The House of the Wolfings · Chapter
How the Dwarf-Wrought Hauberk Was Brought Away from the Hall of the Daylings explained
Early in the morning after the tidings of the Battle in the Wood, a man claiming to be Thorkettle of the Wolfings arrives at the Dayling abode.
What happens
Early in the morning after the tidings of the Battle in the Wood, a man claiming to be Thorkettle of the Wolfings arrives at the Dayling abode. He says Thiodolf has sent him to retrieve the Dwarf-wrought Hauberk left in their treasury. An old woman fetches the hauberk and gives it to him without waking Agni. Old Asmund, however, is suspicious and heavyhearted, foreseeing ill. It is revealed that the seeming Thorkettle is actually the Wood-Sun in disguise, using her shape-changing power.
Themes in this chapter
Ritual and Custom
The careful handling and retrieval of the Dwarf-wrought Hauberk from the Dayling treasury underscores the ritualistic importance of heirlooms and the customs surrounding their transfer.
Fate and Prophecy
Asmund's foreboding and his speech about the Gods' designs highlight the theme of fate and the sense of impending doom.
Sacrifice and Loss
The removal of the hauberk from its safe-keeping portends future battle and loss, as Asmund fears the kindreds may suffer ill.
Characters to notice
- Thorkettle
Arrives at the Dayling abode claiming to be sent by Thiodolf to retrieve the Dwarf-wrought Hauberk; later revealed to be the Wood-Sun in disguise.
- Wood-Sun
Takes on the likeness of Thorkettle to retrieve the Dwarf-wrought Hauberk from the Daylings; her shape-changing craft is noted.
- Asmund the Old
Witnesses the departure of the false Thorkettle and is heavyhearted, foreseeing that the Gods are devising ill for the kindreds.
- Agni
Mentioned as the one who would know Thiodolf's ring, but he is asleep and not awakened during the exchange.
Key passages
“Strange are the hands that have passed over thee, sword-rampart, and in strange places of the earth have they dwelt! For no smith of the kindreds hath fashioned thee, unless he had for his friend either a God or a foe of the Gods.”
The carline marvels at the hauberk's otherworldly origin, suggesting it was made by a being beyond mortal smiths—either a god or an enemy of the gods.
Highlights the supernatural nature of the dwarf-wrought armor.
“Fear they that the Folk-wolf, growing as the fire from out the spark Into a very folk-god, shall lead the weaponed Mark From wood to field and mountain, to stand between the earth And the wrights that forge its thraldom and the sword to slay its mirth?”
Asmund wonders if the Gods fear that Thiodolf will become a godlike leader who will defend the Mark against those who would enslave it.
Reflects Asmund's prophetic anxiety about Thiodolf's rising power and the gods' jealousy.