But when Thorolf came north to Torgar, he was well received. He told them of Bard’s death; also how
Bard had left him both lands and chattels, and her that had been his wife; then he showed the king’s
order and tokens. When Sigridr heard these tidings, she felt her great loss in her husband, but with
Thorolf she was already well acquainted, and knew him for a man of great mark; and this promise of
her in marriage was good, and besides there was the king’s command. So she and her friends saw it to
be the best plan that she should be betrothed to Thorolf, unless that were against her father’s mind.
Thereupon Thorolf took all the management of the property, and also the king’s business.

Soon after this Thorolf started with a long-ship and about sixty men, and coasted northwards, till one
day at eventide he came to Sandness in Alost; there they moored the ship. And when they had raised
their tent, and made arrangements, Thorolf went up to the farm buildings with twenty men. Sigurd
received him well, and asked him to lodge there, for there had been great intimacy between them since
the marriage connection between Sigurd and Bard. Then Thorolf and his men went into the hall, and
were there entertained. Sigurd sat and talked with Thorolf, and asked tidings. Thorolf told of the battle
fought that summer in the south, and of the fall of many men whom Sigurd knew well, and withal how
Bard his son-in-law had died of wounds received in the battle. This they both felt to be a great loss.
Then Thorolf told Sigurd what had been the covenant between him and Bard before he died, and he
declared also the orders of the king, how he would have all this hold good, and this he showed by the
tokens.

After this Thorolf entered on his wooing with Sigurd, and asked Sigridr, his daughter, to wife. Sigurd
received the proposal well; he said there were many reasons for this; first, the king would have it so;
next, Bard had asked it; and further he himself knew Thorolf well, and thought it a good match for his
daughter. Thus Sigurd was easily won to grant this suit; whereupon the betrothal was made, and the
wedding was fixed for the autumn at Torgar.

Then Thorolf went home to his estate, and his comrades with him. There he prepared a great feast, and
bade many thereto. Of Thorolf’s kin many were present, men of renown. Sigurd also came thither
from the north with a long-ship and a chosen crew. Numerously attended was that feast, and it was at
once seen that Thorolf was free-handed and munificent. He kept about him a large following, whereof
the cost was great, and much provision was needed; but the year was good, and needful supplies were
easily found.

During that winter Sigurd died at Sandness, and Thorolf was heir to all his property; this was great
wealth.

Now the sons of Hildirida came to Thorolf, and put in the claim which they thought they had on the
property that had belonged to their father Bjorgolf. Thorolf answered them thus:

’This I knew of Brynjolf, and still better of Bard, that they were men so generous that they would have
let you have of Bjorgolf’s heritage what share they knew to be your right. I was present when ye two
put in this same claim on Bard, and I heard what he thought, that there was no ground for it, for he
called you illegitimate.’ Harek said that they would bring witnesses that their mother was duly bought
with payment. ’It is true that we did not at first treat of this matter with Brynjolf our brother it was a
case of sharing between kinsmen, but of Bard we hoped to get our dues in every respect, though our
dealings with him were not for long. Now however this heritage has come to men who are in nowise
our kin, and we cannot be altogether silent about our wrong; but it may be that, as before, might will
so prevail that we get not our right of thee in this, if thou refuse to hear the witness that we can bring
to prove us honourably born.’