westward over Sælingsdale heath, and came to Hol in the evening to the
brothers and sister there. There Kjartan got the best of welcomes, for
between him and them there was the greatest friendship. [Sidenote:
Thorhalla returns to Laugar] Thorhalla the Chatterbox came home to
Laugar that evening. The sons of Osvif asked her who she had met
during the day. She said she had met Kjartan Olafson. They asked where
he was going. She answered, telling them all she knew about it, "And
never has he looked braver than now, and it is not wonderful at all
that such men should look upon everything as low beside themselves;"
and Thorhalla still went on, "and it was clear to me that Kjartan
liked to talk of nothing so well as of his land bargain with
Thorarin." Gudrun spoke, "Kjartan may well do things as boldly as it
pleases him, for it is proven that for whatever insult he may pay
others, there is none who dares even to shoot a shaft at him." Present
at this talk of Gudrun and Thorhalla were both Bolli and the sons of
Osvif. Ospak and his brothers said but little, but what there was,
rather stinging for Kjartan, as was always their way. Bolli behaved as
if he did not hear, as he always did when Kjartan was spoken ill of,
for his wont was either to hold his peace, or to gainsay them.




CHAP. XLVIII

The Men of Laugar and Gudrun plan an Ambush for Kjartan, A.D. 1003


Kjartan spent the fourth day after Easter at Hol, and there was the
greatest merriment and gaiety. [Sidenote: An's dream] The night after