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We have purposely altered the text from: en þú öruggr í einangri, <i>i.e.</i>, 'but thou stout in danger, into: en <i>þó, i.e.</i>, 'but stout in danger none-the-less. The former reading seems barely to give any sense, the last a natural and the required one. Hallmund.
Grettir asked him of his name, and he said he was hight Hallmund. "And this I will tell thee to know me by, that thou didst deem me to have a good hold of the reins that summer when we met on the Keel; now, methinks, I have paid thee back therefor." "Yea, in sooth," said Grettir, "I deem that thou hast shown great manliness toward me; whenso I may, I will reward thee."
He stayed there several days and heard of Thorsteinn Kuggason having been slain in the autumn before he went to Bardardal. Fate, he thought, was striking hard against him. Then he rode South to Holtavarda Heath, intending to revenge the death of Hallmund if he could meet with Grim. On reaching Nordrardal he learnt that Grim had left two or three years before, as has already been related.
Grettir asked his name, and he said it was Hallmund, adding: "That you may recognise me I may remind you that you thought I gripped the reins rather tightly when I met you in Kjol last summer. I think I have now made that good." "Indeed," said Grettir, "I think you have done me a manly service; whenever I can I will repay it."
Now as the summer wore Grettir yearned for the peopled country, to see his friends and kin; Hallmund bade him visit him when he came to the south country again, and Grettir promised him so to do; then he went west to Burgfirth, and thence to the Broadfirth Dales, and sought counsel of Thorstein Kuggson as to where he should now seek for protection, but Thorstein said that his foes were now so many that few would harbour him; "But thou mightest fare south to the Marshes and see what fate abides thee there."
In the autumn Grettir went to Goatland, and waited there till bright weather came on; then he went up to Goatland Jokul, and made for the south-east, and had with him a kettle, and tools to strike fire withal. But men deem that he went there by the counsel of Hallmund, for far and wide was the land known of him.
Many exploits of his did Hallmund recount in the lay, for he had been in every land. The daughter said: "That man was not going to let his catch slip away from him. It was only to be expected, for you treated him very badly. But who is going to avenge you?" "It is not certain that anybody will, but I think that Grettir would avenge me if he were able.
Thereafter so much did Hallmund's might wane as the song wore, that well-nigh at one while it befell that the song was done and Hallmund dead; then she grew very sad and wept right sore. Then came Grim forth and bade her be of better cheer, "<i>For all must fare when they are fetched</i>. This has been brought about by his own deed, for I could scarce look on while he robbed me."
Men say that Grettir slew six men in that meeting, but Hallmund twelve.
"With the giant's kin Have I oft raised din; To the rock folk Have I dealt out stroke; Ill things could tell That I smote full well; The half-trolls know My baneful blow. "Small gain in me Did the elf-folk see, Or the evil wights Who ride anights." Many other deeds of his did Hallmund sing in that song, for he had fared through all the land.
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