The Saga Of King Hrolf Kraki Part 3

Agnar sailed his s.h.i.+p into the fjord, saying that it 'would be a great feat to snare the ring, if only someone knew the bearings'. After being told where the ring had been thrown into the sea, Agnar got ready and dived into the deep. He surfaced, but without the ring. He went down under for a second time, but again did not find the ring. After saying that 'it has been sought after carelessly', he went down a third time and came up with the ring.

Agnar gained widespread fame from this exploit; his reputation now exceeded his father's.21 King Helgi stayed at home in his kingdom during the winters, but in the summers he went out raiding. He became a famous man, more renowned than his father. He and Yrsa loved each other deeply. They had one son. He was named Hrolf, the one who later became a most worthy man.22 10. King Helgi and Queen Yrsa Queen Olof learned that King Helgi and Yrsa loved each other dearly and were content with their marriage. The news displeased her, and she set out to pay them a visit. When she reached their lands, she sent word to Queen Yrsa, and the women met. Yrsa invited Olof to accompany her home to the hall. Queen Olof replied that she did not wish to do so. She explained that she had no honour to repay to King Helgi.

Yrsa said, 'You behaved shamefully to me when I was with you. Do you have anything to tell me about my family? Who are they? I suspect that I am not the daughter of a serving man and a common woman, as I was told.' In reply, Olof said: 'It is likely that I can tell you something about your parentage. My main reason for coming here was to tell you what I know about it. But are you well content with your marriage?'

'Yes,' she replied, 'and well I might be, because I am married to the most n.o.ble and most famous of kings.'

'Your contentment may not be as secure as you think,' said Olof, 'for he is your father, and you are my daughter.'

Yrsa said, 'I have, I am sure, the worst and cruellest of mothers. What you are telling me is so monstrous that it will never be forgotten.'

'You have suffered,' Olof said, 'from Helgi's actions and my anger. Now I invite you to come home with me. You will receive honour and esteem, and I will behave toward you as best I can in every respect.'

Yrsa answered, 'I have no idea what that will bring, but I do know that I cannot stay here, aware as I am of the shame that darkens this place.' She then went to King Helgi, telling him how oppressive her situation now was.

The king said, 'You have a cruel enough mother, but I want things to continue as they are now.' But she argued that things could not continue as they were and that, from now on, they must no longer live together.

Yrsa then went with Queen Olof and stayed in Saxland for a time. King Helgi suffered so deeply because of his wife's departure that, grievously unhappy, he took to his bed.

No match was thought better than one with Yrsa, but kings were slow in asking for her hand. The main reason was the possibility that King Helgi would in the end come after her, enraged that she had married another man.

11. The Elfin Woman and the Birth of Skuld There was a king named Adils; he was powerful and greedy.23 From his stronghold at Uppsala, he ruled over Sweden. King Adils heard of Yrsa and prepared his s.h.i.+ps, setting out to ask for an audience with Olof and Yrsa. Olof prepared a feast in honour of King Adils, regaling him with all manner of refinement and courtesy. King Adils asked for Queen Yrsa's hand in marriage.

Olof said, 'You must have heard about her situation. If she agrees to marry you, I will not oppose your request.' So Adils presented his suit to Yrsa. She responded, telling him that his chance of success was not good, 'because you are an unpopular king'.

Nevertheless the suit went forward. Yrsa was uncommitted either way, and it mattered little whether she said more or less concerning the proposal. But finally she accompanied King Adils when he sailed off. King Helgi was not notified, because Adils thought himself the more prominent of the two kings. King Helgi did not even know what had happened until after the couple arrived in Sweden, where King Adils had a splendid wedding feast prepared for Yrsa. It was news of this celebration that finally reached Helgi, who became twice as unhappy as before. King Helgi slept alone in a small detached building. So matters continued for a while. Olof is now out of the saga.

It is said that one Yule evening King Helgi was in bed.24 The weather outside was foul, yet someone came to the door, tapping weakly on it. It occurred to Helgi that it was unkingly for him to allow any person, however wretched, to remain outside when he could help. So the king got up and opened the door. He saw someone or something, poor and tattered, standing outside.

After saying, 'You have done well, King,' it came into the room.

The king said, 'Take some straw and a bearskin for yourself so that you will not freeze.'

The visitor said, 'Let me into your bed, Sire. I want to sleep next to you, for my life is at stake.'

The king replied, 'You repel me, but if it is as you say, then lie down here along the side of the bed. Keep your clothes on, and I will not come to any harm.'

She did as the king asked, and he turned away from her. A light was burning in the house, and after a time, he glanced over his shoulder at her. What he saw was a sleeping woman so fair that he thought he had never seen anyone so beautiful. She was dressed in a silken gown. Quickly and tenderly, he turned toward her.

She said, 'Now I will leave. You have released me from a terrible bondage, which was my stepmother's curse. I have visited many kings, but none of them accepted me because of my looks. I do not want to stay here any longer.'

'No,' said the king, 'there is no possibility that you may leave so soon. We will not part that way. I will arrange a quick wedding for us, because you please me well.'

She said, 'You are the one to make the decision, my lord.' And so that night they slept together.

In the morning she spoke to him, saying, 'We have slept together because of your l.u.s.t, and you will know that we will have a child. Do now as I tell you, King. Visit our child next winter at this same time down at your s.h.i.+ps' landing. Unless you do so, you will pay for it.' After this, she went away.

The king was now somewhat happier than before.

Time pa.s.sed and Helgi forgot, giving no thought to the warning. But after three winters, there is this to tell: At midnight three people came riding up to the same house in which the king was sleeping. They brought a girl-child with them and put her down outside the house.

Then the woman, who was holding the child, said, 'You must know, King, that your kinsmen will pay for your ignoring my request. Nevertheless, you will reap a benefit from having released me from the curse. Be aware that the girl is named Skuld, and she is our daughter.'* Then the people rode away.

Skuld's mother was an elfin woman,25 and the king never again saw or heard of her. Skuld grew up with the king; from an early age she showed a vicious temperament.

It is said that King Helgi prepared to set out on a voyage to forget his sorrow. Hrolf, his son, stayed behind. King Helgi raided far and wide, performing great deeds.

12. King Adils and King Helgi Meet Meanwhile, King Adils remained at Uppsala. He had twelve berserkers, who defended his land against all dangers and attack.26 King Helgi prepared his voyage to Uppsala to retrieve Yrsa. When King Adils learned that Helgi had landed, he asked the queen how she wished to have King Helgi received.

Queen Yrsa answered, 'You will decide that for yourself, but you know from before that there is no man whom, because of our relations.h.i.+p, I am more bound to support.'

King Adils thought it fitting to invite Helgi to a feast, but he had no intention for the meeting to occur without treachery. Accepting the invitation, King Helgi travelled to the feast with one hundred men, leaving most of his followers with the s.h.i.+ps.

King Adils received Helgi with open arms. Queen Yrsa, hoping to reconcile the two kings, showed all honour toward King Helgi. For his part, Helgi was so pleased to see the queen that he let everything else slip by him, for he wanted to make use of all the available time to talk with her. And so they sat down to the feast.

Then King Adils' berserkers returned home. As soon as they had landed, King Adils met them secretly. He ordered the berserkers to hide in the woods between the fortress and King Helgi's s.h.i.+ps. From there the berserkers were to ambush King Helgi when he returned to his s.h.i.+ps. 'I will send reinforcements to help you. My troops will attack them in the rear, and in this way Helgi and his men will be caught in the claws of a trap. My intention is to attack Helgi so that he cannot escape. I can see that he is so much in love with the queen that I dare not risk whatever he is planning.'

As King Helgi sat at the feast, the treachery was carefully concealed from both him and the queen. Queen Yrsa asked King Adils to give Helgi splendid gifts at their parting. Adils complied by giving Helgi gold as well as treasured articles, intending, in fact, to enjoy them himself.

When King Helgi then set out, King Adils and the queen accompanied him on his way, and the queen and the kings parted on seemingly friendly terms. Not long after King Adils had turned back, King Helgi and his men became aware of an impending attack, and soon a battle started. King Helgi pushed forward, fighting valiantly, but he and his men faced overwhelming odds. Having suffered great wounds, King Helgi fell there after gaining renown. Some of King Adils' forces had attacked from the rear, and Helgi and his men had found themselves caught as though between hammer and anvil.

Queen Yrsa learned about these events only after King Helgi had fallen and the battle ended. With King Helgi fell all the followers who had accompanied him to the feast. The rest of Helgi's men fled home to Denmark.

Here ends the tale of King Helgi.

13. King Adils' Pride and Queen Yrsa's Displeasure King Adils became boastful and arrogant about his victory. It seemed to him that he had greatly distinguished himself, having overcome a king as important and famous as Helgi. But Queen Yrsa said, 'It is hardly fitting to boast so much, even if you have tricked that man to whom I owed the greatest obligation, and the one I loved the most. For the same reason I will never be loyal to you if you fight his kinsmen. I plan to put your berserkers to death as soon as I can, that is, if I find someone manly enough to do so, both for my sake and as proof of his own worth.'

King Adils asked her not to threaten him or his berserkers, 'because it will not help you. But I do want to compensate you for the death of your father. If you will accept it, I will give you magnificent gifts, including both riches and valuable possessions.'

The queen, appeased by this offer, accepted redress from the king. Nevertheless from then on she was of an uneasy temper, often watching for a chance to harm or to disgrace the berserkers. After the fall of King Helgi, the queen never exhibited joy or good humour. Now, more than before, disagreements arose in the hall. If she could find a way to avoid it, the queen chose not to submit to King Adils' will.

King Adils believed that he had made himself exceedingly famous, and now all those who served among his followers and his champions thought themselves masterly men. King Adils remained at home in his kingdom, convinced that no one would raise a s.h.i.+eld in opposition to his authority or dare to test the strength of his berserkers.

King Adils was a devoted sacrificer and a man full of sorcery.27 14. Svipdag and the Berserkers A farmer was named Svip. He lived in Sweden, far away from other men. He was wealthy and had been a great champion. At times Svip was not all that he seemed to be, for he was deeply learned in many arts, including magic. Svip had three sons, who are named here. One was called Svipdag,28 another Beygad and the third, the eldest, was called Hvitserk.29 They were all imposing men, strong and handsome.

One day, when Svipdag was eighteen years old, he said to his father, 'Our life up here in the mountains is dismal. We live in remote valleys and unpopulated regions; we never visit other people, nor do others come to see us. We would be more enterprising if we went to King Adils and joined his company of followers and champions, if he would accept us.'

Svip replied, 'Your suggestion seems ill-advised to me. King Adils is a cruel man and, although he can act in a pleasing manner, he is not trustworthy. His men, although impressive, are filled with envy. Yet this king is certainly a powerful and famous man.'

Svipdag answered, 'Men must try, if they are to advance. Without effort, no one learns which way luck will turn. I do not want to stay here any longer, whatever else lies in my future.'

And when it was clear that Svipdag was determined to leave, his father gave him a great axe, a handsome and dangerous weapon. Svip then counselled his son, 'Do not envy others and avoid arrogance, for such conduct diminishes one's fame. Defend yourself if you are attacked. It is becoming to be humble, yet at the same time you must make a bold showing if put to a test.'30 He outfitted Svipdag with fine armour, giving him also other gear and a good horse.

Svipdag rode off. Arriving one evening at King Adils' stronghold, he saw the men taking part in games in front of the hall.31 The king was sitting nearby on a large golden chair with his berserkers close beside him.

When Svipdag arrived at the stockade, he found the gate to the fortress locked. It was the custom to ask permission before riding in, but Svipdag paid no heed to this procedure. He broke down the gate and rode into the courtyard.

The king said, 'This man proceeds with less concern for proper conduct than has ever been attempted here before. He may be a powerful individual who does not mind being put to the test.'

The berserkers immediately began to scowl, for to them Svipdag seemed to have behaved arrogantly. Svipdag rode up to the king and greeted him well, for he knew how to do so skilfully.

When the king asked the newcomer who he was, Svipdag gave his own name and then named his father. The king recognized him at once, and everybody believed him to be a great warrior, a man of exceptional talent.

Meanwhile the game continued. Svipdag sat on a log and watched the contest. The berserkers looked menacingly at him and told the king that they wanted to test him.

The king answered, 'I think that he is no weakling, still it seems to me a good idea to test him to see whether he is as much a man as he thinks he is.'

Men now crowded into the hall. The berserkers went up to Svipdag, asking him whether he was a champion, as he behaved so arrogantly. Svipdag answered that he was the equal of any one of them, a reply that increased their anger and heightened their desire to fight. Yet, the king told them to remain quiet for the evening.

The berserkers, however, grimaced and bellowed. They said to Svipdag, 'Do you dare to fight us? If so, you will need more than big words and a scornful manner. We will test whatever strength is in you.'

Svipdag answered, 'I agree to fight, but with only one man at a time. In this way, we will see how many others among you want to take their turn.'

The king was pleased that they wanted to test themselves, and the queen said, 'This man is welcome here.'

The berserkers answered her, 'We already know that you want us all dead in Hel, but we are too strong to fall because of mere words or ill will.'

The queen said there was nothing wrong in the king's wish to find out how much support he has 'where you are concerned, since he trusts so much in you'.

The leader of the berserkers answered the queen, 'I will block your wishes and curb your haughtiness in a way that will leave us nothing to fear from this man.'

The next morning a fierce single combat took place.32 The blows struck were powerful, and everyone realized that the newcomer's sword cut with great strength. As the first berserker fell back before the newcomer, Svipdag killed him. At once a second berserker stepped forward, set on vengeance, but he suffered the same treatment. Svipdag did not cease until he had killed four of the berserkers.

Then King Adils said, 'You have caused me grave injury and now you will pay for it.' He ordered his men to attack and kill Svipdag. Meanwhile the queen, intending to save Svipdag, had a.s.sembled her supporters. She told the king that he ought to realize that Svipdag alone had more excellence than all the berserkers together.

The queen effected a truce, and it seemed to all that Svipdag was a man of exceptional valour. Now upon the advice of Queen Yrsa, Svipdag was seated on a bench directly across from the king.

Later, as it grew dark, Svipdag began to survey the area, for it seemed to him that he had not sufficiently harmed the berserkers. He decided to goad them into yet another fight, thinking it likely that they would attack him, if they saw him alone. As expected, they started to fight at once. After they had been fighting for a while, the king arrived and separated them.

The king then outlawed the remaining berserkers, because all together they could not overcome one lone man. The king said he had not known that they were so feeble, because they excelled when it came to boasting. The berserkers were forced to leave, and they threatened to raid the king's territory. The king seemed unconcerned with their threats, declaring that these she-dogs had no courage in them.

The berserkers, disgraced and dishonoured, now left. In truth, it was the king who had first urged them to attack and kill Svipdag when they saw him leaving the hall by himself. Had they done so, they would have avenged themselves without the queen's knowledge. Svipdag, however, had already killed one of the berserkers by the time the king arrived to separate them.

The king requested that Svipdag support him no less strongly than all the berserkers had done previously. 'All the more,' the king said, 'because the queen wants you to replace the berserkers.'

Svipdag now remained there for a time.

Not long afterward, news of war reached the king. The berserkers, having gathered a large force, were raiding his territory. He then asked Svipdag to go against the berserkers, calling it his duty. The king said he was prepared to raise for Svipdag as large a force as necessary. But Svipdag did not want to lead the army; instead he wanted to serve the king, following him wherever he went. The king, however, was adamant that Svipdag be the leader.

Svipdag replied, 'Then I want you to grant me the lives of twelve men, whenever I decide on it.'

The king promised, 'This, I will grant you.' Then Svipdag set out for battle; the king, however, remained at home. Svipdag ordered 'war-spurs' to be made, and these spikes were to be used against horses.33 He spread them on the ground where the battlefield was marked and also prepared the field with other stratagems. Then a fierce battle began.

The Vikings* at first reeled back, suffering cruelly from the spikes. One berserker was killed, along with a large part of the invading force. Those raiders still alive fled to their s.h.i.+ps and escaped.

Svipdag, having the victory to boast of, returned to the king. The king thanked him well for his bravery and for his defence of the land.

Queen Yrsa said, 'Certainly that seat is better occupied with a hero such as Svipdag than with your berserkers.' The king agreed.

Those berserkers who had escaped once again gathered a following and returned to raid King Adils' kingdom. As before, the king challenged Svipdag to go against them, promising to supply him with a fine troop of warriors. Svipdag prepared for battle, even though he had a third fewer men than the berserkers. The king, however, promised to join him with his own bodyguard, and Svipdag set out sooner than the berserkers had expected. The two sides soon clashed, fighting a hard battle.

Meanwhile King Adils a.s.sembled his force, intending to surprise the berserkers from the rear.

Now we return to farmer Svip. He awoke suddenly from his sleep, sighed deeply and said to his sons, 'Your brother Svipdag is in need of your support. He is engaging in a battle not far from here and has by far the smaller force. He has lost one of his eyes34 and has suffered many wounds. Although he has killed three berserkers, another three are still fighting.'

The brothers quickly armed themselves and set off for the battle ground, where the Vikings had twice as many men as Svipdag. By then, Svipdag had accomplished much, but he was sorely wounded and had lost one eye. Also, many of his followers had been killed. The king still had not come to his aid.

Arriving at the battlefield, the brothers entered into the fighting. They pushed resolutely forward until they were opposite the berserkers. Now they finished the contest, and all the berserkers were felled by the brothers. With the tide of battle changing, the death toll mounted in the ranks of the Vikings. Those, however, among the berserkers' men who chose to accept their lives from the brothers, swore allegiance to them.

Then the brothers went to the king to tell him what had happened. The king thanked them well for the impressive victory. Svipdag had two arm wounds, a large head wound and was one-eyed for the rest of his life. For a time he lay disabled by these wounds, the queen nursing him.

After regaining his health, Svipdag told the king he was planning to leave: 'I want to look for a king who will honour us more than you do. You have rewarded me poorly for defending your land and for our winning so great a victory for you.'

King Adils appealed to Svipdag to remain with him. He promised to do full well by the brothers, declaring that no one would be valued more than they. Svipdag, however, wanted only to ride away, mainly because the king, undecided about whether he wanted Svipdag or the berserkers to win the victory, had not come to the battlefield before the fighting had ended. The whole time the king had watched the contest from the woods and could have joined in whenever he chose. In fact, to the king it would have made no difference if Svipdag had been defeated and lay with his face in the dirt.

15. Svipdag and His Brothers Join King Hrolf's Men The brothers prepared to leave and nothing could stop them. The king asked where they intended to go, but they said they had not yet decided on a plan. 'Right now, we will just leave. I want to learn the ways of other kings and not grow old here in Sweden.' They thanked the queen graciously for the honour she had shown to Svipdag and went to their horses.

Mounting their horses, they rode out and finally arrived back at their father's place. They wanted his advice about what tasks they should now undertake.

Svip said that in his opinion the greatest renown was to be had in joining King Hrolf and his champions in Denmark: 'There you are most likely to find a way to distinguish yourselves, while quenching your thirst for violence and your greed for fame. I have had trustworthy reports that the most formidable champions from the northern lands have a.s.sembled there.'

Svipdag asked, 'What is King Hrolf like?' His father answered, 'I have heard that King Hrolf is open-handed and generous and so trustworthy and particular about his friends that his equal cannot be found. He withholds neither gold nor treasure from nearly everyone who wants or needs them. He is handsome in looks, powerful in deeds and a worthy opponent. The fairest of men, Hrolf is fierce with the greedy, yet gentle and accommodating with the unpretentious and modest. Toward all those who do not threaten him, he is the most humble of men, responding with equal mildness to both the powerful and the poor. Hrolf is so great that his name will not be forgotten as long as the world remains inhabited. He has exacted tribute from all kings who are near him, for everyone is willing to serve him.'

Svipdag said, 'After hearing your report, father, I and all my brothers are determined to serve King Hrolf, if he will accept us.'

Farmer Svip said, 'You must decide for yourself about your travels and other affairs, but I would like you to stay home with me.'

The brothers said there was no hope of that. Then they wished their father and mother a good life and set off on their way, journeying until they reached King Hrolf.

Svipdag went immediately before the king and greeted him. King Hrolf asked who the newcomer was. Svipdag then gave the king his name and the names of all the brothers, saying that they had been for a time with King Adils.

The king replied, 'Why, then, have you come here? There is no love lost between us and Adils' men.'

Svipdag responded, 'I know that, Lord. Nevertheless, if it is possible, I and all my brothers want to become your men, though we might seem to you to be of little significance.'

The king answered, 'I had never intended to make friends among King Adils' men. But, because you have approached me first, I will receive you. I can guess that the man who does not refuse you has the best of the bargain, because I see that you and your companions are admirable warriors. I heard that you have won much fame in killing King Adils' berserkers and accomplis.h.i.+ng many other feats.'

'Where do you want us to sit?' asked Svipdag.

The king replied, 'Sit next to the man called Bjalki, but leave enough room farther in on the benches for twelve men.'

Before leaving King Adils, Svipdag had promised to return to him, but now the brothers went to the seats a.s.signed them by King Hrolf. Svipdag asked Bjalki why s.p.a.ce was being saved farther in from them. Bjalki said that the king's twelve berserkers always sat there when they came home. At that moment they were still out fighting.

Skur was the name of one of King Hrolf's daughters; another, called Drifa, was now at home with the king. Drifa, the most courteous of women, showed kindness to the brothers, making life altogether more pleasant for them.

So the situation continued throughout the summer, until the berserkers returned to the king's guard in the fall. According to their custom, when the berserkers entered the hall they confronted each man in turn. The leader of the berserkers stood, asking each man seated before him if he reckoned himself as an equal. In reply, the king's men tried to find different expressions, which they regarded as either the most fitting or the least dishonourable. It could be felt that everyone thought himself sorely lacking in being the equal of the berserkers.

Then the berserkers' leader came to Svipdag, asking whether he thought himself an equal. Svipdag leapt up and drew his sword, claiming that he was in no way less than the berserker.