Helgi

Also known as: Helgi Haddingiaskadi / Helgi Hundingsbani · Family: Volsungs · Role: prince · First appears: Elder Edda · The First Lay of Helgi Hundingcide · Part 1

In the First Lay of Helgi Hundingcide, Borghild gave birth to Helgi at Bralund, and he was identified as Sigmund’s son when a day old. He was named and given lands and a sword as Sinfiotli’s brother. At fifteen, he caused Hunding to fall, ending his rule, and slew Alf (son of Hunding), Eyiolf, Hiorvard (son of Hunding) and Havard, sons of Hunding. After Hodbrodd was promised to Hogni’s daughter, Helgi sent messengers to seek reinforcements; at Frekastein, he defeated the chief who had caused the dread warrior’s death, while Sigrun came from heaven to protect him in battle.

In the Second Lay of Helgi Hundingcide, Helgi was fostered by Hagal, slew King Hunding, and was thereafter called Helgi Hundingsbani. Sigrun declared her love for him and said she had broken her father’s promise to Hodbrodd; Helgi told her, “Thou shalt, young maiden! live with me”. While warring against Hunding’s sons at Logafioll, he slew Alf (son of Hunding), Eyiolf, Hiorvard (son of Hunding) and Hervard. He obtained Sigrun, and they had sons, but Helgi did not live to old age: at Fioturlund, Dag pierced him with a spear, and he fell.

A mound was raised for Helgi, and at Valhall Odin offered him rule over all jointly with himself. At nightfall, Sigrun entered the mound to him; the following evening Helgi rode away while she returned to her habitation. They were said to have been regenerated: he as Helgi Haddingiaskadi and she as Kara, Halfdan (father of Kara)’s daughter.