"Skallagrim," quoth Eric, "it seems that I have dreamed a strange
dream--a most strange dream of Norns and trolls!"

"Tell me thy dream, lord," said Skallagrim.

So Eric told all the vision, and the Baresark listened in silence.

"It was no dream, lord," said Skallagrim, "for I myself have seen the
same things. Now this is in my mind, that yonder sun is the last that
we shall see, for we have beheld the death-shadows. All those who were
gathered here last night wait to welcome us on Bifrost Bridge. And the
mist-shapes who sat there, amongst whom our wraiths were numbered, are
the shapes of those who shall die in the great fight to-day. For days
are fled and we are sped!"

"I would not have it otherwise," said Eric. "We have been greatly
honoured of the Gods, and of the ghost-kind that are around us and above
us. Now let us make ready to die as becomes men who have never turned
back to blow, for the end of the story should fit the beginning, and of
us there is a tale to tell."

"A good word, lord," answered Skallagrim: "I have struck few strokes to
be shamed of, and I do not fear to tread Bifrost Bridge in thy company.
Now we will wash ourselves and eat, so that our strength may be whole in
us."

So they washed themselves with water, and ate merrily, and for the first
time for many months Eric was merry. For now that the end was at hand
his heart grew light within him. And when they had put the desire of
food from them, and buckled on their harness, they looked out from their
mountain height, and saw a cloud of dust rise in the desert plain of
black sand beneath, and through it the sheen of spears.

"Here come those of whom, if there is truth in visions, some few
shall never go back again," said Eric. "Now, what counsel hast thou,
Skallagrim? Where shall we meet them? Here on the space of rock, or
yonder in the deep way of the cliff?"

"My counsel is that we meet them here," said Skallagrim, "and cut them
down one by one as they try to turn the rock. They can scarcely come at
us to slay us here so long as our arms have strength to smite."

"Yet they will come, though I know not how," answered Eric, "for I am
sure of this, that our death lies before us. Here, then, we will meet
them."

Now the cloud of dust drew nearer, and they saw that this was a great
company which came up against them. At the foot of the fell the men
stayed and rested a while, and it was not till afternoon that they began
to climb the mo