Brynhild Volsunga

Sigurđ rode a long way, until he rode up on the mountain Hindarfjall
and turned to go south toward Frankish lands. He saw a great light on
the mountain, as though a fire burned there, and it glowed against the
sky. When he came to it, he saw a fortress, and there were flags flying
on top of it. Sigurđ went into the fortress and saw a person sleeping
there on the floor, fully armed. He took the helmet off first, and then
he realized this person was a woman. Her chainmail was as tight as if it
had grown to her skin. He cut the chainmail off, first cutting down the
middle, and then down both sleeves, and his sword cut as if through
cloth. Then Sigurđ told her she had been sleeping long enough.

She asked what had been powerful enough to break her chainmail.
“And who woke me? Is it Sigurđ Sigmundsson who has come, carrying
Fáfnir’s helmet and the sword that killed Fáfnir in his hands?”

Then Sigurđ said, “I am a man of the Volsung family who has done
this, and I have heard that you are the daughter of a mighty king. I
have also been told of your beauty and wisdom, and I want to see them
proven.”

Brynhild said that two kings had fought. One was named Hjálm-
Gunnar; he was old and a great warrior, and Óđin had promised him
victory. The other was named Agnar, brother of Auđi. “I killed Hjálm-
Gunnar in this battle. But Óđin stung me with a sleep-thorn in revenge
for this, and said that I would never again have victory in battle and that
I would have to marry. But I swore an oath in response that I would
marry no man except one who knew no fear.”

Sigurđ said, “Teach me some wisdom in important matters.”

She said, “You know better, but I will teach you gratefully if there is
anything I know that may please you about runes or any other sort of
thing. Let us drink together, and may the gods give us a good day and
grant that you find something useful and wise in my knowledge, and
that you’ll remember what you and I say.”


- Volsunga Saga, Chapter 20