’I will,’ he said, ’now first go, as I am in duty bound to do; but it is likely that I shall return hither to
see after this promise so soon as I can.’

The king bade him do so.

Whereupon Egil made him ready to depart with his men; but of these many remained behind with the
king. Egil had one large war-ship, and on board thereof a hundred men or thereabouts. And when he
was ready for his voyage, and a fair wind blew, he put out to sea. He and king Athelstan parted with
great friendship: the king begged Egil to return as soon as possible. This Egil promised to do.

Then Egil stood for Norway, and when he came to land sailed with all speed into the Firths. He heard
these tidings, that lord Thorir was dead, and Arinbjorn had taken inheritance after him, and was made
a baron. Egil went to Arinbjorn and got there a good welcome. Arinbjorn asked him to stay there. Egil
accepted this, had his ship set up, and his crew lodged. But Arinbjorn received Egil and twelve men;
they stayed with him through the winter.

Chapter 56 - Marriage of Egil.
Bergonund son of Thorgeir Thornfoot had then married Gunnhilda daughter of Bjorn Yeoman. She
had come to keep house with him at Askr. But Asgerdr, whom Thorolf Skallagrimsson had had to
wife, was then with Arinbjorn, her kinsman. Thorolf and she had a daughter named Thordis, and the
girl was there with her mother. Egil told Asgerdr of Thorolf’s death, and offered her his guardianship.
Asgerdr was much grieved at the tidings; she answered Egil’s words well, saying however but little
one way or the other.

But, at autumn wore on, Egil began to be very gloomy and drank little, and often say with his head
drooping in his cloak. One time Arinbjorn went to him and asked what meant his gloom.

’Though now you have had a great loss in your brother, yet ’tis manly to bear up well; man must
overlive man. Come, what verse are you now repeating? Let me hear.’

Egil said he had just made this verse:

’Unfriendly, who was friend,

Fair goddess seems. Of old

Bold with uplifted brow

Beheld I woman’s face.

Now one (whose name I veil)

No sooner to the skald

Occurs, than shyly sinks

Screen’d in his cloak his head.’

Arinbjorn asked who was the woman about whom he composed such love-song. ’Have you hidden her
name in this stave?’