THE END OF THE TALE
CHAPTER XX THE END OF THE TALE
Gunnar found himself rich with all his Swedish treasure, and bought land in a dale of Drontheim, and set to work building a fine house. About Christmas-time Sigrid gave birth to a son, which was a great affair. But before any of these things happened to him he had to see King Olaf, who received him with a wry smile.
"So you are not only contumacious, but inveterate in sin," he said; but Gunnar could see that he wasn't angry. "You not only deny my God, but set yourself up as His rival. And now you are in my hands, what am I to do?"
"Sir," said Gunnar, "it is rather true that the only way I had of escaping your rope was to run among the heathen. As for my godhead, that in a sense was forced upon me. I would have you remark that I slew a god before I became one myself."
"You slew a god and took his wife," said the king. "I should like to see Frey's wife. You shall bring her to me, if you please. I have many questions to put to her."