Chapter 36 - Of Eric Bloodaxe and Thorolf.
King Harold long held his residence in Hordaland or Rogaland, at those large estates that he owned, at
Outstone or Augvalds-ness, or at Afreksted in Fitjar, or at Seaham in Lygra. But this winter the king
was in the north part of the land.

Now, when Bjorn and Thorolf had been one winter in Norway and spring came, they made ready a
ship and gathered men. And in the summer they went a-freebooting eastwards, and came home in the
autumn, having won much wealth. But when they came home they heard that King Harold was in
Rogaland and would remain there for the winter. King Harold was beginning to age much and fail in
strength, but many of his sons were come to vigour. His son Eric, by-named Bloodaxe, was then quite
young. He was being fostered with lord Thorir Hroaldsson. The king loved Eric above all his sons.
Thorir was on most intimate terms with the king then,

Bjorn and Thorolf, when they came home, went first to Aurland, but afterwards turned their way
northwards to visit lord Thorir at his home. They had a certain galley rowed by thirteen or fourteen
oarsmen on either side, and they had about thirty men with them. This ship they had taken in their
summer freebooting. It was gaily painted above the sea-line, and was very beautiful. But when they
came to Thorir they were made welcome, and abode there some time; while the ship, tented over,
floated opposite the house. It happened one day that, as Thorolf and Bjorn were going down to the
ship, they saw that Eric, the king’s son, was there; he went now out on to the ship, now up to the land,
and stood there looking at the ship. Then said Bjorn to Thorolf:

’The king’s son admires the ship much; do you offer it to him as a present, for I know it will much
help us with the king if Eric be our pleader with him. I have heard it said that the king bears a heavy
grudge against you for your father’s sake.’

Thorolf said that this would be a good plan.

They then went down to the ship, and Thorolf spoke:

’Thou regardest the ship carefully, prince; how dost thou like it?’

’Right well,’ said he, ’it is a perfect beauty.’

’Then will I give it thee,’ said Thorolf, ’if thou wilt take the present.’

’Take it I will,’ said Eric, ’and thou wilt deem it but poor payment therefor though I should offer thee
my friendship; but this thou mayest look for if I live.’

Thorolf said that he thought the ship were thus far overpaid.

Then they separated. But thenceforward the king’s son was right cheerful with Thorolf and his friend.

Bjorn and Thorolf, talking with Thorir, asked him whether he thought it true that the king bore a heavy
grudge against Thorolf.

Thorir did not deny that he had heard so.

’Then I would fain,’ said Bjorn, ’that you should go and plead Thorolf’s cause before him, for one lot
shall befall me and Thorolf; he did as much for me when I was in Iceland.’