Signy and the king had two young children. They played together in the hall with golden toys, rolling the toys along the floor and running after them. One gold ring was flung farther out, into the room where Sigmund and Sinfjotli were, and the boy ran after the ring to look for it. Then he saw two large, fierce men sitting there wearing long helmets and shining mail. He ran into the hall to his father and told him what he had seen. The king suspected treachery. Signy heard what they said. She rose up, took both children, went to the outer room to Sigmund and Sinfjotli and said they should know that the children had betrayed them, “and I would advise you to kill them.”
Sigmund said: “I will not kill your children, even if they have betrayed me.” But Sinfjotli did not falter. He drew his sword and killed both children, casting them into the hall in front of King Siggeir. The king now stood up and called on his followers to seize the men who had been hiding in the entrance hall all evening. Men ran out, wanting to seize them, but Sigmund and Sinfjotli defended themselves well and valiantly. For a long while the one who was nearest them thought himself to have it the worst. But at last Sigmund and Sinfjotli were overpowered and captured. They were bound and fettered, and there they sat all night.
Now the king considered what was the slowest death he could prepare for them. When morning came he had a large cairn built of stones and turf. When the mound was finished he had a huge stone slab set in the middle of the cairn so that one edge pointed upward and the other downward. The stone was so large that it reached both sides of the cairn and no one could go around it. Now he had Sigmund and Sinfjotli taken and put in the mound, one on each side of the stone, because he thought it worse for them not to be together, yet be able to hear each other. And when they were covering the mound with turf, Signy came up, holding some straw in her arms, and she threw it into the mound to Sinfjotli and told the thralls to conceal her act from the king. They agreed and then the mound was closed.
And when night came Sinfjotli spoke to Sigmund: “I do not thnk that our food will run short for a while, for the queen has thrown some pork wrapped in straw into the mound.” And he felt the pork again and found that Sigmund’s sword was stuck in it. He knew it by the hilt, for it was dark in the cairn. He told Sigmund and they both were overjoyed. Now Sinfjotli thrust the sword’s point up over the rock and pulled hard. The sword bit into the slab. Sigmund grasped the point and they sawed the rock between them. They did not stop until the sawing was finished, as is told:
1. They cut with might
The massive slab,
Sigmund, with his sword,
And Sinfjotli.
They were now both loose together in the cairn and they sawed through both rock and iron, thus coming out of the mound. They went back to the hall. All the men were asleep. They carried wood to the hall and set the wood afire. Those inside woke up because of the smoke and the hall blazing around them. The king asked who had set the fire. “Here am I with Sinfjotli, my sister’s son,” said Sigmund, “and we now want for you to know that not all the Volsungs are dead.”
Sigmund asked his sister to come out and receive from him esteem and great honor, for he wished in this way to amend her sorrows. She replied: “Now you shall know whether I remember the slaying of King Volsung by King Siggeir. I had our children killed when I thought them too slow in avenging our father, and I came to you in the forest in the shape of a sorceress, and Sinfjotli is our son. Because of this he has so much zeal; he is the child of both a son and a daughter of King Volsung. In everything I have worked toward the killing of King Siggeir. I have worked so hard to bring about vengeance that I am by no means fit to live. Willingly I shall now die with King Siggeir, although I married him reluctantly.” Then she kissed her brother Sigmund and Sinfjotli, walked into the fire, and wished them farewell. She died there with King Siggeir and all the retainers.
The kinsmen, Sigmund and Sinfjotli, gathered together men and ships, and Sigmund set out for his patrimony. There he expelled from the country the king who had set himself up as ruler after King Volsung. Sigmund now became a rich and excellent king, wise and ambitious. He married a woman called Borghild. They had two sons, one named Helgi and the other Hamund. And when Helgi was born, Norns25 came and set his destiny, saying that he would become the most famous of all kings. Sigmund had returned from battle and went with a leek26 to meet his son. He gave the boy the name Helgi, and as gifts for this name-fastening he granted Hringstead, Solfell,27 and a sword. He bid the child to advance himself well and to take after the race of the Volsungs. Helgi grew to be magnanimous and well loved and surpassed most other men in all accomplishments. It is said that he went warring when he was fifteen years old. Helgi was king over the troops, and Sinfjotli was asked to accompany him. Both commanded the men.
9 HELGI MARRIES SIGRUN
It is said that, while raiding, Helgi came across the king called Hunding. He was a powerful king with a large following and ruled over a country.28 It came to a battle between them. Helgi pushed resolutely forward, and the battle ended with Helgi as the victor; King Hunding fell with a great many of his men. Helgi now saw his status increase considerably by having killed so powerful a king.
In order to avenge their father, Hunding’s sons now raised an army against Helgi. They engaged in a fierce battle, and Helgi fought his way through the brothers” ranks, attacking their standards. Of Hunding’s sons, he killed Alf and Eyjolf, Hervard and Hagbard, and here he won a renowned victory.
And when Helgi left the battle, he found many women of worthy appearance by the edge of a forest. They were riding in magnificent attire. Yet one of them, she who was in the lead, surpassed all the others, and Helgi asked for her name. She called herself Sigrun and said she was the daughter of King Hogni. Helgi said: “Accompany us home and be welcome.”
Then the king’s daughter replied: “We have a different task before us from drinking with you.” Helgi asked: “What might that be, princess?” She answered: “King Hogni has promised me to Hodbrodd, the son of King Granmar. But I have sworn that I would no sooner have him than a young crow. Yet the marriage will take place unless you stop Hodbrodd. Fight him with your army and take me away, because there is no king with whom I would rather dwell than with you.” “Be of good cheer, princess,” Helgi said. “We would sooner try our valor than have you marry him. We shall first see which of us overcomes the other—I stake my life on this.”
Then Helgi sent men with gifts of value to call up followers, and he summoned all his troops to Raudabjorg. Helgi waited there until a mighty company came to him from Hedinsey. Then a large troop came to him from Norvasund29 in big and handsome ships. King Helgi called his ship’s captain, named Leif, to him and asked if he had counted their army. But the man replied: “It is not easy to count, my lord. The ships that have come from Norvasund have twelve thousand men, but the other troop is half again larger.”
Then King Helgi said that they should turn into the fjord called Varinsfjord, and this they did. A violent storm broke upon them with seas so high that the waves crashing against the hulls sounded like cliffs colliding. Helgi told the men not to fear and not to reef the sails, but rather to set each sail higher than before. They were on the point of foundering before they could reach land. Then Sigrun, the daughter of King Hogni, came down to the coast with a large following and directed Helgi and his men to a good harbor called Gnipalund. The men of the country saw these events and King Hodbrodd’s brother, the one who ruled Svarinshaug, also came down to the coast. He called to them and asked who was leading that large force. Sinfjotli stood up, his helmet shining like glass on his head, his coat of mail white as snow, his spear in his hand adorned with a magnificent banner, and his shield rimmed with gold before him. This man knew how to speak with kings.30 “When you have fed your pigs and hounds and you meet your wife, say that the Volsungs have come and King Helgi can be found here in the army, if Hodbrodd wants to meet him. And it is Helgi’s pleasure to fight with distinction while you kiss your bondwomen by th
e fire.”
Granmar31 answered: “You are not able to say much of worth or speak of ancient lore,32 since you lie about noble men. More likely it is that you long nourished yourself on the food of wolves out in the forest and killed your brothers. And it is strange that you dare to come in an army with good men, you who have sucked the blood of many cold corpses.”
Sinfjotli replied: “You probably do not remember clearly now when you were the witch on Varinsey and said that you wanted to marry a man and you chose me for the role of husband. And afterward you were a valkyrie in Asgard33 and all were on the verge of fighting for your sake. I sired nine wolves on you at Laganess, and I was the father of them all.”
Granmar responded: “You are a great liar. I do not think you could sire anyone because you were gelded by the giant’s daughters on Thrasness. You are the stepson of King Siggeir and you lay in the woods with wolves, and all misfortunes came to you one on top of the other. You killed your brothers and made for yourself an evil reputation.”
Sinfjotli answered: “Do you remember when you were a mare with the stallion Grani34 and I rode you at full speed on Bravoll? Afterward you were the goatherd of the giant Golnir.” Granmar said: “I would rather feed the birds on your corpse than quarrel with you any longer.” Then King Helgi said: “It would be better and more clever for you both to fight, rather than to speak in a manner that is shameful to hear. Granmar’s sons are no friends of mine, but still they are hardy men.”
Granmar now rode away to meet with King Hodbrodd at the place called Solfell. Their horses were named Sveipud and Sveggjud. They met at the fortress gate and King Hodbrodd was told the war news. Hodbrodd was in his mail coat with his helmet on his head. He asked who they were—“and why are you so angry?” Granmar said: “The Volsungs have come here with twelve thousand men near shore and seven thousand by the island called Sok, but they have the largest force at the place called Grindir.35 And I think that Helgi will now want to fight.” The king responded: “Let us send a call through all our kingdom and proceed against them. No one shall sit at home who wants to fight. Let us send word to the sons of Hring and to King Hogni and to Alf the Old. They are all great warriors.”
They met at the place called Frekastein and a savage battle ensued. Helgi pushed forward through his opponent’s ranks. A great many men fell there. Then they saw a large band of shield-maidens36—it was like looking into a fire; Sigrun the king’s daughter had arrived. King Helgi advanced against King Hodbrodd and killed him beneath his own standard. Then Sigrun said: “Receive my thanks for this brave deed. Lands will now find new owners. This is a most fortunate day for me, and you will receive glory and fame for killing so powerful a king.”
King Helgi assumed power in that kingdom and lived there a long time. He married Sigrun and became a famous and excellent king. And he is out of the saga.
10 CONCERNING THE VOLSUNGS
The Volsungs now journeyed home, having once again greatly increased their reputation. Sinfjotli set off raiding again. He saw a lovely woman and strongly desired to have her. The brother of Borghild, the wife of King Sigmund, had also asked for her hand. They contested the issue in a battle and Sinfjotli slew this king. He now went raiding far and wide, fought many battles, and was always the victor. He became the most renowned and celebrated of men and returned home in the fall with many ships and much wealth. He told his father what had happened, and the king told the queen. She asked Sinfjotli to leave the kingdom, saying she did not want to see him. Sigmund said he would not let him go away and offered to compensate her loss with gold and great wealth, even though he had never before paid compensation for a man. He said there was no distinction to be had in contending with women. When she could not have her way she said: “You shall decide, sir, as is fitting.”
With the king’s consent Borghild now arranged her brother’s funeral feast, preparing for the banquet with the best of provisions. She invited many important men, and she herself served the drink. She came before Sinfjotli with a large drinking horn, saying: “Drink now, stepson.” He accepted the horn, looked inside, and said: “The drink is fouled.” Sigmund said: “Give it to me, then.” He drank it down.
The queen said: “Why should other men drink ale for you?” She came again with the drinking horn. “Drink now.” And she taunted him with many words. He took the horn and said: “The drink is mixed with treachery.” Sigmund said: “Then give it to me.” She came a third time and bid him drain it, if he had the heart of a Volsung. Sinfjotli took the horn and said: “There is poison in this drink.” Sigmund answered: “Filter it through your mustache, son.” The king was quite drunk, and therefore he talked in this way.
Sinfjotli drank and at once fell to the ground. Sigmund rose and his sorrow was almost his death. He took the body in his arms and went into the woods, coming at last to a fjord. There he saw a man in a small boat. The man asked if he wanted to accept from him passage across the fjord. Sigmund said yes. The boat was so small that it would not bear them all, so the body was carried first and Sigmund walked along the fjord. The next moment the boat and the man disappeared before Sigmund’s eyes.37 After that Sigmund returned home, and now he drove the queen out. A short time later she died. King Sigmund continued to rule over his kingdom and is thought to have been the greatest champion and king in ancient times.
11 SIGMUND MARRIES HJORDIS*
There was a king named Eylimi. He was powerful and famous. His daughter was named Hjordis, the fairest and wisest of all women. King Sigmund heard that she and none other was the match for him.
Sigmund set out to visit King Eylimi. King Eylimi prepared a great feast for Sigmund, to be held on the condition that Sigmund had not come with the intention of fighting. Messages were exchanged between them confirming that the purpose this time was friendship and not war. The banquet was prepared with the best provisions and many people were present. Everywhere he went King Sigmund was provided with a marketplace38 and given other amenities for his journey. They arrived now at the feast and the two kings shared the one hall. King Lyngvi, the son of King Hunding, had also come. He, too, wanted to become King Eylimi’s son-in-law. It was apparent to King Eylimi that both men could not succeed in the same errand, and he also thought it likely that trouble might be expected from the one who failed.
Then the king said to his daughter: “You are a wise woman, and I have said that you shall choose your own husband. Choose now between these two kings and I will decide as you do.” She answered: “The decision is difficult. Yet I choose the most famous king, and that is King Sigmund, although he is very old.” Thus she was given to Sigmund, and King Lyngvi went away. Sigmund was married, receiving Hjordis as his bride. Each successive day they feasted better and with more zeal. After this King Sigmund returned home to Hunland and his father-in-law King Eylimi came with him, and Sigmund now tended to his kingdom.39
King Lyngvi and his brothers now gathered an army and went against King Sigmund, because, although they had always received the short end in their previous dealings, this new development was one too many. Now they intended to destroy the pride of the Volsungs. They arrived in Hunland and sent word to King Sigmund. They did not want to sneak up on him, and they were certain that he would not run away. King Sigmund said he would come to battle, and he gathered an army. But Hjordis, together with a bondwoman and great wealth, was driven to a forest. There Hjordis stayed during the fighting.
The Vikings leapt from their ships with an unconquerable army. King Sigmund and Eylimi raised their banners and then the trumpets were blown. King Sigmund now let sound his horn, the one his father had owned, and urged his men onward. Sigmund had a much smaller force. A fierce battle commenced, and, although Sigmund was old, he fought hard and was always at the front of his men. Neither shield nor mail coat could withstand him, and again and again that day he went through the ranks of his enemies, and no one could foresee how it would end between them. Many a spear and arrow was cast in the air. Sigmund’s spaewomen,40 however,
shielded him so well that he remained unscathed, and no one could count how many men fell before him. Both his arms were bloody to the shoulder.
The battle had been going on for some time, when a man came into the fight. He had a wide-brimmed hat that sloped over his face, and he wore a black hooded cloak. He had one eye, and he held a spear in his hand.41 This man came up against King Sigmund, raising the spear before him. When Sigmund struck hard with his sword, it broke in two against the spear. Then the tide of the battle turned, for King Sigmund’s luck was now gone, and many of his men fell. The king did not seek to protect himself and fiercely urged his men on. Now it was as they say: no one is able against many.
12 HJORDIS REMARRIES*
King Sigmund, along with King Eylimi, his father-in-law, fell in this battle at the head of his troops. The larger part of Sigmund’s force fell with him. King Lyngvi now advanced toward the royal estate with the intention of seizing the princess, but in this he failed. He obtained there neither woman nor wealth. He traveled now through the land and placed his men throughout the kingdom. He believed that he had killed all of the Volsung kin and that nothing more was to be feared from them.
That night, after the battle, Hjordis went out among the slain and came to where King Sigmund lay. She asked if he could be healed. He, however, answered: “Many a man lives where there is little hope, but my luck has forsaken me, so that I do not want to let myself be healed. Odin does not want me to wield the sword since it is now broken. I have fought battles while it pleased him.” She answered: “I would lack nothing, if you were healed and took revenge for my father.”
The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer (Penguin Classics) Page 6
