The Story of Sigurđ the Dragonslayer
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The Story of Sigurđ the Dragonslayer focuses on the early life of Sigurđ, son of Sigmund. While I have simplified the plot and tried to make the narrative more accessible to a modern audience, the retelling remains faithful to the original saga.
Prologue
In the aftermath of Chieftain Siggeir’s betrayal, the Volsung clan struggled to survive the winter. Sigmund, one of the warriors who had died avenging the death of Chieftain Volsung, had left behind a wife called Hjordís and a son named Sigurđ. Not long after Hjordís heard the news about her husband, she took ill and died.
Sigurđ was now all alone in the world. Regin, who had been a great admirer of Sigmund, took in the boy. The dwarf gave Sigurđ food and shelter, and in return, Sigurđ helped him in the smithy. Regin was very wise and taught Sigurđ many things. In the evenings, he would often tell Sigurđ stories of his father’s many great deeds.
One evening, while they ate, Sigurđ said to Regin, ‘You have told me many stories of my father’s greatness, but you too are a great man.’ He put his bowl of steaming chicken stew back down on the table. ‘Tonight, I would like to hear some of your stories.’
