Once Fafnir the dwarf took the form of a dragon to guard the treasure, for which he had killed his father, the dwarf king Hreidmar, his brother Regin, who helped plot against their father, left the kingdom and nursed a grudge against the dragon. Regin wanted to get the treasure for himself but knew he needed a hero to kill Fafnir the dragon. That hero would be Sigurd, son of Sigmund.
The Bargain to Kill Fafnir
Regin took Sigurd into his home and treated him like his own child. In truth, Regin was grooming Sigurd to kill Fafnir. Regin was still a master smith, beyond human smithing capabilities. He made a bargain with Sigurd. Regin would forge a sword strong enough to kill a dragon if Sigurd would kill Fafnir with the sword. Sigurd swore the oath, and the vow was made.
Regin forged the sword, which he named “Gram.” Sigurd tested the sword at the forge and clove Regin’s anvil in twain. With Regin’s part of the bargain met, Sigurd was ready to fulfill his oath. Regin and Sigurd began the journey to slay Fafnir the dragon.
The Journey to Fafnir’s Realm
Odin watched their progress from Asgard and decided to help Sigurd in his quest. The god met the hero in forest and gave him an offspring of Sleipnir, Odin’s own eight-legged horse. The steed’s name was Grani, and its mane was light-filled.
Regin and Sigurd journeyed for seven days. When they slept at night, they could hear the howls of wolves and other animals, but the light from Grani’s mane kept the wild creatures at bay. On the eighth day, the travelers emerged onto a barren plain, and on the ninth day, they faced a wall that was tall and endless. Fafnir’s lair was just beyond the wall.
They climbed the wall and could see Fafnir in the distance. The great dragon wore the helm of terror, which frightened Regin. He asked if they should turn back. Sigurd gave leave to Regin but vowed to kill Fafnir the dragon before sundown.
Sigurd Meets Odin Again
It was a clear day until Sigurd came to a river that blocked his path. The river became shrouded in fog. A boat emerged from the fog, and the boatman asked who would cross the river.
Sigurd gave his name and his task.
The boatman brought him on board and asked how he would kill the beast. When Sigurd said he would do so with the sword forged by Regin, the boatman laughed. Fafnir could breathe poison, shoot lightning bolts from his eyes, and was covered in impenetrable scales. The dragon also wore the helm of terror. In spite of all this, Sigurd vowed to find a way.
Odin’s Counsel
The boatman, impressed with the hero’s courage, offered Sigurd some advice. Fafnir had worn a trail to the river, from which he drank every day. If Sigurd were to dig a trench and lie there in wait for the dragon, he could strike at the creature’s soft underbelly as it passed overhead.
When the got to the other side of the river, Sigurd leapt off the boat and turned to thank the boatman. However, both boat and boatman had vanished. Sigurd thought it was Odin helping him once again.
Sigurd dug the trench and waited until morning. When Fafnir the dragon passed overhead, Sigurd stabbed the dragon in the gut and cut him open.
Death of Fafnir the Dragon
The dragon knew his death was at hand. He asked to know who had slain him. Fafnir then imparted wisdom to Sigurd. He also warned Sigurd against the coming betrayal of Regin, who coveted the treasure, though the treasure, by virtue of killing the dragon, belonged to Sigurd. Fafnir dies with these words on his lips.
Regin’s Death
Regin appears on the scene, and the desire for the hoard grows in him. He tells Sigurd that without the weapon, Sigurd would’ve been helpless. Sigurd, however, says that courage was the more important part of the deed. Regin shrugs and carves out Fafnir’s heart, which he instructs Sigurd to cook.
Regin goes to sleep, and Sigurd prepares the heart. During the preparation, Sigurd burns his thumb while testing to see if the heart was fully cooked. He sticks his thumb in his mouth, accidentally getting some in his mouth, which grants him the ability to speak to and understand the birds. The birds warn Sigurd of the dwarf’s impending betrayal and counsel him to cook and eat the dragon’s heart and kill the dwarf where he slept. Sigurd does these things and drinks both the dwarf’s and dragon’s blood.
