Njála, 009

Chapter 9

Now, it must be told how Hallgerda, Hauskuld's daughter, grows up, and is the fairest of women to look on; she was tall of stature, too, and therefore she was called "Longcoat." She was fair-haired, and had so much of it that she could hide herself in it; but she was lavish and hard-hearted. Her foster-father's name was Thiostolf: he was a Southislander (1) by stock: he was a strong man, well skilled in arms, and had slain many men, and made no atonement in money for one of them. It was said, too, that his rearing had not bettered Hallgerda's temper.

There was a man named Thorwald; he was Oswif's son, and dwelt out on Middlefells strand, under the Fell. He was rich and well to do, and owned the islands called Bearisles, which lie out in Broadfirth, whence he got meal and stock fish. This Thorwald was a strong and courteous man, though somewhat hasty in temper. Now, it fell out one day that Thorwald and his father were talking together of Thorwald's marrying, and where he had best look for a wife, and it soon came out that he thought there wasn't a match fit for him far or near.

"Well," said Oswif, "wilt thou ask for Hallgerda Longcoat, Hauskuld's daughter."

"Yes! I will ask for her," said Thorwald.

"But that is not a match that will suit either of you," Oswif went on to say, "for she has a will of her own, and thou art stern-tempered and unyielding."

"For all that I will try my luck there," said Thorwald, "so it's no good trying to hinder me."

"Ay!" said Oswif, "and the risk is all thine own."

After that they set off on a wooing journey to Hauskuldstede, and had a hearty welcome. They were not long in telling Hauskuld their business, and began to woo; then Hauskuld answered, "As for you, I know how you both stand in the world, but for my own part I will use no guile towards you. My daughter has a hard temper, but as to her looks and breeding you can both see for yourselves."

"Lay down the terms of the match," answered Thorwald, "for I will not let her temper stand in the way of our bargain."

Then they talked over the terms of the bargain, and Hauskuld never asked his daughter what she thought of it, for his heart was set on giving her away and so they came to an understanding as to the terms of the match. After that Thorwald betrothed himself to Hallgerda, and rode away home when the matter was settled.

Kafli 9

Nú er þar til máls að taka að Hallgerður vex upp, dóttir Höskulds, og er kvenna fríðust sýnum og mikil vexti og því var hún langbrók kölluð. Hún var fagurhár og svo mikið hárið að hún mátti hylja sig með. Hún var örlynd og skaphörð.

Þjóstólfur hét fóstri hennar. Hann var suðureyskur að ætt. Hann var styrkur maður og vígur vel og hafði margan mann drepið og bætti engan mann fé. Það var mælt að hann væri engi skapbætir Hallgerði.

Maður er nefndur Þorvaldur. Hann var Ósvífursson. Hann bjó út á Meðalfellsströnd undir Felli. Hann var vel auðigur að fé. Hann átti eyjar þær er heita Bjarneyjar. Þær liggja út á Breiðafirði. Þaðan hafði hann skreið og mjöl. Þorvaldur var vel styrkur maður og kurteis, nokkuð bráður í skaplyndi.

Það var einhverju sinni að þeir feðgar ræddu með sér hvar Þorvaldur mundi á leita um kvonfang. En það fannst á að honum þótti sér óvíða fullkosta.

Þá mælti Ósvífur: „Vilt þú biðja Hallgerðar langbrókar, dóttur Höskulds?“

„Hennar vil eg biðja,“ segir hann.

„Það mun ykkur ekki mjög hent,“ sagði Ósvífur, „hún er kona skapstór en þú harðlyndur og óvæginn.“

„Þar vil eg þó á leita,“ segir hann, „og mun mig ekki tjóa að letja.“

„Þú átt og mest í hættu,“ segir Ósvífur.

Síðan fóru þeir bónorðsför og komu á Höskuldsstaði og höfðu þar góðar viðtökur. Þeir ræddu þegar erindi sín fyrir Höskuldi og vöktu bónorðið.

Höskuldur svaraði: „Kunnigt er mér um hag ykkarn en eg vil enga vél að ykkur draga er dóttir mín er hörð í skapi. En um yfirlit hennar og kurteisi megið þið sjálfir sjá.“

Þorvaldur svaraði: „Gerðu kostinn því að eg mun skaplyndi hennar ekki láta fyrir kaupi standa.“

Síðan tala þeir um kaupið og spurði Höskuldur dóttur sína ekki eftir því að honum var hugur á að gifta hana og urðu þeir sáttir á allan kaupmála. Síðan festi Þorvaldur Hallgerði og reið heim við svo búið.