A long time ago, in a North Atlantic far far away…

Introduction

Earlier this week I was drawn into an enlightening discussion with my colleague Ben Frey about the complicated textual tradition that lies behind George Lucas’s “Star Wars,” which few outside the scholarly community realize is a modern rendition of an old Germanic legend of a fatal conflict between a father and his treacherous son. Below I present some remarks on the Old Icelandic version of the legend, with some spare comparative notes on the cognate traditions in other old Germanic languages.

The story as presented in George Lucas’s films represents only one manuscript tradition, and a rather late and corrupt one at that – the Middle High German epic called Himelgengærelied (Song of the Skywalkers). There is also an Old High German palimpsest known to scholars, later overwritten by a Latin choral and only partly legible to us today, which contains fragments of a version wherein “Veitare” survives to old age after slaying “Lûc” out of loyalty to the emperor, but is naturally still conflicted about the deed when the son of his daughter Leia avenges the killing on him.

This is also the ending that we infer for the Icelandic Tattúínárdǿla saga (the Saga of the People of the Tattúín River Valley), though unfortunately the ending of that saga is lost and has to be reconstructed from the scant remains of the Old High German poem and from references in other sagas (it should be noted that the later chivalric Lúks saga Anakinssonar is derived from another tradition and may well be a translation of a continental epic, probably one closely related to the extant Middle High German Himelgengærelied, from which Lucas’s narrative is drawn). The author of the Old English poem Déor also knows an “Anacan, haten heofongangende” (“Anacen, named the sky-walker”), who later in the poem is referred to by an alternative byname, “sunubana” (“son-killer”), suggesting that the more tragic version of the tale was current among the Anglo-Saxons too. Hammershaimb seems to know a Faroese ballad on the two “Himingangarar,” but there is no trace of the text of this ballad in any known collection, and it was not known to the last exponents of the Faroese oral tradition in the early twentieth century.

Tattúínárdǿla saga tells of the youth of Anakinn himingangari, beginning with his childhood as a slave in Tattúínárdalr, notably lacking the prolonged racing scene of the MHG version, and referring to the character of “Jarjari inn heimski” only as a local fool slain by Anakinn in a childhood berserker rage (whereas in the MHG version, “Jarjare” is one of “Anacen’s” marshals and his constant companion; Cochrane 2010 suggests that this may be because the MHG text is Frankish in origin, and “Jarjare” was identified with a Frankish culture hero with a similar name). After this killing, for which Anakinn’s owner (and implied father) refuses to pay compensation, Anakinn’s mother, an enslaved Irish princess, foresees a great future for Anakinn as a “jeði” (the exact provenance of this word is unknown but perhaps represents an intentionally humorous Irish mispronunciation of “goði”). This compels Anakinn to recite his first verse:

Þat mælti mín móðir,

at mér skyldi kaupa

fley ok fagrar árar

fara á brott með jeðum,

standa upp í stafni,

stýra dýrum xwingi,

halda svá til hafnar,

hǫggva mann ok annan.

(“My mother said/ That they should buy me/ A warship and fair oars,/ That I should go abroad with Jedis,/ Stand up in the ship’s stern,/ Steer a magnificent X-Wing,/ Hold my course till the harbor,/ Kill one man after another.”)

The etymology of “xwingi” (nom. *xwingr?) is unknown; numerous editors have proposed emendations, but none is considered particularly plausible. It is likely to be another humorous Irish mispronunciation of a Norse word.

As a teenager, Anakinn purchases his freedom from his owner, and arranges for passage to Kóruskantborg with the notorious Viking Víga-Óbívan, with whom he is sworn into the service of the King of Kóruskantborg after a series of adventures that prove his mettle and initiative in battle.

Over the next several years, we follow the career of Anakinn as he falls in love with Irish princess Paðéma after killing her father at the Battle of Confey, and his mentor Víga-Óbívan continues to encourage him to betray Falfaðinn, the King of Kóruskantborg. Eventually Falfaðinn learns of Víga-Óbívan’s duplicity and exiles him. Víga-Óbívan returns to Tattúínárdalr, and Anakinn is conflicted when he learns that Paðéma has been in league with Víga-Óbívan and sails to Tattúínárdalr with him. However, Anakinn is loyal to his oaths to King Falfaðinn and remains with him in Kóruskantborg, where he rises to great honor in the service of the king and is the recipient of many good gifts. He also begins the planning of the construction of the great ship Dauðastjarna, which when completed will be the crown jewel of Falfaðinn’s fleet, and will hold a crew large enough to sack a city single-handedly. Because of his great skill in hunting, Anakinn is now known to most as Veiðari-Anakinn, “hunter-Anakinn,” or often simply Veiðari.

Back in Tattúínárdalr, Paðéma gives birth to twins, Lúkr and Leia, before dying from her grief at having betrayed her husband. One of the most memorable lines in the saga is given to her on her deathbed:

Þá mælti Paðéma: “Þeim var ek verst er ek unna mest.”

(Then Padmé said: “I was worst to the man that I loved most.”)

Víga-Óbívan commends Leia to the care of a local goði and Lúkr to a man whom he believes to be Anakinn’s brother, but who is probably a disguised Óðinn. Déor speaks of the son of “Anacan” as having been raised by “Owen,” which may suggest that this interpretation is correct, but if this is in fact the name of the god, it is unclear why the form should lack the initial glide of Anglo-Saxon (unless this part of the story originated in the Danelaw; for full discussion of this and other problems of the text in Deor see Nashat 2010).

Víga-Óbívan waits for Lúkr to attain manhood, and by now is himself an old man. When young Lúkr follows some lost sheep onto Víga-Óbívan’s property and is attacked by his retainers, Víga-Óbívan defends him and later tells Lúkr (who in a dream has been given his father’s byname, “himingangari,” by a dís, but is unaware that his father also bore it), that Lúkr’s father Anakinn was slain by Veiðari, the great captain of King Falfaðinn of Kóruskantborg. Lúkr swears vengeance, accepts the gift of his father’s sword Ljósamækir from Víga-Óbívan, and with the help of the mercenary Hani (if scholars are correct in emending his name in this way; the manuscript reads “Hann”) and his ship the Þúsundár Fálkinn, sails to find the great ship Dauðastjarna, which Veiðari steers as captain of Falfaðinn’s fleet. After a long series of close battles, Lúkr and a team of Hebridean Vikings (who, we learn in a long prelude to this encounter, have long quarreled with Falfaðinn over a taxation matter) finally sink the Dauðastjarna, though not before Víga-Óbívan is slain in a holmgang with Veiðari, and the Hebrideans’ base on the island now known as Mainland has been looted by Veiðari’s Vikings.

The saga spends several chapters describing the escalation of tensions between Veiðari and Lúkr over the next years. Hani returns to Tattúínárdalr and is there betrothed to Leia (whom Lúkr still does not know to be his sister); he becomes a great goði. Meanwhile Lúkr shipwrecks on an island in the Faroes called Dagóba (the name is of unknown origin but probably Celtic) where he meets and is trained by the great warrior Jóði, who was a companion of Víga-Óbívan in his youth; Jóði continues to incite Lúkr to kill Veiðari, but his remarks are confusing in the text as preserved and are probably much damaged by later redactors – the word order is considerably jumbled and many of his comments reflect anachronistic Christian sentiments.

Finally Lúkr sees the ghost of Víga-Óbívan outside the latter’s howe, and Víga-Óbívan intones a scornful skaldic stanza at Lúkr, informing Lúkr that Hani and Leia (whom he now strongly hints is Lúkr’s sister) have been abducted by Veiðari’s men, and upbraiding him for being in the Faroes “sporting with Jóði” when this occurred.

Lúkr returns to Jóði (who in a bizarre aside is revealed to live inside a giant tree trunk in the middle of a marsh), and tells him of the apparition. Jóði foresees that if Lúkr leaves, he will face his death, but in typical saga-heroic fashion Lúkr refuses the older man’s counsel and sets out to rescue his sworn brother. Their exchange is well-known to students of Old Icelandic literature as a classic example of the forecasting of which the saga authors were so fond:

“Þú munt vera maðr feigr,” segir Jóði, “Ok ver þú varr um þik.”

“Ekki mun mér þat stoða,” segir Lúkr, “Ef mér er þat ætlat.”

(“You must be a doomed man,” said Yoda, “Be watchful of yourself.”

“That will not avail me,” said Luke, “If this be my fate.”)

Having infiltrated Veiðari’s court, Lúkr discovers that his sworn brother Hani has been turned to ice by Veiðari’s sorcery, and engages in a memorable holmgang with Veiðari, in which Veiðari reveals to Lúkr that he is his father:

Veiðari mælti: “Víga-Óbívan segði aldrigi þér þat, er orðit er af feðr þínum.”

“Hann sagði mér ǿrit,” segir Lúkr, “Hann sagði mér, at þú hann dræpir.”

“Ekki er þat satt,” kvað Veiðari, “Ok em ek þinn faðir.”

(Vader said: “Obi-Wan would never tell you, what happened to your father.”

“He told me enough,” said Luke, “He told me that you killed him.”

“That is not true,” said Vader, “I am your father.”)

In the German version made famous by Lucas’s films, “Lûc” proceeds to deny “Veiter’s” statement, repeatedly shouting “no” and imploring the heavens to see to it that it should not be so. However, in the Icelandic version, Lúkr coolly accepts Veiðari’s statement and continues to fight:

“Eigi vil ek þat trúa,” segir Lúkr, “En ef þú ert víst minn faðir, svá fær þú skilit þat, at ek held þínu sverði Ljósamæki.”

“Já vist,” segir Veiðari, “Eða hvat segir þú til?”

(“I will not believe that,” said Luke. “But if you are truly my father, then you can see, that I hold your sword Lightsaber.”

“Yes I can,” said Vader, “What more do you have to say about it?”)

The conclusion of their heroic dialogue has stirred the imaginations of generations of Old Norse enthusiasts:

“Þat mun ekki gera,” segir Lúkr, “Þú munt þó drepa vilja Hana, mág minn, ok er þat skǫmm, ef ek sit hjá.” Ok lagði til Veiðara tveim hǫndum sverðinu.

“Karlmannliga er at farit,” segir Veiðari. Veiðari høggr á hǫndina Lúki, svá at af tók, en niðr fell Ljósamækir ok með honum Lúkr.

(“It doesn’t matter,” said Luke, “You will still want to kill Han, my brother-in-law, and it would be shameful for me to sit idly by.” And he swung the sword at Vader with two hands.

“That is manfully done,” said Vader. He cut Luke’s hand, so that it was cut off, and Lightsaber fell down and with it Luke.)

Lúkr is saved from drowning by the intercession of Leia and Hani’s men in the Þúsundár Fálkinn. Following this memorable climax, there is an extended lacuna in the manuscript, and the action picks up again with an episode wherein Lúkr rescues Hani and Leia from the corrupt (and grossly obese) Danish merchant Jabbi, a rather comical figure on the whole, and this entire incident is probably to be reckoned an interpolation from a later chivalric saga. Unfortunately the saga shows its repetitive nature at this point, and we once again learn that Veiðari is building, under the auspices of Falfaðinn, a great ship to be named Dauðastjarna in meiri. At a great feast, Lúkr and Hani swear that they will kill Veiðari and Falfaðinn, burn Dauðastjarna, and conquer Kóruskantborg. Their boasts are considered binding and the sworn brothers lead several warships loaded with men to the position of the Dauðastjarna. There Hani is assisted by what the saga describes as “birnir” (literally “bears,” but in context probably to be understood as “Shetlanders” – the German version confusingly seems to understand these as actual bears) in his great assault on Falfaðinn’s fleet, but Lúkr is captured by Veiðari and brought to an audience with Falfaðinn.

Here the text of Tattúínardǿla saga is regrettably lost, but is almost surely to be reconstructed as discussed above (with the aid of hints from the Old High German text): with a climactic final holmgang in which a conflicted Veiðari chooses loyalty to his lord over loyalty to his bloodline, killing his son Lúkr and in the process bereaving himself of his own heir, and a later conclusion in which the prosperous, but troubled and aged, hersir Veiðari is himself slain in vengeance for Lúkr by the son of Hani and Leia.

Jackson Crawford teaches in the Department of Scandinavian at UC Berkeley. His new translation of the Poetic Edda presents the original myths of the Norse gods and heroes in dynamic, contemporary English.



Note: When the above introduction was written in 2010, I had not yet intended to write out the saga chapter-by-chapter, as I did over the following couple of years. The story as presented in the saga below does occasionally contradict the introduction, not least in including the ending of the story. If you want to skip the prequels, the original trilogy starts between chapters 16 and 17. Note that the way the saga is written in English is a deliberate pastiche on the old-fashioned English of so many translators. Link to the Old Norse text of the saga here.

Chapter 1: Concerning Jarl Jothi Gormoarson

JOTHI WAS THE NAME OF A MAN, son of Gormo. Jothi was a little man, but so strong that none was his equal. When he was young, he went a-viking and raided. With him in friendship was that man who was named Vindu, a noble man and the most valiant in strength and daring. He was a berserker. He and Jothi were in good agreement about everything, and there was the greatest friendship between them.

Jothi had one son. He was named Duku. Duku was a black-haired man and ugly, like his father both in appearance and in manners. He became a very active man. He was skilled in wood and iron, and became the greatest smith.

Now when Duku was in his twenties, he began to go raiding. Jothi got him a longship. With him on his expeditions went the sons of Vindu – they had a good following and another longship – and they went a-viking during the summer and took much property and gained good loot. During the summers they would go out a-viking, but in the winters they would stay home with their fathers. Duku would bring home many treasures and give them to his father. This was good both for his wealth and for his station among men. At this time Jothi was at an advanced age, but his son was in the prime of his life.

Falfathinn was the name of a war-king, who was called Falfathinn lightning-bolt. He became king of Koruskantborg in Norway, and swore that he would become sole king over Norway.

King Falfathinn lay with his army in the region of the Jedi Fjords. He sent his men out around the land there to meet those men who had not joined him, but whom he thought it would be profitable to have with him.

The king’s messengers came to Jothi and received a good welcome. They announced their errand, and said that the king wanted Jothi to come meet him. “He has,” they said, “Learned that you are a noble man and of a great family. You will receive great honor from him. The king is very eager to have with him those men whom he learns are valiant in power and physical courage.”

Jothi answered and said that he was an old man, so that we has not physically capable of going out in warships. “I would rather sit at home now, and leave off serving kings.”

The messengers went away, and when they came to the king, they told him everything that Jothi had said to them. The king was angry about this and said so in as many words, and declared that Jothi’s family was one of proud men, and wondered what kind of offer they would be content with.

Maul the Red was near, and bade the king to leave aside his anger. “I will go to meet Jothi, and he will want to join you immediately when he learns that it means so much to you.”

Then Maul the Red went to meet Jothi, and said to him that the king was angry and that it would not avail, unless one of them, he or his son, went to the king, and said that they would receive great honor from the king if they would bow to him. He told him, as was surely the truth, that the king was good to his men, and gave them honor and riches.

Jothi said that it was his plan “that my son and I not kowtow to this king, and I will not go to meet him. But if Duku comes home this summer, he will be easily persuaded to this and will want to become the king’s man. Say to the king, that I will gladly be his friend and the friend of all men, who respect my words, and I will hold to my friendship with him. I also want the same authority and charge given to me by him as by earlier kings, if the king will that it be so, and if he agrees to this we’ll see about whether I’ll serve him.”

Then Maul went back to the king and told him that Jothi would send him his son, and said that it was better that he was not then home. The king let the matter rest for a time.

Duku Jothason and Meis Vindusson came home that autumn from raiding. Duku went to his father.

The father and son took to talking. Duku asked what had been the errand of those men whom Falfathinn had sent. Jothi said that the king had sent word, that either Jothi or his son should become the king’s man.

“How did you answer?” Asked Duku.

“I said what was on my mind, which was that I would never sell myself into the hand of King Falfathinn, and you wouldn’t either, if you took my advice. I think that in the end this king will cause our death.”

“You think of this quite differently from me,” said Duku, “For I think that I will receive from him the greatest glory, and so I am firmly resolved that I will go to meet the king and will become his man, and I have learned for the truth, that his following is made up of only the most valiant men. It seems to me a great opportunity to join that following, if they want to have me. Those men are treated better than anyone else in this land. I hear that the king is incredibly generous with his money and gives all of it to his men and doesn’t hesitate to give them advancement and land when he thinks that they’ve earned these things. But I hear that all those who turn him down and don’t want to accept his friendship, become unimportant men, and some leave the country, or become migrant workers. It seems strange to me, father, that you, such a wise man as you are, and so eager for glory, would not want to accept gratefully the honor that the king has offered you. But if you think that you have a vision that we will suffer at the hands of this king and that he will become our enemy, why didn’t you fight against him in the army of the king that you used to serve? It seems unreasonable to me, to be neither Falfathinn’s enemy nor his friend.”

“It went as I expected,” said Jothi, “For those who went to fight Falfathinn lightning-bolt up north in Møre. And it will be the same now as it was then, that Falfathinn will be a great harm to my kinsmen. But you, Duku, you must follow your own wishes. I don’t doubt, though you enter into Falfathinn’s army, that you will become a man considered better than a match for any other, and equal to the best in any kind of combat. But beware that you do not think too much of yourself, and that you do not fight with men greater than you. But I do not need to counsel you to be any less yielding than you are.”

Then Duku pledged himself to the king and entered his following.

Duku had one son. He was named Kvaeggan. Kvaeggan was then eighteen years old, a promising young man and brave. He was a good-spirited man, generous and energetic, and the best fighter. He was popular with everyone.

When Jothi learned of the treachery of his son Duku, he became angry at the news, so that he stayed in his bed out of sorrow and old age. Kvaeggan came to him often and spoke to him, bade him take cheer, and said that anything would be better than to lie in bed miserably. “Rather do I think that it is a good idea, that we should take land in Iceland and set up residence there. Men can take land there for free, and choose where to build a home.” Jothi agreed soon to this idea, and they resolved to move their home and leave the country.

Early in the spring they prepared their ships. They had good ships and big ones; they had in their possession two large ocean-going ships, and on each one thirty able-bodied men, in addition to women and children. They had with them all their cattle that they could bring, but no man wished to buy their land for fear of the king.

And when they were ready, they sailed away. They sailed to those islands, which are called the Faroes. And on one island, which is called Dagoba, Jothi disembarked and walked away, and never came back to his ship. Kvaeggan went to look for him, but he had left no trace. Then Kvaeggan ordered everyone to search for him, but they never found him.

Chapter 2: Concerning Chieftain Kvæggan Dúkússon

Kvaeggan Dukusson arrived with his ship on Iceland at Nobu Valley. On the ship with him was his son, Obivan.

Kvaeggan set up a homestead. In the spring he moved the homestead north over the heath and set up his home in the place called Nobu. And one night he dreamed that his grandfather Jothi came to him and said: “There you lie, Kvaeggan, and rather unwarily. Move your home away from here and west over the Nobu River. There your luck will be good.” After that he woke up and moved over the Tattuin River into Tattuin Valley, in a place later called Kvaeggan’s Place.

Vatto was the name of a man who lived on the estate called Mosaesli. That is in Tattuin Valley. He had a slave woman who was named Smy. She was a widow and had a bastard son, and he was named Anakinn the Sky-Walker. She said that he was the son of a certain Fossi, a kinsman of Jothi Gormoarson, but Kvaeggan did not know this. He was called Anakinn the Sky-Walker because he could leap higher than his own height, and he leapt so high that he seemed to walk in the sky.

Vatto enjoyed games and tests of strength, and he was always going on about such things. Anakinn was a combative boy and irritable, and he was a good wrestler.

One year, at the beginning of winter, long after Kvaeggan had come to Iceland, a wrestling match was held in Mosaesli, and it was well-attended. Men from all over the region came, and many of Kvaeggan’s men went there too. Most prominent among them was Obivan Kvaeggansson. He was twenty years old. He had grown big and strong early in his life, and was manly in temperament, a bit dark and with an ugly nose but otherwise handsome, with long, reddish hair. He was called Viga-Obivan (Killer-Obivan).

Anakinn was nine years old. He had to fight a boy who was named Jarjari, son of Georg from Gunga’s Place. Jarjari was eleven winters old, perhaps ten, and strong for his age. And when they wrestled, Anakinn got the worst of it. Jarjari did not restrain himself against the weaker boy. Jarjari grabbed him and drove him down into a big fall and hurt him, and said that he would injure Anakinn badly if Anakinn didn’t respect him. And when Anakinn came to his feet, he left the wrestling ring, and the boys all jeered at him.

Anakinn became severely angry. He went to Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson and told him what had happened.

Viga-Obivan gave Anakinn his sword, and this sword was called Lightsaber. Such weapons were common in those days. Anakinn ran at Jarjari and drove the sword into the other boy’s head so deep that it stood in his brain.

The men of Gungaville leapt to their weapons, and so did the men of Tattuin Valley. Seven men died in the ensuing fight, and Georg was mortally injured.

And when Anakinn came home, Vatto was angry about what had happened, and from then on there was hostility between him and Viga-Obivan.

Smy said that Anakinn had the character of one of the men from the Jedi Fjords and prophecied that when he was old enough he would get a ship called “X-Wing.” Anakinn then recited this poem:

My mother said that

they should buy me

a warship and fair oars,

that I should go abroad

with the men from the Jedi Fjords,

stand up in the stern,

steer the magnificent X-Wing,

hold a course to the harbor,

cut down one man after another.

In that time there came a great famine in Tattuin Valley, so that Kvaeggan had very little hay or food. Then Kvaeggan asked Viga-Obivan to come on a trip with him. They went to Mosaesli and called Vatto out. He greeted them, and Kvaeggan took his greeting gracefully.

“This is my errand,” said Kvaeggan. “I have come to buy hay and food from you, if you have them.”

“I have both,” said Vatto, “But I won’t sell you either.

Viga-Obivan said: “We should just take the things we need, and leave him payment in their place.”

“I’m no robber,” said Kvaeggan.

“Would you buy a slave from me?” asked Vatto.

“I could use one of those,” said Kvaeggan. Then he bought Anakinn the Sky-walker from Vatto, and went home with this done.

Chapter 3: Concerning Maul Zabraksson the Red and the Killing of Kvaeggan

Maul the Red was the name of a man, a follower of Falfathinn. He was the son of Zabrak Iridoniusson. He was a warrior of great achievements.

When Falfathinn learned that Jothi and his family had moved out of Norway, he grew angry, and called for Maul the Red, whom he then sent to Iceland.

“Go to Iceland,” said Falfathinn, “And kill Jothi Gormoarson.”

But when Maul the Red came to Iceland, it was many years before he found Kvaeggan’s home in Tattuin Valley. Kvaeggan was not home, but the slave Anakinn was outside haying.

“Tell me where your master is,” said Maul.

“He is not home,” said Anakinn, “But his son is in the side-room.”

Maul went to the side-room, but did not find Viga-Obivan. Anakinn ran to the barn where Kvaeggan and Viga-Obivan were.

Kvaeggan saw Anakinn and asked, “Why aren’t you at work?”

“I’m not at work, but a follower of Falfathinn’s is,” said Anakinn.

Maul the Red came to the barn now, and saw Kvaeggan. He drew two swords, and in one movement attacked both Kvaeggan and Viga-Obivan.

Viga-Obivan was armed. Maul’s sword came at him on the left side and hit his shield below the rim, and broke it in half; it then went into Viga-Obiívan’s leg above the knee and stopped there. Maul’s other sword hit Kvaeggan on the shoulder and cut off his arm, and that wound would end the life of Kvaeggan. But Viga-Obivan swung his sword Lightsaber at Maul the Red, and cut him in half in the middle.

“Father,” said Viga-Obivan to Kvaeggan.

“It is too late,” said Kvaeggan.

“It is not,” said Viga-Obivan.

Kvæggan said: “Obivan, promise me that you will free the boy, for he has been very truthful and trustworthy. And promise, both of you, that you will avenge me.”

Viga-Obivan agreed to this.

Kvaeggan said: “He is chosen for this… it is as fate decrees… he will change the balance… avenge me!”

Kvaeggan died. He was the handsomest of men, with long reddish-brown hair, and in all ways he was the noblest man. Viga-Obivan did not weep.

He declared Anakinn free, and they both promised that they would go to Norway and there avenge Kvaeggan.

Chapter 4: Concerning the Lightsabers

Now this must be told. When Duku Jothason was young, he was a good smith, and before he went out a-viking one summer, he made a sword. And when he took it from the forge, it seemed to his assistants that green flames burned from the edges. He now bade his father Jothi to hold the sword, and said that he did not know how to make a sword, if this one should fail. Jothi swung at the anvil and cut it down to the base, and the sword neither broke nor chipped. He praised the sword very much and went to the river with a tuft of wool. And when he cast the wool into the river, and put the blade downstream from it, the sword cut it in half. Jothi went home happily.

But Duku followed his father home and said, “Father, why did you take the sword from me? I am going out a-viking, and I have need of a good sword.”

Jothi said: “Your father likes this sword, which I name Lightsaber the Green, and you can make another sword as good as this one, if you are indeed such a good smith as men say.”

Duku was angered, but he made another sword. This sword was sharper than Lightsaber the Green, and from it shone a red flame; it was named Lightsaber the Red. And he hid this sword from his father.

Chapter 5: Concerning Queen Pathema the Fair

Now this must be told. Viga-Obivan and Anakinn rode east to Horn Fjord, and with them most of Viga-Obivan’s men. They brought with them all their wares and luggage and movable things that they needed to have. Then they prepared their ship. Viga-Obivan was with the ship while it was being prepared. And when they got a fair wind, they set sail into the sea. They were at sea a long time and had bad weather; soon they became lost.

At last waves had overrun the ship three times, and Viga-Obivan said that they were near land and that these must be the shoals. There was a great fog, and the weather got worse, so that they endured a great storm. They could not find their way, till they ran aground at night. Their lives were spared, but the ship was shattered into small pieces, and they could not save the cattle. They sought to warm themselves as best they could.

And the day after that, they went up on a hill. The weather was good. Viga-Obivan asked whether any of the men knew this land, who had been there before. There were two men who knew the land, and who said that they had come to Ireland in the realm of Thithborg. “We could have landed in a worse place,” said Viga-Obivan, “For Pathema the Fair rules here. There is little love between Pathema and Falfathinn. We should put ourselves at the mercy of the queen. We can hardly do otherwise, for the queen has our lives in her hands, if she so wishes.” They all went away from that place. Viga-Obivan said that they should say no word to any man about the news or about their journey, till he could talk to the queen.

They walked till they found some men, who showed them to the queen. They went before the queen, and Viga-Obivan and Anakinn and all the men with them greeted her.

Pathema was the most beautiful of women who lived in this world, both in her fair appearance and in her wits. It had become proverbial, how beautiful she was, and thus she was called Pathema the Fair. She was a woman of such nobility that in her time other women, for all their finery, seemed childish next to her. She was the most learned of women, and the most eloquent of speech; she was a generous queen.

The queen asked what manner of men these were. Viga-Obivan gave his name and told her what region of Iceland he had come from. The queen had learned earlier that Falfathinn had sent Maul the Red to kill Kvaeggan Dukusson and Jothi Gormoarson, and so she recognized these men immediately. She asked Viga-Obivan, “What can you tell of Maul Zabraksson the Red, Falfathinn’s man?”

“I can say this,” said Viga-Obivan, “That I cut him in half.”

“Bless your hands!” Said Pathema. Viga-Obivan and Anakinn entered the service of Queen Pathema, and soon there arose great friendship between Anakinn and the queen.

Chapter 6: Concerning Jothi’s Prophecy

It was in the days of Queen Pathema of Thithborg that King Falfathinn desired to increase his realm, and to become king over Thithborg. For this reason he had the harbor of Thithborg blockaded by his navy.

And when Queen Pathema would not turn over her rule to Falfathinn, Viga-Obivan told her, that they should go to meet Falfathinn in Koruskantborg and seek a settlement with him. Pathema agreed to this.

But when Pathema’s ship was ready, Anakinn asked Viga-Obivan, whether he might come along with him and Pathema.

“That is not my intent,” said Viga-Obivan, “For you are too young.”

“But Kvaeggan bade me promise him, that I as well as you should avenge him,” said Anakinn.

Then Viga-Obivan agreed that Anakinn should come with them.

With them on this ship was a man named Artveir-Ditveir. He was a little man and silent, for he did not speak Norse, but he was a great wizard, and could cause any ship that he sang upon to move so swiftly, that no other could overtake it. And his magic availed, and Falfathinn’s navy did not catch them.

But before they came to Norway, they landed in the Faroes, on that island which is called Dagoba. And when Viga-Obivan and Anakinn went to get water from a waterfall, they saw a very old man, and they asked him who he was.

“Jothi my name is, son of Gormo, father of Duku Kvaeggan’s father,” the man said.

“Then you are the grandfather of my father, for I am Obivan, son of Kvaeggan, and he was slain in Iceland,” said Viga-Obivan.

“That I know, for seen it I have,” said Jothi.

“Then you must be a man with second sight,” said Viga-Obivan, “And if it is true, then you will also have seen that I have come with a certain freeman, who is called Anakinn the Sky-walker, and he has sworn that he and I both shall avenge my father. My father told me, that you had prophesied when he was young, that a freeman should come among our kin, and that it was destined that he should change the balance. I do not know whether I believe in this.”

“You know that you believe it, and that your father believed it. That he shall avenge your father, you believe? That he should become one of the men of the Jedi Fjords, you ask? Tried shall he be.” And Jothi turned to Anakinn, and asked, “Afraid are you?”

“I am not afraid,” said Anakinn.

“See through you, I can,” said Jothi, “Afraid to lose your mother, are you.”

“Is that important?” Said Anakinn.

“That is of the greatest importance,” said Jothi, “For fear sows anger, anger sows hate, hate sows suffering.”

Then Anakinn became angry, and he said, “I am not afraid.”

“Then continue, shall we,” said Jothi.

Chapter 7: Concerning the Journey of Anakinn and Pathema to Norway

Viga-Obivan and Anakinn dwelled there on Dagoba many years with Jothi; he was a very old man, but as strong as he was in his youth. He taught Anakinn to fight in the way of the men from the Jedi fjords, and Anakinn became the best of fighters. In the summers Viga-Obivan would go out raiding. But Jothi would never again leave the island Dagoba.

Anakinn grew up there on Dagoba in the Faeroes. He was the handsomest of men who had been born in Iceland; he had strong features and a good face, with the best of eyes and light-colored hair; he had long hair as fair as silk, and it fell in locks. He was a big man and strong, much like Kvaeggan had been. Anakinn comported himself better than any man, so that all wondered when they saw him; he was also a better fighter than most other men. He was craftier than most men and the best of swimmers; he could outperform other men in any sport.

And when they had been on Dagoba ten years, Queen Pathema was twenty-four years old, and Anakinn the Sky-walker was eighteen. Pathema became very angry that they had not yet gone to Norway. Viga-Obivan thought that Anakinn was full-grown and quite ready to avenge Kvaeggan, but Jothi thought that Anakinn was very young and angry, and said, “And you, Obivan, much like your grandfather are you, and will not heed good advice, and need you this temperament not.”

Nevertheless Viga-Obivan went to Norway, and with him Pathema and Anakinn.

The weather was good, and they reached Norway in the north at the Jedi Fjords. Viga-Obivan said, “Anakinn, go with Pathema to Koruskantborg. And I will find Meis Vindusson, the friend of my father, in the Jedi fjords. I cannot go to Koruskantborg, for the king knows my family, and he would slay me immediately. But remain with Pathema, and guard her from the king’s men, till I come back with men from the Jedi Fjords.”

Anakinn and Pathema came to Koruskantborg on their ship. In that time were there many Icelandic men in Norway, who were of the highest station; at the pier there were three ships already, and Icelanders owned them all.

But when they stepped off the ship, a man ran at Pathema, and made to kill her with his sword. At that instant Anakinn cut off the man’s leg above his knee, and this wound was enough to kill him.

Anakinn said, “This will mean that Falfathinn wants you killed.”

Pathema said, “Nevertheless I want to go to him, and exchange words with him.” Pathema went immediately to meet King Falfathinn and Anakinn was with her; they received a good welcome.

The king asked, whether it was true that a man had tried to kill her on the pier earlier that day. Pathema answered that this was true.

The king said, “We do not like this news, and We wish to advise You that Ye keep with you a good man who can guard You from robbers.” Then the king asked, who that stately man was, who was in her following, and she answered, “This is my retainer and he is called Anakinn the Sky-walker.”

“Certainly he is a bold-looking fellow,” said the king.

Chapter 8: Concerning Smy, the Mother of Anakinn

Now Anakinn became Pathema’s retainer, and he followed her wherever she needed to go. They exchanged many words in private, and men laughed about this and joked that the slave’s son Anakinn Sky-walker would ask for the hand of the fair queen.

It is said that once Anakinn told Pathema of a dream: “I dreamed,” he said, “That I seemed to see my mother, and I saw her so clearly that I seemed to see her just as I see you. She suffered torments, and men that I didn’t know killed her. I know that I swore to protect you, but I cannot allow my mother to suffer so. There is no other choice than for me to help my mother.”

Pathema said, “But if you must protect me, so also must I be with you.”

“Yes,” said Anakinn, “But you cannot come with me to Iceland. It is a dangerous land.”

“I am a queen,” said Pathema, “And I can do as I please.”

Then they prepared for their journey, and they arrived in Iceland at Nobudalr, and they slept there on the beach that night.

“When I was a child, I enjoyed the beach, lying on the sand and drying off under the sun. And I entertained myself by guessing the names of the birds that sang,” said Pathema.

“I don’t like sand,” said Anakinn.

In the morning they went to Mosaesli, and there they found Vatto. Anakinn asked, whether he had seen his mother Smy.

“I don’t own her any longer,” said Vatto.

Anakinn asked, “Do you know where she is?”

“I sold her to a farmer who is named Klegg Larsson, who lives at the Farm of Waters in Tattuin Valley.”

Anakinn now went to the Farm of Waters and Pathema with him. They found there a house and a man outside who was cutting wood. Anakinn asked him what his name was, and he called himself Oin. Oin asked Anakinn for his name, which he also provided. Oin recognized this name. Then he led Anakinn and Pathema into the house; it was small but well-built. He told his wife that some people had come. She was named Bera. She saw Anakinn and said, “Most men will be badly rewarded by this one, but you’ll have your way, I guess.”

Oin’s father was Klegg. He sat inside the house and did not come out; one of his legs had been cut off.

Anakinn asked, “Where is my mother, Smy, whom Vatty in Mosaesli sold to you?”

Klegg said, “The great robbers, the sons of Tuskinn, took her.”

Anakinn asked, whether these ill deeds were unavenged.

“I went to the Tuskinssons, and made to take her back,” said Klegg, “But I came home with one foot fewer.”

Anakin was silent, then stood and walked out.

Oin asked, “Where are you going?”

“To find my mother,” said Anakinn.

“She is dead, son-in-law,” said Klegg.

“That is not true,” said Anakinn, “For I can see her in my dreeams. I know that she lives still, and I must find her.”

Oin said, “I will give you my horse, which is the best in the region.”

Anakinn said, “Certainly I will come back shortly.”

In the morning before the sunrise Anakinn came to the house of the Tuskinssons. He saw a woman on the ground, bleeding profusely, and he recognized his mother.

“Mother,” said Anakinn.

She asked, “Do I hear the voice of Anakinn, my son?”

“I am here, mother. I shall avenge you, and we two shall ride home together,” said Anakinn.

“Anakinn,” she said, “You are certainly a brave man, and my life is complete, now that I see that you have become a good man.” Then Smy died while Anakinn cradled her in his lap. Anakinn ran up into the house and killed very many men. Then he returned to the Farm of Waters with the body of his mother, and there burned her body. Anakinn honored his mother with a funeral feast, as was the old custom.

Chapter 9: Concerning the Secret Counsel of Duku Jothason

Now it must be told, that Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson came to the Jedi Fjords. He found the house of his grandfather, but no one was home. He hid himself in a bed, and slept.

But when he wakened, he heard the voices of many men, and one was there who spoke with a brave voice.

“It will still seem,” said this man, “That I am greedy, but so it always will. And it will be difficult to see to it, that you will not seem to be the worst kind of liar or a traitor, when you do as you intend. But I am told…”

“It is certain,” said another man, “That men will call us the worst kind of liars.”

The man with the brave voice said, “Many stand against us, more with us. The men of the Jedi Fjords are dead, or else gone to Iceland, never to come back. Who has seen my father Jothi in thirty years? Or my son Kvaeggan, or his son Obivan? With them gone, no farmer in the Jedi Fjords will draw a sword when our army comes to his land. We will have the grandest army in Norway, and King Falfathinn will repay us this gift with gifts in turn. He will do us honor, and make us rich lords.”

A third man answered: “Truly is it said, that you hate the bonds of kinship, and rejoice while your father is outlawed. But men say that this is itself a trait of your kin.”

But Duku was silent.

*

When night fell, men found Viga-Obivan in the bed, and bound him in fetters. Duku heard men talk about this prisoner, and went to talk with him.

Viga-Obivan said: “Traitor to your kin.”

“No, no, my kinsman,” said Duku, “This is misdone, frightfully misdone. They have gone too far, this is madness.”

“I thought you were the leader here, Duku,” said Viga-Obivan.

Dúkú said: “I had nothing to do with this, I assure you. I will ask them immediately to free you.”

“Certainly you will,” said Viga-Obivan, “And I expect that it will not take too long. That work is great, which I have before me.”

Duku said: “It is much to be regretted, that we two have never met before, Viga-Obivan. Kvaeggan praised you much. I wish that he were still alive. He would help me now.”

“Kvaeggan would never have joined you,” said Víga-Óbívan.

“You know not whether you speak truly when you say this. You forget that he was my son, as you were his. He knew that my father Jothi was corrupt with vice when he stood against King Falfathinn, and he would never have gone with Jothi, if he had learned the true story, as I have.”

“The true story?” said Viga-Obian.

“The true story,” said Duku. “What would you tell me, if I told you that the old Jedi Fjord men were the thralls of a Seith Lord?”

“No, that isn’t possible,” said Viga-Obivan. “Jóði, and Kvæggan, and others would know, if that were true.”

“Their eyes are blind,” said Duku, “In the dark waters of Urth’s well, my kinsman. A hundred lords in this very land are the thralls of Seith Lord Sithius.”

“I do not believe your words,” said Viga-Obivan.

“A jarl from Halogaland was in league with Seith Lord Sithius. But ten years ago Sithius betrayed him. He came to me, and sought help from me, and told me all that had happened,” said Duku. “You must join me, Viga-Obivan – together we can destroy the Seith.”

“I shall never stand with you, Duku,” said Viga-Obivan, “As you did not stand with our ancestor Jothi.”

Duku walked out, and he said that he expected to encounter much difficulty in getting Viga-Obivan released.

Chapter 10: Concerning the Battle in the Jedi Fjords

Viga-Obivan sat for many weeks in his fetters, and men gave him little food and no drink except for cold water. One day men came to him and bore him to a small coastal island, where they bound him to a tree.

“If I am bound, I can not draw a sword in a duel,” said Viga-Obivan.

“It is not a duel to which you have been challenged,” said a man. “You are dragon fodder.”

Then Viga-Obivan saw that Anakinn the Sky-walker and Queen Pathema went bound just as he was, and men tied them to other trees. Anakinn was the nearest to Viga-Obivan.

Viga-Obivan asked, “Why are you two in the Jedi Fjords?”

Anakinn said, “We were in Iceland and came back to Norway, but we went first to the Faroes and were guests at the house of Jothi, your forefather. He dreamed one night that you were in the Jedi Fjords and that malicious men bound you. We have come to save you, as you saved me when I was but a boy in the Tattuin River Valley.”

Then Viga-Obivan said that Anakinn and Pathema had failed to do this.

There were many men on the shore near the island, who watched them. Duku Jothason was with them, and another man of chieftain rank, who did not speak Norse. This man said something to those men who stood near some large doors in a building. These men opened the doors, and out came three beasts.

There was a dragon there who breathed fire; he was green, and with six legs. There was also a huge bull; he was red, and looked a monstrous fierce animal with three horns. There was also a lion.

The dragon came first to Viga-Obivan, and breathed fire against him. But Viga-Obivan held his fetters before himself, so that the fire burnt them, and Viga-Obivan escaped unburnt, though his hands were still bound together. The dragon went after him and tried to capture him in his claws, or to break a tree and hit him with the trunk. And he breathed fire, and burnt many trees, and Viga-Obivan could neither hide nor defend himself.

The men who were watching took it badly that Viga-Obivan still lived, for they had believed that the dragon would eat him, and they feared that the dragon would eat them, if it couldn’t get Viga-Obivan. One of them cast a spear at Viga-Obivan, which Viga-Obivan caught in the air and threw at the dragon. The dragon was hardly injured by the spear, and even took it in his mouth, and bit it.

But while Viga-Obivan fought the dragon, the great bull attacked Anakinn. And it is said by men, that Anakinn is called the Sky-walker because he could jump more than his own height in the air. And now he jumped on the back of the bull, and all who saw wondered at this. Anakinn wound his fetters around the horns of the bull, and the bull was so strong, that the fetters burst apart immediately. Now Anakinn rode the bull.

At the same time the lion intended to eat Queen Pathema. But she had in her hand an Irish knife, which was enchanted in this way, that no one could see it except Paðéma. She cut her fetters, and climbed the tree which she had been bound to. But the lion climbed the tree after her, and cut her with its claws. But she still had her fetters in her hands, and she whipped the lion, so that it could not come nearer.

Anakinn the Sky-walker saw that the lion threatened Pathema, and he rode the bull till he reached the lion, and the bull gored the lion with its horns. Pathema leapt out of the tree onto the bull, and they rode to Viga-Obivan, who was still trying to escape the dragon.

Duku Jothason was angry when he saw that Anakinn and Pathema killed the lion. His men went onto the islet, and intended to kill them.

But then a man set a sword on Duku’s neck.

“Meis Vindusson,” said Duku, “I am glad that you have come here.”

But Meis said, “This ‘duel’ can not continue, mother-betrayer.”

Then Duku saw, that there were many men from the Jedi Fjords who had come with Meis, and all of them had swords drawn in their hands.

“You are brave,” said Duku, “But full of foolishness, friend of my father. There are many more men here who stand with me, than stand with you.”

“I believe that I have the greater number,” said Meis.

“We’ll see,” said Duku, and he ran away, while his men shot arrows at Meis Vindusson. But there was no man who could shoot an arrow more swiftly than Meis Vindusson could parry it. No man could swing a sword more swiftly than Meis, and he slew many a bowman with his sword.

Meis Vindusson slew also the great bull, and the Jedi Fjord men who were with Meis gave Anakinn two swords. Anakinn cut the bonds on Viga-Obivan’s hands, and gave him a sword. Now they stood with the men of the Jedi Fjords, and they killed many of Duku’s men. Queen Pathema took a bow from a man who had been killed by Meis, and she slew many men with arrows. But more men came after all who had fallen, and the men of the Jedi Fjords grew weary.

But then men heard Queen Pathema say, “Look!” And they saw that in the harbor there had come a ship, and Jothi Gormoarson stepped forward, and with him from these ships came Faroese fighters, who stood with the men from the Jedi Fjords. These Faroese men killed many of Duku’s men with sword and with arrow and with spear.

But the dragon was still alive, and he slew – with fire, or else with his claws, or with his already bloody teeth – all those men whom he could strike: whether they were from the Jedi Fjords, from the Faroes, or from Duku;s army. And no man could harm the dragon, for his skin was as hard as stone.

Viga-Obivan ran to his forefather Jothi and bade him lend him the good sword Lightsaber the Green, which Duku had once made. Jothi gave it into Viga-Obivan’s hands, and Viga-Obivan went to the dragon bearing this sword.

The dragon spat fire at Viga-Obivan, but Lightsaber the Green was the hardest of all swords, and ate all the fire which the dragon breathed. Then Viga-Obivan cut at the dragon, and struck him above the knee, and took off a foot. He cut again, and again, and cut off a second and a third foot. The dragon then fell, and Viga-Obivan wound up the sword hard and cut at the dragon’s neck, so that the head fell onto the sand.

But the dragon’s head said:

“Fellow! And what a fellow!

Of what fellow were you born?

Of what kin are you the son?

You, who fiercely reddened

Your green sword:

The sword stands in my heart!”

And Viga-Obivan said:

“My ancestry

I say to you, to whom it is unknown,

And I reveal myself with the same:

I am named Killer-Obivan,

And Kvaeggan was my father,

It is I who killed you with the weapons!”

Then Viga-Obivan went to the dragon, and he cut the heart out of it with Lightsaber the Green. Jothi was not there, while Viga-Obivan fought the dragon, but he came now, while Viga-Obivan wiped the blood from Lightsaber the Green. Viga-Obivan gave that good sword back to his forefather.

But then Viga-Obivan saw that Duku went on to one of Jothi’s ships, and he began to weigh anchor. He called to the Faroese men, and told them to shoot him, but they said that they had no more arrows. Anakinn the Sky-walker ran to the shore, and swam to the ship before Duku could weigh anchor. Anakinn had a sword in each hand.

Duku Jothason drew Lightsaber the Red. “This is manfully done, boy,” he said.

Duku cut at Anakinn, but Anakinn parried with his swords, though Duku followed each cut with another, so that Anakinn could not make any cuts in return. Finally Duku cut off one of Anakinn’s hands, and Anakinn defended himself with the other for a while, before he fell unconscious to the ground.

But while Anakinn and Duku fought, Jothi had come on to the ship.

“Father,” said Duku, son of Jothi.

“Son,” said Jothi, son of Gormo.

Son drew sword against father, and father drew sword against son. Long they fought, sword on sword, till Jothi said: “Well have you fought, my son.”

But Duku answered with a scornful smile, before he leapt out of the ship into another boat below, and disappeared.

Chapter 11: Concerning the Fall of Duku Jothason

The ship which Duku had stolen from his father Jothi was a very swift ship, and Jothi did not have another which could catch up with it. And there were still many men who stood against the Jedi Fjord men, and the battle continued for a long time.

But when Duku’s men were slain or had fled, Viga-Obivan remembered that Anakinn was on one of Jothi’s ships. He rowed out to this ship, and did not expect that he would find Anakinn alive, because Jothi had told him about the great wound which Duku had inflicted upon him. But Viga-Obivan found Anakinn alive, though not conscious.

Viga-Obivan took Anakinn back to the shore, and showed him to Jothi and to Meis Vindusson. Meis asked whether Viga-Obivan wished for this slave’s son to live.

“Certainly I do,” said Viga-Obivan, “Is it not true, that my ancestor Jothi prophesied, that a man would come to the folk of the Jedi Fjords, a slave-born man, and he would settle our quarrel with Falfathinn?”

“So I prophesied,” said Jothi, “But it is possible, that understand this prophecy we do not.”

“He will not betray us,” said Viga-Obivan, “For I have taken him as my brother.”

“You have great faith in prophecy, as did your father Kvaeggan,” said Meis, “But because Anakinn has saved you, I will heal him. But I do not trust this slave’s son, and my heart tells me that we will regret that I have saved him.”

Jothi Gormoarson had powers of prophecy, but Meis Vindusson was a man of magical skill. He made a new hand for Anakinn, and this hand was made of silver. Then he set this hand on Anakinn’s arm, and cast a spell over him:

“Bone to bone, blood to blood,

Limb to limb, so be they linked.”

Then Anakinn wakened, and his silver hand was as his other hand, and he could move it like the other, even though it was made of silver, and shone like moonlight.

Now Anakinn the Sky-walker and Víga-Obiívan took another of Jothi’s ships. Jothi gave Viga-Obivan Lightsaber the Green, and bade him merit the gift well.

It was a long journey from the Jedi Fjords to Koruskantborg. And when Viga-Obivan and Anakinn sailed into the harbor there, they saw that ship which Duku had stolen. And when they boarded this ship, there were many men who attacked them. But these were young men, untried boys, and they could not harm Viga-Obivan or Anakinn, but Viga-Obivan and Anakinn killed many of them, and many others fled, for they feared the green fire which burned from Lightsaber the Green, and also the fierce man who bore that good sword.

Finally there were no men who stood against Viga-Obivan and Anakinn, and they saw now that Duku Jothason stood alone, and he had King Falfathinn set in fetters.

Duku laughed. “I give you a choice,” he said, “If you want to fight with me, I will kill the king, as I killed his guards. And then whom will you avenge your father on, Víga-Obivan, if King Falfathinn is dead? But if you settle with me, I will take you, Viga-Obivan, as my grandson, innocent of wrongdoing. I say to you still: Join me, grandson. Together we two can destroy the Seith-lord, and we shall be kings in Norway.”

Viga-Obivan did not answer, but he said to Anakinn: “Because I will not have another man kill my father’s slayer, and Duku is himself my father’s father, I will not fight with him.”

But Anakinn became angry, for Duku had cut off his hand, and he cut at Duku with the sword that he held in his silver hand.

Viga-Obivan did not want to see his sworn brother Anakinn killed, and he cut at Duku with Lightsaber the Green. But Duku was a great Seith-man, and he spoke a spell on Viga-Obivan, so that Viga-Obivan fell to the ground asleep.

Duku and Anakinn fought long, and Duku said: “I see that there is great fear in you, great hate, great rage. But these do not avail you.”

Now Anakinn became surpassingly angry, and he took Lightsaber the Green from Viga-Obivan’s hand, and he made a great swing with this sword, and cut from Duku both his hands. Duku fell on his knees, and King Falfathinn laughed.

“You have done well,” said King Falfathinn, “Kill him.”

But Anakinn would not kill Duku, saying “He is the grandfather of Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson, who is my sworn brother. If I kill his kinsman, it will be a great shame, and his family will avenge this on me.”

“If you kill him,” said the king, “I will make you the foremost of all my retainers, and I will grant you jewels, gold, and honor.”

Now Anakinn took the sword Lightsaber the Red, which had fallen to his feet, in his left hand, and he held Lightsaber the Green still in his right. And with both swords he cut off Duku’s head.

Now Anakinn released King Falfathinn from his fetters, and the king said that they had to swim to the shore as swiftly as they could, because the ship was burning.

“I shall not save my own life,” said Anakinn the Sky-walker, “Unless I can save the life of Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson also. He has taken me as his brother, and I would not be faithless to him.”

But King Falfathinn said, “You killed his grandfather, and that he will avenge upon you.”

“Viga-Obivan and I will never fight one another,” said Anakinn, “Even if Jothi Gormoarson his ancestor commands him to kill me.” And Anakinn jumped out of the ship into the sea, and he held Viga-Obivan’s cape in one hand, and so dragged him to the beach.

Many men were waiting on the beach. They stared in amazement, when they saw that the king lived, and that Anakinn the Sky-walker had saved him. And the king said to this crowd which had assembled there: “Anakinn the Sky-walker shall be my bodyguard forever, and I will hear no words spoken against him, which I will not avenge.” And all these men praised Anakinn much.

But Viga-Obivan wakened and heard the words of King Falfathinn, and he liked them very little. “You have become too near to the king, and the Jedi Fjord men do not trust him. Do not forget that Maul Zabraksson the Red, his retainer, killed Kvaeggan Dukusson, my father, and the man who freed you.”

“I have not forgotten this,” said Anakinn, “Nor have I forgotten that we two swore an oath to Kvaeggan as he died, that we would avenge him. But I am now bound to serve the king. I am his retainer, and I will not draw my swords against him.”

And Viga-Obivan observed that Anakinn held two swords, Lightsaber the Red, the sword of his grandfather Duku, and Lightsaber the Green, his own sword. And he said: “Where is my grandfather Duku? You hold his sword, as if it were a war-prize.”

“Your grandfather Duku died on the ship, which burned,” said Anakinn the Sky-walker.

But Viga-Obivan looked upon Anakinn with doubt.

Anakinn said, “I took the sword which took my hand. Is that not rightly done?”

But Viga-Obivan said: “You also took my sword.”

“This sword I took from you,” said Anakinn, “When you would not help your brother, and I helped myself with it. Now, brother, I will give you back Lightsaber the Green, but I make this condition: That you will give it to my son, if a son is born to me.”

“I shall do so,” said Viga-Obivan, “For you have truly become my brother. But what shall you do with Lightsaber the Red?”

“This sword I take as my own,” said Anakinn, “And as recompense for my hand.”

Anakinn went now to the king’s hall, but Viga-Obivan bought a boat, and sailed back to the Jedi Fjords.

Chapter 12: Concerning the Secret Counsel of King Falfathinn

Anakinn dreamed many nights that Queen Pathema seemed to have a child, but died in childbirth. For this reason he went to the hall of King Falfathinn one evening, while King Falfathinn ate with his retainers and listened to his skalds.

But before Anakinn could tell King Falfathinn of these tidings, Falfathinn said: “Anakinn, you must know that the Jedi Fjord men want to kill me.”

“My lord,” said Anakinn, “The Jedi Fjord men are good friends to me; I would not willingly call them underhanded men. If they attack You, my lord, they will stand manfully and openly.”

“Anakinn,” said the king, “Search deeper. You know that Viga-Obivan hates me, because I had his father killed, but he did not attack me when he knew he had the chance to ambush me on the beach. Does this seem to you manfully done? Yes, search deeper. It is a great shame which the Jedi Fjord men are planning with their magic.”

“My lord,” said Anakinn, “The Jedi Fjord men cast their magic openly. They are not such men as cut runes in the roots in the twilight, but rather they use their magic for prophecy and for healing. But the Seith-men cast dark spells and dissemble; and if they give men help, it is only because they expect that they will then help them.”

But King Falfathinn said, “Is it not true that the Jedi Fjord men do so? Why did Meis Vindusson heal you, if it was not so that you would avail the Jedi Fjord men when they attack me?”

Anakinn was silent.

“You see, my young apprentice,” said the king, “And it has been hidden from you that the Seith-men are also healers. Are you familiar with the story of the powerful Seith-man who was named Plagueis?”

“No, my lord,” said Anakinn the Sky-walker.

“That I thought was most likely,” said the king, “For no one from the Jedi Fjords would tell you this story. It is a Seith-story. Plagueis was a Seith-men, powerful and wise. So strong was he in the Seith, that he could use his magic to prevent those he loved from dying.”

Anakinn said: “Do you speak truly, that he could use magic to save people from death?”

King Falfathinn answered: “Seith is the pathway to magical ability which some consider unnatural. Plagueis became so mighty, that the only thing he feared was losing his power. And of course he eventually lost that power. He had taught his apprentice all his seiðr, but the apprentice killed him in his sleep. He had learned to save others from death, but not himself.”

Anakinn said: “Is it possible for a man to learn this magic?”

“Not from a Jedi Fjord man,” said King Falfathinn.

“It is my guess,” said Anakinn the Sky-walker, “That you are yourself a Seith-man.”

“A king who wants to become wise and wide-ruling, drinks whatever he may from the well of Urth,” said King Falfathinn, “But the Jedi Fjord men wish not to drink from the dark waters there. I know where Odin hid his pledge. It was not in the clear waters of the well. And who are kings? I am, and Odin, and no man of the Jedi Fjords. Drink from the dark waters, Anakinn Sky-walker. Drink thence, and you will become stronger than any Jedi Fjord man is. It may come to pass, that I will teach you the spell which could save Queen Pathema’s life.”

“What do you know about Queen Pathema?” asked Anakinn.

“Certainly she will die without Seith-healing,” said the king, “I have foreseen it. And the Jedi Fjord men will not help her in this way. If you want to save the queen – and the child which she bears to you, slave-born as you are, it is I alone who will help you. In Ireland or in Iceland or even in the Jedi Fjords you would be a laughingstock and an outlaw – the slave who despoiled a queen. But here I will make you a rich landholder – yes, even a jarl – if you give me that last piece of my kingdom Norway. And that is the Jedi Fjords.”

A man in a black cloak stood up now among the retainers, and it was Meis Vindusson. “I have heard that you King Falfathinn want to enslave the Jedi Fjords as you have all other regions. But we will not serve you willingly” – and he drew his sword thereupon.

King Falfathinn forbade his bodyguards to defend him, though he was an old man, and himself drew a sword. But finally Meis was stronger, and he disarmed Falfathinn.

Anakinn said: “It is murder, if you kill an unarmed man.”

Still Meis Vindusson cut at King Falfathinn. But the king worked a dark spell, and lightning came from his fingers, so that the sword could not touch him, but Meis Vindusson burned. King Falfathinn burned also, and his face was melting and becoming disfigured.

“Anakinn Slave’s-son,” said Meis Vindusson, “We give you a choice. You can save me or King Falfathinn. But I alone knew the spell to make you a new silver hand. And you are an oath-breaker and the worst kind too, if you slay a sworn brother’s kinsman.”

“It is your choice, Lord Anakinn,” said King Falfathinn, “Whether you will save me or Meis. But I alone know the spell to save Queen Pathema’s life, and you are an oath-breaker and the worst kind too, if you slay your own lord.”

Anakinn the Sky-walker drew Lightsaber the Red in his silver hand, and killed Meis Vindusson.

Anakinn now fell to his knees, and King Falfathinn laughed.

“I am an oath-breaker,” said Anakinn, “And an outlaw. I am not worthy of the honor which you give me.”

“You are my retainer and my apprentice, and soon you will learn the magic which will save Queen Pathema’s life, and you yourself will become a lord in Norway.”

“I will do only that which you bid of me, my lord,” said Anakinn the Sky-walker.

“Good,” said King Falfathinn. “While you were here with me in Koruskantborg, I guess that the intention of the Jedi Fjord men was to send this man here secretly to kill or intimidate me. They are unmanly, even your sworn brother Viga-Obivan son of Kvaeggan. Go now to the Jeði Fjords, kill them all, every living thing in those fjords, Lord Anakinn. Thither will you go a slave’s son, and thence will you return a lord, and you will learn Seith, and we shall save the life of your queen – and of your royal child.”

Chapter 13: Concerning the Great War-March of Anakinn the Sky-walker

Now the saga must turn to Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson, who came back to the Jedi Fjords, and weary from his journey came into the house of Jothi, his ancestor.

Queen Pathema was there, and with her her retainers, and it was clear to be seen that she was pregnant.

She asked, “Where is Anakinn?”

“He remained in Koruskantborg,” said Viga-Obivan.

“Why didn’t he come back to the Jedi Fjords, where he has allies? Is he not obligated to us both?” said Queen Pathema.

But Viga-Obivan said, “I don’t know why you say, ‘to us both.’ But he has sworn oaths of faithfulness to King Falfathinn. He has become a retainer of the king, and he has taken the good sword of my grandfather Duku as his own.”

“You speak wrongly,” said Queen Pathema, “Why do you believe that you are permitted to say such lies?”

“Queen Pathema,” said Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson, “I heard him swear these oaths to King Falfathinn. I doubt that he would refuse the commands of the king, even if the king should order him to kill Jedi Fjord men.”

And Queen Pathema said, “What happened then to Meis Vindusson, who went to Koruskantborg when you and Anakinn did not come back? He believed that you two had been slain by King Falfathinn, and he went there with his army and would avenge you.”

“I did not know that he made this journey,” said Viga-Obivan, “And I am returned late because I fought along the way with the berserk named Grivus. I slew that great berserk, but he wielded four swords at a time, and I could not bite him with my sword. With a bow I slew him at last, but I do not boast of this battle; he was the better man. And he broke my boat, and I was constrained to walk the rest of the way.”

When he had said these words, a messenger came to the doors of the house. Jothi Gormoarsson asked what he would say.

The messenger said that many warriors were coming, and that they slew all that lived, even livestock and children. Viga-Obivan asked who led this army.

The messenger said that it was a tall man, “And he was in a black cape and a black helm, and one of his hands was made of silver.”

Viga-Obivan said, “Queen Pathema, let us now leave Norway. Why do you delay? I see that your ship is in the fjord. Did you never intend to go back to your kingdom in Ireland, where your child will grow up befittingly? Why do you delay now, when you have already delayed here too long?”

But Queen Pathema was silent.

“You have never gone back to your kingdom,” Viga-Obivan pressed on, “After many years in the Faroes and then in Norway, and these did not profit you. Why do you sit here and not go back? Come with us and live in your kingdom with your living child. If you stay here, you will die, and the infant inside you as well. Why will you not say, yea or nay? Anakinn comes and with him death. He is the king’s man. He will kill you and the child!”

Queen Pathema wept, but did not speak.

Viga-Obivan looked upon her with doubt, and said, “Anakinn is the father. Or is he not?”

Queen Pathema remained silent. Now Viga-Obivan spoke to her retainers, saying, “Make her ship ready for a journey to Iceland; the queen will soon be in labor, and I don’t expect that we can get to Ireland soon.” But the ship was already prepared; Queen Pathema had intended to go to Ireland when Anakinn came back.

Now Jothi and Viga-Obian went aboard a ship of Jothi’s; that ship was prepared, but not so long as for a trip to Iceland. “But we must land the ship, as I had earlier intended, on Dagoba in the Faroes,” said Jothi, “And you take provisions and water there, but I will remain on Dagoba. I do not desire to go to Ireland with the queen. Anakinn will eventually go there, and this old man does not wish to see his son’s killer again.”

And Viga-Obivan weighed anchor, and behind him the retainers of Pathema. Pathema’s ship was already on the point of launching when she finally came aboard, and she wept still.

And on his ship, Jothi went soon under deck, and did not see when Anakinn the sky-walker rode along the fjord road, and he called to Queen Pathema.

“I see your ship,” said Anakinn the sky-walker, “But why do you go, or where?”

“Viga-Obivan gave me an account of your terrible misdeeds,” said Queen Pathema.

“What deeds were these?” asked Anakinn.

Queen Pathema said, “He told me that you had become a Seith-man, that you serve King Falfathinn who oppresses my country, and that he bade you kill all people and living things in the Jedi Fjords, even children. And I Queen Pathema bear your child, Anakinn Sky-walker!” And men wondered when they heard this, for it was well-known that Anakinn the sky-walker was a freedman.

Anakinn said, “Viga-Obivan wants to turn you against me, because I killed his grandfather.”

Queen Pathema said, “He loves you as a brother, and he has treated me well, and he wants to help us both.”

But Anakinn laughed. “What gain is there in him? Seith-magic alone will save you, Pathema. I have sworn my oaths of faithfulness to King Falfathinn for your sake and for the child’s – so that you both can live, and live royally, which befits you. The king has foreseen that you will die in Iceland if you go with Viga-Obivan. Do not betray me, Pathema. I was born a slave, but I have become a jarl – and at last I can, as a jarl, ask formally for your hand.”

“No, Anakinn,” said Queen Pathema, “Come with me, and help me raise our child in Ireland. Escape now! It will be too late for you afterwards.”

“Do you not understand?” said Anakinn the sky-walker, “Why do you flee from Norway, when I have become powerful in Norway, and Norway itself has become peaceful through me? And after this rebellion against the king is extinguished, and Seith-magic has saved you, why should I dabble in dark magic longer? We shall set it aside, and we shall rule Norway, yes and Ireland too!”

But what Queen Pathema said in reply, Anakinn the sky-walker could not hear, for her ship had sailed too far. Anakinn was filled with anger at Queen Pathema, for it seemed to him that she was faithless, and followed Viga-Obivan out of malice or stupidity. And because he had become a great Seith-sorceror, he stretched out his silver hand, and made as if he were choking her. And on her ship, she fell to the deck in a swoon, as if strangled, and all men wondered seeing this sorcery, for no one was touching her.

Chapter 14: Concerning the Children of Queen Pathema, and Her Death

Queen Pathema and the others reached Iceland early one morning. The queen had become sick and weak since Anakinn the Sky-walker had used Seith-magic to choke her. And when Iceland became visible from the ship, there was a great hailstorm on the land, and a volcanic eruption to the north; there was a great fall of ash as well. Then a fierce southwester kicked up, and a tidal flux against it, and the weather became hard in the fjord, as it often can be; it concluded with Pathema’s ship sinking under her.

Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson had landed earlier, and he saw from the beach that Queen Pathema was in a shipwreck, and he swam to her and with difficulty brought her back to the shore along with some few of her retainers. And screaming there on the sand she gave birth to twins, a son and a daughter. The children were sprinkled with water and given names, and the girl was called Leia, but the boy Lukr.

Viga-Obian asked, whether she wanted Anakinn the Sky-walker to know that he was the father of these two children, for “I suspect that he would not continue to serve King Falfathinn, nor harry in Ireland, if he knew that he was the father of these Irish nobles. But it is likely that King Falfathinn would have these children killed as soon as possible, if he thought that it could be done and knew where they were to be found. Unlucky young children! Your father obeys the man who would be your murderer. But if Anakinn slew Meis Vindusson, the man who helped him most, what would he do if Falfathinn the king bade him slay these children? Never did such regal children have such an ill father.”

But Queen Pathema gave no heed to Viga-Obivan. She kissed the children, and then she said: “I was worst to him that I most loved.” And she died in the sand.

Near the beach they raised a mound over Queen Pathema. But now men did not know what should be done with the children. Viga-Obivan wanted Oinn Kleggsson to raise the children, a man who was related to them, for he was the son of the same mother as Anakinn the Sky-walker. But the Irish retainers wanted to bring the children up in Thithborg in the Aldiran districts in Ireland, among their regal family.

“But first we must find other women who are in milk,” said Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson, “Or the children will soon die. And the road is long to the Tattuin River Valley, or other districts which I know well.”

“But we have with us one woman who is currently in milk, and she is one of Queen Pathema’s ladies in waiting,” said Beilorgana, a retainer of Pathema’s, “We will take one of the children with her back to Ireland.”

“You don’t have a ship,” said Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson.

“We will take your ship,” said Beilorgana, “And Anakinn the Sky-walker will hear the news, that your ship has left Iceland, and he will never seek you and the child on Iceland. But one of the children will remain in Ireland in the Aldiran districts, and many good warriors are there.”

“I have heard tell of the Aldiran districts,” said Viga-Obivan, “And men say that it is a peaceful land, and one without weapons. And I myself was often near there on viking expeditions with my father Kvaeggan when he still lived; I don’t remember any good warriors. But I will agree with this plan for the sake of the boy, and he shall dwell here on Iceland with his Norse family.”

“It is very important,” said Beilorgana, “That the child not know that he is the son of Anakinn the Sky-walker. And that no one in the land know, unless it be his foster father.”

“Of course,” said Viga-Obivan, “No one will accuse me of unwatchfulness. Do as you like with the girl – I hold the prophesied avenger of my family. But let this boy have a big drink of milk first, because I have a long way to walk to get to the Tattuin River Valley.”

After the boy had drunk much, Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson took him in his arms. Long did he walk west, till he came at last to the Tattuin River Valley, and he saw the volcanic eruption to his north. At Moisture Farm he lay the boy on the threshold one night, and Oinn Kleggsson came outside. He asked what boy this was.

“He is the son of your brother Anakinn,” said Viga-Obivan, “And he is named Lukr. He will need milk. And I suggest that you not tell him about his father, and it would probably be best if he thought his father dead.”

“And where are you going in the storm and the ash?” asked Oinn.

“I am going northward toward the volcano,” said Viga-Obian, “And I foresee that his father shall come meet me there.” And Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson disappeared into the shadows.

Chapter 15: Concerning the Battle at the Volcano

Now it must be told, when Anakinn the Sky-walker wanted to search for Pathema and Viga-Obivan, he left for Iceland, and nothing is told of his journey before he reached Iceland. When he came to the shore, he saw where a ship was weighing anchor, and he recognized this ship.

“There sails Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson,” he said, “On his ship, and doubtless he wants to lead me away from my pregnant wife.” And he sent men to the ship, and egged them on to an attack. “And I want,” said Anakinn, “For you to kill all the men, but let the women and children live. And I shall go on land and there look for my wife.”

Anakinn the Sky-walker did so, and saw a burial mound raised near the sand there. He became angry, and ridiculed very much this great thrall-work, saying that no man but one truly slave-born would choose to be buried in the sand. He trampled upon the mound and kicked it, and spat in the sand there.

“I don’t like sand,” he said. And he disappeared into the shadows.

*

Anakinn the Sky-walker went on to the Tattuin River Valley, and saw there that Moisture Farm was empty, and that the people had only recently fled, for there was a great lava flow burning nearby. He turned now out of the house, and saw there Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson.

“You liar!” said Anakinn the Sky-walker. “You betrayer and trickster! That was your ship that I saw, but you led my wife on to it, and awaited me here where I would seek for her. You turned her against me!”

“You yourself turned her against yourself,” said Viga-Obivan, “You have let King Falfathinn deceive you, till you have become the slave of the man whom you swore to kill.”

“Do not mock me; I have not forgotten my oaths,” said Anakinn, “But I have sworn new oaths, so that I can save my wife, and secure my new kingdom.”

“Your new kingdom?” asked Viga-Obivan.

“I will kill you, Viga-Obivan,” said Anakinn, “If you mock me further. But I do not want to forget our brotherhood, and I will let you live if you swear oaths of fealty to King Falfathinn.”

But Viga-Obivan said, “Anakinn, I have sworn oaths to my family–to the old way.”

“If you are not with me,” said Anakinn, “You are my enemy.”

“Only Seith-men make enemies out of their brothers,” said Viga-Obivan, “But I will defend myself, even against my brother.”

“You will try,” said Anakinn. He drew Lightsaber the Red, and Viga-Obivan drew Lightsaber the Green.

Long did they fight, and the lava burned around them all the while, and the ash fell upon them and choked them, and neither got an advantage on the other, and each fought with utmost ferocity. Their battle was both hard and long, but it ended when Viga-Obivan cut Anakinn on the right thigh, so that almost all the muscle was hewn out, and Anakinn fell nearly into the lava and was unable to fight further.

Anakinn the Sky-walker attempted to pull himself away from the lava, but his clothes began to burn, and soon he began to burn too. He said to Viga-Obivan, “I hate you!”

“You were my brother, Anakinn!” said Viga-Obivan Kvaeggansson. “I loved you!” But he turned away from Anakinn and walked off, and Anakinn the Sky-walker burned in silence.

Chapter 16: Concerning the Greatest Evil Deed of King Falfathinn

In the winter King Falfathinn learned that Anakinn the Sky-walker had died on Iceland, and he went there with his army and found Anakinn alive under a great heap of ash. Anakinn the Sky-walker had lost his feet and arms, and his face was burnt and bloody. He could not talk, for his tongue was burnt, and yet he had his teeth still and had used them to hunt mice and birds. With his Seith-magic he had survived, but he did not know the Seith-spell that would allow him to grow new limbs.

Still King Falfathinn praised Anakinn’s Seith-magic and his courage, for he had been bitten by sword and by fire and yet had lived many months. “Fittingly have I named you Anakinn the Seith-jarl,” said King Falfaðinn, “For you have lived by virtue of the Seith-magic that you learned from me, even though you have no limbs.” But many of the soldiers of Falfathinn mocked Anakinn, calling him Veithr-Anakinn (Hunt-Anakinn), because they thought it laughable that he had hunted mice with his teeth. But though Anakinn could not talk, he cast a Seith-spell and choked one of Falfaðinn’s soldiers from afar. The soldiers feared this man who could strangle a man whom he did not touch, but King Falfathinn praised him the more, and called him the greatest of Seith-men.

King Falfathinn had a stone of healing, and he brought forth the stone before Anakinn; then he healed Anakinn, and new limbs grew upon his body, shaped by the magic of Falfathinn from the cold black lava.

But his face was badly scarred and burnt, and his lungs and eyes had been destroyed by smoke. King Falfathinn did not know the Seith-spell that would grow a new tongue or lungs or eyes, and thus he crafted a great helm, which is called the Awe-helm, and that helm was like a raven-black skull, and with it there was a raven-black cape. And with that helm upon his head, Anakinn might breathe and speak and see, but his voice was strangely changed, no longer fair but dark and thunderous, and each breath that he took was as audible and resounding as a great breaker upon a longship.

Anakinn the Sky-walker lay still upon the earth with his new limbs. But when Anakinn could move, King Falfathinn gave him in earnest that name which the soldiers had given him in mockery, and he said: “Rise, Veithr.”

Veithr rose and took a breath, and when the soldiers heard his voice, it seemed to them as if the thunder rolled, and they all quailed.

“Jarl Veithr,” said King Falfaðinn, “Can you hear me?”

“Yes, master,” said Veithr, and then he asked: “Where is Pathema?”

“This should not be concealed from you, my friend,” said King Falfathinn, “You dealt her death blow to her when, in your anger, you strangled her upon her ship with Seith-magic; your good fortune has departed from you.”

But Veithr was silent.

*

As I’ve alluded to before, the manuscript upon which the sequentially later chapters of Tattúínárdǿla saga are preserved is actually older than the manuscript which preserves the first sixteen chapters by about two decades, while the action in these chapters picks up about two decades later than that of the earlier chapters. And while the manuscript with the earlier chapters appears to have been written by a single scribe who had an imperfect knowledge of the story underlying the saga, the later chapters can be confidently assigned, on paleographic evidence, to three separate scribes, each with a quite different, though detailed, command of the tradition behind the saga. It is not always, however, clear that these three scribes worked together closely, as for instance Scribe A (responsible for the first third of this manuscript) seems hardly to have been aware that Leia was Lúkr’s sister, and even shows ignorance – or at best imperfect foreshadowing – of Veidi-Anakinn’s identity as Lúkr’s father.

The manuscript as preserved does have chapter headings, and even the first leaf of the best manuscript is headed “XVII. Kapítuli” – “Chapter 17.” This suggests that these earlier scribes were aware that sixteen earlier chapters of the saga had once existed, but they were apparently unaware of the contents of those chapters, a hypothesis which is supported by the fact that numerous important characters and events in the earlier chapters are never mentioned again. Chapter 17, despite its explicit numbering as seventeenth, opens like the very first chapter of a new saga, and the following chapters essentially assume no prior knowledge of the earlier sixteen chapters, indeed relying on the reader’s ignorance of the content of those chapters in setting up Veidi-Anakinn as the archenemy of his own son, Lúkr.

With that being said, Chapter 17 is commonly held by critics to mark a watershed moment in the saga as a literary construction, and it is chiefly the contents of these later chapters that are quoted and alluded to in later Icelandic literature. Whoever the three scribes were who recorded it for us around the year 1200, they have left us with an imperfect, but enduring and timeless saga of mythic proportions.

*

Chapter 17: Concerning Hani the Duelist

It is the beginning of this saga, that King Jabbi the Stout ruled over Denmark, and King Falfadinn Lightning-Bolt over Norway, and there was great enmity between them.

Hani was the name of a man from a Norwegian family; he was the son of Jarl Sóló. He was a good man and a great viking; most called him Hólmgöngu-Hani (Hani the Duelist). It is fitting to say something about the appearance of Hani. He was a man of few words, rather reserved, but the handsomest of men, tall and rather sun-browned, with brownish hair.

Because Hani the Duelist did not like the reign of King Falfadinn, he went to Denmark and was with King Jabbi for a while; in the summer he went out on viking raids, and he often did great damage to the lands and ships of King Falfadinn; he raided widely here and there, wherever he came to land in Norway. And in the winter he gave to King Jabbi the wares that he got in Norway. King Jabbi liked this tribute very well, and he gave Hani a great axe, and this axe was jagged-pointed and gilded, with a shaft done in silver, and it was the greatest of treasures. Hani had another great treasure, and that was his ship, which he had gotten when he won a swimming race against Landó Kalrissiansson at Kessel Island. This ship was called the Thousand Year Falcon; it was the fastest of ships.

A Frisian man accompanied Hólmgöngu-Hani; he was named Tsiubakka. He was the hairiest of men and very big, he had blackish-brown hair and was rather chubby-faced and broad across the brows. Tsiubakka did not know how to speak Norse, but he understood what men said, and Hani spoke Frisian.

One time it so happened that Hani had raided in Norway, and when he was ready to put out to sea, some Norwegian chieftains rode up in that place. They asked who these men were and where they came from.

“I am named Hani Sólósson,” said Hani, “Some call me Hani the Duelist. And this follower of mine is a Frisian man named Tsiubakka. We have come here from Denmark and we are merchants.”

“If you really are merchants,” said a chieftain, “Then you will have wares on your ship which you will want to sell, and we will want to buy, and let us see your cargo.”

These men went up on the ship, and they found many treasures which Hani and Tsiubakka had stolen from them. They took these, and they wanted to kill Hólmgöngu-Hani.

“Do not kill him,” said the first chieftain, “For I knew him from the beginning, and I knew his father. He is no friend of King Falfadinn, and neither are we. But we shall take all these wares which he has stolen, and we shall not pay him.”

But since it was getting toward autumn, and Hani had no loot to give to King Jabbi, he hastened as swiftly as possible to Iceland and there thought to avoid the wrath of King Jabbi, till he could acquire some kind of tribute which he could deliver to the king.

A man was named Vattó, an old man and short, but a good farmer and a relative of Hani’s on his mother’s side. He lived on Iceland, at the farm called Mósæsli; Hólmgöngu-Hani stayed there that winter. There were also many other robbers and outlaws who were staying as guests at Mósæsli, for Vattó was himself an exile and had no love for kings. Some have even said that his farm was the most wretched hive of scum and villainy.

*

A man was named Grídó, a retainer of King Jabbi; he did not like Hani and he coveted his ship. And when he learned that Hani had had his plunder stolen from him and had gone to Iceland, he asked the king: “Do you like the plunder which Hólmgöngu-Hani brings you, king?”

“I like it well,” said King Jabbi.

“Then you would really like it,” said Grídó, “If you had all of that which you own, but as it stands you have far from it. It is the much greater part, which Hani keeps to himself. He sends you as a gift three bearskins, but I know for certain that he keeps thirty of them to himself, which you own, and I think that the same must be true of other things. But now I have learned that he has gone to Iceland with a great deal of property which he intends to sell there, and you own all of that. Truly, king, if you gave me his good ship, I would bring you more plunder.”

And everything that Grídó said about Hani, his companions bore witness to. It came to the point that King Jabbi was at his angriest.

“Bring me,” said King Jabbi, “the ship, and everything that is on it, and kill Hólmgöngu-Hani Sólósson and Tsiubakka the Frisian, if they refuse to come before me.”

Chapter 18: Concerning Leia and the Sons of Dítú

A woman was named Leia; she was the daughter of Beilorgana, king of the Aldiran Regions in Ireland. Relations were cool between Beilorgana and Falfadinn, for Falfadinn, King of Norway, claimed to be King of Ireland as well, and he raided widely in the Aldiran Regions.

There were many chieftains in many lands who greatly disliked King Falfadinn, but did not like Jabbi, King of the Danes, either. Many went to new lands, to the Faroes or to Iceland or to the Hebrides or to the Orkneys or to the Shetlands. But the army of Falfadinn was great, and he had many large warships, and he raided the lands of those who would not acknowledge his absolute authority. He had many good men killed, and others he enslaved. He was a very unpopular king. And because King Falfadinn wanted to intimidate all who stood against him, he ordered the greatest ship which men had ever seen upon the sea to be built, and that ship held such a store of men and weapons that they could pillage an entire large city. And a name was given to that ship, and it was called Daudastjarna (Death-Star).

A man was named Thrípíó Dítússon; he was an Irish man and a priest. And because Ireland was a Christian land, and Thrípíó knew many languages, he went to Norway, in Koruskantborg, and wished to teach men the true faith. There he met his brother, Artú Dítússon, who had been a slave to Víga-Óbívan Kvæggansson of the Jedi Fjord family in Iceland. And because he had long been among heathen men, Artú himself had become heathen.

Artú Dítússon disliked his enslavement, but he liked King Falfadinn the less because he had ordered Kvæggan Dúkússon killed, and Kvæggan had promised that he would free Artú from his enslavement. But the son of Kvæggan, Víga-Óbívan, who survived, did not wish to free Artú, and Artú had become a free man only after Víga-Óbívan hastened back to Iceland one time and left Artú in Norway.

Artú Dítússon was a skilled carpenter and smith, and because of this talent the rumor of this skilled freedman soon reached King Falfadinn, who bade Artú counsel him in shipbuilding; the king did not know that Artú hated him intensely. And it was Artú’s advice that the king should have a great dragon-head built on the Death-Star, hollow inside, and that it should be filled with ale, and Artú said that this would be a sacrifice to Rán (Norse sea goddess). And King Falfadinn said that Artú was a wise man, for he wanted to protect the great ship from the wrath of this goddess.

And when he had given this advice, Artú went back to Ireland with his brother, and told all this to King Beilorgana.

King Beilorgana suspected that King Falfadinn would want to attack the Aldiran Regions with this ship, and King Beilorgana wanted to ask the Shetlanders to help him. But “Because King Falfadinn rules the sea with his great navy, I will send my daughter, and some monks with her, and King Falfadinn will not suspect that I am sending them in order to incite the Shetlanders against him.”

A man was named Veidi-Anakinn or Veidr. He was a retainer of Falfadinn and captain of his army; he was a very overbearing man, but comported himself well, and he was a great sorcerer. None saw his face, for he always had a great raven-black helmet upon his head, and with it a raven-black mask upon his face and a raven-black cape. Veidi-Anakinn was not a talkative man, but when he spoke, his voice was awesome and dim, and every one of his breaths was as audible and as resounding as the greatest storm. Most men called him Veidr, but all feared him, and he could cast a spell that made men fall to the earth in anguish, even though Veidr did not touch them.

Veidr learned that Artú Dítússon had advised the ship-building in Koruskantborg, and he thought that this was ill news, for he remembered that Artú had been the slave of the Jedi Fjord men, his enemies. And when he learned that Artú was on the ship of King Beilorgana and made for Shetland, he suspected that Artú must have given King Falfadinn some kind of bad advice. Veidr sailed his ship Stjörnufreki (Star-Destroyer) and sought this ship, and found it off of Iceland. His men went up on that ship, and there was a hard battle.

Princess Leia saw that the Irish were losing the battle, and she bade Artú and Thrípíó swim to the shore and there seek Víga-Óbívan Kvæggansson, if he still lived. She gave Artú a message that he should give to Víga-Óbívan; it was written in runes.

There were small boats on that ship, which hung from the stern; Princess Leia cut one of these loose, and the sons of Dítú swam under it.

One of Veidr’s warriors saw this boat, and said, “There sails another boat.”

“Don’t shoot it,” said another soldier, “There are no living things aboard. It must have been a stray axe blow that cut it loose.”

Chapter 19: Concerning the Sons of Dítú and Lúkr Anakinsson

Thrípíó and Artú Dítússon came ashore on Iceland near the Tattúín River Valley; there was a great deal of lava, for a volcano had erupted twenty years before, and there was much sand also, for the high tide was extreme in the Tattúín Fjord.

Thrípíó became angry. “What kind of deserted place is this?” he asked, “And probably no Christian men either, I guess.”

“There are Christian men on Iceland,” said Artú, “But they are mostly slaves. Follow me and let us find Víga-Óbívan Kvæggansson as soon as possible; his farm was nearby here. Still it is most likely that he is dead.”

“I don’t want to follow you,” said Thrípíó.

Artú asked where he would rather go.

“Where you aren’t going,” said Thrípíó, “For it is your fault that I am on this dangerous journey, and I would rather find some merchants who are going to Ireland or Norway. The devil take you and your heathen friend Víga-Óbívan.”

“I don’t believe that you have spoken in a Christian fashion,” said Artú, “But it is your decision. Still I shall seek Víga-Óbívan, though relations are cool between us. But I think that it’s most likely that the devil will take you, if you go the other way all on your own; there are many Icelanders who would want to enslave or kill an Irish man and Christian.”

“But it will still be your fault,” said Thrípíó, “If I am slain.”

“He is not to blame, who warns another,” said Artú.

*

Thrípíó walked a long time and saw neither man nor cattle. Finally he saw some men riding; he greeted them, but they did not greet him. They bound him and led him to their tents; there Thrípíó saw Artú Dítússon, his brother, and the brothers were glad to meet. Many thralls, men and women, were in these tents – they had captured by the sons of Javi, malicious robbers; the oldest of them was named Útíni.

A man was named Óinn; he was the son of Kléggr. Óinn was tall, with wolf-gray hair and thick, but he had begun to bald early. With him was his brother’s young son, who was named Lúkr Anakinsson; Óinn said that his brother Anakinn was dead. Lúkr was a big man, with light-brown hair and a broad reddish face, the noblest of men. Lúkr wanted to go on viking expeditions and raids, but Óinn forbade him that. Óinn and Lúkr were looking at the thralls.

Óinn saw the brown clothes of Thrípíó and said, “You must be a priest.”

“You are correct, good sir,” said Thrípíó, “And I speak many languages. I can speak Irish, Norse, English, Latin, French, German, Welsh -”

“Shut up,” said Óinn, “What I need is a thrall who speaks Scottish.”

“Scottish?” asked Thrípíó, “Good sir, I am an Irishman, and the Irish tongue is much like the Scottish. Scottish is like my mother-tongue, even though all languages are like my mother-tongue, because I rejoice in languages -”

“Shut up,” said Óinn. He told the robbers that he wanted to buy this man – “And do you have any good and skillful workmen?”

Útíni Javason said that the red-haired man was a very skillful workman; Óinn bought this man also.

Óinn said to Lúkr, “Take these men home and prepare them for work as soon as possible.”

Lúkr said then, “But I wanted to go to Taki Farm, where there are going to be horse-fights tonight.”

“You can play at the horse fights with the other boys some other day,” said Óinn, “Take these men home to Vatnabǿr (Water-Farm).”

But the red-haired man walked slowly, and finally fell to the ground. Lúkr saw that he was covered with sores. “Uncle Óinn,” he said, “This red-haired man is sick.”

Óinn was extremely angry; he drew his sword and wanted to cut at Útíni Javason. But Thrípíó said to Lúkr, “Good sir, the short man there is very skillful with wood and iron; we have been enslaved together before. And he would be cheaper than before, if Útíni Javason fears the wrath of your uncle.” This short man was Artú Dítússon, his brother.

“Uncle Óinn,” said Lúkr, “Buy this short man.” Óinn did so, and the sons of Dítú followed Lúkr Anakinsson home.

“Don’t forget this,” said Thrípíó to his brother, “And why did I save you? You’re as heathen as they are.”

Chapter 20: Concerning the Message of Princess Leia

At Water-Farm Thrípío took a bath, and was very glad for it; he praised God and the holy Bishop Patrick.

But Lúkr Anakinsson complained about his Uncle Óinn. “He is unfair,” said Lúkr, “My friend Biggs spoke truly: I will never get out of Iceland.”

Thrípíó heard his words and asked, “Can I help you, good sir?”

“Definitely,” said Lúkr, “If your Christ has given you the power to speed up time or to grant me wings so that I can fly off of this rock.”

“No, good sir,” said Thrípíó, “I am a priest and no wizard. And I must admit that I don’t know where I am in Iceland.”

Lúkr said, “If there is a valley in Iceland where one might see a fair hillside, shining fields, and a freshly-mown yard – you’re in the valley that it’s furthest from.”

“I see, good sir,” said Thrípíó.

But Lúkr said, “I am named Lúkr Anakinsson.”

“I am named Thrípíó Dítússon, and this man is my brother Artú,” said Thrípíó.

“Your clothes are very bloody,” observed Lúkr, “Were you in a fight?”

Thrípíó said, “We were on a ship when a battle broke out. But we ourselves are no warriors.”

But Lúkr took Artú’s bloody cape and there found the message written by Princess Leia. He began to read it. “I am no runemaster,” he said, “But these words say, ‘Help me, Víga-Óbívan Kvæggansson; you alone would dare to avenge me.’ I don’t know how to read any more words, because they are written poorly and hastily. What is this?”

Artú pretended not to speak Norse, and asked in Irish, “What is what?”

“What is what?” responded Thrípíó, “That was a question. What was written on that message which Princess Leia gave you?”

“That’s nothing,” said Artú, “An old message. I think that Princess Leia is long dead.” Thrípíó translated his words into Norse.

“Who is Princess 