3-5“The Lay of Helgi Hjorvardsson” Stanza 12–30

The Giantess Who Turned to Stone at Dawn

Why did a giantess become a landmark for the harbor?

One night, Helgi and Atli's fleet lay anchored in a bay. As Atli stood watch, the giantess Hrimgerd called to him. Shields lined the ships. She wanted to know the name of the king aboard.

When Atli answered, a fierce quarrel began. Hrimgerd challenged him to come ashore and test his strength against hers. Atli replied that he would not go until his companions woke and took over the watch for the king.

The giantess called to Helgi too. She demanded that he let her sleep beside him for a night to make amends for killing her father. She also said that a maiden adorned with gold was protecting the fleet, preventing her from killing the king's men. Helgi answered with questions of his own, and they went on talking.

At last, a voice called out to look east. Dawn had come. Kept talking by Atli, Hrimgerd stood turned to stone. The fleet floated safely in the bay. She became a landmark for the harbor, and people laughed at her.

Illustration of The Giantess Who Turned to Stone at Dawn