Kalev

Family: Kalev's House · Role: father of the Kalevide; king in Esthonia · First appears: Canto I · The Marriages of Salme and Linda · Part 2

In Canto I · The Marriages of Salme and Linda · Part 2, the young giant Kalev appeared as a suitor to Linda. Though the widow opposed the match, Linda accepted him. After Salme departed, Kalev drove away with Linda in his sledge, and they reached their home.

In Canto II · The Death of Kalev, Kalev foretold to Linda that their unborn youngest son would be his heir, then fell dangerously ill. Linda sent for the Wind-Magician and the old Soothsayer from Finland, but they refused to help; Kalev died before their messenger returned. Linda mourned him, prepared his body for burial, and raised a cairn over his tomb. Her tears formed Ülemiste järv.

In Canto VI · The Kalevide and the Sword-smiths, the sword commissioned by Kalev was completed after his death. In Canto VII · The Return of the Kalevide, the Kalevide visited his father’s cairn and spoke with his spirit.