Eric Brighteyes Read online

  "Where go we when we die, Eric?" said Gudruda; "in Odin's house there isno place for maids, and how shall my feet fare without thee?"

  "Nay, sweet, my May, Valhalla shuts its gates to me, a deedless man; upBifrost's rainbow bridge I may not travel, for I do not die with byrnieon breast and sword aloft. To Hela shall we go, and hand in hand."

  "Art thou sure, Eric, that men find these abodes? To say sooth, at timesI misdoubt me of them."

  "I am not so sure but that I also doubt. Still, I know this: that wherethou goest there I shall be, Gudruda."

  "Then things are well, and well work the Norns.[*] Still, Eric, of asudden I grow fey: for it comes upon me that I shall not die to-night,but that, nevertheless, I shall die with thy arms about me, and at thyside. There, I see it on the snow! I lie by thee, sleeping, and onecomes with hands outstretched and sleep falls from them like a mist--byFreya, it is Swanhild's self! Oh! it is gone."

  [*] The Northern Fates.

  "It was nothing, Gudruda, but a vision of the snow--an untimely dreamthat comes before the sleep. I grow cold and my eyes are heavy; kiss meonce again."

  "It was no dream, Eric, and ever I doubt me of Swanhild, for I think sheloves thee also, and she is fair and my enemy," says Gudruda, laying hersnow-cold lips on his lips. "Oh, Eric, awake! awake! See, the snow isdone."

  He stumbled to his feet and looked forth. Lo! out across the sky flaredthe wild Northern fires, throwing light upon the darkness.

  "Now it seems that I know the land," said Eric. "Look: yonder are GoldenFalls, though we did not hear them because of the snow; and there, outat sea, loom the Westmans; and that dark thing is the Temple Hof, andbehind it stands the stead. We are saved, Gudruda, and thus far indeedthou wast fey. Now rise, ere thy limbs stiffen, and I will set thee onthe horse, if he still can run, and lead thee down to Middalhof beforethe witchlights fail us."

  "So it shall be, Eric."

  Now he led Gudruda to the horse--that, seeing its master, snorted andshook the snow from its coat, for it was not frozen--and set her on thesaddle, and put his arm about her waist, and they passed slowly throughthe deep snow. And Swanhild, too, crept from her place, for her burningrage had kept the life in her, and followed after them. Many times shefell, and once she was nearly swallowed in a drift of snow and cried outin her fear.

  "Who called aloud?" said Eric, turning; "I thought I heard a voice."

  "Nay," answers Gudruda, "it was but a night-hawk screaming."

  Now Swanhild lay quiet in the drift, but she said in her heart:

  "Ay, a night-hawk that shall tear out those dark eyes of thine, mineenemy!"

  The two go on and at length they come to the banked roadway that runspast the Temple to Asmund's hall. Here Swanhild leaves them, and,climbing over the turf-wall into the home meadow, passes round thehall by the outbuildings and so comes to the west end of the house, andenters by the men's door unnoticed of any. For all the people, seeinga horse coming and a woman seated on it, were gathered in front of thehall. But Swanhild ran to that shut bed where she slept, and, closingthe curtain, threw off her garments, shook the snow from her hair, andput on a linen kirtle. Then she rested a while, for she was weary, and,going to the kitchen, warmed herself at the fire.

  Meanwhile Eric and Gudruda came to the house and there Asmund greetedthem well, for he was troubled in his heart about his daughter, and veryglad to know her living, seeing that men had but now begun to search forher, because of the snow and the darkness.

  Now Gudruda told her tale, but not all of it, and Asmund bade Eric tothe house. Then one asked about Swanhild, and Eric said that he had seennothing of her, and Asmund was sad at this, for he loved Swanhild. Butas he told all men to go and search, an old wife came and said thatSwanhild was in the kitchen, and while the carline spoke she came intothe hall, dressed in white, very pale, and with shining eyes and fair tosee.

  "Where hast thou been, Swanhild?" said Asmund. "I thought certainly thouwast perishing with Gudruda in the snow, and now all men go to seek theewhile the witchlights burn."

  "Nay, foster-father, I have been to the Temple," she answered, lying."So Gudruda has but narrowly escaped the snow, thanks be to Brighteyesyonder! Surely I am glad of it, for we could ill spare our sweetsister," and, going up to her, she kissed her. But Gudruda saw thather eyes burned like fire and felt that her lips were cold as ice, andshrank back wondering.

  III

  HOW ASMUND BADE ERIC TO HIS YULE-FEAST

  Now it was supper-time and men sat at meat while the women waited uponthem. But as she went to and fro, Gudruda always looked at Eric, andSwanhild watched them both. Supper being over, people gathered round thehearth, and, having finished her service, Gudruda came and sat by Eric,so that her sleeve might touch his. They spoke no word, but there theysat and were happy. Swanhild saw and bit her lip. Now, she was seated byAsmund and Bjoern his son.

  "Look, foster-father," she said; "yonder sit a pretty pair!"

  "That cannot be denied," answered Asmund. "One may ride many days to seesuch another man as Eric Brighteyes, and no such maid as Gudruda flowersbetween Middalhof and London town, unless it be thou, Swanhild. Well, soher mother said that it should be, and without doubt she was foresightedat her death."

  "Nay, name me not with Gudruda, foster-father; I am but a grey gooseby thy white swan. But these shall be well wed and that will be a goodmatch for Eric."

  "Let not thy tongue run on so fast," said Asmund sharply. "Who told theethat Eric should have Gudruda?"

  "None told me, but in truth, having eyes and ears, I grew certain ofit," said Swanhild. "Look at them now: surely lovers wear such faces."

  Now it chanced that Gudruda had rested her chin on her hand, and wasgazing into Eric's eyes beneath the shadow of her hair.

  "Methinks my sister will look higher than to wed a simple yeoman, thoughhe is large as two other men," said Bjoern with a sneer. Now Bjoern wasjealous of Eric's strength and beauty, and did not love him.

  "Trust nothing that thou seest and little that thou hearest, girl," saidAsmund, raising himself from thought: "so shall thy guesses be good.Eric, come here and tell us how thou didst chance on Gudruda in thesnow."

  "I was not so ill seated but that I could bear to stay," grumbled Ericbeneath his breath; but Gudruda said "Go."

  So he went and told his tale; but not all of it, for he intended to askGudruda in marriage on the morrow, though his heart prophesied no luckin the matter, and therefore he was not overswift with it.

  "In this thing thou hast done me and mine good service," said Asmundcoldly, searching Eric's face with his blue eyes. "It had been said ifmy fair daughter had perished in the snow, for, know this: I would sether high in marriage, for her honour and the honour of my house, and sosome rich and noble man had lost great joy. But take thou this gift inmemory of the deed, and Gudruda's husband shall give thee another suchupon the day that he makes her wife," and he drew a gold ring off hisarm.

  Now Eric's knees trembled as he heard, and his heart grew faint asthough with fear. But he answered clear and straight:

  "Thy gift had been better without thy words, ring-giver; but I pray theeto take it back, for I have done nothing to win it, though perhaps thetime will come when I shall ask thee for a richer."

  "My gifts have never been put away before," said Asmund, growing angry.

  "This wealthy farmer holds the good gold of little worth. It is foolishto take fish to the sea, my father," sneered Bjoern.

  "Nay, Bjoern, not so," Eric answered: "but, as thou sayest, I am but afarmer, and since my father, Thorgrimur Iron-Toe, died things have notgone too well on Ran River. But at the least I am a free man, and I willtake no gifts that I cannot repay worth for worth. Therefore I will nothave the ring."

  "As thou wilt," said Asmund. "Pride is a good horse if thou ridestwisely," and he thrust the ring back upon his arm.

  Then people go to rest; but Swanhild seeks her mother, and tells her allthat has befallen her, nor does Groa fail to listen.

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nbsp; "Now I will make a plan," she says, "for these things have chanced welland Asmund is in a ripe humour. Eric shall come no more to Middalhoftill Gudruda is gone hence, led by Ospakar Blacktooth."

  "And if Eric does not come here, how shall I see his face? for, mother,I long for the sight of it."

  "That is thy matter, thou lovesick fool. Know this: that if Eric comeshither and gets speech with Gudruda, there is an end of thy hopes; for,fair as thou art, she is too fair for thee, and, strong as thou art, ina way she is too strong. Thou hast heard how these two love, and suchloves mock at the will of fathers. Eric will win his desire or diebeneath the swords of Asmund and Bjoern, if such men can prevail againsthis might. Nay, the wolf Eric must be fenced from the lamb till he growshungry. Then let him search the fold and make spoil of thee, for, whenthe best is gone, he will desire the good."

  "So be it, mother. As I sat crouched behind Gudruda in the snow atColdback, I had half a mind to end her love-words with this knife, forso I should have been free of her."

  "Yes, and fast in the doom-ring, thou wildcat. The gods help this Eric,if thou winnest him. Nay, choose thy time and, if thou must strike,strike secretly and home. Remember also that cunning is mightier thanstrength, that lies pierce further than swords, and that witchcraft winswhere honesty must fail. Now I will go to Asmund, and he shall be anangry man before to-morrow comes."

  Then Groa went to the shut bed where Asmund the Priest slept. He wassitting on the bed and asked her why she came.

  "For love of thee, Asmund, and thy house, though thou dost treat me ill,who hast profited so much by me and my foresight. Say now: wilt thouthat this daughter of thine, Gudruda the Fair, should be the light Mayof yonder long-legged yeoman?"

  "That is not in my mind," said Asmund, stroking his beard.

  "Knowest thou, then, that this very day your white Gudruda sat on Eric'slap in the snow, while he fondled her to his heart's content?"

  "Most likely it was for warmth. Men do not dream on love in the hour ofdeath. Who saw this?"

  "Swanhild, who was behind, and hid herself for shame, and therefore sheheld that these two must soon be wed! Ah, thou art foolish now, Asmund.Young blood makes light of cold or death. Art thou blind, or dost thounot see that these two turn on each other like birds at nesting-time?"

  "They might do worse," said Asmund, "for they are a proper pair, and itseems to me that each was born for each."

  "Then all goes well. Still, it is a pity to see so fair a maid cast likerotten bait upon the waters to hook this troutlet of a yeoman. Thou hastenemies, Asmund; thou art too prosperous, and there are many who hatethee for thy state and wealth. Were it not wise to use this girl ofthine to build a wall about thee against the evil day?"

  "I have been more wont, housekeeper, to trust to my own arm than tobought friends. But tell me, for at the least thou art far-seeing, howmay this be done? As things are, though I spoke roughly to him lastnight, I am inclined to let Eric Brighteyes take Gudruda. I have alwaysloved the lad, and he will go far."

  "Listen, Asmund! Surely thou hast heard of Ospakar Blacktooth--thepriest who dwells in the north?"

  "Ay, I have heard of him, and I know him; there is no man like him forugliness, or strength, or wealth and power. We sailed together ona viking cruise many years ago, and he did things at which my bloodturned, and in those days I had no chicken heart."

  "With time men change their temper. Unless I am mistaken, this Ospakarwishes above all to have Gudruda in marriage, for, now that everythingis his, this alone is left for him to ask--the fairest woman in Icelandas a housewife. Think then, with Ospakar for a son-in-law, who is therethat can stand against thee?"

  "I am not so sure of this matter, nor do I altogether trust thee, Groa.Of a truth it seems to me that thou hast some stake upon the race. ThisOspakar is evil and hideous. It were a shame to give Gudruda over to himwhen she looks elsewhere. Knowest thou that I swore to love and cherishher, and how runs this with my oath? If Eric is not too rich, yet he isof good birth and kin, and, moreover, a man of men. If he take her goodwill come of it."

  "It is like thee, Asmund, always to mistrust those who spend their daysin plotting for thy weal. Do as thou wilt: let Eric take this treasureof thine--for whom earls would give their state--and live to rue it. ButI say this: if he have thy leave to roam here with his dove the matterwill soon grow, for these two sicken each to each, and young blood ishot and ill at waiting, and it is not always snow-time. So betroth heror let him go. And now I have said."

  "Thy tongue runs too fast. The man is quite unproved and I will try him.To-morrow I will warn him from my door; then things shall go as theyare fated. And now peace, for I weary of thy talk, and, moreover, it isfalse; for thou lackest one thing--a little honesty to season all thycraft. What fee has Ospakar paid thee, I wonder. Thou at least hadstnever refused the gold ring to-night, for thou wouldst do much forgold."

  "And more for love, and most of all for hate," Groa said, and laughedaloud; nor did they speak more on this matter that night.

  Now, early in the morning Asmund rose, and, going to the hall, awokeEric, who slept by the centre hearth, saying that he would talk with himwithout. Then Eric followed him to the back of the hall.

  "Say now, Eric," he said, when they stood in the grey light outside thehouse, "who was it taught thee that kisses keep out the cold on snowydays?"

  Now Eric reddened to his yellow hair, but he answered: "Who was it toldthee, lord, that I tried this medicine?"

  "The snow hides much, but there are eyes that can pierce the snow. Nay,more, thou wast seen, and there's an end. Now know this--I like theewell, but Gudruda is not for thee; she is far above thee, who art but adeedless yeoman."

  "Then I love to no end," said Eric; "I long for one thing only, and thatis Gudruda. It was in my mind to ask her in marriage of thee to-day."

  "Then, lad, thou hast thy answer before thou askest. Be sure of onething: if but once again I find thee alone with Gudruda, it is my axeshall kiss thee and not her lips."

  "That may yet be put to the proof, lord," said Eric, and turned to seekhis horse, when suddenly Gudruda came and stood between them, and hisheart leapt at the sight of her.

  "Listen, Gudruda," Eric said. "This is thy father's word: that we twospeak together no more."

  "Then it is an ill saying for us," said Gudruda, laying her hand uponher breast.

  "Saying good or ill, so it surely is, girl," answered Asmund. "No moreshalt thou go a-kissing, in the snow or in the flowers."

  "Now I seem to hear Swanhild's voice," she said. "Well, such things havehappened to better folk, and a father's wish is to a maid what the windis to the grass. Still, the sun is behind the cloud and it will shineagain some day. Till then, Eric, fare thee well!"

  "It is not thy will, lord," said Eric, "that I should come to thyYule-feast as thou hast asked me these ten years past?"

  Now Asmund grew wroth, and pointed with his hand towards the greatGolden Falls that thunder down the mountain named Stonefell that isbehind Middalhof, and there are no greater water-falls in Iceland.

  "A man may take two roads, Eric, from Coldback to Middalhof, one by thebridle-path over Coldback and the other down Golden Falls; but I neverknew traveller to choose this way. Now, I bid thee to my feast by thepath over Golden Falls; and, if thou comest that way, I promise theethis: if thou livest I will greet thee well, and if I find thee deadin the great pool I will bind on thy Hell-shoes and lay thee to earthneighbourly fashion. But if thou comest by any other path, then mythralls shall cut thee down at my door." And he stroked his beard andlaughed.

  Now Asmund spoke thus mockingly because he did not think it possiblethat any man should try the path of the Golden Falls.

  Eric smiled and said, "I hold thee to thy word, lord; perhaps I shall bethy guest at Yule."

  But Gudruda heard the thunder of the mighty Falls as the wind turned,and cried "Nay, nay--it were thy death!"

  Then Eric finds his horse and rides away across the snow.

  N
ow it must be told of Koll the Half-witted that at length he came toSwinefell in the north, having journeyed hard across the snow. HereOspakar Blacktooth had his great hall, in which day by day a hundred mensat down to meat. Now Koll entered the hall when Ospakar was at supper,and looked at him with big eyes, for he had never seen so wonderful aman. He was huge in stature--his hair was black, and black his beard,and on his lower lip there lay a great black fang. His eyes were smalland narrow, but his cheekbones were set wide apart and high, likethose of a horse. Koll thought him an ill man to deal with and half atroll,[*] and grew afraid of his errand, since in Koll's half-wittednessthere was much cunning--for it was a cloak in which he wrapped himself.But as Ospakar sat in the high seat, clothed in a purple robe, withhis sword Whitefire on his knee, he saw Koll, and called out in a greatvoice:

  [*] An able-bodied Goblin.

  "Who is this red fox that creeps into my earth?"

  For, to look at, Koll was very like a fox.

  "My name is Koll the Half-witted, Groa's thrall, lord. Am I welcomehere?" he answered.

  "That is as it may be. Why do they call thee half-witted?"

  "Because I love not work overmuch, lord."

  "Then all my thralls are fellow to thee. Say, what brings thee here?"

  "This lord. It was told among men down in the south that thou wouldstgive a good gift to him who should discover to thee the fairest maid inIceland. So I asked leave of my mistress to come on a journey and tellthee of her."