Fjölnir

*"You behold your brother’s gaze in amazement. I knew well you would. Pity you never paid a bastard's eyes heed before. Now behold how swiftly your brother swings his sword."*
―Fjölnir to Aurvandil[src]
King **Fjölnir** the Brotherless is the brother of King Aurvandil War Raven and a king of Hrafnsey.

## Biography

### Early Life

As a bastard, Fjölnir is viewed from birth as lesser than his brother, Aurvandil. He later falls in love with Aurvandil's wife, Gudrún, despite knowing of her past as a slave. He fathers a son, Thórir, on an unidentified woman.

### Return to Hrafnsey

*"Look. you...sneer at the king all you might, he's ever-still your brother. You have station."
"He smiles on my mis-chanced birthright. I'm ever-still the bastard."
"Many would wish to be in your fine shoes."
"Like a stallion's cock, even the finest leather shrinks with age. And my shoes no longer fit..."*
―Hallgrímr and Fjölnir[src]

Fjölnir and Aurvandil embark on a season-long conquest, in which they acquire a great plunder of riches and slaves. Once they return to Hrafnsey, Fjölnir is tasked with delivering the slaves. As he oversees this, he looks bitterly towards the keep and calls Aurvandil a "proud preening peacock". Hallgrímr Half-Troll tells him that while he may sneer at his brother, he should appreciate his station. Fjölnir replies that Aurvandil smiles at his mischance of birth and that he is ever still the bastard. Hallgrímr points out that many would wish to be in his shoes, to which Fjölnir scoffs and tells him that like a stallion's cock, even the finest leather shrinks with aid and his shoes no longer fit.

Afterwards, he enters the great hall and hails his brother. Gudrún presents her cup to Fjölnir and Heimir the Fool makes a crude comment about her cup growing wet for more men than her king. Fjölnir is angered by this and orders him to be silent, accusing him of slandering his lord and lady. Aurvandil calms his brother, declaring it a jest. He reminds him of another more in need of his safekeeping and Thórir is handed to him by Helga, his nanny. Fjölnir holds up his infant son and toasts his brother.

### Murder of Aurvandil

*"Strike, brother, strike. But know that bearing a stolen ring makes no half-breed a king. Soaked in my blood, it will soon be sliding off your arm like a serpent. Your kingdom will not last. Let this misdeed haunt all your living nights till a flaming vengeance gorges on your death. Strike. Strike! To Valhöll!"*
―Aurvandil to Fjölnir[src]

Later that night, Aurvandil takes his young son, Amleth, to a temple. Gudrún approaches Fjölnir and begs him to kill his brother, giving him her blessing to kill Amleth. At dawn, Fjölnir and his men ride towards the temple and shoot Aurvandil with arrows. Amleth attempts to defend his father, who orders him to run. As they surround him, Aurvandil attempts to defend himself and is stabbed with several spears. Once his brother has been brought to his knees, Fjölnir dismounts from his horse and approaches him. Aurvandil is amazed to see him standing over him and Fjölnir states that he knew he would. He comments that it is a pity that Aurvandil never paid a bastard's eyes heed before and tells him to behold how quickly he swings his sword.

Aurvandil urges his brother to strike, telling him that bearing a stolen ring makes no half-breed a king and that his kingdom will not last. Aurvandil states that he wishes for Fjölnir's misdeed to haunt him for the rest of his days until a flaming vengeance gorges upon his death. Aurvandil once again urges Fjölnir to strike and he decapitates his brother with three swings. Fjölnir's followers hail him as the new king and he orders them to bring him Amleth's head. He and his men then perform a coup on Hrafnsey, during which he carries Gudrún out of the keep over his shoulder as she laughs. Finnr, who has had his nose cut off, then arrives and tells Fjölnir that he has killed Amleth and dropped his corpse in the sea.

### Kingship

*"Fjölnir fled to that frontier backwater with his wife and son after King Haraldr of Norway, took his kingdom. He killed his brother for nothing, now he's a sheep farmer!"*
―Eiríkr to Amleth[src]
As the new king of Hrafnsey, Fjölnir takes Gudrún as his wife and tortures, dismembers and kills Heimir. However, Aurvandil's final warning comes to fruition, as Fjölnir is later overthrown by King Haraldr of Norway. Along with Gudrún and Thórir, he flees to Iceland and sets up a farm in Freysdalur. Fjölnir and Gudrún later have a son of their own, Gunnar.

### A Dream

*"Hush, hush, my love."
"A voice cried out to me from darkness. It cried: "Your end has come. You are come home ... home to Hel." I fear it was my brother."
"Calm yourself, my love. If your brother calls you, he calls from the battlefields of the dead. That is where you and Aurvandil will meet again and you will kill him again and again and again."*
―Gudrún and Fjölnir[src]
Fjölnir has a dream in which he hears a voice calling out to him, telling him that his end has come and he will be brought home to Hel. He wakes and tells Gudrún of his dream and expresses fear that the voice calling out to him was Aurvandil. She soothes him, telling him that if his brother calls to him, it is from the battlefield of the dead. She assures him that he will meet Aurvandil again there and that he will kill him again and again.

### Acquiring Slaves

*"Well, I wonder what they call a beast like you in the Land of Rus?"
"I ... am ... Björn ... ulfr ..."
"By name alone you can tell he is as strong as a bear! But if you're as untrustworthy as a wolf, I swear I will put you down myself."*
―Fjölnir to Björnulfr[src]

Fjölnir teaches Gunnar how to chop wood, but the boy asks why they are doing it, calling it "slave work". Fjölnir tells him that no man knows if he will celebrate the next yuletide as a king or a slave and had best be prepared for both. He tells him that it is important for his slaves to know he is as strong as they are to prevent them from rising up against him. Gunnar counters that no one is watching and Fjölnir tells him to fetch them some whey and think on what he said. As Gunnar leaves, Fjölnir observes Thórir having a sparring session with his friends Hersveinn Battle Hard and Hjalti Battle Hasty, in which his firstborn thows a temper tantrum when he is overpowered. Fjölnir is then informed by Hallgrímr Half-Troll that his shipment of slaves has arrived.

Fjölnir examines the slaves and determines that they will not last the winter, ordering for them all to be sold. One of the slaves knocks the one next to him to the ground and roars like a beast. Fjölnir asks to see him and Hallgrímr holds him still. Thórir states that he is not impressed, commenting on the slaves's stench, punching him in the stomach and telling him never to look him in the eye. Fjölnir asks the slave what they call him in the Land of the Rus and he introduces himself as Björnulfr. Fjölnir states that he is as strong as a bear, but warns him that if he proves as trustworthy as a wolf, he will kill him himself.

Fjölnir decides to keep Björnulfr, but that the rest can go. Gunnar informs him that Gudrún needs two for the kitchen, one for the laundry and two males for the harvest. Fjölnir chooses slaves for these duties, including a young Slavic maiden named Olga, ordering that her arms be kept white and her hair be kept long.

The next day, Fjölnir sits in the longhouse as Gudrún tends to his hair. They notice Björnulfr staring at them through the door and Gudrún orders a servant to shut it.

Two nights later, Fjölnir meets with several of his men to discuss the upcoming Chetfains' Feast, where several of his slaves will go up against those of Hákon Iron-Beard in a game of knattleikr. He tells them of his plan for Thórir to choose their strongest slaves to prove that Hákon's men are born of mud and water. He calls for his dog, Rakki, and hears him growling nearby. He calls Rakki to him and orders his men to take the dog home and and get themselves to bed, as it is nearly down.

Fjölnir then enters the bire, where the female slaves sleep, and wakes the housekeeper, Halldóra the Pict and orders her to wake Olga. Halldóra does as ordered and brings Olga before him. He comments that she has the hair of a Valkyrja, despite being a "savage Slav bitch". She lifts her shift, exposing her menstrual blood, and he advances her. She then rubs her hand in it and strikes him in the face with it. He orders Halldóra to teach Olga her place, or he will kill them both.

### The Chieftains' Feast

*"Thórir will choose our strongest. Tomorrow we'll prove Hákon Iron-Beard's men are born of mud and water."*
―Fjölnir[src]

Fjölnir, his family and their servants travel to meet with those of Hákon for the Chieftains' Feast. In the game of knattleikr, one of Hákon's slaves, Thórfinnr Tooth-Gnasher, is a very large, strong and brutish man, who quickly dispatches Fjölnir's players. Björnulfr wipes out the remainder of Hákon's team until only he and Thórfinnr remain. As the two battle, Gunnar runs out onto the field and takes the ball, sending everyone into a panic. Thórfinnr attacks him and knocks him out, and as he prepares to deliver the killing blow, Björnulfr tackles him to the ground. Björnulfr headbutts Thórfinnr to death as Fjölnir holds his unconscious son in his arms and attempts to revive him. To everyone's relief, Gunnar regains consciousness.

Later that evening, Fjölnir and Hákon's families dine together. On Fjölnir's command, Thórir informs Björnulfr that he will be rewarded for saving Gunnar and winning them the game with less burdensome work, command of other slaves and a woman of his choice.

### Murders at Freysdalur

*"Freyr, it seems, has chosen for himself who is deemed fit for sacrifice. Let us hope his hunger has been sated."
"This is not the work of my God. This is trollish sorcery."*
―Gudrún and Fjölnir[src]

Upon returning to the farm, Fjölnir prays to Freyr within the temple. The next morning, the corpses of Hersveinn and Hjalti are found nailed to a barn in the shape of Sleipnir. Thórir is devastated and enraged, accusing the Christian slaves. Fjölnir and Gudrún order him to regain his calm and Fjölnir promises his son that his friends will be avenged, before ordering Hallgrímr to take him away. Finnr wonders if Thórir is right, stating that the Christians' god is a corpse nailed to a tree. Fjölnir asks why they would do it, as Hersveinn and Hjalti never touched them, and Gudrún asks how they would have found weapons. Áshildur Hofgythja, the temple priestess, examines the corpses and determines that their wounds were made by otherworldly means and that the distempered spirit will ride again, for it wields a hungry blade. She declares that she will prepare a sacrifice.

Later that night, Fjölnir and Gudrún sit in their longhouse and discuss the deaths of Hersveinn and Hjalti, with Fjölnir declaring that they brought the wrath upon themselves. He wonders if some emnity arose between them and Hákon Iron-Beard's men, as he paid settlement for those killed. Gudrún tells him that an affliction was chanced there apart from what befell their eyes. He tells her to speak clearly and she points out that Gunnar almost killed and wonders if he was meant to die. She suggests that the Dísir still haunt the mountains and that they tasted his blood, which has aroused their appetite.

He tells her that he does not wish to speak lightly of it and she replies that it is not the work of a natural being and that it may be coming to kill Gunnar. He asks if that is what she wishes it to have him and she replies that she will never want that, but insists that the spirit will not stop until it has been appeased. He suggests that they do so by offering it a life and she tells him that Áshildur must sacrifice whomever she deems fit to ensure Gunnar's safety. He assures her that they will brave whatever witchcraft the Norns offer them.

Fjölnir and Gudrún later hear a howling in the distance. Rakki begins to bark and they order him to stop. Rakki attacks Fjölnir, who is forced to stab him to death in self-defence. Fjölnir and Thórir then search the farm and find dogs attacking their masters. They enter the temple and find Áshildur bound and gagged and her assistant, Hallur Freymundur, castrated and disembowled. Fjölnir orders Finnr to free Áshildur and they are joined by Gudrún, who states the Freyr seems to decide for himself who is fit for sacrifice and hopes that he hunger has been sated. Fjölnir replies that it is not the work of his god, but trollish sorcery.

The next morning, Fjölnir tells the slaves that they will be armed that night to defend the farm, for it is also their home. Later that night, Fjölnir attempts to calm his soldiers as they are haunted by horrific visions. As Thórir vomits, Fjölnir attempts to cast Dísir out of him.

### Discovering Amleth

*"Where is it?"
"You cannot kill me. Even if you were to strike me with your sword, it would not bite. It is not my time. I will die in battle."
"Where is my son’s heart?"
"Ódinn the All-Father will vanquish your god of erections. Fear him!"
"I will come back ... for your heart. And your mother and I will eat it."*
―Fjölnir and Amleth[src]

The next morning, Thórir's corpse is discovered. Fjölnir is devastated by the death of his firstborn. He reaches into his son's chest and discovers to his horror that his heart is missing. He demands that Freyr tell him what evil eats the hearts of brave young men. Gudrún kneels next to him and tells him to be a man in front of his inferiors. She tells him that it is not the work of an evil spirit, but of Amleth. Fjölnir declares it impossible, that they rid theirselves of Amleth when he was a boy. Gudrún is insistent and tells him that Amleth will not stop until they are all dead and could not have done it on his own, urging to find out which of the slaves aided him.

The slaves are ordered to kneel and Fjölnir slits the throat of one. He tells the others that he does not know or care if the slave he killed aided in the death of his son, but threatens to kill them if they do not speak what they know. He kills two more slaves before concluding that Olga was the one who helped Amleth. He holds his dagger to her throat and she comments that he is no longer afraid of a woman's blood.

Björnulfr appears on a nearby hill and tells Fjölnir that he will return Thórir's heart in exchange for Olga's life. He confirms that he is Amleth and declares his intention to avenge his father. Fjölnir and his men charge at him and Gudrún orders them to kill him. Amleth bludgeons them with his sword without unsheathing it, but they eventually overpower him. Once he has been subdued, Fjölnir takes the bag containing the heart from his belt. He tells Amleth that he is just like his father, that evil begets evil. Amleth asks him how he knows it is truly Thórir's heart and not that of a rabid dog killed two nights before.

Fjölnir has Amleth strung up by his wrists in a barn, demanding to know what he has done with Thórir's heart. Amleth does not tell him, only stating that he cannot kill him, for it is not his time and he will die in battle. He then tells Fjölnir that Ódinn the All-Father will vanquish his god of erections. Fjölnir tells Amleth to be silent, promising to come back for his heart and that when he does, he and Gudrún will eat it. He then departs with his soldiers.

### Thórir's Funeral

*"My hour of grief has passed! The time of wrath-kindled revenge is upon us!"*
―Fjölnir[src]

Later that evening, they perform funeral rites for Thórir. Thórir's body is placed on a funeral ship and his steed Freyfaxi and a slave, Kormlöth, are sacrified. Fjölnir and Gunnar strip naked and Gudrún douses them in the horse's blood. At the end of the ceremony, Fjölnir declares that the time of mourning has passed and the the for wrath-kindled revenage is upon them, to cheers from his supporters. They return to the barn, but discover that Amleth is gone, with only ravens left behind.

### Amleth Returns

*"I will meet you at the Gates of Hel."
"At the Gates of Hel you will find me."
"There you will die by the hand that killed your father."*
―Fjölnir and Amleth[src]

Amleth returns to Freysdalur under cover of darkness and slaughters Fjölnir's men. Once Fjölnir learns of this, he tells Gudrún and Gunnar to stay hidden and safe in the longhouse whatever they hear. He kisses Gudrún before going out to search for Amleth. He later returns to the longhouse and finds Amleth standing over the corpses of Gudrún and Gunnar. Fjölnir picks up the corpses of his wife and son, telling Amleth that he will meet him at the Gates of Hel. Amleth agrees to meet him there and Fjölnir promises him that there he will die by the hand that killed his father.

### The Gates of Hel

Fjölnir rides to Mount Hekla and performs a funeral rite for Gudrún and Gunnar, decapitating his horse. He climbs to the summit and discards his clothing due to the extreme heat. Amleth eventually reaches the peak and uncle and nephew attack each other, naked and armed with only a sword and shield each. It is a fearce battle, with Fjölnir eventually bringing Amleth to his knees. He holds his sword out in front of his nephew, challenging him to get to his feet. Amleth stands back up and the duel resumes. It ends with Fjölnir driving his sword into Amleth's chest, though Amleth decapitates him simultaneously.

## Personality

*"Yet his brother...his fine brother...a bastard has no shame of himself nor his trade. Your uncle loved me though he knew well my past."*
―Gudrún[src]
Fjölnir has been looked down upon since his birth due to him being a bastard. As a result of being viewed as lesser than him, Fjölnir develops a deep resentment towards his brother Aurvandil. He later falls in love with his brother's wife, Gudrún, and they conspire to kill Aurvandil and kill his son Amleth, who was born of rape and would threaten Fjölnir's rule. His rule of Hrafnsey does not last, as he is later overthrown by Haraldr Fine-Hair and forced to flee to Iceland, where he sets up a farmstead at Freysdalur. Though he still has station as a chieftain, he has been brought quite low compared to his previous status as a king. Fjölnir loves his wife Gudrún and his sons Thórir and Gunnar. He is devastated when they are later killed by Amleth and is left with only his desire for revenge. Despite viewing his brother as evil, Fjölnir is guilty of similar behaviour such as rape and slavery.

## Religion

*"His heart! What evil is this? What kind of evil eats the hearts of brave young men? Freyr, do you hear me?"*
―Fjölnir[src]
Fjölnir is a devout worshipper of Freyr, to the extent that he is a chieftain priest at Freysdalur. He often invokes the god when angered and swearing punishment upon his enemies. He begs Freyr to answer him when he demands to know what evil eats the hearts of brave young men when he discovers that this has been done to Thórir. He takes offence when Amleth tells him that Ódinn the All-Father will vanquish Freyr, whom he dismisses as a "god of erections".

## Trivia

* In Saxo Grammaticus' legend, Amleth's uncle is named Feng. He murders his brother Horwendill out of jealousy and takes his widow Gurutha to wife, falsely claiming that Horwendill abused her to justify the murder. Amleth pretends to be an imbecile to convince Feng he is no threat and avoid his father's fate, but Feng puts him through various tests in an attempt to catch him out. Believing Amleth's madness to be feigned, Feng orders two attendants to take him to Britain and have him killed by the country's king, but Amleth outsmarts them and has them killed while he marries the king's daughter. Amleth later returns to Jutland , sets fire to the palace and kills Feng with his own sword. He is the basis for King Claudius from William Shakespeare's *Hamlet*.

## Behind the Scenes

* Jack Jagodka was a stunt double for Claes Bang in the role of Fjölnir.

## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Eggers, Robert; Sjón, *The Northman*, Focus Features, USA, April 22, 2022
2. ↑ Eggers, Robert; Sjón, *The Northman* Deleted Scene: "Fjölnir and Hallgrímr at the Slave Shed", Focus Features, USA, April 22, 2022
3. ↑ Eggers, Robert; Sjón, *The Northman* Deleted Scene: "Fjölnir's Dream", Focus Features, USA, April 22, 2022
4. ↑ Eggers, Robert & Sjón, *The Northman* Deleted Scene: "Fjölnir and Gudrún", Focus Features, USA, April 22, 2022