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Fornaldar Saga: Asmund the Champion Killer.

The king was named Budli. He ruled Sweden, rich and splendid. It was his custom to value metal working quite highly. He got the most skilful smiths who made treasures for him. He had a queen, and daughter, who was named Hilda. That was until the news that the queen had died, and the king was a widower. It so happened that one evening two men came to the king and went before him with greetings. The king asked who they were: one was named Olius and the other Alius, -- “and we would like to request winter quarters.” He asked if they were merchants, or skilled in sports. They said that they could do skillfully everything that should be expected of a smith. The king showed them to seats and bade them to sit down.

At that time there was a guest messenger with the king, and in the evening the kings smiths came into the hall and showed him their metal work, gold or weapons. They always did that if people came there, for the fame of the king. Everyone praised their metal work except for the guests. They did not say much. There was a highly finished knife among the metal-working. It was told to the king, and he said that he thought that there was no better metal-working.

He called them to him and said: “Why are you so reluctant to praise that metal work which is brought here, or can you do better?”

They told the king that they would try, if he wished, to forge something better.

The king bade them do that, until they succeeded, -- “if you don’t want to be called imposters.”

They said that they would soon prove that this metal work was of little worth, and not good. They stuck the knife in the edge of the table in front of the king, and the knife-edge broke. They told the king take his treasure, and said that they would try to make another knife. The king bade them do so, and they then made a knife and brought it to the king. He tried it on his beard, and took off the beard as well as the skin, so that it took hold in the flesh.

The king said: “That it rightly said, that you are skillful men, and now you shall make me a gold ring,” and they did so and brought it before the king.

He looked at it and said: “It is rightly said, that I have never seen such treasure in one gold ring,” and everyone else said that this was so.

The king took these noble men into his service, and then he said: “Now you shall make me two swords, which are not to be seen as less worthy than your metal work here, and they must cut anything that they strike.”

Olius said that he did not want to do so, and despaired that nothing much would come of it if they were forced, and said that it would be best to prepare something more moderate. The king said that they should do it, whether they were forced or not.

They then set about forging, and made two swords, each one of them, and then went before the king and showed him the swords. The king thought that they seemed promising, “and how do they differ?”

Olius spoke, he said that his would not strike anything that it would not cut, -- “And I think that there will be no flaws in it.”

The king said: “That is good, and we will test how well tempered it is,” and thrust the point into the high seat pillar. The sword was soft, and he then bent it straight in a window frame.

The smith said that this was too great a test for the sword, and said that it was suitable for striking, but not for bending. The king said that it would not withstand blows, if it broke in such a trial. And now he tried the sword that Alius had made, and it rebounded like a slab of wood, and was more promising than the other, although they both withstood the trial, which the king put them to.

The king said: “That is a better one, that Alius has made, although each of them is good, and what characteristics pertain to each?”

Alius said: “Sire, if they come together, then my sword will be ahead, but you may call the choice even.”

Then the king took the sword that Olius had made, and tried to break it, and the sword broke at the hilt. The king ordered him to make a better sword, and he then went angrily to the smithy, and made a sword and brought it to the king. He gave it all of the tests that he had done previously, and it withstood all.

The king said: “Now you have done well, but is there no flaw?”

He said: “The sword is of good iron, but the broken fragment will cause some misfortune, since it will be the death of the most noble of brothers, your nephews.”

The king said: “Your prophecy, most miserable of men; now the brothers shall die, even though they are not noble,” and struck at him, but they had vanished instantly, and took the low road to Hel.

The king said: “Those are great enemies, but we shall make sure that it does not do harm to anyone.”

The king had them make a case for the sword out of lead and let it sink down in Lake Loginn by Agnafit.

Chapter 2: The Birth of Hildibrand, Champion of the Huns

There was a splendid king named Helgi. He was a great warrior. Helgi went with his warships to a meeting with King Budli, and brought him a message that he would be a free-man there, and said that he would be on good terms with him, and invite him to a feast. The king welcomed that. King Helgi went up to the hall and received a good welcome there. The father of King Helgi was named Hildibrand, who ruled over Hunaland.

King Helgi said: “I must make known my desire to you with a request for marriage to your daughter. I will see two advantages to this pact, that I will protect your lands and your kingdom in return.”

King Budli said: “I will answer your errand well with her agreement with us.”

And afterward the matter was brought to her. She consented to an agreement with her father, and the feast was now prepared according to the custom of noble men. King Helgi married Hilda, the daughter of King Budli, and after that they were quite compatible, and King Budli was very much trusted by King Helgi.

He and Hilda had a son, who was named Hildibrand, who was the most handsome of men, and when he could walk, his father, King Helgi, said: “Your foster-father shall be Hildibrand the Powerful, my father, in Hunaland, and it is expected there that you shall have a mighty fate.”

King Helgi then sent the lad there. King Hildibrand thought much of him, and said that he was fine that a champion should grow up there. After that, King Helgi went plundering, and King Budli became too old to rule the lands.

Chapter 3: The Birth of Asmund Champion Slayer

There was a king named Alf, who ruled Denmark. His daughter was named Aesa the Fair. She was well known in many lands for her beauty and for her skill in embroidery. There was a powerful champion in Denmark named Aki. He was quite close to the king, and King Alf trusted him highly.

The king called him to him and said: “We would like to go plundering in the summer, and take that kingdom, which has previously lain unguarded, under our power, and we will gain in fame, if we can get it.”

The champion answered: “Sire, where is the land unguarded?”

The king said: “King Budli is now decrepit from old age, and we would like to take possession of his realm.”

Aki said: “I will not discourage this ambition, and it will be, as before, that after great deeds, you must consider a reward to your friends for their work.”

Then King Alf and his army set out and plundered in Sweden in the realm of King Budli, and they performed many battle deeds in killing and taking of treasure. When King Budli learned that, he gathered together his troops and got a small army, but the aid of Helgi, his in-law, was far away. However, he pursued the matter, and was overpowered, and fell in the battle, and King Alf took his daughter as booty as well as much treasure, and now prepared to go home.

Then Alf said: “So it has been given into our hands, that we have enough riches and treasure, and for your assistance, Aki, I will promise the hand of Hilda Budladottir, although she has another husband.”

Aki said: “What could be a more agreeable reward than this? And I do not think it any worse that she was married to King Helgi before.”

After that, Aki married Hilda, and they had one son. He was named Asmund. He was soon big and strong, and set out raiding, when he could, and brought under his rule many forces of warriors.

Chapter 4: Hildibrand Felled King Alf

Now to turn to the situation, about Hildibrand, his brother, the son of King Helgi, when Helgi fell in plundering. Hildibrand brought under himself a great force, and wandered about widely. He was a relative of that king who was named Lazinus. He was one of the most powerful kings. He came to his in-law with friendly words, and was well received. He then took to ambition, as his power and fame grew.

There were noble and well-born dukes in Saxland. Hildibrand Hunakappi now went to them and said that he wished that they should pay him such honor as he offered or they would, as before, undergo hard conditions. The dukes had a sister, and she had great influence on them, since she was the wisest of them all. They then had a council, and decided what to do.

She said that it would be the best advice to yield to him with tribute, and not to do battle, -- “and it is advisable to lie low, and then turn to resistance when our power is greater,” said that it would happen here as in other places, that he could be vanquished.

Then the dukes said that they would agree to tribute. He said that this was prudent, and they agreed to that. Hildibrand Hunakappi now brought many peoples under his rule. He got news of the fall of King Budli, his mother’s father. He mustered an army anew, and set up an assembly.

He spoke, and said that it was well known how difficult it was to go plundering, and not make suitable arrangements, if they should wage war on Vikings or other men for the sake of little or nothing, and not avenge his mother’s father.

After that, he moved his troops into the realm of King Alf, and said that the Danes knew how to wage war. He had a fire shower down embers and burn widely. King Alf attacked now with his army, and when they met, they battled. Hildibrand Hunakappi had the powers of a berserk, and the fury of a berserk came upon him. Duke Aki was not at this battle, because he was out plundering. Hildibrand Hunakappi advanced against King Alf’s troops, and it was a bad thing to be in his path.. He struck on both sides and attacked, howling, at the king’s standard-bearer. In this battle King Alf fell, and many of his troops, and after that the Huns went back home. Hildibrand was to become the most renowned of all the men there. He stayed at his farm in the winter, and plundered in the summer.

Chapter 5: Asmund Got the Good Sword

Now to turn attention to Asmund Akason, who was out plundering, and the Vikings thought him undeviating and hardy in sea battles. There was a man named Eyvind Skinnholl, Danish by birth, a handsome man, rich and bold, and bore himself proudly. When the father and son, Aki and Asmund, came back from plundering, they were informed of the news of the fall of King Alf. They now sat in silence. Asmund did not know of the brotherhood between himself and Hildibrand, since his mother had not told him anything about it.

Eyvind Skinnholl went to a meeting with Aesa the Fair, the king’s daughter, and said that he wanted to discuss the situation with her. He told her that she knew of his reputation and wealth, his lineage, and prowess. She said that she would have to discuss the answer with her friends.

After that, she took the matter to Aki and Asmund, her foster brother. Aki said that he did not feel keenly about the matter. Then Asmund said: “You will not marry Eyvind, you shall marry me.”

She said: “Foster brother, he now has more honor in the land, and lives more richly, but I would expect that you would have more manhood.”

Asmund said: “Add your luck to mine, and may that be a way for both of us to plan.”

She spoke: “Then I shall marry,” she said, “whoever brings me a fairer hand from plundering in the autumn.”

Then they ended this discussion, and they both set our in plundering as usual, and Asmund took risks often with great danger for great reward and acquired thus treasure and fame, but Eyvind was often with the cooks, and did not let the glove go off his hand.

When autumn came, they both sought a meeting with the king’s daughter, each with his men. Eyvind went first, and asked the king’s daughter to look at his hands.

Aesa the Fair said: “These hands have been well preserved, and are white and beautiful, and have not been stained with blood or made ugly by blows. Let us now see your hands, Asmund,” she said.

He stretched forth his hand, and they were quite red and rather darkened from blood and the cuts of weapons, but when he pulled back his sleeves, they were laden with gold rings up to his shoulders.

Then the king’s daughter spoke: “It will be my decision, everything being considered, that Asmund’s hands are the most beautiful, and you, Eyvind, are denied this marriage.”

Asmund said: “I will abide by your choice, my lady.”

She said: “First you must avenge my father, since by that alone it befits me to marry a man, who drives straight and brings justice to Hildibrand Hunakappi.

Then Asmund said: “How can he be vanquished, since no one conquers him, and what advice do you give about that?”

She said: “I have heard that a sword is hidden in Loginn by Agnafit, and I have heard that there is a curse on it, that if that sword is carried against the one that Hildibrand has, his sword shall yield. And by the lake there lives an old farmer, my friend, and he will help you for my sake.”

Asmund said that he would find that, that he was eager for a marriage with her, if she declared herself in this venture.

After that, Asumund went alone to the farmer and told him of his errand, and the message of the king’s daughter. The farmer gave him welcome. He gazed at Asmund for a long time in the evening.

Asmund said: “Why are you looking at me?”

He spoke of the matter at hand. Asmund said: “How long have you lived here?”

He said that he had lived here all of his days, -- “but I am thinking, that a long time ago, a messenger of King Budli visited here, traveling with Hildibrand to be fostered by King Hildibrand. You seem to be just as handsome as he, and most like him in appearance.”

Asmund said: “I do not know that there is any kinship between us, but what do you know of this sword, where it is hidden, or what great achievement is told of it?”

He said: “I was here, when it was sunk, and I have noted precisely, where it is hidden, and it must still be undamaged, such is my belief.”

Then Asmund said: “I came here at the bidding of the king’s daughter.”

He said that it would be so. He had a large side of bacon and piece of firewood with him.”

Asmund said: “What is that for, farmer?”

He answered: “You will be sufficiently cold, when you come up, although you warm yourself with that.”

Asmund said: “You are very shrewd.”

Afterward they went to the ship, and when Asmund least expected it, the farmer said: “Right here.”

Then Asmund leaped overboard, and dove, and when he came up, he wanted to go down another time.

The farmer said: “You did not raise it, so warm yourself and take a meal,” and he did so.

And the second time that he dove, he recognized the case and lifted something, and went up and warmed himself. And now he dove a third time, and got hold of the case, and brought it to land, and then Asmund struck the case with an axe, and the point of the axe head came off and stuck in the edge of the sword.

Asmund said: You have done well, fellow, and take from me a gold ring for your work, and visit me as a friend if you need to.”

The fellow thanked him well, and they parted. After that, Asmund went home and spoke to the king’s daughter.

She said: “Now much has been accomplished, and you must be a splendid man. Now my decision is at hand: I will send you to those dukes in Saxland, who have lost their lands to Hildibrand, and to their sister, since she is a wise woman, and it is my advice to accomplish there such matters which they will put in your hands, since most will meet with misfortune before you, due to your courage and a good choice of weapons. And then Asmund went away.

Chapter 6: Asmund Comes to the Duke

Now to speak of what was going on in Saxland, that one day the sister of the duke spoke: “A dream has shown me that a splendid man will seek us, who will bring us much good fortune and riches.”

The brothers thought well of that, and on the evening of that day a great man with splendid weapons rode to the hall. The dukes went to meet him and invited him there. He said that he would accept that. They set him between them, and their sister poured drinks and there was a conversation between him and her brothers.

She then said: “We are not much aware of your affairs, but we know that you have a great appearance of nobility, and we believe that something good will come to us from you and your arrival. You must now have heard how we suffered under the tyranny of Hildibrand Hunakappi. We were first burdened with the taxes, and now we must meet every six months for a challenge to a duel with his berserks, and always a farm must stand for each duel. We have thus lost both our men and farms, and now there are no more than twelve of our farms left in the dukedom.”

Asmund answered: “My lady,” said he, “you complain to me of a great loss, and there is a need to stop that storm, and I have come to defend your realm, if I can.” The dukes said, that there would not be much time before a duel would come knocking. Asmund answered: “That will be answered to.” He was now held there in high favor.

Chapter 7: Of Vogg, Hildibrand’s Messenger

Now to speak of King Lazinus and his in-law, Hildibrand Hunakappi.

Hildibrand said: “Has not the time come to attempt a duel with the dukes and their men. Now it should not be difficult to obtain those farms that are left.”

The king said: “It would be better for us to send a man to them and find out if they are easily overcome.”

The man who was sent was named Vogg. There is nothing said of his journey, before he came to the dukes. He went into the hall and before the table, and then said: “King Lazinus and the realm of Hildibrand Hunakappi wish to know, if you wish to come to a duel, or accept without a struggle that which will result.”

The dukes answered: “It has come to that, if you think that we possess too much, that there is little to lose by that except good men.”

Asmund said: “Why do you speak so? Is there not more necessity to hold on, when there is less left.”

Vogg looked at him. Asmund said: “Why are you looking at me so intently?”

He said: “It so happens, that I have never seen another man as worthy as you and Hildibrand are. He is more fair, but you are not more unmanly, and Hildibrand has heard that an unknown man has come here with good weapons, and I must see that sword.”

Asmund said that he could be the judge. He looked at it and said: “Here weapons are like those who own them. It is brighter and better made, but it is not sharper.”

Asmund said that he did not know that, -- “but you must know your mission.”

He said that it was so. Asmund said: “Tell your chieftain, that a man will come to the duel in the service of the dukes.”

Now Vogg rode home, and spoke to the king and Hildibrand.

Hildibrand said: “What answer can you give about the plans of the dukes?”

Vogg answered: “I expect that they will not fail the duel.”

Hildibrand said: “They must be quite hardened by now, or is it because of the unknown man. How did he appear to you? You are clear-sighted.”

Vogg said: “His demeanor is such, that he is well mannered, and quite like you in his eyes, and it seems likely to me that he will appear fearless, and he has a sword the like of which I have never seen, such as you have, and I suspect that it is from the same forge.”

Hildibrand said: “You think much of that man. Do you not think that my sword will be the equal of his sword, or that he will be on an even footing with me?”

Vogg answered: “I do not know whether he is your equal. I do know, that he who battles with him, that he will come in the trial, that he is certainly a strong enough man.”

Hildibrand said: “You speak fully.” Now Hildibrand had one of his champions ride to the duel.

Chapter 8: Asmund Killed Hildibrand’s Champion

And now it is told to Asmund, and now he asks to take his horse and battle clothes.

The dukes said: “We offer you our aid.”

He said that he would come one on one. He then rode to where the duel was to take place, and they rode on with drawn swords, and with the first blow, Asmund struck him in two pieces, threw the pieces out into the river, and then they drifted by the main town of the king.

Hildibrand said: “Our companion is taking a while to get rid of this unknown man.”

Then one man spoke: “Sire,” he said, “here will be an opportunity to see him, as he floats down the river, since he is now in two pieces.”

He said: “Enough of these grandiose thoughts, and let two of our men be drawn up and get him off our hands as soon as possible.”

They said that would not be much work. Hildibrand said: “It will be our gain, if you win a quick victory from him.”

And the next day they rode to the battlefield, two against Asmund.

He said: “Here the berserks have strange rules, since two swords are coming against one, but I am quite ready to deliver victory against you two.”

It seemed to them unworthy to stand two against one but they both struck at him. He drew his shield before him and struck death blows to both. Then he rode back to the dukes, and they greeted him with joy. He said that he thought that he had won back three farms for them in his journey.

Then the sister of the dukes spoke: “Our dreams of this man’s arrival have not gone astray.”

He now stayed there in great honor, and gained great fame from this.

That was now told to Hildibrand, and he said: “It does not seem to me to be surprising, that one man should have victory over two. Now I will send four men against him.”

The champions said that it was evident to them that they would cut him apart in four places, and they now rode to the battlefield with good helmets and shining armor, and sharp swords. Now the news came to Asmund and the dukes. The asked him to ride with as many men. He said that he did not want to do that, and said that it was most likely, that soon there would only be one standing against him, and said that much would be gained if four farms were obtained. And they soon met.

Asmund said: “It is obvious that you consider it of little importance, that you drew up four against one, and you can’t be called champions, but rather assemblymen.”

They were very angry at his words, and attacked him there, and the sword that he bore cut armor and helmets as easily as birch bark, and did not spare the bones or flesh of men, if they were wielded by men who had strong arms and good hearts. They got great wounds from him, and almost at once he then killed the four, and drove the horses out to the river.

Now Hildibrand got news of that, and said: “It is now either that our men are less in battle than we thought, or otherwise he is one of a kind.”

He called to him five of the grimmest champions, said to them that it was not too much to expect them to be victorious over one man. They said that they intended to bring the duel to his court, and give his body to the beasts. Then they went out.

And when Asmund heard that, he said: “Today I intend to work at taking food.”

They said that they thought that he might be expecting too much of himself, but he said that all of his honor would be rewarded. Then they met and fought there, and Asmund struck strongly and repeatedly, and it ended so that he killed them all.

And when Hildibrand heard that, he said: “Soon his hands will become deadened, but he’ll get another battle before long.”

Then there was a great sound of bellowing berserks coming into the hut, upset that one man should be victorious over so many men.

Then Hildibrand said: “Have six of our men prepared, and may they win fame by avenging our men.”

They then went to the duel, and when Asmund heard that, he immediately made ready, and said: “I have a sword that is just as good at killing six men as three.”

And then they met. The champions said that he should let go of his sword and give up.

He said: “Not before my shield has been struck. Don’t you have any need to avenge your men.”

Then they battled, and he attacked fiercely. He knew the same place to strike with the sword’s edge now as before, and although he was wounded, he did not soften the sword blows and struck some apart in the middle. It ended up that he killed them all and then went to the dukes. The realm increased, and lasted forever under them, and there was now talk about that champion in every man’s house.

And yet this news came to Hildibrand and he said: “Our count of men is now insignificant, and what now?”

“Sire,” they said, “there are twenty six left.”

Hildibrand answered: “From now on it will be thought, that this unknown man must be numbered among the great champions, and although our men fall before him like leaves, as we must meet, and shall send yet seven, who have long been in my service.”

Then they prepared. Asmund was now told that there was no time to waste.

He said: “It would be worth a good meal if seven farms were taken.”

Then he went out, and seven champions came against him. Then Asmund said: “Why does Hildibrand send out his men, and he himself sits at home and goads on his underlings against me?”

They became quite angry at his words, and said that he would not come to any trial to fight against Hildibrand. They battled then, and however it began, he killed them all. Then he pushed them out into the river.

And when Hildibrand learned of that, he said: “A greater event has now happened, than we had anticipated. Now eight berserks shall go against him, since none of us should survive, if there is no vengeance.”

Then they bellowed a lot, and bit from the shields, which they took. But Asmund was with the dukes, and this news came to him, that there would be another chance to do battle.

Then the sister of the dukes said: “We have regained the honor that we lost, with more wealth than we had could imagine.”

Asmund said: “We shall risk it if he wants to use the berserks as bait, but they have no power, and it would be better that their kingdom should be merged with our realm, since it was lost unjustly.”

He then rode against them, and when they met, they battled, and the meeting was quite long, and it ended so that he killed them all.

And when Hildibrand heard that, he raged mightily and said: “Such a man is very lucky, who is not brought down by so many men. Now the eleven who are left shall go against him.

And when Asmund heard that, he became silent.

The dukes said: “Now we shall share our troops with you, and you will be the leader, and you will then be victorious, but you will not fight alone against so much dauntless courage.”

Asmund did not answer. Evening, came and men ate and then went to sleep.

Asmund dreamed that a woman stood over him with battle weapons, and said: “What brings this sense of being afraid? You are destined to be the leader of others, and you are afraid of eleven men. We are your prophetesses, and we will give you protection against the men who are battling the dukes, and those who are to strive against you.”

With that, he sprang up and made ready, although most people tried to dissuade him. Then he rode against the champions, and they thought they had his fate in the palm of their hands, and that it would be better for him to go into the hands of Hildibrand than to die. He said that he was not more willing to die than those who he had killed previously, and said that it was certain that there would be great fame in one against eleven. Then they battled, and formed a ring around him, but he was hard to overcome, and weapons did not affect him much. But his sword cut everything before him, and it ended so that he brought death to all of them.

The dukes had followed him, and said that his valor should never be forgotten. He decreed to men that he would not yield, though Hildibrand himself should come against him, who was the most renowned man of that time.

Chapter 9: The Battle of Asmund and Hildibrand

And when Hildibrand heard that his champions had been killed, the fury of a berserk came over him, and he turned to go, and said: “It shall never be said that I sent my men out, but did not dare to fight myself.”

But in this intemperance that had come over him, when he was about to leave, he saw his son, and killed him then. He then drove up along the river Rin against Asmund. He had a shield on which there were marked the many men that he had killed. And when Asmund learned that, he set off against him.

When they met, they battled, and most of the blows were quite hard. When they had fought in great anger for a long time, Hildibrand used his strength and struck at Asmund with all the force of both hands, and when the sword struck his helmet, it broke apart under the sword guard, and the blade went howling down into the river, and he was injured with many wounds. Then he spoke this verse:

“It is difficult to know, What will happen Carried away To a duel. You, Queen bore In Denmark And myself also in Sweden

They were two Keen to slay The gifts of Budli Now one is broken. Which dead Dwarves had forged As none shall Before or after.

I stood at the head With broken shield, They are counted there Eight of their Noble men, Which I was took to death. There lies the beloved Son at the headland, The child and heir, Which I did not get Unwillingly Denied old age.

I ask you, brother, One wish, A wish alone, Do not deny it! You shall wrap me With your clothes, Loss of life I will get otherwise. Now I will lie Having lost life, Conquered by the sword, Wounded by its power.”

Chapter 10: Asmund Married Aesa the Fair

After that, Hildibrand Hunakappi died, and Asmund gave him an honorable burial, although he did not like what he had done. He did not meet any dukes there, and went then to that town, where his mother lived, and Aesa the Fair, the king’s daughter. A man was intending to propose to her. Asmund said, when he came into the door of the hall:

“Their laws Will protect me little That any man Ever told me before, When to the champion The powerful Huns came Eight times For the kings realm.

It was fought one to one And then against two Five and four Dull powers Six and against seven Soon on the field I alone against eight Though I still live.

Then my resolve Wavered in my breast When eleven men The great champion challenged, Until in sleep The goddesses said to me, That at sword-play then I was bound in duty.

Then came the high Hildibrand Champion of the Huns He was not my equal And I marked him Meanwhile With a terrible badge of battle Down beneath the helmet.”

After that, men gave him a good welcome, and he was called Asmund the Slayer of Champions. The king’s daughter asked for forgiveness from him, since she had been the cause of it all, but said that she had been under duress. She was quite impressed by his weapons. And although he had been angry with her, he remembered her love and had his marriage and married Aesa the Fair, but killed her suitor, who was not named. After that, Asmund, the Slayer of Champions, was renowned widely and well-known by name, and there ends this saga.