The Smith Who Waited

Who did Volund keep waiting for?

By a lake, Volund and his brothers met maidens who had swan garments. The brothers welcomed them into their home. They lived together for 7 winters. Then the maidens flew away in search of battle and did not return.

The other brothers set off after the maidens. Only Volund stayed at home. He made gold rings set with jewels and threaded them onto a cord of bark. All the while, he waited for his wife to return.

Then King Nidud's men crept in at night. They took just one ring. When Volund came home and counted his rings, he thought his wife had returned and taken it. But when he woke from sleep, his hands and feet were bound in heavy chains.

On the queen's orders, the tendons at Volund's knees were cut. He was sent to an island near the shore. There, he was forced to make all kinds of treasures for the king.

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