“As thou wilt,” answered Eric.

So at midday Eric and Skallagrim rode away from Mosfell in a storm of rain.  The rain was so heavy that those of Gizur’s spies who watched the mountain did not see them.  All that day they rode and all the night, till by morning they came to Middalhof.  Eric told Skallagrim to stay with the horses and let them feed, while he went on foot to see if by chance he might get speech with Gudruda.  This the Baresark did, though he grumbled at the task, fearing lest Eric should be done to death, and he not there to die with him.

Now Eric walked to within two bowshots of the house, then sat down in a dell by the river, from the edge of which he could see those who passed in and out.  Presently his heart gave a leap, for there came out from the woman’s door a lady tall and beautiful to see, and with golden hair that flowed about her breast.  It was Gudruda, and he saw that she bore a napkin in her hand.  Then Eric knew, according to her custom on the warm mornings, that she came alone to bathe in the river, as she had always done from a child.  It was her habit to bathe here in this place:  for at the bottom of the dell was a spot where reeds and bushes grew thick, and the water lay in a basin of rock and was clear and still.  For at this spot a hot spring ran into the river.

Eric went down the dell, hid himself close in the bushes and waited, for he feared to speak with Gudruda in the open field.  A while passed, and presently the shadow of the lady crept over the edge of the dell, then she came herself in that beauty which since her day has not been known in Iceland.  Her face was sad and sweet, her dark and lovely eyes were sad.  On she came, till she stood within a spear’s length of where Eric lay, crouched in the bush, and looking at her through the hedge of reeds.  Here a flat rock overhung the water, and Gudruda sat herself on this rock, and, shaking off her shoes, dipped her white feet in the water.  Then suddenly she threw aside her cloak, baring her arms, and, gazing upon the shadow of her beauty in the mirror of the water, sighed and sighed again, while Eric looked at her with a bursting heart, for as yet he could find no words to say.

Now she spoke aloud.  “Of what use to be so fair?” she said.  “Oh, wherefore was I born so fair to bring death to many and sorrow on myself and him I love?” And she shook her golden hair about her arms of snow, and, holding the napkin to her eyes, wept softly.  But it seemed to Eric that between her sobs she called upon his name.

Now Eric could no longer bear the sight of Gudruda weeping.  While she wept, hiding her eyes, he rose from behind the screen of reeds and stood beside her in such fashion that his shadow fell upon her.  She felt the sunlight pass and looked up.  Lo! it was no cloud, but the shape of Eric, and the sun glittered on his golden helm and hair.

“Eric!” Gudruda cried; “Eric!” Then, remembering how she was attired, snatching her cloak, she threw it about her arms and thrust her wet feet into her shoes.  “Out upon thee!” she said; “is it not enough, then, that thou shouldst break thy troth for Swanhild’s sake, that thou shouldst slay my brother and turn my hall to shambles?  Wouldst now steal upon me thus!”