Sigurd Fafnirsbane

Sigurd was the King of Neiderland and a legendary knight, most famous for his slaying of the dragon, Fafnir. 
Sigurd would be revived in Armaggedon though he sacrificed his life in the conflict. He would choose to be reincarnated into two different bodies, one would be Sigurd Sigmundson and the other would be Siegfried Sigmundson. The reason he did this was so that each of his wives (who were also reincarnated) would have someone to love (Sigurd for Brynhildr and Siegfried for Kriemhild).
== Biography ==
=== Background ===
The story of Sigurd begins before his birth. Sigurd’s family, the Volsungs, were the Frankish rulers of the Kingdom of Niederland from the capital city of Xanten. Sigurd’s father was the legendary warrior and king, Sigmund, and his mother was Queen Hjordis of Spain, daughter of King Eylimi. Sigmund and King Lyngvi of the Hunding Clan were rivals over Hjordis’ hand in marriage, though she ultimately chose to marry Sigmund because of his fame and wealth, despite him being in his advanced years. Lyngvi swore vengeance (having already had a rivalry with the Volsung clan as Sigmund’s son, Helgi, had killed Lyngvi’s father, Hunding) and things would escalate into a war between Niederland and the Hundings. Sigmund would add Elyimi’s territory to his kingdom after he married Hjordis and ruled for several years in peace. 
Lyngvi and his brothers would launch an invasion of Niederland, with Sigmund and Elymi mounting a defensive force. The combined armies of the Hunding clan outmatched the forces of the Volsungs and Sigmund had grown old, though Sigmund’s honor and pride refused to let him run away from a battle. Even still, Sigmund sent Hjordis, pregnant with Sigurd, and a bondswoman to care for her to hide in the Black Forest with most of his wealth to be safe from the Hundings. 
Sigmund and his men fought bravely and achieved great success. Even with his advanced age, Sigmund slaughtered countless men without reprieve or any signs of stopping. Sigmund fought for hours until a mysterious, cloaked man (actually Odin in disguise) stepped on the battlefield and engaged Sigmund in battle. Sigmund attacked the man, who destroyed Sigmund’s sword (a powerful demonic sword gifted to him by Odin), snapping it in half. The man left, and Sigmund was forced to continue fighting with a mundane sword. Without the magic of the Sword of Odin which took all chances of victory from his opponents, Sigmund was eventually overwhelmed and mortally wounded. Without Sigmund leading the charge, the soldiers of Niederland lose morale and lose the battle, Elymi dying in the process. 
The Hundings then took Xanten and Lyngvi began searching for Sigmund’s legendary treasure and Hjordis, hoping to take both. Unable to find them, Lyngvi angrily ordered his men to scour the kingdom for them and guard each crossroad in the kingdom. Lyngvi and his brothers then split Niederland between them, with Lyngvi taking Xanten for himself. 
Hjordis and her bondswoman snuck to the battlefield when they heard the fighting was over. Hjordis saw a dying Sigmund under a mountain of men he had killed, grasping the pieces of the Sword of Odin. Hjordis attempted to take Sigmund to a healer, though he refused. Sigmund revealed that Odin wished for his death so he could join his einherjar in Valhalla and he had no choice but to accept Odin’s plan. As Sigmund was dying he received a prophecy which he recited to Hjordis. Hjordis would give birth to a son, Sigurd, who would avenge the Volsung clan using the restored Sword of Odin, which will be renamed Gram (representing the righteous wrath of the fallen Volsungs), and continue to use the blade to achieve great deeds that would cement him as the greatest of all heroes. Sigmund then curses the pieces of the Sword of Odin with all of the fury and honor of the Volsungs, transforming the already powerful Demon sword into the greatest of all Demon Swords, and gave it to Hjordis. Sigmund then kissed Hjordis a final time and placed his hand on her womb, lamenting that he would not live to see his son, before passing from his wounds. A Valkyrie named Brynhildr/Brunhild then descended from the heavens and took Sigmund’s soul to Valhalla, taking a second to give a cool smile to Hjordis. A tearful Hjordis and her bondswoman fled back to the Black Forest in hiding for several months.
=== Early Life ===
Hjordis eventually gives birth to Sigurd who she remarked looked exactly like his father and had an unnatural intelligence and fierceness in his eyes. 
One day, Hjordis and her bondswoman saw a Viking longboat traversing a river in the forest. Hjordis and her bondswoman switched clothes and pretended to be each other, believing them to be members of the Hunding Clan. The longboat spotted them as they attempted to flee and the men apprehended them. The men brought the women to their camp where they met their leader, Prince Alf of Denmark. Alf explained that he was not in league with the Hundings, though he had heard of the missing Queen Hjordis and her possession of Sigmund’s treasure. Alf agreed to give the women asylum in Denmark, though he wished for some of the treasure in exchange. Hjordis agreed to the terms and she, Sigurd, and her bondswoman left for Denmark.
Alf and Hjordis eventually fell in love and married. Sigurd was raised in Denmark in the court of King Hjálprek, Alf’s father. Sigurd proved to be unruly and uncouth and was given to Hjálprek’s court blacksmith, the dwarf Regin/Mime, as his foster son and student when he was five years old. Sigurd did not do well under Regin, not heeding Regin’s teachings and often acting antagonistically toward him. At one point, Sigurd drew a sword and cut Regin’s anvil in half (snapping the sword at the same time), before getting in a fistfight with Regin’s apprentices and Regin himself in the process. In a later instance, Sigurd chased a bear into Regin’s home which attacked the dwarf, forcing Regin to defend himself and break his sword killing the beast. Regin (having never liked caring for Sigurd in the first place) finally had enough and kicked Sigurd out into a nearby forest to fend for himself when he was seven. 
=== Living in the Wilderness and Return ===
Sigurd lived in the forest himself for several months, hunting the animals of the forest to eat them. Sigurd eventually came across a group of Christians in the forest who were attacked by a large bear. Sigurd saves the group from the bear and they thank him for it, though he acts contemptuously toward them and leaves. Even still, Sigurd was intrigued by them and continued shadowing them as they traveled the forest, spewing insults and threats whenever they saw him. 
The group is once again attacked, this time by a horde of small dragons. Sigurd once again breaks into action and engages the dragons, though found himself unable to pierce their armored skin. Thinking fast, Sigurd began cutting down the trees of the forest and using the logs to crush and trap the dragons. Sigurd then ordered the Christians to set the logs on fire and they did so, hurting the dragons and melting away their armored scales. Sigurd then cut the dragons down but passed out from exertion and his injuries.
When Sigurd awoke he was in the Christian’s camp and discovered they had been caring for him. Sigurd questioned why they would do so for a stranger who mistreated them, and they answered that it was good to help whoever needed it and they knew that Sigurd was a good person, otherwise he would not have protected them. Sigurd lived with the group for a while, learning how to speak and write in Latin and even converting to Christianity, though he retained his Norse beliefs as well. Sigurd changed from a violent delinquent to a polite and genial boy who desired to help others and do right by his loved ones.
Sigurd would eventually return to Regin after leaving the Christians and apologize greatly for his behavior. Regin was shocked by Sigurd’s behavior but ultimately accepted his apology. Sigurd would begin learning from Regin once more, learning to play sports and chess, and how to read and write Norse runes. When Sigurd was 10 years old, he returned to Hjálprek’s court to make amends with them. Seeing that he had changed, Sigurd was welcomed back to society as a proud member of the family. Sigurd would continue to stay with Regin out of his own volition, trusting him as his foster father and wanting to live in the fringes of the kingdom to have adventures.
=== Grani ===
When Sigurd was 11 years old, Regin began questioning him about the wealth that he would inherit from his deceased father, having a strange fixation about it. Sigurd answered honestly about his father’s wealth and when prompted if he trusted Alf to give him his rightful inheritance, Sigurd could not conceive of his step-father going back on his word, especially with how much Sigurd was beloved by Alf and his brothers.
A year later, Regin devised a test to see if Alf was truly trustworthy. Regin instructs Sigurd to go before Alf and the court and ask the Kings of Denmark for a worthy steed. Sigurd does so and Alf replies that Sigmund’s treasure was rightfully Sigurd’s and agrees to give him a horse, going beyond Sigurd’s request by allowing him to test several of the horses within the stables.
Sigurd began testing the horses, though he was uncertain which was the best for him to pick. As he was riding, he came across a hooded man with a beard (Odin in disguise) and, feeling as though he could trust him, asked the man for advice in picking a horse. The man advises Sigurd to drive the horses into a nearby river, which Sigurd does despite questioning it. The horses all return to land, however, a beautiful gray horse that was not part of the herd also emerges from the river. The hooded man explained that this horse was a descendant of Sleipnir, Odin’s legendary horse and that only a true hero who knew no fear could ride him. Sigurd approached the horse and mounted him, taming him instantly. Satisfied, the man vanished and Sigurd rode back to the capital, naming the horse Grani.
=== Learning of Fafnir and Forging Gram ===
Sigurd would spend the next few years as a wandering warrior, essentially being a proto-knight errant. Sigurd earned fame and glory as a warrior, having a reputation as a handsome, charitable, brave, and powerful man who fought for the benefit of everyone he met. 
When Sigurd was 20 years old, he returned to Regin on a visit. Regin seeing that Sigurd had grown into a fine and powerful warrior had a plan to achieve great wealth. Regin told Sigurd that it was vexing that he had no wealth that he earned himself, only having the inheritance of his famous father to call his own. Regin then tells Sigurd he knows of a way for Sigurd to earn great wealth on his own and truly cement his name as the greatest of all heroes. Sigurd was intrigued by Regin’s words and asked him to explain. 
Regin explained that he knew of a treasure horde guarded by a powerful dragon named Fafnir in the land of Gnita-Hearth (modern-day Westphalia). Sigurd responded that he knew of Fafnir already and that no one dared confront the beast because of its size and power. Regin then manipulated Sigurd by stating that his ancestors would have no doubts about fighting such a beast and that Fafnir would be no greater than a grass snake to them. Regin further added that it was obvious that Sigurd did not inherit any of his ancestor’s valiance. Sigurd was shocked and heartbroken that his foster father would say such a thing to him, wanting to know why Regin would slander him so and try to goad him into such a battle. Regin, seeing that his plan to play to Sigurd’s pride failed, apologized for his words and instead began explaining the true story of Fafnir to Sigurd.
Regin explains that he was the son of Hreiðmarr and the brother of Ótr and Fafnir. Ótr could shapeshift into an otter and best fisherman, Fafnir was the largest of the brothers and the best warrior and also very greedy, while Regin was the greatest blacksmith among them. 
One day the Gods Odin, Loki, and Hœnir came to stay with the dwarves on a hunting trip. While the Gods were hunting they spotted Ótr in otter form and killed him, believing him to be an ordinary animal. The Gods returned to Hreiðmarr’s home and showcased the pelt of Ótr. Hreiðmarr recognized the pelt as belonging to his son and demanded to be compensated for the loss of his child. Odin accepts the penalty and orders Loki (who killed Ótr) to provide the compensation, enough to fill the pelt which had been turned into a bag.
Unbeknownst to Regin, Loki did not want to pay the weregild and remembered a strange pike he saw near a waterfall while hunting. Loki then grabbed a fishing net and caught the pike, which was in truth a shapeshifting dwarf named Andvari/Alberich. Loki demanded that Andvari give him his gold under threat of death. Andvari at first refused, having gone to great lengths to steal from Rhinemaidens and the Kingdom of the Nibelungs (having used a magical helmet called the Tarnhelm he commissioned from Regin), but Loki began to hurt him and Andvari had no choice but to acquiesce, even giving the Tarnhelm to Loki. Andvari attempted to keep his ring from Loki, however Loki noticed and tore it off Andavri’s finger (breaking it in the process) and placed the ring on his own. Andvari then exclaimed a curse on the ring so that anyone who owned it would suffer misfortune and misery until they died. Loki only laughed and left back. 
Loki would return with Andvari’s gold and the Gods filled the bag with the treasure. As the Gods were leaving, Loki had second thoughts about Andavri’s curse and tossed the ring, which he named Andvaranaut, into the bag. Loki then stated that the treasure would belong to one of Hreiðmarr’s sons and would be the death of Hreiðmarr and the other son before leaving with a cackle.
Fafnir, already covetous of the treasure, took Loki’s words seriously and wanted to be the son who would own the treasure. Fafnir made plans to kill his father and brother, eventually killing Hreiðmarr and taking the treasure for himself. Regin escaped, as Fafnir fled into the wilds of Gnita-Hearth and transformed into the infamous dragon he was known as now. Regin would become an itinerant blacksmith before falling into his role as the court blacksmith of Hjalprek.
With Regin’s tale over, Sigurd believed that Regin wanted to settle things with his brother and avenge his father. Sigurd was moved by Regin’s story, and agreed to slay Fafnir, though he requested that Regin make him a sword worthy of fighting a foe as mighty as Fafnir.
Regin agreed and finished making the sword, calling on Sigurd to claim it. Sigurd saw that the sword was very well made but as he tested it, he knew that it was not enough to kill a dragon. Sigurd swung his sword against Regin’s enchanted anvil, however, the sword broke instantly. Sigurd once again asked Regin to forge a better sword so that he could complete the task for him.
Regin would make another sword which Sigurd once again began testing. Sigurd saw the sword was better than the first and swung at Regin’s anvil again. The sword did not break against the anvil, though the anvil was still perfectly intact. Sigurd stated the sword was excellent, but not good enough and asked Regin once more for the best sword he could create, though he still accepted the sword and named it Nothung. Regin stated that the sword Sigurd sought could not be made and was forlorn. Sigurd then remembered a story about his father’s sword and left to meet with his mother to ask her about it.
Sigurd had lunch with his mother and inquired about the story that Alf told him about Sigmund’s famous sword he received from Odin. Hjordis confirmed the sword’s existence and Sigurd requested it. Hjordis, remembering Sigmund’s prophecy, gave him the broken sword and revealed his father’s last words to him. Sigurd gratefully accepted the destroyed Sword of Odin and returned to Regin.
Regin was offended by the task of making the sword Sigurd sought from the destroyed one but had no choice but to attempt it. Regin could not make anything from the sword but was visited by a wanderer (Odin in disguise). The wanderer asked Regin various questions and told him he would have Regin’s head if he failed to answer them. Regin successfully answers all the questions save the last: who could repair the sword? The wanderer explained that only one without fear could reforge the Sword of Odin into the greatest of all swords. The wanderer then stated that he would not take Regin’s head, but instead leave the task to the chosen one who would make the sword.
Sigurd returned to ask for the sword but was shocked that Regin could not complete the task. Sigurd asked to try his hand at completing the job and successfully created a beautiful and mighty sword which shocked both Sigurd and Regin once it was finished. Sigurd began testing the sword, slashing Regin’s anvil and cutting it in half instantly as though he were simply slashing at the air. Sigurd then tested the sword by throwing wool into a nearby river and placing the blade in the stream. The wool that went near the blade was instantly cut in twain, despite Sigurd keeping the sword still. Sigurd was amazed by the weapon and named it Gram. Regin grew fearful having remembered the words of the wanderer, and began making plans to betray Sigurd before he had the chance to kill him.
=== Liberating Niederland ===
Before Sigurd could leave on his mission, he went to his uncle, Gripir, a soothsayer to ask about his fate. Gripir was hesitant to do so but revealed that Sigurd would need to avenge his father and take back Niederland before he hunted Fafnir but warned that Sigurd’s life would take an unfortunate path if he did so. Sigurd believed he was honor-bound to do as Regin said and dismissed Gripir’s concerns. Sigurd went to Regin to inform him that it would be some time before he fulfilled his vow, which Regin allowed.
Sigurd met with the Kings of Denmark and asked them to lend him some men to retake his homeland and avenge his father, proving to everyone the Volsungs still lived. The Kings were impressed by Sigurd’s maturity, determination, and the great deeds he did for them and agreed to lend him the armies of Denmark.
Sigurd and his men sailed to Niederland, meeting with Odin as well. News of the Danish invasion reached Niederland too late, and Sigurd’s men laid siege to the kingdom. Sigurd led his men against the Hundings and won battle after battle, encouraging the people of Niederland to rise against the Hundings and join Sigurd’s side.
Sigurd eventually stormed Xanten well ahead of his army and broke into Lyngvi’s camp. Lyngvi continued to fight against Sigurd, but was no match against the fierce warrior and defeated. Sigurd personally executed Lyngvi by performing a blood eagle, though he felt sorry for his rival and mercy killed him before completing it. Sigurd and his men then purged Niederland of the Hundings, killing the leaders of the clan. Sigurd was coronated as the King of Niederland when he was 21.
=== Slaying Fafnir and Regin ===
Sigurd left a steward to rule Niederland while he left for Denmark to repay the kings and finally complete Regin’s request. Sigurd and Regin then rode to Gnita-Hearth and began looking for clues of Fafir. Sigurd was shocked by the tracks Fafnir left, though remained courageous about his odds against the beast.
Although Sigurd felt he could best Fafnir, he knew he could not do so in a direct fight. Planning with Regin, the two decided to dig a pit under Fafnir’s path so that Sigurd could strike from underneath. As they finished, Regin became increasingly anxious and believed he could feel Fafnir approaching. Regin began panicking and muttering about Fafnir’s blood, though he could not recall what exactly made Fafnir’s blood special. Sigurd saw Regin’s fear and advised him to leave promptly for his own sake.
Sigurd feels Fafnir’s approach and prepares to jump in the hole, but is stopped by a disguised Odin. Odin advised Sigurd to dig into several channels so that it flowed in multiple directions and not into the hole Sigurd would hide in, making it so he wouldn’t drown. Sigurd accepted the advice and did as Odin said as Odin vanished, seeing Fafnir approach from far away. 
Sigurd hid in the hole in wait and struck as Fafnir passed by. The sword gravely wounds Fafnir and the hole fills the hole up to Sigurd’s chest. Fafnir attempts to flee, but his attempt causes the sword to do more damage. Sigurd jumped out of the hole and Fafnir engaged him in battle, though Fafnir’s mortal wound kept him from being as much of a threat as he could have been. After an hour of fighting, during which Sigurd deftly avoided being hit by Fafnir or his poison breath, Sigurd eventually bests Fafnir who concedes defeat. 
Fafnir was amused by his impending death and asked for Sigurd’s name and reasons for fighting him. Sigurd still wary of Fafnir lied and stated he had no family and had no name, simply being a noble warrior who hunts beasts. Fafnir, seeing through Sigurd’s lies instantly, once again asks for his name, family, and reasons for fighting him. Sigurd relents and reveals himself as Sigurd of the Volsungs and states that he simply wants to test his courage against a great beast. Fafnir was amused by Sigurd’s response and lamented that he did not have the Tarnhelm on him to truly test Sigurd’s mettle, though he admitted he did not think that Sigurd would be affected by it. Fafnir then told Sigurd that although he succeeded in killing him, his treasure horde would certainly spell the end for Sigurd. Sigurd replied that all men would die and he had no fear of it, and he would gladly take the treasure.
Sigurd continued to speak with a dying Fafnir, and through his conversation, Fafnir realized that Sigurd was tasked to hunt him by Regin. Fafnir laughed and stated that Regin would also die because of the treasure. As Fafnir dies he warns Sigurd to ride far away as the dead would avenge themselves. Although Fafnir means that the curse of the Andvaranaut will spell Sigurd’s doom, Sigurd misinterprets Fafnir as threatening him and refuses, retorting that he will take all of Fafnir’s gold and repeats that all men die, so he had nothing to fear. Fafnir laughs at Sigurd’s bravery and stupidity as he dies, leaving Sigurd to report to Regin.
Regin sees Sigurd’s success and returns with him to Fafnir’s corpse. Regin feels remorse for the death of Fafnir and says that though Sigurd killed him, he was not blameless. Sigurd attempts to console Regin by stating that he had no part in his brother's death and all the blame should fall on his shoulders, though Regin argues otherwise and is visibly shaken by the deed.
Regin took out a ladle and drank some of Fafnir’s blood, surprising Sigurd considering his remorse for his brother’s death. Regin then took out his sword Ridill (though it was closer to a dagger in Sigurd’s hand) and gave it to Sigurd, telling him to carve out Fafnir’s heart and roast it on a fire so that Regin could eat it. Sigurd was unnerved by the request, but believing it to be a dwarven ritual and not wanting to disappoint his foster father agreed to do so. Regin also gives Sigurd a horn of mead, telling him that he had prepared it for him ever since he forged Gram and that it was to celebrate his accomplishment of slaying Fafnir when no other warrior would dare to face him. Regin then leaves to investigate Fafnir’s treasure horde as Sigurd begins to carve into Fafnir.
Sigurd began to cook the heart on a skewer over a fire and waited for Regin to return. Sigurd checked to see if the heart was cooked with his thumb, accidentally burning it. Sigurd reflexively stuck his thumb in his mouth to soothe it, consuming some of the juices in the process. Sigurd then heard incessant chattering from the wilderness, as though he were in the middle of a busy market. Sigurd hides in a bush and covers his ears from the grating voices, eventually realizing that the voices are from the birds of the wilderness. Sigurd begins testing his newfound ability to speak to the birds and begins tuning them out into manageable levels. The birds sing that Regin would betray Sigurd and that it would be foolish to let him live as Regin would blame Fafnir’s death on him. The birds advised that Sigurd should kill Regin as soon as possible, eat Fafnir’s heart, and take the treasure for himself. Sigurd disregarded these words but was still instinctively wary of Regin. Sigurd attempts to drink the mead that Regin gave him to calm his nerves but notices a strange odor from the mead which he feared might have been a sign it was poisoned. Sigurd dumped the mead in a nearby bush, finished cooking the heart, and took a nap.
Sigurd began having dreams about Regin and the possibility of him betraying him, going over the reasons that he would do so and the evidence for it. Sigurd considered the fact that Regin could resent him for killing his brother and recalled all the times that Regin asked Sigurd about his wealth. Sigurd was also concerned about how hard Regin tried to goad him into fighting Fafnir, which was incredibly suspicious for him to get his foster son to do. Sigurd also thought of the heart and the power it granted him; if a single drop of blood gave Sigurd the ability to speak to birds, what power would the entire heart give Regin? Shamefully, Sigurd was also tempted by the treasure, not wishing to share it with Regin when he had done all the work to slay Fafnir.
Sigurd awoke as he heard Regin sneak up on him. Feigning drowsiness, Sigurd remained on the ground and waited. Regin then pulled out the demonic sword, Dainslief, and hovered over Sigurd. Sigurd instantly lashed out with a kick and jumped to his feet, keeping his hand on his sword. Sigurd pleaded with Regin to reconsider his actions, stating he would forgive Regin for attacking him if he simply stopped. Regin spitefully laughed at him and continued his assault, stating that Sigurd was right, the blame for killing Fafnir was all on his head.
Sigurd continued to evade his foster father’s mad assault, still pleading with him to stop. Regin began ranting to Sigurd about how he knew that Sigurd had always wanted him dead, ever since he was a child. Regin yelled that Odin himself confirmed Sigurd’s hidden hate and that he would kill his foster son before he had the chance to kill him. Seeing that his pleas had no effect, Sigurd rushed forward and disarmed Regin, taking Dainslief in hand and holding Regin at swordpoint. Sigurd tearfully asked Regin to explain himself. Regin explained that he always hated Sigurd, seeing him as a spoiled and ungrateful braggart who was given everything he wanted on a silver platter. Heartbroken, Sigurd was tempted to kill his foster father but stopped himself and simply told Regin to leave his life forever and never return. Regin immediately pulled out another sword, the short sword Hrotti, and struck at Sigurd, attempting to sever his thumb. Although the blade hit Sigurd’s hand, it did no damage and instead bounced off. Before either man could register it, Sigurd instantly lashed out and decapitated Regin. Regin’s head rolled on the ground, his face stuck in an expression of pure hatred and spite.
Sigurd immediately broke down in tears over his actions and mourned Regin’s betrayal and death. Sigurd spent hours crying, before eventually convincing himself that he had no choice in the matter and it was self-defense. Even still Sigurd’s words were half-hearted and he felt horrible about what he did.
Heeding the birds’ advice, Sigurd grabbed the heart and ate it. Sigurd could only stomach eating half of the heart, before stopping and putting it away. Sigurd did not immediately notice a change, though he soon felt a surge of power within his mind and body that he did not have before. The heart gave Sigurd the wisdom and power of a dragon, including the ability to see some things in the future and knowledge of things he shouldn’t know. Sigurd realized that Regin’s blade bounced off his skin because it had been touched by Fafnir’s blood making his skin as hard as dragon horn, thus virtually invincible. Sigurd stripped off his clothes and jumped into one of the channels he dug. Sigurd covered himself in the blood, though he missed a spot in between his shoulder blades which was covered by a lindenwood leaf. Although Sigurd should have noticed the leaf, the curse of the Andvaraut affected him, cursing him to overlook it and thus leaving him with a glaring weak point. Sigurd redressed himself, grabbed the swords Regin brought, mounted Grani, and rode to Fafnir’s cave.
Entering the treasure horde, Sigurd grabbed all the treasure as fast as he could, not wanting to stay there for long. Sigurd put the treasures, including the Tarnhelm and Andvaraut, within the cave into two chests and tied them to Grani before riding out.
=== Hindarfjall and Meeting Brynhildr ===
Sigurd began questioning his next move, rationalizing that he could not return to Denmark after he killed his step-father’s court blacksmith. Sigurd once again heard the birds speak of a keep on Mount Hindarfjall where they stated he would meet someone named Brynhildr who would teach him to be a wise and just ruler. Seeing it as his only choice, Sigurd rode off to meet this Brynhildr.
Sigurd rode for days before eventually reaching the mountain summit. There, Sigurd saw a tower surrounded by walls of flame that only “a man who does not know fear” could pass. Sigurd and Grani leaped through the fire, even encumbered by the treasure without penalty. Sigurd cautiously explored the tower before he reached the top floor where he found a sleeping warrior. Confused, Sigurd removed the warrior’s helmet and discovered that the warrior was the woman he was looking for. Sigurd saw that the woman’s armor had trapped her in the bed and so he cut her out using Gram. 
The woman awoke and introduced herself as Brynhildr. Brynhildr explained her origins and how she had been trapped in the tower. Brynhildr was the daughter of Budil and half-sister to Attila the Hun (through a shared mother). Brynhildr was given to her brother-in-law King Heimir (her older sister, Bekkhild’s, husband) to be raised as his foster daughter in his estate, Hlmdalir. Brynhildr was raised as a warrior and eventually became one of Odin’s shieldmaidens and a Valkyrie. 
Brynhildr was tasked by Odin to look over a duel between King Angar and King Hjálmgunnar, with Odin favoring Hjálmgunnar. Despite her orders, Brynhildr had sworn loyalty to Agnar when she was 12 after he had stolen a magical swan shirt she owned. As such, Brynhildr intervened on Angar’s behalf which infuriated Odin. Odin stripped Brynhildr of her Valkyriehood and used a cursed thorn to curse her into an eternal slumber within the tower until she was awoken by a hero whom she would have no choice but to marry (Odin knowing that Brynhildr had no plans to marry and would hate to be forced to do so). Brynhildr spat back that she would never marry unless her spouse was a man who knew no fear, believing that such a man could never exist.
With her tale done, Sigurd was enthralled by it and Brynhildr’s beauty. Despite this, Sigurd stated that he had no desire to force her to marry him no matter what the Gods said, instead, he agreed to wait until she wished to marry him of her own volition. Thankful for his understanding, Brynhildr gave Sigurd advice on how to be a great king and taught him runic magic. 
Years would pass and the now 25-year-old Sigurd had been traveling with Brynhildr on many adventures when he wasn’t on business in Xanten, though she remained in her home in Hindarfjall. Brynhildr had truly fallen in love with Sigurd and agreed to marry him. Sigurd and Brynhildr then traveled to Hlmdalir to get Heimir’s blessing to wed which he granted thanks to Sigurd’s bravery and fame.
The night before their marriage, Brynhildr received a vision that their marriage would end in tragedy, leading Sigurd to marry another woman and die of betrayal. Sigurd comforted Brynhildr as she revealed her fears to him, stating that his love for her would triumph over all and nothing would keep them apart. Sigurd then gave Brynhildr Andvaraut, unaware of its curse and believing it only to be a beautiful ring. Bryndhildr loved the ring and treasured it as a precious gift from the man she loved. Sigurd and Brynhildr married the next day and were happy. Brynhildr would soon give birth to Aslaug.
=== Worms and Losing his Memory ===
When Sigurd was 28, he came to the city of Worms in the Kingdom of the Burgundians while traveling and met King Gjuki/Gebiccca and Queen Grimhild/Ute. Sigurd asked to be allowed to rest in their castle for some time before he left on his travels once more and Gjuki accepted his request. At the same time Gjuki and Grimhild’s daughter, Kriemhild/Gudrun, had a dream that Grimhild, a skilled sorceress, interpreted as meaning that Kriemhild would marry Sigurd. Seeking her daughter’s best interest and believing that a man as rich, brave, powerful, and respected as Sigurd would be a boon for her kingdom, Grimhild made plans to make Sigurd fall for Kriemhild and marry her.
As Sigurd was sitting with Gjuki and two of his sons, Giselher and Gernot/Guthormr, Grimhild arrived with a potion that would make Sigurd forget about Brynhildr and Aslaug and fall for Kriemhild. Sigurd drank the potion and instantly fell ill, excusing himself from the table and returning to his quarters. Although Sigurd knew something was wrong he could not tell what. Despite initially planning to leave in the morning to return to his kingdom, Sigurd asked to extend his stay and would aid Gjuki, Giselher, Gernot, and their vassal Hagen von Tronje/Högni (who was Giselher and Gernot’s maternal half-brother) in battle. Sigurd would also tell the four of his past and his abilities as a warrior. During the battle, Sigurd was stabbed in the back in his weak spot, narrowly avoiding a serious injury. Sigurd realized that part of his skin was still human and Hagen witnessed the act, taking note of it. Sigurd would swear an oath of friendship with Gjuki and Giselher, though Gernot was too young and Hagen was not present. Sigurd would eventually leave Worms for home.
Sigurd would return to Xanten and meet Brynhildr, though he did not recognize her or Aslaug. Brynhildr tried desperately to get Sigurd to remember them and his oath, though he could not and he became incredibly concerned about the manic woman in his palace. Heartbroken, Brynhildr fled to Iceland with Aslaug to mourn the loss of her beloved leaving behind a bemused Sigurd who felt sad for reasons he could not understand.
=== Nibelungen ===
A year later, Sigurd would travel through the Rhineland when he came across two dwarves fighting. Sigurd got involved in the conflict and learned that they were brothers named Nibelung and Schibung and they were the Kings of the Nibelungen, a tribe of dwarves who lived underground, and they were fighting over how to divide their treasure horde, the Rhinegold. The two brothers then asked Sigurd to divide the treasure horde equally between them as he was an outsider with no bias and offered to give him the Holy Sword Balmung as payment.
Sigurd agreed to their terms, however, as he began his work the two brothers immediately began fighting which spiraled into open warfare, with Sigurd caught in the middle. The combined forces of the Nibelung numbered about 700, though by the end of the battle Sigurd was the only one left standing. Although severely outnumbered, Sigurd’s skill, strength, and speed far surpassed all the Dwarves, Balmung proved incredibly useful in felling all who attacked him, and his dragon-scale skin rendered their weapons useless.
Sigurd then heard rustling within the treasure horde and investigated. Within a pile of treasure, Sigurd saw a large dwarf hiding. The dwarf immediately sprinted off and Sigurd gave chase, believing him to be a thief using the battle as an opportunity to steal the treasure. Sigurd grabbed the dwarf by the beard, but the dwarf struck Sigurd in the solar plexus which knocked the wind out of him. 
The dwarf escaped Sigurd’s grasp, donned a cloak of invisibility/strength named Tarnkappe, and vanished from view. Although invisible, the dwarf’s footsteps disturbed the piles of treasure on the ground, allowing Sigurd to calculate where he was and tackle him. Sigurd ripped the cloak off the dwarf’s shoulders and held him at swordpoint before the dwarf could grab his knife.
Sigurd began questioning the dwarf who revealed his name was Alberich. Alberich stated that he was the original owner of the Rhinegold, but had been captured by the Nibelung's previous king and forced to cede his gold them and watch over it at threat of death. Alberich swore fealty to Sigurd and told him that he was now the King of the Nibelungen and owner of the Rhinegold. Sigurd accepted and merged the treasure he claimed from Fafnir and the Rhinegold into a singular hoard, unknowingly completing the original Rhinegold treasure. Sigurd made the Nibelungen vassals of Niederland and left Alberich to guard the Rhinegold and manage the kingdom while Sigurd handled his business elsewhere. Sigurd also took the Tarnkappe for himself.
=== Meeting and courting Kriemhild ===
A year later, Sigurd would travel to Worms to attend the funeral of Gjuki and the subsequent coronation of his sons, Gernot, Giselher, and Gunther/Gunnar as the Kings of the Burgundians. Sigurd reaffirmed his oath of friendship with Gernot and made a new one with Gunther, who as the eldest son of Gjuki was the most powerful of the Burgundian kings. Gunther who was unmarried and had no children made Sigurd his heir apparent and effectively made Sigurd his co-king. Sigurd agreed to Gunther’s proposal, though asked to meet with his sister Kriemhild, having heard stories of her immense beauty and intelligence. While Gernot and Giselher were willing, Gunther refused on the advice of Hagen and because Kriemhild had sworn to never take a husband because of her mother’s prophecies. While saddened about the denial, Sigurd acquiesced and decided to remain in Worms for some time to get to know the land.
A year later, Burgundy was under invasion by a combined force of Saxons and Danes led by a pair of brothers, Kings Ludgar and Ludgast respectively. Gunther called upon Sigurd to help fight back the invaders. Sigurd would take an army of 1000 to fight against the combined force of 40 thousand. Despite being outnumbered, Sigurd still won the battle and captured both Ludgar and Ludgast. Sigurd recognized the brothers and they recognized him from Sigurd’s time in Denmark. Seeing that he had allied with the Burgundians, the Ludgar and Ludgast agreed to peace with them and swore fealty to Sigurd and Gunther. As thanks for his service, Sigurd was allowed to court Kriemhild. Although Kriemhild had sworn to never marry, she was interested in meeting Sigurd and agreed to meet with him.
Sigurd and Kriemhild almost immediately became close and enjoyed each other's company immensely. Sigurd and Kriemhild began courting soon after meeting, and all could tell that they were very deeply in love with one another with Sigurd planning on marrying her soon.
=== Slaying the Dragon of Drachenstein ===
One day when Sigurd left Worms to attend to matters in his kingdom, Kriemhild was kidnapped by a dragon, taking her to its lair on Mount Drachenstein. Sigurd is alerted to this by a messenger sent by Gunther and he immediately rides off to the mountain to rescue her.
Sigurd would arrive at Drachenstein and was met by Eugel, the King of the Dwarves of Mount Drachenstein. Eugel recognizes Sigurd as a famous hero and dragonslayer but informs him that the Dragon is a demonic entity from Hell and much more powerful than anything Sigurd had faced before. Eugel tells Sigurd that he cannot face the dragon and live, though Sigurd disregards Eugel’s warning and strove to bring the demon to justice and save the woman he loves.
Seeing that Sigurd could not be swayed, Eugel decides to aid Sigurd in the quest. Eugel informs Sigurd that the dragon gave a giant named Kuperan the keys to the mountain and sovereignty over the dwarves whom he made into his slaves. Sigurd tracked Kuperan down in his home and engaged him in battle.
Although Kuperan is large and mighty, he is no match for Sigurd who wounds him. Kuperan begs for mercy and Sigurd agrees in exchange for his assistance in freeing Kriemhild and the Dwarves. Kuperan agrees, however, as they ride through the forest, Kuperan attacks Sigurd when his back is turned, slamming him through several trees and hills, knocking him unconscious, and stealing Balmung from him. 
Eugel grabs Sigurd’s Tarnkappe and uses it to hide him from Kuperan, though he is unable to retrieve Balmung. After some time, Sigurd regains consciousness and he hunts down Kuperan once more. Sigurd once again defeats Kuperan in battle, and though tempted to kill him he forces Kuperan to aid him as he can not save Kriemhild without him.
Sigurd, Kuperan, and Eugel enter the lair within the mountain and Sigurd sees Kriemhild in a cage. Kriemhild is ecstatic to see Sigurd, she tells him that she cannot be freed without slaying the dragon who will transform into a demonic male within five years thanks to a curse, and plans to rape Kriemhild and drag her to Hell with him. Sigurd is enraged by this and realizes that Balmung, a holy sword, can aid him in dispatching the dragon. Sigurd forces Kuperan to tell him where he put his sword.
Kuperan tells him that he stored it in the Dragon’s treasure horde (in reality the treasure that Kuperan and the Dragon stole from Eugel’s kingdom) and guides him there. While on the way, Kuperan suddenly attacks Sigurd once more, attempting to throw him into a deep pit in the floor to die. Sigurd manages to break from Kuperan’s hold and calls upon his draconic might and the power that Tarnkappe gives him to wrestle with Kuperan and send him into the pit, where the giant dies.
Sigurd takes some time to recuperate when the Dragon returns to the lair. The Dragon is infuriated to see Sigurd attempting to rescue Kriemhild as he needs her to return to human form after he was cursed by Mephistopheles to become a demonic dragon.  The dragon launches torrents of fire at Sigurd, though he takes shelter in a hole. Sneaking through the labyrinthine lair, Sigurd finds Balmung but it is surrounded by 60 small dragons who follow the Dragon. Sigurd slays all the dragons with his sword and then engages the Dragon in battle.
During the fight, the Dragon attempts to knock Sigurd into the giant pit with its tail, however, Sigurd grabs onto the tail and begins scaling the beast. Although the Dragon’s scales are incredibly durable, the magic of Balmung allows Sigurd to grievously injure the beast. Sigurd then activates the hidden power of Balmung which allows him to cleave it in two, killing it. 
Sigurd became exhausted from the fight and fell unconscious, awakening later thanks to Eugel. Sigurd frees Kriemhild and Eugel thanks Sigurd for saving his kingdom from Kuperan and the Dragon. As payment, Eugel gives Sigurd some of the treasure and swears fealty to him, adding another kingdom and fortune to his name. Sigurd and Kriemhild return to Worms with great acclaim and feasting. Kriemhild and Sigurd declared their love for each other and began making plans to marry.
=== Wooing Brynhildr ===
Sigurd asked her brothers for permission to marry Kriemhild, and though all were in favor, Gunther had a request he wanted to be fulfilled first. Gunther wanted Sigurd’s aid in wooing the Warrior Queen of Iceland, Brynhildr. Sigurd at first attempted to dissuade Gunther because of his previous experience with her and because she challenged all her suitors to trials and would kill them if they failed. Even still, Gunther was still determined to have Brynhildr as his wife with Grimhild supporting her son’s desire and they knew that Sigurd could help them in the endeavor. Sigurd was very skeptical about the entire operation and was mildly insulted that after everything he did for the Burgundians, they still asked more of him but he wanted to marry Kriemhild the right way and decided to go along with it, though he was extremely unhappy.
Sigurd and the Burgundians began making plans to depart and were seen off by Grimhild and Kriemhild. While Kriemhild pleaded for Gunther not to court such a dangerous woman, Gunther would not change his mind. Grimhild also gave Gunther a potion that would allow him and Sigurd to trade shape for a while in case they needed it. Sigurd then came to speak to Kriemhild stating that he would make sure that Gunther would be safe no matter what and that they would return so he and Kriemhild could be married if she wished. Sigurd boarded the Burgundian’s boat as they left for Iceland, leaving a blushing Kriemhild praying for their safe return.
The group first arrives in Hlmdalir to get Heimir’s blessing for Gunther to wed Brynhildr. Heimir was aware of the prophecy regarding Brynhildr and Sigurd’s marriage, and though unhappy with it stated that if Gunther could win Brynhildr’s hand then there was nothing he could do to stop him. With permission granted, the Burgundians then left for Iceland properly.
After weeks of travel, the Burgundians arrived in Iceland and Brynhildr’s castle, Eisenstein. Sigurd and the Burgundians put together a plan to get Gunther to successfully woo Brynhildr. Knowing that Sigurd had much more prestige and power than Gunther, Sigurd stated that he would pose as Gunther’s vassal which would make him seem incredibly powerful and impressive. Gunther then suggested that Sigurd use his Tarnkappe and magic so that he could help Gunther complete the trials. While disgusted by the breach of honor, Sigurd reminds himself it is so he can marry Kriemhild and agrees.
The Burgundians entered Eisenstein, though they were forced to leave their arms and armor outside as none were allowed to carry them within except for the 500 guards within. Brynhildr welcomed the travelers warmly, though she assumed that Sigurd was the head of the group and her suitor (believing that Sigurd had his memories returned to him and wished to marry her once more). Sigurd responded that he was not there to ask for Brynhildr’s hand in marriage, but instead there to support his lord, Gunther, who was her real suitor. Brynhildr was visibly disappointed by this and even more so with the knowledge that Sigurd still did not remember her. 
Brynhildr stated that she would only marry a man without fear and stated that if Gunther could pass all her trials, she would agree to marry him. However, if he failed to beat her then Gunther and his entire entourage would be killed. While the party was frightened by Brynhildr’s words, Gunther (with the emotional support of Sigurd) responded that he would happily take any challenge she came up with because of his love for her.
Brynhildr led the group outside to the courtyard so they could begin the tests immediately after she donned her armor. As the group was going outside, Sigurd snuck off back to the ship so he could grab the Tarnkappe and become invisible without anyone knowing.
The first trial was a javelin throw, though the javelin was incredibly heavy and no normal human could hope to throw it. Although three of the guards struggled to bring the javelin to the courtyard, Brynhildr could easily lift it with a single hand with no problems. Gunther and his terrified were terrified to see Brynhildr’s strength, though an invisible Sigurd came to Gunther and whispered his support to him.
The second trial was lifting and throwing a massive boulder. Once again, although 12 men could barely bring the boulder into the courtyard, Brynhildr demonstrated that she had no problems lifting it with scarcely any effort.
With the materials ready, Brynhildr grabbed the javelin and threw it as hard as she could. The spear went flying and flew a great distance away from the party. Brynhildr then retrieved the javelin and brought it back to Gunther for him to try, though she was so confident that she returned to the field where it landed as she did not believe that someone like Gunther could match her, let alone beat her.
Sigurd told Gunther to mime as though he were throwing the javelin and to keep in contact with it so it looked believable. Sigurd flung the javelin with all his might, with it rocketing past where Brynhildr threw it. So fast was the spear, that Brynhildr narrowly dodged it and it had scrapped against her armor with the sparks lighting up her shocked face.
Shocked and furious that she had been bested in her trial. Brynhildr immediately grabbed the boulder and flung it 72 feet away from her. Gunther once again mimed as though he were doing the actions, while Sigurd lifted the boulder and tossed it 90 feet away without any effort. Brynhildr began having suspicions of how Gunther could accomplish it but continued to the third test.
The third test was a long jump, with Brynhildr leaping extremely far away at an extremely fast speed. Sigurd then grabbed Gunther and began running before leaping, taking his future brother-in-law with him on the leap. Although there were two sets of footprints, Brynhildr was too shocked by what she saw to register it.
Brynhildr was shocked and despondent by what she saw, while Sigurd left and returned without his cloak. Brynhildr asked for a few days to prepare for a fourth and final trial that no one had ever heard of before. In reality, there was originally no fourth trial, however, she wanted time to think about the events and a chance to prevent the marriage she didn’t want.
The fourth and final test was a recreation of Sigurd rescuing her from her tower. Gunther at first attempts to do the trial himself, but neither he nor his horse can overcome the wall of flames. Sigurd then gives Gunther Grani so that they can try again, but Grani immediately bucks Gunther off and returns to Sigurd who scolds him for that but cannot force him to do what he does not wish to do.
Gunther then took out the potion and told Sigurd to drink from it with him. Although Sigurd was even more skeptical of this, he did as he was asked. Both Gunther and Sigurd drank from the potion and traded forms. Sigurd, disguised as Gunther, then mounts Grani and rode through the flames into the tower.
Although Sigurd feels a strange sense of deja vu from his actions, he cannot recall why everything seems familiar and continues to meet with Brynhildr. Brynhildr was despondent to see Gunther accomplish every trial, especially the fourth, as they were designed such that the only man who could complete them was Sigurd. Brynhildr claims the firewall will go out in one day, and until then the two would be trapped in the castle. Sigurd maintained his disguise but pointedly refused to sleep with Brynhildr, using Gram as a marker on their shared bed so they stayed apart. After a day, the firewall goes down and the pair leave the tower.
The party reunited at Eisenstein and Sigurd and Gunther hid in a secluded area to return to their original forms. Brynhildr stated that she needed to call all her vassals to the castle so that she could inform them of her marriage and leaving for Worms and that they needed to wait for them to arrive before they would leave. Fearing that Brynhildr would simply kill them, Sigurd arranged the arrival of the Nibelungen to bolster their numbers. The Burgundians now outnumbered Brynhildr and her vassal armies, and Brynhildr did as she said, arranged for a steward to take over her duties, and sent Aslaug to live with Heimer as she could not take her with her to Worms. As the ships set off for Burgundy, Brynhildr lamented that she would be leaving her kingdom and daughter behind, as well as marrying someone she did not love.
The Burgundians returned to their homeland with great applause and celebration and they were met by Grimhild and Kriemhild. Kriemhild ran into Sigurd’s arms and hugged him desperately, to which Sigurd returned. Brynhildr watched them interact and was both heartbroken and furious that her prophecy had come true and Sigurd loved another woman.
Gunther gave Sigurd his favor to marry Kriemhild and Sigurd proposed to her. An ecstatic Kriemhild accepted with tears of joy and kissed Sigurd, pledging her eternal love for him with Sigurd doing the same. The new couples decide to have their marriage at the same time on the same day, though Brynhildr is unhappy with the decision.
=== Burgundian-Hunnish War ===
Months before the marriages, Sigurd briefly leaves Worms to handle matters in Niederland. When Sigurd returns, Worms is under threat of invasion from Attila the Hun and his vassals thanks to Burgundian attacks on Dietleib of Styria, son of Attila’s vassal King Biterolf of Toledo. Attila wished to avenge the dishonor placed upon Dietleib and to add the great Kingdom of Burgundy under his banner.
Sigurd raises an army to fight against the invaders and recruits Walter of Aquitaine to aid in the battle which he agreed to thanks to his enmity with the Huns. With the soldiers ready to fight against the invaders, they wait until the Huns arrive and camp outside Worms.
Attila’s margrave, Rüdiger, arrives as a messenger and tells the Burgundians who informs them of the terms of battle and the forces on the Hunnish side (including the famous Dietrich von Bern, Hildebrand, Wolfhart, Witege, Heime, and Ilsan), with Gunther telling him the forces of the Burgundian side. Fearful of the war devastating the kingdom, Kriemhild convinces the sides to fight in a tournament in her rose garden instead of a battle. Both sides agree to the terms and begin fighting with Hildebrand arranging who will fight who.
The two sides begin to battle in the tournament, however, things are even on both sides for the most part. Hagen manages to defeat Wolfhart and holds him hostage, however, Walter of Aquitaine and Dietleib both drop out of the tournament as neither wants to fight the other thanks to their kinship (Walter being Dietleib’s uncle).
Sigurd is slotted to fight against Dietrich von Bern, one of the few men able to match his fame and power. Dietrich was wary of facing Sigurd because of his invulnerable skin. Even when Witege gave his sword Mimung to Dietrich which was powerful enough to cut through Sigurd’s skin, Dietrich was unwilling. 
Hildebrand and Wolfhart both chide and insult Dietrich for his cowardly behavior, Hildebrand even striking Dietrich. Enraged, Dietrich took Mimung and faced Sigurd. The two fought evenly for 3 days, neither being able to get the edge against the other thanks to their equal skill.
On the third day, while they were resting for their continued match, Dietrich received news that Hildebrand had been killed in his match. Enraged and sorrowful, Dietrich attacked Sigurd and began breathing fire. Dietrich’s fire breath temporarily strips Sigurd of his invincible skin, though he continues to fight against Dietrich.
Although Sigurd and Dietrich were previously equal, Dietrich’s unending rage gives him a boost which allows him to overpower Sigurd. Sigurd was wounded and yielded the fight, however, Dietrich was still blinded by rage. Dietrich was poised to kill Sigurd, however, Kriemhild leaped in the way to protect her fiance with her body. Before Dietrich could kill them both, Hildebrand (who was merely injured in his fight and needed time to recuperate) arrived and stopped him. 
The chaos of the bout turns the tournament into a real battle that lasts until night. The men then prepare to end things in the fields outside the city. Despite his wounds, vulnerability, and the pleading of Kriemhild, Sigurd decides to lead his men in battle against the Huns no matter what.
The next morning, Sigurd’s forces face Dietrich von Bern’s army and they are locked in stalemate. During the battle, Sigurd is attacked by Heime, however, Sigurd disarms him and takes Heime’s sword, Nagelring. The fight continues for an entire day before night falls. While Sigurd placed Nagelring in his camp, Hildebrand snuck in and stole it back for Heime.
The next morning, the 86 leaders decide to battle each other so their soldiers can rest from the chaotic two-day battle. While Sigurd initially attempts to join the fray, he is stopped by the others and sits back to watch the proceedings. During the fight, Ilsan challenges 52 opponents and single handedly defeats them all, much to the shock of everyone involved. 
While the fight is occurring, Rüdiger breaks into Worms and plants his banner (given to him by Brynhildr) on the gates. With most of his champions defeated or unable to battle and pressure from those in his court, Gunther finally concedes and agrees to become Dietrich and Attila’s vassal. The two sides reconcile and go to Attila’s court to formalize the process. While Gunther and his brothers are vassals of Dietrich, Sigurd and Dietrich recognize each other as equals and Sigurd becomes Attila’s vassal.
=== Marriage and Mistakes ===
Months later, the two couples marry on the same day. Sigurd and Kriemhild are extremely happy together, however, Brynhildr is not. During their wedding night, Sigurd takes the remaining half of Fafnir’s heart and feasts on it with Kriemhild. Kriemhild also gained the gift of draconic wisdom and prophecy from the heart. That night, Sigurd and Kriemhild consummate their marriage with love and passion.
The next morning as Sigurd walks through the castle and muses on his happiness, he spots Gunther hanging hogtied and naked from a rafter in his room. Sigurd entered and cut him down, asking what happened. Gunther tells Sigurd that he attempted to consummate his marriage to Brynhildr, however, she used her superior strength to overpower and tie him up.
Gunther once again asked for Sigurd to him to help in this matter. While Sigurd was very uncomfortable with his request, Sigurd agreed to talk with Brynhildr. Sigurd awkwardly broached the subject with Brynhildr, though she stated that she would only answer if he bested her in a fight. Sigurd agreed and the two began to battle one another. While the fight was long and hard, Sigurd managed to win, pinning her to the ground. As Sigurd had her pinned, Sigurd continued to try and convince Brynhildr to give Gunther a chance, but Brynhildr suddenly kissed Sigurd. Sigurd was shocked and moved back, and Brynhildr then promised to be a good wife to Gunther on the condition that Sigurd slept with her (this being a plan to make Sigurd realize his love for her). Sigurd was uncomfortable with the idea because of his love for Kriemhild and brotherhood with Gunther but had a strong feeling of love and familiarity with Brynhildr that he could not explain. Justifying the act as ultimately fulfilling Gunther’s request, Sigurd tacitly agreed to sleep with her. 
Sigurd and Brynhildr share a passionate and somewhat wild night, with Brynhildr declaring her love for Sigurd in the throes of passion. Sigurd was extremely conflicted by what happened and felt great shame for betraying his beloved wife and brother-in-law. Despite Brynhildr’s hopes, Sigurd’s memories do not return to him and he remains distraught. Seeing that her plan failed, Brynhildr tearfully agreed to uphold her end of the bargain. Before Sigurd left the room, Brynhildr gave him back the Andvaraut, hoping that it would revive his memories. While Sigurd recognizes the ring, he does not know how and he simply pockets it, with Brynhildr crying afterwards. 
Sigurd informed Gunther that Brynhildr would no longer cause any trouble for him with a stony face and left to see Kriemhild. Sigurd told Kriemhild that he wanted to move back to his home in Xanten and take her with him. As they were packing to leave, Kriemhild found the Andvaraut and asked about it Sigurd felt immense guilt and shame about what happened but told her that it was a gift for her. Kriemhild was happy with the beautiful gift and hugged him, making Sigurd even more guilty about his actions and he requested she not wear it until they returned to Xanten (out of fear that Gunther would notice Brynhildr’s missing ring).
Although Kriemhild wanted to make preparations regarding her land and knights, Sigurd was very insistent that she did not. Sigurd still felt shame about betraying Gunther and did not believe it was right for him to take more. Kriemhild tacitly agreed to renounce her lands but still wanted to take her sworn knights with her. This caused some friction among the nobles of Burgundy, particularly, Hagen and his peers who felt that the royals were playing with their lives rather than giving them due respect.
Sigurd and Kriemhild would return to Xanten and live in peace for some time. Sigurd and Kriemhild would have two children Siegmund and Svanhild, while Gunther and Brynhildr would have a son Siegfried (named after the name Sigurd was known to by the Germans). At some point, Sigurd broke down and confessed his sin to Kriemhild. Although heartbroken that her husband had lied to her, Kriemhild eventually forgave him. While they went through a rough patch for some time, Sigurd eventually regained Kriemhild’s trust and love and they became happy together once more.
=== Tragic Feast ===
Years after, Brynhildr was still spiteful that she was trapped in an unhappy marriage while the only man she ever loved was happy in the arms of another. One day, Brynhildr asked Gunther why his apparent vassal, Sigurd, lived in a kingdom far away and gave almost no honors to his liege. Brynhildr stated that such a breach of decorum was terrible unless Gunther was lying about Sigurd serving him when they met. Seeking to salvage the situation, Gunther stated that he would summon Sigurd and Kriemhild for the coming festival to discuss the matter with him.
A 41-year-old Sigurd and Kriemhild would come to Worms, taking their children with them. The family met with the Burgundians and had a feast with them. Brynhildr was even more enraged to see the obviously happy couple. 
Brynhildr and Kriemhild would have a moment alone together to speak. Kriemhild spoke of her youth and happiness that she had married such a good man in Sigurd, though Brynhildr scornfully snorted. Kriemhild inquired about what was so funny. Brynhildr stated that if Sigurd was so great he would not be a lowly vassal to Gunther (barely containing her rage against the woman who stole her husband from her and seeking any ammunition against her). While Kriemhild retorted that Sigurd was not Gunther’s vassal but his superior in rank. The two stated they would settle the matter in the festival’s feast.
As the parties walked to the feast, Brynhildr and Kriemhild continued their argument, especially over who would enter the hall first. During the argument, Brynhildr saw the Andvaraut on Kriemhild’s finger and froze. Kriemhild held up her hand and stated that Sigurd told her the truth of what happened. Kriemhild then called Brynhildr a whore whom Sigurd would never love no matter what she did. Brynhildr broke into tears and fled upon hearing those words, knowing that Sigurd’s love for her had been lost and that the symbol for that love was given to another. Rumors soon spread about what happened, especially that Sigurd had slept with Brynhildr.
Gunther rushed out of the hall when he heard of the confrontation and met with Sigurd who had not yet arrived. Gunther confronts Sigurd about what happened between him and Brynhildr, though Sigurd denies ever having slept with her. Sigurd told Gunther that they should speak to their wives and that Sigurd would publically address the rumors in court. Sigurd told Gunther that they were as though brothers and he did not want to lose their relationship. Before agreeing, Gunther once again asked Sigurd if he had slept with his wife. Sigurd once more denied what happened. Gunther then left to speak with Brynhildr, while Sigurd went to talk with Kriemhild.
At their home, Brynhildr confronted Gunther about the deception, ranting that she never loved him and had only ever loved Sigurd. After his wedding, Gunther accidentally revealed what his mother had told him, that Grimhild had given Sigurd a love potion so he would forget about Brynhildr and fall in love with Kriemhild. Enraged, Brynhildr attacks him, ranting about how she would get her vengeance on his entire family. Gunther narrowly escapes the attempt and flees to Sigurd and Kriemhild. Gunther explains the situation to the pair which unlocks Sigurd’s memories of Brynhildr. 
Sigurd confronts Brynhildr, and the latter tearfully declares her love to him but also states that she hates him for being taken away from her. Sigurd admits that part of him will always love her, but he also loves Kriemhild and simply can’t bring himself to leave her. Brynhildr broke down completely and fled into the wilderness. Sigurd attempted to give chase but lost her, Sigurd broke down in the forest and wept for the loss of someone he loved and the situation his mistakes put him in.
As Sigurd walked through the forest, he eventually found himself near the Rhine. Sigurd then heard three maidens singing and, despite his sadness, investigated. Sigurd saw the Rhinemaidens who began flirting with him, though he tells them to stop as he is married (and because he believes his libido got him in this situation in the first place). The Rhinemaidens tell Sigurd a story about the Rhinegold.
The Rhinemaidens were tasked with guarding the massive horde of treasure known as the Rhinegold and did so for centuries. One day, Alberich appeared in their home to claim one of the maidens as his wife, though they rejected (admittedly in a rather cruel fashion). Alberich chased them to the cave where the treasure was kept.
Alberich asked the Rhinemaidens about the gold, and despite Flosshilde’s, the eldest Rhinemaiden, warning her sisters told Alberich that they were given the gold by their father (the Demiurge) and told to guard it and that only someone who renounced all love could achieve it. Flosshild scolded her sisters for telling him this, but they stated that Alberich was so obviously enamored with them that he posed no threat. Unexpectedly, Alberich renounces love and steals the treasure with the enraged Rhinemaidens giving chase and cursing him.
The Rhinemaidens then explained that this treasure is would be split into two with half of it becoming Fafnir’s treasure horde and other half becoming the treasure of the Nibelungs after Alberich’s capture by Loki and the Nibelugen respectively. The Rhinemaidens then tell Sigurd that the treasure is cursed, such that its owner will know nothing but suffering for owning it unless it is returned to its rightful place. Sigurd, as the owner of the completed Rhinegold, must throw his gold into the Rhine to avoid his deadly fate.
Although moved by the Rhinemaidens’ story, Sigurd states that he cannot return the gold to them. Sigurd states that he has no fear of death and will face his destiny head on, even if it is grim. Sigurd also believed that he deserved a grisely end because of his actions. The Rhinemaidens call Sigurd brave but foolish, telling him that his actions will doom him and his loved ones to ruin. Sigurd then steeled his resolve and began walking back to Worms.
Sigurd returned to the city and was confronted by Gunther and Kriemhild. Sigurd told Gunther what happened and left to testify to the nobles what happened. Sigurd stated that the rumors of his cuckolding Gunther were false and that Kriemhild was mistaken in her words. Gunther acquitted Sigurd of wrongdoing and told his courtiers to never speak of the matter again.
=== Conspiracy ===
Even with the matter officially settled, rumors still spread in Worms about what happened. Many were split with some calling for Sigurd’ss head for violating their queen while others mocked Gunther as a weak cuckold who could not control his family. Foremost amongst those who were angry about what happened was Hagen. Hagen saw what happened against his half-brother and liege lord to be a grave insult and he had turned against Sigurd thanks to the noble controversy that occurred years previous. Gunther’s brothers were also concerned with Sigurd, fearing that he would soon take over Worms completely from the inside. Despite Gunther’s inner circle's words, he refused to take action.
Hagen began speaking to Gunther privately, attempting to implant doubt in Gunther’s mind about Sigurd’s honesty, and told him that everyone, including Brynhildr, would respect him again if he killed Sigurd. Hagen went further, stating that Sigurd’s heir was Gunther’s nephew. If Sigurd were to die and Siegmund rose to the throne, he would be easy to manipulate and all of Sigurd’s lands and wealth would be added to the Burgundians. Although tempted, Gunther refused and said he would hear no more of it.
Weeks later, Brynhildr would return to civilization. Gunther confronted Brynhildr and she began acting manic and tearful. Brynhildr told Gunther that, since the trials in Iceland, Sigurd had been forcing her to sleep with him, and the entire time that Sigurd was in Worms, he had been locked in a forced affair with her behind Gunther’s back. Brynhildr then said that if Gunther killed Sigurd she would love him forever and the insult against him would be avenged.
Gunther’s mind was finally swayed and he began planning with Hagen and his brothers to kill Sigurd. Gunther and Giselher were sworn brothers of Sigurd and thus were unwilling to kill him themselves lest they incur that wrath of God. Gernot, however, had never sworn the oath and would not incur any wrath. Gernot’s brothers and Hagen offered him great riches if he completed the task and gave him a potion of snake and wolf parts.
Gernot went into a berserker rage and broke into Sigurd’s room with a sword. Gernot attempted to stab Sigurd through the stomach, but in his insanity could not cut through him. Sigurd punched Gernot into a wall and began to wrestle with him. Unable to disarm Gernot, Sigurd grabbed and cut Gernot in half at the waist, killing him instantly. 
Sigurd comforted Kriemhild as she wept in fright and began planning to leave the kingdom for safety. Thinking fast, Gunther covered up the event by saying that Gernot had been drugged by foreign invaders who intended to conquer the kingdom. Sigurd was wary, but felt guilt for everything regarding Brynhildr and killing Gernot and agreed to stay in Worms to defend the kingdom. Hagen later secretly brought in 32 slaves who stated they had escaped from Denmark, which was beginning to conquer lands once more with Burgundy being first on their chopping block.
Sigurd began to ready his soldiers once more to invade Denmark. Hagen was among the troops coming with Sigurd and he went to speak with Kriemhild before leaving. Hagen stated that he was aware that Sigurd had a weak spot on his back and was worried that his advanced age would allow their enemies to access it. Hagen then said that if Kriemhild told him where the spot was, he could ensure that Sigurd was safe from harm. Worried about her husband, Kriemhild told Hagen that Sigurd’s weak spot was an area between his shoulder blades and sewed a cross into Sigurd’s clothing over that spot so Hagen would know where to cover for Sigurd.
Sigurd led his troops to march to Denmark. A messenger, secretly sent by Giselher, arrived to meet the army and informed them that when the Danes learned that Sigurd was marching to meet them, they ceased their plans and yielded. Sigurd led the armies back and informed Gunther of the news.
Gunther asked why Sigurd had not died, and Hagen stated that they could not fake a war and that going to war with Denmark would have disastrous consequences. Instead, Hagen had learned of Sigurd’s weak spot and knew where to stab Sigurd to kill him. Hagen had a plan to invite Sigurd out boar hunting and kill him. Gunther gave Hagen the go-ahead for the plan.
Sigurd accepted Hagen’s request and began preparing to leave with him and the Burgundians. Kriemhild had an eerie dream that she interpreted that Sigurd should not go hunting for fear of harm coming to him. Sigurd consoled Kriemhild and attempted to assuage her fears, stating that this would help set their reputations back on track and that his dragon-scale skin would keep him safe. Sigurd kissed Kriemhild goodbye and left with Hagen. Before Sigurd left, Kriemhild gave him Andvaraut, believing it would be a good luck charm. 
=== Death ===
Sigurd and Hagen went into the woods and had a good haul, with Sigurd having immense skill in catching his quarries. As they were hunting, the camp was attacked by a bear which Sigurd wrestled into submission and let out into the woods. The camp had forgotten to bring wine or mead, but Hagen told the camp there was a nearby spring with fresh water they could quench his thirst. Thanking Hagen for informing him, Sigurd left to take a drink, leaving his armaments behind.
As Sigurd began drinking from the spring when Hagen suddenly appeared behind him with a spear and lanced him through the back into his heart. Despite having been pierced through heart Sigurd rose to his feet and rushed Hagen. Hagen attempted to escape, but even in his dying state, Sigurd was faster and stronger than him. Sigurd began to beat Hagen to death with his bare hands, however, he lost all strength before he could finish the job.
Sigurd collapsed on a bed of flowers, drenching them in his blood. As Sigurd lay in a pool of his blood, he began laughing as he had a vision of the brutal deaths of the Burgundian Kings and Hagen. Happy that his foes would receive their comeuppance, Sigurd stated with his last words that he would always love Brynhildr and Kriemhild, and not even death took that love away.
=== Aftermath ===
The hunting party returned to Worms, taking Sigurd back to Worms. Hagen stated that bandits had seen Sigurd unarmored and by chance managed to catch him unaware and slay him. Hagen then claimed that he had killed the bandits in turn, with their bodies falling into the Rhine.
Kriemhild wept over Sigurd’s body for days, refusing to eat, drink, or sleep as she mourned the man she loved. Kriemhild’s sadness soon morphed into rage, as she pieced together what happened. She knew that it was not luck that killed her husband and there was one man who knew where Sigurd’s weak point was. Kriemhild knew that Hagen had killed her husband and that her brothers had signed off on it.
Once Brynhildr learned of Sigurd’s death, she became manic and started laughing with madness. Gunther confronted Brynhildr about her laughter, which then broke into manic tears. Brynhildr revealed that she lied about Sigurd forcing her to sleep with him and that she was the one who initiated the one time that Sigurd broke his oath to Gunther. Brynhildr says that the entire Burgundian clan would see nothing but suffering and further reveals that she manipulated Gunther into having Sigurd killed so that they could be together in death. Brynhildr then lanced herself through the heart with her spear and died. As she died, Brynhildr stated that she wished to be burned on the same pyre as the one she truly loved, Sigurd.
Sigurd was burned in a pyre outside Worms, and despite Kriemhild’s protests, Brynhildr is burned on the same one. The ashes were then buried in a sarcophagus near an abbey in the city. Kriemhild sent Svanhild and Siegmund back to Xanten to be cared for by their servants. Kriemhild herself remained in Worms, planning to get revenge on her family for killing her husband.
== Personality ==
As a child, Sigurd had a terrible temper and was so ill-behaved that he was banished into the woods. As he grew older, he matured and moved passed this trait.
Sigurd would grow into a polite and affable man. Sigurd was very soft-spoken, which caused many to believe that he was simple. In truth, Sigurd was quite intelligent, though he did not like speaking very much. While he was a prince, he spent most of his youth in the Black Forest as the assistant to a blacksmith and later as a knight-errant. Sigurd admitted to making for a poor king as he had never been raised for such a duty, though he was well-liked by most and ruled his kingdom quite well all things considered.
Sigurd liked to help people as much as possible, though his help often allowed others to take advantage of his generosity. Despite being a rather nice person who loved helping people, Sigurd was very well-known for his brutality in battle. This brutality was not something intentional, he simply was used to going a bit overboard in fights. Sigurd had a love of battle and fighting new opponents.
== Appearance ==
Sigurd was a tall man who stood at 6'6" and weighed at about 270 lbs. Sigurd was very muscular, though he was also lean with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Sigurd had quite pale skin, though it was not unhealthy looking. Sigurd had light blue eyes that were often compared to glaciers, though they also had the intensity of a burning fire. Sigurd had wavy hair that reached his middle back and it was somewhat unkempt, though not in a way that indicated a lack of care. Sigurd's hair was a very light platinum blond, so light that it occasionally appeared closer to white depending on the lighting. Sigurd would later grow a beard that was very well-groomed. While mostly hidden, Sigurd had a variety of runic tattoos on his body that would glow whenever he activated them. Sigurd was a ruggedly handsome man and many fell for his good looks.
== Attributes ==
=== Powers ===
Draconic Wisdom: Sigurd would gain an ability he referred to as Draconic Wisdom. This was not wisdom in the traditional sense, but instead a sort of precognition that allowed him see into the future for brief intervals.
Dragon-Scale Body: Aside from a large spot on his back, Sigurd's body was as hard as dragon scales. This rendered most weapons or attacks useless against him.
Bird-Speak
=== Abilities ===
=== Skills ===
Swordsmanship
Magic: Sigurd would learn runic magic from Brynhildr. Sigurd personally had a variety of runes tattooed on his body for a variety of different magical effects.
=== Techniques ===
=== Weaknesses ===
Vulnerable Spot
Anti-Dragon Paraphernalia