Thorleik took it much to heart that they should have to part.  “But you, Bolli, will have your way in this as in other things.”  Their matter thus bespoken they laid before the king, and he answered thus:  “Will you not tarry with us any longer, Bolli?” said the king.  “I should have liked it best for you to stay with me for a while, for I shall grant you the same title that I granted to Thorleik, your brother.”  Then Bolli answered:  “I should be only too glad to bind myself to be your henchman, but I must go first whither I am already bent, and have long been eager to go, but this choice I will gladly take if it be fated to me to come back.”  “You will have your way as to your journeyings, Bolli,” says the king, “for you Icelanders are self-willed in most matters.  But with this word I must close, that I think you, Bolli, the man of greatest mark that has ever come from Iceland in my days.” [Sidenote:  Bolli goes to Denmark] And when Bolli had got the king’s leave he made ready for his journey, and went on board a round ship that was bound south for Denmark.  He also took a great deal of money with him, and sundry of his followers bore him company.  He and King Olaf parted in great friendship, and the king gave Bolli some handsome gifts at parting.  Thorleik remained behind with King Olaf, but Bolli went on his way till he came south to Denmark.  That winter he tarried in Denmark, and had great honour there of mighty men; nor did he bear himself there in any way less lordly than while he was in Norway.  When Bolli had been a winter in Denmark he started on his journey out into foreign countries, and did not halt in his journey till he came to Micklegarth (Constantinople).  He was there only a short time before he got himself into the Varangian Guard, and, from what we have heard, no Northman had ever gone to take war-pay from the Garth king before Bolli, Bolli’s son.  He tarried in Micklegarth very many winters, and was thought to be the most valiant in all deeds that try a man, and always went next to those in the forefront.  The Varangians accounted Bolli most highly of whilst he was with them in Micklegarth.

CHAP.  LXXIV

Thorkell Eyjolfson goes to Norway

[Sidenote:  Thorkell’s dream] Now the tale is to be taken up again where Thorkell Eyjolfson sits at home in lordly way.  His and Gudrun’s son, Gellir, grew up there at home, and was early both a manly fellow and winning.  It is said how once upon a time Thorkell told Gudrun a dream he had had.  “I dreamed,” he said, “that I had so great a beard that it spread out over the whole of Broadfirth.”  Thorkell bade her read his dream.  Gudrun said, “What do you think this dream betokens?” He said, “To me it seems clear that in it is hinted that my power will stand wide about the whole of Broadfirth.”  Gudrun said, “Maybe that such is the meaning of it, but I rather should think that thereby is betokened that you will dip your beard down into Broadfirth.”