The Saga of the People of Laxardal and Bolli Bollason's Tale (Penguin Classics) by Eiricksson Leifur

Author:Eiricksson, Leifur [Eiricksson, Leifur]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780141917429
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2008-04-23T16:00:00+00:00

43

Some time afterwards Bolli was speaking to his uncle Olaf and said, ‘Uncle, I’ve been thinking, now that I feel myself a full-grown man, that I should settle down and get married. I want to ask for your advice and assistance to accomplish this, as I know that most men here listen to what you have to say.’

Olaf answered, ‘I’d think most women would consider you more than a fitting match. But you wouldn’t have brought the question up if you hadn’t already decided where it should come down.’

Bolli said, ‘I won’t have to go looking for a wife in distant districts as long as there are such fine women nearby. I want to ask for the hand of Gudrun Osvifsdottir; she is the most renowned of women.’

Olaf answered, ‘That’s a matter I want no part in. You know, Bolli, just as well as I do that the affection between Kjartan and Gudrun was spoken of everywhere. But if you consider this very important, then if you and Osvif reach an agreement I won’t oppose it. Have you raised the question with Gudrun?’

Bolli said he had brought the question up on one occasion and she had been rather reluctant –‘but I expect that it will be first and foremost Osvif who will decide the question’.

Olaf said he would have to do as he wished.

Not long after this Bolli rode from Hjardarholt to Laugar, accompanied by eleven followers, among them Olaf’s sons, Halldor and Steinthor. Osvif and his sons welcomed them. Bolli asked to speak to Osvif privately and brought up the question of marriage, asking for the hand of his daughter Gudrun.

Osvif replied, ‘As you know, Bolli, Gudrun is a widow and as such she can answer for herself, but I will give it my support.’

Osvif then approached Gudrun and said that Bolli Thorleiksson had arrived, ‘and has asked for your hand in marriage. You are to answer him. I can say without hesitation that if I were to decide, Bolli would not be turned down.’

Gudrun answered, ‘You’ve been quick to decide this. Bolli brought the question up once with me and I tried to discourage him, and I still feel the same way.’

Osvif then said, ‘If you refuse a man like Bolli many people will say that your answer shows more recklessness than foresight. But as long as I’m still alive, I intend to direct my children’s actions in matters where I can see more clearly than they.’

Since Osvif opposed her so, Gudrun did not, for her part, refuse, although she was very reluctant in all respects. Osvif’s sons were also very eager for her to make the match and felt it was an honour for them to have Bolli as their brother-in-law. The upshot of it was that they were betrothed and the date of the wedding set for the Winter Nights.

Bolli then rode home to Hjardarholt and told his foster-father Olaf of the arrangement. Olaf was not enthusiastic at the news. Bolli was at home until the time came for him to leave for the wedding.

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