The Saga of Half and His HeroesTranslation by Peter Tunstall

© 2005 Peter Tunstall

9. Of Hjorolf Hjorleifsson

Hjorleif and Hild the Slender had two sons. The oldest was called Hjorolf and the youngest Half. King Hjorleif was killed while out raiding. There was a king called Asmund. He took Hild the Slender as his wife and fostered Hjorleif's sons.When Hjorolf was thirteen, he got ready to go raiding. He got every ship he could get his hands on, large or small, new or old, and every man he could find, free or forced. They had lots of things for weapons: sticks and staves, posts and poles. That's why, since then, anything that's a bit unwieldy is called Hjorolf's Gear.1 And when he got into a battle with some vikings, he rallied the troops and attacked. He had an inexperienced and ill-equipped force, and many of his men were killed, but some fled, and he got back home with that lot by autumn, and he didn't amount to much as a man.10. Of King Half and Half's Heroes

The following spring Half was twelve years old, and no one could match him for size or strength. Then he got ready to go raiding, and he had one ship, new and well-made.In Hordaland there lived a jarl whose name was Alf the Old. His wife was Gunnlod, sister of Hamund the Bold - their father was the berserk Hromund. Gunnlod and Alf had two sons and both were called Stein. The oldest was eighteen. He was then adviser to King Half. No one younger or more immature than him was to go on the expedition. In the courtyard stood a big stone. No one

1 The expression is not otherwise recorded.

was to go unless they'd lifted that stone off the ground. No one who got scared was to go, or who spoke despondently, or who winced at wounds. Stein junior couldn't go because of his age, as he was twelve years old.Lord Hamund had two sons, one called Hrok the Black and the other Hrok the White. They were chosen for this expedition. Aslak was a major landowner. Egil and Erling were his sons. They were fine men. Half's standard bearer was called Vemund. Four men from the king's following were attached to him. Now the eleven provinces were scoured. There they found twelve men. There were the two brothers Hawk and Falcon, Styr the Strong, Dag the Dashing, Bork and Brynjolf, Bolverk, and Haki, Hring and Halfdan, Stari and Steingrim, Stuf and Gauti, Bard and Bjorn. There were twenty-three of them in all when they set out.That first evening, as they put in to harbour, it rained heavily. Stein asked for a tent. The king answered, “Still want to live in a tent? You're not at home now, you know.” So from then on they called him Innstein.The next day they rowed around a headland in choppy weather. A man was standing on the headland, and he asked for passage. The king said he could stand on the rudder-post till evening. He said that was very kind of him, and that he guessed then he'd be standing at the king's right hand. And he did just that. This man was Gunnlod's other son, Stein the Younger. From then on, he was called Utstein: Outside Stein.They kept lots of rules, out of exuberance and a sense of competition. One was that none of them should have a sword any longer than eighteen inches, so they would be forced to get in close. They had saxes2 made 2 A type of short-sword.

specially for them so that the blows would be heavier. Not one of them had less then twelve times the strength of an average man. They never stole women or children on raids. They never bound a wound till a whole day had passed. No one was accepted who failed to meet these standards of strength and courage. King Half was raiding for eighteen summers. It was their custom to always lie in wait round a headland. It was another of their customs to never pitch tents or awnings on deck and never to reef a sail in a storm. They were called Half's Heroes, and he never had more than sixty on his ship.11. Asmund Invited King Half

King Half came home from war to own his kingdom. They had a big storm at sea. Their ship was taking water, too much to bail. Then the decision was taken to cast lots for who should go overboard, but there was no need for that, as each man volunteered to go overboard on behalf of his mate. And as they climbed over the gunwales, they said, “There's no straw on the sea floor!”3

But when King Half reached Hordaland, King Asmund came to see him and did homage to him and swore oaths of allegiance and became his man, and he invited King Half to a feast together with half his warriors. But the next morning, as the king got ready and said that half his troops were to stay on the ships, Innstein said:“We ought all of usup from our shipswith burning brands,best of warriors,take fire to our foefirst while we can,3 Understatement: it’s not so cosy in the sea, quite unlike the straw-strewn floor of a hall.

bring oblivionto Asmund's band.”The king said:“Half this hostof heroes goesup from the sea,I say, in peace.Asmund's grantedgold rings galore,wealth immenseas we might wish.Innstein said:“You don't see allof Asmund's mind,that chief concealsdeceit in his breast.You'd set less storein your step-father's(if we had our way)word, my lord.The king said:“Asmund's offered usoaths untold,promised peace,pledged his friendship.No lord well-bornwould abuse a truce,betray the trustof a true ally.”Innstein said:

“Odin's furyhas fallen on youif Asmund you trustso absolutely.He'll dissemble,hoodwink us all,unless you keepa look out, lord.”The king said:“You always twistthe talk to terror--that king won't betrayhis treaty with us.Gold we'll get thereand gleaming gems,red rings sprinkledfrom the ruler's hoard.”Innstein said:“Half, I had a dream--pay heed to me--fierce flame there playedupon our forces;from that tight spot it seemedquite tough to escape.What meaning, majesty,do you make of that dream?”The king said:“I'll give a gilt helmto each gallant hero,to those bold fellowswho follow me.That will flashlike fire over

the lord's warband,lighting their heads.Innstein said:“I dreamed again,a dreadful scene:it seemed that shouldersshone with flame.I've a feeling, sire,that's not a good sign.Any ideawhat this dream might mean?”The king said:“Chain-links will chimeon chief's retainers,on king's men clinkingcascades the mail.That will shineon shoulders brightly,of royal comradesquite like fire.”Innstein said:“I dreamed again,a third dream also,that we took a divein deep water.It's got to implysome great deceit.What meaning, sire,do you see in this dream.”The king said:

“What's it to me?I've heard all I want,now fasten your mouth,it means just nothing.Enough of this nonsense!Not a word nowof your dreams and drivelfrom this day forth.”Innstein said:“Listen up, you two Hroks,in the ranks of the king,and heed these wordsof warning, Utstein.Up from the strandlet's stride together.The words of our kingwe won't blame for that.”Utstein said:“We'll let the warlord,our warrior king,lead with daringour expeditions.Let's chance it, brother,to please the chief,risk our bodiesfor a brave master.”Innstein said:“The ruler's reliedwhile roaming abroad,our lord many times,on my loyal counsel.Now though it seemsthere's nothing I can say--

the king won't listensince we came this way.”12. King Asmund's Treachery

King Half went up to Asmund's hall with one half of his warriors. There was a multitude of people there. The banquet was bountiful and the drink so strong that Half's Heroes were soon fast asleep. King Asmund and his men set fire to the hall.And the first of the Heroes to wake saw that the hall was nearly full of smoke. He said, “Seems a bit smoky round our hawks4 now.” Then he lay down and went back to sleep.And another one woke up and he saw that the hall was burning, and he said, “I suppose the wax'll be dripping off our blades now.”5 That one lay back down.And then King Half woke up. He got up and roused the men and told them to arm themselves. They charged at the wall then, so that the clasps on the corner-beams came loose.And Innstein said:“Smoke's to the hawksin the hall of the king,and wax from saxesit seems will drip.High time to deal outdear treasures and gold,hurry helms to shareamong Half's Heroes.

4 A conventional metaphor for brave warriors, but the writer of the prose may have interpreted it literally here.5 The blades were coated in wax to prevent rust.

Wake, Half, I urge -no want of warmth,of fires kindled,conflagrations.Rise ring-sharing kingrise to vengeance:for a plotting parentit's pay back time.Ram now the planks,push on the walls.The props splinter,split finally in two.The fame won't failwhile folk live, ever,of the day Half's Heroesdined with this duke.With hard blows we'll goand give up never.The chief's championsmust charge with short-swords.On themselves they'll bearbloody sores,our foes, beforewe're finished battling.Look lively, lads,leap out the fire,dodge cinders gentlemenjust like your prince.No man's likelyto live for ever -I doubt he'll dreadto die, our leader.”13. The Fall of King Half

So it is said that Half and his Heroes got out of the fire and that Half fell before overwhelming odds together with his men. Innstein said, when the king had fallen:“Here I saw armed-menall follow one,(king's kin he was)keen as each other.We'll meet in one piecewhen we part from here.I've little more likingfor life than death.”Then the rest of the Heroes joint the fight, those who'd stayed with the ships. There fell a great many of Half's Heroes. The battle dragged on till nightfall, before Innstein fell. Innstein said:“Hrok has fallenby the feet of our leader,defending to the lasthis liege-lord staunchly.With Odin we'veone bone to pick–that he snatched victoryfrom such a king.I've been at seaeighteen summers,a bold boss I served,stained shaft with blood.Another lordI'll never findmore gallant in war,nor grow old now.So here Innsteinsinks to the ground,

lays himself downby his leader's head.In latter timesat the telling of sagas,they'll hear of howKing Half died laughing.”14. Of Utstein and Hrok the Black

Gunnlod went in the night among the slain to look for her sons. She found Innstein dead, but Utstein was wounded, though barely alive, and likewise Bard and Bjorn. She put them on a cart and brought them to a cottage and healed them in secret and sent them south then to Sweden. Bjorn and Bard went to see King Solvi, Half's uncle on his mother's side, but Utstein went to Denmark to King Eystein, his kinsman.Hrok the Black had many grave wounds. In the night, he walked from the battle field till he found a humble cotter whose name was Skogkarl. There he stayed, and his wounds were bandaged. The cotter smuggled him north to Sogn to Lord Geirmund, his father's brother. There he was healed in secret and in the autumn he went to the Uplands and east to Gautland. He made it to King Haki in Skåne and stayed the winter with him.15. Utstein Killed the Sons of Ulf

Utstein was staying with King Eystein. Ulf the Red was Eystein's advisor. He had eight sons, and they were great fighters and very malicious. They took a dislike to Utstein, and they fell out while drinking. This was before Utstein had told of King Half's death. He said then:“What makes me smilemost especially,is that Asmund's not yetout the fire.

Three warriors fellin the fighting therefrom wounds, it's true,but one lives.”When Ulf declared himself a match for Utstein and egged him on, Utstein said:“Up we'll getand out we'll go then,shield on shield,it shan't take long.Something tells meto trust to luck,helmed here in Denmarkour disir6 stand near.”Ulf said:“All your disirare dead I think,your luck's run dry,doughty Heroes.I dreamt this dawnour daring boys,triumphed, topped you,try as you might.”Utstein said:“You seem to mesadly mistaken,get ready Ulffor a rude awakening.Soon a swordwill swipe them off,from reddened necks,your heads rolling.”6 Guardian goddesses.

Ulf said:“Oh, they'll succeed,the sons of Ulf:Odd and Ornolf,Ati the Black,Bork and Brynjolf,Bui, Hardskafi,Red Raud the Strong--unless you run...”Utstein said:“Neither Stein nor Stariwould stop for fearto try their armagainst Ulf's sons,(for our brotherbalked not at battle),to prick the pride of your shitmen,knock them off their perch.Not to the Hroks,nor to Halfdan,did that days'sdeeds seem a challenge,when the four of usfelled eight cowardsout thereoff Andsnes’ point.Though Ulf's sons stepoutside to fight,eight warriors nowall against one,Stein won't flee,though somewhat fewer

the men with mein my company.Half, my king,he came in a dream,encouraged me to combat,kind words speaking.He'd always be with us,that's what he told me,watching overwherever we went to war.”Then Ulf's sons went outside with Utstein and they fought. He killed all of Ulf's sons and afterwards went in to the king and said:“I'm here to givegrave news to Ulf--his haughty sonslie hacked to bits.More men may, Eystein,if you wish now,come test their courage,in combat with me.”Eystein said:“I will permitno more such attempts--the Heroes of Halfare harder than any.I know of nonemore noble in war,bolder than you, sir,slayer of eight.”Utstein said:

“I'd take on allof Eystein's band,with my sword slash themsame way as these,if I saw a needsuch work to do,should enmity fallfirst among us.No one's too keento cross me now,for long agomy life was shaped.Hard is the heartI have in my breast.As a child I foundfavour with Odin.”16. Of Hrok the Black

Hrok the black stayed with King Haki. The king's daughter was called Brynhild. A king called Svein the Victorious asked for Brynhild's hand in marriage, but Haki refused. Svein swore he'd kill the man who got her, and her father too. King Haki had a jarl called Hedin, and Weevil was his son. He asked for Brynhild's hand, and this was promised him, if he would defend the land from Svein.Hrok the Black was unknown there, and no one thought anything of him. He sat in the guest's seat. One day, the men of the court went deer hunting, and the women went gathering nuts. Brynhild saw a big man standing alone by an oak tree. She heard him say:“Now Hamund's sonwill say somethingof the brothers Hrok,

their birth and line.More doughty I deemmy dad to have been,a keen falconcompared to your father.No one would wantto be like Weevil,not even the herdsmenof Hamund's flock.I didn't findany swine-herd with feeblerheart than Hedin'sgutless son has.My station was higherwhen we stood by Half,warred with the wise kingthe world over,with single mindwe marched as one,always fightingfar and wide.Hawkish the heartwe had, each man of us,wherever the chief choseto chance his luck.Great lands were they:with grey helmetsthrough nine countrieswe cut a swathe.Half I saw hewtwo-handed there,no shield shelteredour chief that day.A worthier warrior

you wouldn't find,though hard you hunt,or stouter-hearted.Some men who knowno better than this,they think our kinghad a fool's courage.But they never knewthat noble ruler,Half, Haloga-king,7

if that's all they've heard.His boys were forbiddento blanch at deathor to utter but oneword out of worry.None were allowedto enlist with that lordunless his destinythey dared to share.None were allowedto let out a groanat cuts incurredin the clash of war,or bind a sore,bandage up wounds,until an entireday's time was done.He commanded that no manin manacles be harmed,nor any womanby his warriors attacked.Honourably he ordered

7 King of Halogaland, a coastal region of northwest Norway, but poetically standing for Norway in general.

should all girls be bought,with fairest goldand fathers' leave.8

We never metso many enemiesin all our timethat we turned and fled,even when eleveneager hostilewarriors awaitedeach one of us.The upper handwe had alwayswhere shields crashedin combat together.One prince alonewas the peer of my lord,hard-knit Sigurdin the halls of Gjuki.Many I could mentionwho marched with us,who battled for the boss,brave men and good:Bork and Brynjolf,Bolverk and Haki,Egil and Erling,Aslak's sons.The finest of friendsI found these to be:Hrok, my brother,and bold King Half,Styr and Steinar,strong men both,8 See “dowry” in Glossary.

Lady Gunnlod'sgallant boys.Hring and Halfdanhawks the both of them,Dag the Dashing,no doubting their judgement.Stari and Steingrim,Styr and Gauti--you'll hear nowhereof more handsome lads.Hawk and Falcon,on harrying raids,fine fellows marched,at their master's side.Those king's fighters would findfew fit for muchhere in Haki'shumble land.Nor was I deemeda nobody there,a wretch in the ranksof the royal troop.Keenest of comradesthey called me indeed,for each one soughtto gain honourand glory for all the others.In the vanguard Vemundadvanced with the standard(Bjorn and Bersibore all before them),dared fight in frontof a fine leader,

who formed up his legionswhile life lasted.16. Of Hrok the Black (Continued)

The general enjoyedjust a short span,less days than his deedsof daring deserved.At twelve the terrorof territories took to war,but when our regentreached thirty, he died.I don't sleep well,wake many a night,I feel so badabout my brother:the thought of Hrokin that ruin burningalive with the lastof our lord's fighters.The darkest dayone dare imagine,worst one in the world,that was for me.Ease no longercan we expect,nor companyof faithful kin.Quite lighter my griefwould grow could I getvengeance and rendmy ring-giver's slayer,with sword scintillatingslice into Asmund,

break open the breastof Half's butcher.Half the herohas to be avenged,for they betrayedhis trust in a truce.Murder was committedand manslaughterby Asmund on thatill-starred day.There'll be a test,a trial of strength,if Svein we findon the field of battle,of who's hardier,who has what it takes,Hamund's boyor Haki's thanes.Here's what I'd sayto that smart woman:Brynhild I'd askto be my wife,did I but believedshe wanted to lovethis Hrok here,Hamund's boy.Shrewd descendantsI'd expect to see,some good offspringif we got together,for I've not meta wiser lassthan Haki's girl,the whole world over.

I've yet to meeton my many journeys,a dearer lassthan Haki's daughter.She is allthat I could wish.I'm an outcast herein Haki's kingdom,ignored by all.They've each a spotto sit inside,these slack warriors,higher at tablethan Half's Heroes.Brynhild told her father what she'd heard, and said that one of Half's Heroes must have arrived. And when the king realised that, he directed Hrok to sit in the seat of honour, and they got on great, Hrok and the king. Hrok the Black married King Haki's daughter Brynhild. The following spring, Hrok went with an army against Svein the Victorious, and they fought a battle. Svein fell there, and Hrok came back triumphant to King Haki.That summer they sailed out with an army: King Solvi and King Haki and Hrok the Black, King Eystein and Utstein with him. They went to Norway, fought a battle with King Asmund and slew him.Half's son Hjor was then king of Hordaland. Hrok and Utstein went raiding for many years, and they were men of great renown. The daughter of Brynhild and Hrok the Black was Gunnlod, who was Hromund Gripsson's mother.