The Hero Who Asked About His Future

What would you do if you knew how you would die?

In Gripir's Prophecy, Sigurd visits his mother's brother, Gripir, to learn what lies ahead in his life. Gripir tells him he will slay a dragon alone. He also says that Sigurd will use his sword to cut the armor from a sleeping woman on a mountain. The woman will wake.

Sigurd asks about the more distant future. Gripir tries to stop partway through, but Sigurd insists that he tell him even the painful things, hiding nothing. At last, his uncle begins to reveal the fate that will lead to his death.

In the prophecy, Sigurd and Brynhild exchange vows. But through Grimhild's scheming, he forgets her. Then he takes Gunnar's form and woos Brynhild so she can become Gunnar's wife. Sigurd himself marries Grimhild's daughter Gudrun.

Unhappy with her marriage, Brynhild plots revenge. In time, Gudrun's brothers bring about Sigurd's death. Having heard everything, Sigurd accepts that he cannot escape his fate. He says farewell to his uncle, who has answered as he asked.

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