own counsel. So now the match was covenanted and settled before
witnesses. Kjartan would hear of nothing but that the wedding should
be held at Herdholt, and Asgeir and Kalf had nothing to say against
it. The wedding was then settled to take place at Herdholt when five
weeks of summer had passed. After that Kjartan rode home with great
gifts. Olaf was delighted at these tidings, for Kjartan was much
merrier than before he left home. Kjartan kept fast through Lent,
following therein the example of no man in this land; and it is said
he was the first man who ever kept fast in this land. Men thought it
so wonderful a thing that Kjartan could live so long without meat,
that people came over long ways to see him. In a like manner Kjartan's
other ways went beyond those of other men. Now Easter passed, and
after that Kjartan and Olaf made ready a great feast. At the appointed
time Asgeir and Kalf came from the north as well as Gudmund and Hall,
and altogether there were sixty men. Olaf and Kjartan had already many
men gathered together there. It was a most brave feast, and for a
whole week the feasting went on. [Sidenote: The coif] Kjartan made
Hrefna a bridal gift of the rich head-dress, and a most famous gift
was that; for no one was there so knowing or so rich as ever to have
seen or possessed such a treasure, for it is the saying of thoughtful
men that eight ounces of gold were woven into the coif. Kjartan was so
merry at the feast that he entertained every one with his talk,
telling of his journey. Men did marvel much how great were the matters
that entered into that tale; for he had served the noblest of
lords--King Olaf Tryggvason. And when the feast was ended Kjartan gave
Gudmund and Hall good gifts, as he did to all the other great men. The
father and son gained great renown from this feast. Kjartan and Hrefna
loved each other very dearly.