Gripla - 01.01.1977, Page 15

JOURNEY TO THE NJÁLA COUNTRY 11
Some details of the author’s topographical knowledge will be dis-
cussed later on our journey, so I shall end here for the while.
2. AT GUNNARSHÓLMI
In Njáls Saga, ch. 75, there is an account of Gunnar’s plan to go abroad,
and how he changed his mind on the way.
Gunnar sent his own and Kolskegg’s goods down to the ship. When
everything was on board, and the ship almost ready to sail, Gunnar
rode to Bergthorshvoll and other places to thank all those who had
given him support.
Early next morning he made ready to ride to the ship, and told
all his people that he was going abroad for ever. Everyone was
dismayed at the news, but hoped that some day he would return.
When he was ready to leave, he embraced them all one by one. The
whole household came out to see him off. With a thrust of his
halberd he vaulted into the saddle, and rode away with Kolskegg.
They rode down towards Markar River. Just then Gunnar’s
horse stumbled, and he leapt from the saddle. He happened to
glance up towards his home and the slopes of Hlidarendi.
‘How lovely the slopes are,’ he said, ‘more lovely than they have
ever seemed to me before, golden comfields and new-mown hay.
I am going back home, and I will not go away.’
Kolskegg said, ‘Do not make your enemies happy by breaking
the settlement, somethi g that one would never expect of you. For
you can be quite sure that all of Njal’s predictions will come true.’
‘I am not going away,’ said Gunnar. ‘And I wish you would stay,
too.’
‘Never,’ said Kolskegg. ‘I am not going to dishonour my pledge
over this nor any other matter I am trusted in. Tell my kinsmen
and my mother that I never mean to see Iceland again; for I shall
hear of your death, brother, and there will then be nothing to draw
me home.’
With that they separated. Gunnar rode home to Hlidarendi, but
Kolskegg carried on to the ship and sailed abroad.
Here I follow the excellent translation of Magnus Magnusson and
Hermann Pálsson, 1960—with one exception, of which more later.