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So he went and told his tale; but not all of it, for he intended to ask Gudruda in marriage on the morrow, though his heart prophesied no luck in the matter, and therefore he was not overswift with it. "In this thing thou hast done me and mine good service," said Asmund coldly, searching Eric's face with his blue eyes.
Yet for thee, Eric, it is the greatest shame of all thy shames." "Talk not, my sweet; talk not," said Eric, "but kiss thou me: for thou knowest well that thou lovest me yet as I love thee." Now the end of it was that Gudruda yielded and kissed him whom she had not kissed for many years. "Loose me, Eric," she said; "I would speak with thee," and he loosed her, though unwillingly.
"Now there is an end of Eric," said Swanhild. "The arrow is yet on the bow," answered Gudruda. Blacktooth put out his might and reeled round and round the ring, dragging Eric with him. This way and that he twisted, and time on time Eric's leg was lifted from the ground, but so he might not be thrown.
"Back! men; back!" he cried, and all his folk that were unhurt, ran, and leapt on board the Gudruda; but Ospakar and his men sprang into the sea and swam for the shore.
Then Gudruda kissed him for very joy, and they were happy each with each for of all things that are sweet on earth, there is nothing more sweet that this: to find him we loved, and thought dead and cold, alive and at our side.
To Gudruda it seemed like that of Eric when he was angered. "Am I nigh to Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter?" asked Saevuna. "Methinks I hear her breathe." "I am here, mother," said Gudruda. "What is thy will with me?" "Set down, carles, and begone!" quoth Saevuna; "that which I have to say I would say alone. When I summon you, come." The carles set down the chair upon the floor and went.
Unless I am mistaken, this Ospakar wishes above all to have Gudruda in marriage, for, now that everything is his, this alone is left for him to ask the fairest woman in Iceland as a housewife. Think then, with Ospakar for a son-in-law, who is there that can stand against thee?" "I am not so sure of this matter, nor do I altogether trust thee, Groa.
Gudruda looked on Blacktooth, then she looked at golden Eric and opened her lips to speak. But before a word could pass them Ospakar rose in wrath, laying his hand upon his sword. "Thinkest thou thus to lure away my dove, outlaw? First I will see thee food for crows." "Well spoken, Blacktooth," laughed Eric. "I waited for such words from thee.
The witchwife was angered at this, and she schemed and plotted much to bring it about that Asmund should wed her. But still he would not, though in all things else she led him as it were by a halter. Twenty full years had gone by since Gudruda the Gentle was laid in earth; and now Gudruda the Fair and Swanhild the Fatherless were women too.
But at that same hour of the evening, when he had fallen asleep, Gudruda, watching him by the light of a taper that was set upon a rock, saw him smile in his dreams. Presently he opened his eyes and stared at the fire which glowed in the mouth of the cave, and the great shadows that fell upon the rocks.
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