Kol’s slaying was paid for.
After that Hallgerda sent a man to the Thing to tell Gunnar of
Atli’s killing.
Gunnar stood up, and Kolskegg with him, and Kolskegg said,
“Unthrifty will Hallgerda’s kinsmen be to thee.”
Then they go to see Njal, and Gunnar said, “I have to tell thee
of Atli’s killing.” He told him also who slew him, and went on,
“And now I will bid thee atonement for the deed, and thou shalt
make the award thyself.”
Njal said, “We two have always meant never to come to strife
about anything; but still I cannot make him out a thrall.”
Gunnar said that was all right, and stretched out his hand.
Njal named his witnesses, and they made peace on those terms.
Skarphedinn said, “Hallgerda does not let our housecarles die
of old age.”
Gunnar said, “Thy mother will take care that blow goes for blow
between the houses.”
“Ay, ay,” says Njal, “there will be enough of that work.”
After that Njal fixed the price at a hundred in silver, but
Gunnar paid it down at once. Many who stood by said that the
award was high; Gunnar got wroth, and said that a full atonement
was often paid for those who were no brisker men than Atli.
With that they rode home from the Thing.
Bergthora said to Njal when she saw the money, “Thou thinkest
thou hast fulfilled thy promise, but now my promise is still
behind.”
“There is no need that thou shouldst fulfil it,” says Njal.
“Nay,” says she, “thou hast guessed it would be so; and so it
shall be.”
Hallgerda said to Gunnar, “Hast thou paid a hundred in silver for
Atli’s slaying, and made him a free man?”
“He was free before,” says Gunnar, “and besides, I will not make
Njal’s household outlaws who have forfeited their rights.”
“There’s not a pin to choose between you,” she said, “for both of
you are so blate?”
“That’s as things prove,” says he.
Then Gunnar was for a long time very short with her, till she
gave way to him; and now all was still for the rest of that year;
in the spring Njal did not increase his household, and now men
ride to the Thing about summer.
39. THE SLAYING OF BRYNJOLF THE UNRULY
There was a man named Thord, he was surnamed Freedmanson.
Sigtrygg was his father’s name, and he had been the freedman of
Asgerd, and he was drowned in Markfleet. That was why Thord was
with Njal afterwards. He was a tall man and a strong, and he had
fostered all Njal’s sons. He had set his heart on Gudfinna
Thorolf’s daughter, Njal’s kinswoman; she was housekeeper at home
there, and was then with child.
Now Bergthora came to talk with Thord Freedmanson; she said,
“Thou shalt go to kill Brynjolf, Hallgerda’s kinsman.”
