Thorodd struck at him most furiously.  Grettir was tired of it, so he took hold of him and set him down next to himself, saying:  “I could do what I liked with you; but I have no fear of your killing me.  I am much more afraid of your grey-headed father, Snorri the Godi, and of his counsels, which have brought many a man to his knees.  You should take up tasks which you are able to accomplish; it is no child’s play to fight with me.”

When Thorodd saw that there was nothing to be done he quieted down, and then they parted.  He rode home to Tunga and told his father of his encounter with Grettir.  Snorri smiled and said:  “Many a man has a high opinion of himself; but the odds against you were too great.  While you were aiming blows at him he was doing what he pleased with you.  But he was wise not to kill you, for it would not have been my purpose to leave you unavenged.  I will now rather use my influence on his side if I ever have to do with his affairs.”

Snorri showed his approval of Grettir’s action towards Thorodd, for his counsels were always friendly to Grettir.

CHAPTER LXIX

GRETTIR’S LAST VISIT TO BJARG AND JOURNEY WITH ILLUGI TO DRANGEY

Soon after Thorodd left him Grettir rode North to Bjarg and remained there in hiding for a time.  His fear of the dark grew so upon him that he dared go nowhere after dusk.  His mother offered to keep him there, but said she saw that it would not do for him because of the feuds which he had throughout the land.  Grettir said she should not fall into trouble through him, “but,” he said, “I can no longer live alone even to save my life.”

Illugi his brother was then fifteen years old and was a most goodly young man.  He heard what they were saying.  Grettir told his mother what Gudmund the Mighty had advised him to do, and declared he would try to get to Drangey if he could.  Yet, he said, he could not go there unless he could find some faithful man to stay with him.  Then Illugi said:  “I will go with you, brother.  I know not whether I shall be a support to you, but I will be faithful to you and will not run from you so long as you stand upright.  And I shall know the better how it fares with you if I am with you.”

Grettir answered:  “You are such an one amongst men as I most rejoice in.  And if my mother be not against it I would indeed that you should go with me.”

Asdis then said:  “It has now come to this, that I see two difficulties meeting each other.  It is hard for me to lose Illugi, but I know that so much may be said for Grettir’s condition that he will find some way out.  And though it is much for one to bid farewell to both of you, yet I will consent to it if Grettir’s lot is bettered thereby.”