Death of Bjorn; disputes over property in Norway

The next thing that happened was the death of Thrand's father

Bjorn. When the news of it reached Grim the Hersir he proceeded

against Ondott Crow and claimed Bjorn's estate. Ondott held

Thrand to be the rightful heir of his father, but Grim contended

that Thrand was away in the West. Bjorn, he said, came from

Gautland, and the succession to the estate of all foreigners

passed to the king. Ondott said that he would hold the property

on behalf of Thrand, who was his daughter's son. Grim then

departed, having effected nothing by his claim.



Thrand, when he heard of his father's death, prepared to leave

the Hebrides, and Onund Treefoot decided to go with him. Ofeig

Grettir and Thormod Shaft went to Iceland with all their

belongings, landing at Eyrar in the South. They spent the first

winter with Thorbjorn the Salmon-man, and then occupied

Gnupverjahrepp. Ofeig took the outer part lying between the

rivers Thvera and Kalfa, and lived at Ofeigsstad near Steinsholt,

while Thormod took the eastern part, living at Skaptaholt.

Thormod's daughters were named Thorvor and Thorve; the former

afterwards became the mother of Thorodd the Godi at Hjalli,

Thorve of Thorstein the Godi the father of Bjarni the Wise.



We now return to Thrand and Onund, who sailed back from the West

to Norway. A strong wind blew in their favour, so that they

arrived at the house of Ondott Crow before any one knew of

their journey. He welcomed Thrand and told him of the claim

which Grim the Hersir had raised for Bjorn's estate.



"To my thinking, kinsman," he said, "it is better that the

property should go to you than to the king's thralls. It is a

fortunate thing for you that no one knows of your having come

here, for I expect that Grim will make an attack upon one or the

other of us if he can. I should prefer if you would take over

your property and stay in other countries."



Thrand said that he would do so. He took over the property and

prepared to leave Norway. Before leaving he asked Onund Treefoot

whether he would not come to Iceland. Onund said he wanted first

to visit some of his relations and friends in the South.



"Then," said Thrand, "we must part. I should be glad if you

would give my kinsmen your support, for our enemies will

certainly try to take revenge upon them when I am gone. I am

going to Iceland, and I want you to come there too."



Onund said he would come, and they parted with great friendship.

Thrand went to Iceland, where he met with a welcome from Ofeig

and Thormod Shaft. He took up his dwelling at Thrandarholt to

the west of Thjorsa.