Volsunga Saga

Here begins the tale, and tells of a man who was named Sigi, and called of men the son of Odin; another man withal is told of in the tale, hight Skadi, a great man and mighty of his hands; yet was Sigi the mightier and the higher of kin, according to the speech of men of that time.

Now Sigurd went to the kings, and spake thus— "Here have I abode a space with you, and I owe you thanks and reward, for great love and many gifts and all due honour; but now will I away from the land and go meet the sons of Hunding, and do them to wit that the Volsungs are not all dead; and your might would I have to strengthen me therein."

"Hreidmar was my father's name, a mighty man and a wealthy: and his first son was named Fafnir, his second Otter, and I was the third, and the least of them all both for prowess and good conditions, but I was cunning to work in iron, and silver, and gold, whereof I could make matters that availed somewhat.

Awake, Brynhild! The sun shineth now over all the house, and thou hast slept enough; cast off grief from thee, and take up gladness!" She said, "And how then hast thou dared to come to me? in this treason none was worse to me than thou." Said Sigurd, "Why wilt thou not speak to folk? for what cause sorrowest thou?" Brynhild answers, "Ah, to thee will I tell of my wrath!"

Now tells the tale that on a night King Atli woke from sleep and spake to Gudrun— "Medreamed," said he, "that thou didst thrust me through with a sword." Then Gudrun areded the dream, and said that it betokened fire, whenas folk dreamed of iron. "It befalls of thy pride belike, in that thou deemest thyself the first of men."