Lögberg-Heimskringla - 17.03.1995, Síða 5

Lögberg-Heimskringla - 17.03.1995, Síða 5
Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 17. mars 1995 • 5 Grímkell By Ragnhildur Guttormsson Edited by Kirsten Wolf Helga, Hörðr’s wife, as well as their two sons, Grímkell and Björn, were with the outlaws in Geirhólmr. Hörðr wanted Helga to take passage on a merchant ship and retum to her brother in Gotland, but she refused to leave him. Both she and Hörðr were hopelessly tired of the life they led, but also hopelessly tied to it. It was viking life all over again, but with all the glamour left out. Only the sordid necessity of rob- bing friends and relatives for food remained. Again Hörðr suggested to the outlaws that they seize a merchant ship and sail to Norway and thus save their lives and terminate this hopeless career of crime. Some of the outlaws were willing, but Geirr spoke up saying, “It’s unmanly to flee into exile unless we first give those who have always been against us some- thing to remember us by, other than the loss of a few pigs and sheep.” “What do you suggest we might do?” asked Hörðr. “Some such feat as would keep our name aloft, like the killing of Torfi or the buming down of Indriðastaðr.” The more lawless and blood-thirsty among the outlaws raised a great shout and beat their shields to show their approval. “Deeds like that are not to my liking,” answered Hörðr. But Geirr had the majority on his side, and again Hörðr’s proposal was set aside. Not long after that Helgi came from a spying trip to the mainland. He was telling Hörðr and the rest about his expe- rience. “Þorbjörg and Indriði with an escort of thirty were returning from Hólmr, where they had been visiting Illugi.” “Yes,” commented Geirr. “They feast, while we fast.” “Þorbjörg grows more beautiful every day,” Helgi kept on. “They were very gay.” Nobody said anything. Hörðr looked angry. “They halted their horses quite close to me where I lay hidden in the mire, and I heard Þorbjörg say, laughingly, “I won- der what the Earl’s daughter in Geirhólmr does today?”’ “What did Indriði say to that?” asked Geirr. “He said,” answered Helgi with a leer. “He said, “Are you stíll sorry you didn’t marry Geirr?”’ Then they both laughed.” Geirr’s round face went red as fire, and his eyes blazed. Hörðr stood up hur- riedly and went out. He was followed by Geirr. Helgi watched them go with an evil smile. “You lied, Helgi.” It was Helga who spoke sharply. “I kindled a spark,” said Helgi. “Not the first one you’ve kindled, you miserable scum,” Helga said with con- tempt. And Hörðr pays.” A while later Hörðr came in. He walked to the high seat and girded on his good sword, Sótanaut. Then he spoke to Helga, who was tucking the boys into their beds in the alcove behind the high seat which served as a bedroom. “We’re going to the mainland, Helga; we may not be back for three or four days.” “Do nothing rash, that you’ll later regret, Hörðr. Tonight Helgi lied.” The twenty-second installment ofan unpublished novel by Ragnhildur Guttormsson, discovered and edited byKirsten Wolf, Chair, Dept. oflcelandic, University of Manitoba. The story so far: The exploits ofHörðr and his outlaw followers earn them widespread notoriety. cmAJFsnm -xnx Q05>a>S)ij> VáoáQo Qmd]a>áSgfaQŒiS)G> Chapel of the old traditional “I’ve doubted Helgi’s truthfulness often in the past, but something drives me on, something stronger than myself.” With a gentle caress he left her. Sigurðr, who had been resting in his seat, rose quickly and picked up his axe. “Are you going too, Sigurðr?” Helga asked in surprise. Usually Sigurðr did not gp on these trips. His duty was to fetch water from the mainland with another man in a spe- cial boat. “They’ll need water,” Sigurðr mur- mured. “But you only brought some yester- day,” Helga said. But Sigurðr did not seem to hear her. He was still muttering about water as he rushed out. Hörðr and Geirr were busy getting the expedition underway. Hörðr, looking across Whalefirth, remarked, “There goes Sigurðr across in the water-boat. I thought he always went to the south shore.” “He told me he’d promised Helga some blueberries. The ground is blue with them.” Geirr spoke casually as of the whims of a child. “Sigurðr grows old and has to be humored.” Then they forgot Sigurðr. It was getting dark as the boats set out from Geirhólmr across Whalefirth. The outlaws concealed the boats in a lonely ravine, leaving a few men on guard. The rest of the party, eighty men in all, fol- lowed Hörðr and Geirr up the mountains in the directíon of Skorradalr. Daylight overtook them as they reached the low range of mountains that formed the southern boundary of Skorradalr. After taking council, it was decided to hide in the shrubs and thickets on the mountain slopes during the day and make the attack on Indriðastaðr at daybreak next moming. Hörðr moved to the top of the hill type at Hof in South lceland. apart from the rest and sank gratefully down on the fragrant sward. He breathed deeply of the bittersweet aroma from the wild mountains herbage; some- where near by a waterfall droned peace- fully. It reminded him of the little dell near Silver Falls and his sister Þorbjörg. It also reminded him of the unhappy errand on which he was bent. Why had he come? Helgi had always been the black shadow behind all his impulsive acts that had led him into trouble, and Geirr could ever influence him to do his will. Why not call the whole thing off? But he had given his word; oaths were not to be taken lightly. Geirr was his fos- ter-brother and his brother-in-arms; their fates were bound together. And to luck- less Helgi he had vowed his life-long protection. There was not a loop-hole of escape. There was a slight mstíe in the thicket above him, and he tumed about to look. “Sigurðr!” he exclaimed. “Did you have to come this far for the blueber- ries?” Sigurðr startled when spoken to. When he saw it was Hörðr, he seemed relieved. “The blueberries? Of course, they are nowhere bigger than here.” He sat down in the grass beside Hörðr. Though he looked tired, there was a satísfied quietness about him, as if he had successfully carried out a mis- sion. At Indriðastaðr nobody slept that night. Þórólfr came down from the hills early in the aftemoon and spoke quietly to Þorbjörg. • “I’ve had disturbing dreams lately,” Þorbjörg said to Indriði, “and I believe we may have unwelcome visitors.” “Dreams are idle,” Indriði answered. “My dreams.often come true,” declared Þorbjörg. “And nobody shall force upon my brother a nithing’s name, if I can prevent it,” she added cryptical- iy- Soon all the household was at work, obeying Þorbjörg’s orders. Already she had had a channel made leading from the brook beside the house into the large manor hall. This was now opened and the water allowed to run freely into the hall. Large flues were hur- riedly added to the hall. All furniture and other goods were piled on the dais as the water began to rise. Some men were sent to neighboring farms to summon armed help, but all of these were at a considerable distance. It was still dusky next moming when a part of the woods along the hillside seemed to come to life and move towards Indriðastaðr. Each of the eighty outlaws was carrying a bundle of fag- gots. Hörðr went boldly up to the door and knocked. Þorbjörg answered the Cont'd. page 7 GaiiutCf, AU 9celcuiAeAÁ. atui Wanna-be, OceiatddeAA,! Subscfíbc Novrl f Lögberg ] for the perfect investment in your heritage Heimskringla Your Weekly lcelandic Newspaper □ Manitoba $39.90/year (inc. GST & FST) □ Elsewhere in Canada $37.45/year (includes GST) □ United States/lceland/Others $40./year □ Donation in addition to subscription (Charitable #: 0582 817-22-21) Name:_________________________________________ Address:______________________________________ City/Town:______________________Prov./Country:. 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