The followers of Halldor now fell a-talking how that Gudrun must think
but little of the slaying of Bolli, since she had seen them off
chatting and talked to them altogether as if they had done nothing
that she might take to heart. Then Halldor answered, "That is not my
feeling, that Gudrun thinks little of Bolli's death; I think the
reason of her seeing us off with a chat was far rather, that she
wanted to gain a thorough knowledge as to who the men were who had
partaken in this journey. Nor is it too much said of Gudrun that in
all mettle of mind and heart she is far above other women. Indeed, it
is only what might be looked for that Gudrun should take sorely to
heart the death of Bolli, for, truth to tell, in such men as was Bolli
there is the greatest loss, though we kinsmen, bore not about the good
luck to live in peace together." After that they rode home to
Herdholt. These tidings spread quickly far and wide and were thought
startling, and at Bolli's death there was the greatest grief.
[Sidenote: Snorri counsels Gudrun] Gudrun sent straightway men to
Snorri the Priest, for Osvif and she thought that all their trust was
where Snorri was. Snorri started quickly at the bidding of Gudrun and
came to Tongue with sixty men, and a great ease to Gudrun's heart his
coming was. He offered her to try to bring about a peaceful
settlement, but Gudrun was but little minded on behalf of Thorleik to
agree to taking money for the slaughter of Bolli. "It seems to me,
Snorri, that the best help you can afford me," she said, "is to
exchange dwellings with me, so that I be not next-door neighbour to
the Herdholtings." At that time Snorri had great quarrels with the
dwellers at Eyr, but said he would do this for the sake of his
friendship with Gudrun. "Yet, Gudrun, you will have to stay on this
year at Tongue." Snorri then made ready to go away, and Gudrun gave
him honourable gifts. And now Snorri rides away, and things went
pretty quietly on that year. [Sidenote: The birth of Bolli Bollison]
The next winter after the killing of Bolli Gudrun gave birth to a
child; it was a male, and he was named Bolli. He was at an early age
both big and goodly, and Gudrun loved him very much. Now as the winter
passed by and the spring came the bargain took place which had been
bespoken in that Snorri and Gudrun changed lands. Snorri went to
Tongue and lived there for the rest of his life, and Gudrun went to
Holyfell, she and Osvif, and there the