Now Hall of Lithdale came to Iceland and told his tale of the doings of Eric and the death of Atli.  Oft and loud he told it, and soon people gossiped of it in field and fair and stead.  Bjoern, Asmund’s son, heard this talk and sent for Hall.  To him also Hall told the tale.

“Now,” said Bjoern, “we will go to my sister Gudruda the Fair, and learn how she takes these tidings.”

So they went in to where Gudruda sat spinning in the hall, singing as she span.

“Greeting, Gudruda,” said Bjoern; “say, hast thou tidings of Eric Brighteyes, thy betrothed?”

“I have no tidings,” said Gudruda.

“Then here is one who brings them.”

Now for the first time Gudruda the Fair saw Hall of Lithdale.  Up she sprang.  “Thou hast tidings of Eric, Hall?  Ah! thou art welcome, for no tidings have come of him for many a month.  Speak on,” and she pressed her hand against her heart and leaned towards him.

“My tidings are ill, lady.”

“Is Eric dead?  Say not that my love is dead!”

“He is worse than dead,” said Hall.  “He is shamed.”

“There thou liest, Hall,” she answered.  “Shame and Eric are things apart.”

“Mayst thou think so when thou hast heard my tale, lady,” said Hall, “for I am sad at heart to speak it of one who was my mate.”

“Speak on, I say,” answered Gudruda, in such a voice that Hall shrank from her.  “Speak on; but of this I warn thee:  that if in one word thou liest, that shall be thy death when Eric comes.”

Now Hall was afraid, thinking of the axe of Skallagrim.  Still, he might not go back upon his word.  So he began at the beginning, telling the story of how he was wounded in the fight with Ospakar’s ships and left Farey isles, and how he came thence to Scotland and sat in Atli’s hall on Orkneys.  Then he told how the Gudruda was wrecked on Straumey, and, of all aboard, Eric and Skallagrim alone were saved because of Swanhild’s dream.

“Herein I see witch-work,” said Gudruda.

Then Hall told that Eric became Swanhild’s love, but of the other tale which Swanhild had whispered to Atli he said nothing.  For he knew that Gudruda would not believe this, and, moreover, if it were so, Swanhild had not sent the token which he should give.

“It may well be,” said Gudruda, proudly; “Swanhild is fair and light of mind.  Perchance she led Brighteyes into this snare.”  But, though she spoke thus, bitter jealousy and anger burned in her breast and she remembered the sight which she had seen when Eric and Swanhild met on the morn of Atli’s wedding.

Then Hall told of the slaying of Atli the Good by Eric, but he said nothing of the Earl’s dying words, nor of how he goaded Brighteyes with his bitter words.

“It was an ill deed in sooth,” said Gudruda, “for Eric to slay an old man whom he had wronged.  Still, it may chance that he was driven to it for his own life’s sake.”