Norse Mythology: Tales of the gods, sagas and heroes by Shepherd James

Author:Shepherd, James [Shepherd, James]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Arcturus Publishing
Published: 2018-01-16T05:00:00+00:00

THE FORGING OF THE SWORD

as told by Sarah Powers Bradish

I. Regin’s Failures

Sigurd came to Regin again, and said, “I ask a gift at your hands.”

Regin answered, “I would reach to the end of the world, to find the gift you need.”

“But the gift I require lies near you,” said Sigurd; “I want you to forge me a sword.”

“Here is your sword,” said Regin, “wrought with many charms. I began it when the waning moon was new.”

Sigurd took the sword, and looked at the jewelled hilt, and the runes engraved upon the blade, while Regin waited for a word of approval. Sigurd turned and struck the anvil with it; the sword fell in pieces on the earth. Then he went out into the forest.

When two moons had waxed and waned, Sigurd came again to ask about his sword; and Regin said, “I have worked day and night, and my hand has surely lost its cunning, if this fails to satisfy you.”

Sigurd struck with it the anvil again; and again the pieces of the sword were shattered.

The next day Sigurd said to his mother, “Where are the pieces of the sword of the Branstock, mother?”

“Are you angry, my son?” she asked.

“No, mother; but the time for deeds has come.”

She took his hand, and led him to her treasure chamber; and, unrolling bands of silk, showed him the pieces of his father’s sword, which gleamed as white as silver; and the jewels in the hilt shone with as bright a light as when Sigmund plucked it from the oak.

Sigurd smiled, and said: “You have kept your charge well; but your watch is over now. These pieces shall be welded to shine again in the rain of Odin.”

She gave him the sacred steel that she had guarded so faithfully. He kissed her gently, and left her standing alone. She did not speak; but, with eager eyes, she watched her godlike son, who had grown so tall and fair and glorious.

II. THE WRATH OF SIGURD

Sigurd went swiftly to Regin’s smithy, and gave him the pieces of the broken sword.

“Will nothing else satisfy you?” asked Regin. “This sword, that I fashioned long ago, brought death to your father’s father, and to all his sons.”

“With this sword I shall slay the serpent and win the gold,” said Sigurd. “It is too late to turn back from the path you bade me take.”

When the moon of May was full, Sigurd again sought Regin at midnight. The dwarf was worn and pale, but he said, “I have done as you wished,” and gave Sigurd the welded sword.

Sigurd raised it high above his head, as his father raised it, when he drew it from the Branstock. Then, as he struck a fearful blow upon the anvil, he shouted for joy; for he held the sword, unhurt in his hand, while the anvil was cut in two.

Then Regin took his harp, and sang about making the sword, which he called the Wrath of Sigurd. He sang of how he had forged it long ago, and how he had welded and wrought it again.

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