The Story of Rolf and the Viking's Bow

by Allen French

  CHAPTER XIV

  HOW ROLF AND EINAR SUMMONED EACH OTHER

  Because of the state of matters at Cragness, Frodi the Smith journeyedthere frequently to see his relatives. Here it must be told what kindof man he was. He was tall and heavy-jointed, with a long neck and along face, and somewhat comic to look upon. Frodi the Slow was heby-named, for his movements were cumbersome and his mind workedslowly. But since that affair at the sheep-fold, many called himWhittle-Frodi.

  Now Rolf sends for him one day, and tells him all that had happened,and how he was sure of making Einar an outlaw. And he asks Frodi to gowith him to the house of Einar, to be witness to the summons.

  Then said Frodi: "Let me say what I think of this affair. First thoushouldst ask a peaceful atonement. For in the beginning it seems thatthere is danger to thee, so great is the strength against thee. And inthe second place such continual blood-feuds as daily go on areunchristian, and evil for the land."

  Then Rolf was thoughtful. "Shall I have done all my seeking fornothing?" he asked. "More than that, shall I take money for myfather's slaying?"

  "It is the custom of the land," said Frodi, "and many men do it forthe sake of peace."

  "I heard Flosi say at Tongue," said Rolf, "how strife betweenneighbors was the greatest bane of this land. And I am half minded todo as thou sayest. But why has not Einar offered me atonement, if anyis to be paid? I tell thee, hard is his heart, and he is glad!"

  "At least," begged Frodi, "let me ask Einar what he will do."

  "So I will," answered Rolf, "and a great sacrifice I make, to layaside my grief and vengeance. Nay, I even break my vow which I madebefore thee. But I think only scorn will be thy portion, and matterswill be made worse."

  Then they went together to the house of Einar, and were seen from thehall as they entered the yard, and men came and stood in the porch asthey approached. There were Einar and Ondott, and other men of thehousehold. All bore weapons. But no one spoke when the cousins stoodbefore them.

  "Will no one here give us welcome?" asked Frodi.

  Ondott mimicked Frodi's slow voice, and said: "Be welcome." The men ofEinar laughed.

  "Laugh not," said Frodi mildly. "Now, Einar, it is known how Hiarandicame by his death, and men say thou art responsible therefor."

  "I was not by at his slaying," answered Einar.

  Said Rolf: "What is done by a man's servants, with his knowledge, isas his deed."

  And Frodi said: "Were it not better to atone Rolf for the death of hisfather, rather than have bad blood between neighbors? For thou knowestthis, that some day a man may be found to shoot an arrow beyond thatlittle oak."

  Now Einar was plainly smitten by the answer of Frodi, and the scornwent from his face, and he thought. And here may be seen how the evilwhich a bad man does is not half so much in quantity as the good whichhe mars. For Ondott Crafty saw what was in Einar's mind, and he spokequickly.

  "An award may be given, Einar," said he, "which will honor you both.Shall I utter it?"

  Now Einar was accustomed to the bitter jokes of Ondott, and when hethought he saw one coming, he forgot his design of peace, and said:"Utter the award."

  "But does Rolf agree to it?" asked Ondott.

  "I will hear it," answered Rolf. "But if thou meanest to scoff, thinktwice, lest in the end it be bad for thee."

  Meanwhile some of the women of the household had come out of the hallat its other end, by the women's door, and now stood near to hear whatwas said. Helga the daughter of Einar was there, but she hung back;nearest of all stood Thurid the crone, listening closely.

  "Now this I would award," said Ondott, "if I were in thy place, Einar.Thy son Grani is abroad, in the fostering of the Orkney earl; but someday he will come home, and then will need men to serve him. Let Rolfgive up his holding and become thy man; so canst thou protect him fromall harm. Then when thy son returns Rolf shall be his bow-bearer, andshall be atoned by the honor for the death of his father."

  Some laughed, but not for long, and so far was this from a jest thatthe most were silent. Then Thurid chanted:

  "For Einar's son shall Rolf bear bow. Which in the end shall bear most woe?"

  But none paid attention, for Rolf was gathering himself to speak. Andhe cried: "Ill jesting is thine, Ondott! Now hear what I am comehither to say: Outlaw shall Einar be made, for that man is found whocan make the shot beyond the little oak. And thus I summon Einar."

  So he recited the summons. He named the deed and the place, and thewounds of which Hiarandi had died. He named witnesses, thosehouseholders who had already been summoned. And he called Einar toanswer for the deed before the Westfirther's Court at the Althing.

  Ondott alone laughed when the summons was spoken in full. "So here arecome a boy and a peaceling," quoth he, "to pick a quarrel with men."

  "Heed him not," said Frodi to Rolf, "for he seeks cause to draw swordon thee."

  Then Rolf made no answer to Ondott, but he and Frodi turned away andstarted to go home. Ondott whispered to Einar: "A spear between theshoulders will settle this matter for good." And he signed to Hallvardthat he should have his spear ready to throw. Einar stood irresolute.

  But the maid Helga went forward quickly and walked by Rolf's side."May I go with thee to the gate?" she asked.

  Great anger possessed him against all of Einar's house, but the sightof her astonished him, and he said she might come. In silence theywent to the gate of the yard; then Helga stood there in the way whilethose two from Cragness went homeward. And Einar had already biddenthat no violence be done, for fear of harming his daughter. He wentinto the hall and sat down in his seat, brooding over the outcome.

  Ondott said: "Too squeamish art thou."

  Einar said: "If thou findest me not a way out of this, it will go illwith thee."

  Now a way out of that would have been hard to find, had not one dayOndott met that man who had set Rolf on the right road as he pursuedGrettir. Said the man: "So thy neighbor Rolf won his sheep again fromGrettir the Strong. That was a great deed!"

  Then Ondott learned of the stealing of the sheep, and how Rolf hadbeen seen driving it home again. He thought, and knew who must be thatman who would shoot for Rolf. Then he went homeward with a lightheart.

  "Now," said he to Einar, "thy defence is sure. But come with me, andwe will summon Rolf for those wounds he dealt, and that man he slew,when Hiarandi was slain."

  "No court," answered Einar, "will punish Rolf for that." And he wouldnot go, though he gave Ondott permission to go in his stead. Ondotttook a witness and went to Cragness, where Rolf and Frodi were at workin the yard. Ondott recited the summons; Rolf and Frodi went on withthe work, and answered naught.

  And now all is quiet until men ride to the Althing.