ‘If you mean well, your deeds will praise themselves, but they will condemn themselves if you mean evil’

  Hildigunn laughed a cold laugh and spoke: ‘This is nothing yet -we’ll come to closer grips before we’re through.’

  She sat down next to Flosi and they talked quietly for a long time.

  Then the tables were brought out and Flosi and his men washed their hands. Flosi took a good look at the towel: it was all in tatters and torn off at one end. He threw it on the bench and refused to dry his hands on it, but tore a piece off the table-cloth and dried his hands on it and threw it to his men. Then he sat down at the table and told his men to eat.

  Hildigunn entered the room and went before Flosi and wiped the hair away from her eyes and wept.

  Flosi spoke: ‘Your spirits are heavy, kinswoman, and so you weep, but it is well that you weep for a good man.’

  ‘What action can I expect from you for the slaying, and what support?’ she asked.

  Flosi said, ‘I will prosecute the case to the full extent of the law, or else make a settlement that good men see as bringing honour to us in every way’

  She spoke: ‘Hoskuld would have exacted blood-vengeance if it were his duty to take action for you.’

  Flosi answered, ‘You don’t lack fierceness, and it’s clear what you want.’

  Hildigunn spoke: ‘Arnor Ornolfsson from Fossarskogar did less to Thord Frey’s Godi, your father, and yet your brothers Kolbein and Egil killed him at the Skaftafell Assembly’2

  Hildigunn then went out and opened up her chest. She took from it the cloak which Flosi had given Hoskuld and in which Hoskuld was slain, and which she had kept there with all its blood. She went back into the main room with the cloak. She walked silently up to Flosi. Flosi had finished eating and the table had been cleared. Hildigunn placed the cloak on Flosi’s shoulders; the dried blood poured down all over him.

  Then she spoke: ‘This cloak, Flosi, was your gift to Hoskuld, and now I give it back to you. He was slain in it. In the name of God and all good men I charge you, by all the powers of your Christ and by your courage and manliness, to avenge all the wounds which he received in dying – or else be an object of contempt to all men.’

  Flosi flung off the cloak and threw it into her arms and said, ‘You are the worst monster and want us to take the course which will be worst for us all. Cold are the counsels of women.’3

  Flosi was so stirred that his face was, in turn, as red as blood, as pale as grass, and as black as Hel itself4

  He and his men went to the horses and rode away. He rode to Holtsvad and waited there for the Sigfussons and other friends of his.

  Ingjald lived at Keldur; he was the brother of Hrodny the mother of Hoskuld Njalsson. He and Hrodny were the children of Hoskuld the White, the son of Ingjald the Strong, the son of Geirfinn the Red, the son of Solvi, the son of Gunnstein the Berserk-slayer. Ingjald was married to Thraslaug Egilsdottir; her father was the son of Thord Frey’s Godi. Egil’s mother was Thraslaug, the daughter of Thorstein Sparrow and Unn, who was the daughter of Eyvind Karfi and the sister of Modolf the Wise.

  Flosi sent word to Ingjald that he should join him. Ingjald went at once with fourteen men, all from his household. Ingjald was a big and strong man. He never spoke much at home, but was very brave and a generous man to his friends.

  Flosi welcomed Ingjald warmly and spoke to him: ‘We have a great problem on our hands, kinsman, and it will be hard to find a way out. I ask you not to abandon my cause before this problem is settled.’

  Ingjald said, ‘I’m in a difficult position on account
of my relationship to Njal and his sons, and other large matters that stand in the way’

  Flosi said, ‘I thought, when I married you to my brother’s daughter, that you promised to support me in all things.’5

  ‘It’s very likely,’ said Ingjald, ‘that I will do so, but first I want to ride home, and go from there to the Thing.’

  117

  The Sigfussons – Ketil of Mork, Lambi, Thorkel, Mord and Sigmund − learned that Flosi was at Holtsvad and rode there to join him. Lambi Sigurdarson, Gunnar Lambason, Grani Gunnarsson and Vebrand Hamundarson also came along. Flosi rose and welcomed them gladly.

  They walked down along the river. Flosi had them give a true report, and it did not differ from Runolf’s.

  Flosi spoke to Ketil of Mork: ‘I have to ask you something: how determined are you and the other Sigfussons in this matter?’

  Ketil spoke: ‘I would prefer to have a peaceful settlement between us. And yet I’ve sworn not to quit until it’s settled one way or the other, and I’ll stake my life on this.’

  Flosi said, ‘You’re a real man, and such men are good to have around.’

  Grani Gunnarsson and Gunnar Lambason both spoke at once: ‘We want outlawry and death.’

  Flosi said, ‘It’s not certain that we can have everything the way we want it’

  Grani said, ‘It’s been in my mind ever since they killed Thrain at the Markarfljot river, and then his son Hoskuld, that I would never make full peace with them -I want to be there when they’re all slain.’

  Flosi spoke: ‘You’ve been close enough to take vengeance, if you only had the courage and the manliness. It occurs to me that you and many others are asking for something which, as time goes by, you would pay much money not to have taken part in. I can see clearly that even if we kill Njal and his sons, they are such prominent and well-born men that the action taken on their behalf will be immense, and we will have to beg at the knees of many men before we’re out of the predicament. You can also expect that many who have great wealth now will be poor, and some will lose both wealth and life.’