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Updated: June 25, 2025
I ask nothing but one tress of that golden hair of thine." "Once I swore that none should touch my hair again except Gudruda's self." "It will grow long, then, Eric, for now Gudruda tends black locks and thinks little on golden. Broken are all oaths." Eric groaned. "All oaths are broken in sooth," he said.
She looked with wide eyes upon the eyes of dead Gudruda's ghost, that seemed not to see her, and a stare of fear was set on her lovely face. Nor was this all; for there, before that shadowy throng, stood two great shapes clad in their harness, and one was the shape of Eric and one the shape of Skallagrim. Thus, being yet alive, did these two look upon their own wraiths!
Thou wilt be to me as one dead, for it is Gudruda's to bind the byrnie on thy breast when thou goest forth to war, and hers to loose the winged helm from thy brow when thou returnest, battle-worn and conquering." Now Swanhild ceased, and choked with grief; then spoke again: "So now farewell; doubtless I weary thee, and Gudruda waits.
She stretched out her arms towards him whom but an hour gone she had thought dead, but who had lived to come back to her with honour, and blessed his beloved name, and laughed aloud in her joyousness of heart, calling: "Eric! Eric!" But Swanhild, creeping behind her, did not laugh. She heard Gudruda's voice and guessed Gudruda's gladness, and jealousy arose within her and rent her.
Moreover, she heard that Swanhild sailed down to Coldback, and was bidden to the marriage-feast, that should be on the third day from now. Could it be, then, when all was said and done, that Eric was less faithless than she deemed? Gudruda's heart stood still and the blood rushed to her brow when she thought on it. Also, even if it were so, it was now too late.
And Odin sang this song: "Now, corse-choosing Daughters, hearken To the dread Allfather's word: When the gale of spears' breath gathers Count not Eric midst the slain, Till Brighteyen once hath slumbered, Wedded, at Gudruda's side Then, Maidens, scream your battle call; Whelmed with foes, let Eric fall!"
Now one path led hence to the shore that is against the Westmans, where Gudruda's ship lay bound. Then Swanhild turned to the thrall. Her beautiful face was fierce and she had said few words all this while, but in her heart raged a fire of hate and jealousy which shone through her blue eyes. "Listen," she said to the thrall.
Gizur takes the sword and lifts it. He is sore at heart that he must do such a coward deed; but the spell of Swanhild is upon him, and he may not flinch from it. Then a thought takes him and he also puts down his hand to feel. It lights upon Gudruda's golden hair, that hangs about her breast and falls from the bed to the ground. "Here is woman's hair," he whispers.
By thy side is a knife and in Gudruda's bosom beats a heart. Dead women are unmeet for love!" Swanhild tossed her head and looked upon the dark face of Groa her mother. "Methinks, with such an end to win, I should not fear to tread that path, if there be need, my mother." "Now I see thou art indeed my daughter. Happiness is to the bold. To each it comes in uncertain shape.
Should this fair rival like to take her joy from her? "Grey Wolf, Grey Wolf! what sayest thou?" See, now, if Gudruda were gone, if she rolled a corpse into those boiling waters, Eric might yet be hers; or, if he was not hers, yet Gudruda's he could never be. "Grey Wolf, Grey Wolf! what is thy counsel?" Right on the brink of the great gulf sat Gudruda. One stroke and all would be ended.
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