“To Helgi’s home a raid we led,
    Gave ravens corpse-repast to swallow,
    We dyed shield-wands[9] with blood all red,
    As Thorleik’s lead our band did follow. 
    And at our hands there perished three
    Keen helmet-stems,[10] accounted truly
    As worthies of the folk—­and we
    Claim Bolli now’s avenged full duly.”

Gudrun asked them most carefully for the tidings of what had happened on their journey.  Thorgils told her all she wished.  Gudrun said the journey had been most stirringly carried out, and bade them have her thanks for it.  After that food was set before them, and after they had eaten they were shown to bed, and slept the rest of the night.  The next day Thorgils went to talk to Gudrun, and said, “Now the matter stands thus, as you know, Gudrun, that I have brought to an end the journey you bade me undertake, and I must claim that, in a full manly wise, that matter has been turned out of hand; you will also call to mind what you promised me in return, and I think I am now entitled to that prize.” [Sidenote:  Thorgils discovers Gudrun’s trick] Then Gudrun said, “It is not such a long time since we last talked together that I should have forgotten what we said, and my only aim is to hold to all I agreed to as concerning you.  Or what does your mind tell you as to how matters were bespoken between us?” Thorgils said she must remember that, and Gudrun answered, “I think I said that of men within this land I would marry none but you; or have you aught to say against that?” Thorgils said she was right.  “That is well then,” said Gudrun, “that our memory should be one and the same on this matter.  And I will not put it off from you any longer, that I am minded to think that it is not fated to me to be your wife.  Yet I deem that I fulfil to you all uttered words, though I marry Thorkell Eyjolfson, who at present is not in this land.” [Sidenote:  Gest’s prophecy fulfilled] Then Thorgils said, and flushed up very much, “Clearly I do see from whence that chill wave comes running, and from thence cold counsels have always come to me.  I know that this is the counsel of Snorri the Priest.”  Thorgils sprang up from this talk and was very angry, and went to his followers and said he would ride away.  Thorleik disliked very much that things should have taken such a turn as to go against Thorgils’ will; but Bolli was at one with his mother’s will herein.  Gudrun said she would give Thorgils some good gifts and soften him by that means, but Thorleik said that would be of no use, “for Thorgils is far too high-mettled a man to stoop to trifles in a matter of this sort.”  Gudrun said in that case he must console himself as best he could at home.  After this Thorgils rode from Holyfell with his foster-brothers.  He got home to Tongue to his manor mightily ill at ease over his lot.

[Footnote 9:  Shield-wands = swords.]

[Footnote 10:  Helmet-stems, those who upbear the helmet = men, specially warriors.]