He answered: 

     “To the storm-driven den, over ice-clad heights,
     I ride to the rock and the rest of the hand.”

Grettir said:  “There is no certainty to be had from asking where your dwelling is if you do not speak more clearly.”  Then Lopt spake and said: 

     “I seek not to hide thy ways from thy ken. 
     ’Tis the place which the Borgfirdings Balljokull call.”

Then they parted.  Grettir saw that he had no strength against this man.  Then he spoke a verse: 

     “Illugi brave and Atli were far. 
     Never again may such hap be mine! 
     The bridle was torn away from my hand. 
     Her tears will flow when I am afeared.”

After this Grettir left Kjol and went South to Hjalli where he asked Skapti for shelter.  Skapti said:  “I am told that you are acting with violence and are robbing men of their property; that ill becomes a man so highly connected as you are.  It would be easier to negotiate if you gave up robbing.  Now as I am called Lawman of this country, it would not be seemly for me to break the law by harbouring outlaws.  I would like you to betake yourself somewhere where you do not need to commit robbery.”

Grettir said he would be very glad to, but that he could scarcely live alone owing to his fear of the dark.  Skapti said he would have to content himself with something short of the best:  “And trust no one so fully that what happened to you in the Western fjords may be repeated.  Many have been brought to death by over-confidence.”

Grettir thanked him for his good advice and turned back to Borgarfjord in the autumn, when he went to his friend Grim, the son of Thorhall, and told him what Skapti had said.  Grim advised him to go to the North to Fiskivotn in the Arnarvatn Heath, and he did so.

CHAPTER LV

GRETTIR IN THE ARNARVATN HEATH.  DEATH OF GRIM THE FOREST-MAN

Grettir went up to the Arnarvatn Heath and built himself a hut there of which the remains are still to be seen.  He went there because he wanted to do anything rather than rob, so he got himself a net and a boat and went out fishing to support himself.

It was a weary time for him in the mountains because of his fear of the dark.  Other outlaws heard of his having come there and wanted to go and see him, thinking that he would be a great protection to them.

There was an outlaw from the North named Grim.  This man was bribed by those of Hrutafjord to kill Grettir.  They promised him pardon and money if he succeeded.  He went to visit Grettir and asked for his hospitality.

Grettir said:  “I do not see how you will be holpen by coming to me, and you men of the forest are untrustworthy.  But it is ill to live alone; I have no choice.  Only he shall be with me who is willing to work at whatever comes to hand.”