There was a ship up by Board-Ere in Ramfirth, and Orn
was the name of the captain. He was one of the
bodyguard of King Harald, Gunnhild’s son.
Melkorka spoke to Olaf, her son, and said that she
wished he should journey abroad to find his noble relations,
“For I have told the truth that Myrkjartan is
really my father, and he is king of the Irish and
it would be easy for you betake you on board the ship
that is now at Board-Ere.” Olaf said, “I
have spoken about it to my father, but he seemed to
want to have but little to do with it; and as to the
manner of my foster-father’s money affairs, it
so happens that his wealth is more in land or cattle
than in stores of islandic market goods.” [Sidenote:
Melkorka’s marriage] Melkorka said, “I
cannot bear your being called the son of a slave-woman
any longer; and if it stands in the way of the journey,
that you think you have not enough money, then I would
rather go to the length even of marrying Thorbjorn,
if then you should be more willing than before to betake
yourself to the journey. For I think he will be
willing to hand out to you as much wares as you think
you may need, if I give my consent to his marrying
me. Above all I look to this, that then Hoskuld
will like two things mightily ill when he comes to
hear of them, namely, that you have gone out of the
land, and that I am married.” Olaf bade
his mother follow her own counsel. After that
Olaf talked to Thorbjorn as to how he wished to borrow
wares of him, and a great deal thereof. Thorbjorn
answered, “I will do it on one condition, and
that is that I shall marry Melkorka for them; it seems
to me, you will be as welcome to my money as to that
which you have in your keep.” Olaf said
that this should then be settled; whereupon they talked
between them of such matters as seemed needful, but
all these things they agreed should be kept quiet.
Hoskuld wished Olaf to ride with him to the Thing.
Olaf said he could not do that on account of household
affairs, as he also wanted to fence off a grazing
paddock for lambs by Salmon River. Hoskuld was
very pleased that he should busy himself with the
homestead. Then Hoskuld rode to the Thing; but
at Lambstead a wedding feast was arrayed, and Olaf
settled the agreement alone. Olaf took out of
the undivided estate thirty hundred ells’ worth
of wares, and should pay no money for them.[1] Bard,
Hoskuld’s son, was at the wedding, and was a
party with them to all these doings. [Sidenote:
Olaf goes to Norway] When the feast was ended Olaf
rode off to the ship, and found Orn the captain, and
took berth with him. Before Olaf and Melkorka
parted she gave him a great gold finger-ring, and said,
“This gift my father gave me for a teething gift,
and I know he will recognise it when he sees it.”
She also put into his hands a knife and a belt, and
bade him give them to her nurse: “I am sure
she will not doubt these tokens.” And still
further Melkorka spake, “I have fitted you out
from home as best I know how, and taught you to speak
Irish, so that it will make no difference to you where
you are brought to shore in Ireland.” After
that they parted. There arose forthwith a fair
wind, when Olaf got on board, and they sailed straightway
out to sea.