United States or Tonga ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
For a while Thiostolf went warily, and no fault did Glum find with him; then he fell to marring everything, as he had done in Thorwald's time, and to no one would he listen save to Hallgerda only. In vain Thorarin warned Glum that things would have an ill ending, but Glum only smiled, and let Hallgerda have her way.
'She works ill wherever she goes, replied Njal, 'and you will never cease making atonements for her; but he said no more, for he was a wise man and wasted no words, and when Gunnar asked him to come to the wedding feast he gave his promise that he would be there. The winter after Gunnar's wedding, he and Hallgerda were bidden to a great feast at Njal's house.
At that Hallgerda turned and said to Gunnar: 'It is nothing to be married to the strongest man in Iceland, if you avenge not these insults, Gunnar. But Gunnar cried that he would take no part in women's quarrels, least of all in Njal's house, and bade Hallgerda come home with him. 'We shall meet again, Bergthora, said Hallgerda as she mounted the sleigh.
Is it your will, as it is theirs? Tell me all that is in your heart. For, if you like me not, I will straightway ride back again. 'The match is to my liking, answered Hallgerda, 'and better suited to my condition than what my father made for me before. And you are to my liking also, if our tempers do not fall out.
These tidings reached the ears of Hallgerda, and she muttered with a grim face, 'It is the last time that Swart shall steal my wood, and bade Kol, her bailiff, start early next morning and seek Swart. 'And when I find him? asked Kol; but Hallgerda only turned away angrily. 'You, the worst of men, ask that? said she. 'Why, you shall kill him, of course.
'Gizur and Geir greet you, said Skamkell, 'and they wish that this matter should have a peaceful ending. They will that Gunnar shall be summoned as having received and eaten the goods, likewise Hallgerda for stealing them! So Otkell followed this counsel, and five days before the opening of the Althing he rode with his brother and Skamkell and a great following to Lithend.
'Where is Thorwald? asked Hrut, who had heard nothing. 'He is dead, answered Hallgerda. 'By the hand of Thiostolf? said her father. 'By his hand, and by that of no other; and Hallgerda passed by them and entered the house.
Malcolm the thrall lifted his head and looked at her. 'I have never been a thief, in spite of all my ill-deeds, said he. But Hallgerda only laughed and made sport of him. 'Do you think men have kept silent about your misdeeds? she asked. 'Hie hence when I bid you, or you shall not see the new moon rise!
'Never ask another man for aught when you can ask me, said Njal, and Gunnar answered: 'Your gifts are great, but truly your love is greater. In a few weeks the summer began, and, as was his custom, Gunnar rode to the Thing, leaving Hallgerda in the house at Lithend.
When the women had gone, Mord rode away to Otkell's farm, and bade him fetch the cheese-mould of Thorgerda his wife. And when it was brought, Mord took the slices and laid them in it, and they filled up the mould. After this they all saw that Hallgerda had stolen the cheese, and, now that Mord had found the thief, he went back to his own house.
Word Of The Day