Laxdæla Saga eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 270 pages of information about Laxdæla Saga.

Laxdæla Saga eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 270 pages of information about Laxdæla Saga.
had such a long way to come.  Old age fell now fast upon Unn, so that she did not get up till mid-day, and went early to bed.  No one did she allow to come to her for advice between the time she went to sleep at night and the time she was aroused, and she was very angry if any one asked how it fared with her strength.  On this day Unn slept somewhat late; yet she was on foot when the guests came, and went to meet them and greeted her kinsfolk and friends with great courtesy, and said they had shown their affection to her in “coming hither from so far, and I specially name for this Bjorn and Helgi, but I wish to thank you all who are here assembled.”  After that Unn went into the hall and a great company with her, and when all seats were taken in the hall, every one was much struck by the lordliness of the feast.  Then Unn said:  “Bjorn and Helgi, my brothers, and all my other kindred and friends, I call witnesses to this, that this dwelling with all its belongings that you now see before you, I give into the hands of my kinsman, Olaf, to own and to manage.” [Sidenote:  Unn’s death] After that Unn stood up and said she would go to the bower where she was wont to sleep, but bade every one have for pastime whatever was most to his mind, and that ale should be the cheer of the common folk.  So the tale goes, that Unn was a woman both tall and portly.  She walked at a quick step out along the hall, and people could not help saying to each other how stately the lady was yet.  They feasted that evening till they thought it time to go to bed.  But the day after Olaf went to the sleeping bower of Unn, his grandmother, and when he came into the chamber there was Unn sitting up against her pillow, and she was dead.  Olaf went into the hall after that and told these tidings.  Every one thought it a wonderful thing, how Unn had upheld her dignity to the day of her death.  So they now drank together Olaf’s wedding and Unn’s funeral honours, and the last day of the feast Unn was carried to the howe (burial mound) that was made for her.  She was laid in a ship in the cairn, and much treasure with her, and after that the cairn was closed up.  Then Olaf “Feilan” took over the household of Hvamm and all charge of the wealth there, by the advice of his kinsmen who were there.  When the feast came to an end Olaf gave lordly gifts to the men most held in honour before they went away.  Olaf became a mighty man and a great chieftain.  He lived at Hvamm to old age. [Sidenote:  Olaf’s children] The children of Olaf and Alfdis were Thord Yeller, who married Hrodny, daughter of Midfirth Skeggi; and their sons were, Eyjolf the Grey, Thorarin Fylsenni, and Thorkell Kuggi.  One daughter of Olaf Feilan was Thora, whom Thorstein Cod-biter, son of Thorolf Most-Beard, had for wife; their sons were Bork the Stout, and Thorgrim, father of Snori the Priest.  Helga was another daughter of Olaf; she was the wife of Gunnar Hlifarson; their daughter was Jofrid, whom Thorodd, son of Tongue-Odd, had for wife, and afterwards
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Laxdæla Saga from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.