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"It is likely enough that thou wilt have cause to use such words before all this tale is told," said Eric; "nevertheless, mother, forbear to curse Gudruda, who is in no way to blame for these matters." "Thou art a faithless son," Saevuna said, "who wilt slay thyself striving to win speech with thy May, and leave thy mother childless."
"There is little time to bury thee now, my mother," he said, "and perchance before six hours are sped there will be one to bury at thy side. Nevertheless, thou shalt sit in a better place than this." Then he cut loose the cords that bound the body of Saevuna to the chair, and, lifting it in his arms, bore it to the hall. There he set the corpse in the high seat of the hall.
Now, since Thorgrimur Iron-Toe's death, his housewife, Saevuna, Eric's mother, had grown dim of sight, and, though she peered and peered again from her seat in the ingle nook, she could not see the face of her son. "What ails thee, Eric, that thou sittest so silent? Was not the meat, then, to thy mind at supper?" "Yes, mother, the meat was well enough, though a little undersmoked."
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.
Swanhild at Gudruda's wedding! the eagle in the wild swan's nest! But there will be another guest," and again he laughed aloud. "Two other guests," said Skallagrim. "More of thy tale, old nurse! more of thy tale!" quoth Eric. "No better didst thou ever tell me when, as a lad, I sat by thee, in the ingle o' winter nights and the company is fitting to the tale!" and he pointed to dead Saevuna.
Then the men set down the corpse of Saevuna in the outhouse, and, having told all their tale to the carline, they fled also. That night passed, and passed the morrow; but on the next day at dawn Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail landed near Westman Isles. They had made a bad passage from Fareys, having been beat about by contrary winds; but at length they came safe and well to land.
Then they led him to the hall, where Eric clothed himself and rested, and he sent back the thrall Jon to Coldback, bidding him tell Saevuna, Eric's mother, that he was safe. But he was somewhat weak all that day, and the sound of waters roared in his ears.
She ran down the greased blocks and sped on quivering to the sea, and as her dragon-prow dipped in the water people cheered aloud. Now Eric must bid farewell to all, and this he did with a brave heart till at the last he came to Saevuna, his mother, and Gudruda, his dear love.
For, though he said nothing of it, not a little did he fear that Saevuna spoke sooth that her words would come true, and, before this day was done, he and Eric should once more stand face to face. At his side sat Gudruda the Fair, robed in white, a worked head-dress on her head, golden clasps upon her breast and golden rings about her arms.
At length all was ready and men sat down to the faring-feast in the hall at Middalhof, and that was a great feast. Eric's folk were gathered on the side-benches, and by the high seat at Asmund's side sat Brighteyes, and near to him where Björn, Asmund's son, Gudruda, Unna, Asmund's betrothed, and Saevuna, Eric's mother.
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