![]() Sigurðr then ate some of Fáfnir's heart and kept the remainder, which would later be given to Guðrún after their marriage. However, Sigurðr, having tasted Fáfnir's blood while cooking the heart, gained knowledge of the speech of birds and learned of Reginn's impending attack from the Óðinnic (of Óðinn) birds' discussion and killed Reginn by cutting off his head with Gramr. Corrupted by greed, Reginn planned to kill Sigurðr after Sigurðr had cooked Fáfnir's heart for him to eat and take all the treasure for himself. Reginn then returned to Sigurðr after Fáfnir was slain. Fáfnir warns Sigurðr that all who possess the gold will be fated to die, but Sigurðr replies that all men must one day die anyway, and it is the dream of many men to be wealthy until that dying day, so he will take the gold without fear. Sigurðr tells Fáfnir that he will go back to the dragon's lair and take all his treasure. Fáfnir figures out that his own brother, Reginn, plotted this, and predicts that Reginn will also cause Sigurðr's death. Sigurðr, undaunted, stabbed Fáfnir in the left shoulder as he crawled over the ditch he was lying in and succeeded in mortally wounding the dragon.Īs the creature lies there dying, he speaks to Sigurðr and asks for his name, his parentage and who sent him on such a dangerous mission. The earth quaked and the ground nearby shook as Fáfnir appeared, blowing poison into his path as he made his way to the stream. As Sigurðr dug, Óðinn appeared in the form of an old man with a long beard, advising the warrior to dig more trenches for the blood of Fáfnir to run into, presumably so that Sigurðr does not drown in the blood. Reginn then ran away in fear, leaving Sigurðr to the task. ![]() Reginn instructed Sigurðr to dig a pit in which he could lie in wait under the trail Fáfnir used to get to a stream and there plunge his sword, Gramr, into Fáfnir's heart as he crawls over the pit to the water. Reginn plotted revenge so that he could get the treasure and sent his foster-son Sigurðr to kill the dragon. ![]() Fáfnir also breathed poison into the land around him so no one would go near him and his treasure, wreaking terror in the hearts of the people. He became very ill-natured and greedy, so he went out into the wilderness to keep his fortune, eventually turning into a serpent or dragon (symbol of greed) to guard his treasure. Loki fulfilled the task by gathering the cursed gold of Andvari as well as the ring, Andvaranaut, both of which were told to Loki as items that would bring about the death of whoever possessed them.įáfnir then killed Hreiðmarr to get all the gold for himself. Hreiðmarr and his remaining two sons then seized the gods and held them captive while Loki was made to gather the ransom, which was to stuff the otter's skin with gold and cover its outside with red gold. The gods came to Hreiðmarr's dwelling that evening and were pleased to show off the otter's skin. Loki killed the otter with a stone and the three Æsir skinned their catch. Reginn recounts to Sigurðr how Óðinn, Loki and Hoenir were traveling when they came across Ótr, who had the likeness of an otter during the day. Some versions are more specific about Fáfnir's treasure hoard, mentioning the swords Riðill and Hrotti, the helm of terror and a golden coat of chainmail. He is the strongest and most aggressive of the three brothers. He guards his father's house of glittering gold and flashing gems. In the Icelandic Vǫlsunga saga (late 13th century), Fáfnir is a dwarf with a powerful arm and fearless soul.
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