Free Njal's Saga by Anonymous

lord,’ he said, ‘for permission to go to Iceland.’
    â€˜Will your prestige be greater there than here?’ said the king.
    â€˜Probably not,’ said Hrut, ‘but a man must do what is set out for him.’
    â€˜You’re pulling against a powerful man,’ 1 said Gunnhild. ‘Let him go as he sees fit.’
    Supplies were low that year, but the king 2 gave him as much flour as he wanted. Then Hrut, together with Ozur, prepared to sail to Iceland. When they were ready, Hrut went to the king and Gunnhild.
    She took him aside and spoke to him: ‘Here is a gold bracelet which I want to give you,’ and she put it around his arm.
    â€˜Many a good gift have I had from you,’ said Hrut.
    She put her arms around his neck and kissed him and spoke: ‘If I have as much power over you as I think I have, then I cast this spell: you will not have sexual pleasure with the woman you plan to marry in Iceland, though you’ll be able to have your will with other women. Neither of us comes out of this well, because you did not tell me the truth.’
    Hrut grinned and went away. He then went before the king and thanked him. The king spoke kindly to him and wished him a good journey; he said that Hrut was a very brave man and well fit for the company of noble men. Hrut went at once to his ship and set sail, and with good winds he reached Borgarfjord. As soon as the ship was drawn up on land Hrut rode west to his home, and Ozur saw to the unloading.
    Hrut rode to Hoskuldsstadir. Hoskuld welcomed him, and Hrut told him all about his travels. Then they sent a man east to Mord Gigja to tell him to prepare the feast, and then the brothers rode to the ship and Hoskuld told Hrut about his property, which had gained greatly in value while he was away.
    Hrut said, ‘Your reward is less than you deserve, but I will give you as much flour as you need for your household this winter.’
    They drew the ship up on land and secured it, and transported all the cargo west to Dalir.
    Hrut stayed at home at Hrutsstadir until six weeks before winter. 3 Then the brothers and Ozur made ready to ride east for the wedding, and they rode off with sixty men until they came to the Rangarvellir. Many guests from the neighbourhood had already arrived. The men took their places on the side benches, and the women occupied the cross-bench at the end. The bride had a sad look about her. The feasting and drinking went well. Mord paid out the dowry for hisdaughter, and she rode off west with Hrut’s party. They rode until they reached home.
    Hrut placed in her hands full authority over matters inside the house, and everyone was pleased at that. But there was little intimacy between her and Hrut, and so it went all through the winter.
    When spring came Hrut had to travel to the West Fjords to get payment for his wares, and before he left his wife said to him, ‘Will you be coming back before men ride to the Thing?’
    â€˜Why do you need to know that?’ said Hrut.
    â€˜I want to ride to the Thing and see my father,’ she said.
    â€˜So be it,’ he said, ‘and I’ll ride to the Thing with you.’
    â€˜Good,’ she said.
    Then he rode away to the West Fjords and put the money he collected out to loan and rode back home. When he arrived from the west he prepared for the Althing and got all his neighbours to ride with him. His brother Hoskuld rode along too.
    Hrut said to his wife, ‘If you’re as eager to go to the Thing as you said you were, get ready and ride along with me.’
    She was soon ready, and they rode to the Thing. Unn went to her father’s booth; he was happy to see her, but her spirits were rather heavy. When he noticed this he said to her, ‘I’ve seen you look more happy. What’s on your mind?’
    She began to cry but gave no answer. Then he said to her, ‘Why have you come to the Thing if you’re not willing to take me into