"I will try that," said Grettir; "but I have become so fearsome in the dark that not even at the risk of my life can I endure to be alone."
"Well," said Gudmund, "that is my counsel. Trust none but yourself. Treachery lies where least expected."
Grettir thanked him for his advice, and went away west to see his mother. And he was most joyfully welcomed by her and his young brother Illugi at Biarg. There he remained some nights—not many; for Ramsfirth was only over a brow of hill, and the tidings of his return home was sure in a few days to reach the relatives of Oxmain, when he would again be set on.
I said, after giving an account of Grettir's adventure at Thorhall's-stead with Glam, that there must have been something of fact in that story, and not pure fiction; and now it has been seen how that event coloured and affected his whole after life, leaving his nerves so shaken, that he could not drive off the impression then made on him, and he was ready to run serious risks rather than be subject to the terrors that came on him in the dark when alone.
He told his mother and Illugi how it was with him, and how that he had been advised to go to Drangey, but that he could not; he dare not, in the long winter night, be on that lonely islet by himself.
Then Illugi his brother said, "Grettir, I will be with you."
"Brother holds to brother as hand clasps hand," answered Grettir, and so they parted. All that summer he wandered about in wild places, shifting his quarters repeatedly, and living how he could.
CHAPTER XXXV.
ON THE ISLE.
Illugi will go to Drangey—Asdis gives Consent—Asdis prophesies Woe—Within Sight of Drangey—Glaum becomes Grettir's Servant—Thorwald rows Grettir to Drangey—Thorbiorn Hook—The Bonders visit the Island—Grettir in Possession—An Inaccessible Spot