> Hann laut yfir hana og mælti: "Mikil tíðindi Guðrún,"
> sagði hann.

> He stooped over her and said: “Much news, Gudrun,” he
> said.

> It bowed over her and spoke, “Serious tidings, Gudrun,” it
> said.

> He bowed-down (lúta) over her and spoke: “Great
> (important, grave) tidings, Guðrún,” he said.

‘Grave’ seems exceptionally appropriate here!

> Guðrúnu þótti mikið frá fall Þorkels en bar þó skörulega
> af sér.

> Gudrun thought much of Thorkell’s death and yet carried
> herself bravely.

> To Gudrun it seemed Thorkell’s receding? grave, but still
> she bore up bravely.

> Þorkell’s death was-reckoned great (important) to Guðrún
> (ie she took it much to heart) but nevertheless (she) bore
> (it, ie the hurt) bravely from herself (?).

See <bera> Z6, which has <bar hon sköruliga af sér> 'she
bore up bravely'.

Brian