n get ready for the winter-wedding. Thorkel of Skaney bade Illugi
the Black and his sons. But when master Illugi got ready, Gunnlaug sat
in the hall, and stirred not to go. Illugi went up to him and said, "Why
dost thou not get ready, kinsman?"

Gunnlaug answered, "I have no mind to go."

Says Illugi, "Nay, but certes thou shalt go, kinsman," says he; "and
cast thou not grief over thee by yearning for one woman. Make as if thou
knewest nought of it, for women thou wilt never lack."

Now Gunnlaug did as his father bade him; so they came to the wedding,
and Illugi and his sons were set down in the high seat; but Thorstein
Egilson, and Raven his son-in-law, and the bridegroom's following, were
set in the other high seat, over against Illugi.

The women sat on the dais, and Helga the Fair sat next to the bride.
Oft she turned her eyes on Gunnlaug, thereby proving the saw, "Eyes will
bewray if maid love man."

Gunnlaug was well arrayed, and had on him that goodly raiment that King
Sigtrygg had given him; and now he was thought far above all other men,
because of many things, both strength, and goodliness, and growth.

There was little mirth among folk at this wedding. But on the day when
all men were making ready to go away the women stood up and got ready
to go home. Then went Gunnlaug to talk to Helga, and long they talked
together: but Gunnlaug sang:--

"Light-heart lived the Worm-tongue
All day long no longer
In mountain-home, since Helga
Had name of wife of Raven;
Nought foresaw thy father,
Hardener white of fight-thaw,
What my words should come to.
--The maid to gold was wedded."

And again he sang:--

"Worst reward I owe them,
Father thine, O wine-may,
And mother, that they made thee
So fair beneath thy maid-gear;
For thou, sweet field of sea-flame,
All joy hast slain within me.--
Lo, here, take it, loveliest
E'er made of lord and lady!"

And therewith Gunnlaug gave Helga the cloak, Ethelred's-gift, which was
the fairest of things, and she thanked him well for the gift.

Then Gunnlaug went out, and by that time riding-horses had been brought
home and saddled, and among them were many very good ones; and they
were all tied up in the road. Gunnlaug leaps on to a horse, and rides
a hand-gallop along the homefield up to a place where Raven happene