The Complete

Fornaldarsögur Norðurlanda

Legendary Sagas of the Northland

in English Translation

Sá konungr hefir ráðit fyrir Danmörku, er Hringr hét. Hann var Skjaldarson, Dagssonar. Þessi Skjöldr barðist við Hermann, sem segir í sögu þeira. Hringr konungr var vitr maðr ok vinsæll ok mildr af fé ok inn mesti bardagamaðr. Hann átti drottningu, er Sigríðr hét. Hún var dóttir Vilhjálms konungs ór Vallandi. Við henni átti hann þann son, er Sigurðr hét. Hann var allra manna fríðastr ok at íþróttum bezt búinn. Hann var blíðr við vini sína, örr af fé, en grimmr sínum óvinum.

Sviði hefir karl nefndr verit. Hann átti eitt garðshorn, harðla skammt frá konungshöllunni. Hann átti kerlingu, er hét Hildr. Við henni átti hann einn son, er Illugi hét. Hann var mikill vexti ok sterkr at afli, fimr var hann á alla leika. Faðir hans var kallaðr Sviði inn sókndjarfi.

Sigurðr konungsson ok Illugi lögðu leika með sér. Átti Sigurðr marga leiksveina, ok bar hann langt af þeim, hvat sem þeir skyldu reyna, en Illugi vann hann í öllu. Ok svá kom, at þeir sórust í stallbræðralag ok skyldi hvárr annars hefna, ef þeir væri með vápnum vegnir. Var nú allkært þeira á milli.

There was a king named Hring who ruled in Denmark. He was the son of Skjold Dagsson. This Skjold fought against Herman, as it says in their saga. King Hring was a wise and popular man; generous with his wealth and the greatest of warriors. He had a queen named Sigrid. She was the daughter of Vilhjalm, king of Gaul. They had a son named Sigurd. He was the most handsome of all men and best equipped for great achievements; blithe with his friends, liberal with wealth, but fierce to his foes.

There was a farmer named Svidi. He had a farm a short way from the king's hall. His wife was named Hild. They had a son named Illugi, who was tall and strong, and deft in all games. His father was called Svidi the Valiant.

Prince Sigurd and Illugi played games together. Sigurd had many playmates, and all of them did their duty to him, but Illugi was best of all. So it happened that they swore fellowship, and said that each would avenge the other, if he were weapon-slain. There was now much love between them.

Björn hét maðr. Hann var ráðgjafi konungs. Honum var allt illa gefit, er honum var sjálfrátt. Hann var lyginn ok lymskr at öllu, en þó eigi at síðr var hann inn mesti kappi ok varði land konungs fyrir víkingum, ok því mat konungr hann mikils.

Björn öfundaði þat mjök, at Illugi var svá kærr Sigurði konungssyni, ok svá kom, at hann rægði hann við þá feðga ok sagði Illuga vera ótrúan konungssyni. Konungr hlýddi á þetta, en Sigurðr trúði því ekki. Ferr nú svá fram um nokkura tíma, at Sigurðr konungsson er heima hjá föður sínum í mikilli sæmd ok virðingu. Einn tíma bað Sigurðr föður sinn at fá sér skip ok menn ok segist vilja ór landi at afla sér fjár ok frægðar.

Konungr sagði, at þat skyldi á mánaðarfresti búit vera, --"ok Björn skal fara með þér," segir konungr, "en Illugi vil ek heima sé."

Sigurðr svarar: "At vísu vil ek, at Illugi fari."

En konungr sagði Björn skyldi fylgja honum, --"því at hann er hverjum kappa meiri ok bilar aldri í stríði. Hann mun þér vera hollr ok trúr, sem hann hefir mér verit," sagði konungr, ok skilja þeir nú tal sitt.

Eptir þetta gengr konungsson til Sviða ok segir Hildi tal þeira feðga. Hún segir son sinn ungan vera ok eigi í hernað fara mega. "Er hann ok ekki reyndr," segir hún, "vilda ek ok ekki heldr, at Björn brygði honum því, at hann þyrði ekki at berjast með þér í orrostu."

Lýkr Hildr svá máli, en konungsson ferr heim til hallar ok er mjök óglaðr.

Ambátt sú var hjá Hildi, er Sunnlöð hét. Hún var fjölkunnug ok in mesta kvöldriða. Hún hafði margan mann illa leikit. Hildr kemr at máli við Illuga ok biðr hann sækja pál í sel, er Sviði lét eptir. Hann játar því. Þat var síð dags, er Illugi gekk heiman. Hann fór hart ok kom til seljanna ok fann þar pálinn. Þá var myrkt af nótt, ok ferr þó frá selinu, ok er hann var skammt kominn, var hlaupit á bak honum svá hart, at hælarnir kómu framan á bringuna. Þetta kvikendi hafði vönd í hendi ok barði Illuga með. Hér var komin Sunnlöð.

Illugi gengr ekki at síðr ok bar flagð þetta langa leið, þar til hann kemr at einum stórum steini. Hann keyrir flagðit niðr við steininn svá hart, at hryggrinn brotnar, ok lét hún svá líf sitt. Létti hann eigi sinni ferð fyrr en hann kemr heim. Hildr, móðir hans, var úti, er hann kom heim. Illugi var þá ófrýnn.

Hildr var þá blíð. "Hafa nokkur nýtíðendi gerzt í þinni ferð, sonr minn?" sagði hún. "Fannstu pálinn, sem ek vísaði þér á?"

"Já," segir Illugi.

Hún mælti: "Fannstu nokkut stúlku mína, er ek sendi at afla mér eldiviðar?"

Illugi sagði: "Varla ætla ek verri stúlka finnist, því at hún reið mér, en ek banaða henni með þeim hætti, at ek braut í henni hrygginn við stein."

Hildr kvað hann mega vera í sendiferðum, "ok vil ek," segir hún, "at þú þjónir Sigurði konungssyni ok fylgir honum í víkingu."

Illugi játar því blíðliga ok gladdist við þetta ok gengr inn með móður sinni ok sefr af nótt. At morgni býst Illugi at fara til konungshallar, kveðr áðr föður sinn ok móður, gengr síðan til hallarinnar ok kemr þar, þá konungr er yfir dagdrykkju. Hann gengr fyrir konung ok kveðr hann vel. Konungr tekr honum vel. En er Sigurðr konungsson sér Illuga, fagnar hann honum forkunnar vel ok biðr hann sitja hjá sér. Illugi gerir nú svá. Ferr svá fram nokkura daga, at Sigurðr er heima með föður sínum ok Illugi.

There was a man named Bjorn. He was the king's adviser. He always gave ill advice, and he was very free-willed. He was a liar and cunning at all things except witchcraft, but he was the greatest of warriors and guarded the king's land from vikings, so the king rated him highly.

Bjorn greatly resented the fact that Illugi was so dear to Prince Sigurd, and he slandered him to both father and son, saying that Illugi was false to the prince. The king listened to this, but Sigurd did not believe it. It went that way for some time, while Prince Sigurd stayed at home with his father in great joy and honour. One day Sigurd asked his father to give him ships and men, and said he would set sail to acquire fame and fortune for himself.

The king said that he would do so given a month's notice, 'and Bjorn shall travel with you,' said the king, 'but Illugi will stay at home.' Sigurd replied: 'To be sure, I will travel with Illugi.' But the king said that Bjorn would accompany him, 'because he is a great warrior and has never given way to adversity. He will be loyal and faithful to you, as he has been to me,' said the king, and they parted from their discussion.

 After that the Prince went to Svidi's and told Hild of his discussion with his father. She said her son was young and might not do well in battle. 'He is untested,' she said, 'I do not wish him to contest with Bjorn, because he might not beat him in battle.' Hild said this, but the Prince went home to the hall afterwards, very unhappy.

There was a bondwoman with Hild, named Sunnlod. She was skilled in magic and was the worst of witches. She had worked evil for many men. Hild went to speak with Illugi and told him to find the hoe that Svidi had left in the shieling-shed. He said he would do so. It was late in the day when Illugi left home. He travelled hard, came to the shed, and found the hoe. It was the dark of night, but he left all the same, but as he was returning home, something leapt upon his back so hard, following at his heels and coming foremost upon his breast. The creature had a switch in its hand and it used this to fight Illugi. It was Sunnlod.

 Illugi went away from that much-hated witch, and he found a big stone. He struck the witch with the stone so hard that he broke her spine, and she died. He did not halt in his journey until he came home. Hild, his mother, was outside when he returned. Illugi frowned.

Hild was happy. 'Has something annoyed you during your journey, my son?' she said. 'Did you find the hoe, that I sent you to look for?'

'Yes,' said Illugi.

She said 'Did you meet my maid, who I sent to get firewood?'

Illugi said 'I hardly think you'll find your maid; she rode me, but I killed her because of her hostility, and I broke her spine with a stone.'

Hild said she was able to succeed in an errand, 'and I wish,' said she, 'that you attend Prince Sigurd and follow him on his viking expedition.' Illugi agreed happily and gladly at that and went in with his mother in the calm of night.

That morning Illugi prepared to travel to the king's hall, spoke with his father and mother, then walked to the hall and came there when the king was having his morning-drink. He went over to the king and hailed him. The king took this well. But when Prince Sigurd saw Illugi, he rejoiced eagerly and asked him to sit beside him. Illugi did so. Sigurd travelled for a few days before coming home with his father and Illugi.

3. Frá hernaði ok sjóhrakningi

     Now the time came when Sigurd was prepared to set forth, and they sailed out from land. Both Bjorn and Illugi agreed that they should travel. Now the Prince took leave of his father, and sailed to the Orkneys and Scotland and attacked both; many ships descended on them but he won a great victory over the Scots, and took much plunder. Every one there attacked him but they were not victorious. Then all folk feared him. That autumn Sigurd wanted to sail home, but a great storm blew up. They went aboard the ships, but headed north into the ocean. They sailed hard, and held against the reef sails. They saw land nowhere. The sea now grew turbulent, and the storm grew so great that it reached the castles on either end of the ship, but all who were in the ship were so valiant that not one spoke a despairing word. The ship now began to leak severely, and they floated eastward for eight days. The ship was driven north a long way across the ocean, and into that bay named the White Sea. The sail strained hard with strong bands and was seized by a great heavy wave, so to prepare was against of break ship. They were exhausted. Then by a stroke of luck, they saw land. After that, the ship entered a bay. They sailed intact, ship and men. The Prince said that they should wait there for a fair wind. His men were greatly exhausted from their hardship. They were so cold that they thought death was certainly at hand, because they had no fire. Prince Sigurd bore these forebodings well, but all would willingly obtain fire and take possession besides. Bjorn was very cold and said; 'You, Illugi,' said he, 'must row across this firth and look for fire, and if you do not find it, then I will be the greater adviser. But if you obtain fire, then you shall own the ring that I hold here.' Illugi replied 'I do not wish to wager my head against yours, Bjorn, but I shall willingly seek fire, if it be of use to weary men.' Then he rowed quickly away from his men.

Hellir nokkurr stóð öðrum megin fjarðar þessa, er réð fyrir tröllkona sú, er Gríðr hét. Hún var in mesta tröllkona. Illugi kemr nú at landi ok festir bát sinn ok gengr á land upp ok kemr í hellinn. Þá var komit kveld. Hann heyrir þá, at hart er stigit til jarðar, ok kemr Gríðr heim. Hún frétti hann at heiti. Hann segist Illugi heita, en honum þótti sem hríð eða hregg stæði ór nösum hennar. Horrinn hekk ofan fyrir munninn. Hún hafði skegg ok sköllótt um höfuðit. Hendr hennar váru sem arnarklær, en ermar báðar brenndar, en sá stakkr, er hún var í, tók henni eigi lengra en á lendar á bakit, en allt á tær í fyrir. Augu hennar váru græn, en ennit bratt, eyrun fellu víða. Engi mátti hana kalla fríða. Illugi segist vilja eld sækja til hennar.

Gríðr svarar: "Engan eld fær þú af mér, nema þú mælir þrjú sannyrði, ok ef þú gerir þetta skjótt, þá skaltu liggja hjá dóttur minni, en ef þú vilt eigi þenna kost, þá hirði ek eigi, þó at Björn kali til dauðs."

Illugi segist þetta vilja.

Eptir þetta gengr fram ein kona. Hún er svá fríð, at Illugi þóttist enga fríðari sét hafa. Ok þegar er hann sá hana, felldi hann mikla ást til hennar. Hún var hljóð ok fáræðin.

Illugi tók þá til máls: "Mér mun mál," segir hann, "at fá sannyrðin: Hellir þínn er hár ok breiðr, at ek hefi eigi sét hús meira né sterkara. Svá er ok nefit á þér mikit, at ek hefi eigi sét meira skrípi en þú ert, ok svá svört, at fagrt er gólfit hjá þér, ok enga hefi ek ámátligri sét en þik, ok víst er dóttir þín fegri, ok ykkar hefi ek sét mestan mun, ok svá munu allir segja, er ykkr sjá."

Gríðr mælti þá: "Víst er þat," segir hún, "at hvárki viltu lofa mik né hæla mér, ok ekki lízt þér svá illa á mik sem þú lætr, en þat þykki mér nú ráð, at þú farir í hvílu með dóttur minni, ok leik allt þat, er þik lystir, því at þér lízt betr á dóttur mína en á mik. Nú mun skjótt at öllu farit," segir Gríðr, "ok þarf ekki lengi lýsingar."

Illugi segir svá vera skyldu. Gengr hann at hvílunni ok kastar klæðum, en kerling þjónar dóttur sinni, ok kómu þau í eina hvílu bæði. Illugi snýst at henni ok gerir sik blíðan, en hún gerir enga gleði af sér. Þrífr Gríðr þá í hár Illuga ok kippir honun fram á stokkinn, en annarri hendi brá hún björtu saxi ok mjök bitrligu ok reiddi at höfði honum, en Illugi lá kyrr ok hrærði hvergi á sér.

Gríðr mælti þá mjök reiðuliga: "Heyr þú, vándr herjansson, hví hugðir þú ek munda þola, at þú blygðaðir dóttur mína? Nei," segir hún, "þú skalt fá dauðann í stað."

Illugi mælti þá: "Mitt hjarta hefir aldri hrætt orðit, ok því kom ek í helli þinn, at örlögin hafa svá fyrir ætlat. Þó deyr engi optar en um sinn, ok því hræðumst ek ekki þínar ógnir."

Við þessi hans orð kastar Gríðr honum aptr. Hann snerist þá at brúði sinni ok var þá allglaðr. Ok er hann var sem blíðastr við hana, vefr Gríðr hár hans um hönd sér ok kippir honum á stokkinn fram ok reiðir saxit allt at höfði honum: "Djarfr ertu, ok nú í stað skaltu dauðann fá."

En Illugi sagðist eigi hræðast dauða sinn.

Hún mælti þá hlæjandi: "Engan hefi ek slíkan hitt, at eigi hafi hræðzt dauða sinn, nema þik. Far þú nú til svefns ok sof vel!"

Ferr Illugi nú ok snýst at konu sinni ok er nú allra blíðastr við hana. Gríðr hleypr þá enn at sænginni ok kippir honum fram á stokkinn. Hún reiðir nú saxit, ok mjök er hún ófrýnlig at sjá, en allt fór sem fyrr, at Illugi kvaðst eigi hræðast.

Gríðr mælti þá: "Eigi ertu sem aðrir menn, þínar æðar skelfast hvergi, ok þú hræðist ekki. Nú skaltu þiggja líf af mér, ok þar með gef ek þér dóttur mína, er Hildr heitir, ok fæ ek þó aldri launat þinn velgerning, því at þú hefir komit mér ór miklum álögum, því at með slíkum hætti hefi ek margan myrt ok drepit, ok hafa allir hræðzt mitt it ógurliga sax. Sextán vaska menn hefi ek drepit með þessu saxi, ok væri slíkt þó eigi kvenna verk.

Nú mun ek segja þér ævisögu mína, en þú hlýða:

      There were some caves in this main firth, where a trollwife named Grid ruled. She was the worst of witches. Illugi came to land. He anchored his boat, came ashore, and reached a cave as dusk fell. Then he heard heavy footsteps, and Grid came home. She asked him his name. He said that he was named Illugi, but he thought that a snowstorm or tempest was blowing within her nose. Snot hung above her mouth, she had a beard and she was bald. Her hand was like an eagle's claw, and her sleeves both burned, and the cape that she wore went no further than her rump, and was scanty all over. Her eyes were green, her forehead straight, and her ears rose like a mast. You could hardly call her fair.

Illugi said he sought fire from her. Grid replied; 'You will get no fire from me, unless you say three truthful words, and if you say them quickly, you will lie with my daughter, and if you will not try that, then I care not, though Bjorn will say you are dead.'

Illugi said that he would do as she said. Then a woman entered. She was so beautiful that Illugi thought he had never seen anyone so fair. When he saw her, he fell deeply in love with her. She was silent and chary of words. Illugi spoke.

'I must say,' said he, 'three truthful words: Your cave is high and broad, and I have not seen a house bigger or stronger. Your nose is so big, and I have not see a greater monster than you, or one so swart, that your hall here is fair, and never have I seen any more unmannerly than you, and your daughter is fair, and never have I seen one more so, and that is all I say, that I see of yours.'

Grid said then; 'I wish that,' said she, 'you neither praise me nor hail me, and I do not wish you so evil in me such as you think, but I now advise you to go to bed with my daughter, and do all that that you wish, since you wish better of my daughter than me. Now we must go quickly,' said Grid, 'and it is not long till daybreak.'

Illugi said he would do so. He went to bed and took off his clothes, and the woman sent her daughter to attend on him, and they went to bed together. Illugi slept with her and was happy with but she did not grow joyous herself. Then Grid seized Illugi by the hair and bound him to a chair-post, and with her other hand she brought her bright knife down most bitterly and angrily to his head, but Illugi lay quiet and unafraid.

Grid then said very wrathfully; 'Listen, evil wretch, do you think I that I will suffer that you seduce my daughter? No,' she said, 'you shall endure death instead.'

 Illugi said then, 'My heart does not heave at your words, because if I came I into your cave, then fate intended it. Yet no man dies more than once, so I am not afraid of your threats.' At these words, Grid cast him back. He escaped her chair-post and was very glad. But then when he was happy with her, Grid wove his hair about her hands, pulled him onto the post and swung her knife at his head. 'You are daring, but now instead you shall take death.'

 But Illugi said that he was not afraid of death. She said then laughing; "Never have I met anyone who did not fear death, except you. Go to sleep now, and sleep well!'

 Now Illugi went and slept with his woman and now all was blithe with her. Then Grid went to the bed and bound him to the post. Now she raised her knife, and did much that was unwelcome to see, but all went as before, that Illugi said he was not afraid.

 Then Grid said: 'You are not like other men, your sinews do not shake, and you fear nothing. Now I shall let you live, and with that I give you my daughter, who is named Hild, and I shall not conceal your benefit, since you have known from me from great lawlessness, that with such risk have I murdered and killed many, and all have been afraid to meet my terrible knife. I have killed sixteen brave men with this knife, and it was not women's work.

Now shall I tell you the story of my life, and you must listen:

"Konungr sá réð fyrir Álfheimum, er Áli hét. Hann átti sér drottningu, er Álfrún hét. Þau áttu dóttur eina, sú hét Signý. Hún var at öllu vel at sér. Þegar Signý hafði aldr til, var hún gift þeim konungi, er Eirekr hét. Hann fell í vestrvíking. Dóttur áttu þau saman, þá er Hildr hét, ok var hún meyja fríðust. Fór Signý þá til föður síns ok var með honum. Drottning fekk sótt, þá hana leiddi til bana, en konungr barst lítt af, en Signý var í skemmu ok hafði sorg mikla eptir konung sinn ok móður. Konungr fekk þá drottningu, er Grímhildr hét. Hún var fögr at sjá, en innan var hún it mesta flagð. Konungr unni henni mikit. Þau gátu at eiga sjau dætr, ok brá þeim öllum til móður sinnar ok urðu inar mestu flagðkonur.

Þat bar til í ríkinu við kvámu Grímhildar, at maðr hvarf hverja nótt, ok ætluðu allir, at Grímhildr mundi því valda. Konungr tók nú at eldast, ok þótti drottningu minna verða af hjáhvílum en hún vildi. Hugsar hún nú at svíkja konung ok fá sér annan ungan. Gefr hún honum nú eitr at drekka, ok fær hann þegar bana af, ok var hann heygðr hjá drottningu sinni. Grímhildr illskaðist nú svá, at hún eyddi allt ríkit bæði af fé ok mönnum.

Eptir þessi verk Grímhildar gekk hún til skemmu þeirar, er Signý sat ok dóttir hennar, en er hún kemr þar, mælti hún svá: "Þú, Signý," segir hún, "hefir lengi í sæmd mikilli ok sælu setit, en ek skal þat allt af þér taka, ok þat legg ek á þik, at þú hverfir í burt ok byggir í helli ok verðir in mesta tröllkona. Þú skalt Gríðr nefnast. Dóttir þín skal fara með þér, ok hverr maðr, sem hana lítr, skal fella til hennar mikla ást. Þú skalt hvern myrða, er þú sér í hennar sæng. Þú hefir átt þér sjau systr. Þær skulu hverja nótt eiga við þik bardaga. Þær skulu alla vega þik sundra, höggva ok meiða, en aldri at heldr skaltu deyja, ok aldri skaltu fyrr frelsast af þessum álögum en þú hittir þann mann, er eigi hræðist þitt it ógurliga sax, þá er þú reiðir þat, en með því at þeim mun þat ógurligt sýnast, mun sá ekki finnast."

Signý mátti ekki mæla fyrir harmi ok gráti.

Hildr mælti þá: "Vilda ek, Grímhildr, at ek launaði þér þín álög, ok þat mæli ek um, at öðrum fæti standir þú á skemmu þessari, en öðrum heima á konungshöll. Þrælar skulu þar kynda bál mitt í milli fóta þér. Þat bál skal standa bæði nætr ok daga, ok öll skaltu neðan af eldi brenna, en ofan frjósa, at aldri fáir þú þína ró. En ef vit mæðgur komumst ór þessum álögum, þá skaltu deyja ok detta ofan í bálit."

Grímhildr tók þá til máls: "Mjök heimskligt er okkart tal, ok vil ek, at þetta haldist hvárki."

Hildr sagði, at þat yrði at standa. Hurfu þær mæðgur þá burt í helli þenna, ok er ek sú in sama Signý, ok er hér Hildr, dóttir min, ok vil ek nú gifta þér hana ok launa þér svá, at þú hefir mér ór álögum komit."

Ok at endaðri þessari sögu koma í hellinn sjau skessur með bitrligum skálmum ok hlaupa at Gríði ok höggva til hennar bæði hart ok tíðum. Hildr var nú ákafliga hrædd. Illugi veitir Gríði dugnað ok höggr til þeira bæði ótt ok tíðum, ok eigi léttir hann fyrr en þau hafa drepit þær allar, ok brennir þær allar á báli.

Gríðr mælti þá: "Nú hefir þú, Illugi, frelst okkr bæði af þessum skessum, ok hefi ek við þær átt ellifu vetr."

Illugi segir þat nógu lengi verit hafa.

'There was a king named Ali who ruled Alfheim (the world of elves). He had a queen named Alfrun. They had a daughter named Signy, who was skilful in all things. As soon as Signy was old enough, she was married to the king named Eirek. He fell during a raid on the west. They had a daughter named Hild, and she was the most beautiful of maidens. Then Signy went to her father's and stayed with him. The queen grew sick and died, and the king was wretched at this, but Signy stayed in her bower and felt great sorrow for her father and mother. Then the king married a woman named Grimhild. She was fair to look at, but secretly she was the greatest of witches. The king loved her greatly. She had her own daughters who were all like their mother, and were the greatest of witches. Rumour abounded in the kingdom with the coming of Grimhild, and when a man vanished one night, all thought that Grimhild was responsible.

The king now began to grow old, and thought the queen call to mind of concubinage if she wished. She decided to poison the king and rule by herself while still young. She gave him poison to drink, and it was his death, and she buried him in a howe. Grimhild now acted so wickedly that she laid the entire kingdom waste of both men and wealth. After this deed, Grimhild decided to go where Signy sat with her daughter, but when she came there, she spoke to her so: 'You, Signy,' she said, 'have long sat in great happiness, but I shall take all that from you, and that I lay this upon you, that you soon go into exile and live in a cave and become the worst of witches. You shall be named Grid. Your daughter will go with you, and all men who see her shall fall deeply in love with her. You shall murder them each in her bed. The seven sisters will fight with you every night. They will all tear you apart, hew and maim you, but you will be old before you die, and you will be old before you are free from this spell unless you find a man who is not afraid of your terrible knife, when you raise it, but those who flee when that terrible blade is shown, must not live.'

Signy did not speak for grief or weeping. Hild said then: 'I wish, Grimhild, to hide from your harassment, and that I speak about that others have to endure you in this shame, but others who live in the king's hall. Slaves there shall kindle a fire between your feet. That fire will blaze both night and day, and you shall burn on one side, but freeze on the other side, that fire will give you no rest. But if we two escape from this spell, then you will die and fall into the fire.' Then Grimhild took to speech. 'Very foolish is our speech, and I hope that neither of us are held to it." Hild said that it would be worth the wait. Then mother and daughter went to live in this cave, and I am the same Signy, and here is Hild, my daughter, and I will now give her away in marriage to you her and secret you so, because you have set me free from this spell."

And when this had been said, seven giantesses entered the cave with sharp short-swords and leapt at Grid and hewed at her both in her heart and in her body. Hild was now exceedingly afraid. Illugi gave Grid help and hewed at both heart and body, and he did not cease until he had killed all of them, and burned them all in the fire.

Then Grid said "Now have you, Illugi, freed me of all of these giantesses, and who plagued me for eleven winters.' Illugi said that that had been long enough.

      Chapter 6

Eptir þetta fylgir Gríðr þeim til báts Illuga, ok gaf hún þeim gull ok marga dýra gripi, ok hafði hann nú með sér eldinn, ok skildist hún þar við þau. Illugi rær aptr til sinna manna. Þeir urðu við þat glaðir ok létu sér hitna. Mánuð lá konungsson þar, ok gaf honum aldri byr. Björn kenndi þat Hildi ok kvað Illuga hana hafa sótta í hella, ok segir Björn, at hún sé in mesta tröllkona. Sigurðr bað Björn þegja, ok ekki vildi hann því trúa, er Björn sagði.

Eina nótt var þat, er menn konungssonar sváfu á skipi, en er þeir vakna, sjá þeir, at Björn er horfinn, ok leituðu ok sjá um síðir, at hann hangir upp við siglurá. Þeir vissu ekki, hverju þetta gegndi um líflát Bjarnar, en Gríðr hafði hengt Björn á þeiri nótt fyrir þat hann kallaði Hildi tröllkonu.

Eptir þat siglir Sigurðr frá Finnmörk, ok gaf honum þá vel byr ok kom heim til Danmerkr ok hafði fengt of fjár ok gaf gull á tvær hendr. Er hann nú heima með föður sínum. Illugi var löngum með Sigurði, en þó átti hann stóran búgarð næri konungshöllinni.

Litlu síðar tók Hringr konungr sótt þá, er hann leiddi til bana. Sigurðr lætr þegar erfi drekka eptir föður sinn ok lætr til bjóða öllum beztu mönnum í landinu, ok var Sigurðr þá til konungs tekinn yfir þat ríki, er faðir hans hafði átt. Hringr konungr hafði verit fylkiskonungr í Danmörku, ok hafði hann ráðit fyrir Skán.

Signý kemr nú til Danmerkr, ok tók Illugi vel við henni ok þau Hildr. Illugi segir þá öll deili á henni. Sigurðr konungr bað hennar sér til handa. Signý segir, at Illugi skuli vera hennar giftingarmaðr. Sigurðr talar þá þetta mál við hann, ok með samþykki hennar giftir Illugi honum Signýju. Váru þeira samfarir góðar, ok áttu þau mörg börn, ok urðu öll mikils háttar menn.

Sigurðr konungr ok Signý drottning lifðu mjök lengi, en Illugi lifði lengr, en ekki hefir verit getit barna þeira Hildar. Þessi Illugi varð síðan fóstbróðir Gnoðar-Ásmundar.

Ok lúkum vér þessi sögu.

After that Grid followed them to Illugi's boat, she gave them gold and many precious treasures, and now he had fire with him, and she left them. Illugi rowed to his men. They were glad and cheerful to get warm. The Prince lay by the shore for a month, and never got a fair wind. Bjorn knew about Hild and said that Illugi he had contracted an illness in the cave, and said that she seemed the worst of witches. Sigurd bade Bjorn to be silent, and that what he said was untrue.

One night when the prince's men slept in the ships, they awoke to see that Bjorn had vanished, and they searched and looked about the sides, but found him hanged from the mast. They had seen nothing come to kill Bjorn, but Grid had hanged Bjorn in the night because he had called Hild a trollwife.

After that Sigurd sailed from Finnmark, and gave him then well fair breeze and came home to Denmark and had great booty and gave gold with both hands. He went home with his father. Illugi stayed with Sigurd a long time, and he had a great bridge built near the king's hall. A little later then King Hring grew sick, and it led to his death. Sigurd held a funeral feast for his father and invited all the best men in land, and then Sigurd took over the kingdom his father had ruled. King Hring had been a folk-king in Denmark, and he had ruled over Skane.

Signy came to Denmark, and Illugi took well with her and then Hild. Illugi said that all knew about her. King Sigurd asked for her hand. Signy said that Illugi should give her away in marriage. Sigurd spoke with him, and accordingly, Illugi gave him Signy. They were happy together and they had many children, and all were well-mannered men. King Sigurd and Queen Signy lived very long, but Illugi lived longer, although he did not have any children with Hild. This Illugi was the foster brother of Gnodar-Asmund.

And here we end this saga.