The Story of Grettir the Strong by William Morris, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

Near Thorhall, the wolf-haired Glam is found dead -- slain, it is said, by the haunting spirit of the land. Then Glam's corpse goes missing -- and the people know he has not stayed dead, but now is free to roam at night -- tromping over the house-roofs, breaking in doors, and shocking the farmerfolk out of their senses.


When Grettir the Strong hears of the new haunting, he travels to Thorhall -- and finds that his mere presence makes Glam cease his nocturnal wanderings . . . at least for a time. Then Grettir hides himself in a farmer's house, concealed in a cloak, and watches as the ghastly Glam pushes in, intent on further marauding. Grettir engages the spirit in a struggle -- and though astonished at Glam's strength, is equal to it. Their struggles burst asunder the low roof -- and Glam falls back on the frozen ground, with Grettir above him, triumphant . . .


Triumphant for that moment only, however: for Glam places his bitter "weird" upon the hero.