The Complete

Fornaldarsögur Norðurlanda

Legendary Sagas of the Northland

in English Translation

Þrándr hefir konungr heitit. Við hann er kenndr Þrándheimr í Noregi. Hann var sonr Sæmings konungs, sonar Óðins, er réð fyrir Hálogalandi. Sæmingr átti Naumu, er Naumudalr er við kenndr. Þrándr var mikill höfðingi. Hans kona hét Dagmær, systir Svanhvítar, er Hrómundr Gripsson átti. Þeira sonr hét Eysteinn, en annarr Eirekr inn víðförli, er fann Ódáinsakr. Hans móðir er ekki nefnd.

Eysteinn giftist ok fekk dóttur Sigurðar hjartar, er Ása hét. Hennar móðir var Áslaug, dóttir Sigurðar orms í auga. Eysteinn fekk með henni Finnmörk ok Valdres, Þótn ok Haðaland. Hann var ríkr ok stjórnsamr. Þau áttu son, er Hálfdan hét. Hann var ok stjórnsamr ok stilltr vel ok fríðr sýnum ok vandist snemma við allar íþróttir, þær sem karlmann máttu fríða ok betra var at hafa en missa. Hann var vinfastr ok trúlyndr ok vinavandr, gleðimaðr mikill, svá at alla gleði mátti við hann eiga, en ef honum mislíkaði, þá var hann þunglyndr ok langrækr, en eigi mjök bráðskapaðr. Hann óx upp með föður sínum, þar til hann var fimmtán vetra gamall. Þá tók móðir hans sótt ok andaðist. Þótti konungi þat mikill skaði ok öllum öðrum, ok var hennar útferð gerð sæmiliga. Konungr undi lítt í ríki sínu þaðan í frá, ok fór hann í hernað hvert sumar.

Maðr er nefndr Svipr. Hann var ríkr bóndi ok meðallagi vinsæll. Hann átti þrjá sonu. Einn hét Úlfkell ok var kallaðr snillingr. Hann var mikill ójafnaðarmaðr ok eigi mjök vitr. Hann var í hernaði með Eysteini konungi ok hafði fimm skip sinna vegna. Konungr helt mikit af honum. Annarr sonr Svips hét Úlfarr. Hann var ráðgjafi konungs. Hann var vinsæll maðr ok trúlyndr, ok þótti hann alls staðar bæta til bæði fyrir konungi ok öðrum. Úlfr hét inn yngsti sonr Svips. Hann var kallaðr Úlfr inn illi. Hann herjaði um Eystrasalt ok um Bjarmaland. Hann hafði mikla ræningjasveit ok var allóvinsæll.

Eitt sumar herjaði Eysteinn konungr í Austrveginn. Úlfkell snillingr var þá með honum ok Hálfdan, sonr konungs. Þeir höfðu þrjá tigi skipa vel skipuð, en Úlfarr, bróðir Úlfkels, hafði vald yfir ríki Eysteins konungs, meðan hann var í hernaðinum.

The king was named Thrand. Thrandheim in Norway is named after him. He was the son of King Saeming, son of Odin, who ruled Halogaland. Saeming married Nauma, after whom Naumadal is named. Thrand was a great chieftain. His wife was named Dagmaer, sister of Svanhvit, who was married to Hromund Gripsson. Their son was named Eysteinn, and the other Eirik the Wide-traveller. His mother is not named.
 
Eysteinn was married to the daughter of Sigurd Hjart, who was named Asa. Her mother was Aslaug, daughter of Sigurd Serpent-eye. Her dowry included Finnmark and Valdres, Thotn and Hadaland. He was powerful and a capable ruler. They had a son, who was named Halfdan. He was also fit to rule, and quite even-tempered and good looking, and excelled at an early age in all skills, which a gentleman might value, and which were better to have than to lack.   He was faithful and trustworthy and particular about his friends, a very cheerful man, so that everyone was happy who was with him, but if he did not like someone, he was melancholy and unforgiving, and not of a hearty disposition. He grew up with his father, until he was fifteen years old. Then his mother took ill and died. The king thought that this was a great loss, as did all the others, and her funeral was done with propriety. From that time on, the king did not value his kingdom very much, and went plundering every summer.
 
There was a man named Svip. He was a rich farmer, and not very well liked. He had three sons. One was named Ulfkell, and was called Heroic. He was a very unfair man, and not very intelligent. He went plundering with King Eysteinn and had five ships at his disposal. The king thought much of him. The second son of Svip was called Ulfarr. He was a counselor to the king. He was a friendly man, and faithful, and always thinking of what would benefit the king and others. The youngest son of Svip was called Ulf. He was called Ulf the Evil. He plundered around the Baltic Sea, and Bjarmaland. He plundered over a wide area, and was unfriendly to everyone.
 
One summer King Eysteinn plundered in the East. Ulfkell the Heroic was with him, and also Halfdan, the son of the king. They had thirty ships, well arrayed. Ulfarr, the brother of Ulfkell, had power over the realm of King Eysteinn, while he was out plundering.

Í þenna tíma réð fyrir Aldeigjuborg konungr sá, sem Hergeirr hét. Hann var við aldr. Ísgerðr hét kona hans. Hún var dóttir Hlöðvis konungs af Gautlandi. Bræðr hennar váru þeir Sigmundr, er var stafnbúi Haralds konungs ins hárfagra, ok Oddr skrauti, faðir Gull-Þóris, er getr í Landnámabók á Íslandi. Þau áttu eina dóttur, er Ingigerðr hét. Hún var allra meyja fríðust ok svá stór vexti sem karlmaðr. Flestir hlutir váru henni vel gefnir. Hún var at fóstri með jarli þeim, er Skúli hét. Hann réð fyrir Álaborg ok jarlsríki því, sem þar lá til. Hann var sagðr bróðir Heimis, fóstra Brynhildar Buðladóttur, er getr í sögu Ragnars konungs loðbrókar. Skúli var kappi mikill ok manna vitrastr.

Kolr hét maðr. Hann var þræll Skúla. Hann var mikill maðr ok svá sterkr, at hann hafði tólf karla afl, til hvers sem hann gekk. Þat mátti kalla, at hann hefði mest ráð með jarlinum. Hann var honum dyggr. Dóttur átti hann sér. Sú hét Ingigerðr ok var allra meyja fríðust ok mjök lík Ingigerði konungsdóttur bæði á vöxt ok yfirlit, en eigi var náttúra þeira lík, því at Ingigerðr konungsdóttir var vel siðuð, en nafna hennar var in mesta fála, en þó var hún vel mennt, því at konungsdóttir hafði kennt henni hannyrðir, ok var hún iðuliga í skemmu hennar.

Skúli jarl unni mikit fóstru sinni. Eigi var Skúli kvángaðr. Íþróttamaðr var hann svá mikill, at engi maðr komast til jafns við hann.

In that time, a king named Hergeir ruled Aldeigjuborg. He was elderly. His wife was named Isgerd. She was the daughter of King Hlodvi of Gautland. Her brothers were Sigmund, who was the forecastleman of King Harald Fair-haired, and Odd the Dandy, father of Gull-Thori, who is mentioned in the Landnamabok of Iceland.  They had a daughter, who was named Ingigerd. She was the most beautiful of all maidens, and grown large, like a man. She was talented in most matters. She was fostered by an earl named Skuli. He ruled Alaborg, and the accompanying earldom. He was said to be the brother of Heimi, who fostered Brynhilda Budladottir, who is mentioned in the saga of King Ragnar Hairy-britches. Skuli was a great champion, and the wisest of men.
 
There was a man named Kol. He was Skuli's slave. He was a large man, and so strong, that he had the strength of twelve men, whomever he went against. It could be said, that he had the most influence with the earl. He was faithful to him. He had a daughter. She was named Ingigerd, and was the most beautiful of all maidens, and very much like Ingigerd, the king's daughter, both in size and appearance. However, their dispositions were not similar, since Ingigerd, the king's daughter, was quite refined, but her namesake was a great hag, even though she was well educated, since the king's daughter had taught her skills and she was industrious in her bower.
       
Earl Skuli loved his foster-daughter very much. Skuli was not married. He was so skilled that no one was his equal.

King Eysteinn had now come to Aldeigjuborg with his troops. King Hergeir was with a few of his followers. King Eysteinn went to the town with his troops. King Hergeir defended it well and valiantly, although he was not ready for battle. The conclusion was that King Hergeir fell as well as the greater part of his army. When the king had fallen, King Eysteinn offered pardon to all those who were left. The king had the city cleared. Afterward he had the queen brought before him, but she was in a bad mood.
 
The king looked at her for a time, and then said: "It is understandable," he said, "that all that has happened here should be of great concern to you, but there is recompense for everything, and I wish now be your husband, and not undervalued in comparison to him, since he was old."
 
"There was no disgrace to him in his old age" said the queen, "but I question, whether I will be true to those who had killed him."
 
"Now there are two choices," said the king, "One, that I will take you as a concubine, for as long as fate allows;  the other, that you marry me and give the whole realm into my power, and I will give you great honor, and not have to fear that your treason will be the death of me, though I shall die."
 
The queen said, "That must come about which is most truly foretold: that my misery will be severe, and so I must choose to marry you."
 
The king said that was his intent. Afterward the matter was concluded, and this advice was taken, and everything will be told later.

Next, the king called all of his men together. He then spoke to Ulfkell the Heroic and to Halfdan, his son: "So have things transpired," he said, "that Earl Skuli shall rule in the north in Alaborg. Ingigerd, the daughter of King Hergeir, is being fostered by him. Skuli is a great champion, and I expect that he might come against us with an army. Therefore, you should go east against him, and take control of the land, but bring me the king's daughter, and if you are able to win the land, then Ulfkell shall be the earl because of his brave help, since he has followed me. I will get him a honorable marriage, but Halfdan shall marry Ingigerd, if he is so inclined.”
 
Ulfkell and Halfdan now prepared their army, and did not stop until they came to Alaborg.

Skúli jarl hafði nú frétt þau tíðendi, sem gerzt höfðu í Aldeigjuborg, ok því safnar hann at sér liði miklu. Ok er liðit var saman komit, tók Skúli sótt mikla. Hafði hann þá sanna frétt af her þeira Úlfkels ok Hálfdanar.
Hann mælti þá við Kol: "Þat vil ek," sagði Skúli, "at þú gerist höfðingi fyrir liðinu. Tak þú upp merki mitt ok klæði, ok skal ek fá þér jarldóm, ok skal ek gifta þér Ingigerði, fóstru mína, ef þú fær sigr."
Kolr kveðst þess albúinn. Sagði Skúli nú fyrir mönnum, hversu breyta skyldu. Hugðu liðsmenn eigi annat en Skúli mundi þat vera, sem Kolr var. Hann ferr nú með liðit á móti þeim Hálfdani ok Úlfkatli. Skúli jarl lá í þorpi einu, ok var honum nú heldr í aptrbata.
Ingigerðr konungsdóttir kallar nöfnu sína, Ingigerði Kolsdóttur, til sín ok mælti til hennar: "Ek vil, at þú takir við trúnaði mínum," sagði hún, "ok látir engan vita, meðan þú lifir. Þú skalt taka við klæðum mínum, því at vit erum mjök líkar. Skaltu kallast dóttir Hergeirs konungs, en ek taka við þínum klæðum ok fara á flótta með öðrum ambáttum, ok skaltu þenna trúnað aldri láta uppi, á meðan vit lifum báðar. En ef þeir sigrast, sem til eru komnir, þá mun Hálfdan konungsson biðja þín, ok ertu þá fullgift, en elligar Úlfkell, ok er þá góðr, hvárr sem upp kemr."
Hún kveðst þetta gjarna vilja, ok fór þetta fram.
Nú koma þeir Hálfdan ok Úlfkell at með sinn her. Kolr lætr lúka upp borginni ok gengr ut með allan sinn her. Tekst þar bardagi, ok stendr hann með mikilli mannhættu. Kolr var bæði sterkr ok stórhöggr, ok hugðu allir þar Skúla jarl vera, ok gekk hann í gegnum fylkingar þeira. Herbjörn hét frændi Skúla jarls. Hann hafði fylking í mót Hálfdani, ok váru þeira skipti allhraustlig, en svá lauk með þeim, at Herbjörn fell. Brast þá flótti í liði þeira. Hálfdan rak flóttann allt til skógar.
Nú er at segja frá viðskiptum þeira Úlfkels ok Kols. Hafði Kolr þá drepit margan mann. Snæúlfr hét merkismaðr Úlfkells. Hann bar djarfliga fram merkit ok barðist drengiliga. Þeir mættust nú Kolr ok Úlfkell, ok váru þeira viðskipti allhraustlig, ok börðust þeir svá lengi, at engi skakkaði með þeim, ok hjuggust af þeim allar hlífar. Kolr hjó þá mikit högg til Úlfkels. Þat kom á hjálminn utarliga ok tók af þat, er nam, ok var þat fjórðungrinn ok þar með eyrat it vinstra, ok var höggit svá mikit, at Úlfkell fell; en Snæúlfr kom þá at ok hjó til Kols, ok kom á andlitit ok tók af nefit ok báðar varrirnar ok hökuna, ok fellu tennrnar niðr í gras. Kolr stóð eigi kyrr, þó at hann hefði fengit sárit. Hjó hann til Snæúlfs á hálsinn, svá at af tók höfuðit. Úlfkell var þá á fætr kominn ok lagði til Kols fyrir brjóstit, svá at út gekk um herðarnar. Fell hann þá dauðr niðr. Brast þá flótti í lið þeira.
Úlfkell rak flóttann, en Hálfdan sneri aptr. Hann sér, hvar tveir menn gengu. Þat var karl ok kerling. Menn höfðu mál af þeim, ok spurðu þau, hversu bardaginn hefði gengit, en þeir sögðu af it ljósasta, ok síðan skildu þeir. Karl var svá stirðr, at hann lá á herðum kerlingu, ok drögnuðu þau svá til skógar. Hálfdan spurði menn sína, við hvern þeir hefði talat, en þeir kváðu þat stafkarl veslugan.
"At fá verðr of vandliga hugat," sagði hann, "þar er sá karl, er mér er aptrsjá at ok betr væri drepinn."
En þeir kváðu þat níðingsverk. Var hann þá kominn í skóginn, ok tjáði þá eigi eptir þeim at leita.
Ríðr Hálfdan nú heim til borgarinnar. Var Úlfkell þá kominn í borgina ok gekk at skemmu þeiri, er Ingigerðr var í, ok var hún þá leidd fyrir hann.
Hún mælti þá til Úlfkels: "Þú hefir nú unnit sigr mikinn," sagði hún, "drepit höfðingja borgarinnar. Nú ef þér eruð réttir hermenn, þá munu þér eigi níðast á mér eða þeim mönnum öðrum, sem hér eru höfðingjalausir, ok láta mik ná at finna mína móður."
Úlfkell sagði, at -- "þat skal satt vera, því at þat, sem vér höfum af gert, skulum vér góðu bæta, bæði þér ok þinni móður, ef þú vilt vera oss trú ok holl, hlýðin ok eptirlát ok þverúðast eigi við oss."

"Svá er nú komit mínu máli," sagði hún, "at ek ætla, at metnaðrinn hafi lítit at gera."

Þeir hétu henni góðu þar um. Váru þá loknar upp féhirzlur. Tóku þeir gull ok silfr ok þat annat, er þá lysti, en gáfu grið mönnum öllum. Síðan var veittr umbúningr inum dauðum, ok var búit verðuliga um leiði Skúla jarls, er Kolr var reyndar. Lögðu þeir síðan land allt undir sik ok bjuggust síðan móts við Eystein konung, ok var Ingigerðr í ferð með þeim.  

Nú fréttir Eysteinn konungr heimkvámu þeira ok hversu mikinn sigr þeir höfðu fengit. Fagnar hann þeim sæmiliga, ok skemmtu þeir honum frá ferðum sínum. Þakkar konungr þeim vel ok spyrr Hálfdan eptir, hversu honum lízt á konungsdóttur, en hann kveðst eigi mjök kvenskyggn, en sagði þó, at hún væri væn kona. Ingigerðr var nú komin í höll drottningar, ok fagnaði hún henni vel, en þó með minni blíðu en margr ætlaði. Þá lét konungr senda eptir þeim mæðgum.

En er þær kómu fyrir hann, mælti hann til Ísgerðar drottningar: "Nú er hér komin dóttir þín," sagði hann, "ok vil ek nú með yðru ráði allan sóma gera bæði þér ok henni. Vili Hálfdan mínum ráðum fara fram, þá líkar mér vel, at hann fái hennar, ef hennar vili fellr þar til ok þinn, drottning."

"Svá er hún viti borin," sagði drottning, "at hún má vel hafa sjálf svör fyrir sér um slík mál."

Þá mælti Hálfdan: "Eigi hefi ek mjök huglagt at kvænast svá búit. Hefi ek ok eigi margar konungadætr sét, en vel þykki mér sá giftr, sem Ingigerði á, ok eggjandi vil ek þess vera, at þér séð gott ráð fyrir henni."

Þá mælti Úlfkell: "Lengi hefi ek yðr þjónat, herra, ok vænti ek af yðr góðs, ok þætti mér mikill sómi, ef þér vilduð gifta mér þessa mey. Hefi ek ok nokkut talat við hana áðr, ok hefir hún engi fjartæki haft um þetta mál."

Konungr spyrr nú Ingigerði, hversu henni væri um þetta gefit, en hún kvað hann mestu mundu um ráða, ef móðir hennar legði eigi í móti, -- "ok síðan vili þér, konungr, auka nokkur nafnbót við Úlfkel."

En konungr spurði drottningu, hversu henni væri um gefit, en hún kvað sér þat bezt líka, at hann sæi fyrir, sem honum líkar.

Eptir þetta gifti konungr Úlfkatli Ingigerði ok gaf honum jarlsnafn ok Álaborg til forráða ok þat ríki, sem þar lá til, ok var þá drukkit brullaup þeira. Ok síðan fór Úlfkell til Álaborgar ok tók undir sik ríkit ok gerðist þar höfðingi yfir ok galt konungi skatt, ok fór svá fram lengi, ok tókust upp ástir með þeim Ingigerði.

Now King Eystein got news of their return home, and the great victory they had achieved. He received them honorably and they entertained him with an account of their journey. The king thanked them well, and then asked Halfdan, how things were going with the king's daughter. He said that he was not paying much attention to women, but said that she was a beautiful woman. Ingigerd had now come into the hall of the queen, and she received her cordially, though with less friendliness than many expected. Then the king had the mother and daughter sent for.
 
And when they came before him, he said to Queen Isgerd: "Now your daughter has come here," he said, "and I now I wish, with your consent, to do all honor to both you and her. If Halfdan wishes to follow my advice, I would be very pleased if he marries her, if you and she wish it, oh queen."
 
"So she understands," said the Queen, "that she must well have an answer for such a matter."
 
Then Halfdan said: "I have not given much thought to marrying. I have also not seen many king's daughters, but it seems well to me that Ingigerd would be a good match, and I urge you to see a good match for her."
 
Then Ulfkell said: "I have served you for a long time, master, and I hope for good from you. It would be a great honor to me, if you will let me marry this maiden. I have  actually spoken to her before this, and she has not refused me in this.”
 
The king now asked Ingigerd, what she thought about such a match, but she said she would be well disposed to it, if her mother was not opposed, -- "and afterward I would wish that you, oh king, would increase Ulfkell's rank."
 
The king asked the queen, what she thought about the union, and she said that she would be most happy if he would come to an agreement, however he pleased.
 
After that, the king bethrothed Ulfkell to Ingigerd and gave him the title of earl and governance of Alaborg and the surrounding realm, and the wedding toast was drunk. Afterward Ulfkell traveled to Alaborg and took dominion over the realm, and was made chieftain over it and paid taxes to the king, and continued for a long time and grew more and more in love with Ingigerd.

Eysteinn konungr sitr nú í sínu ríki. Hann unni mikit Ísgerði drottningu. Hún lét sér alla hluti kvenmannliga verða til hans, ok líða svá þrír vetr.

Þat bar til eitt sinn, at kaupskip mikit sigldi austan fyrir Bálagarðssíðu í stórviðri. Þat skip hvarf, ok fannst ekki mannsbarn af, ok ætluðu menn, at stórviðri mundi hafa brotit þetta sama skip. En eptir um haustit var þat einn dag, at tveir menn kómu til hirðar Eysteins konungs. Þeir váru miklir vexti, en eigi vel klæddir. Ekki sáu menn gerla í andlitit þeim, því at þeir höfðu síða höttu. Þeir gengu fyrir konung ok kvöddu hann verðuliga, því at hann var optast blíðr í mali. Hann spurði, hvat manna þeir væri. Þeir sögðust báðir Grímar heita ok vera ættaðir utan af Rússía ok hafa misst peninga sína í skipreika. Þeir báðu konung vetrvistar.

Konungr spyrr drottning, hvat henni þætti ráð um, en hún sagði, at hann mundi sjálfr slíku ráða, en kvað þó marga ókunna menn misjafnt gefast, -- "er mér þá eigi af at kenna, ef ek legg ekki til."
Konungr kvað hana jafnan litlu vilja sér af skipta um ráðagerðirnar, -- "nenni ek eigi at vísa þeim frá mat, at svá eru langt at komnirr."

Var þeim nú skipat sæti þar, sem mætast gestir ok hirðmenn. Þeir váru fáskiptnir við menn, en kómu sér við alla vel. Grímr inn ellri var svá stórr vexti, at fáir váru hans líkar. Hann var sterkr ok fimr við alla leika ok var opt at leikum með konungsmönnum á skotbakka ok at knattleikum. Hann fór vel með afli sínu, lék á engan, en var eigi aflvana, ef aðrir leituðu á hann. Grímr inn yngri var mjúkr í öllum leikum, fimr við skot, en prófaði lítt aflraunir, en skaut allra manna bezt af handboga ok lásboga, en tefldi svá vel, at engi komst til jafns við hann.

Hálfdan konungsson lagði opt leik sinn við hann, bæði um tafl ok skotfimi, en svá mikinn vörð helt hann á Grímunum, at enga nótt sváfu þeir svá, at hann vekti eigi ok hefði vitund af þeim, ok leið svá fram vetrinn at jólum.

King Eystein now stayed in his realm. He loved Queen Isgerd very much. She behaved very much like a lady toward him, and so three winters passed.
 
It happened one time, that a large merchant ship sailed from the east before the Balagardssidu in bad weather. That ship disappeared, and no living souls were found from it, and people thought that the bad weather must have broken up that same ship. But one day in autumn, two men came to the court of King Eystein. They were large in stature, but not very well clothed. People could not look fully at their faces, since they had long drooping hats. They went before the king and addressed him respectfully, since he was most often in a good mood. He asked what men they might be. They said that they were both named Grim, and natives of Russia, and had lost all their money in the shipwreck. They asked the king for winter quarters.
 
The king asked the queen, what she would advise about that, and she said that he needed to decide for himself, but said however, that there were many strangers who prove to be rather bad, -- “but I can’t be blamed for anything if I don’t get involved.”
 
The king said that she generally did not try to change his plans.  "I am not inclined to deny them food, who have come from such a distance."
 
Seats were now set up, where the guests and retainers could meet. They were quiet with people, and got along well with everyone. The older Grim was strongly built, and few could compare with him. He was strong and nimble in all games, and often played at shooting and ball with the king's men. He did well with his strength, never mistreated anyone, but was not lacking in strength if others attacked him. The younger Grim was agile in all games, and good at shooting, but did not try much in trials of strength. He shot the best of everyone with the handbow and crossbow, and played chess so well, that no one was his equal.
 
The king's son, Halfdan, often competed with him, both in chess and archery, and he held the Grims in such high regard, that they did not sleep any nights that he did not wake and keep an eye on them. And so the winter progressed to yuletide. 

Hálfdan sprettr nú á fætr ok hleypr til þeira dyranna, sem ljósinu var til snarat, ok váru þær þá læstar. Snýr hann þá til hinna dyranna ok hét á menn þá, sem inni váru, at þeir skuli vakna. Dyrrnar váru læstar, ok varð at brjóta þær upp, áðr en þeir kæmist þar út.

Hálfdan vitjar skemmubúrsins, ok var konungr þar dauðr ok lagin sverði í gegnum ok þrír smásveinarnir, en inn fjórði komst upp á þvertréit ok sagði, at Grímr inn meiri hefði þar komit ok drepit konunginn ok þa alla, sem dauðir váru, ok kallaði síðan: "Segið svá Hálfdani, at Vígfúss ok Ófeigr hafi hefnt Hergeirs konungs," -- ok gekk út síðan.

Í þessu kom drottning í skemmuna, ok fengu henni þessi tíðendi svá mikils, at hún fell í óvit, ok þótti henni við dauða búit. Var nú yss mikill í borginni, ok fóru menn at leita Grímanna bæði á sjó ok landi, ok fundust þeir hvergi, ok stóð þessi leit mánuð, ok var víða gátum til dreift. Þó dyrglaðist yfir þetta um síðir. Var þat þá flestra manna vili, at Hálfdan væri til konungs tekinn.

          Halfdan then sprang to his feet and ran to the door where the light had been thrown, but it was locked. He then turned to the doors, and called to the men, who were inside, that they should awaken. The doors were locked, and had to be broken down before they could come out.
 
            Halfdan visited the royal chamber, and there the king was dead, lying with a sword through him, along with three small attendants. A fourth had gotten up on the crossbeam and said that the larger Grim had come there and killed the king and all of the others who were dead, and then called: "Say thus to Halfdan, that Vigfus and Ofeig have avenged King Hergeir." -- and then went outside.
 
            At that time, the queen came to into the chamber, and got this news, which was so disturbing that she passed out, and people thought that she was about to die. There was now a great commotion in the town, and men were looking for the two Grims both at sea and on land, although neither of them were found. The search lasted for a month, and was spread out widely in the streets. However, things calmed down after a while. It was the will of most people, that Halfdan should be made king. 

         A little later Halfdan addressed the assembly. When the chieftains had come, the men asked Halfdan to be their king, but he answered thus, that -- "because of  the events that have come to pass here recently, it does not befit me to bear the name of a king, while it stands thus, since I am not nobly born to the kingdom here. Many would think that it would befit me better to avenge my father, and seek those who killed him. It seems to me to be good advice, that the queen should send for Sigmund, her brother, that he should come, whatever else we might decide to do, and I must go away and not return before I have found the slayer of my father, however it falls my lot to avenge him.
 
            The queen said that it seemed to her that no one had served her kingdom better than he had. But whatever was said, it was determined that Halfdan should prepare to depart from the land with five ships, manned with good men. He first sailed to Austervegi, and succeeded well both with treasure and fame, but he never lay awake without seeing before his eyes the fair hand and the beautiful gold that he lost in Aldeigjuborg. Let him now sail for all of five years, as he will.

            Now we shall begin to speak of how Ulfkell was in the north, in Alaborg, with his wife, Ingigerd. They got news now of the death of King Eystein, and the risks that had been created. Ingigerd then spoke with Ulfkell, about whether he would lay claim to the kingdom left by King Hergeir, her father. He said that he was quite ready to do so. After that, they began their journey and did not stop until they came to Aldeigjuborg. Sigmund was there with his queen. Ulfkell and his wife laid claim to the kingdom in the name of the queen, but she said that they had enough territory, so that they should not wish for any more than they already had, and should be satisfied if they kept it. Threats were hurled among them. Ulfkell then went home and gathered an army.
         Sigmund then went north then after him, and they met at a place called Krakunes. Then they battled, and it ended up that Ulfkell took flight in one ship with his wife. First they sailed north to Norway, and there found Ulfarr, his brother, and told him how they had parted from Sigmund, and all the news that had happened in Austurvegi. He asked now that Ulfarr should give up the realm to his power, and said that Halfdan had even more territory in Austurvegi. Ulfarr bade him not to talk to him in such a cowardly manner, that he should betray his master, and bade him rather make his army more powerful and seek by force that realm which he thought he had in Austurvegi, and said that he would support him in doing that. Ulfkell declared that would not suffice, and they got into a dispute, and it ended up, that Ulfkell killed Ulfarr, his brother, and took control of all the land, and made himself chieftain over it. People thought that that was the worst crime, and because of that, he was disliked by everyone.

            Since Ulfkell had taken the realm for himself, he drew together an army and ships, and proceeded to Austurvegi. He had thirty long ships and a dragon ship of seventy sets of oars. He had vikings and outlaws with him, and whatever sort of scoundrels that he could get. The dragon ship was steered by a man named Ivar Small-bag. He was a great berserk, and the greatest scoundrel. His brother was named Hrafnkell. He was the standard-bearer of Ulfkell, and was the strongest of men. He had many other large and strong men with him. They were not peaceful in their travels, and harried in every land they came to, and took to raiding unsparingly on the coast.
             They had come now east to Hlynskoga, to a place called Klyfandanes. From there it is not long to Bjarmaland. Ten ships sailed against them. They  were all manned by sturdy men, and Halfdan, son of King Eysteinn, had come there, and he had learned of all  of Ulfkell’s travels. When they recognized one another, Halfdan asked why Ulfkell had acted basely toward his brother, and taken his realm. Ulfkell said that Halfdan had taken more of the kingdom in Austurvegi, which actually belonged to him.  Halfdan said that he did not expect that Ulfkell could lay claim to any good territory.
       Then they brandished their weapons, and began to battle. But since the odds were great, there was soon a great loss of men in Halfdan's troops. There was a man called Svidi, who had  great influence on Halfdan. He was a strong man. He spoke of how the ships should be fastened together, and he placed them together so cleverly, that Ulfkell could not approach with all his ships, even though some lay within shooting range. A hard battle now followed. Halfdan cleared the way. He realized that they could not fight to the point of exhaustion, so he ordered going up on Ulfkell’s dragon ship, along with Svidi. The first to come against them was Ivar Small-bag, and they had a harsh exchange of weapons. Ivar struck at Halfdan, and came down on the outer part  of the helmet, and took off that which it touched,  which was a dome over the head, and raked away the top of Halfdan's head. He struck back at Ivar and cut off his hand up by the shoulder, and broke asunder the standard pole. Svidi killed Ulfkell's forecastle man, who was named Egil. Then Ulfkell turned on Halfdan, striking him without warning against the shield and byrnie, so that the spear ran out under the hand. He was wounded in the side, and three ribs were broken. Svidi made for Ivar Small-bag, and struck him in the eye, and that was his death. Halfdan struck at Ulfkell, but he turned away and the sword stuck in the deck, and took off Ulfkatli's big toe on the right foot. Ulfkell then lunged at Halfdan with a halberd. It stuck up over the windlass. The halberd came into the latch hole. Halfdan ran to the shaft and broke it apart. Svidi then struck at Ulfkell across the shoulders, and the blow was so great that Ulfkell fell on both knees. Then came a stone blow at Svidi's breast, so that he was flung out from the dragon ship and came into the boat, floating on the side of the ship. With that, Hrafnkell struck Halfdan such a great blow with the club that he fell overboard. Svidi was nearby, and grabbed the boat hook and dragged Halfdan up from his dive. By now Halfdan had gotten six wounds and was unconscious and unable to fight.

Nú urðu mörg tíðendi senn. Þá sáu menn, at renndu fram fyrir nesit hálfr þriði tugr skipa. Þau váru öll stór ok herklæddir menn á öllum. Maðr stóð við siglu mikill vexti á einu skipinu ok silkitreyju ermalausri, vel brynjaðr. Hann spurði, hverir hér ætti svá ójafnan leik. Sviði sagði til it sanna ok svá, hvar þá var komit.

"Mun Hálfdan vilja þiggja lið af oss?"

Sviði spurði, hvat manna hann væri. Hinn kvað hann þat engu varða. Sviði kveðst gjarna lið vilja þiggja af þeim. Tókst þá bardagi í annat sinn ok er nú ákafari en fyrr. Menn Úlfkels váru mjök sárir. Inn mikli maðr á drekanum lagði at drekanum Úlfkels, en Sviði lagði at inum smærum skipunum, ok ruddust þau snart. Sneri nú mannfallinu í lið Úlfkels.

Inn mikli maðr réð til uppgöngu á drekann. Úlfkell kom fyrst á móti honum, ok váru þeira viðskipti hörð ok löng. Inn mikli maðr hjó mikit högg til hans ok klauf fyrir honum allan skjöldinn, ok kom sverðit á fótinn ok tók af þrjár tærnar utanfótar. Úlfkell hjó á móti, ok kom í hjálminn, ok stökk sverðit í sundr undir hjöltunum. Sá Úlfkell þá engan sinn kost annan en forða lífinu. Stökk hann þá í þat skip, sem næst honum var, ok flýði. Hrafnkell skaut tveimr kesjum senn at inum mikla manni, en hann tók báðar á lopti ok skaut aptr ok hafði mann fyrir hvárri. Síðan lagði hann með atgeir til Hrafnkels í gegnum skjöldinn ok báða handleggina ok vá hann upp ok kastaði honum út á sjóinn. Síðan ganga þeir svá hart at mönnum Úlfkels, at þeir urðu því fegnastir at biðja griða. Þeim var veitt þat, sem báðu, en eigi vildi inn mikli maðr hafa þeira þjónustu, ok var þeim sleppt fatlausum á land upp.

Úlfkell flýði undan einskipa ok kona hans með honum, en hinir tóku skip öll ok herfang, en þeir, sem eptir lifðu af mönnum Hálfdanar, gengu á vald ins mikla manns.

            Now there was a lot going on at the same time. Twenty-five ships could be seen running before the headland. They were all large, and filled with men who were clothed for battle. A well-grown man stood by the sail on one ship, and with an armless silken jacket, and a fine byrnie. He asked, who her was involved in such an uneven game. Svidi answered honestly, and also described where things had come to.
 
"Does Halfdan wish to get troops from us?"
 
            Svidi asked who he was. He told him that he would not answer that. Svidi said that he would gladly get troops from them. There was then a second battle, and now more fierce than before. Ulfkell's men suffered many injuries. The largest man on the dragon ship attacked Ulfkell's dragon ship, but Svidi attacked the smaller ships, and soon they were cleared. Ulfkell’s troops now began to experience the loss of men.
            

The large man rode to the gangplank of the dragon ship. Ulfkell came against him first, and their combat was hard and long. The large man struck a great blow at him, and  clove all of his shield before him, and the sword came to his foot and took off three toes. Ulfkell struck back, and struck the helmet, and the sword was struck to pieces at the hilt. Ulfkell then saw that there was no choice but to save his life. He then leaped into the ship that was closest to him, and fled. Hrafnkell shot two halberds together at the large man, but he grabbed both of them in the air and shot them back, and each struck a man. Then he attacked Hrafnkell on the shield and both arms with his halberd and heaved him up and cast him out to sea. Then they went so hard against Ulfkell's men, that they were forced to beg for mercy. It was given to all those who asked, but the large man did not wish to have their service, and so they were driven naked up into the land.
             Ulfdan fled on one ship, and his wife with him, but the victors took all of the ships and booty, and those of Halfdan's men who survived went under the power of the large man. 

Inn mikli maðr kom þar at, sem Hálfdan lá ok flakti í sundr af sárum. Hann mælti til Sviða: "Svá lízt mér á sár Hálfdanar, at þau mætti græða, ef þau tekr góðr læknir, en eigi ætla ek honum henta hræringar eða sjóferðir, ok því mun ek senda hann á land upp til vinar míns, er Hriflingr heitir. Kona hans heitir Arghyrna. Þau eru læknar góðir, en eiga ómegð mikla ok lifa við handbjörg sína, ok er slíkt kölluð hriflingabjörg. Nú mun Hálfdani ekki lífs auðit, ef þau geta ekki at gert, ok mun hann þá koma til okkar."

Hann fekk nú til trúnaðarmenn sína at flytja Hálfdan á land upp ok fekk þeim hundrað marka silfrs ok bað segja þeim karli, at þau legði slíkan hug á at græða hann sem sjálfan sik, ef hann kæmi til þeira, ok þau skulu segja honum fulla vissu, hvert hann ætti þess at vitja, sem hann hafði látit græða. Fara þeir nú ok finna karl ok kerlingu ok segja þeim þat, þeim var boðit, ok færðu þeim féit, en þau sögðu bæði, at þetta væri þeim full skylda. Fóru sendimenn í burtu, en þau hjón tóku til at græða hann, ok var þat torsótt, því at sár hans váru mjök sollin, ok lá hann átján vikur í sárum ok varð þó græddr at heilu, en tólf mánaði varð hann þar at vera, áðr en hann fekk aptr sinn styrk, ok þótti honum sá tími langr, því at honum kom jafnan í hug in fagra hönd ok þat gull ok glófi, sem hann hafði misst.

             The large man came there where  Halfdan lay with gaping wounds. He spoke to Svidi: “It seems to me that Halfdan’s wounds, might be cared for, if he gets to a good doctor, but I do not intend for him to be moved on a sea journey, and so I must send him by land up to my friend, who is named Hrifling. His wife is named Arghyrna. They are good healers, but are very poor and earn a living by their labor, and so it is called hand to mouth life. Now Halfdan will not survive, if they can’t help him, and so they must come to us.”
 
            He now got his trusted men to carry Halfdan up by land, and gave them a hundred marks of silver, and bade them say to the old man, that they should take such pains and intent to care for him themselves, as if he himself came to them, and should tell him precisely where to find him, once he was fully cared for. They now went to find the man and woman and told them what was asked, and brought them the treasure, but they both said that it was only their duty. The messengers went away, and Hrifling and his wife started to tend to him. He lay eighteen weeks with wounds, but was, however, nursed to health. He was there for twelve months, before he regained his strength, and it seemed like a long time to him, since he was always thinking of the beautiful hand, and the gold and glove that he had lost. 

Tökum vér nú þar til, sem Úlfkell snillingr flýði ór bardaganum. Hann komst til lands við fimmtánda mann, en missti allt sitt lið annat. Hann helt nú spurnum til, hvar Úlfr, bróðir hans, mundi vera, ok spyrst honum svá til, at hann sé á Bjarmalandi. Fór hann nú á hans fund. Hárekr hét sá konungr, er þar réð fyrir. Dóttir hans hét Eðný. Úlfr hafði beðit hennar, en konungr vildi eigi gifta hana. Þá herjaði Úlfr á landi hans. Nú at þeir bræðr fundust, bera þeir ráð sín saman, at þeir skulu fara á fund Háreks konungs. Þeir höfðu sex tigi skipa. En er þeir kómu í hafnir þær, er lágu fyrir konungs höllinni, þá fór Úlfkell snillingr á fund konungs ok kveðr hann sæmiliga. Konungr spurði, hvat manna hann væri. Hann sagði til it sanna.

Konungr spurði, hverr stýrði þeim inum mikla her, sem þar var kominn, en Úlfkell sagði, at honum stýrði Úlfr inn illi, -- "en vit erum bræðr. Fór ek því á yðvarn fund, at vit viljum bjóðast til at vera yðrir menn. Ef þú vilt gifta Úlfi dóttur þína, þá vil ek leggja til með Álaborg ok Aldeigjuborg ok öll þau ríki, sem þar fylgja, því at þat er mín eign. Væntir mik, at yðr verði mikill styrkr at okkr bræðrum, en mörgum mun þykkja þröngt fyrir dyrum, ef vér skulum illt þreyta."

Konungr bað hann fresta til umráða við menn sína. Úlfkell veitti þat. Konungr spurði dóttur sína, hvat hún leggr til, en hún sagði, at henni þætti mikill vandi um hernað þeira bræðra, -- "en ef víst væri ríkit, þá þætti mér ásjávert," en kveðst einskis ills synja fyrir þá, ef þeim væri synjat, ok urðu þær endalyktir, at Úlfr fekk Eðnýjar, ok tóku þeir bræðr landvörn fyrir Bjarmalandi.

Úlfkell helt spurningum til, hverr sá mundi vera, at barizt hefði við hann, þá þeir Hálfdan áttust við, en Hárekr konungr sagði honum, at sá hét Grímr, -- "ok ræðr fyrir austr í Kirjálabotnum ok hefir brotizt þar til ríkis, ok vita menn eigi, hvaðan hann er ættaðr. Honum fylgir fóstrdóttir hans, svá fögr mær, at menn hafa eigi spurn af annarri jafnvænni."

"Þar er sá maðr," sagði Úlfkell, "at ek vildi á hefnileið róa, ef kostr væri, ok vilda ek þar til hafa hjálp ok styrk af yðr."

Konungr mælti: "Þat má oss vel saman koma, því at þar er sú mær, at ek ætla mér at biðja."

Þeir sögðu báðir, at þeir vildu honum þar til standa, ok sögðu, at þeim þótti þat vel stofnat, ok staðfesta með sér, at þeir skulu þangat fara, þegar sumar kemr, ok eigi fyrr í burtu en Grímr væri í helju, en konungr hefði fengit jungfrúna. Sátu þeir nú um kyrrt.

En er váraði, bjuggu þeir skip sín. Þeir höfðu ógrynni hers. Með þeim váru tveir konungar finnskir. Hét annarr Fiðr, en annarr Flóki. Þeir váru galdramenn. Fara þeir nú þangat til, at þeir koma austr í Kirjálabotna ok fundu Grím. Þurfti þar eigi at sökum at spyrja. Buðu þeir Grími þegar bardaga eða hitt, at hann gæfist upp í þeira vald ok gæfi konungi ríkit allt ok fóstrdóttur sína.

Grímr sagði, at þeim skyldi meira fyrir verða, -- "á konungr þessi engar sakir við oss, en þú, Úlfkell, munt fara verri för en fyrr."

Sofa þeir í náðum um nóttina, en um morgun gekk Grímr út af kastalanum með öllu sínu liði, ok tókst þar in snarpasta orrosta, ok helzt sá bardagi til kvelds. Hafði Grímr misst þá margan mann. Fór hann þá aptr í kastalann, en at morgni dags tóku þeir til bardaga, ok var þá engi vápnfærr maðr eptir í kastalanum.

          We now take up the story where Ulfkell the Heroic left the battle. He came to land with fifteen men, but lost all of his other troops. He now asked where Ulf, his brother, might be, and was told that he was in Bjarmaland. He then went to meet him. The king who ruled there was named Harek. His daughter was named Edny. Ulf had proposed to her, but the king did not want to give her in marriage. Then Ulf harried his lands. Now when the brothers met, they conferred together, and decided that they should go to a meeting with King Harek. They had sixty ships. But when they came to the harbor, which lay before the hall of the king, Ulfkell the Hero went to meet the king, and spoke to him honorably. The king asked what man he was. He answered truthfully.
 
            The king asked who commanded the great army, which had come there.  Ulfkell said, that Ulf the Evil commanded it, -- “but we are brothers. Thus I came to your meeting, since we wish to ask to be your men. If you will give Ulf the hand of your daughter, then I will hand over Alaborg and Aldeigjuborg, and all of the realm, which accompanies it, since it is my own. I expect, that you would be much stronger with us brothers on your side, and escape would seem pretty tight to many people, if we start going after the evil-doers.”
      The king asked him to delay until he had a conference with his men. Ulfkell granted that. The king asked his daughter, what she had to say. She said, that she thought it would be a difficult task, due to the past plundering of the brothers, “but if the kingdom would be secure, that would seem to me worthy of consideration.” But she said that at any rate, there was no evil that they would stop at, if they were refused, and so it ended up, that Ulf married Edny, and the brothers became guardians of Bjarmaland.
             Ulfkell asked who had fought against him, when he and Halfdan battled. King Harek said to him that it was Grim, -- “who rules to the east in Kirjalabotnum, and has forced his way to power there, and men do not know where his origins are. His foster-daughter follows him, such a beautiful maiden, that no one has heard of anyone as fair as she.”
             “There is a man there,” said Ulfkell,. “that I would like to take vengeance on, if possible, and I would like your strength and assistance to do that.”
             The king said: “We may be able to agree on that, since she is the maiden, that I intend to ask for myself.”
             They both said that they would stand by him, and said that it seemed like a good idea to them. They agreed that they would travel there, when summer came, and not leave until Grim was dead and the king had gotten the hand of the maiden. They then went to rest.
             When spring came, they prepared their ships. They had unlimited troops. With them were two Finnish kings. One was Fidr, and the other Floki. They were wizards. They then went east to Kirjalabotn, and found Grim. There is nothing to report of the matter. They offered Grim the choice: a battle, or that he yield to their power and give all the realm to the king, as well as his foster-daughter.
            

Grim said, that there was more, -- “the king does not have any business with us, but you, Ulfkell, will travel a worse journey.”
            

They then slept peacefully for the night, but in the morning Grim went out of the stronghold with all his troops, and there was a fierce battle, and the fighting went on until evening. Grim had lost many men. He then went back to the castle. In the morning they resumed the battle, but there were no men left in the stronghold who could bear arms.

Hálfdan snýr nú á skóginn, ok er hann hafði gengit tvá daga, þá sá hann einn leynistíg. Hundrinn vildi stíginn, en Hálfdan gekk fram brautina, þangat til at hann fann skála. Þar var hnigin hurð á klofa. Hálfdan hratt henni upp, en í því hann gekk inn, þá var Gullkúla þar fyrir, dóttir Kols, ok hjó á háls honum með bitrligri skálm, en þar var undir steinasörvi kerlingar ok brast við hátt, en skálmin stökk í sundr. Hálfdan greip hana upp ok rak hana niðr fall mikit ok greip síðan í annan fótinn á henni ok reif hana sundr at endilöngu ok kastar henni síðan út fyrir dyrr. Kolr kom heim á móti dagsetri, ok er hann laut í dyrrnar, þá setti Hálfdan saxit á hálsinn, ok var þat hans bani.

En um nóttina, þá er Hálfdan var í svefni, kómu þau inn bæði, Kolr ok dóttir hans, ok sóttu þau bæði at Hálfdani. Hundrinn hljóp upp ok reif Gullkúlu á náranum ok rakti ór henni þarmana. Hálfdan hljóp undir skálabúann, ok glímdu þeir lengi, en svá lauk, at Hálfdan felldi hann ok braut hann á háls. Síðan tók hann eld ok brenndi þau upp bæði. Þar var hann tvær nætr.

Síðan fór hann á burtu ok létti eigi fyrr en hann kom á Klifskóg. Þar fann hann skála stóran, ok var hurðin svá þung, at hann varð alls máttar at kosta, áðr hún gekk upp. Hann sá þar rúm eitt. Þat hafði tvær álnir yfir hans lengd. Ból sá hann þar svá mikit sem báss væri. Þá var sýnt húmat. Hann heyrði út gný mikinn, ok heyrði hann, at göltrinn grenjaði ok lét ófrýnliga. Gekk Hálfdan þá út ór skálanum. Hundrinn hljóp gnöllrandi at geltinum, en göltrinn snerist undan. Hálfdan hjó eptir honum ok ór honum rófuna. Göltrinn snerist aptr ok stakk trýninu á millum fóta Hálfdanar ok vatt honum á lopt, svá at honum varð laust saxit, en þó kom hann standandi niðr. Skálabúi kom þá at ok sló til Hálfdanar með gaddakylfu, en hann snerist undan höggvinu ok gat eigi nát saxinu. Hann greip í fótinn á geltinum ok kippti honum at sér. Höggit kom á millum hlusta geltinum, ok brotnaði haussinn í honum. Hálfdan reif fótinn undan geltinum ok rak hann við eyra spellvirkjanum, svá at hann fell á kné. Hálfdan hljóp þá at honum ok hratt hann um koll. Hann greip þá til Hálfdanar, ok sviptust þeir fast, ok urðu ýmsir undir. Þá hljóp at rakkinn karlsnautr ok beit í nefit á skálabúa ok reif af honum nasirnar. Þá gat Hálfdan nát saxinu ok hjó af skálabúa höfuðit ok brenndi hann síðan upp at báli. Var hann þá stirðr ok móðr. Þar dvelst hann um nóttina.

Síðan kom hann at Kálfárskóg ok kemr at skála Sels. Hurð var hnigin á miðjan klofa. Hann hljóp á hurðina þrisvar, áðr en upp gekk. Hann settist í rúm skálabúa. Hann hafði eikarkefli í hendi ok tálgaði hvasst í báða endana ok sveið í eldinum. Hann sá út um dyrrnar, hvar skálabúi ferr, ok hljóp hundrinn fram undan. Hundrinn Hálfdanar brá við þegar ok hljóp upp á þvertréit. Hálfdan gekk út á móti bóndanum, en þegar hundrinn sá hann, hljóp hann á mót honum með gapanda ginit ok lætr allólmliga. Hálfdan rak höndina inn í kjaptinn á honum ok snýr keflinu, svá at annarr endinn horfir upp í góminn, en annarr niðr, ok kom hann ekki saman kjaptinum. Selr kom at í þessu ok hafði bjarndýr á herðunum, en hvalkálf fyrir sér.

            Halfdan now turned to the forest, and when he had traveled for two days, he saw a secret path. The dog wished to take the path, but Halfdan went along the road, until he found a hut. The door was shut. Halfdan pushed it open, and went in. Gullkula, the daughter of Kol, was there before him.  She struck him on the neck with a sharp short sword. But the woman’s necklace was under there, and the sword broke apart with a loud noise. Halfdan picked her up, and pushed her down violently, and then grabbed her other foot, and tore her apart from one end to the other, and then cast her out of the door. Kol came home at nightfall, and when he stooped down in the doorway, Halfdan set his sword on his neck and that was his death.
 
            But at night, when Halfdan was asleep, they both came in, Kol and his daughter, and both attacked  Halfdan. The dog leaped up, and tore Gullkula’s corpse at the groin, and tore the guts from it. Halfdan lunged at the hut dweller, and they wrestled for a long time, and it ended up, that Halfdan felled him and broke his neck. Then he took fire and burned them both. He was there for two nights.
             Afterward he proceeded and did not stop until he came to Klifskog. There he found a large hut and the door was so heavy, that he tried with all his might before it opened up. He saw a bed . It was two ells longer than he. He saw a lair as big as if it was a stall in a barn. It was getting to be dusk. He heard a roar outside, and heard a hog bellow, making an unpleasant sound. Halfdan then went out of the hut. The dog leaped at the hog, barking, but the hog turned away. Halfdan struck at it, and cut off its tail. The hog turned around, and stuck its snout between Halfdan’s feet, and tossed him aloft, so that he lost the sword, although he came down on his feet. The hut dweller, came toward him, and struck at Halfdan with a spiked club, but he turned away from the blow, although he could not reach the sword. He grabbed at the hog’s feet, and quickly drew it towards him. The blow came between the hog’s ears, and broke its skull. Halfdan tore the feet from under the hog, and struck at the scoundrel’s ear, so that he fell on his knees. Halfdan then ran toward him, and knocked  him down.  He grasped at Halfdan, and wrestled, so that at times each was on top, and each was underneath. Then the dog, which the old man had given him, charged at the hut-dweller and bit the nose of the hut-dweller, and tore it off. Then Halfdan was able to get hold of the sword, and cut off the head of the hut dweller, and burned him up in a bonfire. By then he was then stiff and tired. He stayed the night there.
             Afterward he came to Kalfarskog and came to the hut of Sel. The door was half shut. He ran at the door three times, before it gave way. He settled in the bed of the hut dweller. He had an oaken stick in his hand, and carved it sharp on both ends, and singed it in the fire.  Outside of the door he saw that the hut dweller was coming, with his dog running in front of him. Halfdan’s dog was startled, and ran up onto the crossbeam. Halfdan went out to meet the farmer, and when the dog saw him, he ran to meet him with gaping mouth and howled quite savagely. Halfdan stuck his hand into its jaw, and twisted the stick, so that one end disappeared up in the gums, and the other down, so that the   dog could not close his mouth. Sel came up at that point, with a bear on his shoulders, and a young whale in front. 

Selr kastar niðr byrðinni, en lagði bjarnsviðu til Hálfdanar. Hann hjó á móti með saxinu ok sundr sviðuskaptit ok af honum alla fingrna á annarri hendi. Selr greip upp stein ok snarar at Hálfdani. Hann skauzt undan ok varð svá nær Sel, at hann greip í tönnina, er fram stóð ór múlastykkinu á honum. Hann brá svá hart við, at ór honum gekk tönnin. Hálfdan laust henni á nasir Sel ok braut í honum nefit ok allan tanngarðinn, ok var þursinn þá engum líkr nema sjálfum sér. Greip hann þá til Hálfdanar ok kreisti svá fast at síðum hans, at blóð fell út um eyru hans ok nasir. Hálfdan lék þá Sel hælkrók, ok fell hann á bak aptr. Tönn hans kom á steinasörvit, ok brotnaði einn steinninn. Hálfdan gat nú hvergi hrært sik. Rakkinn karlsnautr hljóp þá framan í nasirnar á Sel ok klóraði ór honum bæði augun. Þá varð Hálfdan lauss, ok hjó hann höfuð af Sel ok kastar honum svá út á móðuna, er þar fell nær.

Hann gekk nú at hundinum ok mælti til hans: "Aldri skal þetta kefli ór þínum kjapti ganga, nema þú sér mér jafnhollr sem þú varst áðr Sel."

Hundrinn skreið at honum ok sneri upp á sér maganum. Hálfdan tók þá keflit ór kjapti honum. Hundrinn varð svá feginn, at vatn rann ofan eptir trýninu á honum. Hálfdan fekk sér mat ok fór síðan at sofa, en um morguninn bjóst hann í burtu ok fór þangat til, at hann kom at leginum. Hundrinn Selsnautr rann fram með vatninu, þar til at hann fann eina mosahrúgu. Hann krafsar sundr hrúguna, ok var þar í bátr. Hálfdan tók hann ok fór yfir löginn ok gekk eptir þat þann dag til kvelds.

           Sel cast down his burden, and lunged with a bear-hunting knife toward Halfdan, who struck against him with a sword, and cut off the handle of the cutlass and all of the fingers of the other hand. Sel grabbed a stone and threw it toward Halfdan. He avoided it, and was so near to Sel, that he grabbed him by his tooth, which protruded from  his snout. He turned so strongly, that the tooth was pulled out. Halfdan struck Sel on the nose, and broke it, and the whole row of teeth, and the giant resembled no-one else, except himself. He grabbed at Halfdan and squeezed his side so hard, that blood came out of his eyes and nostrils. Halfdan then hit Sel with a knee-crook, and he fell backwards. His tooth caught on the stone necklace and broke one of the stones. Halfdan could not move at all now. The old man’s dog then ran before Sel’s nose and clawed out both of his eyes. Then Halfdan became free, and cut off Sel’s head and cast him out into a large river, which was nearby.
 
            He then went to the dog and said to him: “You'll never get that stick out of your jaw, unless you are just as faithful to me as you were to Sel.”
 
            The dog crept up to him and turned his stomach up to him. Halfdan took the stick out of his jaw. The dog was so happy, that tears ran over its snout. Halfdan got himself some food, and then went to sleep. In the morning he set off, and went on until he came to a lake. The dog Selsnautr ran along the water, until he found a heap of moss. He scraped the heap apart with his feet, and there was a boat there. Halfdan took it, and proceeded over the lake, and then walked the whole day, until it was evening.

At morgni dags sá Hálfdan kastalann, þann sem honum var til vísat. Þenna morgin var Skúli jarl farinn til bardaga á móti Háreki konungi ok þeim bræðrum, ok var þat langt í burt frá kastalanum. Hann hafði lið miklu minna. Kastalinn var eyddr af vígum mönnum, en konur stóðu í vígskörðum, þá Hálfdan kom þar. Hann sá þar eina jungfrú, þá sem honum fannst mikit um. Hún gekk ofan at portinu ok heilsaði Hálfdani með nafni. Hann tók vel kveðju hennar.
Hún mælti þá til hans: "Mál mun þér þykkja at sjá glófann ok gullit, þat sem þú misstir í Aldeigjuborg."
"Muntu mega því valda?" sagði Hálfdan.
"Miklu muntu mega um þat ráða," sagði hún. "Fóstri minn er nú í bardaga, ok væri honum nú liðs þörf ok góðrar hjástöðu, ok munda ek flest til þess vinna, at hann fengi sigr."
"Ekki á ek gott at launa fóstra þínum," sagði Hálfdan, "en ef þú vilt handsala mér trú þína, þá mun ek fara til bardagans með fóstra þínum."
Hún kastar þá út til hans glófanum ok bað hann hafa þat í festarpeninginn, -- "en gullit mun bíða hjá mér, þangað til vit vinnumst næst, en aldri verðr kastalinn af mönnum unninn, þó at ekki sé til varnar í honum nema konur."

In the morning, Halfdan saw the castle, to which he had been directed. That morning Earl Skuli had gone to a battle against King Harek and the brothers, and was far away from the castle. He had a much smaller army. The castle was empty of any men who were able to fight, but women stood at the ramparts, when Halfdan came there. He saw a maiden there, who was quite pleasing to him. She went over to the gate and greeted Halfdan by name. He received her greeting well.
             She said to him: “It must seem high time for you to see the glove and gold, which you lost in Adeigjuborg.”
             “Did you cause that?” said Halfdan.
             “You can do a lot about that,” she said. “My foster father is now at the battle, and he has need of troops and good companions, and I must see to it, that he achieves victory.”
             “I don’t have any goods to repay your foster father,” said Halfdan, “but if you will pledge me your loyalty, then I can go to the battle with him.”
             She then threw the glove out to him, and bade him have that as a pledge, -- “but the gold will stay with me, until we triumph next. The castle will never be won by men, even though it will never be defended except by women.”

Hálfdan fór nú til bardagans, ok var þá mikit mannfall. Sviði bar merki Skúla jarls ok gekk fram svá hraustliga, at hann drap merkismann Háreks konungs, er Krabbi hét. Hálfdan var eigi ístöðulauss. Hann réð þar fyrst at, sem fyrir var Flóki Finnakonungr. Konungrinn skaut af boga þrim örum senn, ok var maðr fyrir hverri. Hálfdan réðst á móti honum ok hjó með saxinu á bogann, svá at hann brotnaði, ok tók höndina af Flóka, ok flaug hún í lopt upp. Konungr rétti stúfinn upp á móti, ok kom höndin þar niðr á ok var þá heil. Þetta sá Fiðr Finnakonungr, ok varð hann at hrosshval ok hljóp upp á þá, sem börðust á móti honum, ok urðu undir honum fimmtán menn ok fengu allir bana. Hundrinn Selsnautr hljóp at honum ok reif hann í sundr með tönnunum, en hvalrinn sló í sundr kjaptinum. Hundrinn karlsnautr hljóp inn í kjaptinn ok alla götu niðr í kviðinn ok reif hann innan ok sleit ór honum hjartat, hljóp út síðan ok fell þegar dauðr niðr. Hálfdan reiðir nú saxit ok hjó til Flóka í öðru sinni, en hann blés á móti, svá at saxit fauk ór hendi Hálfdani ok kom fjarri niðr. Flóki hjó til Hálfdanar, ok kom í steinasörvit, ok brotnaði skálmin, en Hálfdan fekk sár á hálsinum, þar sem steinninn var ór brotnaðr, en misst hefði hann höfuðit, ef eigi hefði steinasörvit borgit honum. Hálfdan greip til Flóka ok rak hann niðr fall mikit. Í því kom at Úlfkell snillingr, ok átti Hálfdan þá við mörgu at sjá. Hundrinn kom þá at ok reif allt andlitit af Flóka, en Flóki hryggspennti hundinn ok braut í honum hvert bein, ok lágu þeir þá báðir dauðir. Hálfdan sá þá ekki sitt færi annat en hljóp á Úlfkel ok greip af honum sverðit ok sló því flötu um nasir honum ok bað hann verja sik, ok þá gat Hálfdan nát saxinu. Gengu þeir þá saman ok börðust, ok lauk svá með þeim, at Úlfkell snillingr fekk bana. Skúli jarl hafði þá drepit Úlf inn illa.

Þá kom at Hárekr Bjarmakonungr ok sótti at honum, ok áttust þeir við hart vápnaskipti. Hárekr hjó til Skúla ok af honum allan skjöldinn, ok fekk hann sár á fingrna ok ekki mikit. Skúli hjó í móti ok af konungi eyrat ok vangafilluna svá at berir skinu við jaxlarnir. Þá varð Hárekr at flugdreka ok sló Skúla með sporðinum, svá at hann lá í óviti. Þá kom at sá kappi, er Grubs hét, ok hjó fót undan drekanum, en drekinn krækir annarri klónni til Grubs ok reif hann á hol á náranum. Þá kom at Hálfdan ok hjó til drekans á hálsinn, ok var þat hans bani.

Brast þá flótti í liðinu, ok flýðu víkingar til skipa ok kómust undan á þremr skipum. Þat skip, sem Ingigerðr, dóttir Kols, var á, hljóp á sker, ok drukknaði hvert mannsbarn, sem á var. Hálfdan snýr nú þangat, sem bardaginn hafði verit, ok var þar miklu herfangi at skipta. Ekki fundu þeir Skúla jarl ok fara svá heim til kastalans. Váru nú bundin sár manna ok fluttr heim fjáraflinn. Ingigerðr fagnar þeim vel.

Ok er þrjár nætr váru liðnar, kvaddi hún þings, ok kómu þar allir þeir, sem í kastalanum váru. Ingigerðr kom ok á þingit. Hún settist á kné Hálfdanar ok gaf sik ok alla sína eigu honum í vald ok fekk honum gullit, þat sem fyrr var frá sagt.

"Sátt eru vit nú, Ingigerðr," sagði Hálfdan, "ef þú segir mér, hvat þú mæltir við móður þína, áðr en faðir minn var drepinn."

"Ek bað, at hún skyldi láta opna skemmuna um nóttina, ok vil ek þat nú allt bæta, sem þér þykkir at um þetta ok allt annat, en þó munu hér í heldrum lögum hvárirtveggju hafa nokkut til síns máls."

Halfdan went now to the battle, and many men fell there. Svidi bore the standard of Earl Skuli, and proceeded so bravely, that he killed the standard bearer of King Harek, who was named Krabbi. Halfdan did not stop there.  He rode first toward those commanded by Floki, King of the Finns. The king shot three arrows from his bow at the same time, and each stuck a man. Halfdan rode toward him, and struck at the bow with his sword, so that it broke, and cut off Floki's hand, so that it flew up into the air. The king raised the stump up toward it, and the hand came down to it and was then healed. Fidr, king of the Finns, saw that, and turned himself into a walrus, and ran up on top of those who were fighting against him. There were fifteen men under him, and all were killed. The dog Selsnautr ran toward him, and tore him apart with his teeth, but the walrus struck his jaw to pieces. The dog Karlsnautr ran into the jaw, and all the way down into the belly and tore him inside, and cut out his heart. Then he ran out, and fell down dead. Halfdan now brandished his sword, and struck at Floki again, but he blew against him, so that the sword flew out of Halfdan's hand, and came down far away. Floki struck at Halfdan, but hit the stone necklace and broke the sword, and Halfdan was wounded on the neck, there where the stone was broken. He would have lost his head, if the stone necklace had not protected him. Halfdan grasped at Floki and thrust him into a great fall. Then Ulfkell the Heroic came, and Halfdan had much to contend with. The dog came and tore off all of Floki's face, but Floki clasped his arms around the back of the dog, and broke all of its bones, and they both lay there dead. Halfdan saw that there was nothing else to do but to go after Ulfkell. He grabbed his sword from him, and struck  with the flat of it on his nose, and told him to defend himself, and then Halfdan was able to get the sword. Then they went  after each other and fought, and it ended up that Ulfkell the Heroic was killed. Earl Skuli then killed Ulf the Evil.
             Then Harek, the King of Bjarmaland came toward Skuli and attacked him, and they had a hard clash of weapons. Harek struck at Skuli and took away all of his shield, and he got a wound to his fingers, although not severe. Skuli struck back and cut off one of the king’s ears, and flesh of his cheeks, so that the skin was taken away to the shoulders. Then Harek turned into a flying dragon, and struck Skuli with its tail, so that he was knocked out. Then a warrior advanced, who was named Grubs, and cut off the dragon’s foot, but the dragon hooked Grubs with his other claws, and tore open his groin. Then  Halfdan recovered and struck the dragon on the neck, and that was the end of him.
             The ranks broke in flight, and the vikings retreated to the ships and three escaped. The ship that Ingigerd, the daughter of Kol, was on, ran onto a skerry, and every living soul that was on it was drowned. Halfdan now turned to where the battle had been, and there was much booty to share. They did not find Earl Skuli, and so went home to the castle. The wounds of the men were bound, and the booty was carried home. Ingigerd received them well.
 
            And when three nights had past, she ordered an assembly, and all those who were in the castle came there. Ingigerd also came to the assembly. She sat down at Halfdan's knee, and gave herself and all her possessions to his power, and gave him the gold, as was described before.
 
            "We will be satisfied now, Ingigerd," said Halfdan, "if you will say to me, what you told your mother, before my father was killed."
 
            "I asked, that she should open the chamber that night, and I will now make amends for all that, however it seems fit to you, and for everything else, although here, according to higher laws, each side has a point."

            Next they saw a man coming, and recognized Earl Skuli there. He was well dressed for battle. He went before Halfdan, took off his helmet, and said: “Now it has come to pass, Halfdan, that I will offer you reconciliation and the right to judgment in all of those matters in which I have wronged you. Herewith, I will offer you blood-brotherhood, and therewith give you Ingigerd, my foster daughter, but if you do not wish to make that choice, then I must not risk many meetings with you, and things will happen as they will.”
 
“It’s not enough,” said Halfdan, “to run away and then look back later. I would not have had much to say, when we fought Ulfkell the Heroic, if you had not shown me bravery”
 
“You have avenged him by now,” said Skuli.
 
Then Ingigerd determined that they should be reconciled, and that was easily done, and most men thought that they both acted honorably, and people were pleased with their reconciliation. The booty was then divided, and there was so much treasure, that now many were rich who had been poor before. Halfdan prepared for his wedding, and while that was being done, he fetched the treasure, which the robbers had. It was so much booty, that fifteen great ships were laden with all sorts of jewels. He also sought the old man, Hrifling, and all of his household, and made him quite rich.
 
Halfdan then celebrated his wedding, and invited all of the chieftains. Earl Skuli was in charge, and the feast proceeded handsomely. All of the men were paid out with suitable gifts, and Halfdan was quite hospitable, so that everyone wanted to serve him.

 Sigmundr Hlöðvisson hafði þá landvörn fyrir Garðariki, bróðir Ísgerðar drottningar. Hann kom til móts við Hálfdan með miklu fjölmenni, ok var honum vel fagnat. Þá lét Hálfdan þings kveðja.

Hann tók svá til máls: "Nú hefi ek hér verit í Austrveginum sextán vetr, ok var þat hvárttveggja, at vér kómum hér harðliga inn, enda fengum vér hér mikinn mannskaða, ok hafa hér ýmsir aðra af baki riðit, ok munu vér þat nú at léttu leggja, ef vér skulum vinskap saman eiga. Nú viti þér, at sá orðrómr hefir hér á leikit, at Úlfkell snillingr hafi átt Ingigerði, dóttur Hergeirs konungs, en þau eru nú dauð Úlfkell ok hans kona. Því vil ek nú vita sannendi þessa máls af Ísgerði drottningu ok Sigmundi, bróður hennar, ok Skúla jarli, fóstbróður mínum, hvárt þessi Ingigerðr, er ek hefi hingat flutt, er dóttir Kols eða Hergeirs konungs, því at ek hefða ætlat mér betra kvánfang, ef kostr hefði verit, en eiga dóttur Kols."

Þá svarar Ísgerðr drottning: "Þó at vér höfum lengi harðliga saman keypt, þá vil ek þik í engu pretta, Hálfdan, því at þú hefir valit þér inn bezta hlut af várum viðskiptum. Því segi ek þér, at þessi Ingigerðr er mín dóttir ok Hergeirs konungs, sem þú hefir hingat fært, ok hún ein er erfingi réttr til þessa lands, ok því lýsi ek hér, at ek gef mik ok mína dóttur ok þetta ríki Hálfdani til fullrar eignar, ok bæti svá hvárir sinn skaða, en gjarna vilda ek vita, at Skúli jarl hefði sæmiliga kosti, þá sem honum vel líkaði."

Sigmund Hlodvisson was in charge of defenses in Russia. He was the brother of Queen Isgerd. He came to meet Halfdan with many troops, and was received well. Then Halfdan had an assembly called.
 
            He spoke thus: “Now I have been in Austrveg for sixteen years, and there are two issues:  that we came in here forcibly, and indeed had much loss of men here, and each side at one point or another has borne the burden. But now we must let that be, if we intend to have friendship between us. Now I make known to you, that there has been a report that Ulfkell the Heroic has married Ingigerd, the daughter of King Hergeir, but now Ulfkell and his wife are dead. Therefore I wish now to learn the truth of the matter from Queen Isgerd, and Sigmund, her brother, and Earl Skuli, my foster-brother, whether this Ingigerd, who I have brought here, is the daughter of Kol or of King Hergeir, since I would have intended  a better match for myself, if possible, than to marry the daughter of Kol.”
 
            Then Queen Isgerd answered: “Although we have struggled forcibly together, I will not trick you in anything, Halfdan, since you have proved to be fair in our dealings together. Thus I say to you, that this Ingigerd, who you have brought here, is my daughter, and the daughter of King Hergeir, and she is the proper heir to this land, and so I proclaim here, that I give myself and my daughter, and that kingdom to Halfdan, to full ownership, and may each side compensate the harm done to the other. But I would wish to know, that Earl Skuli would have honorable terms, which would please him well.”

Skúli jarl hefr nú upp sína sögu ok sagði frá því, at hann setti Kol höfðingja fyrir liðit ok hverninn þær nöfnur breyttu ok at þau Ingigerðr hefðu verit sá karl ok kerling, sem flýðu undan Hálfdani við Álaborg ok hann vildi nát hafa; segir nú sik ok sitt ríki í valdi Hálfdanar.

Hálfdan mælti þá: "Nú er svá komit, at lönd þessi öll lúta undir mik. Því vil ek nú birta yðr, hversu ek vil vera láta: Ek vil gefa Skúla jarli Ísgerði drottning ok þat ríki, sem hún á hér í Garðaríki. Ek hefi nú í mínu valdi Bjarmaland ok Eðnýju, dóttur Háreks konungs. Þat ríki vil ek gefa Sigmundi ok meyna þar með, ef þat er þeim báðum viljugt."

Sigmundr lét sér þetta vel líka, ef meyjan vill því samþykkjast, en Eðný lézt eigi framar bónorðs sér vænta, -- "ok mun mér þetta vel líka."

 Hálfdan sagðist mundu vitja þess ríkis, sem hann átti í Noregi, -- "ok mun þat hverjum heppnast sem hann til borinn er."

Fór þetta nú fram, at þessi brullaup váru drukkin með mjök miklu prís, ok at þeim enduðum fóru höfðingjarnir hverr til síns heima, en Hálfdan sat þar um vetrinn, ok váru góðar ástir með þeim Ingigerði. Sviða inn sókndjarfa sendu þeir austr í Kirjálabotna, ok skyldi hann vera þar höfðingi yfir ok hafa þat ríki af Skúla jarli.

En um várit, þegar ísa leysti, safnar Hálfdan at sér bæði skipum ok mönnum, ok bjuggust þeir Sigmundr til Bjarmalands ok Skúli jarl, ok tókst þeim sú ferð vel, ok lá landit laust í þeira valdi, ok gerðist Sigmundr þar höfðingi yfir, en var þó með Hálfdani. Skúli jarl fór heim í Álaborg, ok unnust þau Ísgerðr drottning mikit. Þeira sonr var Hreggviðr, faðir Ingigerðar, er Göngu-Hrólfr átti.

Earl Skuli now began his story, and said that he had set Kol as the chieftain of his army, and how they exchanged names, and that he and Ingigerd had been the man and wife, who fled from Halfdan at Alaborg, when he wanted to seize them; and declared  that he and his kingdom were under the power of Halfdan.
 
            The Halfdan said: “Now it has come to pass, that these lands all are subject to me. Therefore I will now inform you how I will have things: I will give Queen Isgerd in marriage to Earl Skuli , along with that realm that she has here in Russia. I now have in my power Bjarmaland, and Edny, daughter of King Harek. That kingdom I will give to Sigmund, and the maiden with it, if that is agreeable to them both.
 
            Sigmund indicated that he liked that very much, if the maiden agreed, and Edny indicated that she wasn't expecting any other courting, -- “so that will please me well.”
 
            Halfdan said that he would visit the kingdom that he had in Norway, -- “since everyone will be most happy where he was born.”
 
            It came to pass, that this weddings were toasted with much praise, and when it was over, each of the chieftains went to his home. Halfdan stayed there for the winter, and loved Ingigerd very much. They sent Svidi the Valiant east to Kirjalabotn, and he was to be chieftain there, and have that kingdom from Earl Skuli.
 
            But in the spring, when the ice loosened up, Halfdan gathered both ships and men around him, and along with Sigmund and Earl Skuli, proceeded to Bjarmaland. Their journey proceeded well, and the land lay in their power without resistance. Sigmund was made chieftain over it, along with Halfdan. Earl Skuli proceeded home to Alaborg, and he and Queen Isgerd loved each other very much. Their son was Hreggvid, father of Ingigerd, who married Gongu-Hrolf. 

            Now it is to be told of Halfdan, that he set out for Norway, and Sigmund went with him and Odd the Dandy, his brother. They had a fine army, and when Halfdan came to Norway, he was well received by his friends, and he was made king of Thrandheim, and all of the realm, that King Eysteinn, his father, had owned. He was very popular with  his subjects. He and Ingigerd had two sons. One was named Thor the Hart and the other Eysteinn the Noisy.
 
            Odd the Dandy was made one of Halfdan’s superintendants, and was quite a valiant man. He went to Iceland in his old age, and had many descendants there.
 
            Sigmund’s men next came from the east, from Bjarmaland, and said that Vikings were plundering Bjarmaland and Nogard. They had killed Svidi the Valiant, and taken control of Kirjalabotn and much of Russia. And when Halfdan and Sigmund heard that, they gathered an army and went east to Bjarmaland. 

Í þenna tíma réð sá konungr fyrir Gestrekalandi ok öllum ríkjum fyrir austan Kjöl, er Agnarr hét. Hann átti Hildigunnu, systur Háreks heitins Bjarmakonungs. Þau áttu tvá sonu. Hét annarr Raknarr, en annarr Valr. Þeir váru víkingar ok lágu úti í Dumbshafi ok herjuðu á jötna.

Raknarr átti skip þat, sem Raknarsslóði var kallaðr. Þat var tírætt at rúmatali. Þat hefir verit mest langskip gert í Noregi annat en Ormrinn langi. Þat var skipat allra handa illmönnum. Þar váru fimmtán skækjusynir í hverju hálfrúmi. Raknarr lagði undir sik Hellulands óbyggðir ok eyddi þar öllum jötnum.

Valr, bróðir hans, lá í Dumbshafi, ok er mikil saga af honum. Þeir bræðr þóttust rétt komnir til Bjarmalands eptir Hárek, móðurbróður sinn. Valr átti tvá sonu. Hét annarr Köttr, en annarr Kisi. Þeir váru stórir menn ok sterkir. Valr hafði drepit Sviða ok lagt undir sik Kirjálabotna. Hann hafði fengit svá mikit gull, at þess kunni engi markatal, ok tók hann þat af Svaða jötni, er bjó í fjalli því, sem Blesanergr heitir. Þat er fyrir norðan Dumbshaf. Svaði var sonr Ása-Þórs. Valr átti sverð þat, sem Hornhjalti hét. Þat var mjök gulli búit ok nam aldri í höggvi stað.

Þeir Hálfdan ok Sigmundr koma nú austr til Bjarmalands ok halda fréttum til, hvar Valr er, ok fundu hann fyrir norðan Gandvík, ok sló þar þegar í bardaga. Tveir menn eru nefndir með Sigmundi. Hét annarr Haukr, en annarr Gaukr. Þeir váru stafnbúar á skipi hans. Agnarr, sonr Raknars, lagði skipi sínu á mót Hálfdani, ok váru þeira viðskipti allhraustlig. Þeir Haukr ok Gaukr léku lausir við ok lögðu at þeim skipum, sem yzt váru, ok hruðu þau öll. Valr hljóp upp á skip til Sigmundar ok þeir Köttr ok Kisi með honum, ok ruddust um fast. Valr hjó til Sigmundar ok klauf fyrir honum allan skjöldinn. Sverðit kom á fótinn utarliga ok tók af tvær tærnar. Sigmundr hjó á móti. Valr hafði gylldan hjálm, ok kom sverðit í hann ok stökk í sundr hjöltunum. Valr var þá búinn til höggs ok stóð keikr. Sigmundr hljóp á hann ok hratt honum á bak aptr út yfir borðit, ok fór hann niðr til grunna. En er hann kom upp ór kafinu, drógu menn hans hann upp í eitt skip.

Þeir hrukku nú ofan af skipinu Köttr ok Kisi. En er þeir kómu í sitt skip, þá lagði at þeim Oddr skrauti ok Gaukr ok Haukr, ok varð þar hörð sókn með þeim. En með því at Valr var upp gefinn, þá flýðu þeir einskipa, en Oddr lagði eptir þeim ok elti þá til lands, þar sem á mikil fell af björgum ofan ok fram í sjó. Valr var í ferð með þeim. Hann greip upp gullkistur tvær. Þær váru svá þungar, at tveir menn höfðu nóg at bera þær. Oddr hljóp eptir honum, en er þeir kómu at fossinum, steypti Valr sér ofan í hann, ok skildi svá með þeim.

Þá kómu þeir at Köttr ok Kisi, Gaukr ok Haukr, ok sem þeir kómu at fossinum, þá greip Köttr Hauk, en Kisi Gauk, ok steyptust með þá ofan í fossinn ok drápu þá báða. Hellir stórr var undir fossinum, ok köfuðu þeir feðgar þangat ok lögðust á gullit ok urðu at flugdrekum ok höfðu hjálma á höfðum, en sverð undir bægslum, ok lágu þeir þar, til þess at Gull-Þórir vann fossinn.

Sneri Oddr þá aptr einn saman. Þeir Hálfdan ok Sigmundr höfðu þá drepit alla víkinga, en Agnarr flýði einskipa. Hann kom til Hálogalands ok var inn mesti spellvirki. Hann dró saman fé mikit, ok at síðustu gerði hann sér haug mikinn ok gekk þar í kvikr, sem faðir hans hafði gert, með alla skipshöfn sína ok trylldist á fénu.

       At that time there was a king, named Agnar, who ruled Gestrekaland and all of the realms east of Kjol. He was married to Hildigun, sister of the late Harek, king of Bjarmaland. They had two sons. One was named Raknar, and the other Val. They were Vikings and set out in the Dumbshaf and harried the giants.
 
            Raknar had a ship that was called Raknarsslod. It had a hundred rowing spaces. It was the biggest long-ship built in Norway, other than the Long Serpent. It was manned by all sorts of shady characters. There were fifteen sons of whores in each rowing bench. Raknar took control of the wastelands of Helluland and cleared them of all giants.
 
            His brother, Val, stayed in Dumbshaf , and there is quite a story about him. The two brothers thought that they had gotten the rights to Bjarmaland from Harek, their uncle. Val had two sons. One was named Kott, and the other Kisi. They were large and strong men. Val had killed Svidi, and taken control of Kirjalabotn. He had gotten so much gold, that it could not be counted, and he took it from the giant Svadi, who lived in the mountain called Blesanerg. That is north of  Dumbshaf. Svadi was the son of the god, Thor. Val had a sword called Hornhjalti. It was inlaid with much gold, and never failed in its strokes.
 
            Halfdan and Sigmund came now east to Bjarmaland, and inquired, where Val was. They met him north of Grandvik, and set to battle. Two of Sigmund’s men are named. One was named Hauk, and the other Gauk. They were forecastle men on his ship. Agnar, the son of Raknar, set his ship along side of Halfdan’s, and their conflict was quite fierce. Hauk and Gauk sailed free, and set out against the outermost ships, and cleared all of them. Val leaped up on Sigmund’s ship, and Kott and Kisi with him, and made havoc. Val struck at Sigmund and cut his shield away. The sword struck the outside of his foot and cut off two toes. Sigmund struck back. Val had a golden helmet, and the sword came down on it and shattered the hilt. Val was ready to strike, and stood upright. Sigmund rushed at him and thrust him back over the side of the ship, and he fell down to the bottom of the sea. But when he came up from the dive, his men dragged him up onto a ship.
 
            Kottr and Kisi were now repelled from the ship. But when they came to their own ship, Odd the Dandy and Gauk and Hauk charged at them, and there was a fierce attack on them. Because Val had given up, they fled in one ship, but Odd went after them and drove them to land, where a great river fell from the cliffs down to the sea. Val was with them. He seized two chests of gold. They were so heavy, that two men could hardly carry them. Odd ran after him, but when they came to the waterfall, Val cast himself down into it, and so got away from them.
             Then Kott, Kisi, Gauk and Hauk came, and when they came to the waterfall, Kott grabbed Hauk, and Kisi Gauk, and dived with them down into the waterfall, and killed them both. A huge cave was under the waterfall, and Val and his sons dove there, and lay down on the gold, and became winged dragons. They had helmets on their heads, and swords under their flippers. They lay there, until Gull-Thorir took possession of the waterfall.
             Odd was the only one to return. Halfdan and Sigmund had killed all of the Vikings, except for Agnar, who fled in one ship. He came to Halogaland and was a huge troublemaker. He collected much treasure, and finally made a large grave mound, and went into it alive, as his father had done, with all of his ship's crew, and turned into a troll, along with the treasure. 

Halfdan and Sigmund now went home to Bjarmaland, and Sigmund settled there in his realm. Halfdan went on to Norway, and there is much to be told about him. He died of old age, and the Queen Ingigerd likewise, and there are many great men who have descended from them in Norway and the Orkneys.