"Loose me, Eric," she said; "I would speak with thee," and he loosed
her, though unwillingly.
"Hearken," she went on, hiding her fair face in her hands: "it is true
that for life and death I love thee now as ever--how much thou mayest
never know. Though Bjoern be dead at thy hands, yet I love thee; but how
I may wed thee and not win the greatest shame, that I know not. I am
sure of one thing, that we may not bide here in Iceland. Now if, indeed,
thou lovest me, listen to my rede. Get thee back to Mosfell, Eric, and
sit there in safety through this winter, for they may not come at thee
yonder on Mosfell. Then, if thou art willing, in the spring I will make
ready a ship, for I have no ship now, and, moreover, it is too late to
sail. Then, perchance, leaving all my lands and goods, I will take thy
hand, Eric, and we will fare together to England, seeking such fortune
as the Norns may give us. What sayest thou?"
"I say it is a good rede, and would that the spring were come."
"Ay, Eric, would that the spring were come. Our lot has been hard, and I
doubt much if things will go well with us at the last. And now thou
must hence, for presently the serving-women will come to seek me.
Guard thyself, Eric, as thou lovest me--guard thyself, and beware of
Swanhild!" Then once more they kissed soft and long, and Eric went.
But Gudruda sat a while behind the screen of reeds, and was very happy
for a space.
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