ENDNOTES:
(1) That is, he came from what we call the Western Isles or
Hebrides. The old appellation still lingers in “Sodor (i.e.
the South Isles) and Man.”
10. HALLGERDA’S WEDDING
Hauskuld told Hallgerda of the bargain he had made, and she said,
“Now that has been put to the proof which I have all along been
afraid of, that thou lovest me not so much as thou art always
saying, when thou hast not thought it worth while to tell me a
word of all this matter. Besides, I do not think this match so
good a one as thou hast always promised me.”
So she went on, and let them know in every way that she thought
she was thrown away.
Then Hauskuld said, “I do not set so much store by thy pride as
to let it stand in the way of my bargains; and my will, not
thine, shall carry the day if we fall out on any point.”
“The pride of all you kinsfolk is great,” she said, “and so it is
not wonderful if I have some of it.”
With that she went away, and found her foster-father Thiostolf,
and told him what was in store for her, and was very heavy-hearted. Then Thiostolf said, “Be of good cheer, for thou wilt
be married a second time, and then they will ask thee what thou
thinkest of the match; for I will do in all things as thou
wishest, except in what touches thy father or Hrut.”
After that they spoke no more of the matter, and Hauskuld made
ready the bridal feast, and rode off to ask men to it. So he
came to Hrutstede and called Hrut out to speak with him. Hrut
went out, and they began to talk, and Hauskuld told him the whole
story of the bargain, and bade him to the feast, saying, “I
should be glad to know that thou dost not feel hurt though I did
not tell thee when the bargain was being made.
“I should be better pleased,” said Hrut “to have nothing at all
to do with it; for this match will bring luck neither to him nor
to her; but still I will come to the feast if thou thinkest it
will add any honour to thee.”
“Of course I think so,” said Hauskuld, and rode off home.
Oswif and Thorwald also asked men to come, so that no fewer than
one hundred guests were asked.
There was a man named Swan, who dwelt in Bearfirth, which lies
north from Steingrimsfirth. This Swan was a great wizard, and he
was Hallgerda’s mother’s brother. He was quarrelsome, and hard
to deal with, but Hallgerda asked him to the feast, and sends
Thiostolf to him; so he went, and it soon got to friendship
between him and Swan.
Now men come to the feast, and Hallgerda sat upon the crossbench, and she was a very merry bride. Thiostolf was always
talking to her, though he sometimes found time to speak to Swan,
and men thought their talking strange. The feast went off well,
and Hauskuld paid down Hallgerda’s portion with the greatest
readiness. After he had done that, he said to Hrut, “Shall I
bring out any gifts beside?”
