Einar, therefore, let his men get under arms, went to the Thing, and took the man by force.The friends on both sides then came between and endeavoured to effect a reconciliation; and they succeeded so far that a meeting-place was appointed, to which both should come.There was a Thing-room in the king's house at the river Nid, and the king went into it with a few men, while the most of his people were out in the yard.The king ordered the shutters of the loft-opening to be turned, so that there was but a little space left clear.When Einar came into the yard with his people, he told his son Eindride to remain outside with the men, "for there is no danger here for me." Eindride remained standing outside at the room-door.When Einar came into the Thing-room, he said, "It is dark in the king's Thing-room." At that moment some men ran against him and assaulted him, some with spears, some with swords.When Eindride heard this he drew his sword and rushed into the room; but he was instantly killed along with his father.The king's men then ran up and placed themselves before the door, and the bondes lost courage, having no leader.They urged each other on, indeed, and said it was a shame they should not avenge their chief; but it came to nothing with their attack.The king went out to his men, arrayed them in battle order, and set up his standard: but the bondes did not venture to assault.Then the king went with all his men on board of his ships, rowed down the river, and then took his way out of the fjord.When Einar's wife Bergliot, who was in the house which Einar had possessed in the town, heard of Einar's fall, she went immediately to the king's house where the bondes army was and urged them to the attack; but at the same moment the king was rowing out of the river.Then said Bergliot, "Now we want here my relation, Hakon Ivarson: Einar's murderer would not be rowing out of the river if Ivar stood here on the riverbank." Then Bergliot adorned Einar's and Eindride's corpses and buried them in Olaf's church, beside King Magnus Olafson's burial-place.
After Einar's murder the king was so much disliked for that deed that there was nothing that prevented the lendermen and bondes from attacking the king, and giving him battle, but the want of some leader to raise the banner in the bonde army.
46.OF KING HARALD AND FIN ARNASON.
Fin Arnason dwelt at Austrat in Yrjar, and was King Harald's lenderman there.Fin was married to Bergliot, a daughter of Halfdan, who was a son of Sigurd Syr, and brother of Olaf the Saint and of King Harald.Thora, King Harald's wife, was Fin Arnason's brother's daughter: and Fin and all his brothers were the king's dearest friends.Fin Arnason had been for some summers on a viking cruise in the West sea; and Fin, Guthorm Gunhildson and Hakon Ivarson had all been together on that cruise.King Harald now proceeded out of Throndhjem fjord to Austrat, where he was well received.Afterwards the king and Fin conversed with each other about this new event of Einar's and his son's death, and of the murmuring and threatening which the bondes made against the king.
Fin took up the conversation briskly, and said, "Thou art managing ill in two ways: first, in doing all manner of mischief;and next, in being so afraid that thou knowest not what to do."The king replied, laughing, "I will send thee, friend, into the town to bring about a reconciliation with the bondes; and if that will not do, thou must go to the Uplands and bring matters to such an understanding with Hakon Ivarson that he shall not be my opponent."Fin replies, "And how wilt thou reward me if I undertake this dangerous errand; for both the people of Throndhjem and the people of Upland are so great enemies to thee that it would not be safe for any of thy messengers to come among them, unless he were one who would be spared for his own sake?"The king replies, "Go thou on this embassy, for I know thou wilt succeed in it if any man can, and bring about a reconciliation;and then choose whatever favour from us thou wilt."Fin says, "Hold thou thy word, king, and I will choose my petition.I will desire to have peace and safe residence in the country for my brother Kalf, and all his estates restored; and also that he receive all the dignity and power he had when he left the country."The king assented to all that Fin laid down, and it was confirmed by witnesses and shake of hand.
Then said Fin, "What shall I offer Hakon, who rules most among his relations in the land, to induce him to agree to a treaty and reconciliation with thee?"The king replies, "Thou shalt first hear what Hakon on his part requires for making an agreement; then promote my interest as thou art best able; and deny him nothing in the end short of the kingdom."Then King Harald proceeded southwards to More, and drew together men in considerable numbers.
47.OF FIN ARNASON'S JOURNEY.
Fin Arnason proceeded to the town and had with him his house-servants, nearly eighty men.When he came into the town he held a Thing with the town's people.Fin spoke long and ably at the Thing; and told the town's people, and bondes, above all things not to have a hatred against their king, or to drive him away.
He reminded them of how much evil they had suffered by acting thus against King Olaf the Saint; and added, that the king was willing to pay penalty for this murder, according to the judgment of understanding and good men.The effect of Fin's speech was that the bondes promised to wait quietly until the messengers came back whom Bergliot had sent to the Uplands to her relative, Hakon Ivarson.Fin then went out to Orkadal with the men who had accompanied him to the town.From thence he went up to Dovrefield, and eastwards over the mountains.He went first to his son-in-law, Earl Orm, who was married to Sigrid, Fin's daughter, and told him his business.
48.OF FIN AND HAKON IVARSON.