EGIL’S SAGA: CHAPTER 38; King Eirik’s Gift

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King Eirik’s Gift to Skallagrim

It was summer and Thorolf Skallagrimsson had not been back to see his father in Iceland. Thorolf had an unlimited amount of money to spend and several very valuable things.

When he decided to return to Icelaand King Eirik gave him a gift for Skallagrim. It was a fine axe with a very broad head shaped in a crescent form. The head was inlaid with gold and the handle with silver.

Thorolf made the trip to Iceland and set in at Borgarfjord. He went directly to Borg to see Skallagrim. The beautiful huge axe was presented. Skallagrim looked it over but said nothing. He then hung it on the wall beside his bed.

One autumn day Skallagrim asked for several oxen to be slaughtered. He removed the King’s gift from the wall and took it with him.

Two oxen had been tied up to a stone wall with their necks crossing. Skallagrim took a great slab of stone and placed it beneath their necks. He lifted the huge and beautiful axe high above his head. Then, bringing it straight down with great force, he cut the heads off both oxen at the same time. The axe continued its path breaking the steel edge and shattering the tempered blade. Skallagrim looked at the edge but said nothing. He carried this broken axe to the hall, climbed up on a bench and stored the axe in the rafters.

When Spring arrived Thorolf readied himself for the trip back to Norway.

Skallagrim attempted to dissuade him saying “I feel I may never see you again.” Thorolf told him not to worry.

There was one  more issue to be dealt with between the two.

Thorolf said to Skallagrim “I am bound to take Asgerd back to see her father, Bjorg.” It was agreed to.

When Thorolf was ready to board the ship Skallagrim retrieved the sooted and rusty axe from the rafters. He handed it to Thorolf and made the following verse.

Many flaws in the edge

Of this fearsome fighter;

It’s blunt, this big warrior,

Weak in the blade.

Let’s send the curved coward,

The sooty shaft, back;

No good reason to regale me

With this royal gift.