Laxdæla Saga | Page 6

told Hoskuld her son that she wished to go abroad, and take with
her that share of goods which fell to her lot. Hoskuld said he took it
much to heart that they should part, but he would not go against her in
this any more than in anything else. After that Hoskuld bought the
half-part in a ship that was standing beached off Daymealness, on
behalf of his mother. Thorgerd betook herself on board there, taking
with her a great deal of goods. After that Thorgerd put to sea and had a

very good voyage, and arrived in Norway. Thorgerd had much kindred
and many noble kinsmen there. They greeted her warmly, and gave her
the choice of whatever she liked to take at their hands. Thorgerd was
pleased at this, and said it was her wish to settle down in that land. She
had not been a widow long before a man came forward to woo her. His
name was Herjolf; he was a "landed man" as to title, rich, and of much
account. Herjolf was a tall and strong man, but he was not fair of
feature; yet the most high-mettled of men, and was of all men the best
skilled at arms. Now as they sat taking counsel on this matter, it was
Thorgerd's place to reply to it herself, as she was a widow; and, with
the advice of her relations, she said she would not refuse the offer. So
Thorgerd married Herjolf, and went with him to his home, and they
loved each other dearly. Thorgerd soon showed by her ways that she
was a woman of the greatest mettle, and Herjolf's manner of life was
deemed much better and more highly to be honoured now that he had
got such an one as she was for his wife.

CHAP. VIII
The Birth of Hrut and Thorgerd's Second Widowhood, A.D. 923
[Sidenote: Thorgerd returns to Iceland] Herjolf and Thorgerd had not
long been together before they had a son. The boy was sprinkled with
water, and was given the name of Hrut. He was at an early age both big
and strong as he grew up; and as to growth of body, he was goodlier
than any man, tall and broad-shouldered, slender of waist, with fine
limbs and well-made hands and feet. Hrut was of all men the fairest of
feature, and like what Thorstein, his mother's father, had been, or like
Ketill Flatnose. And all things taken together, he was a man of the
greatest mettle. Herjolf now fell ill and died, and men deemed that a
great loss. After that Thorgerd wished to go to Iceland to visit Hoskuld
her son, for she still loved him best of all men, and Hrut was left behind
well placed with his relations. Thorgerd arrayed her journey to Iceland,
and went to find Hoskuld in his home in Salmonriver-Dale. He
received his mother with honour. She was possessed of great wealth,
and remained with Hoskuld to the day of her death. A few winters after

Thorgerd came to Iceland she fell sick and died. Hoskuld took to
himself all her money, but Hrut his brother owned one-half thereof.

CHAP. IX
Hoskuld's Marriage, A.D. 935
[Sidenote: Of Jorunn Bjorn's daughter] At this time Norway was ruled
by Hakon, Athelstan's fosterling. Hoskuld was one of his bodyguard,
and stayed each year, turn and turn about, at Hakon's court, or at his
own home, and was a very renowned man both in Norway and in
Iceland. Bjorn was the name of a man who lived at Bjornfirth, where he
had taken land, the firth being named after him. This firth cuts into the
land north from Steingrim's firth, and a neck of land runs out between
them. Bjorn was a man of high birth, with a great deal of money: Ljufa
was the name of his wife. Their daughter was Jorunn: she was a most
beautiful woman, and very proud and extremely clever, and so was
thought the best match in all the firths of the West. Of this woman
Hoskuld had heard, and he had heard besides that Bjorn was the
wealthiest yeoman throughout all the Strands. Hoskuld rode from home
with ten men, and went to Bjorn's house at Bjornfirth. He was well
received, for to Bjorn his ways were well known. [Sidenote: Hoskuld
marries Jorunn] Then Hoskuld made his proposal, and Bjorn said he
was pleased, for his daughter could not be better married, yet turned the
matter over to her decision. And when the proposal was set before
Jorunn, she answered in this way: "From all the reports I have heard of
you, Hoskuld, I cannot but answer your proposal well, for I think that
the woman would be well cared for who should