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In a striking scene, the Saga tells how Thorkel, wounded, and Halvard, an Icelander, dispatched Einar at the hearth of the hall; how Einar's followers did not interfere; and how Thorkel fled to King Olaf in Norway, who was much gratified by the death of Einar, the slayer of his own friend Eyvind Urarhorn.
She was starting to speak when the Etheling rose abruptly from his seat. "Lord Thorkel," he said angrily, "this cat-play would bring you little thanks from your King, nor will I longer endure it. I pray you to explain without delay that the name of 'Elfgiva' is borne also by Emma of Normandy." Then the old man snarled as a wolf does whose bone has been seized.
"It is true that I do not know where to go, now that this place is upset." The question was repeated in her lover's attitude; but Thorkel Jarl answered it, coming between them and drawing her aside. "I will remedy that," he said. "My men are to fetch you to the Palace so soon as ever your lady has left. The King has a use for you."
The gnarled old face of Thorkel the Tall grew livid; growling in his grizzled beard, his hand moved instinctively toward his sword. But Rothgar caught his arm with a boisterous laugh. "Slowly, old wolf!" he admonished. "Never snarl at the snapping of the cub you have raised." The King had not moved at the threatening gesture, and he did not move now, but he echoed the laugh bitterly.
"Ay, it is Thorkel Sigurdson's," replied the shaggy forecastle man, after a long, frowning look. "By the hammer of Thor, she seems in haste," said Helgi. "They must have broached the ale over-night." "Perchance Thorkel feels cold," suggested Thorolf with a laugh. "They have taken the shields from the sides," Estein exclaimed as the ship drew nearer. "Can there be an enemy, think you?"
And either because his anger made him reckless or his great bulk was against him, he presently was forced to draw back another step. Wildest cheers went up from the North-men. It seemed as though they would wade in a body across the river. Only Eric of Norway stamped with uneasiness; and the overhanging brows of Thorkel the Tall were as lowering hoods above his eyes.
As Thorkel had fought, so fought his men desperately, furiously, but yet weakly, and at last both the Crane and the Short Serpent were cleared; their lashings were unfastened, they were withdrawn to the rear, and King Olaf's great dragonship stood alone among her foes. The sun was sinking lower and lower to the sea; light clouds were gathering in the western sky.
And now the Long Serpent lay with only two companions, the Short Serpent at her starboard and the Crane at her larboard side. Already the Short Serpent was greatly crippled. Her commander, Thorkel Nefja, had fallen, and the larger number of her men had retreated on board of Olaf's ship, driven thither by the vikings of the six vessels that were now ranged close against her.
Biorn says, "He who is like to dare to own to it." Grettir answers, "I set no great store on such matters." Now they went on their way home, and when they had walked awhile, the thong of Grettir's leggings brake. Thorkel bid them wait for him; but Grettir said there was no need of that.
When Erik had prepared his men, he said to Thorkel the High, a wise and powerful chief: "Often have I been in battles, and never have I before found men equally brave and so skilled in fighting as those on the Long Serpent, nor have I seen a ship so hard to conquer. Now, as thou art one of the wisest of men, give me the best advice thou knowest as to how the Long Serpent may be won!"
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