over Olaf himself rode with twelve men home to Hoskuldstead, and
Hoskuld greeted his son joyfully, and his brothers also received him
fondly, as well as all his kinsfolk; but between Olaf and Bard was
love the fondest. [Sidenote: Melkorka receives Olaf] Olaf became very
renowned for this journey; and now was proclaimed the descent of Olaf,
that he was the daughter's son of Myrkjartan, king of Ireland. The
news of this spread over the land, as well as of the honour that
mighty men, whom he had gone to see, had bestowed on him. Melkorka
came soon to see Olaf, her son, and Olaf greeted her with great joy.
She asked about many things in Ireland, first of her father and then
of her other relations. Olaf replied to everything she asked. Then she
asked if her foster-mother still lived. Olaf said she was still alive.
Melkorka asked why he had not tried to give her the pleasure of
bringing her over to Iceland. Olaf replied, "They would not allow me
to bring your foster-mother out of Ireland, mother." "That may be so,"
she replied, and it could be seen that this she took much to heart.
Melkorka and Thorbjorn had one son, who was named Lambi. He was a tall
man and strong, like his father in looks as well as in temper.
[Sidenote: Hoskuld's advice to Olaf] When Olaf had been in Iceland a
month, and spring came on, father and son took counsel together. "I
will, Olaf," said Hoskuld, "that a match should be sought for you, and
that then you should take over the house of your foster-father at
Goddistead, where still there are great means stored up, and that
then you should look after the affairs of that household under my
guidance." Olaf answered, "Little have I set my mind on that sort of
thing hitherto; besides, I do not know where that woman lives whom to
marry would mean any great good luck to me. You must know I shall look
high for a wife. But I see clearly that you would not have broached
this matter till you had made up your mind as to where it was to end."
Hoskuld said, "You guess that right. There is a man named Egil. He is