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So I pray thee, Eric, bide thou here while thou mayest, for I would have thee at my side." "It shall be as thou wilt, Earl," said Eric. So Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail sat that winter in the hall of Atli the Earl at Straumey. For many weeks all things went well and Eric forgot his fears. Swanhild was gentle to him and kindly.
Skallagrim, Baresark and outlaw as thou art, I take thee at thy word. Henceforth, we are master and man and we will do many a deed side by side, and in token of it I lengthen thy name and call thee Skallagrim Lambstail. Now, if thou hast it, give me food and drink, for I am faint from that hug of thine, old bear."
"I may not do that, lady," groaned Jon; "for Eric is not on Mosfell." "Where is he, then?" asked Swanhild. Now Jon saw that he had said an unlucky thing, and answered: "Nay, I know not. Last night he rode from Mosfell with Skallagrim Lambstail." "Thou liest, knave," said Swanhild. "Speak, or thou shalt be slain." "Slay on," groaned Jon, glancing at the swords above him, and shutting his eyes.
"Go on! pour out thy evil news and spare me not! for nothing has any more power to harm me now! Come hither, Skallagrim, and see and hearken." Skallagrim came and looked on the face of dead Saevuna. "I am outlawed at Swanhild's suit, Lambstail. My life lies in thy hand, if so be thou wouldst take it! Hew off my head, if thou wilt, and bear it to Gudruda the Fair she will thank thee for the gift.
Up, men, up: for presently the fight begins." "It is bad to join battle in such a sea," quoth Hall. "Good or bad," growled Skallagrim, "do thou thy lord's bidding," and he half lifted up his axe. The mate said no more, for he misdoubted him of Skallagrim Lambstail and his axe.
There he gave battle to two vikings' ships of war, and took them after a hard fight. It was in this fight that Skallagrim Lambstail was wounded almost to death.
Ever does she hide like a rat in the thatch, and as for the wolf, he must be her Familiar; for, like Groa, her mother, Swanhild plays much with witchcraft. Now I will away back to Gudruda, for my heart misdoubts me of this matter. Stay thou here till I come, Lambstail!" And Eric turns and gallops back to the head of Goldfoss.
Then I will roll into the depths beneath, and by this death of shame thou shalt be freed of me, Eric Brighteyes." Eric looked at the great man he looked long and sadly. Then he spoke: "Skallagrim Lambstail, thou hast a true heart. I too have sinned, and now I put away thy sin, although Gudruda is dead through thee and I must die because of thee. Stay by me if thou wilt and let us fall together."
But no weregild was to be paid to Ospakar and his men for those who had been killed, and no atonement for the great wound that Skallagrim Lambstail gave him, or for the death of Mord, his son, inasmuch as Eric fought for his own hand to save his life.
He stood a moment swaying to and fro, then let his axe drop, threw his arms high above him, and with one loud cry of "Eric!" fell as a rock falls dead upon the dead. But Eric was not yet gone. He opened his eyes and saw the death of Skallagrim and smiled. "Well ended, Lambstail!" he said in a faint voice. "Lo!" cried Gizur, "yon outlawed hound still lives!
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