The Story of Gunnlaug the Worm-Tongue and Raven the Skald 1875

In this richly rendered Icelandic saga, we meet Thorstein, a respected chieftain descended from the legendary Egil. He lives at Burg with his striking wife Jofrid and their children, holding both wealth and a reputation for wisdom. The narrative opens with everyday life on the fjord, yet hints at deeper currents of honor, kinship and the ever‑present call of adventure that shapes the island’s people.

A chance encounter with the seasoned sailor Bergfinn leads Thorstein on a journey to the hill‑top gathering place of Hawkfell. While repairing a ruined wall, the two men share a vivid dream of eagles and a swan—a vision that spurs quiet speculation about destiny and rivalry. This early episode sets the tone for the tale’s recurring themes of fate, poetic skill, and the fierce contests that will later draw the famed gun‑tongued bard and the sharp‑tongued skald into each other’s orbit.